A True Relation, of the Lives and Deaths of the two most Famous English Pirates, Purser, and Clinton; who lived in the Reign of Queen ELIZABETH.  
Together with the particular actions of their Take, and undertake  
With other pleasant Passages which happened before their surprisal worth the observing.  
LONDON Printed by Io. Okes. 1639.   

The Lives and Deaths of the two most Famous Pirates, of that age wherein they lived, (In the time of Queen ELIZABETH:) Purser and Clinton.  
Together with the particular Actions of their taking, and undertake.  

Chap. 1. Of the power of justice..  
Justice is a virtue that giveth no man any or the least privilege to defraud another, of that which he may call his own; beside she is figured like a Virgin, who giveth to all men what is theirs, by even and equal proportions: The Philosophers make four sorts thereof; the first they call Celestial which is Divine, the second Natural, which consisteth in ourselves; the third Civil; the fourth judicial: The first which is called Celestial, is defined to be a true and exact consideration, with an humble & dutiful acknowledgement of God. Natural justice is that which is borne with us, and every man hath in himself by nature; that which we call Civil, consisteth either of what our own best condition stirs and prompts us to do, or what the suffrage of the people, the the consultation of the Senate; the will and power of Princes, or the Authority of grave and wise men, enjoins us to keep and observe. judicial is that which propperly belongeth to the Bench, & is grounded upon Statutes & Laws; instituted and made for the benefit and profit of the Commonweal, to the depression of vice, and encouragement of virtue.   

Chap. 2. Wherefore the Laws were made.  
NOw to see these things faithfully and punctual kept, were the Laws first devised and ordained; the virtues whereof, are to bear sway powerfully to restrain and forbid things gently, to punish and chastise Malefactors severely; but errors committed by ignorance, foe censure mercifully: under these four heads may our enjoined obedience to the Law be comprehended, which is also by the Law strictly imposed: namely, to live honestly, to hurt no man willingly; to render every man his own carefully, and to extort from no man forcibly: It further tieth us, to love our Prince loyally, to keep his Laws cheerfully; to defend our Country valiantly, and to provide for our particular families indulgently: Besides, the rigour of the Law was devised to no other end, but to curb, and bridle those refractory & rebellious spirits, who else would live without all regularity or reason; for these three things are chiefly to be acknowledg●●, and obeyed▪ with all one God, one King; one Law: and whosoever breaketh one of them, transgresseth in all: for God hath the sole & absolute power in himself, who saith obey the King: He hath also a Uice-royall Regency from his Creator, (whose substitute he is) and He saith obey the Law; & therefore, these ministers under him, to whom power is given to execute the law, have their authority from above; as not to be murmured at, or any way opposed. Now, of two famous Pirates I am to frame my discourse, Purser, and Clinton; whose irregular & and illegal lives, as they were notoriously famous, so their deaths and ends w●re as remarkably infamous.   

Chap. 3. All ill actions ought to be awarded.  
Every bad attempt and evil performance, beget not only shame, and infamy, which gall the conscience before death, and survive long after death; for they are died of so deep a colour, that they are very difficultly to be washed off by oblivion: He that by any dishonest act shall lose his good name, draweth himself into a wretched and miserable predicament; for good men will not believe him, bad men will not obey him; few men that will accompany him, no man at all will befriend him: They that accustom themselves to swim in vice, there is no commiseration to be taken of them if they sink in vanity.  
Cicero inveighing against Catiline, saith; that his naughty and infamous life, hath not only defamed himself, but so obscured the glory of his predecessors; that though they before had been of great name and eminence, in the City and Commonweal, yet he had drowned all their virtues in Lethe, and buried them in dark forgetfulness: Better it is for a man to dye for virtue's sake, than to live with dishonour. To shut up all this monitory counsel in a word, I conclude with Solon; Wretched and most infortunate is that man, whose life the people mourn and lamrnt; and at whose death they Clap their hands and rejoice.   

