ELIZABETHA TRIUMPHANS. Containing The Damned practises, that the devilish Popes of Rome have used ever since her highness first coming to the Crown, by moving her wicked and traitorous subjects to Rebellion and conspiracies, thereby to bereave her Majesty both of her lawful seat, and happy life. With a declaration of the manner how her excellency was entertained by her Soldiers into her Camp Royal at Tilbery in Essex: and of the overthrow had against the Spanish Fleet: briefly, truly, and effectually set forth. Declared, and handled by I. A.  
Post victoriam gloria.  
AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Orwin, for Thomas Gubbin, and Thomas Newman. 1588.   

To the Right Worshipful, endued with all singularity, julius Caesar, Doctor of the Civil Law, chief judge of her highness honourable Court of the Admiralty, and one of the Masters of the Requests to the Queen's most excellent Majesty.  
THE remembrance (Right Worshipful) of the great courtesies I have received at your ever bountiful hands, makes me ashamed (seeing my hap hath been so bad) as that I could in no time, sithence I first tasted of the abundance thereof, gratify your Worship with some token of my not-ungratefull heart.  
Some, while they are too curious (or rather careless) in making choice of dutiful requitals, purchase the crime of ungratfulnes deservedly for their labour. And many nothing at all esteeming of benefits, or otherwise thinking them to come of course, cast the remembrance of the givers courtesy at their heels.  
Misliking therefore the over-curiousnes of the former, and altogether condemning the ungratefulness of the latters forgetfulness, lest I should make myself suspected to be of both sex, I present to your Worship's liking the first fruit that my barren wit yielded. No gift (I confess) because so unworthy by reason of the ruff and unskilful handling of the matter therein contained: but a Pamphlet greatly standing in need of your Worship's patrociny, that by the protexion of so learned a Maecenas, it may be defended from the biting jaws of snatching Carpers. Which, if of your Worship's wont bounty and never-over shadowed clemency, you shall vouchsafe; my study shallbe how to prepare presents which may be more be seeming your Worship's service, and my prayers to the Almighty for the continuance of this your obtained happiness, with the daily increase of all worldly commodities, and in the end to grant you eternal felicity.  
Your worships in all humbleness, ja. Ask.   

❧ To the gentle Reader.  
WHen I considered with myself (Gentle Reader) of the sundry kinds of delights; of the fine wits yielding, most pleasant conceits: of the diversity of inventions, with the profundity of every man's judgement, I find that (thereby) this is the hardest world that might happen to gross heads and green wits. The redoubling of phrases running with words beginning all with one letter, in the amorous discourses of young Gallants, jointly with the lives of their enamoured Mistresses: in Histories lively desciphering foolish dotage ordinarily in old men and stolen widows, with the inconveniency of matching crooked old age, and wily youth together are so commonly used; as they who spend their time, dull their heads, and bestow their travel in penning such books, are either thought to steal their invention from othermen's labours, or else accounted of as wittols, for spending their studies about such common devices. But if any man writ loving Songs, and amiable Sonnets, they, as foolish toys nothing profitable, are of every one misliked, if of famous men's acts done long ago, they are termed lies, and therefore to be rejected, if of things happened in our days, the events of those but now performed practices, need no discourses to cause remembrance. What shall I say, the Booke-hinders shops, and every Printers press are so cloyed and clogged with Books of these and suchlike matters, that they are good for nothing (as they say) but to make wast-paper, whereby it falleth out, that through the misprising of the Author's minds, and misconstruing of their meanings, with the innumerable swarm of Momus followers, that a man were better to go to plough one whole year, then to toil his head but one month about publishing any of his studies. The consideration whereof, hath been such an impediment to the printing of this my Pamphlet (I term it so, not in respect of the matter therein handled, but of the handling thereof,) that when it was (at the earnest request of one that might have commanded) both begun and finished very near within the space of one whole month, I was afterwards three long months studying, whether it were better for me to burn it, or to give it to the Press: which the rather happened, for that my proceed were crossed by divers backward events. For first of all (after the finishing of it) when I had gone through with the Printer, so that within two days it should have been ready for his trade, there fell out a cross matter, whereby it was dashed for the space of ten weeks, then having intelligence of the commonness of Ballads, with Books to this purpose, I resolved myself to bestow this my Pamphlet on the fire. But crabbed Fortune (who ever hinders willing enterprises) through the entreaty of divers of my dearest friends, stayed my determinate purpose, by persuading me that those Books and Ballads did very little touch the matter my Book entreateth of, which caused me rather to publish this my work (entitled Elizabetha Triumphans) truly and effectually declaring the wicked attempts of the devilish Pope, with his damned adherents practised to the praise or dispraise of me it Author, then to let such broken tales, told in plain Ballets, express the unspeakable acts, and wondrous overthrows had against the Pope by this our royal Queen and her (by this made famous) Island. Committing therefore both this Book my first work, with myself a young versefier to your liking, I desire nothing of you for my pains, but that you will not condemn the beginning, until you have read to the ending, and then of God's name be free with your censure. Far you well.  
Yours, as he would wish you his, ja. Ask.   


E Elizabeth sole rectrix of this Land,  
L Long time with thee hath reigned happy Peace:  
I In all thy deeds assisteth Pallas hand,  
Z Zenobia-like thy Fame shall never cease.  
A All other Soils throughout the wondrous world  
B Behold and see thy sweet prosperity:  
E Even by thy force of late they soon were thralled,  
T That falsely bragged of their deity.  
H Honour, with Peace, Prosperity, and Fame  
A Accord with thee, and highly praise thy name.   

T Triumph (O English people) leap for joy,  
R Redouble oft the lawding song ye sing,  
I In praise of her, who banisheth Annoy.  
V Unto jehovahs' altars offerings bring,  
M myrrh, Franckinscence, with every sweetest flower:  
P Play on your Timbrels, let your Cornets sound;  
H Heave up your hands to him that giveth power,  
A And did of late your threatening foes confound.  
N No Traitors be but honour still her name,  
S Sithence for her sake jehovah wrought the same.    

ELIZABETHA triumphans.  

I Writ not of the labours (passing strange,)  
Which joves base son with wondrous fame achieved:  
He of the acts, the never dying acts,  
That English Kings have done long time ago.  
But all my drift is to declare the deeds,  
The famous deeds that this our sacred Queen  
Performed hath, sithence Sol hath passed the Signs  
Just thirty times, with those his shining lights.  
Then mighty jove, who guides each moving thing,  
Direct my Muse to that thy flowing stream,  
Whence flow amain both sweet and thundering words,  
That with those words she may set down both peace,  
And warlike deeds this maiden Queen hath done.  
The royal state of famous English soil,  
(Right happy made by this their noble Queen,)  
Declares the virtues of a heavenly mind,  
Adorned with all the gifts which Nature can  
Bestow, on any of her dearest Nymphs,  
So dear a darling is Elizabeth,  
Renowned Queen of this renowned land,  
Renowned land, because a fruitful soil:  
Renowned land through people of the same:  
And thrice renowned by this her Virgin Queen,  
A maiden Queen, and yet of courage stout,  
Through Wisdom, rare, for Learning, passing all,  
Her mother tongue is not her only speech,  
For Spanish, Greek, Italian, and French,  
With Romans tongue, she understands and speaks,  
He are these all, though more than may be found  
In female sex, except her stately self:  
For other Virtues are (no less of force)  
Within her royal breast and outward parts.  
Her comely stature doth not Beauty want,  
Ne Beauty is from seemly favour barred,  
But both of them do (in the hyest-degree,  
Conjoined together) beautify her port.  
Among the rest, this must not be forgot,  
(No less praiseworthy than the other are,)  
Which is. Although she be by Nature weak,  
Because her sex no otherwise can be:  
Yet wants she not the courage of her Sire,  
Whose valour wan this Island great renown,  
So great renown as never Island had.  
Which high renown, as yet hath not been lost,  
But far enlarged through wonders passing strange,  
Which have been done next under God of heaven,  
By rectrix of these famous Western parts.   

