ne, vnlesse it were such
as the Grecians and Romanes for their owne glories and aduantages thought
good to declare. But to come to the matter of voyages by sea, it is euident
to all the world, what voyage Iason with certaine yong Grecian Princes made
to Colchos in the Oriental Countries to winne the golden Fleece, as also
the trauels by Hercules performed into Libia in the West partes, to winne
the Aurea Mala, or golden apples of Hesperides, which notwithstanding
neither for length, daunger, nor profite, are any thing comparable to the
nauigations and voyages, that of late within the space of one hundreth
years haue been performed and made into the East and West Indies, whereby
in a manner there is not one hauen on the sea coast, nor any point of land
in the whole world, but hath in time beene sought and founde out. I will
not at this present dispute or make an argument, whether the Countries and
nations of late yeares found out and discouered, were knowne to the
auncients, but this is most certaine, that not any strange worke or
aduenture was, or euer shall be performed, but by the speciall grace,
fauour and mightie hand of God, and that such are worthy perpetual memory,
as with noble minds haue sought to effect, and be the first enterprisers
thereof, and with most valiant courages and wisedomes, haue performed such
long and dangerous voyages into the East and West Indies, as also such
Kinges and Princes, as with their Princely liberalities haue imployed their
treasures, shippes, men and munitions to the furtherance and performance of
so worthy actes, which notwithstanding in the end turned to their great
aduancementes and inriching with great treasures, which by those meanes
they haue drawn, and caused in great aboundance to be brought from thence,
in such manner, that the King of Spaine nowe liuing, (hauing both the
Indies in his possession, and reaping the abundant treasures which yearly
are brought out of those countries) hath not only (although couertly)
sought all the means he could to bring all Christendome vnder his dominion,
but also (that which no King or country whatsoeuer although of greater
might then he hath euer done) hee is not ashamed to vse this posie, Nec
spe, nec metu. And although the first founders and discouerers of those
Countries haue alwayes sought to hinder and intercept other nations from
hauing any part of their glorie, yet hereby all nations, and indifferent
persons may well know and perceiue