Coming up to them, there has passed some common shot between some of our fleet and some of them; and as far as we perceive, they are determined to sell their lives with blows.
”
— Francis Drake to Admiral Henry Seymour, after coming upon part of the Spanish Armada.
Now for our affair's are on the razor's edge, men of Ionia, wither we are to be free or slaves ... so if you will bear hardships now, you will suffer temporarily but be able to overcome your enemies
Come all you brave Boys, whose Courage is bold, Will you venture with me, I'll glut you with Gold? Make haste unto Corona, a Ship you will find, That's called the Fancy, will pleasure your mind.
Captain Every is in her, and calls her his own; He will box her about, Boys, before he has done: French, Spaniard and Portuguese, the Heathen likewise, He has made a War with them until that he dies.
”
— A Copy of Verses, Composed by Captain Henry Every (1696)