A true description of His Majesties royall ship, built this yeare 1637. at Wooll-witch in Kent To the great glory of our English nation, and not paraleld in the whole Christian world. Published by authoritie.

A True Description of His Majesties Royall Ship built this Yeare 1637. at Wolwitch in KENT , &c.

NAvigation is as ancient , as the first great Deluge , and the Arke , which God Almighty commaunded to be made , the first Vessell that was ever lifted upon the Waters . For as before the Earth was unplowed , so were the Seas unfurrowed . One Ship at once contained all the living people of the World , but now what a multitude of Ships doth the World containe ? The first , had neyther Mast , Saile , nor Oare , for what need was of these , or any of them ; when He who made the ●eas and the Winds , was both Pilot and Steares-man ? Noah , the first Navigator entred the Arke , in the yeare from the Creation , 1656. in the second Month , and the seventeenth day thereof , when he himselfe was six hundred yeares in age . His voyage was a full s●lary yeare , which containeth twelve Lunary Moneths , to which are added ten dayes , called Epactae . For so long he floated upon the Waters , ere he set footing upon the Earth . The Arke , after the Flood was somewhat abated ( according to the testimony of Moyses , first rested upon the Mountaines of Ararat , which the best Cosmographers held to ●e Montes Gordaei the Gordaean Mountaines , which have their scituation in Armenia .

Haitonus Armenus in his Book de Tartarijs Cap. 7. Writeth that in Armenia there is a Mountain , which is held to be one of the highest upon Earth , vulgarly called Arat , on which the Arke first touched : and though by reason of the abundance of Snow which cloathed it Winter and Summer , it be altogether unpassable , yet in the very Apex and top thereof , there is still to be discerned a blacke shadow , resembling a Darke Cloud , which by the Natives of that Country , hath successively bin held , to be the still remaining carkasse of the Arke of Noah .

Him , all the Ethnicke and Gentile Writers , call Ianus , because he first planted the Vine , for the Hebrews call Vinum Iajin , from whence he received the Denomination of Ianus Vinitor , who after arriving in Italy , and there seating himselfe , from him that Countrey was called Ianicula , and the City Ianua , by corruption of time , since called Genua , was thought to have bin by him Erected . My observation concerning the premises is , That he who was preserved in the Waters , was the first that taught the use of Wine . In which it may be supposed , more soules have since bin Ship-wrackt , then perisht in the first Vniversall Cataclisme .

Quintus Fabius Pictor , in his first Booke de Aureo Seculo . i.e. the golden World , telleth us , that this Ianus ( before sayd to be Noah ) intertained banished Saturne into Italy , who came thither by Sea , entring at Ostia , and sailed up the River Tyber . This , Ovid in his First Booke De fastis , Elegantly expresseth , who Demaunding of Ia●us the reason why upon one side of the Roman Navall Coine , a ship was Figured , and on the other , his owne double Portraicture ? ( According to the Poet ) having resolved him of the latter , hee thus proceedeth to satisfie him touching the former .

Causaratis superest , Thuscum rate venit in Amnem , Primus aberrato falcifer orbe Deus . Hac ego Saturnum ( memini ) tellure recepi ●oel●tibus regnis , á Iove pulsus erat . At bona Posteritas puppim formavit in aere , Hospitis adventum , testificata Dei , Inde , diu genti mansit Saturnia nomen , Et dicta est Latium terra , volente deo .

Thus Interpreted .

Why the Ship 's there ; it followeth I should tell Saturne , whom Iove did from the heavens expell , After he travail'd had the World so wide , First with his Ship this Tuscan River tride , For which posterity on their Coyne imprest . A Ship , to show that he was here my ghest . Saturnia's name , long after bore this Clime , Till ( by his will , ) 't was Latium cald in Time .

But we read further of a second Inundation which hapned in Greece . Athens was the first Accademy that can be read of , the Towne famous , the Inhabitants ingenious ; as first teaching the Argives the use of Woole , by Carding , Spining , and Cloathing , tutoring them in the two beneficiall Commodities of Oyle and Wine . Instructing them in Agriculture , as to Plow , to Sow , and to Reape , and to sustayne themselves with bread , who before fed on Achornes . Learning and Arts were there first Studied and Taught , in so much that the City was h●ld as sacred as a Temple Dedicated unto the gods .

Cecrops was the first King therof , whom Antiquity fabled to be Biformis , as participating two shapes and Sexes . For no other reason , but because he first coupled and ioyned men and Virgins in the modest and civill tie of marriage .

Him Craunits succeeded , from whose beautifull Daughter Atthis , the whole Region and Province that lyes betwixt , Achaia and Macedonia , tooke the Denomination of Attica : Craunus expiring Amphitrion was invested in the Throne , who first consecrated the Citty unto Minerva , and named it Athens : In whose time hapned that great flux of Waters which covered the greatest part of Greece , and in which many thousands of the people perished . Such as could save themselves in skiffes or Boates , escaped into Thessaly , a more Mountainous Countrey , where being gently received , and comfortably relieved by Deucalion and Pyrrha , who at that time reigned King and Queene . The Poets to magnifie their royall Hospitality , feigned , that when the whole World was destroyed by an Vniversall Deluge , ( saving them two , who preserved their Lives by climing up to the top of Pernassus ) they were the sole miraculous restorers of Mankind . But this Flood which according to truth , onely afflicted the most of Greece , and some part of 〈◊〉 , hapned in the yeare of the World tw● 〈◊〉 foure hundred forty , after , Noahs stood seaven hundred eighty foure . By this 〈…〉 it manifestly appeareth , that Shipping hath bin of old , and Exercised by sundry Nations : and so much briefly for the Antiquity of Navigation .

