'Hee stands right a-head' (or On the weather-bow, or lee-bow).
'Let fly your colours!' (if you have a consort—else not). 'Out with all your sails! A steadie man at the helm! Give him chace!'
'Hee holds his owne—No, wee gather on him, Captaine!'
Out goes his flag and pendants, also his waist-cloths and top-armings, which is a long red cloth ... that goeth round about the shippe on the out-sides of all her upper works and fore and main-tops, as well for the countenance and grace of the shippe as to cover the men from being seen. He furls and slings his main-yard. In goes his sprit-sail. Thus they strip themselves into their fighting sails, which is, only the foresail, the main and fore topsails, because the rest should not be fired nor spoiled; besides, they would be troublesome to handle, hinder our sights and the using of our arms.
'He makes ready his close-fights, fore and aft.' [Bulkheads set up to cover men under fire] ...
'Every man to his charge! Dowse your topsail to salute him for the sea! Hail him with a noise of trumpets!'
'Whence is your ship?'
'Of Spain—whence is yours?'
'Of England.'
'Are you merchants or men of war?'