FOr first of all (which is not least in force)  
When by the space of six whole winter times, 
In the year 1558. began our gracious Sovereign to reign.   
The glittering Stars of heaven did near appear,  
Ne Luna bright, for dim and dusky clouds  
Can show her lights from out the Firmament:  
When Darkness ruled Queen of all the earth,  
Then did a Wolf (the Pope, a ravenous Wolf)  
By stealth break in among a flock of Sheep,  
And there did slay, and having slain, did glut  
His greedy paunch, with their most guiltless blood.  
But when Auror ' had sent abroad her lights,  
And Phoebus' bright begun to spread his beams,  
This Wolf than feared longer there to stay,  
But theevishly did haste unto his den.  
This ravening Wolf, this foul deceitful Pope,  
He hates the light because his deeds are nought.  
But England joy, 
The true preaching of the Gospel upholden by her Majesty.  O England thankful be,  
The Night is gone, and now the Day appears:  
The God of heaven, who knoweth every thought,  
And ruleth them by his eternal power:  
The God of Gods, who is the morning Star,  
Which giveth light in every creatures heart,  
That God (I say) did see his wickedness,  
And seeing, would not let it longer last,  
For by the Sun, Elizabeth our Queen,  
Whose virtues shine as bright as Sol itself,  
By that same Sun the Wolf is put to flight,  
And by that Sun God's flock doth live in rest.  
From that bright Sun, Religion hath her beams,  
Which lightens those who did in darkness sit:  
By that same Sun, Sincerity is placed,  
Where heretofore false Error ruled Lord,  
Through that same Sun God's word is truly preached,  
And by that Sun all Popish relics burnt.   

WHich happy change did cause the Pope to rage, 
Paulus Quartus Pope of Rome.   
And put him sore unto his shifting tricks,  
He studies now how to renew again  
His credit cracked through this so foul a foil,  
He beats his brains, he craves his Counsel's aid,  
And yet in all he strives against the stream,  
But that his father Satan (King of Hell)  
His dearest friend, and wisest counsellor,  
Will have him try, and see to what event  
His fond devices will by practise come.  
Wherefore the Pope, much like a craven cur,  
Who quarrel will with every passenger,  
But having had a knock for that his fault,  
He seeks unto his neighbour curs for aid,  
Them once in fight (though speeding too too bad)  
H'il leave alone, and standing thence aloof,  
Will ever bark, but never come to bite.  
So doth the Pope, for chased by our Queen,  
Whose valiant heart can not abide his brags,  
From this her land, unto his seat at Rome.  
He sitting there, 
1560  doth bark, and barking sends  
In all post haste unto the land of France,  
(Because he thinks the Frenchmen soon will  
Be drawn to think that every tale is true,)  
With this embassage to the young french King.  
Salute King Francis, 
This Pope's embassage was to the King of France to this effect.  second of that name,  
And let him wit, that by the contract made  
Twixt him and Mary Queen of Scottish land,  
His rightful heir unto the English Crown.  
And furthermore, we will he understand,  
That she who now by force usurps the same,  
Can lay no claim unto that land by right.  
Which forged tale did please the King so well,  
Because he was of young and tender years,  
And therewithal the counsel of the Guise,  
His faithless friend, which pricked him forward still,  
Did so prevail, as that the french King sent  
To Scotland divers forces day by day.  
Where landed, they do sore torment the Scots,  
They rule like Kings, who do but ask and have,  
They waste their country, lavish out their goods,  
Their houses burn, their lives bereave with sword.  
But when our Queen (a full of mercy Queen,)  
Had knowledge of their treason full of bane, 
The Duke of Norfolk sent toward Scotland against the French. The Lord Grace of Wilton fought a battle with the French in Scotland.   
She ready made within a little space,  
A company of brave and valiant men.  
The Duke of Norfolk was their general,  
Who did remain at famous Barwick town:  
And worthy Grace of Wilton noble Lord,  
Lieutenant was. He into Scotland went,  
And with his power did on the Frenchmen set,  
Where worthy Grace did so their forces quail,  
As weary soon they wear of handy blows.  
There did the French (who so triumphed before)  
Like scattered sheep, for fear run fast away.  
There might you see great streams of Frenchman's blood,  
And heaps of bodies, which by us were slain.  
There men lament for loss of faithful friends,  
And women howl, who there were widows made.  
The children weep, to see their mother's sad:  
And servants grieve because the children cry.  
These with their tears a running river make:  
These with their sighs do fill the air with smoke.  
These with their noise do cause an Echo sound,  
And make the Earth to quake and shake therewith.  
Our gracious Queen, who never thirst for blood,  
(When thus the Frenchmen once had felt her force)  
Did use a mean which nearer was to Peace.  
For why: she sent Sir William Cicill Knight,  
Her majesties chief Secretary then:  
But now by his deserts and worthy deeds,  
Lord Treasurer of all this worthy land,  
Accompanied with wise and learned men,  
To parley with the Frenchmen which were there.  
Whose wisdom did therein so much prevail, 
A peace concluded between the Frenchmen and us, by the Lord high Treasurer, them chief Secretary.   
As at that time concluded was a Peace:  
Whereby the wars of late fire-hote did end,  
And nought at all redouned to France but shame.  
This enterprise so peaceably performed,  
In what I pray now doth the Pope triumph?  
His hope quite frustrate soon against his will  
Makes him neglect to be at morning Mass.  
He raves as mad, he curseth Books and Beads,  
All paternosters quite are laid aside:  
His Images do want their wont due  
Of honour now, because so ill he sped.  
Not any Pardons are dispersed abroad,  
Nor merry looks on any of his Monks:  
But dolefully (or rather doultishly)  
He keeps his Chamber, free from any mirth.  
Thus lives the Pope still mourning for his loss:  
Thus mourns the Pope for want of better luck:  
Thus want of luck doth make him wish to die:  
Thus with his wish his death is come at last.   

