The true and perfect News of the worthy and valiant exploits, performed and done by that valiant Knight Sir Francis Drake: Not only at Sancto Domingo, and Carthagena, but also now at Cales, and upon the Coast of Spain. 1587.  
Printed at London by I. Charlewood, for Thomas Hackett.   

To the Right Honourable and his singular good Lord, George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland: Thomas Greepe wisheth long life, increase of honour, with happy and eternal felicity.  
RIght Honourable, reverently regarding your most worthy & condign fame, together with your most rare virtues, and finding such correspondence in both, as seemeth inseparable, I could not choose but in all humility to offer to the hands of so noble a person, (being a lover of all virtuous attempts) this rude unpublished work, more true in effect then fine in form, and better for example (though rudely written) then to be obscured, if penned by the best. The work is a true brief discourse of the most rare and worthy exploits, performed by the right worshipful Sir Francis Drake Knight, and his consorts in the fortunate Isles, which although the truth thereof be not unknown to your Honour, yet the vulgar sort of people in the Realm having heard, and yet wanting the verity of the fame, ●ay by the pamphlet be the better advertised. The which by how much the plainer it is written by me, the better it is to be understood of the simplest, who in this case I seek most to pl●●se, 〈◊〉 myself a rude Countryman, brought up ●●nie years in Husbandry, and more knowledge in Culturing of land, then in descriptions of conquests of Countries: Notwithstanding, weighing your honourable Lordship's affability & courtesy in nature, to take well in worth the meanest things (extending to the encouragement of virtue & valour, whereof you are patron) I presume the more to press your Honour, to vouchsafe the acceptation and patronising of this small work of so great worth, in respect of the honourable action of so worthy men. Who neither number could daunt, nor force of wall and shot keep out, whereby it may be seen unto the world, that God which hath always defended his servants in former ages▪ hath not let to show a miracle by these in our latter days. And so humbly craving pardon of your honour for this presumption ministered, I rest a continual beseecher of the almighty for your Lordship's most happy health with increase of honour in this life, and in the other everlasting felicity. Amen.  
Your Honours for ever at commandment in the Lord, Thomas Greepe.   

To the Reader.  
Here hast thou gentle Reader set forth unto thee, the most worthy and valiant exploits and enterprises, lately achieved and done by that valiant Knight, Sir Francis Drake & others, not penned in lofty verse, nor curiously handled, but plainly and truly, so that it may be well understood of the Reader, for there is nothing can more profit thy posterity hereafter, than the leaving in memory so worthy a thing, for how should we know the worthy deeds of our Elders, if those learned Poets and Historiographers had not set them down in writing, as josephus for the state of the jews: Homer and Euripides for the Grecians: Titus Livius for the Romans: Quintus Curtius for the life of Alexander the great, and so of all others. At what time heretofore was there ever any English man that did the like. as well for his Navigation and long travel, and GOD be praised for his good success, to the great terror and fear of the enemy, he being a man of mean calling, to deal with so mighty a Monarch.  
But now may the enemy see what would come to pass, if our gracious Queen would bend her whole force against them, therefore great cause have we to be thankful to God for so gracious a Princess, and so prosperous and flourishing a common wealth as this is, wherein we enjoy, peace, wealth, and tranquillity, more abundantly than any other Nation under the Sun at this day. The Lord long continue it for his name's sake, and thus I end, by dding thee farewell in the Lord.   

The true and perfect News of the worthy and valiant exploits achieved and done by that valiant Knight, Sir Francis Drake.  

Triumph O England and rejoice,  
And praise thy God uncessantly  
For this thy Queen that pearl of choice  
Which God doth bless with victory.  
In countries strange both far and near,  
All raging foes her force doth fear.   

ye worthy wights that do delight,  
To hear of Novels strange and rare,  
What 〈…〉 by a famous Knight  
May please you mark I shall declare.  
Such rare exploits performed and done  
As none the like hath ever won.   

First call to mind how Gedeon, 
josua cap. 3.   
But with three hundred fight men  
The Medians host he overcame  
A thousand to each one of them.  
He did suppress Idolatry  
The Lord gave him the victory.   

