The Happie Obtaining of the Great Galleazzo
by Thomas Deloney, who is mysteriously absent at sea
To the tune of Monseurs Almaigne
O Noble England, Fall downe upon thy knee,
And praise thy God with thankfull hearte, Which still maintaineth thee.
The forraine forsce, that seeke thy utter spoile,
Shall then through His especiall grace, Be brought to shamefull foile.
With mightie pow’r they come unto our coast,
To overrun our Countrie quite, They make their brags and boast.
In strength of men, they set their onley stay,
But we, upon the Lord our God, Will put our trust alway.
This great Galleazzo, which was so huge and hye,
That like a bulwarke on the sea, Did seeme to each man’s eye.
There was it taken, unto our great reliefe,
And divers Nobles, in which train, Don Pietro was the chief.
Strong was she stuft, with Cannons great and smalle,
And other instruments of warre, Which we obtained all.
A certaine sign, of good successe we trust,
That God will overthrow the reste, As He hath done the firste.
Then did our Navie pursue the rest amaine,
With roaring noise of Cannons great, Till they neere Calais came.
With manly courage, they followed them so faste,
Another muightie Gallion, Did seeme to yield at last.
And in distresse, for safeguard of their lives,
A flag of truce they did hand out, With manie mournefull cries.
Which, when our men, did perfectly espie,
Some little Barkes they sent to her, To board her quietly.
This mightie vessel, was threescore yards in lengthe,
Most wonderfull to eache man’s eye, for making and for strength.
In her was placed, an hundreth Cannons greate,
And mightily provided eke, with bread-corne wine and meat.
There were of Oares, two hunderedth I weene,
Threescore foote and twelve in length, well measured to be seene.
And yet subdued, with manie others more,
And not a ship of ours was lost, the Lord be thankt therefore.
Lord God Almightie, which hath the heartes in hand,
Of ev’ry person to dispose, defend this Englidh land.
Bless Thou our Soveraigne with long and happie life,
Indue her Counsel with Thy Grace, and end this mortall strife.
Give to the rest, of Commons more and lesse,
Loving heartes, obedient minds, and perfect faithfullnesse.
That they and we, and all with one accord,
On Sion Hill may sing the prayse of our most mightie Lord.