i/i;;- * ■ a* -^&r 5 f VI-V ■<*.,. ■ '••.■■■'» ; '^P 6 r 5fr «« ? £*tf fyxnM Wttfomttg if tatfg BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henrg W. Sage 1891 44^44. /.7/P/l.k.. Cornell University Library PR 2257.A2 1888 Poems: 3 1924 013 120 237 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013120237 $UHicatfon& of fye &pen£er S>ocietp« Issue No. 45. POEMS : By MIGHAELL ' DRAITOJST, Esquire. Re-pkInt^d from t£e Edition, of "%'6q$. PART I. PRINTED. FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY. 1888. JOHN LEIGH, Esq. Wut-^nsxbtnt. The Rt. Hon. LORD COLERIDGE. dottitcH. J. EGLINTON BAILEY, Esq., F.S.A. Rev. W. E. BUCKLEY, M.A, Middleton Cheney. THOMAS SCHOFIELD, Esq. CHAS. W. SUTTON, Esq. JOSEPH THOMPSON, Esq. GEORGE MILNER, Esq. A. H. BULLEN, Esq. ' W. W. DAWSON, Esq., Secretary. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. Issue For the First Year 1867-8. 1. The Proverbs and Epigrams of John Heywood. Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1562. 2. The Works of John Taylor the tyater Poet. Reprinted from th« Folio Edition of 1630. Part I. For the Second Year 1868-9. 3. The Works of John Taylor the Water Poet. Reprinted from the Folio- of 1630. Part II. 4. The Works of John Taylor the Water Poet. Reprinted from the Folio of 1630. Part III. (Completing the Volume,.) 5. Zepheria. Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1594. For the Third Year 1869-70. 6. The 'EKATOiinAeiA or Passionate Centime of Love, by Thomas Watson. Reprinted from the Original Edition of (circa) 1581. 7. Works of John Taylor the Water Poet, not included in the Folio Volume of 1630. Reprinted from the Original Editions. First Collection. For the Fourth Year 1 870-1. 8. A Handefull of Pleasant Delites, by Clement Robinson, and divers others. " Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1584. 9. Juvenilia : Poems by George Wither, contained in the collections of his Juvenilia which appeared in 1626 and 1633. Part I. 10. Juvenilia : Poems by George Wither. Part II. POEMS : MICHAELL DRAITON, Esquire. PART I PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY. 1888. s F*IKtfc.» «\ Chahi-bs E. Siwms, Makchbstikr. POEMS : BY MICHAELL DRAITON, Esquire. PART II. PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETV. 1888. PRINTED' BY CHAKLES E. SIMMS, Manchester. Cf)e J^penfer §&Qtitt$. HE volume now issued to the Members of the Spenser SOCIETY has been printed from a copy of the first edition of DRAYTON'S Poems, in the library of the President. This first edition is entitled " Poems : By Michaell Draiton, Esquire. London. Printed for N. Ling. 1605." In 1608 another edition appeared, on the title page of which the name of the Author is spelt with y instead of i. " Poems : By Michael Drayton, Esquire. Newly corrected by the Author. London. Printed for John Smethwicke, &c. 1608." The poems seem to have been much read, for fresh editions were printed in 1610, 1613, 1619, 1628, 1630, 1637. The copy of the first edition, in the possession of the President, is on thin soft paper, and in very clear type. Mr. Bullen has suggested that as the reprinting of Drayton's Works proceeds, attention should be called to the frequent changes made by the Author in his verbiage. But this may well stand over till more of his writings have appeared. Drayton has been taken up by the Council of the Spenser SOCIETY in consequence of a strong wish expressed by several members that Drayton's Works should be produced. Certainly they will form a very handsome series of volumes. JOHN LEIGH, President. Manor House, Hale, Cheshire, February 8iA, 1888. *2f POEMS: By Michaell Draiton Efquire. LONDON, Printed for N. Ling. 1605. The Arguments. THe Barrons warres. Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Idea. The Legend of Robert Duke of Normandie. The Legend of Matilda^ The Legend of Pierce Gauefton. To Sir Walter Alton, Knight of the ho- nourable order of the Bath, and my moll worthy Patron. I Will not ftriue m' invention to inforce, With needleffe words your eyes to entertaine, T'obferue the formall ordinarie courfe That euerie one fo vulgarly doth faine : Our interchanged and deliberate choife, Is with more firme and true election forted, Then ftands in cenfure of the common voice, That with light humor fondly is tranfported : Nor take I patterne of anothers praife, Then what my pen may conftantly avow, Nor walke more publique nor obfcurer waies Then vertue bids, and iudgement will allow ; So (hall my loue, and beft endeuours feme you, And ftill fhall ftudie, ftill fo to deferue you. Michaell Drayton. A2 To the Reader. THat atfirjllmade choife of this argument, I hauenot as yet repented me, for if the Mufe have not much ab- vfed me, it was moft worthy to haue found a more worthie Pen then mine owne ; for the Barrons warres, (omitting the qualitie of thofe Amies, whereof I haue not heere to fpeake) were furely as well for their length in continuance, as for their manifold bloodfhed, and multitude of horrid ac- cidents, meer matter for trumpet or tragedy. Therefore, as atfirfl the dignitie of the thing was the motiue of the doing, fo the caufe of this my fecond greater labour was the ineffi- cient handling of the fir ft, which though it were more then boldneffe to venter onfo noble an argument without leifure, andftudie copeteni, either of which trauell hardly affoords ; yet the importunitie of friends made me, contrarie to mine own iudgement, take, vndertake, Grpublifh it,fo as the world hath feme; but herein I intend not to be too exact, as if ey- ther it needed too much excufe (knowing, that euen as it was it ought to haue paffed for better then fome would fuffer, who can hardly thinke any thing hath fauour but their own, though neuer fo vnfauoury) or as if I Jhould feerne now to haue excelled myfelfe, and failing in my hopes, be kept with- out excufe. Grammaticafters haue quarreled at the title of Mortimeriados, as if it had beene a finne againfl Syntaxis to haue fubfcribed it in the fecond cafe, but not their idle reproofs hath made mee now abflaine from fronting it by the name of Mortimer at all, but the fame better aduife which hath caufed me to alter the whole; and where before the To the Reader. the flanza was of feauen lines, wherein there are two cou- plets, as in this figure appeareth. 