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de Moncado, with the gallies of which he was Captain; and from Calais driven with squibs from their anchors, were chased out of the sight of England, round about Scotland and Ireland; where, for the sympathy of their religion, hoping to find succour and assistance, a great part of them were crushed against the rocks, and those other that landed, being very many in number, were, notwithstanding, broken, slain, and taken: and so sent from village to village, coupled in halters, to be shipped into England; where her Majesty, of her princely and invincible disposition disdaining to put them to death, and scorning to retain or entertain them, they were all sent back again to their countries, to witness and recount the worthy atchievements of their invincible and dreadful Navy! Of which the number of soldiers, the fearful burden of their ships, the Commanders’ names of every squadron, with all other their magazines and provisions, were put in print, as an Army and Navy irresistible, and disdaining prevention: With all which their great ostentation, they did not; in all their sailing round about England, so much as sink or take one ship, bark, pinnace or cock boat, of ours; or ever burnt so much as one sheep cote on this land.” This spirited relation of so signal a defeat of the Spaniards, gives us an advantageous idea of the eloquence of our gallant Admiral.
In 1589, Drake commanded as Admiral at sea, the fleet sent to restore Don Antonio, King of Portugal; the command of the land forces being given to Sir John Norris. They were but just at sea before the Commanders differed. The ground of their difference was this: The General was bent on landing at the Groyne, whereas the
