Francis Drake

Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake (c.1540 – 28 January 1596) was an English privateer, navigator, naval pioneer and raider, politician, and civil engineer, of the Elizabethan period.

Sourced

• For by the life of God, it doth even take my wits from me to think on it. Here is such controversy between the sailors and gentlemen, and such stomaching between the gentlemen and sailors, it doth make me mad to hear it. But, my masters, I must have it left. For I must have the gentleman to haul and draw with the mariner, and the mariner with the gentleman. What! let us show ourselves to be of a company and let us not give occasion to the enemy to rejoice at our decay and overthrow. I would know him that would refuse to set his hand to a rope, but I know there is not any such here . . .
  • Speech to his crew off of Puerto San Julian, Argentina, prior to entering the Strait of Magellan (May 1578)

• There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.
  • Letter to Sir Francis Walsingham, from off Cape Sagres, Portugal (17 May 1587)

• Coming up unto them, there has passed some cannon shot between some of our fleet and some of them, and so far as we perceive they are determined to sell their lives with blows. ... This letter honorable good Lord, is sent in haste. The fleet of Spaniards is somewhat above a hundred sails, many great ships; but truly, I think not half of them men-of-war. Haste.
  • Letter to Admiral Henry Seymour, after coming upon part of the Spanish Armada, written aboard the Revenge (31 July 1588 {21 July 1588 O.S.})

Unsourced

• There is plenty of time to win this game, and to thrash the Spaniards too.
  • Reputedly while playing Bowls at Plymouth Hoe, upon being informed that the Spanish Armada had been sighted approaching England. (29 July 1588 {19 July 1588 O.S.}); This attribution is not known to have appeared in writing until 1736, so its authenticity remains uncertain.
  • Variant: There's time to finish the game and beat the Spaniards too.

About Drake

• Drake he's in his hammock till the great Armadas come,
  (Capten, art tha sleepin' there below?),
  Slung atween the round shot, listenin' for the drum,
  An' dreamin' arl the time o' Plymouth Hoe.
  Call him on the deep sea, call him up the Sound,
  Call him when ye sail to meet the foe;
  Where the old trade's plyin' an' the old flag flyin',
  They shall find him, ware an' wakin', as they found him long ago.
  • Henry Newbolt, "Drake's Drum"