104 DISCOVERIES OF 1585. 



stormes and perils." On the 9th September, hav- 

 ing passed the Azores, Sir Humphrey's frigate was 

 observed to be nearly overwhelmed by a great sea ; 

 but she recovered the stroke of the waves, and 

 immediately afterwards the general was observed 

 by those in the Hinde sitting abaft, with a book in 

 his hand, calling out " Courage, my lads ! we are 

 as near to heaven by sea as by land !" The same 

 night this little bark and all within her were 

 swallowed up by the sea, and no more heard of. 



Thus perished this brave and adventurous gen- 

 tleman. Mr. Hayes says, that he was chiefly 

 induced to continue in the Squirrel, and adhere 

 to the fatal resolution of not quitting her, in con- 

 sequence of a malicious report that was spread 

 abroad, and had reached his ears, that he was 

 afraid of the sea. But it is not probable that a 

 man of such undaunted courage and vigour of 

 intellect should hav'e been swayed by any such 

 consideration ; though, in this chivalrous age, he 

 might perhaps have been influenced by the motto 

 which he bore on his arms — Mutare vel timere 

 sptrno^ 



Sir Humphrey Gilbert was descended from an 

 ancient and honourable family in Devonshire, 

 whose mother married a second time to Walter 

 Raleigh, Esq., from which marriage was born the 



* Prince, in his Worthies of Devon, makes the motto Mallem 

 mori quam mutare, ^ 



