treasures; out of his own purse and coffers, and assisted by his friends and such voluntary gentlemen as craved dependence upon his fortunes, without press or compelling any man, beating up his drums, levied so sufficient an army that with it he conquered all Spain, removed the usurper and reinstated the expulsed Don PEDRO: and after by interchangeable marriages, made himself and successive issue, competitors and allies to the Crown and Dignity Imperial.
Of what honours our nation have purchased from the French, even their own Chronicles without the flattery of ours, give ample and sufficient testimony. Witness the battles of Poitiers and Cressy, fought by "the Invincible Soldier" (for the great terror, which he brought into France) called the Black Prince; who, with inimitable valour, courage undaunted, and expedition almost beyond human apprehension, against infinite odds, and nothing in his own party to encourage him, save want of numbers and disadvantage of place: yet notwithstanding, not only disrouted their mighty armies, killing many and defeating all, but brought the King, Dauphin, and all the Prince Peers of the land, prisoners, and presented them at the feet of his father.
The Scotch King, taking the advantage of the King of England then being in France, who lay at Calais; made inroads and excursions into this land: whom the Queen PHILIPPA—then destitute of all her nobility and gentry, as being then with the King her husband in France—met with an army of priests, husbandmen, artificers and some few gentlemen; gave him battle, vanquished his army, took him prisoner, and added one thing more to the eternising of her husband's and son's famous and renowned valours.
I omit the great battle fought by HENRY V. at Agincourt, with many others: and lest I be taxed of [with] too great a digression, return to the former discourse; by me promised, and I make no question by you expected.
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In Lisbon, not long since, a young merchant, who for divers respects desires to have his name concealed, being in the company of certain Dons, and falling into discourse about the valour of several nations, they so far exceeded in the hyperboles of their own praise, that they blushed not to affirm that one Spaniard was able to beat two Englishmen
