judged the farthest way about to be the nearest way home and so having ordered them to return by the back of Ireland and Scotland Leiutenant Admiral Van Trump and Vice-Admiral De Ruyter were set out from the Texel with Eighty Men of War to meet and Convoy a Fleet of Two hundred Sail of Merchant-men coming that way from France which being successfully effected without interruption from the English then in the Downs they kept out at sea expecting their Enemies The English then being commanded by a triumvirate of Generals of equal and joynt authority Blake Dean and Monck on the second of Iune came in sight of the Dutch Fleet and about eleven or twelve of the Clock engaged them It was fought till night with much blood and fierce resolution but the English accustomed to victory having lost Dean one of their Generals plyed them so warmly that they thought it safest to fly to Blanckenburgh General Monck pursuing them at the heels to seven fathom water During the whole fight Vice-Admiral De Ruyter and Rear-Admiral Lawson on the English side having singled themselves out fought singly with such courage and emulation as might be expected from two Commanders of so much Fame and Honour Hardly can there be shown greater struglings for Victory or stiffer ambition for greatness than appeared in the Dutch during all this War who the more they were beaten like balls against a wall the sooner they rebounded About the latter end of Iuly Van Trump and De Ruyter from Zealand and De Witt from Holland set out again to sea and being joyned made up a Fleet of Ninety Sail of Men of War and ten Fireships General Monck with a Fleet far less in number being then abroad the twenty nineth of Iuly towards night came up with them but the Master of his Ship fearing the enemies Fireships and advising him not to venture an Engagement the General in anger and in terms more of a stout Commander than expert Seaman bid him Turn again And so with prodigious courage gave them their last and most fatal defeat in these their Wars with the Commonwealth of England wherein besides the loss of Twenty six Men of War their Admiral Van Trump ended his daies and of all the Flagships of their Fleet only that of De Ruyter had the fortune to come into Port with the Flag standing After the death of Van Trump Opdam was made Admiral in his place a Land-Souldier and Officer of Horse the States probably thinking that by matching the quality of their Admiral with that of the English General Monck they might equal their fortune De Witt Vice-Admiral and De Ruyter Rear-Admiral of Holland But whilst the Dutch are fitting for new action though with somewhat slower procedure than formerly their heat and strength being much cooled and abated there starts up in England a new Statholder Oliver Cromwel General of the Army made Protector of the Common-wealth This New Usurper knowing that his authority being forced violent and against nature needed greater confirmation and support than he could expect from the free and voluntary obedience of an overpowered people and the States general finding themselves much weakened by the past War they both understood one another so well and their several interests that about the latter end of January 1653 4. a peace was concluded betwixt them which at that time stopt the troubled humours but removed not the causes of relapses After this peace De Ruyter transports himself with his Wife Son Engell De Ruyter two daughters and the rest of his family from Flushing where he had formerly lived to Amsterdam as the place of his future residence and more conspicuous stage of Honour but here he had hardly warmed his new House when the States found new business for him in the Old Streights The Pirates of these Seas after their wonted manner so incommoded Navigation in these parts that De Ruyter with a Squadron of Men of War in anno 1654. was sent by the States to suppress and tame their insolency In his Voyage thither he friendly met with his ancient enemy Blake who then was in the Streights with a Fleet of Ships upon the account of the Protector and Commonwealth of England where they saluted each other shook hands and parted in very good terms and De Ruyter continuing his course to Argiers in a short time so humbled the Corsairs of that place Tripoli and Tunnis that he brought them to a peace though of short duration and so with honour and applause returned back again to Holland where shortly after a greater field of honour was designed for him Men that would be great and rich by hook and by crook by potching and fishing where sometime they should not first grow envious and pettish and then angry and quarrelsome with their thriving Neighbours In the year 1657. the Victorious Arms of Swedland had lodged themselves in the very heart of Poland threatning danger if not ruine to that Kingdom The States of Holland fearing lest the prosperous success of that Crown with which their friendship and correspondence was always doubtful and uncertain might keep bread from their butter and much damnifie their traffick in the Baltick Sea perswaded the King of Denmark their ancient Allie who had more reason then force to break with Swedland promising him all assistance to regain from that King what he had wrested and detained