shall after hear. It fortuned as Makbeth and Banquho journeyed towards Fores, where the king then lay, they went sporting by the way together without other company save only themselves, passing through the woods and fields, when suddenly in the midst of a land, there met them three women in strange and wild apparel, resembling creatures of the elder world, whom when they attentively beheld, wondering much at the sight, the first of them 10 the old account, and then according to the spake and said:

Westminster, that fruitful nursery, it was my hap to visit the chamber of Mr. Richard Hakluyt, my cousin, a gentleman of the Middle Temple,' well known unto you, at a time when 5I found lying open on his board certain books of cosmography, with a universal map. He, seeing me somewhat curious in the view thereof, began to instruct my ignorance by showing me the division of the earth into three parts after

"All hail Makbeth, thane of Glammis!" (for he had lately entered into that office by the death of his father Sinell). The second then

said:

"Hail Makbeth, thane of Cawder!"

But the third said:

"All hail Makbeth, that hereafter shall be King of Scotland!"

15

latter, and better distribution, into more. He pointed with his wand to all the known seas, gulfs, bays, straits, capes, rivers, empires, kingdoms, dukedoms, and territories of each part with declaration also of their special commodities, and particular wants, which, by the benefit of traffic and intercourse of merchants, are plentifully supplied. From the map he brought me to the Bible, and turning to the 20 107th Psalm, directed me to the 23rd and 24th verses, where I read, that they which go down to the sea in ships and occupy by the great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep, etc. Which words of the prophet, together with my cousin's discourse (things of high and rare delight to my young nature), took in me so deep an impression that I constantly resolved, if ever I were preferred to the university, where better time and more

Then Banquho: "What manner of women (saith he) are you that seem so little favorable unto me, whereas to my fellow here, besides high offices, ye assign also the kingdom, ap- 25 pointing forth nothing for me at all?" "Yes," (saith the first of them), "we promise greater benefits unto thee than unto him; for he shall reign indeed, but with an unlucky end; neither shall he leave any issue behind him to succeed 30 convenient place might be ministered for these

studies, I would by God's assistance prosecute that knowledge and kind of literature, the doors whereof, after a sort, were so happily opened before me.

in his place, when certainly thou indeed shalt not reign at all, but of thee those shall be born which shall govern the Scottish kingdom by long order of continual descent." Herewith the foresaid women vanished immediately out 35 of their sight. This was reputed at the first but some vain fantastical illusion by Makbeth and Banquho, insomuch that Banquho would call Makbeth in jest, King of Scotland; and Makbeth again would call him in sport likewise, 40 father of many kings. But afterwards the common opinion was, that these women were either the weird sisters, that is (as ye would say) the goddesses of destiny, or else some nymphs or fairies, indued with knowledge of 45 lately reformed maps, globes, spheres, and prophecy by their necromantical science, because everything came to pass as they had spoken.

According to which my resolution, when, not long after, I was removed to Christ Church in Oxford, my exercises of duty first performed, I fell to my intended course, and by degrees read over whatsoever printed or written discoveries and voyages I found extant either in the Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portugal, French, or English languages, and in my public lectures4 was the first that produced and showed both the old imperfectly composed, and the new

other instruments of this art for demonstration in the common schools, to the singular pleasure

ployed on various diplomatic missions, and was one of the Commissioners to try Mary, Queen of Scots, v. pp. 721, 764.

2 One of the oldest and best of the London "Grammar Schools." Founded by Henry VIII., it was so reorganized by Queen Elizabeth in 1560, that its revenues were sufficient to provide for some 40 "free," or "Queen's scholars." Besides Hakluyt, George Herbert, Dryden, and Warren Hastings were among its free, or foundation, scholars.

This implies that he belonged to the legal profession, as the Middle Temple was one of the legal societies of London.

