❧ A most friendly farewell, Given by a well-willer to the right worshipful Sir Francis Drake Knight, General of her majesties Navy, which be appointed for this his honourable voyage, and the rest of the fleet bound to the Southward, and to all the Gentlemen his followers, and captains in this exploit, who set sale from Wolwich the xv. day of july, 1585.  
WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY TOUCHED his perils passed in his last dangerous voyage, with an Encouragement to all his sailors and soldiers, to be forward in this honourable exploit. Published by Henry Robarts of London Citizin.  
Imprinted at London by Walter mantel and Thomas Law.   

TO THE RIGHTWORSHIPFUL AND THRICE RENOWNED GENTLEMAN OF our time Sir Francis Drake Knight, General of her highness Navy and the rest of the Fleet bound to the southward, Your worship's poor countryman, and faithful well willer H. R. wisheth you all the happiness that ever this world can afford, with a prosperous return from your determinate voyage, and honour answerable to your hearts desire.  
RYghtworshipful,  
the Persians' honoured their Kings▪ (as I read that never saw him) as he passed thorough the Countries in his Progress he was presented of many his wealth Subjects with rich gifts, which he thank fully received. A poor Shepherd standing by, and noting earnestly the courtesy of the King, was grieved at the heart, that he had not to bestow as largely as the best: yet to show his zeal, he hieth him hastily unto a precious well not far off, and dipping therein his sweaty hat, presents it full of water unto the King: the which he so gratefully received, as he did the richest gift, noting in the poor swain his zeal, and love which by his simpleness appeared to be more to him then many that were then present: Myself (Worshipful sir,) representing the simple shepherd, humbly do present these my rude labours unto your hands, and do crave of your Worship favourable acceptans of the same, accounting of it, as of the hat full of water, and considering the zeal of the giver, not the worthiness of the gift, excusing the boldness of blind Bayarde, whose will is far greater than his skill, your Worship shall then show yourself in courtesy the rightful heir of the Persian King. Wherefore hearing of your Worship's pretended voyage (being a courtesy amongst us Englishmen) to represent unto our betters whom we honour some simple gift as a farewell in writing whereby their names might be remembered in their absence, and seeing none of the learned sort have undertaken to writ according to custom, I being the unworthiest, yet the most willing, was loath good Knight that you should departed our English coasts without some remembery to be published in praise both to your worship, and the rest of your Gentlemen followers in this your noble exploit, who although by name I do not know them as I would, whereby I might give them their honour due unto them yet ever as long as my tongue can speak, or my simple hand hold pen to write, I will ever renown your worship, and them whose service for Country hath been such as never English gentleman or other yet achieved but you: therefore they that have not given you that honour worthy your deserts, have sought to rob you of your worthiness, a base thing in scholars and the learned who seethe other countrymen that hath not undertaken the one half of your troubles to be registered in the minds of all men for ever, by their means which hath by writing given them their deserts: as the conquest of the West Indies can witness, wherein many of their names is explained in other writers also: then Englishmen what dishonour do you our famous Drake, that you have left his name so long unwritten of, whom fame hath bruited in all the whole world for his most famous enterprises, and hath made him to be admired▪ among his mortal foes for his valour, O noble English heart, never yet daunted, whom the report of any evil news how vehement soever they be, can let from thy determinate voyage wherein you may rightly be compared to that conquered Monarch, for valour of mind Alexander who although he was by his spies advertised that the host of the Persian King Darius was in a manner to be compared as a mountain to his molehill, yet valiantly he gave him the overthrow, and achieved the victory, the like victory thrice famous Knight God send unto you, that you may triumph over all your enemies like Alexander in this exploit, all this happiness with much more wish I unto the most, valiant and fortunate Sir Francis Drake, that with such honour and willingness undertaketh our prince's service, yea, we are all bound by duty to pray for the happiness of your estate for that there be few, that are not the better for your last prosperous return, which God for his mercy send now to be so happy, that as little David your power may be such that you may beat down all them that as Golias shall come to hinder you of any jote of your determination, well worthy Knight, would my ability were answerable to my will, than should thy honourable name live eternally amongst us men on the earth: Unthankful Englishmen that can suffer your wohthy countryman to r 〈…〉 his, 〈…〉 with unthankfulness, so soon to be forgotten, myself the unworthiest of the Country have long expected some thing from the learned in your commendation, but seeing them all to be so unmindful of so worthy a parsonage, I have thus rudely adventured, though simply, to let all my good countrymen by publishing the same to understand of your Worship's departure to the Seas, with all your worthy company, whereby they may see the valour that is harboured in your noble heart, and pray with me for your happy return.  

