Thus the magnificent, huge, and mighty fleet of the Spaniards (which themselues termed in all places inuincible) such as sayled not vpon the Ocean see many hundreth yeeres before, in the yeere 1588 vanished into smoake; to the great confusion and discouragement of the authors thereof. In regard of which her Maiesties happy successe all her neighbours and friends congratulated with her, and many verses were penned to the honour of her Maiesty by learned men, whereof some which came to our hands we will here annexe. * * * * * AD SERENISSIMAM ELIZABETHAM ANGLIÆ REGINAM. THEODOR. BEZA. Strauerat innumeris Hispanus nauibus æquor, Regnis iuncturus sceptra Britanna suis. Tanti huius, rogitas, quæ motus causa? superbos Impulit Ambitio, vexit Auaritia. Quàm bene te ambitio mersit vanissima ventus? Et tumidos tumidæ vos superastis aquæ Quàm bene totius raptores orbis auaros, Hausit inexhausti iusta vorago maris! At tu, cui venti, cui totum militat æquor, Regina, ô mundi totius vna, decus, Sic regnare Deo perge, ambitione remota, Prodiga sic opibus perge iuuare pios, Vt te Angli longum, longum Anglis ipsa fruaris, Quàm dilecta bonis, tam metuenda malis. The same in English. The Spanish Fleet did flote in narrow Seas, And bend her ships against the English shore, With so great rage as nothing could appease, And with such strength as neuer seene before: And all to ioyne the kingdome of that land Vnto the kingdomes that he had in hand. Now if you aske what set this king on fire, To practise warre when he of peace did treat, It was his Pride, and neuer quencht desire, To spoile that Islands wealth, by peace made great: His Pride which farre aboue the heauens did swell And his desire as vnsuffic'd as hell. But well haue windes his proud blasts ouerblowen, And swelling waues alayd his swelling heart, Well hath the Sea with greedie gulfs vnknowen, Deuoured the deuourer to his smart: And made his ships a pray vnto the sand, That meant to pray vpon anothers land. And now, O Queene, aboue all others blest, For whom both windes and waues are prest to fight, So rule your owne, so succour friends opprest, (As farre from pride, so ready to do right) That England you, you England long enioy, No lesse your friends delight, then foes annoy. * * * * * A briefe and true report of the Honorable voyage vnto Cadiz, 1596. of the ouerthrow of the kings Fleet, and of the winning, sacking, and burning of the Citie, with all other accidents of moment, thereunto appertaining.