BEfore I come to speake particularly of this Royall Ship it selfe , it will no● be 〈◊〉 altogether impertinent , to give you a Summary Relation of such severall kindes , of Vessells as were used of old by sundry Nations ; that the rudenesse of the first , may the better set off the rarenesse of the Last . Nonnius speakes of Miaparo , a kinde of Vessell most used by Pyrats , and made much af●er the manner of our small Pinaces . Varro and Budaeus , write of Parones which were the same which we call Brigantines . Acatium was Navis Actuaria , that is a small nimble Galley . Anchiromacu● was made after the manner of our great Liters , and imployed only to carry Anchors , Cables , Cordage , and other Nauticall Instruments . Baris , was no other then Cymba , a small Boate , and in such as Propert. Lib 3. affirmes , the Egyptians used to Ferry the bodies of their Dead to their places of buriall . Catascopium , was Nauis Exploratoria , a Ship of Watch and Discovery , and of such Caesar maketh mention in his Commentaries . Celox was a small and short kind of Boate or Crare , so called for the swiftnesse , of which Plautus in his Aulular maketh mention , and of which was grounded that old adage ; Celocem qui regere nequit onerariam petit : Hee desireth to take charge of a great Ship , who knoweth not how to governe a small one . Cyrcerus was a Vessel of great burden used in Asia , imployed in Merchandize , and the Transportage of all usefull Commodities , from one Countrey to another . Fasellus was built after the same manner ; and as Salust in his History witnesseth , most Frequent in Campania . Lybrini were Ships of Warre and very swift of Saile , so called of Lyburnia an Harbor in Dalmatia ; and of such Horace , remembreth us in Epod. Horia was a Fisher-boat , Lembus a Barke short and swift , spoken of by Pliny .

The names of severall Vessells used in Navigation , according unto Gellius , are these that follow . Lib. 11. Cap. 25. Gaulae , Corbitae , Caudicae , Hippagines , Cercuri , Celoces , Oxiae , Remiculi , Actuaria , Prosumia , Gescortae , Orioles , Carrae , Scaphae , Pontones , Nuctuciae , Mediae , Phaselli , Parones , Myoparones , Lintres , Caupulicae , Mari-placidae , Cydarum , Ratariae , Catascopium , &c. Linter was a small Boate compact of hollowed Trees , ioyned together , and those the Germaines Dwelling neare unto the River Danubius first devised . Monocilon was a Boate made only of one Tree , not cut into plankes , and such the Indian Canooes are imagined to be . Gaulae , were made almost together round , yet such as they ventred with , not only uppon the Rivers , but in calmes uppon the Seas : Corbitae , were Ships for Trafficke , big but very stow of saile . Caudicae , were Boates made out of the pieces of a Ship that were broken up . Hippagines , were Ferry Boates to carry over Horse-men . Circurus , was built much after the manner of the Spanish or Portugall Carvels . Of Oxiae , the name is only remaining , but of what Fashion or burden the Vessel was , is not left to us . Remiculi were much after the condition of the Venetian Gundeloes . Prosumiae , were small Barkes , and swift of saile . Gescortae , were a kind of Spie-boates which waited upon a fleete at Sea . Oriolae , some do thinke to have beene fashioned much like unto our English-Barges , others thinke them to be the same with Horia before spoken of . Carrae , takes the Denomination of Carras , Currum , or Currus , that is a Waggon or a Chariot , because in such as in our Barges they were Rowed upon the Water for pleasure . Scapha or Scaphula was a small Boate or Wherry . Ponto●es were Ferry-boates , in such a one Phaon transported Venus over the River . Catascopium a smal Ship or Pinnace , and so of the rest .

Trieris was a Vessell of great Burden first devised in Greece , which the Rowers , with three orders of Oares on either side , forced upon the Waters . The Latines cald such an one Triremis , or a Ship of three orders , as we read Q●adremes , and Quinque-remes amongst the ancient Romans , and amongst the Greeks Epteres , and Enneres , and Deceres , those of seven , nine , and ten orders .

Pliny telleth us , that Dam● sthenes was the inventer of the Bi-remis , Ammocl●s the deviser of the Tri-remis , Gorin of the quadri-remis , first used amongst the Carthaginians ; Nesicthon the quinque-remis , who was borne is Salamine , the Countrey of Aiax , Xenagoras of Syracusa , in Sicil●a that of six orders , and Nesigiton that of ten . Alexander the great commanded one of twelve orders to be made : Ptolomaens Sother exceeded him , and brought them to fifteene . Demetrius Antigonus caused one to bee built of thirty orders ; Philadelphus increased them to Forty , and Ptolomaeus Philopater to Fifty , of which Calixenes in his first booke Re●um Alexandrinarum makes an incredible mention , as that shee was in length two hundred and fourescore cubits , and fifty cubits in height from the Keele to the upmost deck , that she had two beake-heads , and two Sternes ; that she could not be rowed with lesse than three thousand and foure hundred Oares : but the Greekes so Hyperbolize in all things , that I should not without blushing give you a relation of her whole dime●sion .

