Classic Poem

Long had the proud Spaniards advanted to conquer us,
Threatening our country with fire and sword;
Often preparing their Navy most sumptuous
With all the provision that Spain could afford.
Dub a dub, dub, thus strike their Drums;
Tan-ta-ra, ta-ra-ra, the English- men comes !

To the Seas presently went our Lord Admirall,
With Knyghts couragyous, and Captaines full good;
The Earl of Essex , a prosperous Generall,
With him prepared to passe the salt floode.
Dub a dub, &c.

At Plymouth speedily took they shipp valiantly,
Braver shippes never were seen under sayle;
With their fayre Colours spread, and streamers o're their head,
Now, bragging Spanyards , take heed of your tayle.
Dub a dub, &c.

Unto Cales , cunningly, came we most speedylye,
Where the King's Navy did secretelye ride,
Being upon their backs, piercing their butts of Sacke,
Ere that the Spanyards our coming descry'd.
Tan-ta-ra rara, the English- men comes ;
Bounce-a-bounce, bounce-a-bounce, off went the Guns.

Great was the crying, running and ryding,
Which at that season was made in that place;
Then Beacons were fyred, as need then required,
To hyde their great treasure they had little space.
" " Alas!" they cryed, " English-men comes," &c.

There you might see the shipps, how they were fired fast,
And how the men drowned them selues in the Sea:
There you may hear them cry, wail and weep piteously,
When as they saw no shift to escape thence away.
Dub-a-dub, &c.

The great Saint Philip , the Pryde of the Spanyards ,
Was burnt to the bottom, and sunke in the sea;
But the Saint Andrew , and eke the Saint Matthew ,
We took in fight manfully, and brought them away.
Dub-a-dub, &c.

The Earl of Essex , most valyant and hardy,
With horse-men and foot-men march'd towards the Towne,
The enemies which saw them, full greatly affrighted,
Did fly for their safe-guard, and durst not come downe.
Dub-a-dub, &c.

" Now," quoth the noble Earl, " Courage, my Soldiers all!
Fight and be valiant, then spoyl you shall have;
And well rewarded all, from the great to the small:
But looke that the Women and Children you save!"
Dub-a-dub, &c.

The Spaniards , at that sight, saw 'twas in vain to fight,
Hung up their Flags of truce, yielding the Town;
We march'd in presently, decking the walls on high
With our English Colours, which purchas'd renown.
Dub-a-dub, &c.

Ent'ring the houses then, and of the richest men,
For Gold and Treasure we searched each day;
In some places we did find Pye baking in the oven,
Meat at the fyre roasting, and men run away.
Dub-a-dub, &c.

Full of rich merchandize every shop we did see,
Damask, and sattins, and velvet full fair;
Which Soldiers measure out by the length of their Swords,
Of all commodities each one hath a share.
Dub-a-dub, &c.

Thus Cales was taken, and our brave Generall
March'd to the Market-place, where he did stand;
There many prisoners of good account were took;
Many crav'd Mercy, and Mercy they found.
Dub-a-dub, &c.

When as our brave Generall saw they delayed time,
And would not ransom their Town as they said,
With their faire wainscots, their presses and bedsteads,
Their joint-stooles and tables, a fyre we made.
And when the Town burned all in a flame,
With tan-ta-ra, tan-ta-ra rara, from thence we came.