3Z the often harmonie thereof foftned the verfe more then the maiejly ofthefubiecl would permit, vnleffe they had all bin Geminels, or couplets. Therefore, (but not without fajhio- ningthe whole frame) I chofe Arioflos Jlanza, of all other the mojl complete and bejl proportioned, confifiing of eight, fix interwoum, and a couplet in bafe. % The Quadrin doth neuer double, or to vfe a word of He- raldrie, neuer bringeth forth Gemells. The Quinzain too foone. The Sejlin hath Twinnes in the bafe, but they detaine not the Muficke nor the Cloze (as Mufitians terme it) long enough for an Epicke Poeme; The Jlanza of feauen is touched before; This of eight both holds the tune cleane through to the bafe of the columne, (which is the couplet, thefoote or bottome) and clojeth not but with a full fatif- faclion to the eare,forfo long detention. Brief ely, this fort of Jianza hath in it, maiejtie, perfecli- on and foliditie, refembling the pillar which in Architecture is called the Tufcan, whofejhaft is of fix diameters, and ba- fes of two. The other reqfons this place will not beare, but generally alljlanzas are in my opinion but tyrants and tor- turers, when they make inuention obey their number, which fometime would otherwife fcantle it felfe. A fault that A 3 great To the Reader. great Maiflers in this Art Jlriue to auoidc. Concerning the diuifion which I vfe in this Poemc, I am not ignorant that antiquitie hath vfed to dijlinguifh workes into Bookes, and euery one to beare the number of their order. Ho- mers Iliads, and Vlyfiads indeede are dijlinguijhed by feuerall letters of the Greeke Alphabet, as all the world knowes, and not by the numerall letters onely, which to Iota are digit, and afterward compound; the Alpha being our vnite,for the Greeks had no figures nor ciphers in their A- rithmeticke. Virgils ^Eneis, Statius Thebais, Silius worke of the Carthaginian warre, Illyricus Argonau- ticks, Vidas Chrifteis, are all diuided into books. The Ita- lians vfe Cantos, and fo our firfl late great Reformer Ma- fter Spenfer ; that I affume another name for the feclions in this volume, cannot be difgratious nor vnauowable. Laflly, if I haue not already exceeded the length of an Epiflle, I am to intreate, that he who will (as any man may that will) make himfelfe a partie to this of ours, would be pleafed to remember that Spartan Prince, who being found by certaine Ambaffadors playing among his children, re- quefted them to forbear e to cenfure, till alfo they had fome of their owne. To fuck Igiue as ample power andpriuiledge as euer Ius libororum could in Rome, crauing backe a- gaine at their hands by a regrant, the like of that which I impart ; for great reafon there is, that theyjhould vndergoe the licence which themfelues challenge, andfuffer that in their fames which they would wrongly put vpon others, according to the mofl indifferent law of the Talio. Fare you well. To To M. Michaell Drayton. WHat ornament might I devife to fit Th' afpiring height of thy admired fpirit ? Or what faire Garland worthy is to fit On thy bleft browes, that compaffe in all merit? Thou fhalt not crowned be with common Bayes, Becaufe for thee it is a crowne too low, Apolloes tree can yeeld the fimple praife, It is too dull a vefture for thy brow ; But with a wreathe of ftarres fhalt thou be crown'd, Which when thy working temples do fuftaine, Will like the Spheares be euer moouing round, After the royall muficke of thy braine : Thy skill doth equall Phoebus, not thy birth, He to heauen giues muficke, thou to earth. Thomas Greene. To M. Michaett Drayton. THofe painefull wits, which natures depth admire, And view the caufes of vnconftant ftrife, Doe tremble leaft the Vniuerfe expire, Through lafting iarres, the enemies of life, On earthly fignes let not fuch Sages looke, Nor on the cleere afpecls of hopefull ftarres ; But learne the worlds continuance from thy booke, Which frames part natures force eternall warres ; Wherein the Mufes fhewing perfecl glory, Adorne it fo with gracefull harmonie, That all the a&s of this lamented ftory, Seeme not perform'd for peoples libertie : Not through the awe of an imperious King, But that thy verfes their deepe wounds might fing. Iohn Beaumont. To M. Michaett Drayton. LOng haue I wifht and hopde my weaker Mufe, (In nothing ftrong but my vnhappy loue) Would giue me leaue my fortune to approue, And view the world, as named, Poets vfe ; But ftill her fruitleffe bofome doth refufe To bleffe me with indifferencie of praife, Not daring (like to many) to abufe That title which true worth fhould onely raife ; Thus bankerout, and defpairing of mine owne, I fet my wifh and hope (kind friend) on thee, Whofe fruite approu'd, and better fortune knowne, Tells me thy Mufe, my loues fole heire muft be, So barren wombs embrace their neighbors yong, So dumbe men fpeake by them that haue a tong. Thomas Haffall, Gent. To M. Michaell Drayton. NOw I perceiue Pithagoras diuinde, When he that mocked Maxim did maintaine, That fpirits once fpoilde, reuefted were againe, Though changde in fhape, remaining one in mind ; Thefe loue-ficke Princes paffionate eftates ; Who feeling reades, he cannot but allow, That Ouids foule reuiues in Drayton now, Still learnd in loue, ftill rich in rare conceits, This pregnant fpirit affecting further skill, Oft altring forme, from vulgar wits retirde, In diuers Ideoms mightily admirde, Did profecute that facred ftudy ftill ; While to a full perfection now attainde, He fings fo fweetly that himfelfe is ftainde. William Alexander-Scotus. T To the excellent Lady Lucie Counteffe of Bedford. (***) \Adam, after all the admired wittes of this ^excellent age, which haue labored in the fad {complaints of faire and vnfortunate Rofa- >mond, and by the excellencie of inuention, \ haue founded the depth of her fundry paffi- ons; I prefent to your Ladifhip this Epiflle of hers to King Henry, whome I may rather call her louer than beloued. Heere mufl your Ladifhip behold variablenes in refolution ; woes conftantly grounded; laments abruptly broken off; much confidence, no certainty, words begetting teares, teares con- founding matter, large complaints in little papers; and many deformed cares , in one vniformed Epiflle. I flriue not to effect fingularitie, yet would faine flie imitation, &> proftrate mine owne wants to other mens perfections. Your iudiciall eye mufl model forth what my pen hath layd together, much would fhee fay to a King, much would I fay to a Counteffe but that the method of my Epiflle mufl conclude the mode- flic of hers, which I wifh may recommend my euer vowed feruice to your Honour. Michaell Drayton. 