a true report of the detestable treason intend by doctor Roderigo Lopez a  physician attend upon the person of the queen majesty who he for a sum of  money promise to be pay he by the king of Spain do undertake to have destroy  by poison with certain circumstance both of the plot and detect of the same  treason pen during the queen life the king of Spain have find by the  enterprise of the difficulty of a invasion of England and have also since that  time embrace the matter of France be a design of a more easy nature and better  prepare to his hand have of necessity for a time lie aside the prosecution of  his attempt against this realm by open force as know his mean unable to wield  both action at once as well that of England as that of France and therefore  cast at the fair have in a manner bend his whole strength upon France make in  the mean time only a defensive war upon the Low-countries but find again that  the support and aid which her majesty have continue to the French king be a  principal impediment retardation to his prevail there accord to his end he  have now of late by all mean project to trouble the water here to cut we out  some work at home that by practice without divert and employ any greorce he  may nevertheless divert our succour from France accord to which purpose he  first prove to move some innovation in Scotland not so much in hope to  alienate the king from the amity of her majesty as practice to make a party  there against the king himself whereby he shall be compel to use her majesty  force for his Aistance then he solicit a subject within this realm be a person  of great nobility to rise in arm and levy war against her majesty which  practice be by the same nobleman loyal and prudent reveal and last rather as  it be to be think by the instigation of our traitorous fugitive in foreign pat  and the corrupt sort of his counsellor and minister then of his own nature and  inclination either of himself or his say counsellor and minister use his name  have descend to to a course against all honour all society and humanity odious  to God and man detest by the heathen themselves which be to take away the life  of her majesty which God have in his pecious custody by violence or poison a  matter which may be prove to be not only against all Christianity and religion  but against nature the law of nation the honour of arm the civil law the rule  of morality and policy final to be the most condemn barbarous and ferine Act  that can be imagine yea suppose the quarrel and hostility between the prince  to be never so declare and so mortal yet be it not that it will be a very  reproach unto the age that the matter shall be once dispute or call in  question it can never be defend and therefore I leave it to the censure which  Titus the celebrated historian give in the like case upon Perseus the last  king of the Macedon afterward overthrow take with his child lead in triumph by  the Roman who non justice bellum to bear about king mind say per all secret  to go crime freebooting ac a poisoning to separate but to proceed certain it  be that even about this present time there have be suborn and send into this  realm diverse person some English some Irish corrupt by money and promise and  resolve and conjure by priest in confession to have execute that most wretched  and horrible fact of which number certain have be take and some have suffer  and some be spare because they have with great sorrow confess these attempt  and detest their to fit out and if I shall conjecture what the reason be why  this curse enterprise be at this time so hot and with such diligence pursue I  take it to be chief because the matter of France wax ripe and the king of  Spain make himself ready to unmask himself and to reap that in France which he  have be long in sow in regard that there be like to be a divulsion in the  league by the reconciliation of some of the head to the king the more  passionate sort be destiuted by their associate be like to cast themselves  whole into the king of Spain arm and to dismember some important piece of that  crown though now upon this fresh accident of receive the king into parish it  be to be think that both the worst affect of the league will ubmit themselves  upon any tolerable condition to their natural king thus advance in strength  and reputation and the king of Spain will take take a second advice ere he  embark himself too far in any new attempt against France but take the affirs  as they then stand before this accident unexpected especial of the Council of  Spain during this his suppose harvest in France his counsel have reason to  wish that there be no disturbance from hence where they make account that if  her majesty be remove upon who person God continue his extraordinary watch and  providence here will be nothing but confusion which they do not doubt but with  some no great Treasure and force from without may be nourish till they can  more full intend the ruin of this state accord to their ancient malice but  howsoever that be among the number of these execrable undertaker there be none  so much build and rely upon by the great one of the other side as be this  physician Lopez nor indeed none so dangerous whether you consider the aptness  of the instrument or the subtlety and secrecy of thoe that practice with he or  the shift and evasion which he have provide