HE being dead, 
Pius quartus installed Pope.  and for his soul a Mass  
Next morning sung within his Chapel Church,  
His Popedomship with mitre, 
1561.  Crowns & Cross,  
Are all bestowed on Pius quintus grace.  
A man (I wish) not less with envy fraughted,  
(Although the days wherein he lived were few)  
Then was the man, which last before him reigned.  
For when he was installed in his seat,  
He strait was troubled with the Popish pip:  
He cannot quench his thirst he is so dry:  
But judge for what: For English Martyrs blood.  
He seeks thy bane, O England, thine he seeks:  
He starves because he's barred from thy flock,  
(This English flock, Christ's dear and sacred flock)  
Where are his sheep within a strong kept hold,  
Where feed his sheep of his most heavenly word,  
Of that same Manna which did fall from heaven.  
Where shepherds are, who carefully them keep,  
As near a Wolf can hurt the poorest sheep:  
Though this new Pope doth now revive again  
Of Trent the Counsel, 
The Counsel of Trent revived by this Pope this year.  to that damned end,  
By Legates sent to divers foreign Coasts.  
Five Cardinals with many Bishops are  
To go about this work, by Pius chos'de  
To this intent, lest that the glorious light  
Which shines most bright among us Englishmen:  
Lest that same light, Christ with his sacred word  
Should clearly shine throughout his placed globe.  
Whereby the Pope withal his damned deeds,  
His painted Gods, his senseless stocks and stones  
Should be forlorn'd, foreseen of every one,  
To let this good, and further that too bad.  
These cattle were from Rome dispersed abroad:  
But God of heaven, against whose holy will  
The Pope did call this Counsel wickedly:  
That God did laugh to scorn his fond devise,  
And made it frustrate, and of none effect.  
His Legates sent, are home again returned  
(To Rome I mean) but with as bad success,  
As had the Frenchmen in their former deed.   

THe Queen of Scots (who late was Queen of France) 
The Queen of Scots found in England.   
Consenting to the death of james the King  
Of Scotland late, her husband too too true:  
Was feign to fly for that unnatural deed  
From that her native and long-holden land.  
From whence escaped, she took her passage thence  
To this our land (to happy English land)  
Where happily she was descried by chance,  
But basely clad and with a simple train:  
And till the cause of this her landing here  
Was truly known, she closely here was kept.  
Yet had she all things for a Princess meet,  
For where of late she had no train at all,  
But like a simple gentle did remain:  
Now hath she men with women at her call,  
To run, to ride, to do her any work;  
Now hath she sums, great sums of English coin,  
To serve her turn at every needful time.  
And yet for all these too too good deeds done  
To her so bad, quite banished from all good:  
By this Pope's mean, she doth persuade the Duke  
Of Norfolk to rebel against his Queen.  
He drawn thereto, 
The Duke of Norfolk persuaded by this Pope to rebel.  doth go about to bring  
Great foreign powers unto his native soil:  
He seeks the death of his dread Sovereign,  
Whereby he may enjoy her royal seat.  
But (thanks to God) in stead of that he had  
A Scaffold made, whereon he lost his head.  
And now for this the Popes so bad success,  
He perished as had done all the rest.   

ANd for although these Peacocks tails were pulled: 
Pius quintus Pope.   
Yet doth succeed a bird of that same brood,  
Who will not let to jet and brave it out.  
He will not move the King of France or Spain  
With foreign forces, to invade this land:  
But butcherlike he sends abroad his Bulls,  
So grace within a strangers fertile land. 
1569.   
This Pope affirms: 
Doctor Morton sent into the North parts of this Realm with a commission to the like effect.  The Queen of English soil  
Hath lost the right of this her lawful seat:  
And by his power he will absolve from oath  
Her Subjects, who against her will rebel.  
This this the Pope, and thus he stirs his stumps:  
He thirsts for blood, and blood h'ile have to drink:  
He will not send unto his neighbour coasts,  
For to revive a Counsel once again:  
But traitorlike he will his Pardons give  
To Rebels, 
Rebellion in the North.  rising in their native soil.  
This Pope doth send Magicians to her land  
To seek her death, 
Pastral and Pliar, with D. Story.  by that their devilish art:  
Yea which is more, h'il cause a devilish dolt  
Of France, 
Parry alias up Harry was pardoned by the Queen, condemned for a violent uproar against Hare.  a Doctor (Parry I do mean)  
With smiling face for to discharge a Dag  
At her kind heart, who saved had his life.  
See here the fruit of kindness ill bestowed:  
See here a wight, worse than the doggest beast;  
Ungrateful wretch, to Nature far unlike:  
For Nature will's we love for love should give:  
But thou (alas) by Nature never taught,  
Didst seek the death of this thy happy Queen,  
Whose sacred life did save thy dying death.  
O damned villain fostered by a Wolf,  
Borne of a Tiger, nursed by a Bear.  
Nay worse than these, did nourish this foul imp:  
For Beelzebub by black Proserpina,  
Can ne'er have had a devil half so bad.  
But what ensued thereof: but this of right:  
The God of heaven, who searcheth every heart,  
And hath regard unto the innocent,  
Revealed their thoughts, their treasons did display,  
Before they were by them in practice put,  
And they who sought to spill her guiltless blood,  
Did lose their blood, and Parry gained a rope.  
These were the deeds of Pius quintus Pope,  
Wherein the devil had no little share:  
But took great pains, and for his pains he ha●  
The Pope himself, with all his Instruments.   

NOw seeing Paulus nothing could achieve  
By Francis means: 
Gregory 13. Pope.  And also seeing that  
The Northern power got nought in Pius tune:  
An other Pope (Pope Gregory forsooth)  
He needs must shoot as have the others done,  
But yet will have his bow and arrows new.  
His mark is that, 
Rebellion in Ireland.  whereat the other shot,  
But takes his aim from Ireland thereto.  
Fitzmorises, with wretched Desmons' Earl,  
Were chiefest shafts which in his quiver were.  
With these same shafts he thought to hit the white,  
And therefore placed them first within his bow:  
But ere he could unlose the string thereof  
And let them fly, whereat they levelled were:  
The mighty God did cause the warlike Grace  
To blow a blast, yea such a boisterous blast,  
As arrows broke, and bow in pieces flew,  
And Pope himself constrained to leave his stand.   

THis Pope though foiled, yet will not leave off so,  
But since that this his purpose will not fadge,  
H'il practice now, as have the other done,  
By private traitors to revenge his foil.  
And like a Fox who takes his cubs abroad  
Unto a place, where Pullen are at feed:  
He thither come, will not go in himself,  
But sendeth them, and says h'il keep the watch.  
Go, spare no blood (saith he) there is enough,  
Behead the Geese, destroy both Cock and Hens,  
Leave ne'er a Chick but shallbe motherless.  
Which done, return that we may all rejoice,  
And glut ourselves with their desired blood:  
You for your hire shall have your share therein.  
The simple cubs less guily than the Fox,  
Do strait believe their Sire is sure a God,  
And think at least they shallbe Kings or Lords:  
But as they went about their purpose meant,  
In certain traps (which th'owner of that place  
Had set, to catch the cattle of that kind)  
They fast were caught (a strange and sudden change)  
They call for aid unto their crafty Sire:  
But he (forsooth) when as he heard the clap,  
Did run away post-haste unto his den,  
And leaves his cubs to shift to save their lives.  
Thus deals the Pope, 
1580.  a subtle dealing Fox:  
For when he hath with Popish Pardons sent  
The Priests (his cubs) unto this happy land, 
Edmond Campion and others, Priests.   
Where is the foul whereat he aimeth still.  
These jewes-like cubs do seek by all their shifts  
To move rebellion here against our Queen. 
Francis Throgmorton and the Earl of Northumberland moved to rebellion.   
These Caterpillars, persons traitors borne  
Encourage then to kill her Majesty.  
These seek to bring in strange and foreign powers,  
Which should destroy their native Counterie.  
These published tails and lies in every place, 
Somerfield moved to kill the Queen.   
And blazed abroad that this our Sovereign  
A tyrant is, (O damned enterprise)  
When they themselves forsaken of their Sire,  
By law condemned, have openly confessed,  
That nought they sought, nor ought they could look for,  
Except the Queen did mercy to them show.   