10 THE FIRST BOOKE of the Barrons warres. (V) The Argument. The grieuons plagues and the prodigious fignes That this great warre andjlaughter doe forefhow, TKefpeciall caufe the Baronage combines, The Queenes ftrong grief e, whence many troubles grow, The time by courfe vnto our fall inclines, And how each country doth to battell goe ; What caufe to yeeld, the Mortimers pretend, And their commitment perfecling the end. THe bloodie factions, and rebellious pride Of a ftrong nation, whofe vnmanag'd might Them from their naturall Soueraigne did diuide, Their due fubiedtion, and his lawfull right, Whom their light error loofely doth mifguide, Vrg'd by lewd Minions tyrannous defpight ; Me from foft layes, and tender loues doth bring, Of dreadfull fights, and horred warres to fing. B What 2 The firft Booke of 2 What hellifh furie poyfned your hie blood, Or fhould bewitch you with accurfed charmes, That by pretending of the generall good, Raflily extrudes you to tumultuous armes, And from the fafetie wherein late you flood, Reft of all tafte, and feeling of your harmes, That France and Belgia with affrighted eyes, Were fad beholders of your miferies. 3 Th'inueterate ranckor in their bofoms bred, Who for their charter wag'd a former war, Or through your veines, this raging venom fpred, Whofe next-fucceeding Nephewes now you are, Or that hote gore your bowes to conquefl fhed, Hauing enlarg'd your Countries bounds fo far, Enfigne to enfigne furioufly oppofe, With blades of Bilbo dealing Englifh blowes. 4 O thou the great director of my Mufe, On whofe free bountie all my powers depend, Into my breaft a facred fire infufe, Rauifh my fpirit this great worke to attend ; Let the ftill night my laboured lines perufe, That when my Poems gaine their wifhed end, They whofe fad eyes fhall reade this tragique ftory, In my weake hand fhall fee thy might and glory. What 12 the Barrons ivarres. 3 5 What Care would plot, Diffentions quickely croffe, Which like an earthquake rends the tottering ftate, By which abroade we beare a publique loffe, Betrayd at home by meanes of priuate hate ; Whilft vs thefe ftrange calamities doe toffe, (The daily nurfe of mutinous debate) Confufion ftill our countries peace confounds, No helpe at hand, and mortall all our wounds. 6 Thou Church then fwelling in thy mightineffe, Tending the care and fafetie of the foule ; O nurfe not factions flowing in exceffe, That with thy members fhouldft their griefe condole, In thee refts power this outrage to repreffe, Which might thy zeale and fanclitie enrole, Come thou in pureneffe meekely with the word, Lay not thy hand to the vnhalowed fword. 7 Blood-thirfting warre arifing firft from hell, And in progreffion feizing on this He, Where it before neere forty yeeres did dwell, And with pollution horribly defile, By which fo many a woorthy Englifh fell, By our firft Edward banifhed awhile, Transferd by Fortune to the Scottifh meare, To ranfacke that, as it had rauinde heere. B 2 Where '3 4 Thefirji Booke of 8 Where hovering ftill with inaufpicious wings About the verge of thefe diftempered climes, Returning now, new errour hether brings, To ftirre vs vp to thefe difaftrous crimes, Weakeneth our power by oft diminifhings ; And taking holde on thefe vnfetled times, Forcing our frailty fenfually at length, Crackt the ftiffe nerves that knit our antient ftrength. 9 Whofe frightfull vifion, at the firft approach, With violent madnes ftrooke that defperate age, So many fundry miferies abroach, Giuing full fpeed to their unbrideled rage That did our antient libertie encroach, And in thefe ftrong confpiracies ingage, The worthieft blood the fubiects loffe to bring, By innaturall wrongs vnto their naturall king. io When in the North whilft horror yet was yoong, Thefe dangerous feafons fwiftly comming on, Whilft o're our heads portentious meteors hung, And in the skies fterne Comets brightly fhone, Prodigious births oft intermixt among, Such as before to times had beene vnknowne, In bloody iffues forth the earth doth breake, Weeping for vs, whofe woes it could not fpeake. When 14 the Barrons warres. 5 ii When by the rankenes of contagious aire, A mortall plague inuadeth man and beaft, Which foone difperft, and raging every where, In doubt the fame too quickely fhould have ceaft, More to confirme the certaintie of feare By cruell famine haplefly encreaft ; As though the heauens in their remisfull doome, Tooke thofe beft lou'd from worfer daies to come. 12 The leuell courfe that we propofe to goe Now to th'intent you may more plainely fee, And that we euery circumftance may fhow The ftate of things, and truely what they be, And with what skill, or proieft we beftow, As our accurrents happen in degree. From thefe portents we now diuert our view, To bring to birth the horrors that enfue. 13 The calling backe of banifht Gauefton, Gainft which the Barrons were to Longfhanks fworne, That infolent lafcivious Minion, A Soueraignes blemifh, and a countries fcorne, The figniories, and great promotion, Him in his lawleffe courfes to fuborne, Stirres vp that hatefull and outragious ftrife, That coil ere long fo many an Englifh life, B 3 O iS 6 Thefirjl Booke of O worthy Lacy, hadft thou fparde that breath Which fhortly after Nature thee denide, To Lancafter deliuered at thy death, To whom thy onely daughter was affide, That this fterne warre too quickely publifheth, To ayde the Barrons gainft that Minions pride, Thy Earledomes, lands, and titles of renowne, Had not fo foone returnd vnto the Crowne. IS The Lordfhips Brufe vnto the Spenfers part, C rolling the Barrons vehement defire, As from lotus hand that fearefull lightning call, When fifty townes lay fpent in enuious fire, Alas too vaine and prodigall a wafte ; The ftrong effect of their conceived ire, Vrging the weake King with a violent hand, T'abiure thofe falfe Lordes from the troubled land. 16 When the faire Queene that progrefling in Kent, Laftly denide her entrance into Leedes, Whom Badlefmere vnkindly dooth preuent ; Who gainft his Soueraigne in this courfe proceedes As adding further to this difcontent, One of the fprings which this great mifchiefe feedes Heaping on rage and horror more and more, To thruft on that which went too faft before. Which 16 The Barrens warres. 