Hakluyt is believed to have lectured at Oxford, shortly after taking his degree of M. A. in 1577. These were probably the first public lectures on geography ever given at an English University.

and general contentment of my auditory. In continuance of time, and by reason principally of my insight in this study, I grew familiarly acquainted with the chiefest captains at sea, the greatest merchants, and the best mariners of our nation; by which means having gotten somewhat more than common knowledge, I passed at length the narrow seas into France with Sir Edward Stafford, her Majesty's careful and discreet Ligier, where during my five 10 compassing the vast globe of the earth more years' abode with him in his dangerous and changeable residence in her Highness' service, I both heard in speech, and read in books other nations miraculously extolled for their discoveries and notable enterprises by sea, but the 15 hath ever dealt with the emperor of Persia as English of all others for their sluggish security, and continual neglect of the like attempts, expecially in so long and happy a time of peace, either ignominiously reported, or exceedingly condemned; which singular opportunity, if 20 some other people, our neighbors, had been blessed with, their protestations are often and vehement, they would far otherwise have used...

which our nation do indeed deserve: it cannot be denied, but as in all former ages they have been men full of activity, stirrers abroad, and searchers of the remote parts of the world, so 5 in this most famous and peerless government of her most excellent Majesty, her subjects, through the special assistance and blessing of God, in searching the most opposite corners and quarters of the world, and to speak plainly, in

Thus both hearing and reading the obloquy 25 of our nation, and finding few or none of our own men to reply herein; and further, not seeing any man to have care to recommend to the world the industrious labors and painful travels of our countrymen: for stopping the 30 mouths of the reproachers, myself being the last winter returned from France with the honorable the Lady Sheffield, for her passing good behavior highly esteemed in all the French court, determined notwithstanding all 35 difficulties to undertake the burden of that work wherein all others pretended either ignorance or lack of leisure, or want of sufficient argument, whereas (to speak truly) the huge toil and the small profit to ensue were the 40 chief causes of the refusal. I call the work a burden in consideration that these voyages lay so dispersed, scattered, and hidden in several hucksters' hands, that I now wonder at myself to see how I was able to endure the delays, 45 curiosity, and backwardness of many from whom I was to receive my originals, so that I have just cause to make that complaint of the maliciousness of divers in our time, which

than once, have excelled all the nations and people of the earth. For which of the kings of this land before her Majesty had their banners ever seen in the Caspian sea? Which of them

her Majesty hath done, and obtained for her merchants large and loving privileges? who ever saw, before this regiment, an English Ligier in the stately porch of the Grand Signor at Constantinople? who ever found English consuls and agents at Tripolis in Syria, at Aleppo, at Babylon, at Balsara, and which is more, who ever heard of Englishmen at Goa before now? what English ships did heretofore ever anchor in the mighty river of Plate? pass and repass the unpassable (in former opinion) Strait of Magellan, range along the coast of Chili, Peru, and all the backside of Nova Hispania, further than any Christian ever passed, traverse the mighty breadth of the South Sea, land upon the Luzones in despite of the enemy, enter into alliance, amity, and traffic with the princes of the Moluccas and the isle of Java, double the famous cape of Bona Speranza, 10 arrive at the isle of St. Helena, and last of all return home most richly laden with the commodities of China, as the subjects of this now flourishing monarchy have done?

THE LOSS OF SIR HUMPHREY
GILBERT1

(From a report of the voyage and success thereof, attempted in the year of our Lord, 1583, by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, knight, with other gentlemen assisting him in that action, 7 In Asiatic Turkey.

8 On the west coast of India.

The regions governed by the Viceroys of New Spain.

Pliny made of the men of his age: At nos 50 It included originally Mexico, the West Indies, and

elaborata iis abscondere atque supprimere cupimus et fraudare vitam etiam aliensis bonis,

etc.

To harp no longer upon this string, and to speak a word of that just commendation 55

(The same as leiger, and ledger, q. v.) A resident agent, or ambassador.

But we are anxious to steal away from them and suppress the result of their labors, and even to beguile the very life from the goods of others.

various adjacent Spanish possessions.

