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 missed 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 enterprise, amounted
to twenty millions of ducats.-- See Hume's History.
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."
This ballad is printed, with some corrections, from the Editor's folio
manuscript, 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 to conquer us,
Threatning our country with fyer 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 presentlye 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 ore their head,
Now bragging Spaniards, take heed of your tayle,
Dub a dub, &c.
Unto Cales cunninglye, came we most speedilye,
Where the kinges navy securelye did ryde;
Being upon their backs, piercing their butts of sacks,
Ere any Spaniards our coming descryde.
Dub a dub, &c.
Great was the crying, the running and ryding,
Which at that season was made at that place;