WOrthy Sir Francis Drake, that hath so nobly adventured in many calamities three whole years, continuing at fortunes hazard, eftsoons likely to be drenched in the raging floods, and then in danger of the unknown rocks, besides many other perils incident to sea faring wights, as falling into the hands of your professed mortal foes which daily awaited your return: yet all this can nothing daunt his worthy heart, nor any one whit dismay him at all, for the Lord which is most gracious in all his works hath left you here among us as a mirror for our countrymen to look into, by your example to move others to the attempting the like enterprises: many other Gentlemen there be in this our laud, but I know few that will undertake the like, or none at all that can with skill so well perform it, or norant people like myself, I hear to say mutteringly, O Lord, what do these Gentiles mean so to room from home that enjoy such wealth as they do, and may stay at their own pleasure, but the rain they show their baseness, which is so unanswerable to the minds of the valiant, as the flint stone to the precious diamond, but such are those base fellows as for gain at home will not stick to do any thing, when the noble mind abroad adventureth for fame, which when with great peril they have most valiantly achieved, the enviousness of our countrymen is such as they disdain to give them the honour they have gained for their right as it is well seen by that worthy Knight Sir Humphrey Gylbert whose valour deserved thanks of his country if they had been grateful, the which they be loath to bestow upon him, but he is dead, and in countries cause shortened his life, leaving many sorrow for his death, yet I think it were great pity seeing his actions were such, as your worship I know can witness to be honourable that his valiant name should so suddenly die with his body, without some remembrance whereby his children hereafter might reap the reward of their father's fame, and by his good actions be encouraged to imitate his ways. This renowned Knight as your worthiness is more than any I know, and that you have so well deserved, I trust some learned which can writ, will of their good nature employ their pains to your praise & in learned style register your noble fame, whereas I poor I can do nothing yet have this rudely adventured, thereby to show what zeal I have to such honourable minds as yourself, that in your absence by these few lines published you may be remembered when you shall be absent in this your honourable voyage, and the rather have I undertaken this because I never saw any to bid you farewell from England, and partly for country's cause being borne in Devonshire where your worship was, these causes good Sir considered, first that by my simple writing it may encourage others to writ that can do far better, and then the zeal I bear to my country, and to all such as venture for the common weal, I hope your Worship will pardon the rudeness of the writer, who wisheth heartily your welfare and prosperous success in all your worthy enterprises, and daily shall beseech God to make you as fortunate as Alexander, and in all your voyage to shield you from your enemies, as he did the Prophet David from the hands of King Saul which persecuted him, and send you a happy return from this your pretended voyage and many joyful years to live here amongst us, and when it shall please God after you have spent here many happy days on the earth with much worship and increase of all worldly felicity and that you must pay your due to death by nature, you may happily arrive to that port of all joy to rest with God in heaven where Christ is chief Pilate.    

ROBARTES HIS farewell TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR FRANCES DRAKE▪ KNIGHT, and to his Gentlemen followers, who set sail at Wolwich to departed towards their voyage the xv. day of july. 1585.  

WHen true report had blazed abroad that three years taken toil,  
Of that rare knight Sir Francis Drake through many a foreign soil.  
Who by his travail on the Seas unto his endless fame,  
Did purchase for his country wealth, and credit to his name.  
I did expect some Ovid's pen to paint his worthy praise,  
Who when he dies shall still remain with fame on earth always▪  
But none hath writ that erst I saw which makes me say,  
The brunt was spread of traviles his the Poets did dismay,  
My mind was forward with that first, but yet my heart did fail.  
That 'gainst my will I forced was to strike my simple sail.  
Yet hearing how the second time this worthy venturous knight.  
Doth go to seas accompanied with many a worthy wight.  
My willing heart hath forced my pen thus much to undertake,  
To him and to his famous crew▪ a farewell for to make.  
I doubt not but his noble heart will way of my goodwill,  
That boldly dares presume thus much that have such simple skill.  