The like I read of the great ship of Hieron Syracusanus , described by Moschius after the like unbeleeveable manner , for thus he writeth : Much to be admired was Diocles Abderites for devising that rare Present which Demetrius brought to the City of the Rhodians , so Timaeus for that funerall Pile prepared for Dionisius the Tyrant of Syracusa ; so Hi●ronimus , for that incomparable Chariot in which Alexander the great rode in Tryumph : so Polycletus for that inimitable Candlesticke which was after presented to the great Sophy of the Persians : but above all these , H●eron the King of the Syracus●●ns , alwayes a faithfull colleague with the Romans ▪ who much delighted in the building of Vessels of great burden , convenient for the transportage of graine from one Province to another . But above all , he is to be renowned for one Navall structure , to raise which hee imployed at once threescore Triremes , to fetch Timber from Aetna , the rest of the materialls usefull for such a great worke , as nailes , plankes , &c. some out of Italy , some he had out of Sicilia : His cordage he had from Spaine , his hempen sayles were brought through the River Rhodanus , with divers other necessaries to accommodate so great and rare a Fabrick . Hee hyred also many Officers belonging to the Sea , as Masters , Pilots , Pursers , boat-swaines , and other ordinary Sea-faring men , over whom hee made one Archias Co●inthius prime governour and commander . There were three hundred Ship carpenters ▪ dayly at worke , who perfected the halfe part of her in six moneths ▪ and then she was lanched into the River , which had beene with great difficulty , had not the famous Archimedes devised new Engines to rowle her out of the stocks into ●he water , which he did with great facil●ty : In sixe Moneths after her upper d●cks were finished ; the Nailes which fashioned the planks together , were all of brasse , some of which were of ten pound weight : Her inward parts contayned Hall , Parlour , withdrawing and banqueting Roomes , and those of no smal rece●te , paved with Achates , Emeralds , & other precious stones f●und in his owne Countrey ▪ and those maritime and adiacent Regions . She had a kitchin furnisht ●oth with earthen & brazen vessels , and in her Prore or fore-castle a roome shut , lined with shingle boards , or wainscot-plankes , in which were leaden Cesternes , and in them almost all sorts of Fishes preserved , holding many measures of water : There were sundry Bath-tubs made of Brasse , every of which contayned quinque metretae , that is , five vessels of water , every of them receiving three times thirteene Gallons . In her was a Schoole-house , and a Library ; divers chambers to dine and sup in , and Cabins with beds belonging unto them for all the prime officers of the Ship : There were moreover ten Stables for Horse , and roome allowed both for their Hey and Provender : shee had foure Anchors of wood , and eight of Iron ; but ( which I had almost forgot ) she had in her a Garden , and an Orchard , with Vines , and all kind of Flowers ; the Trees and Plants being set in earthen and leaden vessels fill'd with choise earth , being well watered , producted according to the Season : Her sinke drew no more water than one man might easily empty by a pumpe , which was devised b● the Art of Archimedes : shee was first called Syracusia , and after Alexandria . I have not yet given you a Tythe of her description , onely I thus end with her , that according to the same Author , as Athenaeus lib. Dipnosop . 5. cap. 7. witnesseth , besides all the former burden , her victualing was sixty thousand measures of Corne , ten thousand earthen vessels furnisht with bread and salt , twenty thousand Talents of flesh , and of other necessaries belonging to Navigation , besides the Masts , Sailes , and people that man'd the Ship , twenty thousand after the former account .

But the Greekes were held to bee the greatest fablers of the World , of every moale-hill , apt to make a Mountaine ; who out of an Ant would strive to beget an Elephant ; or if such vessels were possible to be made , I would gladly know to what use or service : Alas , if two of our small whelps should meete such an unweildy Bulke upon the Sea , should they but roare upon her , she must be either forc't basely to veile and yeeld , or else , notwithstanding all her muniments and defences , be forc't to founder , and perish with all her glorious Riches in the Ocean . Yet one thing I cannot here let passe , that for one Hyperbolizing Epigram composed upon this ship by the Poet Archimelus , conteyning onely nine Cuplets , Eighteene lines in all , ( according to the same Author ) Centum frumenti medimnis decoravit , King Hieron rewarded him with an hundred measures of wheat , and every Medimnum contayned six of our Bushels , &c. which after hee carryed to the Granary , and so much they then affected Poetry , that he solded it unto them at his owne price .

I will now give you the Names of some of the most famous devisers of Ships : Tiphis was the first amongst the Tyrians ; Danaus brought shipping out of Aegypt into Greece , of which Erythra made the first practice in the Red Sea . Boates were made of tann'd leather , and such were first knowne in the Brittish Ocean : In Nylus they were composed of Paper , and Reeds .

Iason and the Argonauts were the first that ventured to Sea in a long boate , or Galley , of which one Argus was the Architector ; ( for so saith Philostephanus ) Egesius attributeth the honour of the first ship to Parthalus ; Ctesius to Samira , Stephanus to Semiramis , Archimachus to Aegaeon , Moses to Noah : The Vessell call'd Oneraria , or of burden , Hippius Tyrius invented ; the small Barke the Cyrenen●es ; the Pinnace and Ferry-boate the Phaenicians ; the Celox the Rhodians ; the Cercurus the Cyprians . The first observation of the Starres , by which to direct their Navigation , the Phaenicians : The Capae devised the Oare , in managing of which the Plateae assisted ; Icarus the Saile , Dedalus the Mast , and crosse-yard that beareth the sayle : the Hatches the Thasians , the Beake-head Pysaeus , the Anchor the Tyrhians , Anacharsis the Grapples , Tiphis the smaller ropes assisting to the greater cordage ; and King Minos of Creete was the first that hazarded his person in any navall conflict .

These were great Navigators of old , remembred by the Historians and Po●ts . Tiphis , the first famous and renowned Pilot , is celebrated by Virgil in his fourth Eglogue , by Seneca in Medea , and by Ovid in many places of 〈◊〉 P●ems . Pelorus was the Pilot of Hannibals ship , when he fled from Scipio . 〈◊〉 in Melpomene maketh mention of one Colaeus , who was a prime Navigator amongst the Samians : Phereclus was the chiefe Architector of that Navy provided for Paris to rape Hellen from Greece , in which fleete he was also chiefe commander : Amiclus was one to whom Caesar came in the time of the civill Warre , and by him was transported into Italy ; for so saith Lucan Pharsal . lib. 5. Phraates was the sonne of Onetor , and governour of that ship in which Menelaus imbarkt himselfe in that expedition made against Troy .

Erasmus in his Proverbs remembreth us of one Mandro , the Pilot of a small Barke , who by the favour of Fortune , after attained to the imperiall dignity , and of a second called Acessaeus , whom he calls Ignavus Nauta . Plutarch reports from Simonides , that one Amarsiades Pereclus was the master of Theseus his ship , when he was sent to be devoured of the Minotaure , but Philocharus saith , that Nausithaeus and Pheacus were the two Rect●rs of that Vessels . The same Author in Themistocle testates , that Artomenes was the chiefe Admirall of Xerxes fleete , when he came to invade Greece , who affirm●●h also , that one Petitius was Master of that ship which carryed Pompey in his flight , after the battaile of Pharsalia . Ophel●es was a notable Pirate and Spie , remembred unto us by Sidonius .

