speech, and read in books other nations miraculously extolled for their
discoueries and notable enterprises by sea, but the English of all others
for their sluggish security, and continuall neglect of the like attempts
especially in so long and happy a time of peace, either ignominiously
reported, or exceedingly condemned: which singular opportunity, if some
other people our neighbors had beene blessed with, their protestations are
often and vehement, they would farre otherwise haue vsed. And that the
trueth and euidence heerof may better appeare, these are the very words of
Popiliniere in his booke called L'Admiral de France, and printed at Paris.
Fol. 73. pag 1, 2. The occasion of his speech is the commendation of the
Rhodnais, who being (as we are) Islanders, were excellent in nauigation,
whereupon he woondereth much that the English should not surpasse in that
qualitie, in this sort: Ce qui m'a fait autresfois rechercher les
occasions, qui empeschent, que les Anglois, qui ont d'esprit, de moyens &
valeur assez, pour s'aquerir vn grand honeur parmi tous les Chrestiens, ne
se font plus valoir sur l'element qui leur est, & doit estre plus naturel
qu' a autres peuples: qui leur doiuent ceder en la structure, accommodement
& police de nauires: comme i' ay veu en plusieurs endroits parmi eux.
[Footnote: _Translation_ "This made me inquire into the reasons which
prevent the English, who have sufficient intelligence, means, and courage
to acquire great honour amongst all Christians, from shining more on the
element which is and ought to be more natural to them than to other
nations, who must needs yield to them in the building, fitting out, and
management of ships, as I have my self often witnessed when amongst them."]
Thus both hearing, and reading the obloquie of our nation, and finding few
or none of our owne men able to replie heerin: and further, not seeing any
man to haue care to recommend to the world, the industrious labors, and
painefull trauels of our countrey men: for stopping the mouthes of the
reprochers, my selfe being the last winter returned from France with the
honorable the Lady Sheffield, for her passing good behauior highly esteemed