10 Cape of Good Hope.

1 Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1539-1583) was one of the great English navigators in the age of Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher. He was half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, and like other great sailors of the time, he was born in Devon. He started from Plymouth on what proved to be his last voyage of discovery, June 11th, 1583. After landing in Newfoundland, which he took possession of in the name of the Queen, he lost his largest ship, and was forced to return home, with the only two vessels left him, the Golden Hind and the Squirrel or, as it is called in the text the Frigate.

intended to discover and to plant christian inhabitants in place convenient, upon those large and ample countries extended northward from the cape of Florida, lying under very temperate climes, esteemed fertile and rich in minerals, yet not in the actual possession of any christian prince, written by Mr. Edward Haie, gentleman, and principal actor in the same voyage, who alone continued to the end, and by God's special assistance returned 10 Hind, which had been more for his security. home with his retinue safe and entire.)

This Monday the general came aboard the Hind to have the surgeon of the Hind to dress his foot, which he hurt by treading upon a nail. At what time we comforted each other 5 with the hope of hard success to be all past, and of the good to come. So agreeing to carry out lights always by night, that we might keep together, he departed into his frigate, being by no means to be entreated to tarry in the

Immediately after followed a sharp storm which we overpassed for that time. Praised be God.

The weather fair, the general came aboard the Hind again to make merry together with the captain, master, and company, which was the last meeting, and continued there from morning until night. During which time there passed sundry discourses, touching affairs

So upon Saturday in the afternoon, the 31st of August, we changed our course and returned back for England, at which very instant, even in winding about, there passed along between 15 us and towards the land which we now forsook, a very lion to our seeming, in shape, hair, and color, not swimming after the manner of a beast, by moving of his feet, but rather sliding upon the water with his whole body 20 past and to come, lamenting greatly the loss (excepting the legs) in sight; neither yet diving under, and again rising above the water, as the manner is of whales, dolphins, tunnies, porpoises, and all other fish, but confidently showing himself above water without hiding. 25 Notwithstanding, we presented ourselves in open view and gesture to amaze him, as all creatures will be commonly at a sudden gaze and sight of men. Thus he passed along turning his head to and fro, yawning and gaping 30 wide, with ugly demonstration of long teeth and glaring eyes, and to bid us a farewell (coming right against the Hind)2 he sent forth a horrible voice, roaring or bellowing as doth a lion, which spectacle we all beheld so far as 35 we were able to discern the same, as me prone to wonder at every strange thing, as this doubtless was, to see a lion in the ocean sea, or fish in shape of a lion. What opinion others had thereof, and chiefly the general himself, I 40 forbear to deliver. But he took it for bonum omen, rejoicing that he was to war against such an enemy, if it were the devil. The wind was large for England at our return, but very

of his great ship, more of the men, but most of all his books and notes, and what else I know not; for which he was out of measure grieved, the same doubtless being of some matter of more importance than his books, which I could not draw from him, yet by circumstance I gathered the same to be the ore which Daniel the Saxon had brought unto him in the Newfound-land. Whatsoever it was, the remembrance touched him so deep as not able to contain himself, he beat his boy in great rage, even at the same time, so long after the miscarrying of the great ship, because upon a fair day, when we were becalmed upon the coast of the New-found-land, near unto Cape Race, he sent his boy aboard the Admiral to fetch certain things, amongst which, this being chief, was yet forgotten, and left behind. After which time he could never conveniently send again aboard the great ship; much less he doubted her ruin so near at hand.

Herein my opinion was better confirmed diversely, and by sundry conjectures, which maketh me have the greater hope of this rich

high, and the sea rough, insomuch as the frigate 45 mine. For whereas the general had never bewherein the general went was almost swallowed up.

fore good conceit of these north parts of the world, now his mind was wholly fixed upon the New-found-land. And as before he refused not to grant assignments liberally to them that required the same into these north parts, now he became contrarily affected, refusing to make any so large grants, especially of St. John's which certain English merchants made suit for, offering to employ their money and

Monday in the afternoon (Sept. 2), we passed in the sight of Cape Race, having made as much way in little more than two days and 50 nights back again, as before we had done in eight days from Cape Race unto the place where our ship perished, which hindrance thitherward and speed back again, is to be imputed unto the swift current, as well as to the 55 travel upon the same. Yet neither by their winds, which we had more large in our re

turn.

21. c. the Golan Hind, the name of Gilbert's v.ssel. Good omen.

own suit, nor of others of his own company, whom he seemed willing to pleasure, it could be obtained.