Another of the like condition I read of , whose name was Saro . Menesteus , Sergestus , Cloantus , are three Sea farers spoken of by Virgil , Aenead . Lib. 4. who tells us also of Palinurus , who was Pilot to Aeneas his ship , when he sayled into Italy . Lucan lib. 3. much commendeth one Telon Massilensis both for h●s Art in Navigation , and skill in the Stars , when he saith , Dirigit huc puppim miseri quoque dextrae Telonis , Qua nullam melius pelago turba●te ca●●nam Audivere manum , nec lux est not●or ull● Crastina , seu Phoebum vid●at , seu cornua L●nae , Semper ventur is componere Carbasa ve●●●s . The wretched Telons hand doth hither steere His Vessell , nor did any ever heare Of one more expert to divide the waves With his sharpe Keele , when most the Ocean raves . None could so well guesse at the morrows light , Saw he the Sun by day , or Moone by night . To apt his Sayles and Tables he well knew , And court the winds which way soe're they blew .

The same Author speaks farther in the great commendation of one Phoceus , who was both Nauta , and Urinator , a Sayler , and an ex●ellent Diver , who would drowne himselfe for a long space together , and then suddenly appeare emergent above the waters , who thus speaketh of him : Eximius Phoceus ▪ animam servare sub undis , Scrutarique fretum , si quid mersi●● et arenis . The nimble Phoceus , who beneath The waves could keepe his winde , And what was dropt into the Sea , Vpon the Sands could finde .

It was the custome also of the ancient times , to give severall names to all their ships of note , ( whom our Architectors even in these dayes imitate ) as that Galley in which all the Grecian Heroes rowed , who went in the quest of the golden Fleece ▪ to Colchos , was called the Argo : Some thinke she had her Denomination from her swiftnesse , but others are of opinion , that she received it from Argus , the Ship-carpenter : others thinke ab Argivis , because the Argive Princes mann'd her to Sea . Pristis , Chimaera , Scilla , were names of ships , according to Virgil , Aenead . lib. 5. In his 10. booke he speaketh of another call'd Tigris , of which one Massichus was Rector . Centaurus is also the name of another great ship ; for h● saith , Ingentem remis Centaurum promovet : of her one Cupavones was Pilot. Coelius from the testimony of those who were the Interpreters of Aristophanes , informeth us , that there were two great Vessels belonging to the Common-weale of Athens , the one was onely imploy'd to transfer such as were summon'd into the Courts of iudgment , and was styled Salaminia : the other solely negotiated in porting and reporting such as were sent to inquire of any thing at the Oracle of Delphos , of the Shippe named Castor and Pollux , we read in the Acts of the Apostles , &c. but I fear● I have made too long a voyage abroad , it is high time therefore that I now change my course , and steere neerer home .

And here a fit occasion might bee taken , to introduce a large Catalogue of many worthy and brave Sea-men of our later times , as well forraigne as home-bred , whether they were Navarci , that is , Generals , Admirals , and Captaines : Naucleri , that is , Masters , Pilots , and owners : or Nautici , that is , Pursers , Boat-swaines , or other ordinary Navigators and Saylers , and enter into a voluminous narration , by telling how well , and worthily they have demeaned themselves to the honor of their Prince , and the profit of their Countrey , eyther in doubtfull discoveries , or more dangerous Naumachies or Sea-fights , but therein I should but deviate , and quite digresse from my purpose , which is fully intentive upon brevity , and the subiect now in agita●ion .

Yet grant me so much liberty amongst infinites of our owne Nation , and natives to commemorate , and commend unto you the never-dying fames of foure great Archithalassi , ( for what lesse can I tearme them ) who wheresoever they voyaged , were Princes , and sole commanders at Sea , who flourisht in the dayes of Queene Elizabeth , a Virgin , and a Virago of a masculine spirit , and of blessed and sacred Memory . And now ( though long after their Deaths ) let me bestow on each of them a surviving Character : The first , worthy Sir Iohn Hawki●s , on whom I conferre this merited Motto , Archithalassos expugnavi : the second , valiant Sir Martin Furbisher , on whom I bestow , Hostium classes profligavi : the third , famous Sir Francis Drake , who may iustly challenge to himselfe , Orbem circum navig●vi : the fourth , Sir Charles Cavendish , who may truely write , Drachum praevium imitavi : all which for the vulgars better apprehension I thus orderly interprete : Hawkins . Over Sea-princes triumpht oft have I. Furbusher . Of Enemies whole F●eets before me ●●y . Drake . A Girdle to the world my Voyage lent . Cavend●sh . And I Drake followed wheresoe're he went .

Then was a time , when in every brave Souldiers ● outh there was no discourse offered , but it either began , or ended with Pugnandum , non dormiendum : that is , Now is a time to fight , not to sleepe ; to be famous for our cou●age , not branded for our cowardise : which was almost no sooner spoken , than suddenly put in action . But I must ingeniously confesse , that for many yeeres together there hath beene a long ces●ation of Armes , neither hath iust occasion beene ministred , wherein our noble Nation might give any full expression of the hereditary valour , and virtue of their Ancestors , till of late : And now me thinks I heare all our brave Heroick spirits , as our High-Admirall , Vice-admirall , Captaines , Commanders , and o●her Nautick Officers , as being so long kept from their wished imployments , with a loud unanimous voice acclaime , and say , — Steriles transmissimus annos , — Nunc , ô nunc tempus in hostes !

Neither have I exposed those before named invincible Generals to their view , that they might Admirando desperare ; but Imitando , superare : Not by admiring them , despaire to arrive unto their height , but rather by imitating them , ●antecell them in their honour : Of which there is no doubt or diffidence to be made , considering how forward and indulgent his sacred Maiesty hath beene , and still is , not onely in the repairing , but increasing his Royall Navy above all the Princes that have preceded him .