from him some years before This instance of the States-General so prevailed with him that he declared War against the King of Swedland and invaded his Kingdomes wherewith the Swede being allarmed was forced to leave Poland and with all his forces return home against the Dane The bad success which the Danes had in these Wars both by Sea and land obliged the States of Holland to put a Fleet to Sea under the command of Admiral De Witt to assist them in the Sound But his Fleet being by the Swedes there routed the Admirals Ship the Bredrow sunk and De Witt himself either killed or drowned a fresh Recruit was dispatched with Admiral Opdam to re-inforce their Fleet Opdam arrived in the Sound but finding himself too weak to encounter the enemy was forced to secure himself and Fleet in Copenhagen then blockt up by the Swedes with a strait Siege both by Sea and land The King of Swedland in the mean time hearing of greater preparations in Holland for a stronger Fleet to be sent under the command of De Ruyter whose conduct and fortune was more apprehended then that of the others ordered his Ministers in England vigorously to prosecute with the Usurper Oliver their instances for assistance This they so accomplished that the intended succours his death preventing were by him recommended to the care of his Son Richard the short Successour to his Usurped authority Richard with the consent of the then pretended Parliament for that end and for the security of the English Trade in the Baltick in the beginning of the year 1659. sent the
brave General Montague afterward Earl of Sandwich with fourty Men of Warr well mann'd and some Fire-ships who on the twenty seventh of April arrived in the Sound Shortly after came also De Ruyter with a strong Fleet from Holland whose presence relieved Copenhagen and Opdams Fleet For the Swedes not being able alone to come to a tryall the English refusing to fight until they were satisfied in some demands and the news of the alteration of Government in England Richard the Protector being turned out of power supervening at the same instant which called them home again relieved the Besieged and hindred a new rupture betwixt the English and the Dutch which in all probability must have immediately ensued The King of Denmark by this timely succour revived and the English Fleet returned to England and Opdam to Holland De Ruyter with the Dutch and Danish Fleet continued Master of the Seas ready for some Land-undertaking since the Swedes then too weak declined all engaging at Sea The Island of Funnen in the Baltick Sea of the ancient inheritance of the Danes but then in the possession of the Swedes being taken by them some years before offered a necessary occasion And for that purpose General Schaack with seven thousand men being put aboard of the Fleet at Kiel were by De Ruyter conducted and on the last of October landed at Kortemundor in the Island of Funnen The Swedes made brave resistance but De Ruyter diverting their Forces with alarming at the same time other parts of the Island and with a stout example he himself standing in the water encouraging the Souldiers to land whom in great numbers they poured ashoar The Swedes were overthrown with great losse and the Island regained to the Danes This brave action of De Ruyter gained him more reputation from his Countrey and honour from his masters then all which before that time he had atchieved and so endeared him to the favour and esteem of the King of Denmark that he honoured him with the highest Order of Knighthood of that Kingdom being that of the Elephant and presented him with a Chain and Meddal of Gold which afterward he wore and having remained there among the Swedes untill the Peace between the Danes and them in May. 1660. was ratified he with great applause returned with his Fleet home The War betwixt the Danes and Swedes ended and De Ruyter with his Fleet safely returned into Holland new losses from the Pirates of Argiers Tripoli and Tunis called afresh to the States for remedy The vigilant and successful De Ruyter was by the States designed for that charge whose good services on the like occasion even in the infancy of his Sea-command had been remarkable in those Seas and is therefore dispatcht with a Squadron of Ships into the Streights where he kept ranging with his Fleet pursuing and pressing those Gorsairs with so great care and success that the benefit of his constant pains and valour became sensible to all the Merchants who traded there whereby he confirmed to himself that fame and reputation which he had heretofore so justly merited until matters of greater concern called him thence upon the occasion following After the wonderfull and long-wished-for re-establishment of his Majesty the King of Great Brittain in the Throne of his Ancestors from which by the madness of his Subjects he had been long banished the States of the United Provinces overgrown with the wealth and prosperity of many years peace the ordinary promoters of ambition being conscious to themselves that their carriage towards their Neighbors especially the English however cloaked could not but breed such jealousies as must in time break forth into open enmity and perceiving his Majesty of Great Brittain already so dissatisfied