Also laying down his determination in the

spring following, for disposing of his voyage then to be re-attempted, he assigned the captain and master of the Golden Hind unto the south discovery, and reserved unto himself the north, affirming that this voyage had won his heart from the south, and that he was now become a northern man altogether.

Last, being demanded what means he had at his arrival in England to compass the charges

5

wanting aboard his frigate. And so we committed him to God's protection, and set him aboard his pinnace, we being more than 300 leagues onward of our way home.

By that time we had brought the islands of Azores south of us; yet we then much keeping to the north, until we had got into the height and elevation of England, we met with very foul weather and terrible seas, breaking short

seemed to proceed either of hilly grounds, high and low, within the sea, (as we see hills and dales upon the land), upon which the seas do mount and fall; or else the cause proceedeth of diversity of winds, shifting often in sundry points, all which having power to move the great ocean, which again is not presently settled, so many seas do encounter together as there had been diversity of winds. How

of so great preparation as he intended to make 10 and high, pyramid wise. The reason whereof the next spring, having determined upon two fleets, one for the south, another for the north: Leave that to me (he replied), I will ask a penny of no man. I will bring good tidings unto her Majesty, who will be so gracious 15 to lend me 10,000 pounds, willing as before to be of good cheer, for he did thank God (he said) with all his heart for that he had seen, the same being enough for us all, and that we needed not to seek any further. And these 20 soever it cometh to pass, men which all their

lifetime had occupied the sea, never saw more outrageous seas. We had also upon our mainyard, an apparition of a little fire by night, which seamen do call Castor and Pollux. But

last words he would oft repeat with demonstration of great fervency of mind, being himself very confident and settled in belief of inestimable good by this voyage, which the greater number of his followers nevertheless mistrusted 25 we had only one; which they take an evil altogether, not being made partakers of those secrets, which the general kept unto himself. Yet all of them that are living may be witnesses of his words and protestations, which sparingly I have delivered.

Leaving the issue of this good hope unto God, who knoweth the truth only, and can at his good pleasure bring the same to light, I will hasten to the end of this tragedy, which must

sign of more tempest; the same is usual in storms.

Monday the ninth of September, in the afternoon, the frigate was near cast away, 30 oppressed by waves; yet at that time recovered; and giving forth signs of joy, the general sitting abaft with a book in his hand cried out unto us in the Hind (so oft as we did approach within hearing): We are as near to heaven by

be knit up in the person of our general. And 35 sea as by land. Reiterating the same speech,

as it was God's ordinance upon him, even so the vehement persuasion and entreaty of his friends could nothing avail to divert him from a wilful resolution of going through in his

well beseeming a soldier, resolute in Jesus Christ, as I can testify he was.

The same Monday night, about twelve of the clock, or not long after, the frigate being

frigate; which was overcharged upon their 40 ahead of us in the Golden Hind, suddenly her

lights were out, whereof, as it were in a moment, we lost the sight, and withal our watch cried, the general was cast away, which was too true. For in that moment, the frigate

decks, with fights, nettings, and small artillery, too cumbersome for so small a boat that was to pass through the ocean sea at that season of the year, when by course we might expect much storm of foul weather, whereof indeed 45 was devoured and swallowed up of the sea. we had enough.

Yet still we looked out all that night and ever after, until we arrived upon the coast of England, omitting no small sail at sea, unto which we gave not the tokens between us agreed

But when he was entreated by the captain, master, and other his well-willers of the Hind, not to venture in the frigate, this was his answer: I will not forsake my little company 50 upon, to have perfect knowledge of each other,

if we should at any time be separated.

going homeward, with whom I have passed so many storms and perils. And in very truth, he was urged to be so over hard, by hard reports given of him, that he was afraid of the sea, albeit this was rather rashness than ad- 55 the 22nd day of September, being Sunday,

vised resolution, to prefer the wind of a vain report to the weight of his own life.

Seeing that he would not bend to reason, he had provision out of the Hind, such as was

In great torment of weather, and peril of drowning, it pleased God to send safe home the Golden Hind, which arrived in Falmouth,

not without as great danger escaped in a flaw, coming from the south-east, with such thick mist that we could not discern land, to put in right with the haven.