for a colour of his do if they  shall happen to come into question for fist whereas other be to find and  encounter infinite difficulty in the very obtain of a opportunity to execute  this horrible Act and beside can but see present and most assure death before  their eye and therefore must be as it be damnable votary if they undertake it  this man in regard of his faculty and of his private access to her majesty  have both mean to perpetrate and mean to conceal whereby he may reap the fruit  of his wicked treason without evident peril and for his accomplice that  practice with he be Portugal and of the retinue of king Antonio the king of  Spain mortal enemy they be man thereby free and discharge from suspicion and  may send letter and receive letter out of Spain without jealousy as those  which be think to entertain intelligence there for the good of their master  and for the evasion and Masqe that Lopez have prepare for this treason if it  have not be search and sift to the bottom it be that he do intend but to  cousin the king of Spain without ill meaning somewhat in the nature of that  stratagem which Parry a most cunning and artificial traitor have provide for  himself nevertheless this matter by the great goodness of God fall into good  hand of those honourable and sufficient person which deal therein be by their  great and worthy industry so handle and follow as this Proteus of a disguise  and transform treason do at last appear in his own likeness and colour which  be as foul and monstrous as have be know in the world for some of her majesty  Council long since enter into consideration that the retinue of king Antonio I  mean some of they be not unlike to hatch these kind of treason in regard they  be needy stranger enter into despair of their master fortune and like enough  to aspire to make their peace at home by some such wicked Sevices as these and  therefore grow to have a extraordinary vigilant eye upon they which prudent  and discreet presumption or conjecture join with some advertisement of espial  abroad and some other industry be the first Cause next under the great  benediction of God which give unto prince zealous counsellor and give to  counsellor policy and discern think of the reveal and discover of these  treason which be contrive in order and from as hereafter be set down this  Lopez of nation a Portugal and suspect to be in sect secret a Jew though here  he conform himself to the rite of Christian religion for a long time profess  physic in this land by occasion whereof be withal a man very observant and  officious and of a please and appliable behaviour in that regard rather then  for any great learning in his faculty he grow know favour in court and be some  year since swear physician of her majesty household and by her majesty bounty  of who he have receive diverse gift of good commodity be grow to good estate  of wealth this man have insinuate himself great in regard he be of the same  nation with the king Antonio who cause he pretend to solicit at the court  especial while he suppose there be any appearance of his fortune of who also  he have obtain as one that reserve all his do to gain a assignation of crown  to be levy in Portugal but be a person whole of a corrupt and mercenary nature  and find his hope cold from that part he cast his eye upon a more able  paymaster and secret make offer long since of his service to the king of Spain  and accord give sundry intelligence of that which pass here and import most  for the king of Spain to know have no small mean in regard of his continual  attendance at court nearness and access to learn many particular of great  weight which intelligence he maintain with Bernardine Mendoza Antonio Vega  Roderigo Marquez and diverse other in the conveyance of which his intelligence  and in the make know of his disposition to do the king of Spain service he  have among other one Manuel Andrada a Portugal revolt from do Antonio to the  king of Spain one that be disovered to have practice the death of the say do  Antonio and to have betray he to Bernardine Mendoza this man come hither be  for the same his practice appear by letter intercept apprehend and commit to  prison Beore which time also there have be by good diligence intercept other  letter whereby the say Andrada adververtised Mendoza that he have win dr Lopez  to the king service but Lopez have understanding thereof and find mean to have  secret conference with Andrada before his examination persuade with he to take  the matter upon himself as if he have invent that advertisement touch Lopez  only to procure himself credit with Mendoza and to make he conceive well of  his industry and service and to move he hereunto Lopez set before Andrada that  if he do excuse he he shall have credit to work his delivery whereas if he do  impeach he he be not like to find any other mean of favour by which subtle  persuasion Andrada when he come to be examine answer accord to the direction  and lessoning which Lopez have give he and have thus acquit himself of this  suspicion become suitor for Andrada's delivery crafty suggest that he be to do  some notable service to do Antonio in which his suit he accord prevail when  Lopez have thus get Andrada out of prison he be suffer to go out of the realm  into Spain in pretence as be say to do some service to do Antonio but in truth  to continue