with their disguised practises as could not but of necessty produce a War resolved to bring it to a tryall as soon as possibly they could by giving the first occasion of rupture under the pretext of being provok'd by injuries received upon the Coast of Guiny and elsewhere Hereupon they Ordered Admiral De Ruyter with a squardron of thirteen Men of War then at Gibraltor in Spain to make sail for the Coast of Guiny and to set upon the English there This he so effectually performed that in a short time he destroyed most of their Factories took Cormanteen Castle with other places severall Ships and goods belonging to the English That action so incensed his Majesty of Great Britain that war was thereupon in anno 1664. publickly proclaimed against the States General of the United Provinces impowering all his Majesties Subjects to use against them their subjects and people all acts of hostility but whilst this was doing at home De Ruyter diligent in the pursuance of his Commission abroad attempted the burning of the English Ships at Barbadoes but in vain and from thence sailing to New-found land took several Merchants Ships stript the men and left them without provisions an act unworthy the name of so brave a man Thus whilst Opdam Admirall of the Dutch Fleet in June 1665 having engaged his Royall Highness the Duke of York was in fire and smoak hurried out of this world and his Fleet beat home with great loss of Ships and men De Rayter remained at Sea annoying the Ships and Foreign Plantations of the English But Opdams death rendred his presence at home absolutely necessary his experience and success in War being so well known to all that the universal voice of the people daily called his Name whom according to the interest and power they pretend to upon the Seas they adopted and intitled Son of Neptune Advice was therefore sent to him that he should with his Fleet hasten home with all expedition which he obeying slily slipt by the English Fleet wrapt in mist as men with their cloaks about their mouths shun the company of those whom they are not willing to meet And on the last of July 1665. safely arrived in the Emmes his arrival was congratulated by the States and he thereupon made Admiral but with authority not so absolute but that he was subordinate to the Triumvirate of De Witt Huygens and Bureel who according to a new Model had the superintendency of the Navall affairs He was no sooner installed in his new Command but August 13. with a Fleet of Ninety Sail of Men of War he was Ordered out from the Texel to secure and convoy home the East-India Fleet and many other rich Merchant-men which stopt at Bergen for fear of the English Fleet then at Sea under the Command of the Earl of Sandwich and who had been put in great alarm by the brave but fruitless attempt of Sir Thomas Tiddyman who was sent out to have seized them in their harbour In his going he met not with the English Fleet but in his return was discovered and attacqued by the Earl of Sandwich who finding himself too weak his charge great and the windes very high with a running Fight he made the best
of his way and with the loss of two great East-India Ships some other Merchant-men and five Men of War he brought his Fleet into the West Emmes Before his Arrival by a Master of a Ship which he had met at Sea he sent a challenge to Major Holmes to meet him there that seeing they two had been the first Adventurers in the War they might try the success of the publick quarrel as far as their particular prowess and fortune could incline it The Challenge was as nobly accepted by the Major as generously and gallantly sent by De Ruyter and the King of England to encourage the undertaking Knighted Major Holmes and assigned him a stately New Ship then built at Deptford which he purposely called the Defiance but this combat was diverted by other intervening accidents In May 1666. De Ruyter with his Fleet being at Sea His Majesty of Great Britain set out a well appointed and great Fleet under the joint Command of his Highness Prince Rupert and his Grace the Duke of Albemarle renowned for his valour and success in the former War against the Dutch and now advanced to that title for the great and memorable Services performed to the King but a false rumour of the French being at Sea occasioned the dividing of that Fleet for Prince Rupert with the white Squadron being ordered to make for the coast of France to hinder the conjunction of the French and Dutch who before the French came to Sea the Duke of Albemarle was left with about fifty Sail of Men of War to wait on the Dutch The boundless courage of that Duke a dispiser of danger led him to a gallant but rash attempt upon De Ruyter and his Fleet who then riding at anchor off of Dunkirk with a number of Ships far exceeding the English was upon Fryday the first of June so unexpectedly assaulted by them the winde blowing high that many of his Ships were fain to cut their cables in haste to put themselves in order of fighting This was indeed a bloody and terrible engagement which continued with matchless fury and resolution on both sides till Sunday in the Evening when the English Fleet being much torn and the Generals own Ship disabled the disproportion of number and the enemies