Chap. 4. Of all the famous men of War, and Pirates which have lived: and the occasion of Ships of War.  
OF Land-theeves I have no purpose to speak at all, but only of those called Piratae, that is, Sea-rovers; or men of War, but most commonly called Pirates: purposing to give you a brief taste of some few foreign, before I come to those more domestic; that by comparing the one with the other, it may manifestly appear, which of them have excelled or (more propperly) erceeded the other.  
Lucan remembreth us of one Basilius an arch robber by Sea, and the same Author in the list of those Marine Rovers, reckoneth Sextus Pompeinus the Son of Pompey the great, in these or the like words: 
Sextus, of Pompey who was called the great,  
Th'unworthy Son; banished his native seat  
To the Syllaean Seas: did triumph there,  
A famous Pirate; such as had no Peer, etc.   
One Ninus was his Uiceadmirall, & under him, and by his countenance commanded all the Italian Seas, pillaging and robbing the maritine coasts thereof; not only to the great hurt and damage of the Merchants, whose course say through the Adriatic Sea, but infested sundry Coasts, by landing on diverse continents, burning and spoiling all the Seabordering Towns, and Uillages; insomuch that by this inhuman cruelty, they were left desolate and uninhabited.  
Of the same function and rebellious condition was one Curpulus, deboucht in his life, and infamous in his actions: and another called Icaron, who had not only equalled, but rather supper exceeded the former in his direptions and robberies: paralleled with these may be Rhotho, and Rhotones, both Rutenians; who troubled both Land and Sea, with almost unheard of rapine and cruelty; to whom we may add only Thorias, and Bezo: Many other of the like condition, who lived in the former ages, and places remoate: I might very opportunely here introduce, whom for brevity's sake I omit, etc.  
Yet to show how ancient this sea-theeving hath been, and even upon our own Coasts: We read that King Edgar being the thirtieth King from Brute, amongst other of his politic actions, used in the Summer season to scour the Seas with certain ships of war, to free the four Seas of pirates, and robbers, who much troubled the Land; and against winter he made provision, to lay the said ships in sure & safe harbours, and havens; and had ever in his own service, and billeted in the houses of his Lords and Peers, a certain number of Soldiers, Pilots, and Mariners, that were ever at present command, when the King had any use of them; his Shipmasters also were in wages with him through out the year, that ever attended those Ships, to see that nothing were wanting; by means whereof he kept his Land in great peace & quietness, free from the danger of all foreign enemies.  
It is also reported of this King Edgar, by diverse approved and Authentic Cronologers, that upon a time being at Chester, he entered the river of Dee, and sitting in a new barge for that purpose, he himself took the charge of the helm, and was the steares-man; and was rowed by eight Contributory Kings which he commanded to row him up and down the Riunto the Church of St. Thomas, and from thence back again to his own Palace; to show that he was sole Sovereign of so many provinces: amongst them was numbered a Roman Arch pirate, whom he surprised; who was called Maxentius, and after was Elected Emperor, and wore the Imperial purple.  
In the year of our Redemption one thousand three hundred forty nine, and in the five and twentieth of the Reign of King Edward the third, a great pirate called Don Charles, suggested by King john of France (great war being then between the two Kingdoms) with a mighty Navy of Spaniards, entered into our English streams, and did much damage to the Land; insomuch that the King prepared a fleet to encounter him, and met with him upon the Coast of Winchelsee, where betwixt the two Navies was a long and terrible conflict, to the great loss of both sides; but in the end the victory fell to his Majesty of England, who chased his enemies, took of them 22. sail, with a great number of prisoners.  
In the year one thousand three hundred seventy, nine, in the second year of Richard the second, who was then but a child; one Sir Oliver De Clicon a French Pirate, committed sundry out rages, and landed in diverse places of this Kingdom, who did much harm; and lastly entered the river Thames, and so came up as high as Graves end, where he spoiled the Town without any resistance; burning a great part thereof, and departed with great abundance of riches.  
But in the year one thousand four hundred and, eighteen, and the sixth of King Henry the first, certain French men of war, of whom the Uicount of Narbon was chief Captain: committed great spoil upon our Coast, robbing our Merchants, and pillaging the sea Townes and Uillages, of which the King hearing, being then at a place called Took in Normandy, he sent the Earl of March, the Earl of Huntingdon, with others to scour the seas, who encountered the foresaid pirates; and after a long and cruel fight, vanquished and overcame them: this battle was fought upon the ninth of August, in which the Uicount who was admiral of the Fleet, and one Captain Mountney who was Vice admiral, were both of them surprised & taken prisoners, in which ships they found great treasure, which they had got by pillaging and robbing; which after served the King to pay his soldiers.  
In the third year of the Reign of King Henry the Eight, the Lord Howard surprised at Sea, a famous pirate called Andrew Barton a Scotchman, with two fair shops and an hundred men in them: and in the thirty seventh year of his Reign, were taken by the King's ships, and those that belonged to the English Coasts, to the number of three hundred French ships and more, which were robbers, and pillagers at sea.  
We read also in the first year of King Edward the sixth, being in the year of our Redemption, one thousand five hundred forty and seven, in the month of March; Sir Andrew Dudley who was at that time Vice admiral, with the Pinnace, and the Heart (being but small ships and single manned) had a great conflict with three Scottish pirates, who were double manned, and had great store of Ordnance, who met them in the narrow Seas, and obtained of them a memorable victory; as taking many prisoners, & bringing their ships into Orwell haven, where they long after remained.  
And now at this time, in this present year one thousand six hundred thirty seven, Captain Rainsborugh with two of the King's ships, and three other belonging to the Merchants, by the help of the Moors by Land have to the great honour of our Nation, taken in Sally, a great receptacle, and refuge for Pirates, who preyed upon all Merchants who passed through those Seas, surprising those rebellious sea-robbers and releasing many Christian captives, who miserably were enforced naked, and chained, to tug at the Oars of their Galleys.   

