the watch, who had obferved a fleet; cried Out, f Ho, I fpy a (hip, and it appears to me to be a Spaniard/ The minftrels were filenced ; and he was aiked if there were riaore than one : foon after he replied, € Yes; I fee two, three, fbur, and fo many that, God help me, I cannot count them/ The king and his knights then knew they rauft be the Spaniards. The trumpets were ordered to found, and the fhips to form a line of battle for the combat ; as they were aware that, fince the enemy came in fuch force, it could not be avoided. It was, however, rather late, about the hour of vel*-pers. The king ordered wine to be brought, which he and his knights drank j when each fixed their helmets on their heads. ' The Spaniards now drew near : they might eafily have refufed the battle, if they had chofen it, for they were well ' freighted, in large fhips, and had the wind in their favour. They could have avoided fpeaking with the Englilh, if they had willed, but their pride and prefpmf Mon made them aét otherwife. They difdained to fail by, but bore inftantly down on them, and cota-menced the battle. - • * . . ^/*HEN the king of England faw from his flaip their order of battle, he ordered the perfon w^ro managed his veffel, faying, € Lay me alongfide the Spaniard who is bearing down on us ; for I wll have a tilt with him/ The mafter dared net dif» obey the king's order, but laid his (hip ready for " ' • the 256