ships and smiling fish scene   

A Continued October 2. JOURNALL Of all the Proceed of the Duke of Buckingham, in the Isle of Ree.  

Containing these particulars.  
The manner of relieving the Fort by six Shallops about a month since.  
The now state of the Fort, with the taking of some of the Governors' Messengers who were swimming to the Main with Letters, and were afterwards executed.  
The coming of the French Kings brother before Rochel, with the building of a new Fort.  
A sally made by the Rochellers upon the French, where many of the French were slain.  
The great preparation of the King of France, the King of Spain, and the Archdutches, to relieve the Fort with 60. sail of Ships.  
The death of Sir john Burrowes.  
The death of the Governor Thorax his Brother, who was slain that night.  
An attempt of the French, with 12. Barks to relieve the Fort, where of six were taken.  
A message sent from the Governor Monsieur Thorax to the Duke, and the success thereof.  
The kill of two French men in their own trenches, by an Irish Soldier.   
With many other particulars.  
Published by Authority.  
LONDON: Printed by A. M. for Thomas Walkley, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Eagle and Child in Britain's Burse. 1627.   

THE JOURNAL CONTINUED TO THIS DAY.  
Continued to the 2. of October.  
Our Army under the Conduct of his Illustrious Excellency, the Duke of Buckingham, lies as yet before the Fort of Saint martin's in the I'll of Ree, which they have entrenched round about, except upon the North side where it is environed with the Sea, yet that passage is so blocked up by our Ships, Pinnaces, and Long boats, that it is a matter difficult, if not altogether impossible, (as matters stands now) to put any Provision of Victuals into the Citadel. For since that six Shalloppes of the Enemies, about a month since, brought some relief (though small to the besieged) by the benefit of a seasonable night, and by the connivance (as it was doubted) of some Dutch who came to the Island for Salt, and lay betwixt us and the main. But now all hope of succour is debarred that way, by running two of our warlike Ships on ground, close under the Fort, upon the Auenue of the water Port, and by the diligence and vigilancy of the rest of the Fleet, who leave no course unattempted, which Art or industry can propose for the finishing of this great work, upon which the honour of our Nation liyes so much engaged.  
So that besides the ordinary night and day watches observed carefully by the Seamen, divers long Boats well furnished with Musketeers and Mariners round it about the Island all the night long, who have intercepted three French Soldiers of the Fort, that by swimming thought to recover the main with the Governors' Letters  
The Contents of these Letters implied: That their want within were great, that the Soldiers began to Mutiny, and that without speedy relief they could hold out no longer.  
The Messengers who sought to convey them being apprehended, were hanged in sight of the Fort, with the Letters about their necks. Neither did the importunity of these advertisements want cause, for as it appeareth by the testimony of diverse fugitives, and by the evidence of sundry probable circumstances, the besieged are so much distressed for want of necessaries, that although their Infantry be of the Regiment of Champagne (which is held to be one of the bravest of all France) and though there are diverse resolute Cavaliers within it (the relics of those troops, which at their first landing, were defeated by the English) yet want gins to make them lose both courage and obedience, and to demean themselves in a mutinous and insolent manner towards the Governor, who knowing well the truth and justice of their pretensions, gives them good words, and bids them be confident of sudden relief. But words and wind feeds not the belly, as honour heats not the toes: so that their discontents remain as great as their necsssities are pressing. The violent enforcement whereof makes them ruune away by troops ten and twenty in a company, and causeth others to adventure themselves desperately out of their Works, to gather Grapes, which grow betwixt the Fort, and our approaches, many of whom are fetched off by our Musketeers, and slain with the meat sticking in their mouths.  
Those within are allowed a small proportion of horseflesh, and six and fifty Peas a day.  
The King of France his Brother is come down within a league of Rochel, with an Army of 11. thousand strong, both Horse and Foot: he brings six brass Pieces with him from Paris, with great store of Munition, and sundry materials fit for the building of a Fort, the foundation whereof the French have already laid opposite unto that Fort, which was built on the North-West side of the Town, in the year 1522. yet the Rochellers being confident of their own strength, and of the English succours (which are ready to assist them upon all occasions) resolve to endure all extremes, rather than to put their necks under the yoke, or to fail in the course of their former resolutions.  