Chap. 5. Of the first acquaintance of Purser and Clinton, and how they began their attempt to rob the Merchant's Ships, and others from time to time: and of their bold carriage, and state they kept in their Ship.  
I Come now to speak of those two parties proposed for my second discourse, (omitting many since their days, notorious for piracy as the Dutch Danseter, and of our owns Nation Bishop & Ward, who turned renegade, & after lived amongst the Turks, with others:) namely Purser, so commonly called because he had been Purser of one of her Majesty's Ships Royal, whose name was Thomas Walton, and Clinton, who was an apprentice in the upper part of new Fish-street Hill, who utterly abandoning his former Trade, gave his mind only to Sea, turned Navigator, and in several Merchant's ships, had made sundry Commodious and prosperous voyages, in which he so applied himself to the Compass, that he was able to guide or conduct any Ship to all the parts of Christendom or further, and bring her back again.  
These two being grown into familiar acquaintance, and both of them of haughty and ambitious spirits, having diverse meetings, they at length began to discourse betwixt themselves, that in regard of their experience and skill in Navigation, what baseness it was in them to been no better than servants, who had both the judgement, and ability to command, and to been only Employed to benefit and enrich others, whilst they in the Interim wanted themselves: They further reasoned that service was no heritage, and that in regard they had either of them been more than a prenticeship to learn their Art, it was now high time to be freemen of the Sea, and set up for theteselves: This was soon concluded on, but how might be as easily compassed, there lay the difficulty.  
To take oft which, they often consulted together, but still when any likely project offered itself unto them, the way to accomplish it did more and more perplex them: Insomuch that since likelihoods failed them, they would determine upon impossibilities, and rather than not to been seen in the eye of the world resolute, they would appear desperate: the one alleging that courage begun with a deliberate constancy, and continued without change, doth seldom or never fail. The other seconding it thus, that valour Conquers the enemy before the field be fought; and moreover, the courage of a man is seen in the resolution of his death, concluding, that thunder terrifieth Children, and threatenings fear fools; but nothing can affright or dismay such as are of courage and resolution: to whom the former replied, that they were confident in their purpose, that the die was already cast, and it was a mean folly for a man to fear that which he cannot shun; and who so feareth every storm or tempest, is neither fit for to be a Traveller or a Soldier.  
Thus having one heartened and encouraged the other, as first to win gold and after to wear gold (according to the Proverb) they made a voyage to Plimmonth, where they sounded many discontented sailors, and acquainting them with their purpose, drew them with much facility into their faction: And promising to themselves golden mountains, who had before grazed upon barren mole hills, they had got a gathering together of some fifty tall fellows, every one provided with a good Musket, and aiming at a small Bark, which lay then well victualled, and sufficiently provided in the road, they surprised her in the night, weighed Anchor, and away they went to Sea to try a desperate fortune; which for the present so smiled upon them, that within few days they met with a Spanish Merchant, well laden, and indifferently provided of Ordnance, with other sea munition, who making no show of opposition, and the other not minding them in regard of the smallness of their Bark, they came up so close by them, that finding themselves by reason of their lowness of the vessel, and the tallness of the other, to be out of the danger of her Ordnance, they suddenly, ere the other were well aware, clapped close to her side, and every one of them having his Musket ready charged, they boarded her without any great resistance; a sudden fear in the one, and a predicated resolution in the other, being greatly to their advantage.  
