Part 33

Quæ noua tàm subitò mutati gratia coeli? Vnde graues nimbi vitreas tenuantur in auras? Duffugiunt nebulæ, puroque nitentior ortu Illustrat terras, clementiaque æquora Titan? Nimirum posuere Noti, meliorque resurgit Evrys, et in ventos soluuntur vela secundos, Vela quibus gentis decus immortale Brittanniæ Tendit ad ignotum nostris maioribus orbem Vix notis Gilebertvs aquis. Ecquando licebit Ordiri heroas laudes, et fecta nepotum Attonitis memoranda animis? Si coepta silendum est Illa, quibus nostri priscis ætatibus audent Conferri, et certare dies: quibus obuia plano Iamdudum Fortvna solo, quibus omne per vndas Nereidvm genus exultat, faustoque tridenti Ipse pater Netevs placabile temperat æquor. Et passim Oceano curui Delphines ab imo In summos saliunt fluctus, quasi terga pararent In quibus euectæ sulcent freta prospera puppes, Et quasi diluuium, tempestatesque minatur Follibus inflatis inimica in uela physeter. Et fauet AEGAEON, et qui Neptvnia PROTEVS Armenta, ac turpes alit imo in gurgite phocas. Atque idem modò ab antiqua virtute celebtat Sceptra Chaledonidvm: seclis modò fata futuris Pandit, et ad seros canit euentura minores. Vt pacis bellique bonis notissima vasto Insula in Oceano, magni decus Anglia mundi; Postquam opibus diues, populo numerosa frequenti, Tot celebris factis, toto caput extulit orbe; Non incauta sui, ne quando immensa potestas Pondere sit ruitura suo, noua moenia natis Quærat, et in longum extendat sua regna recessum: Non aliter, quàm cùm ventis sublimibus aptæ In nidis creuere grues, proficiscitur ingens De nostra ad tepidum tellure colonia Nilvm. Euge, sacrum pectus, tibi, per tot secula, soli Seruata est regio nullis regnata Monarchis. Et triplici quondam mundi natura notata Margine, et audacim quarto dignata Colvmbvm; Iam quintâ lustranda plagâ tibi, iamque regenda Imperio superest. Evropam Asiamqve relinque, Et fortunatam nimiùm, nisi sole propinquo Arderet, Libyen: illis sua facta viasque Terminet Alcides: abs te illustranda quietscit Parte alis telus, quam non Babylonia sceptra, Non Macedvm inuictæ vires, non Persica virtus Attigit, aut vnquam Latiæ feriere secures. Non illo soboles Mahometi mugijt orbe: Non vafer Hispanvs, coelo, superisque relictis, Sacra Papæ humano crudelia sanguine fecit. Illic mortales hominumque iguota propago; Siue illi nostræ veniant ab origine gentis, Seu tandem à prisca Favnorvm stirpe supersint Antiqua geniti terra, sine legibus vrbes Syluasque et pingues habitant ciuilibus agros: Et priscos referunt mores, vitamque sequuntur Italiæ antiquæ, et primi rude temporis æuum: Cum genitor nati fugiens Satvrus ob iram In Latio posuit sedem, rudibusque regendos In tenues vicos homines collegit ab agris. Aurea in hoc primùm populo coepisse feruntur Secula, sicque homines vitam duxisse beati; Vt simul argenti percurrens tempora, et æris, Degener in durum chalybem vilesceret ætas; Rursus in antiquum, de quo descenderat, aurum (Sic perhibent vales) æuo vertente rediret. Fallor an est tempus, reuolutoque orbe videntur Aurea pacificæ transmittere secula gentes? Fallor enim, si quassatas tot cladibus vrbes Respicio, et passim lacerantes regna tyrannos: Si Mahometigenis Asiam Libyamqve cruento Marte premi, domitaque iugum ceruice subire: Iamque per Evropæ fines immane tribunal Barbari adorari domini, Dacisqve, Pelasgisqve Æmathiisqve, omnique solo quod diuidit Hebrvs, Et quondam bello inuictis, nunc Marte sinistro Angustos fines, paruamque tuentibus oram Pannoniæ populis, et prisca in gente Libvrnis. Tum verò in superos pugnas sine