Fleet being to the Leeward whereby they played their great guns which the English could not being to the weather and the winde high giving great advantage to the Dutch they drew off having lost the evening before the brave Ship the Prince which being stranded was burnt by the Dutch and Sir George Ayscue Commander made Prisoner yet notwithstanding their great loss Prince Rupert upon notice given and the noise of the guns then heard having on Sunday in the Evening rejoyned the Fleet and given the usuall proofs of his great and undaunted valour both Generalls on Munday early in the morning pursued the Dutch who were almost out of sight passed and repassed their Fleet several times But De Ruyter finding himself notwithstanding of the recruits received so weakned that his longer continuance in action might have produced the effects rather of a vain glorious Bravo then of a prudent circumspect General and good Countrey-man having given wonderfull marks of his carriage and conduct made made what haste he could to secure his Fleet This was the first encounter that De Ruyter as Commander in chief had with the English in these Wars the victory of which was equally celebrated in both Nations but whoever had the better it is certain both sustained very great losses The pretensions to victory in this last Fngagement owned mutually by both parties occasioned their hastening out again with all speed to Sea either to make good the old or to gain a new title and so in Iuly both Fleets were abroad The English commanded by Albemarle and the Dutch by De Ruyter And on S. Iames's day about nine in the morning met and fell to blows again De Ruyter with his Fleet for some considerable time made a brisk and a stout resistance but the English jealous of their honour which seemed to suffer by the Dutch arrogating to themselves the Victory in the former Engagement plyed them so fiercely that provident De Ruyter finding his fleet in a bad condition according to his saving principles of making the best of an ill bargain began to give way and was so closely pursued by the English Red and White Squadrons whilest Van Trump couragiously entertained the Blew that De Ruyters own Ship was much shattered and himself in all probability if the English great ships could have got up with him in danger of being taken and two squadrons of his Fleet utterly destroyed In this fight on the English side were only three Captains killed the Resolution burnt and not many above three hundred men killed and wounded On the Dutch side according to the general computation of that time above four thousand men killed three hundred common Sea-men wounded and many Captains slain amongst which Everson Admiral of Zeland Dirickhids Admiral of Friesland the Vice-Admiral of Friesland and Rear-Admiral Van Saen and the number of their fleet so impaired that of above an hundred Ships there returned but eighty into harbour The Dutch who hitherto still boasted of Victory gave now sensible signs of the English having the better by leaving their harbours and rodes undefended so that Sir Robert Holmes shortly after this fight sails into the Ulie and with one fifth-rate Frigate some Ketches and fireships there burnt an hundred and sixty sail of Dutch Vessels But neither was this nor the last blow so fatall as to keep the Dutch from Sea for about the end of August Admiral De Ruyter appears again with a stronger fleet then before stretching along the back of the Goodwin sands for the French-coast with designe to have joyned the Duke of Beaufort who with about forty sail of French ships lay at Rochel ready to come to their assistance The English fleet having advice made after them with such diligence that they were forced to stand in for Bulloign-road and there very narrowly escaped a new Engagement by reason of the weather which growing extremely tempestuous constrained the English to bear away for S. Hellens Bay the place of rendevouz and the most proper station to hinder the conjunction of the French and Dutch In the mean while the Ruby a French-ship of fifty four guns commanded by Monsieur le Roche separated by foul weather from the rest of the fleet mistaking the enemies white-flag for their own fell in amongst the English and after some stout resistance was taken and the Captain made Prisoner but in complement to his valour was afterward dismissed And now De Ruyter falling sick was forced to return to Amsterdam leaving the care and charge of the Dutch fleet to Van Ness But the States finding the season far spent and the weather stormy and tempestuous commanded their fleet home After that the Dutch Fleet was returned into
