There was at that time the Lord Goring, son to the Earl of Norwich: he
had a command under Philip the Fourth of Spain, against the
Portuguese: he was generally esteemed a good and great commander, and
had been brought up in Holland in his youth, of vast natural parts;
for I have heard your father say, he hath dictated to several persons
at once that were upon despatches, and all so admirably well, that
none of them could be mended. He was exceeding facetious and pleasant
company, and in conversation, where good manners were due, the
civilest person imaginable, so that he would blush like a girl. He was
very tall, and very handsome: he had been married to a daughter of the
Earl of Cork, but never had a child by her. His expenses were what he
could get, and his debauchery beyond all precedents, which at last
lost him that love the Spaniards had for him; and that country not
admitting his constant drinking, he fell sick of a hectic fever, in
which he turned his religion, and with that artifice could scarce get
to keep him whilst he lived in that sickness, or to bury him when he
was dead.
We came to St. Sebastian's about the beginning of September, and there
hired a small French vessel to carry us to Nantz: we embarked within
two days after our coming to this town. I never saw so wild a place,
nor were the inhabitants unsuitable, but like to like, which made us
hasten away, and I am sure to our cost we found the proverb true, for
our haste brought us woe.
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