ABout this time did Philip King of Spain, 
Don john died which prevented the King of Spain his purpose.   
By this Pope's means prepare a mighty power,  
England therewith he would have overrun:  
But Don john died who should have marvels done,  
Whereby he was debarred from that his course.  
The Pope so grieves for this so bad success, 
1583.   
As he's half mad with finding out new means,  
Which once may quench his never-ceasing thirst.  
H'il now leave of his warlike kind of shifts,  
And play a while the Grazier in his deeds.  
He sends abroad his Seminary Priests  
To drive his Bulls unto the English soil.  
They being there within a fruitful land,  
Do fat apace, and too too lusty grow:  
They cannot live unless they have some Kowes,  
By whom their courage may abated be.  
They bull them oft, and bulling get fair Calves  
Like to themselves, within a little space  
Which grow so fast, as within twise-three years  
They able are to draw the Popish wain.   

THe Queen of Scots is chiefest instrument 
1586.   
This Pope doth use soon after he doth reign:  
For by her means there were a company  
Of forward gallants brought unto their ends.  
Fourteen brave youths, with divers other are  
By her enticed to conspire the death  
Of their thrice sacred and renowned Queen.  
Proud Babbington with all his wretched crew, 
Babbington & his company persuaded by the Queen of Scots to rebellion.   
Do seek the spoil of this their native soil.  
These with their friends will aid such foreign powers,  
As shall to dare to land within this Realm.  
These Catholics (nay Caterpillars then)  
Will set this Pope within his former seat  
In England here, or else they'll die the death.  
These by their oaths have bound themselves thereto:  
Oh Heavens: O Earth: O never-dying Fame:  
Lament with me for England's hapless luck:  
Her hapless luck through these unnatural sons  
Who seek to ruin her their mother dear,  
And lay in wait to slay their careful Nurse  
Elizabeth, their Queen and royal Nurse,  
Whose milk her laws (her sacred lifeful laws)  
Was for them food, if that they would have sucked:  
Whose sacred laws a cradle (none so sure)  
Was for their ease, would they have lain therein.  
And last whose laws did carefully them warn  
Lest they should fall, by pain which longed thereto.  
But these fond youths (as wayward Children) did  
Despise the counsel of their careful Nurse,  
And for the same they seek her death (alas)  
With the confusion of their mother dear.  
These moved were for sacred Conscience sake  
To do these deeds (a Devil sure they were)  
When they themselves did at their ends confess,  
For this their facts promotion they should have.  
I that's the Conscience which hath moved them  
To seek an alteration in this land.  
The Pope he thinks he so deserves the place,  
As near he shall it get by just deserts.  
The youthful Sirs so well esteem of Fame,  
As if they may attain unto her Court,  
they'll spare no means how to obtain that place.  
The Queen of Scots desires to rule this Realm  
With such whoate zeal, as that she doth not care  
How many souls unto Elysium  
Are sent, so she the English Crown may wear.  
But mark the end which did ensue thereof.  
As foolish Flies, which cannot rest at night  
If that they see a light within their sight,  
But still will fly unto the flame thereof,  
Until they have themselves consumed therewith:  
So little power have they how to resist  
The burning flames which do ensue therefrom.  
Or as a Bird, which being set to rest  
Within a bush, when as he sees the light  
The which the Fowler carrieth in his hand,  
Doth strait approach unto the flame thereof,  
Whereby he's catched in his limed bush.  
These foolish flies, these fond faceted birds,  
These witless youths, these thirsting paragons  
Can not abide to see so clear a light,  
As be the beams which glide from this our Queen,  
But still they storm, and envy at the same,  
And never cease till they consumed are  
By those the fire-like burning flames thereof.  
For Babbington with all his company  
Attained were with these their traitorous acts, 
Babbington with his company executed.   
And had the hire which is to Traitors due.  
The Queen of Scots was guilty found by law, 
The Queen of Scots beheaded.   
And suffered death for this conspiracy.   

THe raging Panther so abhors to see 
1588.   
The majesty the which a man presents,  
As at the sight thereof he frets and fumes,  
And tries all means how to destroy the same.  
Yea which is more, if happily he spies  
A painted man, he so envies thereat,  
As near h'il leave till he defaced hath  
The feigned face which in the picture is.  
This devilish Pope a Panther borne by birth,  
No less abhorreth our dread Sovereign,  
Her Majesty doth so offend his sight,  
As all his thoughts are how it to disgrace.  
The King of Spain who as you heard before,  
Debarred was from coming hitherwards,  
Hath ever sithence enlarged that his power,  
Until this year wherein it complete is:  
In this same year of eighty eight, the King  
Catholic hath (unto the end he may,  
In England here the credit of the Pope  
Renew again) had from his holiness  
Both money, men, with many of his Bulls.  
In which he sings the Coockoes song (all one)  
Except this clause, He hath both dispossed  
Our royal Queen of this her happy seat, 
A clause of the Pope's last Bull.   
And all her Nobles with grave Counsellors  
Which shall alliant be unto our Queen.  
Eke all her Subjects who shall her defend  
'Gainst Spanish King (the King of Catholics:)  
And also doth his Holiness give power,  
That this our Queen with all her subjects true,  
Should every one be put unto the sword:  
And all their Lands with livings he bestows  
On vanquishers, which come to execute  
His holy will, and devilish purposes.  
See these the works of Christ's Uicker on earth,  
Who doth forsake his charge (the cure of souls)  
And practiseth how to destroy both souls  
And bodies of Christ's dear and sacred flock  
Through this his damned doom in that his Bull.  
Through which his Bull (much like the horned beast  
Which sent the same:) the King of Spain nought fears  
But that he shall receive his former seat,  
In England here, ere end of eighty eight,  
And therefore hath embarked all his men  
Within a sort of huge and warlike Ships.  
Seavenscore and ten of the best fight Ships,  
Which could provided be within seven years,  
With all his men which able are to fight,  
Are ready now to sail to England-ward.  
But when the Ruler of this little Isle,  
(A famous Isle through this her Governor,)  
Did understand of this their whole pretence,  
She was not slack in mustrings of her men:  
For less than in the space of two whole months,  
She mustered had out of all her Shires,  
A hundred thousand able fight men.  
The Lord Haward her worthy Admiral, 
The Lord high Admiral sent to Sea.   
Sir Francis Drake Vize-Admirall under him,  
Lord Thomas Howard and the Sheffild Lord,  
With divers other forward Gentlemen:  
To Sea were sent with all her royal Fleet,  
To guard the straits, and meet with that his Fleet.   