fine cieri Patribus Avsoniis; ardere in bella, necesque Sarmaticas gentes: et adhuc à cæde recenti Hispanvm sancto Gallvmqve madere cruore. Non sunt hæc auri, non sunt documenta, sed atrox Ingenio referunt ferrum, et si dicere ferro Deteriora mihi licet, intractabile saxum. At verò ad niueos alia si parte Britannos Verto oculos animumque, quot, ô pulcherrima tellus Testibus antiquo vitam traducis in auro? Namque quòd hoc summum colitur tibi numen honore Quo superi, atque omnis geniorum casta iuuentus Ilius ad sacra iussa vices obit, arguit aurum. Quòd tàm chara Deo tua sceptra gubernat Amazon, Quàm Dea, cum nondum coelis Astræa petitis Inter mortales regina erat, arguit aurum. Quòd colit haud vllis indusas moenibus vrbes Aurea libertas, et nescia ferre tyrannum Securam ætatem tellus agit, arguit aurum. Quòd regio nullis iniuria gentibus, arma Arma licet ferruginea rubicunda quiete, Finitimis metuenda gerit tamen, arguit aurum. Quòd gladij, quòd mucrones, quòd pila, quòd hastæ In rastros abiere, et bello assueta iuuentus Pacem et amicitias dulces colit, arguit aurum. Denique si fas est auro connectere laudes Æris, et in pacis venerari tempore fortes; Quot natos bello heroas, quot ahænea nutris Pectora? Sint testes procerum tot millia, testes Mille duces, interque duces notissima mille Illa cui assurgunt Mvsæ, quam conscia Pallas Lætior exaudit, Gileberti gloria nostri. Illius auxillum, et socialia prælia amici Mirantur Belgæ, et quamuis iniustus Ibervs Commemorat iustas acies, domitasque per oras Martia victrices formidat Hibernia turmas. Illum oppugnatæ quassatis turribus arces, Ilium expugnatæ perruptis moenibus vrbes, Fluminaque et portus capti, hostilique notatum Sanguine submersæ meminere sub æquore classes. Hic vbi per medios proiectus Seqvana Celtas Labitur, et nomen max amissurus, et vndas. Omnia si desint, quantum est ingentibus ausis Humani generis pro pace bonoque pacisci Tàm varies casus, freta tanta, pericula tanta? Linquere adhuc teneram prolem, et dulcissima sacri Oscula coniugij, numerantemque ordine longo Avcheriam digitis in mollibus, æquora mille Formidanda modis, atque inter pauca relatos Avcherios exempla suos, fratremque patremque; Qui dum pro patria laudem et virtute sequuntur, Obsessi in muris soli portisque Caleti, Præposuere mori, quàm cum prodentibus vrbem, Et decus Albionvm, turpi superesse salute. Quòd si parua loquor, nec adhuc fortasse fatenda est Aurea in hoc iterum nostro gens viuere mundo, Quid vetat ignotis vt possit surgere terris? Auguror, et faueat dictis Devs, auguror annos, In quibus haud illo secus olim principe in vrbes Barbara plebs coeat, quàm cùm noua saxa vocaret Amphion Thebas, Troiana ad moenia Phoebvs. Atque vbi sic vltrò iunctas sociauerit ædes, Deinde dabit leges custodituras easdem; In quibus ignari ciues fraudumque, dolique, A solida assuescant potius virtute beari; Quàm genio et molli liquentia corpora vita In Venerem ignauam, pinguemque immergere luxum: Quàm nummos, quam lucra sequi, quam propter honores Viuere ad arbitrium stolidæ mutabile plebis. Non illic generi virtus, opibusue premetur Libertas populi, non contrà in deside vulgo Oppugnabit opes ciuis sub nomine pauper: Quisque suo partem foelix in iure capesset. Tum sua magna parens ingenti foenore tellus Exiguo sudore dabit bona: cura iuuentam Nulla adiget senio, nec sic labor ocia tollet, Quo minus è virtute petant sua commoda ciues. O mihi foelicem si fas conscendere puppim: Et tecum patria (pietas ignosce) relicta Longinquum penetrare fretum, penetrare sorores Mecum vnà