A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1596. 



ciently strengthened with the travailes, reports, & sub- 

 stantial proofes of his own men, that have above 60. 

 yeres beaten round about this bush. And to say a 

 trueth, the expedition that he hath used in sending so 

 many ships in February last to people this country, 

 & disappoint us ; as it doth consequently shew, that 

 he findeth his chiefest force and sinewes to consist in 

 golde : so doeth he thereby plainly to our faces expro- 

 brate our remisnesse & long deliberations, that in 12. 

 moneths space have done, or sought to doe nothing 

 worthy the ancient fame & reputation of our English 



InJunei^^d. nation, interessed in so weighty businesse. * His late 

 provision of a new supply of whole families to the 

 number of 600. persons, bound for Guiana, but that 

 it pleased God, that by meanes of that right honourable 

 service most resolutely performed in the sea-fight, and 

 sacking of Cadiz, the ships wherein they should have 

 bin conveyed, were converted into ashes : what might 

 it signifie ? Certes, as it doth evidently prove, that 

 El Dorado hath undoubted credit & account in their 

 judgements : so pointeth it at us, whilst we only to 

 entertain idle time, sit listening for Guiana newes, & 

 instantly forget it, as if it were nought els, but a pleasing 



[III. 668.] dreame of a golden fancy. If we with our selves shall 

 expostulate, how this commeth to passe, that the 

 advantage wholy resting on our side, in respect that 

 Berreo was this last yere beaten out, the countrey 

 throughly discovered, & the Inhabitants made desirous 

 of her sacred Majesties happy government; they not- 

 withstanding by entring before us, have now gotten ye 

 start of us : what may we thinke ? Shal wee judge 

 that their native countrey is lesse deare, or more weari- 

 some unto them, then ours is unto us ? Their Peruleri, 

 who going bare & empty out of Spaine, do againe 

 within 3. or 4. yeres returne from Peru, rich and in 

 good estate, doe apparently disprove all such conceits 

 of them. Shall wee say that they have more spare men 

 to be imployed in such actions ? It is no secret to 



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