And now being so well accommodated with a vessel, victual, and Ordnance; they thought themselves to be half Lords at the sea, for there was scarcely any sail they met with, which (trusting to their courage and fortune) they did not think themselves able to encounter with: and where those two meet and conspire together, what is impossible, not only to be attempted, but almost compassed. The second they met with was a Turkish man of War, and though of no extraordinary great burden, yet well maned, and furnished with all munition, necessary for a Pirate and sea-robber; the one haled the other, both were alike resolute, and neither of them willing to strike sail, and now here was thief rob thief; a cruel fight was begun, and the victory uncertain to whom it would fall, some were slain on both sides: but at length a fortunate shot from the English, split the main sail of the Turkish vessel, by which they were made unable to sail, and being suddenly becalmed were ready to stand at the others mercy: This put spirit in the one, and fear in the other; for fly they could not, no stand out they were not able, and to yield they were loath; in this detraction and demur, came another shot from the English, and struck the Turk between wind and water, which made all their hearts to sink as low as their heels, and theirs of the adverse party, to mount as hie as from their breast unto their brains, crying aloud Saint George, and a main for the Queen of England, and withal grappled with her, and made a bold attempt to board her soon, but small opposition was made in the entry; for their ship being by reason of the former leak ready to founder, they thought it more safe to stand to the mercy of men, than to trust to the unplacable fury of the sea: But they found small comfort in either, for the English being now Uictors, they hanged up the Captain and prime officers of the main yard, in regard they found them to be Infidels, with some other; the rest they kept as slaves to help to man both vessels, dispersing some in the one, and some into the other, because by that means they might have the better command of them: and having stopped the leak, and pumped the ship dry, they repaired their Mast, and now they were Masters and owners of two sufficient and able vessels.  
If they before were bold, the success of this second victory made them insolent; and now no single ship whom they thought they were able to overmaster, could escape them unrifled and unrobed, still changing their vessels when they could meet with any more commodious for their use, and taking out of them such Mariners as they thought most able to man them, swearing them to their own faction; till at length they had si us lusty and tall ships at their command, & all bravely accommodated, insomuch that they had their Admiral, Uiceadmirall, and rear-admiral, etc. Some times they kept along the Coast of Spain, sometimes they watched in the mouth of the straits, not sparing Spaniard, Fleming, Frenchman, Scot, Biskaine, nay, their own Countrymen; and still what Merchandise and commodities they rob upon one Coast, they vended on another, insomuch that within two or three years they were infinitely rich, not a Sailor amongst them of what low degree soever, but could show his Barbary Cheekens, Flemish Angels, English Rose Nobles, French Cardecues, Italian Ducats, Spanish Pistolets, and pieces of Eight in plenty, for the Pillage which they had got and sold.   

