God grant that we may so live in His fear, that the enemy may have cause to say that God doth fight for her Majesty abroad as well as at home." But he felt that he was not without enemies behind him, for the strong influence brought to bear against the bold policy which Walsingham favoured, was no secret to Drake.

"If we deserve ill," said he, "let us be punished.

If we discharge our duty, in doing our best, it is a hard measure to be reported ill by those who will either keep their fingers out of the fire; or who too well affect that alteration in our government which I hope in God they shall never live to see." In latitude 40 deg.

he spoke two Zeeland ships, homeward bound, and obtained information of great warlike stores accumulating in Cadiz and Lisbon.

His mind was instantly made up.