Lopez negotiation and intelligence with the king of Spain which he  handle so well as at his return hither for the comfort of the say Lopez he  bring to he from the king beside thank and word of encouragement and a Abrazo  which be the compliment of favour a very good jewel garnish with sundry stone  of good valve this jewel when Lopez have accept he cunning cast with himself  that if he shall offer it to her majesty first he be assure she will not take  it next that thereby he shall lie her asleep and make her secure of he for  great matter accord to the say fraud Himself faith in parvis to build before  ut in great man to press against which accord he do with protestation of his  fidelity and her majesty as a princess of magnanimity not apt to fear or  suspicion return it to he with gracious word after Lopez have thus abuse her  majesty and have these trial of the fidelity of Andrada they fall in  conference the matter be first move by Andrada as he that come fresh out of  Spain touch the empoysoning of the queen which Lopez who see that matter of  intelligence without some such particular service will draw no great reward  from the king oh Spain such as a man that be not needy but wealthy as h be  coul find any taste in assent unto and to that purpose procure again this  Andrada to be send over as well to dvertise and assure this matter to the king  of Spain and he minister namely to the count de Fuentes assistant to the  general of the king of Spain force in the low country as also to capitulate  and ontract with he about the certainty of he RewardAndrada have receive those  instruction and be furnish with money by Lopez procurement from do Antonio  about who service his employment be believe to be go over to Calais where he  remain to be near unto England and Flandes have a boy that ordinary pass to  and from between he and Lopez by who he do also the better to colour his  employment write to Lopez intelligence as it be agree he shall between he and  Lopez wh bid he send such Nws as he shall take up in the street from Calais he  writ to count de Fuentes of Lopez promise and demand upon the receipt of which  letter after some time take to advertise this proposition into Spain and to  receive direction thereupon the count de Fuentes associate with Stphano Ibarra  secretary of the Council of the war in the low country call to he one Manuel  Louys Tinoco a Portugal who have also follow king Antonio and of who good  devotion he have have experience in that he have convey unto he two several  packet wherewith he be trust by the king Antonio for France of this Louys they  first receive a corporal oath with solemn ceremony take his hand between their  hand that he shall keep secret that which shall be impart to he and never  reveal the same though he shall be apprehend and question here this do they  acquint he with the letter of Andrada with who they charge he to confer at  Calais in his way and to pass to Lopez into England address he further to  Stephano Ferrera de Gama and signify unto the say Lopez withal as from the  king that he give no great credence to Andrada as a person too sleight to be  use in a Cause of so great weight and therefore marvel much that he hear  nothing from Ferrera of this matter from who he have in former time be  advertise in generality of Lopez good affection to do he service this Ferrera  have be sometime a man of great livelihood and wealth in Portugal which he do  forgo in adhere to do Antonio and appear to be a man of a capacity and  practice but have some year since be secret win to the service of the king of  Spain not travel nevertheless too and from but reside as his leiger in England  Manuel Louys dispatch with these instruction and with all affectionate  commendation from the count to Lopez and with letter to Ferrera take his  journey first to Calais where he confer with Andrada of who receive more ample  information together with a short ticket of credence to Lopez that he be a  person who he may trust without scruple come over into England and first  repair to Ferrera and acquaint he with the state of the business who have  before that time give some light unto Lopez that he be not a stranger unto the  practice between he and Andrada wherewith indeed Andrada have in a sort  acquaint he and now upon this new dispatch and knowledge give to Lopez of the  choice of Ferrera to continue that which Andrada have begin he to conform  himself the better to the satisfaction of the king of Spain and his minister  abroad be content more full to communicate with Ferrera with who from that  time forward he mean single and apertly to deal and therefore cunning forbear  to speak with Manuel Louys himself but conclude that Ferrera shall be his only  runk and all his deal shall pass through his hand think thereby to have go  invisible whereupon he cast with himself that it be not safe to use the  mediation of Manuel Louys who have be make privy to the matter as some base  carrier of letter which letter also shall be write in a Cyphar not of alphabet  but of word such as may if they be open import no vehement suspicion and  therefore Manuel Louys be send back with a short answer and Lopez purvey  himself of a base fellow a ortugeze call Gomes do avila dwell hard by Lopez  house oh convey his letter after this messenger provide it be agree between  Lopez and Ferrera that letter