But in this last incomparable structure , hee hath made an inimitable president for all the Kings and Potentates of the Christian World , or else where : No River , no Flood , no Sea , whether Mare , Fretum , Aequor , Caeruleum , Pontus , Salum , Altum , Hadria , Pelagus , Oceanus , that could ever boast of the bearing so glorious a Vessell : which considering , and withall , his Royall Maiesty , at whose great , and almost infinite charge and expence her building is undertaken , it put into my thoughts this fortunate and auspicious presage , — Quicquid habitabile , tellus Sustinet , hujus erit , pontus quoque serviet ill● .

And concerning the Ship it selfe , at my first view of her bulke onely , being yet unperfected , it compelled me to breake out suddenly into this Epigrammaticall rapture which followeth .

An Epigram upon his Majesties Great Ship , lying in the Docke at Wooll-witch . WHat Artist tooke in hand this Ship to frame ? Or who can guesse from whence these tall O●●s came ? Vnlesse from the ful grown Dodonean grove , A Wildernesse sole sacred unto Jove . What Eye such brave Materials hath beheld ? Or by what Axes were these Timbers feld ? Sure Vulcan with his three Cyclopean Swaines , Have forg'd new Metalls from their active braines , Or else , that Hatchet he hath grinded new , With which he cleft Joves skull , what time out flew The arm'd Virago , Pallas , who inspires With Art , with Science , and all high desires , Shee hath ( no doubt ) raptur'd our Vndertaker This Machine to devise first , and then make her . How else could such a mighty Mole be rais'd ? To which Troyes horse , ( by Virgil so much prais'd , Whose bulke a thousand armed men contein'd ) Was but a toy , ( compar'd ) and that too feign'd . For she beares thrice his burden , hath roome , where Euceladus might rowe , and Tition steere : But no such Vessell could for them be made , Had they intent , by Sea the gods to invade . The Argoe , stellified because 't was rare , With this Ships long Boat scarcely might compare ▪ Yet sixty Greeke Heroes even in that With Oares in hand , upo● their Transtrae sate . Her Anchors , beyond weight , expanst , and wide , Able to wrestle against Winde , and Tyde : Her big-wrought Cable like that massie Chaine With which great Xerxes bound●d in the Maine 'Tweene Sestos and Abidos , to make one , Europe and Asia , by that Lyne alone . Her five bright Lanthorns luster round the Seas , Shining like five of the seven Hyades : Whose cleare eyes , should they ( by oft weeping ) fayle By these , our Sea men might finde Art to sayle . In one of which , ( which beares the greatest light ) Ten of the Guard at once may stand upright : What a co●spicuous Ray did is dart then ? What more than a Ti●anian Luster , On Satturday , being Iune 17. last . when Our Phoebus , and bright Cinthia joyntly sphear'd In that one Orbe , together both appear'd : With whom seven other Stars had then their station , All luminous , but lower Constellation . That Lampe , the great Colosse held , who bestrid The spacious Rhodian Sea-arme , never did Cast such a beame , y●t Ships of tallest size , Past , with their ●asts erect , betweene his thighes . Her maine Mast like a Pyramis appeares , Such as the Aeg●p●ian Kings were many yeeres To their great charge erecting , whilst their pleasure To mount them hie , did quite exhaust the●r treasure . Whose brave Top top-top Royall nothing barres , By day , to brush the Sun ; by night , the Sta●res . Her M●ine-sayle , ( if I doe not much mistake ) For Amphitrite might a Kirtle make : Or in the heate of Summer be a Fanne , To coole the face of the great Ocean . Shee being angry , if she stretch her lungs , Can rayle upon her enemy , with more Tongues ( Lo●der than Ste●tors , as her spleene shall rise ) Than ever Junoes A●gus saw with eyes . I should but loose my selfe , Mendaeum mingun● 〈◊〉 regna tenentes M●llibus in ●lratis , &c. H●rmippus , Poeta Craecus . consule 〈◊〉 lib. de Dypnosop . pag. 50. and cra●ze my braine , Striving to give this ( glory of the Maine ) A full description ▪ though the Muses nine Should quaffe to me in rich Mendaeum Wine . Then O you Marine gods , who with amaze , On this stupendious worke , ( emergent ) gaze , Take charge of her , as being a choise Jemme , That much out-valews Neptunes Diadem . — Semper bona causa triumphat .

Before I come to give you a true and exact dimension of her Bulke , burden , &c. it is necessary that I make some satisfaction to the world concerning those Decorements which beautifie and adorne her , and to r●nder a faire account of mine owne invention and fan●y concerning the carving worke , the figures , and Mottoes upon them , which some perhaps have too liberally taxed : Thus therefore to any who have formerly either doubted of their property , or are at this present desirous to understand their imagined obscurity , I thus freely deliver my s●lfe .

Vpon the Beak-head sitteth royall King Edgar on horse-backe , tramp●ing upon seven Kings : now what hee was , and who they were , I shall brie●ly relate unto you , rendring withall a full satisfactory reason to any unpartiall reader , why they are there , and in that manner placed .

This Edgar was the second sonne of King Edmund , who having reigned two yeeres over the Mercians and Northumbers , in the dayes of Edwin his elder Brother , at sixteene yeeres of age , was by an unanimos consent elected to succeed in all his Dominions : being indeed the first that could truely write himselfe an absolute Monarch of this Island ; for there were divers Reguli in those times , who were small Kings , and had absolute Dominion over divers Provinces .

I shall not need to tell you how , or into what parts this Land was divided , let it suffice to know so much onely : That hee by his valour made himselfe sole Soveraigne , and all the rest were his Liegemen and Tributaries . The entire Monarchy , and all the royall Titles of the Kingdome , falling under his Scepter .

Hee was the Thirteenth King from Brute , and though a great Souldier , as may appeare by his many battailes and victories , yet the Chronologers of those times gave him the Characters of Iust , and Peaceable ; for that is the true end of Warre , to prepare and confirme a constant and setled peace .