Aonias, illic exordia gentis Prima nouæ ad seros transmittere posse nepotes! Sed me fata vetant, memoraturumque canora Inclyta facta tuba, ad clades miserabilis Istri Inuitum retrahunt. His his me fata reseruent: Non deerit vates, illo qui cantet in orbe Aut veteres populos, aut nostro incognita coelo Munera naturæ; dum spreto Helicone manebit Ilia Aganippæis sacrata Oxonia Musis. Dum loquor in viridi festinant gramine Nymphæ, Impediuntque comas lauro, et florentis oliuæ Frondibus armantur, dominatricemque frequentes Oceani immensi longè venerantur Elisam. Illa autem ad gelidum celsis de turribus amnem Prospicit, et iamiam Tamesino in patre tuetur Paulatim obliquis Gilebertum albescere velis. Sic dea Peliaco spectasse è vertice Pallas Fertur Iasonios comites, ad Phasidos vndas Vix benè dum notis committere carbasa ventis. Diva faue, nutuque tuo suscepta parari Vela iuua; Si sola geris dignissima totum Talibus auspicijs proferri sceptra per orbem. Proptereà quia sola tuos ita pace beasti Tranquilla populos, vt iam te principe possint Augere imperij fines. Quia sola videris Quo niueae Charites, quo corpore Delia virgo Pingitur, et iusto si sit pro teste vetustas. Talibus audimus quondam de matribus ortos Semideos homines: tali est de sanguine magnus Siue Hector genitus, siue Hectore maior Achilles: Duntaxat sine fraude vlla, sine crimine possint Vila tibi veterum conferri nomina matrum, Quæ sexum factis superas, quæ patribus audes, Nympha, dijs dignas laudes æquare Latinis. Mentior infoelix, nisi sic in corpore virtus Lucet formoso, ceu quæ preciosior auro est Gemma, tamen pariter placituro clauditur auro. Mentior, et taceo, nisi sola audiris vbique Induperatorum timor aut amor, inter et omnes Securam requiem peragis tutissima casus: Dum reliqui reges duro quasi carcere clausi Sollicitis lethi dapibus, plenoque fruuntur Terrificis monstris furtiua per ocia somno. Mentior et taceo, solam nisi viuere ciues Æternùm cupiunt: quando nec verbere toruo, Nec cædis poenæue thronum formtdine firmas: Sed tibi tot meritis maiestas parta, et inermis Ad patulos residet custos clementia postes: Vt quot penè rei iustum meruere tribunal, Tot veniam grato narrent sermone clientes. Nec tamen admittis, nisi quod iustumque piumque Agnoscit probitas, et quæ potes omnia, solis Legibus vsurpas cautas sanctissima vires. Nec mala formidas: si quidem quasi fune ligatur Consilio fortuna tibi: Nullum impia terret In castris Bellona tuis: Quin pronus adorat Gradivvs tua iussa pater, sequiturque vocantem Quacunque ingrederis grato victoria plausu. Dumque fores alijs, vitamque et regna tuetur Ianitor externus, cingunt tua limina ciues: Dumque alijs sordet sapientia regibus, almo Pegasidvm tu fonte satur, tot Appollinis artes Aurea vaticina fundis quasi flumina lingua. Nil nostri inuenere dies, nil prisca vetustas Prodidit, in linguis peragunt commercia nullis Christiadvm gentes, quas te, diuina virago, Iustius Aoniæ possint iactare sorores. Audijt hæc inundus, cunctisque in finibus ardet Imperio parere tuo: et quæ fortè recusat Miratur vires regio tamen. Hinc tua sceptra Incurua Mahometigenæ ceruice salutant: Hinc tua pugnaces properant ad foedera Galli: Dumque sibi metuit toties tibi victus Ibervs, Nescia Romano Germania Marte domari Quærit amicitias Britonvm: procul oscula mittit Virgineis pedibus Lativm, longéque remoti Pannones in tutos optant coalescere fines. Quinetiam quæ submisso diademate nuper Obtulit inuictis fascesque fidemque Britannis.