OF IRELAND. VJ5 thrifty tydings, Lord Thomas the Deputy rash and youthfull, immediately confedered himselfe with Oneale, and O-Connor, with his Vnkles and Fathers friends, namely, Iohn, Oliver, Edward Fitz Gerald, lames and Iohn Delahide, Welch parson of Lough- seudy, Biirnel of BalgrifFen, Rorcks a pi rat of the seas, Bath of Dullardston, Field of Buske, with others, and their adherents guarded, he rideth on S. Barnabyes day to S. Mary Abbey where the Councell sate, and when they looked he should take his place, and rose to give it him, hee charged them to sit still, and stood before them and then spake.
Howsoever injuriously we be handled and forced to defend our selves in armes, when neither our service nor our good meaning towards our Princes crowne availeth, yet say not hereafter but in this open hostility, which wee professe heere and proclaime, we have shewed our selves no villaines nor churles, but war- riours and Gentlemen. This Sword of estate is yours and not mine, 1 received it with an oath, and have used it to your benefit, I should offend mine honour, if I turned the same to your annoyance, now have I neede of mine owne sword, which I dare trust, as for this common sword, it flattereth me with a golden scabberd, but hath in it a pestilent edge, already bathed in the Geraldines blood, and whetted it selfe in hope of a destruction : save your selves from us, as from your open enemies. I am none of Henry es De- puty, I am his foe, I have more minde to conquere,
