To shun their foes, each like a nimble hinde In Neptune’s forrest, on the watrie greene, Haue skipt from waue to waue, and with the winde, When they list turne againe; they haue been seene Like raging lions in their heate of spleene, Flie on the Castile fleet to bring them vnder, And with fell rore to teare their sides in sunder. 189. All readie furnisht wafting to and fro, Ouer the narrow seas deepe sandie beds, They 'bout the coasts themselues did daily show, In th’huffing winds wauing their silken reds, And crimson crosses on their loftie heads: Those ancient badges, through the world renown’d, Which with high conquest fortune oft hath crown’d. 190. Their braue demeanor did so much delight The people, that beheld them on the maine, That many more all readie for the fight, Did make repaire, t’oppugne the fleet of Spaine; Then all that royall nauie could containe: Such feruent loue vnto their soueraigne’s name, With fierie courage did their hearts enflame. 191. Those stout sea-searchers of the stormie flood, The sonnes of Nereus broad sea-sayling race, And the braue offspring of Prometheus brood, That with loud thunder-claps their foe-men chace, Who in _Elizae’s_ royall fleet had place, Made solemne vowes, backe to returne no more, Except with conquest to their natiue shore. 192. [Sidenote: Now Earle of Nottingham.] Mongst whom the noblest obiect of them all, That in the fleete did hold supreamest sway Went honor’d _Howard_, as chiefe admirall, Who by his stout demeanor did assay, With courage bold to lead them on the way, And euery heart did fill with hautie spirit, By glorious deeds immortall fame to merit. 193. Vpon th’Eolian gods supportfull wings, With chearefull shouts, they parted from the shore, While heau’n and earth and all the ocean rings With sounds, which on her wings loud echo bore, Of trumpets, drums, shrill fifes and cannons rore, To which the people’s shouts on shores fast by, Reecho’d in the rockes with loud replie. 194. While they aboord at sea, so heere at home T’auert all harmes, all subiects did prepare, In mightie tumult to the murmuring drumme, The multitude did make repaire from farre, To trie their valour in th’approching warre Thirsting to meete their foes on equall ground, All hoping in their fall to be renown’d. 195.