Sir Walter Raleigh

1552-1618

out offense given: led thereunto by uncertain report only; which His Majesty truly acknowledgeth for the author of all lies. Blame no man (saith Siracides2) before thou have reform righteously. Rumor, res sine teste, sine

RALEIGH'S ACCOUNT OF HIS BOOK 5 enquired the matter; understand first, and then

1614)

(From the Preface to The History of the World, judice, maligna, fallax; Rumor is without witness, without judge, malicious, and deceivable. This vanity of vulgar opinion it was, that gave 10 Saint Augustine argument to affirm, that he feared the praise of good men, and detested that of the evil. And herein no man hath given a better rule, than this of Seneca; Conscientiæ satisfaciamus: nihil in famam laboremus, sequa

our own consciences, and not trouble ourselves with fame: be it never so ill, it is to be despised so we deserve well.

For myself, if I have in anything served my country, and prized it before my private: the general acceptation can yield me no other profit at this time than doth a fair sunshine day to a seaman after shipwrack: and the contrary, no other harm than an outrageous tempest after the port attained.

How unfit, and how unworthy a choice I have made of myself, to undertake a work of this mixture; mine own reason, though exceeding weak, hath sufficiently resolved me. For had it been begotten then with my first dawn of day, when the light of common knowledge 15 tur vel mala, dum bene merearis. Let us satisfy began to open itself to my younger years; and before any wound received, either from Fortune or Time: I might yet well have doubted that the darkness of age and death would have covered over both it and me, long before the 20 performance. For beginning with the creation, I have proceeded with the History of the World; and lastly purposed (some few sallies excepted) to confine my discourse within this our renowned Island of Great Britain. I confess that 25 it had better sorted with my disability, the better part of whose times are run out in other travails; to have set together (as I could) the unjointed and scattered frame of our English affairs, than of the Universal; in whom, had 30 there been no other defect (who am all defect) than the time of the day, it were enough; the day of a tempestuous life, drawn on to the very evening ere I began. But those inmost, and soul-piercing wounds, which are ever aching 35 and servants into greater miseries. He that

However, I know that it will be said by many, that I might have been more pleasing to the reader, if I had written the story of mine own times, having been permitted to draw water as near the well-head as another. To this I answer, that whosoever in writing a modern history, shall follow truth too near the heels, it may haply strike out his teeth. There is no mistress or guide, that hath led her followers

goes after her too far off, loseth her sight, and loseth himself: and he that walks after her at a middle distance; I know not whether I should call that kind of course temper or baseness.

while uncured; with the desire to satisfy those few friends, which I have tried by the fire of adversity, the former enforcing, the latter persuading; have caused me to make my thoughts legible, and myself the subject of 40 It is true, that I never travailed after men's every opinion wise or weak.

To the world I present them, to which I am nothing indebted: neither have authors that were (Fortune changing), sped much better in any age. For, prosperity and adversity have 45 evermore tied and untied vulgar affections. And as we see it in experience, that dogs do always bark at those they know not, and that it is their nature to accompany one another in those clamours: so it is with the inconsiderate 50 multitude; who, wanting that virtue which we call honesty in all men and that especial gift of God which we call charity in Christian men; condemn without hearing; and wound, with

1 Raleigh was condemned to death for treason in 1603, but the sentence was commuted by James I. to imprisonment for life. The History of the World (which he left unfinished) was written during his imprisonment in the Tower, so that it must have been begun when he was over fifty years old.

opinions, when I might have made the best use of them: and I have now too few days remaining, to imitate those, that either out of extreme ambition, or extreme cowardice, or both, do yet (when death hath them on his shoulders) flatter the world, between the bed and the grave. It is enough for me (being in that state I am) to write of the eldest times: wherein also why may it not be said, that in speaking of the past, I point at the present, and tax the vices of those that are yet living, in their persons that are long since dead; and have it laid to my charge? But this I cannot help, though innocent. And certainly if there be 55 any, that finding themselves spotted like the tigers of old time, shall find fault with me for

i. e. The son of Sirach, the author of the apocryphal book Ecclesiasticus. Raleigh's quotation is, apparently a paraphrase of Ecclesiasticus, xi. 7.