the Countrey whilst he remained on these Coasts The Earl of Bath afterward presented him with such provisions and necessaries as the Countrey and season of the year afforded which he courteously received and in signe of gratitude fired several guns and so departed but notwithstanding the promises of indemnity given after his departure from Plymouth two of his Fleet advancing toward Foy for some time lay annoying and battering the harbour and shoar with great shot till having received dammage in their hulls and one of them having lost his main topmast they desisted and went off whether this was by the Generals Order or not is not known there having been no enquiry ever made in the action by reason of the peace that immediatly followed but it is believed that De Ruyter had no hand in it This long expected Peace concluded at Breda the 21 of June and at length the 14th of August 1667. ratified in England rather by the exigency and necessity of the times than the intire and full satisfaction of both parties as appeared within few years afterward gave respite to both Nations to breathe a little and recruit their mutual past losses by industrious prosecuting their traffick the hugg'd darling of both people and to consider in cold blood what had been done amisse by either side during the War that from so seasonable a peace they might pick the necessary means of future reparation And now De Ruyter having safely reconducted his Fleet into harbour was received by the States with thanks and honours suitable to his merit and with the universal acclamations and applause of the Countrey and was judged by all discreet men to have understood as well the measures of a General in that Common-wealth as any whosoever by his never giving way to the transports of vain-glory or rage in the heat of action but by timely retreat or advantagious fighting like the Roman Fabius Maximus Cunctando restituit rem The States having now no more need of so eminent a Commander at sea the great and dreadfull War being over but occasion still of a wise and practised Statesman at home admitted the Heer De Ruyter with no less expectation into their Councils of difficult affairs then they had formerly impowred him as General at sea wherein he so answered their hopes that during the four years peace or rather cessation of arms betwixt England and Holland he gave so signal proofs of his prudence that they were only fain to dispence with his being at home because they could not finde a Successour for him abroad which the businesse of the year 1672. urgently required The French King in anno 1671. with a considerable army came to Dunkirk in Flanders this progresse in a time of peace being accompanied with great preparations for War gave apprehensions to all his Neighbours but especially to the States of the United Provinces who suspecting that his approach so near them was to shew them the rod with which he intended to chastise the rudeness and insolency which the States were said to have used towards his Majesty began to arm and make ready for their own defence The King of Great Britain likewise seeing his potent and most dangerous competitors so busy and earnest at work the designe of which was not as yet made publick thought it time to look to the security of his subjects and to put his Kingdoms out of danger of a surprise and so at the same time as by an influence of destiny most States of Christendome seemed to prepare for war The French who pretended to teach civility and good manners to those who oftentimes are not willing to learn thought the Dutch stood in need of some documents and the partial and slow performances made by the States to the King of England and his subjects of the Articles of their last Peace and the quarrel of the Dutch fishing anciently in the English seas and more lately in their rivers being neither so well adjusted nor digested as might stand with the honour and security of publick interest the King herewith provoked and by reviling Pamphlets against his Royal Person joyned with the French King in a strict League of pursuing by arms their mutual pretentions against the Dutch And having first friendly demanded satisfaction of the past abuses by his Embassadour Sir George Downing his Majesty resolved to summon them to their duty by a more effectual Method On the thirteenth of January two parties meeting and the Dutch refusing to strike there followed an engagement and this first blow being thus given the King of Great Brittain publisheth his Declaration against the States of the United Provinces to this effect That the dissatisfaction which his Majesty had from the carriage of the States General of the United Provinces towards him for some years past being such that he could no longer without diminution of his own honour dissemble the indignation raised in him by a treatment too unsuitable to the great obligations which he and his Predecessours had so liberally heaped upon them He was resolved to declare war against them forbidding all his Subjects to hold correspondence with them upon pain of death This Declaration being with the usuall solemnities proclaimed in London and Westminster was seconded by the French King with actions previous to a rupture with that Crown also he having laid great taxes and customes upon all Dutch goods in his kingdom and raised an imposition of fifty per cent upon salt and other merchandises of France exported by the Dutch and upon all herrings spices and other goods imported into his dominions by them prohibiting all his subjects to lade any brandy aboard of any Holland or Dutch Vessells and shortly after publickly and in good earnest declared war The States of Holland foreseeing the storm which now began to break upon them had so fortified themselves with the powerfull alliances of Spain Germany and Denmark that they seemed not unequally matched with their mighty