BUt lest they should perhaps escape their hands,  
And land their forces on her aim'd-at land,  
A Camp of fifty thousand able men, 
A Camp on top of Tilbery hill in Essex.   
Appointed should have lain on Tilbery hill,  
Where Leicester's thrice made renowned Earl  
Lieutenant was unto our royal Queen.  
And Sir john Norris honoured for his deeds,  
Lord Martial was among that company.  
Eke Devorax of Essex famous Earl, 
The names of the Officers of the field belonging to the Campe.   
Whose forwardness hath made his house renowned,  
Was General of brave five thousand horse,  
Which should have come unto that royal Campe.  
Sir Thomas Laiton chiefest Colloner  
Of all the footmen which should thither come.  
Sir Francis Knowles of the great Ordinance,  
Was Master there (a place of great account.)  
And Nicholas Dawterie (Captain long ago  
For former deeds) her Sergeant mayor was,  
Sir Roger Williams had the second charged  
Of Complete horse, which armed Lancers bore,  
And Robert Sidney Knight had equal charged  
Of brave light Horse belonging to that Campe.  
There Captain Edward York obtained the place  
Of quarter-Mayster to the placed Camp,  
And Captain Crispe, her Provish-mershall now,  
Did bear that office in the royal place.  
The regiments which out of every Shire  
Elected were, for this most famous Camp,  
Except those Shires next neighbours to the Sea,  
Did daily march by companies thereto.  
Now mighty Mars a stranger heretofore,  
In armour bright with never-yeelding sword,  
Comes bravely mounted on a foaming Steed,  
Whose trampling causeth such a fearful noise,  
As all the world is shaked with his power.  
Now might you see the field late pasture green,  
Wherein the beasts did take their food and rest,  
Become a place for brave and worthy men.  
Hear noble men, who stately houses have,  
Do leave them void, to live within their Tents.  
Hear worth ' Esquires, who lay on beds of down,  
Do Cabin now upon a couch of straw:  
In stead of houses strong, with timber built  
They Cabins make of poles, and thin green bows:  
And where of late their Tables costly were,  
They now do dine but at an earthy bank:  
Ne do they grieve at this so hard a change,  
But think themselves thereby thrice happy made:  
For when there were a twenty thousand come  
Of brave footmen unto this placed Camp,  
And twise-tenne hundred well appointed Horse,  
To serve with Lance, and Demilances there,  
They all on heaps do make so brave a show,  
As it was thought that then there were enough,  
For to encounter with their looked-for foes:  
Wherefore there went commandment from the Lords,  
Who of her honourable Counsel are,  
That those which were as yet not thither come,  
Should stay from thence within their several Shires,  
Until there came some news of farther need.  
They thereby staid, do greatly grieve thereat,  
And often say for that their hap is bad.  
Yea which is more, 
A regiment of a thousand footmen of Dorset shire offered five hundred pounds that they might go forward to the Campe. An Essex-man a soldier, able to keep in pay three months 500 men.  there was a regiment  
But of one thousand men of Dorsetshire  
Which offered five hundred pounds that they  
Might forward go unto the royal Campe.  
And further mark. (I tell a right strange tale,  
I hard of one who was of great regard  
In Tilb'ry Camp,) There served with the rest  
An Essex-man, who was a Muskater,  
Who being met by one which near him dwelled,  
Was asked why he served with a gun,  
The soldier said, my friend you are deceived,  
This is no gun, a Musket we it call.  
The other said, but sir you have enough  
Of servants who are very able men,  
And might have had performed this your charge  
In better sort than can your weakly self.  
It is right true (replied the soldier then,)  
I have some store of servants at my house,  
And (thanks to God) I able am and will  
(If that our Queen shall stand in any need,)  
Provide five hundred well appointed men,  
To serve whereas her Highness shall think good:  
And they even there at mine own cost shall serve  
Just three whole months, and yet will I myself  
There likewise be (as now a Muskater.)  
The fame of this her subjects forwardness,  
Did please so well our sacred Sovereign,  
As she desires to see her placed Camp,  
therefore there was by her a downe-set day,  
Wherein she would fulfil her purpose meant.   

NOw came the day, 
The Queen came to the Campe.  the happy blissful day,  
Wherein Aurora putting forth her head,  
Her curled head with wirey hanging locks  
Of brightest Silver, whence did newly shine  
Her clearest streams, and never-darkened lights.  
The morning grey, wherein the hovering Larks,  
(Whose sweet shrill notes recording harmony  
Resound within the heavenly creatures ears,)  
Did notice give to wretched Phaeton's Sire,  
To harness up his fierce and furious Streeds,  
To draw him thence unto his Western home.  
From whose clear beams once in his Chariot placed,  
Did gladsome glimpse as bright as burnished Gold,  
Shine all displayed upon the Weighty Globe.  
On this same day, a fair and glorious day,  
Came this our Queen, (a Queen most like herself)  
Unto her Camp, (now made a royal Camp,)  
With all her troop, (her Courtlike stately troop,)  
Not like to those who couch on stately Down,  
But like to Mars, the God of fearful war,  
And heaving oft to Skies her warlike hands,  
Did make herself Bellona-like renowned.  
The Lord Lieutenant notice had thereof,  
Who did forthwith prepare to entertain  
The sacred Goddess of this English soil,  
The order how, 
The order of the Queen's entertainment into the Campe.  thus presently ensues.  
On every side of that directest way  
From Block-house where she should be set on land  
Unto the outward quarter of the Camp,  
There ranked were both armed men and shot,  
With Captains, who of them had taken charge,  
To entertain their sacred General.  
The other Captains with their companies,  
Still resident were at their Corpse du guard,  
whereas they ranked all their arm'd-men first:  
Behind them were the shot in several ranks,  
With equal distance twixt the placed rows,  
Which made a passing brave and warlike show.  
The Earl of Leicester with those Officers  
Which chosen were to govern in the field,  
At waterside within the Block-house stayd  
In readiness there to receive our Queen.  
Who landed now, doth pass along her way,  
She thence someway still marching kinglike-on,  
The Canons at the Block-house were discharged:  
The Drums do sound, the Phiphes do yield their notes,  
And Ensigns are displayed throughout the Campe.  
Our peerless Queen doth by her Soldiers pass,  
And shows herself unto her Subjects there:  
She thanks them oft for their (of duty) pains,  
And they again on knees do pray for her.  
They couch their Pikes, and bow their Ensigns down  
When as their sacred royal Queen passed by,  
In token of their loyal beared hearts  
To her alone, and none but only she.  
A troop of brave and warlike Horsemen did  
(Conducted by Sir Roger William's Knight,)  
Meet with the Queen amid the way she came,  
The half whereof, which was five hundred Horse,  
Most stately steeds, 
A thousand Horse march behind and before her Majesty.  made complete for the field,  
With neighing sounds, and foamed champing bits,  
Betrampling sore the ground whereas they stood  
Attended on her sacred self. The rest  
Five hundred more (in nought to them unlike)  
Before her train in stately order marched,  
These jointly did with twenty hundred men  
Which footmen were, 
Two thousand footmen guarded her person to her lodging.  our gracious Sovereign guard,  
Unto the house whereas she lay all night.  
Whether once come, the horsemen turned back,  
But all the rest with her great Sergeant did  
Watch there all night aloof her royal Court.  
The soldiers which placed were far off  
From that same way through which she passed along,  
Did hollow oft, the Lord preserve our Queen.  
He happy was that could but see her Coach,  
The sides whereof beset with emeralds,  
And Diomonds with sparkling Rubies red  
In Checker-wise by strange invention,  
With curious knots embroidered with gold  
Cast such a glimpse as if the heavenly place  
Of Phoebus were by those his foaming Steeds  
On four round wheels drawn all along that way.  
Thrice happy they who saw her stately self,  
Who juno-like drawn with her proudest birds,  
Whose tails do hold her Herdsman's hundred eyes,  
Passed along through quarters of the Campe.  
Thus all along her Highness like herself  
Hath passed by her subjects (joyful made  
Through this her loving and renowned deed)  
From out the Camp unto her lodging then,  
Full three miles distant from that warlike place  
Prepared for her to Master Rich his house,  
With purpose meant for to return next day  
That way again, the better it to view.   