shall be send to the count de Fuentes and  secretary ivarra write and sign by Ferrera or Lopez cautelously do forbear to  write himself but direct and indeed dictate word by word by Lopez himself the  content thereof be that Lopez be ready to execute that service to the king  which before have be treat but require for his recompense the sum of crown and  assurance for the same these letter be write obscure as be touch in term of  merchandise to which obscurity when Ferrera except Lopez answer they know his  meaning by that which and pass before Ferrera write also to Manuel Louys but  charge this Gomez to deliver the same letter unto he in the presence of ivarra  as also the letter to ivarra in the presence of Manuel Louys and these letter  be deliver to Gomez do avila to be carry to brussels and a passport procure  and his charge defray by Lopez and Ferrera the more to approve his industry  writ letter two several time the one convey by Emanuel Palacios with the  privity of Lopez to Christofero moro a principal counselor of the king of  Spain in Spain signify that Lopez be win to the king of Spain and that he be  ready to receive his commandment and receive a letter from the same  Christopher moro in answer to one oh these which he show unto Lopez in the  mean time Lopez though a man in semblance of a heavy wit yet indeed subtle of  himself as one train in practice and beside as wily as fear and covetousness  can make he think to provide for himself as be partly touch before as many  start hold and evasion as he can devise if any of these matter shall come to  light and first he take his time to cast forh some general word a far off to  her majesty as ask her the question whether a deceiver may not be deceive  whereof her majesty not imagine these word tend to such end as to warrant he  colorably in this wretched conspiracy but otherwise of her own natural  disposition bend to integrity and sincerity utter dislike and disallowance  next he think he have wrought a great mystery in demand the precise sum of  crown agree just with the sum of assignation or donation from do Antonio idle  and in that gross imagine that if afterward he shall accept the same sum he  may excuse it as make good by the king of Spain in regard he desist to follow  and favour do Antonio whereupon the king of Spain be in honour tie no to see  he a lose three in his conference with Ferrera when he be appose upon the  particular manner how he will poison her majesty he purposely nam unto he a  syrup know that her majesty never use syrup and therefore think that will  prove a high point for his justification if thing shall come in any question  but all this while disirous after his prey which he have in hope devour he do  instant importune Ferrera for the answer of his last dispatch find the delay  strange and reiterate the protestation of his readiness to do the service if  he be assure of his money now before the return of Gomez do avila into England  this Steven Ferrera be discover to have intelligence with the enemy but so as  the particular of his traffic and overture appear not only it seem there be  great account make of that he manage and thereupon he be commit to prison soon  after arrive Gomez do avila and bring letter only from Manuel Louys by the  name of Franceseo de Thores because as it seem the great person on the other  side have a contrary disposition to Lopez and like not to write by so base a  messenger but continue their course to trust and employ Manuel Louys himself  who in likelihood be retain till they may receive a full conclusion from Spain  which be not till about two month after this Gomez be apprehend at his land  and about he be find the letter aforesaid write in jargon or verbal Cyphar but  yet somewhat suspicious in these word this bearer will tell you the price in  which your pearl be esteem and in what resolution we rest about a little musk  and amber which I be determine to buy which word the say Manuel Louys  afterward voluntary confess to be decipher in this sort that by the allowance  of the pearl he mean that the count de Fuentes and the secretary do glad  accept the offer of Lopez to poison the queen signify by Ferrera's letter and  for the provision of amber and musk it be mean that the count look short for a  resolution from the king of Spain concern a matter of importance which be for  burn of the queen ship and another point tend to the satisfaction of their  vindicative humour but while the sense of this former letter rest ambiguous  and that no direct particular be confess by Ferrera nor sufficient light give  to ground any rigorous examination of he come over Manuel Louys with the  resolution from Spain who first understanding of Ferrera's restraint and  therefore doubt how far thing be discover to shadow the matter like a cunning  companion give advertisement of a intent he have to do service and hereupon  obtain a passport but after his come in he make no have to reveal any thing  but think to dally and abuse in some other sort and while the light be thus in  the cloud there be also intercept a little ticket which Ferrera in prison have  find mean to write in care to conceal Lopez and to keep he out of danger to  give a caveat of stay all further answer and advertisement in these cause  whereupon Lopez be first call in question but in conclusion this matter be  with all assiduity