So likewise by God's mighty hand  
Sir Francis Drake by dreadful sword  
Did foil his foes in foreign land,  
Which did contemn Christ's holy word.  
And many Captives did set free  
Which erst were long in misery.   

Twenty five Ships were then prepared,  
Fifteen Pinnasses brave and fine  
Well furnished for his safeguard  
Preventing foes that would him tyne.  
With Master's good and Mariners 〈◊〉  
As ever took charge I dare compare.   

The best Navigators in this land  
Conferde with him unto this end.  
By this famous knight to understand  
Their valours to achieve and wend  
In countries strange beyond the sea,  
If God permit who can say nay.   

The Bonaventure a ship royal  
Chief Admiral then of the fleet  
Sir Francis Drake chief General  
As by deserts he was most meet.  
Most worthy Captains of hand and heart  
In this boon voyage than took his part.   

The Primrose next, Uize-Admirall  
Appointed by their best devise  
Captain Frobisher Uize General  
A valiant Captain ware and wise.  
Captain Carelell they did ordain,  
Lieutenant General on the main.   

The Aid a royal ship and hot  
The Gallien will convict her foes,  
The Sea-Dragon she spares no shot  
The Talbot barks where ere she goes  
The white Lion her foes will smart  
And all the rest will take her part.   

At Plymouth they remained a space,  
Till all their Ships were furnished:  
Their government, good fame and grace,  
Throughout the Realm is published.  
Their sails displayed the Seas t'achieve.  
September, Anno eighty five.   

Before which month was fully done,  
At Bayon first they did arrive:  
The Town perforce they might have won,  
But they pretended not to strive,  
By parley than they did agree:  
The General used them courteously.   

The men of Vigo in raging ire,  
Then made great brags them to molest:  
Yet in the end at their desire,  
He granted them their own request.  
For he was loath these Towns to invade:  
For hindering of our merchants trade.   

Then setting sail from thence in haste,  
To the Canaries swift they fly:  
Three hundred Leagues by count were passed,  
Ere they the Town of Palm came nigh.  
These proud Townsmen envying their fleet,  
Th●● shot at them in great despite.   

Let not these Townsmen be to bold,  
I wish them not to brag or vaunt:  
'Twas not their Guns nor force that could,  
Once make our English hearts to daunt.  
If wind and waves had not so wrought:  
Full dearly they their pride had bought.   

This famous fleet sails on their way,  
To Sancto Yuago they were bend:  
Short of this Town three leagues I say,  
Twelve hundred men on shore were sent.  
On November the seventeen day,  
With captains stout to keep the way.   

Their noble General sails about,  
But all the fleet road near the ●owne:  
Most valiant Captains with soldiers stout,  
Then marching forth through vale and down.  
To meet their General in the morn  
As it was pointed erst before.   

Their foes having intelligence  
They were beset by sea and land:  
They dare not prove experience,  
The Drake by force for to withstand.  
They fled that night and durst not stay  
Preventing so their Enemies pray.   

Then in the morn rathe as the sun,  
The town they entered valiantly:  
From place to place the Soldiers run,  
Seeking to find commodity.  
Both coin and plate some chanced to find  
Which they had hid and left behind.   

Of victuals there they found good store,  
With wine and sugar of the best:  
Then quietly praise God therefore,  
They made a worthy victor's feast,  
Their Masking robes of costly price  
Our men for breeches did devise.   

fourteen days they kept this town,  
With honour, fame, and victory:  
Their Idol gods each where pulled down,  
With all their fond Idolatry.  
With brass ordinance of good weight:  
They ballast their ships which were light.   

Two little towns in the same I'll,  
Th'one Domingo, th'other Pray:  
These men their Friars did beguile  
They left their Towns and ran away.  
The Friars thought they would have fought  
To hold their Mass, as they them taught.   

For they had promised them before  
If that they wo●ld fight for their mass:  
For all their sins they had in store,  
They should be pardoned more and less.  
But they so sore did fear the Drake  
They let their Friars stand to stake.   