Chap. 6. The places which they used to rob the Merchants at Sea.  
THeir Rendezvous was some times at Gibraltar, sometimes at Angeeres; then again you should hear of their exploits in the Cumaries,, and about the Islands of Majory and Minory, and sometimes at Cape bon Esperansa, Saint George's Channel, and the Irish seas, certain no where, nor constant to any one Channel; neither was there scarce any Sea-towne, either in this our own Kingdom, or else where, in which they would not command victual, and other commodities which they wanted, (for their money) sending their long Boats a shore to fetch them at their pleasure: the Magistrates of those places, fearing to deny them, because not able to withstand them.   
The end of the first Book.   

The Second Part of The two most Famous Pirates, Purser and Clinton:  
Showing how they were taken, and what manner of Death they suffered for their offence.  
LONDON: Printed by john Okes. 1639.   

The Second Part of the two Famous Pirates; Purser and Clinton: Showing how they were taken; and what manner of Death they suffered for their offence.  

Chapter 1. The complaint and loss of many Ships, caused the Queen to send out her Admiral, to take them.  
SO many of their insufferable Insolences, aggravated with grievous complaints, coming to Queen Elizabeth her Majesty's Ear, who was a merciful and gracious Princess, and who was ever a Royal incourager of all brave and resolute spirits: She thought rather by her clemency to reclaim them, than by her Power utterly to subvert them; and if it were possible to reduce them to their former fidelity and obedience: and to that purpose she caused a Flyboate, or light Horseman, to be dispatched, with her gracious pardon if they would submit themselves; with a large promise upon her Royal word, and under her broad Seal of their employment in her own Navy, so they would prove themselves true and Loyal Subjects.  
To cut of circumstance, this small Bark the Uiceadmirall be stirred herself, that by enquiring for them at sea of some Merchants who had paid toll to them for their passage, and others who with no small danger had escaped them that discovered them, about the mouth of the straits, where they ambush for all such as Traded in those Seas, and haling them, (and hanging out a Flag of Truce, the Captain was commanded aboard their Admiral.   

Chapter 2. The Pirate's resolution what to do in this case, with the respects they gave to the Queen's Pardon or Letter.  
IN which the two Arch Pirates were at that time sitting in Counsel, where they kept a great state, and were attended as if they had been no less than two Princes, and rival Commanders of the main Ocean, whom he presented with their free reputation from her Majesty, with the conditions before specified, which at first they with great reverence seemed to respect, as by kissing the Seal, and other signs of humility, when causing him to be entertained with all the choice rarities aboard, they told him that after Dinner he should receive his answer, which expecting according to the time appointed, whilst their followers plied him with healths to her Majesty, and to some other Peers of the Realm, they two with some others of the prime about them, retired themselves into a private Cabin, to consult what in that case was best to be done: some thought it was the best and surest course, to take the advantage of their free and general pardon, others again held that it was no other than a state policy to forfeit their Ships and goods, because unjustly extorted from others, and withal to insinuate their lives: these things were Pro et con long debated, but the latter prevailed, with a consideration that they were then free Commanders at sea, and to submit themselves upon such fair and sugared promises were but a certain entrance into their future and utter ruin: upon which having concluded they called to the Captain, and returned unto him this answer.  
True it was, that they were much bound to her sacred Majesty for so great a grace and mercy, as to pardon offenders in that high degree; such as they acknowledge themselves, and that they made no doubt, but that her highness in her own Royal disposition, meant no otherwise than was there in her most gracious Letters specified: but there was another fear and doubt to be made, namely of the strict Court of the Admiralty, which seldom or never had any mercy of any who had transgressed in that nature; beside, they presupposed that many grievous complaints had been commenced against them; of which, though many were unjustly conferred upon them, yet they were not able to clear themselves of all: and since the least of any were of force sufficient, not only to strip them of all their fortunes, but forfeit their necks to the Gallows; they thought it was the safer course for them of the two, to hazard their fortunes bravely abroad, than by submitting themselves endanger their lives basely at home, howsoever they held themselves much obliged to her Majesty's great grace and goodness, etc. and with this answer they dismissed the Captain.   

