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CAPTAIN HARMAN |
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Two hundred and seventy men he had there, And but half so many the Tiger did bear Of brave English hearts, and of courage most free, That scorn'd to be dounted in any degree : Then up they did come within half pistol shot, Their broad-sides they fired, and men went to th' pot, Whilst all the whole town did come out to behold And see them encounter with courage most bold.
With broad-sides of bullets and shot that was bar'd We quickly disabled De Wit's top-mast yard, And fourscore men they had wounded and slain, Which made them to fret, but it was but in vain. ' We'l bear in upon .... [line and a half'missing]; We'l show them such valour as never was shown ; I'le take their ship prize, or I'le venture my own.'
Then quickly they grappled, and then the dispute Was desperate and bloody, whilst cannons were mute, For half an hour's space the hot service was such Our men remain'd victors and conquered the Dutch ; And then they submitted themselves to be prize, Which all the brisk Spaniards beheld with their eyes, And our English valour did highly commend, Since Harman had forc'd the proud Dutch for to bend.
The prize was so shattered and torn in the fray They scarcely could get her safe into the bay; For to Harman's honour De Wit must confess He nere was so thumped before, I do guess. 'Twill teach him hereafter more humble to be, To yield to his betters in every degree ; By woeful experience he now can relate, What 'tis to sell honour at so dear a rate.
Of Dutchmen one hundred and forty was slain, And eighty-six wounded, which languish in pain ; Of all our brave English we lost but just nine, And therefore we have no great cause to repine, Besides fifteen wounded, the truth for to tell; All which through God's mercy we hope will do well. Such blessings the Lord has for England in store We lost not much more then a man to a score. |
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