Such, and so mightie bands of famous men, Adorn’d in richest armes of purest gold, Vpon those coasts before had neuer been, Nor any Belgian euer did behold Such martiall troopes vpon that trampled mold, So skill’d in habit of all fights in warre, And for fights true direction past compare. 175. Both horse and foot of Spaine’s impetuous might, And of the auxil’arie bands, that came As mercenaries for the bloodie fight, Distinguisht vnder guides of speciall name, Whom hope of spoile did to this warre inflame, Drew towards the shores of Neptune there to meet And ioyne their forces with the nauall fleet. 176. Which being titled long before in Spaine, The fleet Inuincible by all consents, In all her pride now floted on the maine, Readie prepar’d t’effect those blacke euents, Presag’d before by proud Spaine’s sad ostents; Who by report through all the world had won The name of conquest ere the fight begun. 177. The threatfull subiects of the Castile king, In this huge fleet did such firme hope repose, That all their sun-burnt brats they taught to sing, Triumph and conquest, which they did suppose Their very threats would purchase gainst their foes, Who like braue lords, their valour to renowne, Did cast the dice for faire _Elizae’s_ crowne. 178. Much like the vanting French, when _Iohn_ of France In Poyctiers battell with his mightie host, Not pondering in his mind warres doubtfull chance, The gotten victorie did vainely boast, Before that either part had won or lost, Where braue prince _Edward_ with his troope so small, Renown’d his sword with _Iohn_ of France’ his fall. 179. Euen so this brauing fleet, whose dreaded name, Ineuitable ruine did foretell, Thought, that the faire _Eliza_, who did frame Her life in happie daies of peace to dwell, Vnfurnisht was such forces to repell, And therefore sent as from king _Philip’s_ hand, A sterne inscription with this proud command: 180. [Sidenote: This was sent written in Latin.] “With auxil’arie bands she should no more Vphold the Belgian gainst king _Philip’s_ frowne, All Spanish prizes back againe restore, Build vp religious houses beaten downe, And vnto Rome subiect her selfe and crowne; All which to do, if that she did withstand, Her imminent blacke end was now at hand.” 181.