He was first crowned at Kingstone upon Thames , by Otho Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the yeere of our Redemption , according to Fabian , and others , 940. in the fift yeere of Lotharius King of France , and yet not admitted for absolute King till twelve yeeres after , when he was againe crowned , and annointed in the Citty of Bath by Dunstane , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and Oswald , Arch-bishop of Yorke . The cause why his annointing was so long delay'd , ( as the most write ) was by reason the King grew much inamored of a beauteous Virgin call'd Wilfryd , who to avoyd his many temptations , put on her selfe the habite of a Nunne , who notwithstanding was at length brought to the Kings Bed , for which act he was by Bishop Dunstane enioyned seven yeeres pennance , &c.

Concerning those Kings whom you may perceive to lye prostrate under his Horses hoofes , they were Kynadus King of the Scots ; Malcolme , King of Cumberland ; and of the petry Kings of Wales , Dufnall , Grifith , Huval , Iacob , Iudithil . He moreover surprised by Sea a Prince of the Romans , whose name was Maxentius , who had done many out-rage● upon the Ocean , and was the greatest Arch-pirate that those times afforded . He also compelled Ludwallus , prime Prince and King of Cambria , which is Wales , ( because he would have all the ravenous and dammageous beasts to be destroyed through his Land ) to pay unto him yearely by way of Tribute , three hundred Wolves skinnes : by reason whereof within the space of foure yeares after , in England , or Wales , both which ( but especially Wales ) who before were miserably infested with that kind of beast , there was scarcely to be found one Woolfe alive : and so much for the Princes over which he had s●le dominion .

His Navy King Edgars Navy . Royall consisted of three thousand and six hundred Ships , ( such as they used in those dayes ) yet not any of them but serviceable either for Fight , or bearing victuall , and munition , to furnish the Navy , which hee divided into three parts , appointing to every of them a severall Squadron : and this hee did to secure Navigators , from Enemies and Sea-Rovers , as also from all other neighbour Princes who might challenge any interest in these our foure Seas . And therefore every Spring and Summer , he in person sayled with those in the East-parts , to them that lay hovering in the West . And sending them backe againe with their charge , would with the West quadrant , saile into the North , and after with the Northerne fleete compasse into the East , by which the Maine Ocean rounding those Ilands , of which he was sole Prince and Monarch , being at his only charge , both quieted and secured , he did ( as iustly he might ) write himselfe Lord of the Foure Seas . And therefore his sacred Maiesty , claiming this unquestionable Title from Him , and being his true and undoubted Successour ; and this claime being this thousand and odd yeares not any way controversied . I do not see but this Motto , Ab Edgaro quatuor Maria vindico , may genuinly to Him be approbriated , and to Him alone . But if any man shal either maliciously or peevishly make the least scruple of this His Maiesties iust and undoubted challenge ? Let them but read Pol●dore Virgill , Guido , Ranulphus Hidgim in his Polycronicon , Guli●lmus Malmsbury , Florentius , Landulphus , Marianus , Hovedaine , Harding , Mathew Paris , Mathew of Westminster , Froysart , Fabian , Holinshed , Speed , &c. ( all of them Authentick and approved Chronologers , ) and hee shall finde that they all agree and consent in this Musicall Harmonie .

And as they comply in the premisses ▪ whosoever shall truely examine them shall finde also that they differ not at all in the subsequence , which ( as in the former ) I study brevity , namely , That being at Chester , he provided him selfe of a most Princely Barge , which was to be rowed with Oares , which were silvered all over , with wh●ch hee entred into the River Dee , and sitting at the Sterne , tooke the charge of the Helme , and caused eight of the before-named Contributary Kings to rowe him up and downe the River , Maxentius made the eighth , who was ●fter Emperor of Rome . unto the Chu●ch of Saint Iohns , from , and unto h●s Pallace distant three miles , to let the World know that Hee was Lord and King●f ●f so many provinces .

For his Religion ; His Religion he favoured Church-men above all the Princes before him , and gave to them great immunities and priviledges ; building and reparing no les●e than threescore decayed Churches , and Monasteries , within the compasse of sixteene yeeres ; ( for hee reigned not longer ) For his Iustice ; His Iustice . he used such rigor , yet intermixed with mercy , that never before his dayes was used les●e oppression and robbery .

For his Temperance ; His Temper●nce . hee was of such contiuency , that when the Danes , who were then frequent in the Land , had brought in drunken healths , to ●he evill example and hurt of his Commons and Subiects , he made a Law , and or dayned certaine Cups of severall sizes , with pinnes and nayles driven into them , and whosoever drank past that marke or pin , was to forfeit a certaine peece of money , whereof one halfe fell to the Accuser , and the other halfe to the Bayliffe , or governour of that Burrough , to distribute to the use of the poore , but nothing to his owne private use or benefit .

Concerning his particular valour , His Valour . it is further thus reported of him : One of those subiected Kings , whom the History calleth Kinadus , a very personable and proper Gentleman , and of a strong and able constitution , rowing upon the River , when King Edgar himselfe , ( being but of a low stature , and as wee phrase it a middle-siz'd man ) steered the Barge , whispered to him who sate next , him , and sayd , Observe you not the insolence and pride of this Dwarfe , whom Fortune , not Valour hath raised to this Eminence ? I vow , if I had him singly , and alone in the field , I would cut him into peeces , and eate him after . This being told the King , he seemed to take no further notice thereof , than to say , That losers had liberty to speake freely ; and no question but hee was able to performe as much as he had boasted : neither did hee once change his countenance upon him who had thus threatned him , but calling one of his owne servants unto him whom he most trusted , commanded him to provide two swords of equall size and fashion , suitable to his strength , and such as hee was well able to weild : which done , he layd them aside , and the next day he invited Kinadus to a Feast , and gave him more than ordinary welcome . Much familiar discourse past betwixt them , and more than custome . Dinner being ended , the King desired him to walke abroad , and take the ayre ; to which the other willingly assented , neither of them having more than one servant to attend them : All the way they enterchanged pleasant discourse , till at length comming to a Grove , King Edgar commanded those who then waited upon them , to retire , and leave them .