7 17 Which more and more, a kingly rage increaft, Moou'd with the wrongs of Gauefton difgraded, Which had fo long beene fetled in his bread, That all his powers it wholy had inuaded, Giuing the Spenfers an affured reft, By whom his reafons chiefly are perfwaded, By whofe lewd counfells he is onely led, To leaue his true Queene, and his lawfull bed, 18 That now herfelfe who while fhe ftood in grace, Applied her powers thefe difcords to appeafe When yet confufion had not fully place, Nor former times fo dangerous as thefe, A party now in theyr afflicted cafe, A willing hand to his deftru&ion layes, That time whofe foft palme heals the wound of war, May cure the foare, but neuer clofe the fear. In all this heate his greatnes firft began, The ferious fubieft. of our fadder vaine, Braue Mortimer, that euer-matchleffe man, Of the old Heroes great and God-like ftraine, For whom invention dooing beft it can, His weight of honour hardly can fuftaine, Bearing his name immortaliz'd and hie, When he in earth vnnumbred times fhall lie. B 4 That 17 8 Thefirft Booke of 20 That vnele now (whofe name this Nephew bare, The onely comfort of the wofull Queene) Who from his cradle held him as his care, In whom the hope of that great name was feene, For this young Lord now wifely doth prepare, Whilft yet this deepe hart-goaring wound is greene, And on this faire aduantage firmely wrought, To place him highly in her princely thought. 21 At whofe deliberate and vnufuall byrth, The heauens were faid to counfell to retire, And in afpefts of happineffe and mirth, Breath'd him a fpirit infatiatly t'afpire, That tooke no mixture of the ponderous earth, But all compreft of cleere afcending fire, So well made vp, that fuch an one as he, Ioue in a man like Mortimer would be. 22 The temper of that nobler moouing part, With fuch rare pureneffe rectified his blood, Raifing the powers of his refolued hart, Too prowd to be lockt vp within a flood, That no misfortune pofllbly could thwart ; Which from the natiue greatneffe where it flood, Euen by the vertue of a piercing eye, Shew'd that his pitch was boundleffe as the sky. Worthy 18 the Barrons warns. 9 23 Worthy the grand- child of fo great a Lord, Who whilft firft Edward fortunately raign'd, Reedified great Arthurs auncient boord, The feate at goodly Kennelworth ordain'd, The order of old Knighthood there reftor'd, To which a hundreth duely appertain'd With all the grace, and beauties of a Court, As beft became that braue and martiall fport. 24 The hart-fwolne Lords with furie fet on fire, Whom Edwards wrongs to vengeance ftill prouoke, With Lancajler and Hartfoord now confpire No more to beare the Spenfers feruile yoke. And thus whilft all a mutuall change defire, The ancient bonds of their allegeance broke, Refolu'd with blood their libertie to buy, And in this quarrell vow'd to Hue and dye. 25 What priuiledge hath our free birth ? (fay they) Or in our blood what vertue doth remaine, To each lafciuious Minion made a pray, That vs, and our nobilitie difdaine, Whilft they tryumphing boaft of our decay ? Either thofe fpirits we do not now retaine That were our fathers, or by fate we fall Both from their greatnes, liberty and all. Honour 19 I o Tliefirjl Booke of 26 Honour deiedled from that foueraigne ftate, From whence at firft it challenged a being, Now proftitute to infamy and hate, As with it felfe in all things difagreeing, So out of order, difproportionate, From her faire courfe prepofteroufly flying, Whilft others as themfelues, and onely wee Are not held thofe we would but feeme to bee. 27 Then to what end hath our great conqueft feru'd, Thofe a6ts achiued by the Norman fword, Our Charters, patents, or our deeds referu'4, Our offices, and tytles to record. The crefts that on our monuments are caru'd, If they to vs no greater good affoord ? Thus doe they murmure euery one apart, With many a vext foule, many a grieued hart. 28 Whilft this fad Queene to depth of forrow throwne, Wherein fhe waftes her flower of youth away, Beyond beliefe to all but heauen vnknowne, This quickning fparke, where yet it buried lay, By the fharpe breath of defperate faction blowne, Conuerts her long night to the wifhed day, The woful winter of misfortune cheering, As the darke world at the bright funnes appearing. Yet 20 the Barrens warres, 1 1 29 Yet ill perplex'd amid thefe hard extreames, All meanes depreft her fafety to preferre, Depriu'd of thofe late comfortable beames, Whofe want might make her the more eafly erre, Her hopes relinquifht like deceiptfull dreames, Which in her breaft fuch fundry paffions ftirre, Where ftrugling which ech other mould controule Worke ftrange confufion in her troubled foule. 30 That now difabled of all foveraigne ftate, That to her graces rightly did belong, To be reie<5ted, and repudiate, So true a Lady, goodly, faire, and yoong, Which with more feruor ftill dooth intimate Her too-deepe-fetled and inveterate wrong, What wifedome would, a womans will denies, With arguments of her indignities. 3i When to effe£t the angry Fates purfue In heauens high Court that long time did depend, When thefe full mifchiefes to a ripeneffe grew, And now the harueft haftning in the end, And all thefe lines into one centre drew, Which way foe're they feemingly extend ; All thefe together in proportion laide, Each breath of hope, a gale of certaine aide. Now 21 1 2 Thefirjl Booke of 32 Now is the time when Mortimer doth enter, Of great imployment in this tragicke aft, His youth and courage boldly bid him venter r And tell him ftill how ftrongly he was backt ; And at this inftant in due feafon fent her, When the ftreight courfe to her defire is traft, (And but vpon more certaintie doth ftay) By a direft, what though a dangerous way ? 33 This dreadfull Commet drew her wondring eie, Which now beganne his golden head to reare, Whofe glorious fixure in fo faire a skie, Strikes the beholder with a chilly feare, And in a Region eleuate and hie, And by the forme wherein it did appeare, As the moil skilfull ferioufly divine, Forefhew'd a kingdome fhortly to decline. 