[A] Nonne vides passis vt crinibus horrida dudum Porrigit ingentem lugubris America dextram? Et numquid lacrymas, inquit, soror Anglia, nostras Respicis, et dura nobiscum in sorte gemiscis? An verò nescisse potes, quæ tempora quantis Cladibus egerimus? postquam insatiabilis auri, Nam certè non vllus amor virtutis Iberos In nostrum migrare soluum, pietasue coegit. Ex illo, quæ sacra prius væsana litabam Manibus infernis, sperans meliora tuumque Discere posse Devm, iubeor mortalibus aras Erigere, et mutas statuas truncosque precata Nescio quod demens Romanvm numen adoro. Cur trahor in terras? si mens est lucida, puris Cur Devs in coelis rectà non quæritur? aut si A nobis coelum petitur, cur sæpe videmus Igne, fame, ferro subigi, quocunque reatu Oenotriæ sedis maiestas læsa labascit? Non sic relligio, non sic me iudice gaudet Defendi sua regna Devs, quod si optimus ille est; Quòd si cuncta potest, et nullis indiget armis. Mitto queri cædes, exhaustaque moenia bello: Mitto queri in viles tot libera corpora seruos Abiecta, immanique iugum Busiride dignum. Te tantum fortuna animet tua, te tua virtus: Si tibi tam plenis habitantur moenibus vrbes, Vt nisi in excelsum crescant, coeloque minentur Ædes aeriæ; quanquam latissima, desit Terra tamen populo: Si tot tua flumina nigrant Turrigeras arces imitatæ mole carinæ, Quot non illa natant eadem tua flumina cygni. Si tibi iam sub sole iacens penetratus vtroque est Mundus, vtroque iacens peragrata est terra sub axe. Ni frustrà gelidam vectus Wilobeivs [B] ad arcton Illa in gente iacet, cui dum Sol circinat vmbras, Dimidio totus vix forsitan occidit anno. Ni frustrà quæsiuit iter, duraque bipenni Illo Frobiservs [C] reditum sibi in æquore fecit, Horridum vbi semper pelagus, glacieque perenni Frigora natiuos simulant immitia montes. Ni frustrà per Cimmerios, syluisque propinqua Flumina Riphæis eoa profectus ad vsque est Moenia Iencisonvs, [D] Persasqve et proxima Persis Bactra, et Bactrorvm confines regibus Indos. Ni frustrà, quod mortali tot secla negarant, Hac tuus immensum nuper Dracvs [E] ambijt orbem, Quà patri Oceano clausas circumdare terras Concessit natura viam, mediaque meare Tellure, et duplici secludere littore mundos. Iam si fortuna, iam si virtute sequare Digna tua; sunt monstra mihi, sunt vasta gigantum Corpora, quæ magno cecidisse sub Hercvle non sit Dedecus, Ogigivs non quæ aspernetur Iaccvs. Quæ si indigna putas, tantaque in pace beata Auersare meos multo vt tibi sanguine fines Inuidiosa petas: est nobis terra propinqua, Et tantum bimari capiens discrimen in Isthmo. Hanc tibi iamdudum primi inuenere Brittanni, Tum cum magnanimus nostra in regione Cabotvs [F] Proximus à magno ostendit sua vela Colvmbo. Hæc neque vicina nimiùm frigescit ab arcto, Sole nec immodico in steriles torretur arenas: Frigus et æstatem iusto moderamine seruat, Siue leues auras, grati spiracula coeli, Seu diæ telluris opes, et munera curas. Pone age te digno tua sceptra in honore, meoque Iunge salutarem propius cum littore dextram. Sit mihi fas aliquam per te sperare quietem, Vicinoque bono lætum illucescere Solem. Quòd si consilijs superum, fatisque negatum est Durare immensum magna infortunia tempus: Quòd si de immerita iustum est ceruice reuelli Ignarum imperij dominum, populique regendi; Quòd si nulla vnquam potuit superesse potestas, Ni pia flexilibus pareret clementia frenis Obsequium. A mita quæsita potentia Cyro Amissa est sæuæ soboli. Parcendo subegit Tot reges Macedvm virtus, tot postera sensim Abscidit a parto tandem inclementia regno. Et quod Romvleis creuit sub patribus olim Imperium, diri semper minuêre Nerones.