enemies in so great a conjunction so that in the year 1672. the greatest part of the States of Christendome became involved in a bloody and expensive War which is not yet ended Matters thus advancing toward action the Dutch who were not behinde in their preparations but wanting a head resolved to gratifie both Kings in the choice of their General and so in a full Assembly of the States the Prince of Orange is unanimously elected Generallissimo of all their Forces both by Sea and Land for that years expedition with promise to renew his authority after expiration during life and Jan De Wit and the Rereward van Putten the two unfortunate brothers that were afterward barbarously murthered in a tumult of the incensed rabble at the Hague with some others appointed as Commissioners to assist him Under him De Ruyter was made Lieutenant-Admiral whose power notwithstanding of his many tried services such is the fear of that State of an absolute authority was stinted having the Rereward Van Putten placed
Sieur de Quesny by another way round the Island unperceived by the Dutch had conveyed the destin'd succours into Messina and foreseeing well the bad consequences of the disappointment being much displeased with the slow proceedings of the Spanish grave Phlegmatick circumspection and their conduct of affairs thought it not convenient further to pursue the French nor to abide longer in these quarters the six Moneths appointed by the States his Masters for that expedition being now expired and therefore having rejoyned Montesarchio with his eight Spanish Men of War he took his leave of him in order to his returning homeward This sudden departure threatned by de Ruyter put the Viceroys of Sicily and Naples in great perplexity and the Court of Spain in much trouble who judged thereby the businesse of Messina almost desperate so that all means possible were used by the Agents of Spain to retain him in these parts and particularly importunate instances in Holland for the prolonging the time of his Commission which prevailed New Orders from Holland being arrived at Naples the Viceroy the Duke de los Velos fearing that de Ruyter might pass without touching there and so misse of receiving of his Letters of so great concern to the Spanish interest sent off the Dutch Consul with some Galleys to meet him and to acquaint him with the will of the States and to invite him to Naples This occasioned de Ruyters coming to Naples where he was splendidly entertained by the Vice-roy and in visiting the City treated with the same honours as are usually rendred to his own person but hastened again aboard The advice sent from Holland of his Commission renewed and a re-inforcement of his Fleet promised set him at work to animate and push forward the slow and heavy march of the Spaniards in the execution of their Gounsils and so having cruised with his Fleet some time at Palermo and some time at Melazzo and had conference with the Viceroy of Sicily It was condescended on that Augusta a place that held for the Rebels should be invested by Sea and Land and accordingly de Ruyter with his fleet made haste for the Bay of Augusta a place to him too satal for so famous a name whilest he was there intelligence was brought him that the French were at Sea whereupon that night he sailed and next morning got sight of the Enemy they being about the Cape Spartivento and he himself with his fleet three Leagues from Augusta The morning was calm so that he could not come up with the Enemy but in the afternoon a fresh gale blowing from S. E. brought both fleets nearer together De Ruyter being in the Van the Spaniards in the body and Vice-Admiral de Haen in the Rear of the fleet which besides the Spanish consisted but of seventeen Dutch Men of War with other galleys fire-ships and small craft They bore down with great eagerness upon the French consisting of thirty Men of war and seven fireships with galleys and other Tenders About four in the afternoon the fight began and lasted till seven with obstinate resolution and courage betwixt the Dutch and French who sustained the whole brunt of this Engagement for the Spanish did but little only kept themselves out of harms way and did what mischief they could at a distance The Dutch had in this Engagement three Ships so disabled as to be towed off and one Captain killed but smaller losses are undiscernable when the great De Ruyter fell For here it was that pressing the French at the latter end of the Fight so as to make them give way a bold bullet from the Enemies Fleet stopt him in his carreer which having carried away part of his left foot and broke his left leg above the ancle threw him on the deck so as by his fall he was wounded in the head The Fleet hereupon slackened sail and stood for the Bay of Syracusa The wounded General was carried ashoar for the more conveniency of cure which then did not seem desperate but the greatness of his minde unacquainted with such checks of fortune encreased so that distemper of body which it patiently bore that the nineteenth of April having been speechless a day before between nine and ten of the Clock at night in the Seveniteth year and Second Moneth of his Age at the first violent summons of Fortune yeelded his last Duty to Nature and