34 Yet ftill recoyling at the Spencers power, As often checkt with their intemperate pride, Th'vnconftant Barrons wauering euery howre, The fierce incounter of this boyfterous tide, That eafily might their liuelihoode deuoure, Had fhe not thofe that skilfully could guide, She from fufpition craftily retires, Careleffe in fhew, of what fhe moft defires. Diffem- 22 the Barrons warres. 13 35 Diffembling griefe, as one that knew'not ill ; So can fhe rule the greatnes of her mind, As a mod perfect Re£toreffe of her will, Aboue the vfuall weakenes of her kind ; For all this ftorme immooueable and ftill, Her fecret drift the wifeft miffe to find ; Nor will fhe know what (yet) thefe factions meant, With a pleafd eie to footh fad Difcontent. 36 The leaft fufpition cunningly to heale, Still in her lookes humilitie fhe beares, The fafeft way with mightinefie to deale, So Policie Religions habite weares ; Tis now no time her greeuance to reueale, Hee's mad which takes a Lyon by the eares, This knew the Queene, exampled by the wife, This muft they learne that rightly temporize. 37 The learnedft Bifhop Torleton in the land, Vpon a text of Politickes to preach, Which he long ftudying, well did vnderftand, And by a methode could as aptly teach, That was a Prelate of a potent hand, Wife were the man could goe beyond his reach: This fubtile Tutor Ifabell had taught, In nicer poynts than euer Edward fought. Rage 23 14 Thefirjl Booke of 38 Rage which no limits longer can containe, Laftly breakes foorth into a publique flame, Their flipp'd occafion better to regaine, When to their purpofe things fo fitly frame, And now difcerned vifibly and plaine, When treafon boldly dare it felfe proclaime, Calling afide all fecular difguife, Leading prowd legions furioufly to rife. 39 As Severne lately in her ebbes that fanke, Vaft and forfaken leaues th'vncouered fands, Fetching full tides, luxurious, hie, and ranke, Seemes in her pride t'inuade the neighbouring lands, Breaking her limits, couering all the banks, Threatning the prowde hilles with her watry handes, As though fhe meant her Empery to haue, Where euen but lately flie beheld her graue. 40 Through all the land, from places farre and neere, Led to the field as Fortune lots their fide, (With th'auntient weapons vfde in warre to beare) As thofe dire&ed whom they chofe their guide, Or elfe perhaps as they affected were, Or as by friendfhip, or by duetie tide, Swayde by the ftrength and motion of their blood, No caufe examin'd, be it bad or good. From 24 The Barrons warres. 15 4i From Norfolke, and the countries of the Eaft, That with the long pyke beft could mannage fight, The men of Kent vnconquer'd of the reft, That to this day maintaine their ancient right, And for their ftrength that we account the beft, The Cornifhmen, moft a<5tiue, bold, and light, Thofe neere the plaine that gleaue and polax weeld, And claime for due vaward of the field. 42 The noble Britton fprung of Illyon race, From Lancafhiere moft famous for their bowes, With thofe of Chefhiere, chiefeft for their place, Men of fuch bone, as onely made for blowes, That for their faith are had in fpeciall grace, And as the guard vnto the Soueraigne goes ; Thofe of the North in feuds fo deadly fell, That for their fpeare and horfemanfhip excell. 43 For euery vfe experience could efpy Such as in Fens and Marfh-lands vfe to trade, The doubtfull foards and paffages to try, With ftilts aud loapftaues that do aptlieft wade, And fit'ft for fcowts and Currers to difcry, Thofe from the Mines with pickaxe, and with fpade, For Pyoners beft, that for intrenching are, Men chiefly needefull in the vfe of war. O d 25 1 6 Thefirft Booke of 44 O noble Nation furnifhed with Armes, So full of fpirit, fo eminent alone, Had heauen but bleft thee to forefee thefe harmes, And as thy valiant Nephewes to haue gone, Paris, Roan, Orleance fhaking with alarmes, As the bright Sunne thy glorie then had fhone ; To other Realmes thou hadft transferd this chance, Nor had your fons been firft that conquerd France. 45 And thus on all hands making for their reft, And now fet forward for this mightie day, Where euery one prepares to do his beft, When in fucceffe their hues and fortunes lay ; No croffe euent their purpofes to wreft, Where now they ftand in fo direct a way ; And whilft they play this ftrange&doubtfull game, The Queene ftands by, and onely giues the ayme. 46 When this braue Lord his foote had fcarcely fet Into the road where Fortune had to deale, But fhe difpofd his forward courfe to let, Her lewd condition quickly doth reueale, Glorie to her vaine deitie to get, By him, whofe birth did beare her omenous feale, Winning occafion from this very hower, In him to proue and manifeft her power. As 26 the Barrons warres. 17 47 As when we fee the earely rifing Sunne, With his faire beames to emulate our fight, And when his courfe but newly is begunne, The humorous fogges depriue his wifhed light, Till through the moift clouds his cleare forehead run, Climing the noonfted in his gorgeous height : His bright beginning fortune hindreth thus, To make the reft more rich, more glorious. 48 The King difcreetely that confidered, The fpace of earth whereon the Barrons ftand, What were their powers to them contributed. Now being himfelfe but partner of his land, And of the ftrength and army that hee led, Gainft them that doe fo great a power command, In which t'was well he did fo wifely looke, The taske was great that now he vndertooke. 49 And warn'd by danger to mif-doubt the worft, In equall fcales whilft eithers fortune hung, Muft now performe the vtmoft that he durft, Or vndergoe the burden of his wrong ; As good to ftirre, as after be inforft To flop the head whence many euills fprung : Now with the marchers thinkes it beft beginne, Which firft muft loofe, ere he could hope to winne. C The 27 1 8 The firjl Booke of 50 The Mortimers being men of greateft might, Whofe name was dreadfull, and commanded far, Sturdie to manage, of a haughtie fpright, Strongly aly'd, much followed, popular, On whom if thus he happily could light, He hopes more eafly to conclude this war ; Which he intendeth fpeedily to try, To quit that firft, which moft ftood in his eye. Si For which he expeditioufly prouided That part of land into his power to get, Which if made good, might keepe them ftill diuided, Their combination cunningly to let, Who being conioyn'd, would be too ftrongly fided, Two, fo great ftrengths together fafely met, The face of warre would looke fo fterne and great, As well might threat to heaue him from his feate. 