The Mariners this while provide,  
For victuals and fresh water store:  
All things were brought aboard that tide  
As their masters wild them before.  
To parley than they did refuse,  
Whereby they wrought their own abuse:   

The General minding to departed  
Commands his men in haste aboard  
Then lifting up both hands and heart,  
Most thankfully they praise the Lord.  
For giving them such victory:  
Without bloodshed or jeopardy.   

A long course then from thence they run,  
Nine hundredth Leagues or they did stay:  
To one strange Isle at length they come,  
Where savage people bore the sway.  
Though wild and nakte, yet nothing strange:  
Their trifles for nifles feign would change.   

In fifty leagues sailing from thence,  
Strange islands more they did descry:  
Then Hispaniola came in presence,  
With Sancto Domingo presently.  
The chief City for their behove:  
Where they their valour meant to prove.   

Their General then prudently,  
Preventing the peril of his men:  
The gainest way for their safety,  
With discreet heads concluding then  
One thousand men should march by land  
With Captains stout to guide their band.   

Taking leave of their General,  
After the court'sey of merry England:  
On Gods most holy name they call,  
To strength them with his mighty hand.  
They marched forth then in their way  
Their General sails about by Sea.   

When near this Town our men were seen  
A troop of Horsemen issued out:  
And vaunted bravely on the green,  
Minding to compass them about.  
Our fore wings help with their small shot:  
Made them retire to save their coat.   

Their ordinance placed amid their gate,  
Whereas they thought our men would venture:  
Though dangerous, no way save that,  
So easy was for them to enter.  
Their foes discharge a piece or twain:  
Yet as God would but two were slain.   

Courage, courage, our captains cry,  
Good Soldiers now let's fight like men:  
Then all at once ran valiantly,  
Their shot discharged, with weapons then,  
They lay one load on either side:  
Though five to one▪ yet durst not bide.   

Their Gunner priming of his piece,  
Saw them come running in a rage.  
Let Linstocke fall, away he flees,  
And all the rest as for a wage,  
To save their lives if it might be:  
Our English Soldiers made them flee.   

Their General busied all this while,  
His ships ancoring before the Town:  
His Gunners and their mates likewise,  
With thundering shot than made them frown.  
They battered both at Town and fort:  
And in the field none dared to sport.   

Then for their Ladies help they pray,  
Miserecordia how chanceth this:  
Our Friars said no Mass to day,  
For want of leisure they did miss.  
Their Gods likewise they did desire:  
But Saint Domingo could not hear.   

Then sore afraid they 'gan to trudge,  
Some with farthel and some with pack:  
Unto the Woods for their refuge,  
To shroud themselves they did not slack.  
The General lands without annoy:  
His Captains then met him with joy.   

They entered the Town then valiantly,  
And took possession of the same:  
And spread their Ensigns triumphantly,  
Great valours they achieve by fame▪  

The town won on New years Day.  Than trumpets sound the Soldiers shift:  
They praise God for their New years gift.   

Their enemies fled with such great haste,  
They left their rostmeate on the spit:  
Hens and Chickens well crombd and baste,  
Tables covered ready to sit.  
Wine and sugar they found good store:  
Their guests were come unlooked for.   

Their beds were made their Chambers dressed,  
The Curtines drawn brave and fine  
Their apparel brushed and finely priest  
Sir you shall choose but this is mine.  
Some jewels were hid in walls and chest,  
Then some they found and some they mist.   

By good advise and government,  
This town one month they then possessed  
Their famous dames by Rulers sent,  
With costly presents of the best  
Praying the General courteously  
He would vouchsafe spare their City.   

The Mariners the while provide,  
For victuals and fresh water sweet:  
With other commodities beside,  
Which was conveyed aboard the fleet.  
Commandment than was given strait way:  
All men aboard without delay.   

Then presently they sailed thence,  
To one rich Island they were bend:  
But wind and storm turned their pretence,  
And other course than they invent.  
With Carthagena they set at last:  
Where all their fleet their Anchors cast.   