[Sidenote A: Noua Albion.] [Sidenote B: Hugo Willobeius eques auratus.] [Sidenote C: Martinus Frobisherus eques auratus.] [Sidenote D: Antonius Ienkinsonus.] [Sidenote E: Franciscus Dracus eques auratus.] [Sidenote F: Sebastianus Cabotus.]

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A report of the voyage and successe thereof, attempted in the yeere of our Lord 1583 by sir Humfrey Gilbert knight, with other gentlemen assisting him in that action, intended to discouer and to plant Christian inhabitants in place conuenient, vpon those large and ample countreys extended Northward from the cape of Florida, lying vnder very temperate Climes, esteemed fertile and rich in Minerals, yet not in the actuall possession of any Christian prince, written by M. Edward Haies gentleman, and principall actour in the same voyage, who alone continued vnto the end, and by Gods speciall assistance returned home with his retinue safe and entire.

Many voyages haue bene pretended, yet hitherto neuer any thorowly accomplished by our nation of exact discouery into the bowels of those maine, ample and vast countreys, extended infinitely into the North from 30 degrees, or rather from 25 degrees of Septentrionall latitude, neither hath a right way bene taken of planting a Christian habitation and regiment vpon the same, as well may appeare both by the little we yet do actually possesse therein, and by our ignorance of the riches and secrets within those lands, which vnto this day we know chiefly by the trauell and report of other nations, and most of the French, who albeit they can not challenge such right and interest vnto the sayd countreys as we, neither these many yeeres haue had opportunity nor meanes so great to discouer and to plant (being vexed with the calamnities of intestine warres) as we haue had by the inestimable benefit of our long and happy peace: yet haue they both waies performed more, and had long since attained a sure possession and settled gouernment of many prouinces in those Northerly parts of America, if their many attempts into those forren and remote lands had not bene impeached by their garboils at home.

[Sidenote: The coasts from Florida Northward first discouered by the English nation.] The first discouery of these coasts (neuer heard of before) was well begun by Iohn Cabot the father, and Sebastian his sonne, an Englishman borne, who were the first finders out of all that great tract of land stretching from the cape of Florida vnto those Islands which we now call the Newfoundland: all which they brought and annexed vnto the crowne of England. Since when, if with like diligence the search of inland countreys had bene followed, as the discouery vpon the coast, and out-parts therof was performed by those two men: no doubt her Maiesties territories and reuenue had bene mightily inlarged and aduanced by this day. And which is more: the seed of Christian religion had bene sowed amongst those pagans, which by this time might haue brought foorth a most plentifull haruest and copious congregation of Christians; which must be the chiefe intent of such as shall make any attempt that way: or els whatsoeuer is builded vpon other foundation shall neuer obtaine happy successe nor continuance.