52 Wherefore from London ftrongly fetting forth, With a faire Army furnifh'd of the beft, Accompany'd with frends of greateft worth, With whom there's many a gallant fpirit is preft ; Great Lancajler, the Lord of all the North, The Mortimers are Maifters of the Weft, (ther, Hee towards mid England makes, the waytwixt ei- Which theymuft croffe, ere they could com together. And 28 the Barrons warns. 19 S3 And thus inueagled with delightfull hope, Stowtly to front and fhoulder with debate, Knowing to meete with a refolued troupe That came prepar'd with courage, and with hate, Whofe ftubborne Crefts if he inforc'd to ftoope, He now mufl tempt fome great and powrefull fate ; And through fterne guards of fwords&irefull flame, Make way to peace, and propagate his name. 54 When now the Marchers well vpon their way, (Expecting fuch mould promised fuccour bring Which all this while abus'd them by delay) Are fuddainely encountred by a King, And now perceiue their dilatory flay To be the caufer of their ruining, How neere their bofoms blacke deflruclion flood, With open iawes prepared for their blood. 55 And by the fhifting of inconflant wind, Seeing what weather they were like to meet,, Which (euen) at firfl fo aukwardly they find Ere they could yet giue fea-roomth to their fleet, Cleane from their courfe, and cafl fo far behind, And yet in perrill euery howre to fplit, Some vnknowne harbor fuddainely mufl found, Or runne their fortunes defprately on ground. C 2 The 29 20 Thefirft Booke of The elder peere, graue, politique, and wife. Which had all dangers abfolutely fcand, Finding high time his Nephew to aduife, Since now their ftate flood on this defperate hand, And from this mifchiefe many more to rife, With long experience learn'd to vnderftand : Nephew (faith he) t'is longer vaine to ftriue, Counfell beft femes our fafetie to contriue. 57 The downe-right perill prefent in our eye Not to be fhund, what certaine end t'affures ; The next, the weight that on our fall doth lie, And what our life to our defigne procures, Each hope, and doubt that doth arife thereby, Prouing with iudgement how the fame endures : For who obferues ftricl pollicies true lawes, Shifts his proceeding to the varying caufe. To hazard fight with the Emperiall powers, May our fmall troupes vndoubtedly appall, A defperate end vs willingly deuours ; Yeelding our felues, by this wee loofe not all, We leaue our friends this little force of ours, Referu'd for them, though haplefly we fall ; That fhew of weaknes hath a glorious hand, That falls it felfe, to make the caufe to ftand. Twixt 3« the Barrons warres. 21 59 Twixt inexpefted and fo dangerous ills, That's beft wherein we fmalleft perrill fee, A courfe that reafon neceffary wills, And that doth moft with pollicie agree, The idle vulgar breath it nothing skils, T'is found difcretion muft our Pylot be, He that doth ftill the fayreft meane preferre, Anfwers opinion how fo ere he erre. 60 And to the worlds eye feeming yet fo ftrong, By our difcending willingly from thence, May vrge the fhew of our oppofed wrong Rather b'inforcement then fore-thought pretence, Leauing th'aduantage doth to vs belong, May qualifie the nature of th'offence, Men are not alwayes incident to loffe, When Fortune feemes their forward caufe to croffe. 61 Nor giue we enuie abfolute acceffe, To lay our fall vpon thy forward mind, Ther's neerer meanes this mifchiefe to redreffe, And make fuccesfull what is yet behinde, Nor of our hope vs wholy difpoffeffe, Fortune is euer varioufly inclind, And a fmall vantage to the courfe of Kings, Guides a flight meanes to compaffe mighty things. C 3 Which 31 22 Thefirjl Bopke of 62 Which fpeech fo caught his Nephews pliant youth, Faftning vpon a dutiful refpeft, Which he with fuch celeritie purfu'th, (Well could he counfell, well could he diredl) Proceeding from integritie and truth, And working with fuch profperous effecl:, Shewes wifemens counfels, by a powerfull fate, (Seeming from reafon) yet proue fortunate. 63 To which they awfull Maieftie inuite By the moft due and ceremonious way, With circumftance, and each conditi'nall rite Might winne refpecl; vnto this new effay, Or might opinion any way excite, To which the King doth willingly obay j Who as themfelues in finding danger neere, Rather accepts doubt, then a certaine feare. 64 Which he receaues in prefage of his good, To his fucceffetaufpicioufly apply'd, Which cooles the heat of his diftemperd blood, Before their force in doubtfull Armes was try'd, In his protection when they onely flood, At his difpofing wholy to abide, whereon in fafety he difmift their power, Sends them away as prifoners to the tower. O 32 the Barrons warres. 23 65 O all-preparing prouidence Diuine, In thy large Booke what fecrets are enrold ? What fundry helps doth thy great powre affigne, To ftay the courfe thou ftedfaftly dooft hold ? What mortall fence is able to define Thy myfteries, thy counfells manifold ; By thefe degreflions ftrangely that extends Thy obfcure proceedings to aparent ends ? 66 This was the meane, by which the Fates difpofe More threatned plagues vpon that age to bring, Vtter confufion on the heads of thofe That were before the Barrons ruining, With the fubuerfion of fo many foes, The murther of the miferable King ; And that which came as Epilogue to all, Laftly, his fearefull, and fo violent fall. Which to their hope giues time for further breath, As the firft pawfe in this their great affaire, That yet awhile deferr'd this threatning death, Trading this breach by leyfure to repaire, And heere a while this furie limetteth : Whilft in this manner things fo ftrangely fare, Horror beyond the wonted bounds doth fweil, As the next Canto dreadfully fhal tell. The end of the firjl Canto. C 4 33 Jfo The fecond Booke of the Barrons warres. (V) The Argument. At Burton-bridge thepuiffant armies met ; The forme and order of the doubtfull fight, Whereas the King the viclory doth get, And theprowd Barrons lajtly forcde to flight ; How they againe towardes Burrough forward fet, Where then the Lords are vanquijhed outright, Laflly, the /awes doe execute their power, On thofe thefword before did not deuoure. THis chance of warre, that dreadfully had fwept So large a fhare from their full-reckned might, Which their prowd hopes fo carefully had kept Whilft yet their ftate ftoode equally vpright, That could at firft fo clofely intercept, That fhould haue feru'd them for a glorious fight, Mufters fupplies of footemen, and of horfe, To giue a new ftrength to their ruinde force. Th'in- 34 the Barrons warres. 