Privy Seal, and there got him to seal the business. Here I saw by
day-light two very fine pictures in the gallery, that a little while ago
I saw by night; and did also go all over the house, and found it to be
the prettiest contrived house that ever I saw in my life. So to coach
back again; and at White Hall light, and saw the soldiers and people
running up and down the streets. So I went to the Spanish Embassador's
and the French, and there saw great preparations on both sides; but
the French made the most noise and vaunted most, the other made no stir
almost at all; so that I was afraid the other would have had too great
a conquest over them. Then to the Wardrobe, and dined there, end then
abroad and in Cheapside hear that the Spanish hath got the best of it,
and killed three of the French coach-horses and several men, and is gone
through the City next to our King's coach; at which, it is strange to
see how all the City did rejoice. And indeed we do naturally all love
the Spanish, and hate the French. But I, as I am in all things curious,
presently got to the water-side, and there took oars to Westminster
Palace, thinking to have seen them come in thither with all the coaches,
but they being come and returned, I ran after them with my boy after me
through all the dirt and the streets full of people; till at last, at
the Mewes, I saw the Spanish coach go, with fifty drawn swords at least
to guard it, and our soldiers shouting for joy. And so I followed the
coach, and then met it at York House, where the embassador lies; and
there it went in with great state. So then I went to the French house,
where I observe still, that there is no men in the world of a more
insolent spirit where they do well, nor before they begin a matter, and
more abject if they do miscarry, than these people are; for they all
look like dead men, and not a word among them, but shake their heads.
The truth is, the Spaniards were not only observed to fight most
desperately, but also they did outwitt them; first in lining their own
harness with chains of iron that they could not be cut, then in setting
their coach in the most advantageous place, and to appoint men to guard
every one of their horses, and others for to guard the coach, and others
the coachmen. And, above all, in setting upon the French horses and
killing them, for by that means the French were not able to stir. There
were several men slain of the French, and one or two of the Spaniards,
a