When entring the Thicket , and finding a convenient place fit for a single Duell , Edgar drew from under his garment those two Swords , and desired Kinadus to take the choice of them , saying unto him , Wee are now single , and alone ; now proove thy courage with mine , and let us try which of us is most worthy to be subiect to the other : It becommeth not any generous spirit to boast that in private , which hee will not make good in the Field : Here I am according to thy wishes , first cut me into peeces if thou canst , and then I will give thee leave to eate me at thy pleasure . Which having spoken , hee distanc'd himselfe from him , and bravely stood upon his guard ; which the other perceiving , and knowing that hee was guilty of that language , withall , seeing the very fire of Anger sparkling in his eyes , he also out of an enterchangeable brave humour began to meditate , and consider with himselfe , both how unadvisedly he had spoken , and how contrary to the condition of so great and heroick a spirit : therefore casting his sword away , he desired to imbrace him , and sayd , Now I perceive O Royall King Edgar , it is thy true valour , and not thy fo●tu●e hath made us thy Tributaries , and thou art not onely worthy to Empire over us onely , but all the Kings of the Earth . I will alwayes weare a Sword to draw on thy party ; but against thee , or those who love thee , never . Which unexpected Answer King Edgar so accepted , that betweene them two there was an indissoluble League of Love confi●med after .

My purpose is not to enter into a large discourse of his noble Acts and Atcheivements ; what I have done , is onely to give the World a true and authentick expression , that whatsoever his sacred Maiesty challengeth concerning his absolute dominion over the foure Seas , hee iustly , and with an unquestionable Title claimeth from this King Edgar , being his true and lawfull hereditary Successor : but if any be desirous to be more fully informed concerning his Maiesties Title , I referre him to learned Mr. Seldon , in that exquisite and absolute worke of his called Mare Clausum , &c. I have met with an Epitaph writ upon this King Edgars Tombe , By one Henricus Historiographus in old English , which I thus deliver unto you .

Ayder of the poore , and punisher of trespasse ; The giver of worship , King Edgar is now gone To the kingdom of Heave● , which like to pra●se was As Salomon , that for wisdom above all shone : A father of peace , a Lyon to his Fone . Founder of Temples , and of Monks strong Patron ; Oppressor of all wrong , and of Justice Guardon .

I began at the Beak-head , where I desire you to take notice , that upon the stemme-head there is Cupid , or a Child resembling him , bestriding , and bridling a Lyon , which importeth , that sufferance may curbe Insolence , and Innocence restraine violence ; which alludeth to the great mercy of the King , whose Type is a proper Embleme of that great Maiesty , whose Mercy is above all his Workes .

On the Bulk-head right forward , stand six severall Statues in sundry postures , their Figures representing Consilium , that is , Counsell : Cura , that is , Care : Conamen , that is , Industry , and unanimous indeavour in one compartment : Counsell holding in her hand a closed or folded Scrole ; Care a Sea-compasse ; Conamen , or Industry , a Lint-stock fired . Vpon the other , to correspond with the former , Vis , which implyeth force , or strength ; handing a Sword . Virtus , or Vertue , a sphearicall Globe : and Victoria , or Victory , a wreath of Lawrell . The Morall is , that in all high Enterprizes there ought to be first Counsell , to undertake ; then Care , to manage ; and Industry , to performe : and in the next place , where there is ability and strength to oppose , and Vertue to direct , Victory consequently is alwayes at hand ready to crowne the undertaking .

Upon the Hances of the waste are foure Figures with their severall properties : Iupiter riding upon his Eagle , with his Trisulk ( from which hee darteth Thunder ) in his hand : Mars with his Sword and Target , a Foxe being his Embleme : Neptune with his Sea-horse , Dolphin , and Trident : and lastly Aeolus upon a Camelion , ( a beast that liveth onely by the Ayre ) with the foure Windes , his Ministers or Agents , the Fast , call'd Eurus , Subsolanus , and Apeliotes : the North-winde , Septemtrio , Aquilo , or Boreas : the West , Zephyrus , Favonius , Lybs , and Africus : the South , Auster , or Notus .

I come now to the Stearne , where you may pe●ceive upon the upright of the upper Counter , sta●deth Victory in the middle of a Frontispiece , with this generall Motto , Validis incumbite remis : It is so plaine , that I shall not need to give it any English interpretation : Her wings are equally display'd ; on one Arme she weareth a Crowne , on the other a Laurell , which imply Riches and Honour : in her two hands she holdeth two Mottoes ; her right hand , which pointeth to Iason , beares this Inscription , Nava , ( which word howsoever by some , and those not the least opinionated of themselves , mistaken ) was absolutely extermi●'d , and excommunicated from all Grammaticall Construction , nay , Iurisdiction ; for they would not allow it to be Verbe , or Adverbe , Substantive , nor Adiective : and for this I have not onely behind my back bin challenged , but even Viva voce taxed , as one that had writ at randum , and that which I understood not . But to give the world a plenary satisfaction , and that it was rath●r their Criticisme , then my ignorance , I intreate thee Reader , but to examine Riders last Edition of his Dictionary , corrected , and greatly augmented by Mr. Francis Holy-oke , and he shall there read Navo , navas , ( and therefore consequently nave in the Imperative Mood ) ex navus , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , to imploy with all ones power , to act , to ayde , to helpe , to indeavour with all diligence and industry ; and therefore not unproperly may Victory point to Iason , being figured with his Oare in his hand , as being the prime Argonaut , and say Nava , or more plainely , Operam nava ; for in those Emblematicall Mottoes quod subintelligitur , non deest . Shee pointeth to Hercules on the sinister side , with his club in his hand , with this Mottto , Clava ; as if she should say , O Hercules , be thou as valiant with thy Club upon the Land , as Iason is industrious with his Oare upon the Water . Hercules againe pointing to Aeolus , the god of Windes , saith Flato ; who answereth him againe , Flo: Iason pointing to Neptune , the god of the Seas , ( riding upon a Sea-horse ) saith Faveto ; to whom Neptune answereth , No : These words Flo , and No , were also much excepted at , as if there had beene no such Latine words , till some better examining their Grammar Rules found out Flo , flas , flavi , proper to Aeolus , and No , nas , navi , to Neptune , &c.

