There was never any thing pleased me better than seeing the enemey flying with a Sotherly wynd to the Northwards. God grant you have a good eye to the Duke of Parma,[46] for with the grace of God, yf we live, I doubt it not but ere it be long so to handell the matter with the Duke of Sedonya,[47] as he shall wish hymself at Saint Marie Port among his orynge trees.
God gyve us grace to depend on him, so shall we not doubt victory; for our cause is good.
Humbly taking my leave, this last of July, 1588,
Your Honor’s faythfully to be commanded ever,
Fra: Drake.
To the Most Hon. Sir Fras. Walsingham, Knight, etc.
P.S.—I crave pardon of your Honor for my haste, for that I had to watch this last nyght uppon the enemy.
To the Most Honorable Sir Fras. Walsingham.
With speed.
B. Lord Charles Howard to Sir Francis Walsingham.
Source.—Barrow, ibid., p. 306.
Sir, In our laste fighte with the enemye, before Gravelinge,[48] the 29th of Julie, we sonke three of their ships, and made some to go neare with the shore, so leake as they were not able to live at sea. After that fighte, notwithstanding that our powder and shot was wel neare all spente, we set on a brag countenance and gave them chase, as though we had wanted nothinge, untill we had cleared our owne coaste and some part of Scotland of them; and then, as well to refreshe our ships with victuals whereof moste stoode in wonderful neede, as also in respect of our want of powder and shot, we made for the Frith, and sente certaine pinaces to dog the fleete untill they shold be past the Isles of Scotlande, which I verelie beleave they are lost at their sternes or this. We are perswaded that they either are paste about Irelande, and so doe what they can to recover theire owne coast, unless that they are gone for some parte of Denmarke. I have herewith sent unto you a brief abstracte of such accidents as have happened, which hereafter at better leisure I will explaine by more particular relations. In the meane tyme I byd you hartelie farewell.