But all in vain, for, the French King is like to have work
enough elswhere for his Fleets and forces, to preserve his interest
nearer home: For, by Letters from Gaunt, July, twenty
four new stile, it is ascertained, that the Arch-Duke Leopold
departed three daies ago from Bruxels with the mony of
Antwerp for the Soldiers. The French Army lies intrenched
upon the River of Oyse, and the Spanish between Guise and
Landrecy, well accommodated with necessaries; so that their
stomacks being up, they waite only the Arch-Dukes arrivall,
and then intend to invite the Monsieurs to a running Banquet;
in the mean time, They are Treated by way of skirmish, with
many a Collation.
In the mean while, the poor Thing called Prerogative is almost
baited to death, and whip't in every Province, from
Parliament to Parliament. At present, that walking Bordelli,
the Court, is removed as far as Poitiers, and from thence they
sent word to Bourdeaux of his Majestie's Intentions to visit
that City, wherein he expected to receive the same entertainment,
as had been given formerly to his Predecessors; for answer
whereunto, the Parliament of Bourdeaux declared as readily,
as if they had received a Copy of Sir John Hotham's Instructions;
That if he pleased to come without the company
of the Cardinal, and the Souldiery, they would most willingly
provide for his reception, and the safety of his Person; otherwise,
they must be excused, considering the present condition
of their affairs and the City. Nevertheless, the Court joggs on
still, being confident of Success, by reason of certain late divisions
among the Bourdelois, touching the admission of the
Spaniards into their City; who being sent away again, all differences
are composed between the Parliament, the Duke of
Bouillon, and the Princess of Condé.
For the truth is, some of the Court-Sorcerers had a little inchanted
many of the Parliament with their Witch crafts, insomuch
that they opposed the intended union of all Parties,
for the redemption of themselves, and the Imprisoned Princes;
which put the People into, such a rage, that they would
have pulled the Opposite party in Parliament to pieces, had