25 Th'inueterate griefe fo deepe and firmely rooted, Yet (lightly curde by this fhort ftrengthleffe peace ; To affay t'remoue, fince it but vainely booted, That did with each diftemprature increafe, And being by euery offerd caufe promooted, Th'effe<5t too firmely fetled to furceafe : When each euafion fundry pafiions brought, Strange formes of feare in euery troubled thought. 3 And put in aftion for this publique caufe, Whilft euery one a party firmely ftoode, Taxt by the letter of the cenfuring lawes, In the fharpe tainder of his honoured blood ; And he thats free'ft, entangled by fome claufe, Which to this mifchiefe giues continuall food ; For where confufion gets fo ftrongly hold, Till all confumde, can hardly be controlde. 4 Where now by night, euen when pale leaden fleepe, Vpon their eie-lids heauily did dwell, And, ftep by ftep, on euery fence did creepe, Mifchiefe (that blacke inhabitant of hell) Which neuer failes continuall watch to keepe, Fearefull to thinke, a horred thing to tell, Entred the place where now thefe warlike Lordes Lay maild in armour, girt with irefull fwords. Mifchiefe 26 Thefecond Booke of 5 Mifchiefe with fharpe fight, and a meager looke, And alwaies prying where fhe may do ill, In which the fiend continuall pleafure tooke, Her ftarued body Plenty could not fill, Searching in euery corner, euery nooke, With winged feete, too fwift to worke her will ; Hung full of deadly inftruments fhe went, Of euery fort to hurt where ere fhe meant. 6 And with a viall fild with banefull wrath, Brought from Cocytus by this curfed fpright, Which in her blacke hand readily fhe hath, And drops the poifon vpon euery wight \ For to each one fhe knew the readie path : Now in the midft and dead-time of the night, Whofe enuious force inuadeth euery Peere, Striking with furie, and impulfiue feare. 7 The weeping morning breaking in the Eaft, When with a troubled and affrighted mind, Each whom this venom lately did infeft, The ftrong effefl; foone inwardly to find ; And lately troubled by vnquiet reft, To fad deftruction euery one inclind; Rumours of fpoile through euery care doth flye, And fury fits in eu'ry threatning eye. This 3<5 the Barrons warres. 27 8 This doone, in hafte vnto King Edward hies, Which now growne proude vpon his faire fucceffe, The time in feafts and wantonneffe implies With crowned cups his forrowes to redreffe, That on his fortune wholy now relies, And in the bofome of his Courtly preffe Vaunting the glory of this late wonne day, Whilft the fick Land with forrow pines away. 9 Thether fhe comes, and in a Minions fhape Shee creepeth neere the perfon of the King, Warm'd with the verdure of the fwelling grape, In which, fhe poyfon fecretly doth wring, Not the leaft drop vntaynted doth efcape, To which intent fhe all her ftore did bring, Whofe rich commixture making it more ftrong, Fills his hote veines with arrogance and wrong. 10 And hauing both fuch courage, and fuch might As to fo great a bufineffe did belong, Neuer confidering their pretended right Should be inducement to a trebled wrong. When mifty error fo deludes their fight, Which ftill betwixt them, and cleere reafon hong ; By which opinion falfly was abufde, As left all out of order, all confufde. Now 37 28 Tkefecond Booke of II Now our Minerua tells of dreadfull Armes, Inforc'd to fing of worfe than ciuill warres, Of Ambufcades, ftratagems, alarmes, Vnkind difcentions, fearfull maffacars, Of gloomy magiques, and benumming charmes, Frefh-bleeding wounds, and neuer-healed skarrs, And for the fock wherein fhe vfde to tread, Marching in greaues, a helmet on her head. 12 Whilft hate, and griefe, their weakned fence delude, The Barrons draw their forces to a head, (WhomeiiVfowrffpur'd with vengeance ftill purfude) By Lancajler, and noble Herford led, This long proceeding laftly to conclude ; Whilft now to meet, both Armies frefhly fped To Burton, both incamping for the day, With expectation for a glorious pray. 13 Vpon the Eaft, from Needwoods bufhy fide, There rifeth vp an eafie clyming hill, At whofe faire foote the filuer Trent doth glide, With a deep murmure permanent and ftill, With liberall ftore of many Brooks fupplide, Th'infatiate Meades continually doe fill, Vpon whofe ftreame, a bridge of wondrous ftregth Doth ftretch it felfe in forty arches length. Vpon 3* The Bdrrons warres. 29 14 Vppon this Mount the Kings pauillion fixt, And in the towne, the foe intrench'd in fight, When now the flood is rifen fo betwixt, That yet a while prolong'd th'unturall fight, With tributarie waters intermixt, To ftay the furie dooing all it might, Things which prefage both good and ill there bee, Which heauen fore-fhewes, but mortals cannot fee. 15 The heauen euen mourning o're our heads doth fit, As greeu'd to fee the time fo out of courfe, Looking on them who neuer looke at it, And in meere pittie melting with remorce, Longer from teares that cannot ftay a whit, Whofe confluence on euery lower fourfe, From the fwolne fluxure of the clowdes doth fhake A ranke Impoftume vpon euery lake. 16 O warlike Nation ! hold thy conquering hand, Euen fenceleffe things admonifh thee to pawfe, That Mother foyle on whom thou yet dooft ftand, That would reftraine thee by all naturall lawes. Canft thou (vnkinde) inuiolate that band, When even the earth is angry with the caufe ? Yet ftay thy foote in mifchiefes vglie gate, 111 comes too foone, repentance ftill too late. And 39 30 Thefecond Booke of And can the clowdes weepe ouer thy decay, And not one drop fall from thy droughtie eyes? See'ft thou the fnare, and wilt not fhun the way, Nor yet be warn'd by paffed miferies ? T'is yet but early in this fatall day ; Let late experience learne thee to be wife, Mifchiefe forefeene, may eafly be preuented, But hap'd, vnhelp'd, though nere enough lamented. 