In the end, His Majesty offered me a yearly pension (to a good value) if I would serve him either at land or at sea. For which his royal favours, I (confessing myself infinitely bound and my life indebted to his mercy) most humbly intreated, that with his Princely leave, I might be suffered to return unto mine own country: being a subject only to the King of England, my Sovereign.
And besides that bond of allegiance, there was another obligation due from me to a wife and children: and therefore I most submissively begged that His Majesty would be so Princely minded as to pity my estate, and let me go. To which he, at last, granted; bestowing upon me one hundred pistolets [= £25 = £150 in present value] to bear my charges.
Having thus left Spain, I took my way through some part of France. Where by occasion, happening into company of seven Spaniards; their tongues were too lavish in speeches against our nation. Upon which, some high words flying up and down the room; I leaped from the table, and drew. One of the Spaniards did the like, none of the rest being weaponed; which was more than I knew. Upon the noise of this bustling, two Englishmen more came in: who, understanding the abuses offered to our country; the Spaniards, in a short time, recanted on their knees, their rashness.
And so hoisting sail for England, I landed on the three and twentieth day of April 1626, at Foy in Cornwall.
And thus endeth my Spanish pilgrimage. With thanks to my good GOD, that in this extraordinary manner preserved me, amidst these desperate dangers.
Therefore most gracious GOD! Defender of men abroad! and Protector of them at home! how am I bounden to thy Divine Majesty, for thy manifold mercies?
On my knees I thank Thee! with my tongue will I praise Thee! with my hands fight Thy quarrel! and all the days of my life serve Thee!
Out of the Red Sea I have escaped; from the lion's den been delivered, aye rescued from death and snatched out of the jaws of destruction, only by Thee! O my GOD! Glory be to Thy Name for ever and ever! Amen.