And although we can not precisely iudge (which onely belongeth to God) what haue bene the humours of men stirred vp to great attempts of discouering and planting in those remote countreys, yet the euents do shew that either Gods cause hath not bene chiefly preferred by them, or els God hath not permitted so abundant grace as the light of his word and knowledge of him to be yet reuealed vnto those infidels before the appointed time.

But most assuredly, the only cause of religion hitherto hath kept backe, and will also bring forward at the time assigned by God, an effectuall and compleat discouery and possession by Christians, both of those ample countreys and the riches within them hitherto concealed: whereof notwithstanding God in his wisdome hath permitted to be reuealed from time to time a certaine obscure and misty knowledge, by little and little to allure the mindes of men that way (which els will be dull enough in the zeale of his cause) and thereby to prepare vs vnto a readinesse for the execution of his will against the due time ordeined, of calling those pagans vnto Christianity.

[Sidenote: A fit consideration.] In the meane while, it behooueth euery man of great calling, in whom is any instinct of inclination vnto this attempt, to examine his owne motions: which if the same proceed of ambition or auarice, he may assure himselfe it commeth not of God, and therefore can not haue confidence of Gods protection and assistance against the violence (els irresistable) both of sea, and infinite perils vpon the land; whom God yet may vse an instrument to further his cause and glory some way, but not to build vpon so bad a foundation.

Otherwise, if his motiues be deriued from a vertuous and heroycall minde, preferring chiefly the honour of God, compassion of poore infidels captiued by the deuill, tyrannizing in most woonderfull and dreadfull maner ouer their bodies and soules; aduancement of his honest and well disposed countreymen, willing to accompany him in such honourable actions: reliefe of sundry people within this realme distressed: all these be honourable purposes, imitating the nature of the munificent God, wherewith he is well pleased, who will assist such an actour beyond expectation of man. [Sidenote: Probable coniectures that these lands North of Florida, are reserued for the English nation to possesse.] And the same, who feeleth this inclination in himselfe, by all likelihood may hope, or rather confidently repose in the preordinance of God, that in this last age of the world (or likely neuer) the time is compleat of receiuing also these Gentiles into his mercy, and that God will raise him an instrument to effect the same: it seeming probable by euent or precedent attempts made by the Spanyards and French sundry times, that the countreys lying North of Florida, God hath reserued the same to be reduced vnto Christian ciuility by the English nation. For not long after that Christopher Columbus had discouered the Islands and continent of the West Indies for Spayne, Iohn and Sebastian Cabot made discouery also of the rest from Florida Northwards to the behoofe of England.

[Sidenote: The Spanyards prosperous in the Southerne discoueries, yet vnhappy in the Northerne.] And whensoeuer afterwards the Spanyards (very prosperous in all their Southerne discoueries) did attempt any thing into Florida and those regions inclining towards the North they proued most vnhappy, and were at length discouraged vtterly by the hard and lamentable successe of many both religous and valiant in armes, endeauouring to bring those Northerly regions also vnder the Spanish iurisdiction; as if God had prescribed limits vnto the Spanish nation which they might not exceed; as by their owne gests recorded may be aptly gathered.

[Sidenote: The French are but vsurpers vpon our right.] The French, as they can pretend lesse title vnto these Northerne parts then the Spanyard, by how much the Spanyard made the first discouery of the same continent so far Northward as vnto Florida, and the French did but reuiew that before discouered by the English nation, vsurping vpon our right, and imposing names vpon countreys, riuers, bayes, capes, or head lands, as if they had bene the first finders of those coasts: [Sidenote: The French also infortunate in those North parts of America.] which iniury we offered not vnto the Spaniards, but left off to discouer when we approached the Spanish limits: euen so God hath not hitherto permitted them to establish a possession permanent vpon anothers right, notwithstanding their manifolde attempts, in which the issue hath bene no lesse tragicall then that of the Spanyards, as by their owne reports is extant.