And pardon me his country man who writes for countries sake,  
And for because no one as yet, did ever undertake  
To tell unto all Englishmen what dangers he abode,  
And eke what countries strange he passed, while he did roam abroad  
Yea all the world almost Sir Francis Drake hath seen.  
And welcomes great hath ever had where he on shore hath been  
The Heathen Princes honoured him, & favours did him give,  
And victuals store of such as did their bodies all relieve.  
Yea this & many a strange thing else there happened to him them.  
When many of his company for fear ran back again.  
And gave report that dead he was, and sunk in foaming flood,  
Which news to some right joyful was that wished him no good  
When such as were his friends indeed with watery eyes did wail.  
And wished their blood were shed with his, so it might him avail.  
All this our Poets might have wrote if they his fame did tender,  
Besides the wealth that he home brought a good cause to remember  
You might have taken this small pains the same by pen to show,  
To make his name with fame resound & 'cause the world to know.  
When many a thousand lived at home and slept with quiet ease.  
Great pains abroad our Knight endured with perils on the seas.  
The dangers he hath passed through would make a many muse  
That keeps their chambers close with shame & harken after nuse,  
But long may good sir Francis live which hath enriched our land,  
The like was never seen nor heard since Englad first did stad.  
How like Ulysses did he show his policies each were,  
And like Achilles' bearded his foes & daunted them with fear.  
The Lord hath blest him noble knight & with his mighty arm  
Defended him from foreign foes that sought to do him harm.  
And brought him safely home at last where favour he did gain  
Of our good Queen with welcomes great & thanks for taken pain.  
That he so nobly had employed: to nobles all alike case,  
A wight more welcome than he was came never in this place.  
His credit since hath still increased and God hath so him blest,  
That he the love of all hath gained from best unto the worst.  
What should I say but this of him his deeds deserve so well,  
That of all others which I know Sir Frances bears the bell.  
For Bounty, sure he doth exceed to those that do deserve,  
And feeds the hungry naked souls which else were like to starve.  
And such as in his voyage last to sea with him did go,  
And by demeanour ill, hath brought themselves to careful woe.  
He daily doth them still relieve and all their family.  
A mirror of a worthy mind fraught full of courtesy,  
O noble Knight what should I say, my pen is to too base,  
To writ thy fame, it rather doth thy worthy deeds disgrace.  
What wrong hath poets done to thee that learning hath at will  
That have in giving thee thy due not showed forth their skill.  
Who liveth now within the land that merit doth such fame▪  
Then learned poets give it Drake that doth deserve the same.  
Would God my skill were such thy praise so for to paint,  
That foreign foes to hear thereof with daunted fear should faint.  
And noble valiant Gentlemen that goeth with him to sea,  
Although your names I do not know, I'll learn them as I may.  
I know you go to purchase fame, and that shall be your hire.  
And for to show your valiancy it is your chief desire.  
For dastards use at home to stay, and there will sit & talk.  
When you in many a foreign soil in danger daily walk.  
But nothing can dismay your minds, your noble hearts to try?  
And idle drones which fear to fight you do them all defy.  
Your general a valiant Knight was never daunted yet,  
But bravely made his foes recoil, when face to face they met.  
Now is your bravery to be shown, there must you all take pain,  
Else look for lasting ignominy when you return again.  
Well, England hath to few such Knights, that dares to do so much  
again to hazard life and goods, the peril being such.  
He that doth know the danger past, and venture doth again.  
Is worthy have a crown of gold to countervail his pain.  
Well since that thou are going hence to take thee to the seas,  
Forsaking wife and country both, thy costly cheer and ease.  
To God thy voyage I'll commend, to whom I still will pray.  
To grant thee life and safe return to see that joyful day.  
Wherein thou mayst behold again thy loving countrymen,  
Which wisheth well to thee, & prayeth for thy return again.  
Set forward noble mind, God sand thee wind at will,  
With coast full clear and weather fair, thy voyage to fulfil.  
And shield thee safe from foes, and such as wish you death.  
Would that I might adventure life to reave them of their breath.  
Good Aeolus be friendly now, and send a happy gale,  
That captain Drake & all his men on seas may safely sale.  
And God that guides the heavens above, so prospero thee with hap,  
That all the world have cause to say, thou liest in fortune's lap.  