In the lower Counter of the Sterne , on either side of the Helme is this Inscription , Qui mare , qui fluctus , vent●s , navesque gubernat , Sospitet hanc Arc●● Carole magne tuam .

Thus English● : He who Seas ; Windes , and Navies doth protect , Great Charles , thy great Ship in her course direct .

There are other things in th●● Vessell worthy remarke , at least , if not admiration ; namely , that one Tree , or Oake made foure of the principall beames of this great●Ship , which was Forty foure foote of strong and serviceable Timber in length , three foote Diameter at the top , and Ten foot Diameter at the stubbe or bottome .

Another , ( as worthy of especiall Observation is ) that one peece of Timber which made the Kel-son , was so great , and weighty , that 28. Oxen , and 4. Horses with much difficulty drew it from the place where it grew , and from wh●nce it was cut downe , unto the water-side .

There is one thing above all these , for the World to take especiall notice of , that shee is , besides her Tunnage , iust so many Tuns in burden , as their have beene Yeeres since our Blessed Saviours Incarnation , namely , 1637. and not one under , or over : A most happy Omen , which though it was not at the first proiected , or intended , is now by true computation found so to happen .

It would bee too tedious to insist upon every Ornament belonging to this incomparable Vessel , yet thus much concerning Her outward appearance , She hath two Galleries of a side , and all of most curious carved Worke , and all the sides of the ship are carved also with Trophies of Artillery and Types of honour , aswell belonging to Land as Sea , with Symboles , Emblemes , and Impresses appertaining to the Art of Navigation : as also their two sacred Majesties Badges of Honour , Armes , Eschutchions , &c. with severall Angels holding their Letters in Compartements : all which workes are gilded quite over , and no other colour but gold and blacke to bee seene about her , and thus much in a succinct way . I have delivered unto you concerning her inward and outward Decorements . I come now to Discribe her in her exact Dimension .

Her Length by the Keels , is 128 foot or there about , within some few inches . Her mayne breadth or widenesse from side to side 48. foote . Her utmost ▪ length from the ●ore-end of the Beake-head ▪ unto the after end of the Sterne , a prora ad puppim ▪ 232. foote , she is in height from the bottome of her Keele to the top of her Lant-horne seaventy sixe foote , she beareth five Lant-hornes , the biggest of which will hold ten persons to stand upright , and without shouldring or pressing one the other .

She●ath ●ath three flush Deckes , and a Fore-Castle , an halfe Decke , a quarter Decke , and a round-house . Her lower Tyre hath thirty ports , which are to be furnished with Demy-Cannon and whole Cannon through out , ( being able to beare them . Her middle Tyre hath also thirty ports for Demi-Culverin , and whole Culverin : Her third Tyre hath Twentie sixe Ports for other Ordnance , ●er fore-Castle hath twelve ports , and her halfe Decke hath foureteene ports ; She hath thirteene or foureteen ports more within Board for murdering peeces , besides a great many Loope-holes out of the Cabins for Musket●shot . She carrieth moreover ten peeces of chase Ordnance in her , right forward ; and ten right aff , that is according to Land-service in the front and the reare . She carrieth eleaven Anchors , one of them weighing foure thousand foure hundred , &c. and according to these are her Cables , Mastes , Sayles , Cordage ; which considered together , seeing his Maj●sty is at this infinite charge , both for the honour of this Nation , and the security of his Kingdome , it should bee a great spur and incouragement to all his faithful and loving Subjects to bee liberall and willing Contributaries towards the Ship-money .

I come now to give you a particular Denomination of the prime Worke-men imployed in this inimitable Fabricke ; as first Captayne Phines Pett , Over-seer of the Worke , and one of the principal Officers of his M●j●sties Navy ; whose Ancestors , as Father , Grand-father , and Great-Grand-father , for the space of two hundred yeares and upwa●ds , have continued in the same Name , Officers and Architectures in the Royall Navy ; of whose knowledge , experience , and iudgement , I can not render a merite● Character .

The Maister Builder is young M. Peter Pett , the most ingenious sonne of so much improoved a Father , who before he was full five and twenty yeares of age , made the Model , and since hath perfected the worke , which hath won not only the approbation but admiration of all men , of whom I may truely say , as Horace did of Argus , that famous Ship-Master , ( Who built the great Argo in which the Greci●● Princesse Rowed through the Hellespont to fetch the golden Fleece from Colch●s . — Ad Charum I ritonia Devolat Argum , Moliri hanc puppim iubet — that is , Pallas●er ●er selfe flew into his boso●e , and not only i●joyn'd him to the u●dertaking , but inspired him in the ma●aging of so exquisite and absolute an Architecture .

Let me not here forget a prime Officer Master Francis Shelton , Clerke of the Checke , whose industry and care , in looking to the Workmen imployd in this Structure , hath beene a great furtherance to expedite the businesse .

The Master Carvers , are Iohn and Mathias Christmas , the Sonnes of that excellent Workeman Master Gerard Christmas , some two yeeres since deceased , who , as they succeed him in his place , so they have striv'd to exceed him in his Art : the Worke better commending them than my Pen is any way able , which putteth me in minde of Martiall , looking upon a Cup most curiously Carved .

Quis l●bor in phial● ? Docti Mios ? I●ne Mironis ▪ Mentoris an manus est ? an Polyclet● tua ? What Labour 's in this curious Bowle ? Was 't thine ô Myus tell ? Myrons ? Mentors ? or Polyclets ? He that can carve so well .

And I make no question , but all true Artists can by the view of the Worke , give a present nomination of the Workmen .

The Master-Painters , Master Ioyner , Master Calker , Master Smith , &c. all of them in their severall faculties being knowne to bee the prime Workmen of the Kingdome , selectedly imployd in this Service .

Navis vade , undae fremitum posuere minaces , Et Freta Tindaridae spondent secura gemelli , Dessuetamque iubent pelago decurrere Puppim , Auster & optatas afflabit molliter auras . FINIS .