A LIBEL OF SPANISH LIES ad. 



1596. 



Fiftly, the Generall doth say in his printed letter, that [HI- 595-] 

 notwithstanding all the diligence he could use, he 

 could not cause the English fleete to stay nor come 

 neere them, nor discharge one harquebuze or peece 

 of artillerie, but fled away as fast as they could. 



ANd this lie also he doth not receive by intelligence 

 from any other, but himselfe was an eye-witnesse 

 in the action, which made him bold to sende this with 

 the rest into his countrey for current newes : but here- 

 in Don Bernaldino was more bolde than wise, for the 

 torne and battered sides of his Galeons, being compared The torn sides 

 with her Majesties shippes, and others that served in "//^^ Spanish 

 that fisfht, doe declare, that his ships received at least V^^ n ^^^~ 



1 11 r XT • 1 -1 111 ^^^^^ ^'^^ 



two bullets tor one. JN either can it be concealed but Bernaldino of 

 his owne countreyman (if any do favour truth) may lying. 

 easily see the losse, and late reparations, done unto 

 the kings fleete, sithence they did encounter with the 

 English Navie, whensoever they that remaine shall arrive 

 in Spaine. But the Generall seemeth to be a very 

 good proficient in his profession, and waxeth somewhat 

 bold, treading the true steps of olde Bernardino de 

 Mendoza : and yet Mendoza was somewhat more warie 

 in his lies, for he had sometime the colour of intelligence 

 to shadowe them : but the Generall growing from bold- 

 nesse to impudencie maketh no scruple to say, that the 

 English Navie fled as fast as they could without dis- 

 charging any harquebuze or peece of artillerie, when as 

 the battered sides of his ships doe returne the lie to 

 his face : For in this conflict Don Bernaldino did behave 

 himselfe so valiantly, that he was alwayes farthest oflF 

 in the fight, and had so great care of his owne person, 

 that he stoode cleare from the danger of musket or 

 any small shot, and durst not approch ; whereas our The order of 

 Generall was the foremost, and so helde his place, ^^^ English 

 untill by order of fight other shippes were to have ^^^^' 

 their turnes, according to his former direction : who 

 wisely and politikely had so ordered his vangarde, 

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