With flying keeles, plowe up the land with swordes ; you my mates, as Cæsar sayd to his, Yours, G. P. TIIOMAS THOMAS GREENE. I am induced to describe the following production of this author, because it has escaped the researches of Ritson, and because it celebrates the Naval Victorics of one of the most illustrious of our countrymen. TITLE PAGE. “ THE TRUE AND PERFECTE NEWES of the woorthy and valiaunt Exploytes performed and doone by that valiant Knight, Syr Frauncis Drake, not onely at Sancto Domingo and Carthagena, but also nowe at Cales and uppon the Coast of Spayne. 1587. Printed at London, by J. Charlewood, for Thomas Hackett.” It is dedicated "To the Right Honourable and hys singular good Lord George Clifford, Earle of Cumberland.” In the Introductory Address to the Reader, the author, speaking of the claims of his hero to honourable mention, has these singular expressions. “ At which time, heretofore, was there ever any English manne that did the like, as well for hy's new navigation and long travel, and God be praysed praysed for hys good successe to the greate terror and feare of the enemie, he beeing a man of meane calling to deale with so mightie a mo. narke. The Poem commences thus: THE TRUE AND PERFECTE NEWES OF THE :: WORTHY AND VALIANT EXPLOYTES AT CHIVEP AND DOONE BY THAT VALIANT KNIGHT, SIR FRAUNCIS DRAKE. Tryumph, O England, and rejoyce, In countryes strange, both farre and neere, Yee worthy wights that doo delighte, Such rare exploytes performde and doone, So likewise by Gods nighty handu, And many captives did sette free, Twenty five ships were then preparde, With masters good and starriners yare The best navigators in this lunde, In countryos atraunge beyond the sels SIR FRANCIS HUBERT. TUE name of this English Poct does not ap. pcar, either in the first or last edition of Phil. lips's Thentrun Poctarum, or in Ritson's Biogruphia l'octica. But the author of an Epic Poem, and that by no means contemptible in plan As therefore troth in time shåll crave, STANZA 9. L. 3. Ed. 1. Such homely gift of your own man. Ed. 2. Such homelie gift of me your man. STANZA 4. L. I. Ed. 1. So synce I was at Cambridge tought. Ed. 2. Since being once at Cambridge' taught L. 4. Ed. i. A care I had to serve that way. Ed. 9. Such care I had to serve that way. L. 5. Ed. 1. My joy gan slake then made I chaunge. Ed. 2. When joy gan slake then made I chaunge. L. 6. Ed. 1. Expulsed myrth, &c. Ed. 2. Expelled myrth, &c. STANZA 5. No man I crave to judge but you I crave it judged be by you. It will hardly be necessary to point out to the reader that the first eighteen lines are an Acróstic, and form the words THOMAS TUSSER MADE ME. GEORGE 1 |