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Protestantism in England From the Times of Henry VIII - James Aitken Wylie

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Chapter 18<br />

The Armada Arrives Off<br />

<strong>England</strong><br />

THE last gun and <strong>the</strong> last sailor had been taken<br />

on board, and now <strong>the</strong> Armada was ready to sail.<br />

The ships had been collected <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> harbor <strong>of</strong><br />

Lisbon, where for some time <strong>the</strong>y lay wea<strong>the</strong>rbound,<br />

but <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>d shift<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong>se proud galleons<br />

spread <strong>the</strong>ir canvas, and began <strong>the</strong>ir voyage<br />

towards <strong>England</strong>. Three days <strong>the</strong> fleet cont<strong>in</strong>ued to<br />

glide down <strong>the</strong> Tagus to <strong>the</strong> sea, galleon follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />

galleon, till it seemed as if room would scarce be<br />

found on <strong>the</strong> ocean for so vast an armament. These<br />

three memorable days were <strong>the</strong> 28th, <strong>the</strong> 29th, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> 30th <strong>of</strong> May, 1588. The Pope, as we have seen,<br />

had pronounced his curse on Elizabeth; he now<br />

gave his bless<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> fleet, and with this double<br />

pledge <strong>of</strong> success <strong>the</strong> Armada began its voyage. It<br />

was a brave sight, as with sails spread to <strong>the</strong><br />

breeze, and banners and streamers gaily unfurled, it<br />

held its way along <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> Spa<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong> St. Peter<br />

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