AD - THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1578. 



being fast ships by a winde, having a more scope of 

 cleare, tryed it out all the time of the storme under sayle, 

 being hardly able to beare a coast of each. 



And albeit, by reason of the fleeting yce, which were 

 dispersed here almost the whole sea over, they were 

 brought many times to the extreamest point of perill, 

 mountaines of yce tenne thousand times scaping them 

 scarce one ynch, which to have striken had bene their 

 present destruction, considering the swift course and way 

 of the ships, and the unwieldinesse of them to stay and 

 turne as a man would wish : yet they esteemed it their 

 better safetie, with such perill to seeke Sea-roome, than 

 without hope of ever getting libertie to lie striving 

 against the streame, and beating amongst the Isie moun- 

 taines, whose hugenesse and monstrous greatnesse was 

 such, that no man would credite, but such as to their 

 paines sawe and felt it. And these foure shippes by 

 the next day at noone got out to Sea, and were first cleare 

 of the yce, who now enjoying their owne libertie, beganne 

 a new to sorrow and feare for their fellowes safeties. 

 And devoutly kneeling about their maine Mast, they 

 gave unto God humble thankes, not only for themselves, 

 but besought him likewise highly for their friendes 

 deliverance. And even now whilest amiddest these 

 extremities this gallant Fleete and valiant men were 

 altogither overlaboured and forewatched, with the long 

 and fearefull continuance of the foresayd dangers, it 

 pleased God with his eyes of mercie to looke downe from 

 heaven to sende them helpe in good time, giving them 

 the next day a more favourable winde at the West 

 Northwest, which did not onely disperse and drive foorth 

 the yce before them, but also gave them libertie of 

 more scope and Sea-roome, and they were by night of 

 the same day following perceived of the other foure 

 shippes, where (to their greatest comfort) they enjoyed 

 againe the fellowship one of another. Some in mending 

 the sides of their ships, some in setting up their top 

 Mastes, and mending their sayles and tacklings ; Againe, 



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