270 OF A WAR WITH SPAIN. 



upon Spain may have just hope of victory, at least 

 of passport to depart safely. 



In the year 1591 was that memorable fight of 

 an English ship called the Revenge, under the 

 command of Sir Richard Greenvil; memorable, I 

 say, even beyond credit, and to the height of some 

 heroical fable : and though it were a defeat, yet it 

 exceeded a victory ; being like the act of Sampson, 

 that killed more men at his death, than he had done 

 in the time of all his life. This ship, for the space 

 of fifteen hours, sat like a stag among hounds at 

 the bay, and was sieged, and fought with, in turn, 

 by fifteen great ships of Spain, part of a navy of 

 fifty-five ships in all ; the rest like abetters looking 

 on afar off. And amongst the fifteen ships that 

 fought, the great S. Philippe was one ; a ship of 

 fifteen hundred ton, prince of the twelve sea-apostles, 

 which was right glad when she was shifted off from 

 the Revenge. This brave ship the Revenge, being 

 manned only with two hundred, soldiers and mariners, 

 whereof eighty lay sick ; yet nevertheless after a 

 fight maintained, as was said, of fifteen hours, and 

 two ships of the enemy sunk by her side, besides 

 many more torn and battered, and great slaughter 

 of men, never came to be entred, but was taken 

 by composition ; the enemies themselves having in 

 admiration the virtue of the commander, and the 

 whole tragedy of that ship. 



In the year 1596 was the second invasion that 

 we made upon the main territories of Spain ; pros 

 perously achieved by that worthy and famous Robert 