NOw when Bright-day was to her palace gone,  
And by that time had locked up her lights  
Within their place strong walled with clear glass,  
To take their rest until the morning tide:  
By this same time our sacred General  
Was come unto her new prepared Court.  
There entered once and in their lodgings placed,  
The Courtier's talk is of the warlike show  
They saw that day within the royal Campe.  
Some praise the place whereas they camped are:  
Some praise the discipline is used therein:  
And othersome the passing forwardness  
Of Noble men, and Gentles lying there:  
But all of them do say, the Soldiers are  
Most comely men appointed well thereto.  
Thus with this talk, Time hasted fast away,  
And wished-for Rest did come among them then,  
Who bids them all unto his loved house:  
They willingly do yield to her request,  
And every one is come unto her place:  
The door whereof was called Weariness,  
And Drowsiness bore name of her first room:  
The other were termed Slumbers (passing sweet)  
A Sound-sleepe was the name of that her house.  
Her servants who did entertain her guests  
Were these, A mind free from all worldly care,  
An earnest will, with A convenient place.  
The guests thus come at this their welcome joy,  
And there do find all things they could desire.  
But Envy, who doth joy in nought but wars,  
Doth help to end this their so pleasant mirth:  
For fearful Dreams, with foolish fantasies,  
The foremost foes that quiet Rest torments,  
Come first to make an hurly burly there.  
Then brightest Day the others General,  
Doth banish Rest quite from her late-held house,  
And leaves her guests unto their day-ment deeds.   

NOw by the time that Phoebus had beyoked  
His foaming Steeds within their harnesses  
To draw his bright and never-darkned lights:  
The Captains of the Camp with all their men  
Did from their quarters with their several charge  
Come marching to the place prepared for Arms.  
When thither come was every officer,  
A royal battle royally was set  
With two most strong and brave Battallians.  
The Vanguard whereof by the Lord Martial: 
A Battle set with two Battallians against her Majesty came again to the Campe.   
The rearward by Sir William Knowles was set:  
And last the Sergeant Maior General  
The Battle set in like most warlike sort.  
Twixt every fight their several troops of horse,  
And two brave troops did guard the outward Flanks.  
The Battles set do match in brave array  
Both too and fro the stately General,  
Who now was come unto the place of Arms  
With all her noble and renowned train.  
Where glittering harness gives such gleaming lights,  
And from those lights reflecteth such a heat,  
As Heaven and Earth with Planets greatly fear,  
Lest Phaeton again to Heaven was come,  
And had obtained to guide his father's lights.  
The trampling horses with their mist-like breath,  
Do fill the Air with such a sudden smoke,  
As jupiter did fear lest Terra was  
New set on fire by that forenamed heat.  
The Drums, the Phiphes, the Trumpets passing-shrill,  
Do sounded yield such marching forward notes,  
As Mars himself with all his train'd-vp men,  
In Arms are priest, as if the Goddess Peace  
Were coming now to banish him the field.  
Which warlike show with that Mars thundering noise,  
So ravished our princely Sovereign,  
(Addicted only then to Marshal prows)  
As that she doth (her train forbidden therefrom)  
Most bravely mounted on a stately Steed  
With Truncheon in her hand (not used thereto)  
And with her none, 
The Queen leaveth her train to go to see her battles.  except her Liutenant,  
Accompanied with the Lord Chamberlain,  
Come marching towards this her marching fight.  
In nought unlike the Amazonian Queen,  
Who beating down amain the bloody Greeks,  
Thereby to grapple with Achilles stout,  
Even at the time when Troy was sore besieged.  
He had that wight (that thrice puissant wight)  
Who well performed twelve labours passing strange,  
A braver grace encountering with his foes,  
Then this our Queen in that her marching pace.  
Thus comes our Queen (our thrice renowned Queen)  
A General beseeming such a Camp:  
Thus comes our guide, a princely careful guide,  
In warlike sort to see her warring men,  
Who couched had their strong defensive Pikes,  
As if they were to fight at push thereof.  
She nigh them come, they pitch their fore-couched Pikes,  
And she stands still to see the Battle set,  
With joy to see her men to keep their ranks.  
Now Voada once England's happy Queen,  
Through Romans flight by her constrained to fly:  
Who making way amidst the slaughtered corpse,  
Pursued her foes with horror of the day  
With Vodice her daughter (her too like,  
Who urging wounds with constant courage died)  
Are now reviv'd, their virtues live (I say)  
Through this our Queen, now England's happy Queen.  
For they no more did in those actual deeds,  
Thrice famous deeds through Cactes fatal fall,  
With loss which there the valiant Planch'us lost  
Their prows show, than did our sacred Queen  
Here signs display of courage wonderful.  
For when our Queen (an Amazonian Queen)  
Most carefully the Vauward had beheld,  
She thence doth go the rearward for to see,  
And takes a view of it two strong set Flanks:  
At whose by passing, 
Homage done to her Highness by the Soldiers.  Lance with Pike are bowed,  
And all yield reverence to her sacred self.  
Her officers with all her Soldiers there,  
Do tokens show of their made-ioyfull hearts.  
She gives them thanks as had she done before:  
Who nought have done but what their duties bid.  
Her stateliness was so with loue-showed joined,  
As all there then did jointly joy and fear.  
They joyed in that they see their ruler's love:  
But feared least that in aught they should offend  
Against herself, the Goddess of this land.  
Thus causing joy and fear, she passed thence  
With cheerful heart for this her late viewed sight  
Unto the Tent of her Lieutenant there:  
Were ready were in readiness each thing,  
Which could be fit to entertain a Queen.  
The Battle set, 
The Battle broke up.  is soon again broke up:  
Where foaming Steeds, right fierce and raging Steeds,  
Now marching raise the lose and scattered dust:  
As Sols bright beams, ne Ayre-much Azure-like  
Within a space could be discerned, so thick  
This raised dust obsuscated the light.  
The companies asunder parted once,  
Do now return to whence they first were brought,  
Where nought is heard among the Soldiers,  
But how the Queen did lately show herself  
The only Empress that on earth hath lived.   

