THE PORTUGAL VOYAGE a.d. 



1589. 



May the burning of one towne (which cost the king 

 then being six times as much as this hath done her 

 majestie, wherein were lost seven times as many men 

 as in any one service of this journey, and taried not the 

 tenth part of our time in the enemies Countrey) be by 

 our elders so highly reputed and sounded out by the 

 historie of the Realme ; and can our voyage be so 

 meanly esteemed, wherein we burned both townes and 

 Countreys without the losse of fortie men in any such 

 attempt ? 



Did our kings in former times reward some with the 

 greatest titles of honour for overthrowing a number of 

 poore Scots, who, after one battell lost, were never able 

 to reenforce themselves against him ; and shall they in 

 this time who have overthrowen our mightie enemie in 

 battell, and taken his roiall Standerd in the field, besieged 

 the marquesse of Saralba 15 dayes together, that should 

 have bene the Generall of the Armie against us, brought 

 away so much of his artillarie (as I have before declared) 

 be unwoorthily esteemed of? 



Is it possible that some in some times should receive 

 their reward for looking upon an enemie, and ours in 

 this time not receive so much as thanks for having beaten 

 an enemie at handie strokes? 



But it is true that no man shall bee a prophet in his 

 Countrey : and for my owne part I will lay aside my 

 Armes till that profession shal have more reputation, 

 and live with my friends in the countrey, attending 

 either some more fortunate time to use them, or some 

 other good occasion to make me forget them. 



But what ? shall the blind opinion of this monster, a 

 beast of many heads, (for so hath the generalitie of old 

 bene termed) cause me to neglect the profession from 

 whence I chalenge some reputation, or diminish my love 

 to my countrey, which hitherto hath nourished me ? No, 

 it was for her sake I first tooke armes, and for her sake 

 I will handle them so long as I shall be able to use 

 them : not regarding how some men in private con- 



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