The rapier men traversed their ground; I, mine. Dangerous thrusts were put in, and with dangerous hazard avoided. Shouts echoed to heaven to encourage the Spaniards: not a shout nor hand to hearten the poor Englishman. Only heaven I had in mine eye, the honour of my country in my heart, my fame at the stake, my life on a narrow bridge, and death both before me and behind me.

It was not now a time to dally. They still made full at me; and I had been a coward to myself, and a villain to my nation, if I had not called up all that weak manhood which was mine to guard my own life, and overthrow my enemies.

Plucking up therefore a good heart, seeing myself faint and wearied; I vowed to my soul to do something ere she departed from me: and so setting all upon one cast, it was my good fortune (it was my GOD that did it for me), with the butt end, where the iron pike was, to kill one of the three; and within a few bouts after, to disarm the other two; causing the one of them to fly into the army of soldiers then present, and the other for refuge fled behind the bench.

I hope, if the braving Spaniards set upon England as they threaten; we shall every One of us, give repulse to more than Three. Of which good issue for the public. I take this my private success to be a pledge.

Now was I in greater danger, being, as I thought, in peace; than before when I was in battle. For a general murmur filled the air, with threatenings at me: the soldiers especially bit their thumbs, and was it possible for me to escape?

Which the noble Duke of MEDINA SIDONIA seeing, called me to him; and instantly caused proclamation to be made that none, on pain of death, should meddle with me: and by his honourable protection I got off, not only with safety but with money. For by the Dukes and Condes were given me in gold, to the value of four pounds, ten shillings sterling: and by the Marquis ALQUENEZES himself, as much; he, embracing me in his arms, and bestowing upon me that long Spanish russet cloak I now wear; which he took from one of his men’s backs, and withal, furnished me with a clean band and cuffs. It being one of the greatest favours a Spanish Lord can do to a mean man to reward him with some garment, as recompense of merit.

After our fight in Xerez, I was kept in the Marquis ALQUENEZES’ house; who, one day, out of his noble affability, was pleasant in speech with me: and, by my interpreter, desired I would sing. I, willing to obey him (whose goodness I had tasted), did so: and sang this psalm,

The meaning of which being told; he said to me “Englishman comfort thyself! for thou art in no captivity.”

After this, I was sent to the King of Spain, lying at Madrid. My conduct [guard] being four gentlemen of the Marquis ALQUENEZES’: he allowing unto me in the journey twenty shillings a day when we travelled, and ten shillings a day when we lay still.

At my being in Madrid, before I saw the King, my entertainment by the Marquis ALQUENEZES’ appointment, was at his own house; where I was lodged in the most sumptuous bed that ever I beheld: and had from his noble Lady a welcome far above my poor deserving, but worthy the greatness of so excellent a woman. She bestowed upon me whilst I lay in her house a very fair Spanish shirt, richly laced: and at my parting from Madrid, a chain of gold and two jewels for my wife, and other pretty things for my children.

And now that her noble courtesies, with my own thankfulness, lead me to speak of this honourable Spanish Lady; I might very justly be condemned of ingratitude, if I should not remember with like acknowledgement, another rare pattern of feminine goodness to me a distressed miserable stranger: and that was the Lady of Don JUAN of Cadiz. She, out of a respect she bare me for saving her husband’s life, came along with him to Xerez; he being there to give evidence against me: and, as before when I lay prisoner in Cadiz, so in Xerez, she often relieved me with money and other means. My duty and thanks ever wait upon them bothl

Upon Christmas Day, I was presented to the King, the Queen, and Don CARLOS the Infante.

Being brought before him: I fell, as it was fit, on my knees. Many questions were demanded of me; which, so well as my plain wit directed me, I resolved.

In the end, His Majesty offered me a yearly pension (to a good value) if I would serve him either at land or at sea. For which his royal favours, I (confessing myself infinitely bound and my life indebted to his mercy) most humbly intreated, that with his Princely leave, I might be suffered to return unto mine own country: being a subject only to the King of England, my Sovereign.

And besides that bond of allegiance, there was another obligation due from me to a wife and children: and therefore I most submissively begged that His Majesty would be so Princely minded as to pity my estate, and let me go. To which he, at last, granted; bestowing upon me one hundred pistolets [£25] to bear my charges.

Having thus left Spain, I took my way through some part of France. Where by occasion, happening into company of seven Spaniards; their tongues were too lavish in speeches against our nation. Upon which, some high words flying up and down the room; I leaped from the table, and drew. One of the Spaniards did the like, none of the rest being weaponed; which was more than I knew. Upon the noise of this bustling, two Englishmen more came in: who, understanding the abuses offered to our country; the Spaniards, in a short time, recanted on their knees, their rashness.

And so hoisting sail for England, I landed on the three and twentieth day of April 1626, at Foy in Cornwall.

And thus endeth my Spanish pilgrimage. With thanks to my good GOD, that in this extraordinary manner preserved me, amidst these desperate dangers.

Therefore most gracious GOD! Defender of men abroad! and Protector of them at home! how am I bounden to thy Divine Majesty, for thy manifold mercies?

On my knees I thank Thee! with my tongue will I praise Thee! with my hands fight Thy quarrel! and all the days of my life serve Thee!

Out of the Red Sea I have escaped; from the lion’s den been delivered, aye rescued from death and snatched out of the jaws of destruction, only by Thee! O my GOD! Glory be to Thy Name for ever and ever! Amen.

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