This town was strong, well fenced about,  
Four hundred soldiers under pay:  
Four hundred Indians in a scout,  
Besides their townsmen in array.  
For they had news the Drake would come:  
And they thought sure to be his doom.   

Their fort well mand and fortressed,  
Five Sconces wherein good ordinance was:  
Three Galleys then were amplified,  
With fifteen pieces of good Brass.  
Full little than they feared the Drake:  
For they thought sure to make him quake.   

One mischief more they do devise,  
Whereby they thought to spoil our men:  
Many poisoned pricks in sundry wise,  
Amidst their way they fastened then.  
To prick their shins they did purpose:  
But the Lord God did that disclose.   

Nine hundred men were set one land,  
And marching forth then all by night:  
Until they came unto the strand,  
Where pricks with poisoned heads were dight.  
The water low as God's will was:  
Twixt strand and seas they safely pass.   

Then in the morn before daylight.  
They came full in their Enemy's face:  
Then all at once with force and might,  
They ran upon them in a race.  
For all their force and thundering shot:  
One of their Sconces soon they got.   

As God shut up the lions jaws,  
From noying his Prophet Daniel:  
And eke preserved from tyrants paws,  
The three children of Israel.  
And saved them in the Oven so hot:  
So he conveyed away their shot.   

Our Captains then most valiantly.  
To courage their Soldiers for to fight:  
Did jeopard themselves then formostlie,  
Which made their enemies dread their might.  
Boldened soldiers, put foes to shame:  
To win their country honour and fame.   

From Sconce to Sconce than they retire.  
Their lofty hearts right soon were quailed:  
They left their holds and fled for fear,  
Then with their heels they best prevail.  
And as they fled strange news they tell:  
These be no men but fiends of hell.   

Their ordinance and artillery,  
Which in their holds did then remain  
Our men achieve with victory  
The Town like c●se they won certain.  
Their Ensigns then they did display:  
Upon their walls none ●urst say nay.   

The Soldiers than seek for their prey,  
Some for their bellies likewise did care:  
Though breakfast sharp now care away,  
Their dinners sweet and wholesome fare.  
Bread and victuals they found good store:  
With wine and sugar as erst before.   

They made a Sconce amidst the street,  
And placed great ordinance in the fame  
To charge the watch when't came to night,  
To daunt their foes their rage to 〈◊〉.  
Being shot o● their thundering ●ound▪  
So shook their Church, the roof fell d●wne.   

This Town also they kept a space,  
And eke the Friary there beside:  
These Townsmen then with humble grace,  
Besought the General at that tide.  
To release their town he would vouchsafe  
And they would give what he would have.   

All things provided orderly,  
And brought unto the water's side  
Munitions and artillery,  
Was all embarked at that tide,  
The Mariners without delay:  
These things aboard with speed convey.   

The General with his company,  
Then in a Frigate ●●tlie placed:  
And all his Soldiers in a rout,  
In Pinnasses with him then past.  
The Castle which first did them annoy:  
As they passed by they did destroy.   

Then when aboard their ships they come,  
They were received joyfully:  
A peal of Guns with thundering soun●,  
For one hour space even pierced the sky.  
Their Drums struck up their Trumpets sound  
Their victories which do abound.   

Their yards a cross hoist at the top,  
Their Anchors weighed then presently:  
Their sails displayed, their good ships lop,  
The Mariners stands their tackling by.  
Each Helm belayed with good respect:  
As skilful Masters did direct.   

Recording then their victories,  
Which they had won by God's great might:  
And eke the sundry jeopardies:  
They had escaped day and night.  
They yield God thanks most heartily:  
Both for his aid and victory.   

Then homeward as their course did lie,  
At sundry Isles they put a shore:  
Their former wants for to supply,  
With victuales and fresh water store.  
At Florida they did arrive:  
Saint Augustine for to achieve.   

These townsmen trusting in their strength,  
Then fiercely set against the Drake:  
Yet he and's men prevail at length,  
When they were feign their town forsake,  
Which when he had possessed with fame:  
Upon humble suit released the same.   

This town they won most valiantly,  
As they did all the rest before:  
The Lord was still their victory,  
Whose name be praised evermore.  
And yield to Drake his due and right:  
Let fame extol this noble knight.   