and policy more and more pierce and i into first there be  win from Manuel Louys his letter from the count de Fuentes and secretary ivara  to Ferrera in both which mention be make of the queen death in that of the  count under the term of a Commission and in that of the secretary under the  term of the great service whereof shall arise a universal benefit to the whole  world also the letter of credit write by Gonzalo Gomez one to Pedro de Carrera  and the other to Juan Pallacio to take up a sum of money by Emanuel Louys by  the foresay false name of Fr de Thores letter so large and in a manner without  limitation as any sum by virtue thereof may be take up which letter be deliver  to Louys by the count de Fuentes own hand with direction to show they to Lopez  for his assurance a matter of God secret work in stay the same for thereupon  rest only the execution of the fact of Lopez upon so narrow a point consist  the safety of her majesty life already sell by avarice to malice and ambition  but extraordinary preserve by that watchman which never slunbreth this same  Emanuel Louys and Steven Ferrera also whereof the one manage the matter abroad  and the other reside here to give correspondence never meeting after Emanuel  have return several examine without torture or threaten do in the end  voluntary and clear confess the matter above mention and in their confession  full consent and concur not only in substance but in all point particularity  and circumstance which confession appear express in their own natural language  testify and subscribe with their own hand and in open assembly at the  arraignment of Lopez in the guild hall be by they confirm and avouch to Lopez  his face and therewithal be extant undefaced the original letter from count de  Fuente secretary ivara and the rest and Lopez himself at his first  apprehension and examination do indeed deny and deny with deep and terrible  oath and execration the very conference and treaty with Ferrera or Andrada  about the empoisonment and be demand if they be prove against he what he will  say he answer that he will yield himself guilty of the fact intend  nevertheless be afterward confront by Ferrera who constant maintain to he all  that he say reduce he to the time and place of the say conference he confess  the matter as by his confession in write sign with his own hand appear but  then he fall to that slender evasion as his last refuge that he mean only to  cousin the king of Spain of the money and in that he continue at his  arraignment when notwithstanding at the first he do retract his own confession  and yet be ask whither he be draw either by mean of torture or promise of life  to make the same confession he do open testify that no such mean be use  towards he but the falsehood of this excuse be a allegation that any traitor  may use and provide for himself be convict by three notable proof the first  that he never open this matter neither unto her majesty unto who he have  ordinary access nor to any counselor of state to have permission to toll on  and inveigle these party with who he do treat if it have be think so  convenient wherein percase he have opportunity to have do some good service  for the further discovery of their secret machination against her majesty life  the second that he come too late to this shift have first bewray his guilty  conscience in deny those treaty and conference till they be evident and  manifest prove to his face the three that in confer with Ferrera about the  manner of his assurance he think it better to have the money in the hand of  such merchant as he shall name in Antwerp then to have bring it into England  declare his purpose to be after the fact do speedy to fly to Antwerp and there  to tarry some time and so to convey himself to Constantinople where it be  affirm that do Salomon a Jew in good credit be Lopez his near kinsman and that  he be great favour by the say do Salomon whereby it be evident that Lopez have  cast his reckon upon the supposition of the fact do thus may appear both how  just this Lopez be condemn for the high treason that can be imagine and how by  God marvellous goodness her majesty have be preserve and sure if a man do true  consider it be hard to say whither God have do great thing by her majesty or  for her if you oberve on the one side how God hth ordain her government to  break and cross the unjust ambition of the two mighty potentate the king of  Spain and the bishop of Rome never so strait between themselves combine and on  the other side how mighty God have protect her both against foreign invasion  and inward trouble and singular against the many secret conspiracy that have  be make against her life thereby declare to the world that he will indeed  preserve that instrument which he have magnify but the corruption of these  time be wonder when that war which be the high trial of right between prince  that acknowledge no superior jurisdiction and ought to be prosecute with all  honour shall be stain and infamed with such foul and inhumane practice wherein  if so great a king have be nam the rule of the civil law which be a rule of  common reason must be remember in vain law help to invoke with tears who in  law  To bring together he that have seek to violate the majesty royal in the  high degree can claim the preeminence thereof to be exempt from just  imputation