as he had lived died in the embraces of beloved honour This his Death as it filled his friends and Countrey with grief and lamentation and all men with pitty and regret so being a losse great enough to cast the ballance of advantage even to the most forlorn and despairing side gave the French a Victory not equalled by their confederate Adversaries unless when last year Triumphant Turene the only Paragon of his worth and fame upon a different Stage played his last Act which two great Champions much unlike in their Original the one being born to a great share of his honour and the other to make all his own did so resemble each other in the course of their Lives and Fortune and manner and Circumstances of dying that it seemed nature had framed them for two Subjects whereon Fortune might shew her skill in dispencing equally her inclinations to great and powerfull adversaries in the highest pitch of competition For as either had been the constant Favourite of their respective Masters and the often and long experieneed prop of their Victorious hopes the one at Land and the other at Sea so both fell by an interchanged great Shot in such a point of time when their actions gave great hopes and confidence to their several Parties and their death was attended with remarkable and dangerous consequences to either side and had Fortune proceeded from the beginning and should she still continue with so even and impartial a hand in all the occurrences and transactions of this formidable war both parties might have occasion to celebrate their triumphs with tears and with drawn stakes sit down and mutually confess that Iam sumus ergo pares De Ruyter was a person as most brave men have been of a middle stature a strong and well compacted body not fat but fleshy of a gracefull and majestick countenance his aspect pleasant and chearfull not terrible by too much fierceness nor by too great mildeness unawful of a complexion sanguine and a constitution temperate and healthfull sober in his diet and moderate though free in his words neither sullen with rigid and morose reservedness nor by loquacity affected or vain his gestures manly and natural and generally of a frame of temper so even and harmonious as rendred him sedate and constant and altogether free from the mistakes and waverings that accompany fickle and light natures in the greater vicissitudes of fortune He advanced to the height of Honour by the regular steps of merit and patience never importuning his destiny by untimely and precipitant ambition nor slighting or being out of the way when Fortune called him to preferment which he conducted by such wise and prudent measures as made him acceptable to all not staining the reputation of his great actions by vain-glorious ostentation and overweening pride but by being dutiful to his superiours respectfull to his equalls gratefull to his benefactors affable and courteous to his inferiours and in a word obliging to all he gained the love and esteem of all that knew him entertaining even the meanest of the acquaintances of his low estate with that civility that if in the top of honour they enjoyed not the ancient familiarity of his baser fortune they easily saw that it was his place and dignity and not the change of humour that altered the stile In fine he was so good a man so devout and pious a Christian so stout a Souldier so wise expert and successfull a General and so faithfull trusty and honest a Lover of his Countrey that he deserves justly to be recommended to Posterity as an ornament of his Age the darling of the Seas and the delight and honour of his Countrey FINIS These Books are Sold by Dorm Newman at the Kings Arms in the Poultrey Tachmas Prince of Persia an historical Novel which happened under the Sophy Seliman who reigns at this day A Treatise of the Gout Written originally in the French Tongue by Theodor Turquet de Mayerne Kt. Baron of Aubonne Counsellour and Chief Physician to the late King and Queen of England Englished by Tho. Sherly Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty Whereto is added Advice about Hypochoudriacal fits By the same Author A New and Easie English Grammar Dictionary and Nomenclator English and Dutch The Doctrine of Devils proved to be the grand Apostacy of these latter times An Essay tending to rectifie those undue notions men have about Daemons and evil Spirits Truth Vnveyled in behalf of the Church of England giving particular Instances of such amongst her profest Sons as have ventured upon Innovations in her Doctrine being a Vindication of Mr. Standish his Sermon before the King and published by his Majesties special Command By a Person of Quality The whole Body of Arithmetick made Easie wherein the Rules of that Art are briefly explained and illustrated with such familiar examples as may reach the capacity of any that desire to learn Dr Robert Bayfields Anatomy Kitchin Physick With Rules to prevent sickness and cure diseases by diet and such things as are daily sold in the Market By Tho Cocke Whereunto is added A Discourse of Stoving Letters of Advice from two Reverend Divines to a young Gentleman about a Case of Conscience The School of the Heart in 47 Emblemes Sixteen Sermons Preached on Sever all Occasions By Edvv. Boys B. D.