THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



speaks somewhat slightingly of Drake's great voyage, 

 and offers no excuse for omitting the raids on the 

 Drays Spanish Main. Yet the greatness of Drake is perhaps 

 achievements, best seen in these early buccaneerings. Time and again 

 he is within an ace of irreparable failure; time and 

 again his incredible quickness of resource uses the 

 material of his broken plans for a new and startling 

 success. His spirits are at their highest when things 

 seem most hopeless. His decisions are taken and his 

 blows delivered like lightning. He makes a fine art 

 of surprise, and escapes from difficulties by the un- 

 guarded way, the way of the impossible. A single 

 purpose animates all his exploits, and the chart of his 

 movements is like a cord laced and knotted round the 

 throat of the Spanish monarchy. Withal he is an 

 adept at dealing with men, French Protestants, English 

 adventurers, Negro Maroons, or Spanish emissaries ; 

 and carries himself in the pirate's profession with a 

 courtesy, magnanimity, and unfailing humanity that 

 give to his story the glamour of romance. Like 

 Napoleon's Italian campaign, the achievements of Drake 

 on the Spanish Main show a master at work, unbur- 

 dened and unfettered as yet by responsibility and 

 reputation, adapting himself solely to his material, and 

 inventing at every stroke. 

 The Voyage Drake's object was to drive England into war. The 

 navigation, object of the Government was to keep a free hand. 

 For some years he was hindered from further expedi- 

 tions, and work was found for him in Ireland. But 

 the Queen had a soft corner in her heart for him, and 

 when the whirligig of time once more cast into the shade 

 the hope of a peaceful understanding with Spain, she 



54 