Chap. 3. The relation of the Captain to the Queen's Counsel of the Pirates; with the Proclamations which was sent forth to Proclaim them Traitors.  
WHo not a little glad to been so well and fairly dismissed from the hands of a crew of such desperate and dangerous robbers, made what speed he could into England, and before her Majesty's Counsel, delivered every circumstance before related, who wisely perceiving in their smooth and excusive answer, a perverse and obstrinate boldness, gave present order that Proclamation should be made through the Kingdom, but especially in all the port Towns, and Cities adjacent to the Sea; that they should thenceforth be held no better than enemies unto the State, and mere rebels and Traitors to their Queen and Country, which was accordingly with all expedition performed.  
And here a pleasant accident I am loath to overpasse, in the executing of these publications: a Pursuivant by reason of riding in the wet, and thereby catching so great a cold, that he had such an horsnesse that he could been scarcely heard to speak twice his lengthes distant from him, agreed with a plain and crafty Country fellow, who had a clear audable voice to speak from his mouth, as he should dictate unto him, who coming into one of these maritine Towns upon a market day, and in the market place set upon an empty Cart, and he standing close behind him with the Proclamation in his hand, prompts him as followeth.  
He proceeds, Purser and Clinton: who ecchoeth to him again, Who hath lost their Purses at the Clinke:  
Notwithstanding her Majesty's Proclamation: Answer, Notwithstanding her Majesty's Declaration:  
Still keep out: saith the pursuivant. Answer. And they will not come in.  
The Pursuivant hearing him speak so out of order began to grow angry, and said, I bade thee say, and still keep out: who replied again, And they will not come in.  
And why (said the Pursuivant) not as well keep out? Is it not all one (answered the fellow) For all the while they keep out, you see they do not offer to run in.  
The Pursuivant said, How am I troubled with his Coxcomb: He echoed to him again, How am I troubled with this Coxcomb: But I see there is no remedy. But I see there is no remedy.  
The Pursuivant proceeded again, and said, Who have lately robbed diverse of our ships: Who have lately robbed diverse shivers of our Chips. Persev. Well, I see I must endure it: Well, I see I must endure it: And flung the chiefest Merchants over board, And flung the Merchant's Cheeses over board,  
But what soever he be, man of War or Merchant: But whatsoever he be that deals in wax, or Parchment; Who can bring in these Pirates, Ships, or heads. Who can bring in these Picruft, or Sheep's heads.  
O intolerable. O intolerable.  
Shall have for his reware, Shall have in that regard, A thousand pound sterling. A thousand Steerlings (if he can tell how to catch them.)  
This it is for me to be hoarse. This it is for me to be thick of hearing.  
And so God save her Majesty. And so God bless her Majesty.  
Why that in the end was well. Why and is not all well that ends well.  
Some other discourse passed betwixt them, which no doubt was much more pleasing to the auditors in the action, than I can make plausible to the Readers in the relation: howsoever, this fellow was a Sailor, and thought to be a favourite of that piratical faction. But enough of this discourse, which is as a merry passage to please the Reader; and now I proceed in the next Chapter to tell you how they were surprised, and by whom.   

