Before middle age, he compressed into his life more of study, more of hardship, and more of successful enterprise and adventure, than would have sufficed to fill up the existence of half a dozen ordinary men.

A wider soul than the world was wide Whose praise made love of him one with pride... Who rode life's lists as a god might ride.

The man riveted my attention. He was dark and forceful, and masterful, and ruthless. I have never seen so iron a countenance.

He was, as has been well said, an Elizabethan born out of time; in the days of Drake his very faults might have counted to his credit.