His rare attempts performed and done,  
With honour, fame and victory:  
The like before who ever won,  
That you can call to memory.  
Therefore I pray for England's sake:  
The Lord preserve the noble Drake.   

When siege is laid to town or fort,  
And then the same be yielded strait:  
The valour's then of small report,  
And the exploits of no great weight.  
But where with force they bide the brunt:  
Their conquests are of great account.   

Ulysses with his Navy great,  
In ten years space great valour won:  
Yet all his time did no such feat,  
As Drake within one year hath done.  
Both Turk and Pope and all our foes:  
Do dread this ●rake where ere he goes.   

After he had such ●alours won,  
And overcame the enemy:  
To merry England he wo●ld return,  
The pleasant'st land in, Christientie.  
At Portesmouth then by God's good grace:  
With all his fleet 〈◊〉 in short space.   

When tidings came unto the Court,  
Sir Francis Drake was new came home:  
Her highness hearing this report,  
Her grace was glad that he was come.  
And all her Lords with one accord  
For his safe return praised the Lord.   

To Portesmouth then there did resort,  
Right worshipful from City and town:  
This Knight to welcome to the port,  
With honour, fame and great renown.  
His valiant Captains and gentles blood,  
They welcomed home with joyful mood.   

His entertainment at the Court,  
With his Captains of worthy fame:  
I need not stand to make report,  
Sith brute each where hath spread the same.  
Yet once again for England's sake:  
Pray God speed well the noble Drake.   

His valiant mind, his secret skill,  
By flying Fame each where is spread:  
His loyal love his mere good will,  
To Queen and Realm both seen and read.  
Sith God is doer of the same:  
Let us all praise his holy name.   

Through him he got great victories,  
Through him he did his foes dismay:  
Through him he scaped great jeopardies,  
And peril both by Land and Sea.  
Who hath preserved by his great might:  
Our Queen and realm years twenty eight.   

God save our Queen of merry England,  
His sacred word long to maintain:  
Her Grace's Navy and royal band,  
Through his good grace may long remain.  
Lord bless her counsel and keep them aye:  
With all true subjects night and day.   
Finis  
quoth Thomas Greepe.   

To the right reverend, godly learned Father, my very good friend, M. john Fox, preacher of the word of God.  
Master Fox, whereas we have had of late such happy success against the spaniards, I do assure myself that you have faithfully remembered us in your good prayers, and therefore I have not forgotten, briefly to make you partaker thereof. The 19 of April we arrived within the Road of cales where we found very many shipping, but amongst the rest 32. of exceeding burden, lad, and to be laden with provision, & prepared to furnish the kings Navy, intended with all speed against England, the which when we had boarded, and also furnished our several Ships with provision as we thought sufficient, we burned: And although by the space of two days and two nights that we continued there, we were still endangered, both with thundering shot from the Town, and assailed with the roaring Cannons of twelve Galleys: yet we sunk two of them, and one great Argosy, and still avoided them with very small hurt, and so at our departure we brought away four ships of provision, to the great terror of our enemies, and honour to ourselves, as it may appear by a most courteous Letter written unto me with a Flag of truce, by Duke Petro, General of the Galleys. But where as it is most certain, that the king doth not only make speedy preparation in Spain, but likewise expected a very great Fleet from the straits, and divers other places, that should join with his forces to invade England: We purpose to set apart all fear of danger, and by God's furtherance to proceed by all the good means we can devise to prevent their coming, wherefore I shall desire you to continue faithful in remembrance of us in your prayers, that our purpose may take that good effect, as God may be glorified, his Church, our Queen and Country preserved, and these Enemies of the truth utterly vanquished, that we may have continual peace in Israel. From aboard her majesties good Ship the Elizabeth Bonaventure.  
Your loving friend, and faithful Son in Christ jesus. Francis Drake.  
Our enemies are many, but our protector commandeth the whole world, let us all pray continually, and our Lord jesus will hear us in good time mercifully.  
Francis Drake. written by the hands of M. Pynner.