Then fled the valiant _Skinke_, blacke death to shun, But hardie _Williams_ in contention stood With his great mind, if he more fame t’haue won, Should stoutly stay, and hazard his owne good, With slaughtering sword to shed more foe-men’s blood: Whereby at length in depth of danger drown’d, By armed foes, he was incircled round. 126. But by aduantage of the gloomie night Amongst the foe-men’s troopes, vnknowne he goes, And cri’d: “Where’s _Williams_? where is _Williams_ hight?” To whom againe one answer’d amongst the foes, “Pursue, pursue with speed, before he goes:” Thus cloudie night this worthie wight did saue, Who shun’d his foes, and fled his darksome graue. 127. These were the foster children of that nurse, England’s Minerua, queene of glorie bright, Who through the paths of warre their way did force, In armes to get true honor’s meed by might, And grace their name with title of true knight: Which honor’d order only vertue’s meed, Each one then purchas’d by some glorious deed. 128. But while these captaines wedded to renowne, True loyall subiects of a royall queene, On Belgian shores their soueraigne’s head did crowne, With conquering wreath of neuer vading greene, In spight of spight for aye fresh to be seene, Rome’s raging Python full of furious wrath, Did once againe belch vp his poisoned froth. 129. [Sidenote: _Anno eodem 28._] Foureteene false traytors from darke treason’s den He vp did call, foule elues of enuious night, Rebels accurst, monsters abhorr’d of men, Who for the black fleet now alreadie dight, To passe th’vnfruitfull deepe with all her might, Should make fit passage gainst that dreadfull day, By their sweet prince and countrie’s swift decay. 130. _Ballard_, first author in this villanie, Sent from the triple-crowned sonne of night, To put in practise this their treacherie, Proud _Babington_ and _Sauage_ did excite, With vnremorsefull hands of violent might, To spoile and ruinate their countrie’s good, And bathe their swords in their deare soueraigne’s blood. 131. [Sidenote: _Babington_ made choice of the six.] Six resolute and bloodie minded mates, Should haue been actors in her tragedie, Then the graue peeres and honorable states, Had been the slaughter of their butcherie, And thou, O, glorie of this emperie! Thy loftie towers been leuell’d with the plaine, Thy nauie burnt, and many a thousand slaine. 132.