CflAP. II. M KUCHA NT ADVKNTC KK1I. 7 



The c])it;i])h was more truthful than epitaphs usually 

 are; and as respects the fame of Richard Myddelton's 

 offspring, it might even be regarded as prophetic. The 

 third son, William, was one of Queen Elizabeth's famous 

 sea captains. He was educated at Oxford, but, inflamed 

 with a love of adventure, he early went to sea, and 

 eventually rose to distinction. In 1591 we find him 

 with the small English fleet sent to intercept the Spanish 

 galleons off the Azores. Philip II., having received 

 intelligence of the design, had equipped and sent to sea 

 a much more powerful squadron for the purpose of 

 effectually frustrating it. Captain Myddelton first sighted 

 the enemy, and kept company with them for three 

 days, until he had obtained full intelligence of their 

 strength, when he rejoined the fleet under Admiral 

 Howard. The vigilance of Myddelton on the occasion 

 is said to have saved the English squadron, though Sir 

 Richard Greville, the Vice- Admiral, got entangled with 

 the enemy, and his ship (the only one taken) was cap- 

 tured by the Spaniards, after resisting their whole force 

 for twelve hours, and repulsing their boarders fifteen 

 times. 1 While engaged on his various cruises, Myd- 

 delton occupied his leisure hours in translating the Book 

 of Psalms into Welsh. He finished the work in the 

 West Indies, and it was published in 1603, shortly after 

 his death. 2 He was also the author of ' Barddoniaeth, 

 or the Art of Welsh Poetry,' a work for some time held 

 in considerable estimation. The fourth son of Richard 

 Myddelton was Thomas, an eminent citizen and grocer 

 ( )f London. He served the office of sheriff in 1 603, when 



died, and his ship went Imgly departing from this body, \cn\- 



lu\vu t\v< days alter the fight. His j in;j; behind the lasting fame of having 



death was as nohle as his life had hem. hehaved as every valiant soldier is in 



Shortly before his death he said: his duty bound to do. 



"Here T, Richard (ireville, die, with a 

 joyful and quiet mind ; for that I have 

 ended my life as a true soldier ought 



- William Myddelton's version of 

 the Psalms was reprinted at Llanfair, 

 Caereinion, in 1827, with a preface by 



to do, lighting lor his country, Queen, that eminent Welsh scholar and poet, 

 religion, and honour; my soul wil- Walter Davies. 



VOL. r. 11 