WHen Phoebus lights were in the middle part  
Twixt East and West fast hasting to his home: 
The Queen went out of the Campe.   
Our Sovereign (our sacred blissful Queen)  
Was ready to departed from out her Campe.  
Against whose coming, every Captain was  
There prost to show themselves in readiness,  
To do the will of their high General.  
There might you see most brave and gallant men,  
Who lately were beclad in Mars his clothes,  
Inranked then in Courtlike costly suits.  
Through whom did pass our Queen most Dido-like,  
(Whose stately heart doth so abound with love,  
As thousand thanks it yields unto them all)  
To waterside to take her royal Barge.  
Amidst the way (which was the outward Ward  
Of that her Camp) her Sergeant Maior stood  
Among those Squadrans which there then did ward.  
Her eyes were set so earnestly to view,  
As him unseen she would not pass along,  
But calls him to her rich-built Couches sides, 
The Queen called her Sergeant Mayor unto her, and delivered a message.   
And thanking him (as oft before she had)  
Did will him do this message from her mouth,  
Delivered with full of wisdom words.  
Which that it may not altogether be  
(Through unfit words hewed from a stony wit)  
Obliterated to my utter shame:  
Ye sacred Dames, ye sevenfold Nymphs (I mean)  
Whose thickie groves resound your heavenly words:  
Whence every Art had first their several names)  
Be-bathe my temples with those peerl-like drops  
Which fall amain from that your silver stream:  
That through your aid my wit now dulled sore,  
May quickened be with that your flowing Arte.  
Then shall I write in these my lines too rude  
Her royal speech (though nothing like her speech)  
Which in effect was it that here ensues.  
We will them know that now by proof we see  
Their loyal hearts to us their lawful Queen. 
The effect of the Queen's speech.   
For sure we are that none beneath the Heavens  
Have readier Subjects to defend their right:  
Which happiness we count to us as chief.  
And though of love their duties crave no less,  
Yet say to them that we in like regard,  
And estimate of this their dearest zeal,  
(If time of need shall ever call them forth  
To dare in field their fierce and cruel foes)  
willbe ourself their noted General.  
Ne dear at all to us shallbe our life,  
Ne Palaces or Castles huge of stone  
Shall hold as then our presence from their view:  
But in the midst and very heart of them,  
Bellona-like we mean as then to march;  
On common lot of gain or loss to both,  
They well shall see we reck shall then betide.  
And as for honour with most large rewards,  
Let them not care they common there shallbe:  
The meanest man who shall deserve a might,  
A mountain shall for his desert receive.  
And this our speech, and this our solemn vow,  
In fervent love to those our Subjects dear,  
Say Sergeant Maior, tell them from ourself,  
On Kingly faith we will perform it there.  
Which said, she bowed her princely body down,  
And passed thence unto the waterside:  
Where once imbarged the roaring Cannons were  
Discharged, both those which were on Tilb'rie hill,  
And also those which at the Block-house were:  
And there even then the fore-white mant'led Air,  
From whence the Sun shed forth his brightest beams,  
Did clothe itself with dark and dusky hue,  
And with thick Clouds barred Phoebus' gladsome streams  
From lightning then the Earth with glorious show.  
It powers forth showers in great and often drops,  
Signs of the grief for her departure thence.  
And Terra now her highness footstool late,  
Refuseth quite those drops desired before,  
To moisten her dried up and parched parts,  
And of herself even then she yielded forth  
Great store of waters from her late-dried heart,  
Now deeply drowned for this the parted loss  
Of that her sacred and renowned Queen.  
But happy Thames (thrice happy at this time)  
Turns back with speed his lately ebbing course:  
He calms his billows raging sore before,  
And makes it flow with a swift running stream.  
And Aeolus to him a friendly King,  
recalls his boisterous Boreas to his den,  
Sent late abroad with such sore thundering blasts  
As be the cracks which come, when angry jove  
Throws from his seat his hurtful Thunder-hoults.  
Him he ties up within an hollow cave,  
With three linked chains with huge and strong-made locks  
Lest that he should annoy her sacred self,  
Who now was carried on the river Thames.   

THese jointly thus convey our royal Queen  
Unto her Palace by S. james his fields: 
divers troops of horse showed by her Noble men at S. james her Palace.   
Where resident her forward Noble men  
Do orderly their forwardness her show.  
There by her gates do every day pass by  
divers brave troops of well appointed horse:  
They thither come, triumphant triumphs make,  
And bravely run at Tilt and Tourney then,  
To show their prows to our Goddess there.   

THus they at home, thus they in Camp who lie  
With those who coast upon the narrow Seas,  
Do daily look, when those our looked for foes  
Will dare to tread, 
The Fleet of Spain first descried by Captain Fleming.   
Who now perchance by Captain Flemmings hap  
Descried were, fast sailing hitherward  
With such a Fleet, as never bore the Seas  
So hugh a Fleet (except this Spanish-fleete.)  
Now worthy Haward lodged in Plymouth sound,  
Most of the Fleet within the Haven then,  
(By his great care with much inquiry made,)  
Receiving notice by the forenamed man,  
Brought out the Fleet the same next following night  
Into the sound by his incessant toil.  
Although the wind (the hurtful Sotherne-winde)  
Did blow amain into the Havens mouth:  
A wondrous thing, and worthy right to note.  
Which done (Aurora puttting forth his head  
With wirie locks, the glimpsing light whereof  
Did chase black Night unto his darksome cave)  
The General with all his warlike power  
Did hoist up sails (yea all their helping sails)  
To meet with that the Spanish late-seene Fleet.  
Thus arrow-like they scouring on the Seas,  
Are within sight of that long looked-for Fleet,  
Now do they see the Spaniards Ships on heaps,  
In all things like a huge and pop'ler town:  
Their bigge-made Barks with huge and mighty Masses,  
Like Churches are with steeples very high:  
Their lesser Ships like stately Palaces  
Which Princes build to keep their brave-kept train:  
Their Galleys small, like smaller houses stand,  
Inhabited by those which meaner are:  
In brief, they all in nothing are unlike  
Unto the Troyans' stately new-built town,  
Which nought did fear the Greeks bewronged by them.  
Thus ride these ships, the Spanish strong-made ships,  
Which nothing daunt our never-yeelding men,  
But makes their hearts (before half dead for fear,  
Lest they would not fulfil the rumour noised)  
To leap within their bodies new reviv'd  
By this the sight of that discerned Fleet.   

THence swift Disdain, 
The pinnace Disdain went to call for the Queen of England.  (disdaining England's foes)  
With worthy jonas Captain of her men,  
By his three times made famous General,  
To cry to them for England's royal Queen,  
Was sent forthwith unto the Spanish Fleet.  
Where strong Disdain performed so her part  
In that charge late given to her care,  
As all her foes her now attein'd-to foes,  
Were half struck dead at that her captains tale.  
Although for shame they made no show thereof,  
But in a bravery by the brave Disdain,  
Do offer fight unto our ready Fleet.  
And marvel not why they so forward were,  
For Aeolus (a full of pity King)  
Perceiving well their dismal coming doom,  
Kept in his Winds within their dwelling cave,  
The door thereof fast locked by himself:  
And quiet Calm was over all the Seas  
To help their strength abated very much,  
Whereby the Spaniards Galleys safely might  
row too and fro t'endanger us by fight,  
The greatest helps they possibly might have  
Next God of heaven, who rules and guides both these.  
And yet although their strength is twice as great  
As is the Fleet which must withstand their blows,  
For that their Ships with chains together linked  
Did seem much like a fair and strong-built Town,  
But (as they said) ours were but Fisher-boasts:  
And lastly though King Aeolus himself,  
With Neptune's Calm did aid their monstrous Fleet,  
Yet (thanks to thee, o everliving God,  
The God of Gods, a careful helping God  
To those thy Saints, thy well beloved flock,  
Who put their trust in none, but only thee:)  
Thy servant Haward through thy mighty power  
(The General thereof, but too-too bold  
In forwardness to finish dangerous acts,)  
With those his Ships (with them but Fisher-boats)  
Be battered the thick bombasted sides  
Of their most strong and tall at fight Ships, 
Certain of the Spaniards Ships sunk.   
As most of them did carry messengers  
Unto King Neptune ruler of the Seas.  
The smaller part which made the greater haste,  
Did Triton meet, his thundering Trumpeter,  
Who bids them welcome towards his King's Court,  
And asketh them where all their fellows are.  
They like so well of this his Courtlike speech,  
As ravished they are with these his words,  
Which make them turn to fetch their company,  
Who somewhat slow in that their warrant meant,  
Were forward sent by Lord high Admiral  
And Noble men, made Noble through their deeds.  
There might you see the Ark by Rawley built,  
With her defender, General of the Fleet,  
Put in amain amongst his thickest foes,  
And there and then performed worthily  
Such enterprises as he took in hand.  
And after him for his more safe a-gard,  
Came noble Howard then a forward Lord,  
In charging there his late triumphing foes:  
Lord Sheffild eke though but of tender years,  
Gave place to none for forwardness to fight,  
Nor worthy Drake, (no stranger to the Ships  
Which Spain doth owe) was quailed with their sight.  
Ne Suthwell stern, with valiant Frobisher,  
Did there stand still to look upon the fight.  
But jointly these, with all them present there,  
Do press so sore their now sore weakened foes  
(Through five hours fight) as fain they are to rest  
The battered sides of their bombasted Ships  
For space of one whole hour, and somewhat more.   

