XXII. THE WINNING OF CALES.
[_]
The subject of this ballad is the taking of the city of
Cadiz, (called by our sailors corruptly Cales) on June 21.
1596, in a descent made on the coast of Spain, under the
command of the Lord Howard admiral, and the Earl of Essex general.
The valour of Essex was not more distinguished on this occasion
than his generosity: the town was carried sword in
hand, but he stopt the slaughter as soon as possible, and treated
his prisoners with the greatest humanity, and even affability
and kindness. The English made a rich plunder in the city,
but miss'd of a much richer, by the resolution which the Duke
of Medina the Spanish admiral took, of setting fire to the
ships, in order to prevent their falling into the hands of the
enemy. It was computed, that the loss which the Spaniards
sustained from this enterprize, amounted to twenty millions of ducats.
See Hume's Hist.
The Earl of Essex knighted on this occasion not fewer than
sixty persons, which gave rise to the following sarcasm,
A gentleman of Wales, a knight of Cales,
And a laird of the North country;
But a yeoman of Kent with his yearly rent
Will buy them out all three.
The ballad is printed from the Editor's folio MS. and
seems to have been composed by some person, who was concerned
in the expedition. Most of the circumstances related
in it will be found supported by history.
Long the proud Spaniards had vaunted their conquests,
Threatning our country with fire and sword;
Often preparing their navy most sumptuous
With as great plenty as Spain could afford.
Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums;
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.
To the seas hastily went our lord admiral,
With knights couragious and captains full good;
The brave Earl of Essex, a prosperous general,
With him prepared to pass the salt flood.
Dub a dub, &c.
At Plymouth speedilye, took they ship valiantlye,
Braver ships never were seen under sayle,
With their fair colours spread, and streamers o'er their head,
Now bragging Spaniard, take heed of your tayle.
Dub a dub, &c.
Unto Cales cunninglye, came we most speedilye,
Where the kinges navy securelye did ride;
Being upon their backs, piercing their butts of sacks,
Ere any Spaniards our coming descry'd.
Dub a dub, &c.
Great was the crying, the running and ryding,
Which at that season was made in that place;
The beacons were fyred, as need then required;
To hyde their great treasure they had little space.
Dub a dub, &c.
There you might see their ships, how they were fyred fast,
And how their men drowned themselves in the sea;
There might you hear them cry wayle and weep piteously,
When they saw no shift to scape thence away.
Dub a dub, &c.
The great St. Phillip, the pryde of the Spaniards,
Was burnt to the bottom, and sunk in the sea;
But the St. Andrew, and eke the St. Matthew,
Wee took in fight manfullye and brought away.
Dub a dub, &c.
The Earl of Essex most valiant and hardye,
With horsemen and footmen march'd up to the town;
The Spanyards, which saw them, were greatly alarmed,
Did fly for their safety, and durst not come down.
Dub a dub, &c.
Now, quoth the noble Earl, courage my soldiers all,
Fight and be valiant, the spoil you shall have;
And bè well rewarded all from the great to the small;
But see the women and children you save.
Dub a dub, &c.
The Spaniards at that sight, thinking it vain to fight,
Hung out flags of truce and yielded the towne;
We marched in presentlye, decking the walls on high,
With English colours which purchas'd renowne.
Dub a dub, &c.
Entering the houses then, of the most richest men,
For gold and treasure we searched each day;
In some places wè did find, pyès baking left behind,
Meate at fire rosting, and folk run away.
Dub a dub, &c.
Full of rych merchandize, every shop catch'd our eyes,
Damasks and sattens and velvets full fayre;
Whìch soldiers mèasur'd out by the length òf their swords;
Of all commodities each had his share.
Dub a dub, &c.
Thus Cales was taken, and our brave general
March'd to the market place, where he did stand;
There many prisoneres fell to our several shares,
Many crav'd mercye, and mercye they fonde.
Dub a dub, &c.
When our brave general saw they delayed all,
And would not ransome their towne as they said,
With their fair wanscots, their presses and bedsteds,
Their joint-stools and tables a fire we made;
And when the town burned all in a flame,
With tara, tantara, away we all came.
