THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE' 



foure other boorded her ; two on her larboord, and two 

 on her starboord. The fight thus beginning at three of 

 the clock in the afternoone, continued very terrible all 

 that evening. But the great San Philip having received 

 the lower tire of the Revenge, discharged with crossebar- 

 shot, shifted her selfe with all diligence from her sides, 

 utterly misliking her first entertainement. Some say that 

 the shippe foundred, but we cannot report it for truth, 

 unlesse we were assured. The Spanish ships were filled 

 with companies of souldiers, in some two hundred be- 

 sides the mariners ; in some five, in others eight 

 hundreth. In ours there were none at all beside the 

 mariners, but the servants of the commanders and some 

 few voluntary gentlemen onely. After many enter- 

 changed volies of great ordinance and small shot, the 

 Spaniards deliberated to enter the Revenge, and made 

 divers attempts, hoping to force her by the multitudes 

 of their armed soulders and Musketters, but were still 

 repulsed againe and againe, and at all times beaten backe 

 into their owne ships, or into the seas. In the beginning 

 of the fight, the George Noble of London having 

 received some shot thorow her by the Armadas, fell 

 under the lee of the Revenge, and asked Sir Richard 

 what he would command him, being but one of the 

 victuallers and of small force : Sir Richard bid him save 

 himselfe, and leave him to his fortune. After the fight 

 had thus, without intermission, continued while the day 

 lasted and some houres of the night, many of our men 

 were slaine and hurte, and one of the great Gallions of 

 the Armada, and the Admirall of the Hulkes both 

 sunke, and in many other of the Spanish shippes great 

 slaughter was made. Some write that sir Richard was 

 very dangerously hurt almost in the beginning of the 

 fight, and lay speechlesse for a time ere hee recovered. 

 But two of the Revenges owne company, brought home 

 in a ship of Lime from the Ilandes, examined by some 

 of the Lordes, and others, affirmed that hee was never 

 so wounded as that hee forsooke the upper decke, till 



43 



A.D. 

 [591. 