Chap. 4. The manner how they were taken, and by whom; and what manner of death they died: and where.  
They were Arraigned at Saint Margerets in Southwark, convicted, and condemned; and two days after brought by the Officers out of the Marshalsees, (with a silver Oare borne before them) and conducted through Southwark over the Bridge, through London, and so to Wapping, and to the place of execution there, where they appeared as brave in habit, as bold in spirit: some of their garments they then wore, they distributed amongst their private friends who came to see them dye, that they might remember them after their deaths. Many questions were asked them concerning their Piracies, which they punctually resolved: desiring first, pardon of all men whom they had wronged, and then remission of their sins from God, whom they had most heinously offended: when embracing one the other in their arms, it seemed they no more joyfully lived together than they were willing to dye together: and so being at once turned off from the Ladder, it appeared to all the multitude that were then present, that they could not live more irregularly, than they died resolutely: and so there they hanging till from that ebb two Tides had overwhelmed their bodies, which were after taken down, and committed to Christian burial. And thus you have heard, the true relation of of the lives and deaths of the two most famous English Pirates of that age, Purser and Clinton.  
The chiefest and most remarkable passage in all this time, was William, Lord Somerset, Earl of Worcester, who sent Ambassador into France, was likewise to stand instead of her Majesty, for baptising of the King's daughter there; her Majesty sent with him a Font of pure gold for that same purpose, weighing three hundred and twenty six ounces. At the Christening he gave the child to name Elizabeth; and returned into England atter he and his train had been royally entertained. Likewise, at his passage by sea into England, he had notice of diverse sea Pirates which kept the narrow seas, did much harm and outrage, by robberies; they were so bold that they attempted the robbing of the same ship the Earl of Worcester was in; where he lost diverse goods of great value. Complaint was made by him to her Majesty, and forthwith was there three good ships, whereof one was her Majesties, called the Swallow, which was appointed to be the Admiral, under the command of William Holstocke Esquire, controuler of her Majesty's ships: where he did such good service, that he scoured the narrow Seas; and took and fired twenty ships, and Barks of sundry Nations, which were all Pirates: as English, French, and Flemish; he apprehended in those vessels the number of 900 men of several Nations, and sent them bound to wards Sand witch, Dover, I'll of Wight, and Portsmouth; whereof three of them that were in this company, rob the Earl of Worcester: who were all shortly after executed at the I'll of Wight; and some of them in other places. Also at the same time, the aforesaid William Holstocke, did rescue and take from the abovesaid Pirate's fleet, other Merchant's Ships, which were well fraughted with diverse commodities, that they had newly taken, and were their prizes; all which he set free both with their goods and vessels; and for the space of three years all was in a quiet and peaceable manner, none plundered or robbed, but a free passage was too and fro in all parts and places of the Coasts of England.  
One more strange accident I will relate, which our Histories and Chronicles doth afford for truth, which is of a terrible earthquake which happened in London, and almost generally throughout England, that caused such amazement of the people, as was wonderful for the time, and caused them to make their earnest prayers unto Almighty God, for their safe deliverance in such tempestuous storms: The great Clock bell in the Palace at Westminster, struck of itself against the hammer with the violence of the earthquake, as diverse clocks and bells in the City else where did the like: The Gentlemen of the Temple being at supper, ran from the Tables, and out of their Hall in a great maze; there did fall a piece of the Temple Church at that time, and diverse stones from the Church of St. Paul's London: And at Christ-Church in the Sermon time, a stone fell from the roof of the Church, and killed an Apprentice, and hurt another, so that they both died in the space of four hours: Divers others were sore hurt, and much wounded with running out of the Church. Likewise in this earthquake, many Chimneys in the City were fall'n down, and many houses much shaken and rend by the violence of this storm. This earthquake continued in or about London not above one quarter of an hour, and was no more felt or heard: But Eastward in Kent, and on the Sea coast, it was felt three times as long. Moreover, it is credibly told of many honest men, that five miles from Blonsdon in Wilt-shiere, a cry of hounds were heard in the air, the self same day that the earthquake was; and the noise was so great that was made, that they seemed to be three or four score couple of hounds: whereat diverse Gentlemen took their Greyhounds, thinking that some had been hunting in the Chase, yet some of them that went out of their houses, seeing nothing below abroad, cast up their eyes towards the skies, and there they espied in the air five or six hounds perfectly; all which in a more ample and large discourse, thou mayst find in Howes Chronicle.  
Divers other earthquakes hath happened in former years, which for brevity sake I will omit, because I fear they will prove distasteful: but let us all think of them, and be mindful of God's judgements, for they are not to be slighted or cast behind us; but let us know that they be warnings sent from God, to cause us to repent; and forsake our evil ways.   
FINIS.