A REPORT OF A WORTHY FIGHT a.d. 



1586. 



to stay in the port, till the necessities of ech shippe 

 were supplied, and nothing wanted to set out for their 

 returne. 



In this port of Zante, the newes was fresh and cur- 

 rant, of two severall armies and fleetes provided by the 

 king of Spaine, and lying in waite to intercept them : the 

 one consisting of 30. strong Gallies, so well appointed 

 in all respects for the warre, that no necessary thing 

 wanted : and this fleete hovered about the Streights of 

 Gibraltar. The other armie had in it 20. Gallies, whereof 

 some were of Sicilie, and some of the Island of Malta, 

 under the charge and government of John Andrea 

 Dorea, a Captaine of name serving the king of Spaine. 

 These two divers and strong fleetes waited and attended 

 in the Seas for none, but the English shippes, and no 

 doubt made their accompt and sure reckoning that not 

 a shippe should escape their furie. And the opinion 

 also of the inhabitants of the Isle of Zante was, that in 

 respect of the number of Gallies in both these armies, 

 having received such streight commandement from the 

 king, our ships and men being but few, and little in 

 comparison of them, it was a thing in humane reason 

 impossible, that wee should passe either without spoil- 

 ing, if we resisted, or without composition at the least, 

 and acknowledgement of duetie to the Spanish king. 



But it was neither the report of the attendance of 

 these armies, nor the opinions of the people, nor any 

 thing else, that could daunt or dismay the courages of 

 our men, who grounding themselves upon the goodnesse 

 of their cause, and the promise of God, to bee delivered 

 from such as without reason sought their destruction, 

 caried resolute mindes, notwithstanding all impediments 

 to adventure through the Seas, and to finish their Navi- 

 gation, maugre the beards of the Spanish souldiers. But 

 least they should seeme too carelesse, and too secure of 

 their estate, and by laying the whole and entire burden 

 of their safetie upon Gods providence, should foolishly 

 presume altogether of his helpe, and neglect the meanes 

 vi 49 d 



