A REPORT OF A WORTHY FIGHT a.d. 



1586. 



acknowledge their duty and obedience to him in the name [II. i. 287.] 

 of the Spanish king, Lord of those seas ? Our men 

 replied, and said, that they owed no such duetie nor 

 obedience to him, and therefore would acknowledge 

 none, but commanded the frigat to depart with that 

 answere, and not to stay longer a brabling, upon her 

 perill. With that away she went, and up comes toward 

 them the other frigat of Malta, and shee in like sort 

 hailed the Admiral, and would needs know whence they 

 were, and where they had bene. Our Englishmen in 

 the Admirall, not disdaining an answere, tolde them that 

 they were of England, Marchants of London, had bene 

 at Turkie, and were now returning home : and to be 

 requited in this case, they also demaunded of the frigat 

 whence she and the rest of the gallies were : the mes- 

 senger answered, we are of Malta, and for mine owne 

 part my name is Cavallero. These Gallies are in service 

 and pay to the king of Spaine, under the conduct of 

 Don Pedro de Leiva a noble man of Spaine, who hath 

 bene commanded hither by the King with this present 

 force and armie, of purpose to intercept you. You shall 

 therefore (quoth he) do well to repaire to him to know 

 his pleasure, he is a noble man of good behaviour and 

 courtesie, and meanes you no ill. The Captaine of the 

 English Admiral, whose name was M. Edward Wilkin- 

 son, replied and said. We purpose not at this time to 

 make triall of Don Pedro his courtesie, whereof we are 

 suspitious and doubtful, and not without good cause : 

 using withall good words to the messenger, and willing 

 him to come aboord him, promising securitie and good 

 usage, that thereby he might the better knowe the 

 Spaniards minde : whereupon he in deed left his frigat, 

 and came aboord him, whom hee intertained in friendly 

 sort, and caused a cuppe of wine^ to be drawne for him, 

 which he tooke and beganne, with his cap in his hand, 

 and with reverend termes to drinke to the health of the 

 Queene of England, speaking very honourably of her 

 Majestie, and giving good speeches of the courteous 



51 