Those of Rochel, the Enemies lying near, sent out twenty common Soldiers on horseback clothed in scarlet coats, and Armed after the manner of the French Gentlemen. The show of this supposed sally, caused some principal Cavaliers of the King's side to issue out of their Works, of purpose to encounter them. But they retiring, and the others pursuing, they fell into an Ambush of 50. Musketeers purposely laid by the Rochellers, where diverse of them were slain, amongst whom were two men of quality: for the recovering of one of whose bodies there happened a great Conflict, in which diverse of the French were slaughtered.  
Although the ground about the Fort be hard to work in, yet all difficulties being surmounted, our men have drawn their approaches from the main entrenchment (which lies between Saint Martin's Town and the Fort) within less than Pistol shot of the utmost Counterskarfe, and that upon two several ways or Auenues, whereof one is directed from the Battery, and the other from the Redoubt.  
Our Cannoneers have dismounted all their Ordnance, except two sling Pieces, but of these they are able to make little use, for want of Bullets: in fourteen days they have made but one great Shot upon our Quarter, which was but an exchanged Bullet, shot first from one of our Pieces.  
But to supply this defect (though with a feeble means) they shoot and throw many stones from their Works, with which our men are so well acquainted, that it causeth as little terror as it doth danger.  
Our Army keeps quatter with the French on land, for all those who are taken prisoners, or run out of the Fort, after a day's restraint or two are dismissed, and sent into the main with means of transportation & conduct. But of late no quarter is kept with them who are aken at Sea, because it appeared by the confession of some who were taken by our Boats upon the 19 of the last month, that they are to confident and presumtive upon the Duke's mercy. His Excellency lieth in the Town of Saint martin's, not fare from the Market place, attentively watching all fair opportunities, whose care and vigilancy we hope that God will bless with good success. Monsieur Subuisa is in the Town of Rochel, to confirm the Inhabitants with his presence and counsel.  
The besieged have not been ssacke in their duties, for besides their continual plying us with their volleys of great and small shot, they have attempted to undermine one of our Batteries, but this Design of theirs was frustrated by a Countermine of ours, which wrought such effects, that they were beaten out of their own Mine after some resistance.  
They are so much distressed for want of shot, that wanting Led and Iron, they are fain to melt all their Pewter and Tin, of which they make Bullets. But this shot shatters like Hail, and doth less hurt by fare than the other.  
His Excellence is very sparing of his men, as well knowing that walls of bones are fare stronger than those of earth and stones, and resolves by following the precedent of Vanden Berke at Gulicke, and of Spinola at Breda to starne the besieged, or else to bring them to reason.  
Upon the Intercourse of some messages, his Grace hath employed Mr. Aishburnham (a Gentleman of his, lately arrived in England) upon occasions of special business, twice or thrice unto the Governor Thorax.  
Upon his coming to the utmost Sentinel, and the remonstrance of his employment, his eyes were blindfolded, and in this manner (because he should not discover their Works) he was conducted to receive his audience.  
The French give out, that if we do not departed the sooner, they will cause us to do it by main force, being confident of those aids which are promised them from the King of Spain, and the Archdutchesse, which together with their own Ships, will make a Fleet of threescore sail, as they reckon in their large account. But I think this bragging of theirs will turn merely into a French vapour, much show and little action. Howsoever they are sure to find a stout opposition, and a brave resistance.  
Sir William Courtney, a Soldier of great conduct and experience, and Colonel of one of the English Regiments, was shot with a Musket from the Fort upon the belly, but the Buller lighting upon some money in a little pocket, lost his force, and did no farther hurt.  
