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The Invincible Armada 
The Invincible Armada 
O noble England, fall downe upon thy knee: And praise thy God with thankfull hart which still maintaineth thee. The forraine forces, that seekes thy utter spoile: Shall then through his especiall grace be brought to shamefull foile. With mightie power they come unto our coast: To ouer runne our countrie quite, they make their brags and boast. In strength of men they set their onely stay: But we, upon the Lord our God, will put our trust alway. 
Great is their number, of ships upon the sea: And their provision wonderfull, but Lord thou art our stay. Their armed souldiers are many by account: Their aiders eke in this attempt, doe sundrie waies, surmount. The Pope of Rome with many blessed graines: To sanctify their bad pretense bestowed both cost and paines. But little land, is not dismaide at all: The Lord no doubt is on our side, which soone will worke their fall. In happy houre, our foes we did descry: And under saile with gallant winde as they cam passing by. Which suddaine tidings, to Plymmouth being brought: Full soone oure Lord high Admirall, for to pursue them sought. And to his traine, coragiously he said: Now, for the Lord and our good Queene, to fight be not afraide. Regard our cause, and play your partes like men: The Lord no doubt will prosper vs, in all our actions then. 
This great Galleazzo, which was so huge and hye: That like a bulwarke on the sea, did seeme to each mans eye. There was it taken, unto our great reliefe: And divers Nobles, in which traine Don Pietro was the chiefe. Stronge was she stuft, with Cannons great and small: And other instruments of warre, Which we obtained all. A certaine signe, of good successe we trust: That God will ouerthrow the rest, as he hath done the first. 
Then did our Navie pursue the rest amaine: With roaring noise of Cannons great; till they neere Callice came: With manly courage, they followed them so fast: Another mightie Gallion did seeme to yeeld at last. And in distresse, for sauegard of their lives: 
A flag of truce they did hand out, with many mournfull cries: Which when our men, did perfectly espie: Some little Barkes they sent to her, to board her quietly. 
But these false Spaniards, esteeming them but weake: When they within their danger came, their malice forth did breake. With charged Cannons, they laide about them then: For to destroy those proper Barkes, and all their valiant men. Which when our men perceived so to be: Like Lions fierce they forward went, to quite this iniurie. And bourding them, with strong and mightie hand: They kild the men vntill their Arke, did sinke in Callice sand. . . . 
Our pleasant countrie, so fruitfull and so faire: They doe intend by deadly warre, to make both poore and bare. Our townes and cities, to rack and sacke likewise: To kill and murder man and wife, as malice doth arise. And to deflower our virgins in our sight: And in the cradle cruelly the tender babe to smite. Gods holy truth, they meane for to cast downe: And to deprive our noble Queene, both of her life and crowne. . . 
But God almightie be blessed evermore: Whox doth encourage Englishmen, to beate them from our shoare. With roaring Cannons, their hastie steps to stay: And with the force of thundering shot to make them flye away. Who made account, before this time or day: Against the walles of faire London, their banners to display. But their intent, the Lord will bring to nought: For faithfully we call and cry, for succour as we ought. . . . 
Lord God almightie, which hath the harts in hand: Of euerie person to dispose defend this English land. Bless thou our Soueraigne with long and happie life: Indue her Councel with thy grace, and end this mortall strife. Give to the rest, of Commons more and lesse: Louing harts, obedient minds, and perfect faithfulnesse. That they and we, and all with one accord On Sion hill may sing the praise of our most mightie Lord. 
Notes: Galleazzo: galleass (galleon with oars as well as sails) Don Pietro: Pedro de Valdez, a Spanish admiral. Callice: Calais 
Printed 1858 From A Ballad History of England, Palmer