Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 15.djvu/56

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prouision of a new supply of whole families to the number of 600. persons, bound for Guiana, but that it pleased God, that by meanes of that right honourable seruice most resolutely performed in the sea-fight, and sacking of Cadiz, the ships wherein they should haue bin conueyed, were conuerted into ashes: what might it signifie? Certes, as it doth euidently proue, that El Dorado hath vndoubted credit and account in their iudgements: so pointeth it at vs, whilst we only to entertain idle time, sit listening for Guiana newes, and instantly forget it, as if we were nought els, but a pleasing dreame of a golden fancy. If we with our selues shall expostulate, how this commeth to passe, that the aduantage wholy resting on our side, in respect that Berreo was this last yere beaten out, the countrey thoroughly discouered, and the Inhabitants made desirous of her sacred Maiesties happy gouernment; they notwithstanding by entring before vs, haue now gotten the start of vs: what may we thinke? Shal wee iudge that their natiue countrey is lesse deare, or more wearisome vnto them, then ours is vnto vs? Their Peruleri, who going bare and empty out of Spaine, do againe within 3. or 4. yeres returne from Peru, rich and in good estate, doe apparently disproue all such conceits of them. Shall wee say that they haue more spare men to be imployed in such actions? It is no secret to know the contrary. Are they subiect to penury? In all parts of Christendom, where money is not scant, all other things are plentifull. Or is their land not able to sustain their numbers of people? They buy many slaues to follow their husbandry, and themselues disdaining base idlenes and beggery, do all honour military profession, highly esteeming it in their mercenaries and strangers. Is it then want of ability, in those that are willing, lacke of incouragement, or default of speedy order and direction for those that doe voluntarily offer themselues, their substance, and best indeuour to further this cause: that maketh vs to be thus coated of the Spaniard? The first is no question. The later needeth no answere. The profit then by their example to be gathered, is, not to lose opportunitie by delay, or to seeme feareful and dismayed, where there is no cause of doubt. For as yet their post-*haste doeth no way preiudice our aduised leisure in setting forward, since their preparations of Negroes to worke in the mynes, their horses, cattell, and other necessaries may (by the fauour of God) at our first comming, both store vs with quantities of gold