Upon Wednesday being the twelfth of September, that Honourable and valiant Knight Sir john Burrowes, Colonel General of the English Infantry under his Excellency the Duke of Buckingham, being careful for the direction and survey of all our Works, came up from his Quarters in the afternoon, to give orders for the lniing out of a new Entrenchment, and as he came off from the Works with some other Commanders, he was unfortunately shot in the belly thorough the guts, about five of the clock in the evening, with a Musket, which wound proved mortal: for within four or five hours after he gave up the ghost, to the exceeding grief of all the Army, but specially of the Duke of Buckingham, who coming to visit him before his death, shed many passionate tears to express his grief, due to the remembrance of so worthy a person. He shown a great deal of constancy, resolution, & religion at his death, as he had in the whole course and passage of his life. His body was opened and enbalmed, and sent into England with Mr, Aishburnham, who brought it to Plymouth on Monday, being the 24. of September, from whence it is coming about to Potesmouth, to be transported thence unto Westminster, where it is to receive the sepulchral rites of an Honourable interment.  
Our Soldiers, but especially those of his Regiment were so much provoked with this unexpected accident, that in revenge thereof they poured diverse volleys of small & great shot upon the French, with the storm whereof the Governors' brother was slain, and some other men of quality.  
On the Wednesday following Sir john Burrowes death, the French from the maine sought to relieve the Fort with twelve Barks laden with victuals and Muni●ion, but they were intercepted by our sea Watch, and six of them taken, and all the Victuals and Provision brought in to our Magazine; the other fix were driven back unto the Main, but if the other Shallops that got in before, were no better stored then these, as in all likelihood they were not, there was not Victuals enough to serve them 14 days.  
The Prisoners being demanded how they durst hazard themselves so boldly upon this attempt, answered, that they did it upon confidence of the Duke's mercy, which they thought would not fail them if they were surprised. But to prevent this, and to hinder the like presumption, in others our Soldiers put them all to the sword, before they received any other orders from his Excellency.  
Monsieur Thorax the Governor of the Fort, sent to his Excellence the Duke of Buckingham to entreat him to give leave that he might send a Messenger to his Master the French King, which was granted by his Excellence, upon condition that he would undertake that he might send a servant of his safely through France for England: this being agreed on both sides, his Excellence dispatched Master Ashburneham, a Gentleman of his Chamber, to go along with the Governors' servant; but when they came to Paris, the French never respecting the noble favour done unto them by his Excellence: but contrary to all expectation, would not give leave that Mr. Aishburneham should pass any further, but to return back to the Island: the Governors' man that came back with him, his Excellence caused all his Letters to be taken from him, and keepeth him prisoner in the Army.  
The 2600. English and Irish under the command of Sir Ralph Bingley, and Sir Pierce Crosseby, are arrived safely in the Island: since whose coming there happened a memorable accident, by the mistake of two Soldiers of those troops: who coming up into our approaches, went from thence ignorantly into the Enemy's trenches, lying close unto our Works, where they being discovered by the French Sentinel Perdieu, he shot one of them dead with his Musket. The surviving Irishman to revenge his Fellow's death, drew out his skein, and slew the French man, and being shot at (but mist) by another French Muskatier, he killed him likewise, and leaping out of the Trenches, into which he had engaged himself unadvisedly, he came off clear, and without any hurt at all.  
The end of the Journal.   

Upon the death of that noble Knight, Sir john Burrowes.  
IF honour, virtue, and the glorious face  
Of noble actions could prolong the race  
Of man's appointed days, than had thy Fate  
Not made the Court and Camp disconsolate  
Renowned Burrowes; 
Sir john Burrowes got much honour at the siege of Ostend and Frankendale, and at the taking of Bell Sconce by the Buss, where the marquis of Beluille, a brave Italian Colonel was slain.  than Ostendes report,  
Frankendales last siege, and that surprised Fort  
Where Beluilles' marquis fell, had stopped the Knife  
Of fatal Atropos, and made thy life  
Immortal like thy actions: but no merit  
Which life's within man's best deserving spirit  
Can repeal Death's decrees, for all must die,  
Slain by the Shafts of dire mortality.  
Thus did the Funeral pile great Pompey burn,  
And Caesar's corpses filled the sepulchral Urn.  
And thus brave Burrowes sleeps in Honour's bed,  
Who dying lives, entombed, unburied;  
Worthy Foes worth to have survived that death,  
Which robbed him of his valour breathing breath.