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 marched up to the town;
The Spanyards, which saw them, were greatly alarmed,
Did fly for their savegard, 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 be well rewarded all from the great to the small;
But looke that the women and children you save."
Dub a dub, &c.
The Spaniards at that sight, thinking it vain to fight,
Hung upp flags of truce and yielded the towne;
Wee marched in presentlye, decking the walls on hye,
With English colours which purchased renowne.
Dub a dub, &c.
Entering the houses then, of the most richest men,
For gold and treasure we searched eche day;
In sòme places wè did find pyes baking left behind,
Meate at fire rosting, and folkes run away.
Dub a dub, &c.
Full of rich merchandize, every shop catched our eyes,
Damasks and sattens and velvets full fayre;
Which soldiers measur'd out by the length of their swords;
Of all commodities eche had a 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 prisoners fell to our several shares,
Many crav'd mercye, and mercye they fannd.
Dub a dub, dub a dub, thus strike their drums:
Tantara, tantara, the Englishman comes.
When our brave general saw they delayed all,
And wold not ransome their towne as they said,