Llegada de las fuerzas de Parma a Ostende.

Carta de Sir Jon Conway, gobernador de Ostende a Walsingham.

The vanguard of the Prince's forces on Tuesday came before Ostend, and the artillery is coming after. Whether they will sit down before the town I know not ; "sure I am, if he do attempt us, through God his help he will be well beaten.

Though we have many wants to discourage us . . . yet have we men well contented, in good state of health, and resolutely disposed to fight ; withal willing of discipline and content to be commanded. . . I do assure myself the general number be here true to her Majesty . . . [and ready] to encounter any fury and with honour to die, if I fail not in that becomes me.

I hope God will assist me. The quarrel is his, the commandment her Majesty's and the obedience mine. I humbly beseech you, deem the best of me and despair not of the place. The States of Zeeland have given it out it was besieged ten days since and lost in twelve hours. It might have so chanced for any care they had of the safety. They have promised much to my lord Buckhurst but performed little. "The best is, the prince cannot long endure. He must and will do if he can do at the first and in fury. The country is not able to relieve him a continuing camp twenty days.

"We lack munition and weapons. You shall have time to correct this fault, but not to aid us." We are very slackly paid and I must relieve them with half pay, though I live in misery, or else suffer by the soldiers' discontentment. "I have written to my lord of Leicester more at large, and intended the same to you, but the enemy coming on strong . . . betake me from my pen to a pickaxe" and take my leave.

Ostend 1 June, 1587.

Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. XV. 7.]