And this farewell x. thousand times the mirror of our years.  
Farewell the Phoenix of our age, whose acts admits no peers.  
Farewell you gallant Gentes, who here might live at ease.  
Yet thrust your heads for country's wealth in hazard on the seas.  
We be no Troyans' borne 'gainst whom durst juno justly scold,  
Happy be we at your return, your foe's confusion to behold.  
Thus whilst my tongue can talk or pen may paint thy praise,  
I will set down what dreadless deeds were done within thy days.  
Thou Neptune god, if favour aught might fierce Achilles found,  
Vouchsafe to send my countryman a calmed wave & wind.  
Thy parting now is blazed abroad, as every tongue can tell,  
Thy ships are launched, thy sails are hoist, Sir Francis Drake farewell.   
H. R.  
FINIS.   

Robarts his farewell to the sailors and soldiers appointed for this exploit.  

ANd sailors all and mates what ever that you be,  
which willing are with this good knight, these exploits for to see.  
Let never courage quail, but show yourselves like men,  
For good sir Drake is generrall, come show your valour then.  
You hear before what he hath done, when he at sea was last:  
And eke what knowledge he hath gained of every foreign coast.  
The worthiest  in this land that ever I did know,  
Yourselves I ask to judge with me, and many a thousand more▪  
And how he hath enriched the land, and stored it with gold.  
And how he did reward his men, my pen can scarce unfold:  
And honoured them in all their deeds, because they did take pain,  
And friendship ever at his hands their duty did them gain.  
Yea, he dealt with them so bountiful, & gave them such large pay,  
That he for it is worthy praise, they so of him will say.  
A very lamb unto his friends, as every tongue can tell,  
But unto such that it deserve, he is both fierce and fell,  
You know the valour of the man is more than I can say,  
Then fear not hearts, but venture on, & please him all you may.  
Your forward he himself will be as ever he hath been.  
In any point of service he will venture life and limb.  
Be valiant than you noble hearts, & when you meet your foes,  
Apply your manhood all you may, for to increase their woes.  
And in your fight evermore, think you are Englishmen,  
Then every one of you I hope, will stay of Spaniards ten:  
Or any else what ere they be, that shall disturb your peace,  
And seek by any kind of mean your quiet to disease.  
God and S. Georg you worthy wights, proceed triumphantly,  
In Prince's cause let no one quail, but all courageous be▪  
The Drum & Fife you warlike wights, shall ever by you ●●and,  
As long as any fight endures, for comfort by your hand.  
Gain honour then, and hold the same, as song as ere you live:  
But if like dastards you do prove, oh how your hearts may grieve  
That ever noble wight should trust to such a mate,  
As eats his victuals with the best, yet fears to show his pate.  
Once for to look his foe in face at any time to see,  
God shield that any such among this warlike crew should be.  
Since you are they must honour win, them try your force on foes  
And show yourselves courageously, apply your english blows.  
Then valiant hearts that seek for fame, be sure the same to gain  
For with her trump of glitring gold she will requited your pain.  
And at your home return again, such praise for you i'll writ,  
Shall do you good to hear the same your travel to requited,  
If you return, as God I trust will sand you all again, ●  
Your general will reward you all as you employ your pain.  
Be just therefore and gentle too, each look unto his charge,  
And see against your general commit you no outrage▪  
Serve God, obey your governor, and him both love and fear,  
You are commanded so my friends, your princes charge you bear.  
Then God shall bless you still if you do live in awe,  
If you offend he punish may by virtue of his law.  
Therefore agreed in unity, and love one with the other,  
〈…〉 d join yourselves in amity, as brother with his brother.  
〈…〉 in this cause you are as one, though many souls you be,  
Then fellow mates look to yourselves, and never disagree.  
For whereas brawls be set abroach, and quarrelers remain,  
It greatly will your general grieve, & vex his heart with pain.  
To see that men which aught be wise so given unto will,  
And in a harebrain humour seek each other for to kill.  
My loving friends and countrymen, let these my words avail,  
And think upon these simple lines, when ship is under sail.  
Thus unto God I you commend, to whom I still will pray,  
To sand you safe among your friends, and shield you on the sea.  
I mean you all good will, I trust you take it so,  
〈…〉 english ●●ts. God keep you all from wo.