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Updated: May 3, 2025
An English squadron of eight sail manoeuvred coast-wise on the Armada's inner flank, while, unperceived by the Spanish lookout, Drake stole away to sea, beat round its outer flank, and then, making the most of a westerly slant in the shifting breeze, edged in to starboard. The Spaniards saw nothing till it was too late, Drake having given them a berth just wide enough to keep them quiet.
Drake was for solving the problem by taking station off the Armada's port of departure, and fully aware of the risk such a move entailed, he fortified his purely strategical reasons with moral considerations of the highest moment.
Diaz continued the Duke de Armada's funeral oration. "He and I had dreamed of the freedom of a noble province and days of splendour. Neither he, nor I, nor others, will ever now behold them shine. Ah! why was not I killed instead of him?
Parma, indeed, who cannot believe that the idol at Halle, after all his compliments to it, will play him so scurvy a trick, will watch for weeks on Dunkirk dunes, hoping against hope for the Armada's return, casting anchors, and spinning rigging to repair their losses.
Both Fleets off Calais A Night of Anxiety Project of Howard and Winter Impatience of the Spaniards Fire-Ships sent against the Armada A great Galeasse disabled Attacked and captured by English Boats General Engagement of both Fleets Loss of several Spanish Ships Armada flies, followed by the English English insufficiently provided Are obliged to relinquish the Chase A great Storm disperses the Armada Great Energy of Parma Made fruitless by Philip's Dulness England readier at Sea than on Shore The Lieutenant General's Complaints His Quarrels with Norris and Williams Harsh Statements as to the English Troops Want of Organization in England Royal Parsimony and Delay Quarrels of English Admirals England's narrow Escape from great Peril Various Rumours as to the Armada's Fate Philip for a long Time in Doubt He believes himself victorious Is tranquil when undeceived.
In every one of the Armada's hundred and twenty-eight vessels, says an officer of the Spanish flagship, 'our people kneeled down and offered a prayer, beseeching our Lord to give us victory against the enemies of His holy faith. The crews of the hundred and ninety-seven English vessels which, at one time or another, were present in some capacity on the scene of action also prayed for victory to the Lord of Hosts, but took the proper naval means to win it.
With side to side, and spar to spar, Whose smoking decks are these? I know St. George's blood-red cross, Thou mistress of the seas, But what is she whose streaming bars Roll out before the breeze? Ah, well her iron ribs are knit, Whose thunders strive to quell The bellowing throats, the blazing lips, That pealed the Armada's knell!
And who is worthiest after him to wear it? The KING hangs the order on his neck. You are my ablest general! Ne'er aspire To more, and, duke, my favors shall not fail you. My admiral! MEDINA SIDONIA. And here you see, great king, All that remains of the Armada's might, And of the flower of Spain. God rules above us! I sent you to contend with men, and not With rocks and storms.
It is doubtful, however, whether it would have been better, as Drake urged, and as was actually attempted in the month before the Armada's arrival, if the English had shifted the war to the coast of Spain. The objections arise chiefly from the difficulties, in that age, of maintaining a large naval force far from its base, all of which the Spanish encountered in their northward cruise.
They would try what could be done with fire-ships, and the excursion of the pinnace, which was taken for bravado, was probably for a survey of the Armada's exact position. Meantime eight useless vessels were coated with pitch hulls, spars, and rigging. Pitch was poured on the decks and over the sides, and parties were told off to steer them to their destination and then fire and leave them.
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