THat time expired they fight afresh again, 
The fight renewed before the isle of Wight.   
And jointly meet before the Isle of Wight,  
Where then began a fierce and greater fight.  
There Musket-shot discharged of either Fleet,  
Did fall like hail into the raging Seas.  
There Crosse-barres flew most liberally bestowed,  
Which broke the sides of their late battered Ships:  
And there was cast against each others foe,  
A thousand balls of wildfire merciless,  
By which were sent great store of Spanish Ships,  
To follow those that were to Neptune gone.  
And lest the first should troubled be too sore,  
In coming back to fetch this late-sent train,  
These meet with them halfway (their looked-for friends)  
Whence all make haste unto King Neptune's Court,  
Where they do find such pleasant pleasing friends,  
As near they'll to King philip's Palace turn.  
A world it is to see what messengers  
They send to show in what estate they stand,  
For Spanish-felts with Spaniards dearest blood  
Becheckereth the Sea with black and red,  
As there no white could possibly be seen.  
Don Pedro with his Ship and company  
Did like so ill (the cause I know not why)  
Of that the news these messengers did bring, 
Don Pedro taken prisoner.   
As they do better England's bondage like,  
Then Neptune's Court from whence these lately came.  
The other Ships in better case than his,  
Do neither like their state, ne yet his choice,  
But think it best to trust unto to their heeses.  
Wherefore they hoist up all their Sails at once,  
And take their way to Calais Haven, whereas  
They lie at Rode, with often wishes that  
They were again in Spain from whence they came.  
Ours not far off, do rest their toiled corpse  
Sore overcharged by too-too forwardness  
In prosequting their late quailed foes.  
Where for their deeds, their well-perfourmed deeds,  
Lord Thomas Haward, with the Sheffild Lord, 
Certain of our Fleet Knighted.   
And Roger Towns-end forward in those wars,  
With Martin Frobisher (not a little known,)  
Most worthy Gentelles newly entertained,  
By mighty Mavors, from Bellona Queen,  
Received from her the gift of Knighthood there.   

WHich deed performed, England was not slack  
In trying means which might annoy her foes.  
For presently a wondrous Stratagem  
Did then ensue, 
English Ships set on fire by the Lord Charles Hawards' commandment.  by her in practice put.  
For certain Ships of our worst English-Ships,  
By Lord Charles Haward worthy General  
Commanded, were forthwith then set on fire:  
Which driven thence through a swift running stream  
Did fall among the Spaniards roding-Ships.  
At which strange sight they so astonished were,  
As they rejoiced that could the Cables cut,  
Which fastened were unto their Anchors cast.  
This sudden maze which nothing settled wits,  
Were chiefest cause of this their second bane:  
For then each Ship on others cables foul,  
And run on rocks to their ensuing loss:  
They hoist up Sails, and as they thither came  
So high they fast unto the Northern Seas.  
These thus in flight are chased very sore  
By General of this our conquering Fleet:  
Who Lion-like (sufficed near enough  
With honours lawd) pursues his flying foes.  
And Comberland a wondrous forward Earl  
But new embarked, attaining to this flight  
Did show himself, and showing made them feel  
His power, not felt before of Spaniards.  
What shall I say, or what could that her Fleet  
Perform in better sort than there was done.  
Their Spanish foes with all that conquered Fleet  
(Although they said that English-land was theirs:  
And therefore when they first received word  
That then but thirty little English Boats  
Can be descried, cried oft Victoria)  
Are sunk, are drowned, are burnt with England's fire,  
And grounded lie before the French-townes Haven.  
The rest (even then remaining weakly) fail  
They know not whether, guided by their Fate,  
Now chased far beyond this Islands bounds.  
Our little Fleet, our famous General  
Doth shame to follow them that will not fight,  
And therefore turns his course unto his charge,  
Still sailing with an happy Sotherne-winde  
Attains unto the same the Narrow Seas:  
Where setting every thing in needful sort, 
The Lord high Admiral goeth to the Court.   
Left then the Fleet and hasted to the Court  
Of his thrice sacred Sovereign our Queen:  
Whose welcome thither was as his deserts  
And famous deeds performed, had deserved.   

OUr gracious Queen (for this God's mercy show'd  
To her, her land, through conquest over them,  
Who came to seek her death, and death of those  
Who steadfast are unto his holy word)  
Doth yield him thanks devoutly on her knees,  
And wills her Subjects throughout all her land  
To fast and pray for this his providence.  
But Sixtus quintus Pope of whorish Rome, 
Sixtus Quintus now Pope of Rome.   
Hath lost his Bulls, and hath his Soldiers lost  
With credit cracked, and all in eighty eight.  
And well I wit, what was the cause thereof,  
Belike his Saints, himself, and Cardinals,  
With Friars, Monks, and Seminary Priests,  
Were all at Dice for England's people's goods,  
And quite forgot to fall to morning Mass.  
Or otherwise, they told their Beads so oft,  
And said so many Matins to their gods,  
(Their wooden gods,) as that they fell asleep,  
And so left off to persevere in prayers;  
Whereby their Saints at that time sleepy too,  
Did likewise nod, and sued not to their gods.  
Or lastly thus (which likest is of all,)  
His Silver scant, whereby his Crosses few,  
And holy-water niggardly bestowed,  
Did scarcely bless his Soldiers going forth:  
For which hard dearth the God of heaven (our God)  
Did wash them all within his hallowed Seas,  
Where plenty is of water like the Popes.  
By which, (as by his goodness ever showed  
To England, where his little flock remains,  
With always loss unto the hapless Pope)  
His holiness, with all deceived by him,  
Or instruments he to that end hath sent,  
May now confess with sore repenting heart,  
That long enough they all provoked have  
Our loving God, to never ceasing ire.  
But if his Father Belzebub that fiend  
Hath bound the Pope so to his damned lore,  
As that he cannot turn unto the Lord:  
Yet Englishmen Recusants, (ah I grieve  
To term ye so because my Countrymen,)  
Despise his deeds, (his mere deceitful deeds,)  
And turn your hearts unto your sacred Queen:  
And with your Queen beloved of our God,  
Turn to God's word, and shun the devilish Pope.  
So God will joy in this his little flock,  
And bless this Land with still increasing store,  
whereas he now like to a natural Sire  
Weeps over it, as once he shedded tears,  
When that he saw jerusalem he loved.  
Which (heavenly God) with threefold Nestor's years  
Given to our Queen, to England's ever joy,  
Fulfil (I pray) with such convenient speed,  
As shall seem good unto thy holy will.   
FINIS.