18 Cannot the Scot of your late (laughter boaft ? And are you yet fcarce healed of the fore ? I'ft not enough you haue alreadie loft, But your owne madneffe needfly make it more ? Will you feeke fafety in a forraine Coaft ? Your wiues and children pittied you before ; But when your own blood your own fwords imbrue, Who pitties them which once did pittie you ? The neighbouring groues difpoiled of their trees, For boates, and timber to affay this flood, Where men are laboring as the Summer bee, Some hollowing truncks> fom binding heaps of wood, Some on their breafts, fome working on their knees, To winne the bancke whereon the Barrons ftood, Which o're this current they by ftrength muft tew, To fhed that blood that many ages rew. Some 40 The Barrons warres. 3 1 20 Some fharpen fwords, fome on their Murrians fet The Greaues, and pouldrons others riuet faft, The archers now their bearded arrowes whet, Whilft euerywhere the clamerous Drums are bra'ft, Some taking view where fureft ground to get, And euery one advantage doth fore-caft ; In ranks and fyles each plaine and meadow fwarmes, As though the land were clad in angry Armes. 21 The crefts and honours of the Englifh name, Againft their owne oppofed rudely ftand, As angry with th'atchieuements whence they came, That to their vertues gaue the generous brand ; O you vnworthy of your ancient fame, Againft your felues to lift your conqu'ring hand I Since forraine fwords your height could not abate, By your owne powre your felues to ruinate. 22 Vpon his furcoate valiant Neuell bore A filuer faltoyre grac'd on martial! red ; A Ladies fleeue hie-fpirited Hafiings wore, Ferrer his Taberd with rich verry fpred, Wei knowne in many a warlike match before ; A Rauen fate on Corbets warlike head, Cou'ring his Helmet ; Culpepper inrayld, On maiden Armes, a bloodie bend engrayld. The / 4i 32 Thefecond Booke of 23 The noble Percy in this furious day, With a bright Creffant in his guide-home came, In his faire Cornet Verdoon dooth difplay A Geuly fret, priz'd in this mortall game That had beene taskt in many a doubtfull fray, His launces pennons ftained with the fame ; The angry horfe chafde with the ftubborne bit, The ruinous earth with rage and horror fmit. 24 I could the fumme of Staffords arming fhow, What colours Courtney, Rojfe and Warren holde, Each fundry blazon I could let you know, And all the glorious circumftance haue tolde, What all the Enfignes ftanding in arow, But wailing in a Mufe, (ah me) thou arte controlde, When in remembrance of this horred deede, My pen for inke euen drops of blood doth fheede. 25 Th'imperiall ftandard in this place is pitcht, With all the hatchments of the Englifh crowne, Great Lancafter with all his power enricht, Sets the fame Leopards in his Colours downe ; O if with furie you be not bewitcht, Haue but remembrance, on your felfe you frowne, A little note, or difference is in all, How can the fame (land, when the fame dooth fall? Behold 42 the Barrens war res. 33 26 Behold the Eagles, Lyons, Talbots, Beares, The badges of your famous anceftries, And (hall they now by their inglorious heires, Stand thus oppos'd againft their families ? More honoured markes no Chriftian nation weares, Reliques unworthie of their progenies ; Thofe beafts you beare, do in their kindes agree, O that then beafts more fauage men fhould bee ! 27 But whilft the king no courfe concluded yet, In his directions variably doth houer, See how misfortunes ftill her time can fit, Such as were fent the Country to difcouer ; As vp and downe, from place to place they flit, Had found a foord to land their forces ouer : 111 newes hath wings, and with the winde doth goe, Comfort's a Cripple, and comes euer flow. 28 When Edward fearing Lancaflers fupplies, Prowd Richmond, Surry and great Penbrooke fent, On whofe fucceffe his chiefeft hope relies ; Vnder whofe conduit, halfe his Army went, The neereft way, conducted by the fpies ; And he himfelfe, and Edmond Earle of Kent, Vpon the hill, in fight of Burton lay, Watching to take aduantage of the day. D Stay 43 34 Thefecond Booke of Stay, Surry ftay, thou mai'ft too foone be gone, Pawfe till this rage be fomewhat ouer paft, Why runn'ft thou thus to thy deftru&ion ? Richmond and Penbrooke, whither doe you hafte? You labour ftill to bring more horror on ; Neuer feeke forrow, for it comes too faft : Why do you ftriue to paffe this fatall flood, To fetch new wounds, and fhed your natiue blood ? 30 Great Lancafter, (heath vp thy angry fword, On Edzuardsairmeswhok edge thou fhouldft not whet, Thy naturall kinfman, and thy foueraigne Lord ; Are you not one, both true Plantaginet? Call but to mind thy once-engaged word, Canft thou thy oath to Longfhankes thus forget ? Confider well, before all other things Our vowes be kept we make to Gods and Kings. 31 The windes are hufh'd no little breath doth blow, Which feemes fo ftill as though it liftning flood, With trampling crouds the verie earth doth bow, And through the fmoke the funneappeares like blood; What with the fhout, and with the dreadfull fhow, The heirds and flockes runne bellowing to the wood. When drums and trumpets giue the fearfull found, As they would fhake the clowds vnto the ground. The 44 the Barrons warres. 35 32 The Earles then charging with their power of horfe, Taking a fignall when they (hould beginne, Being in view of the imperiall force, Which at the time affay'd the bridge to winne ; That now the Barrons change th'intended courfe, T'auoide the danger they were lately in ; Which on the fuddaine had they not fore-caft, Of their black e day this howre had beene the laft. 33 When from the hill the Kings maine power comes Which had Aquarius to their valiant guide, (downe, Braue Lancafter and Herford from the towne Now iffue forth vpon the other fide, Peere againft peere, the crowne againft the crowne, The one affailes, the other munifide, Englands red croffe vpon both fides doth flie, Saint George the king, S. George the Barrons crie. 34 Like as an exhalation hote and dry, Amongft the ayre-bred moiftie vapors throwne, Spetteth his lightning forth outragioufly, Rending the groffe clowdes with the thunder-ftone, Whofe fierie fplinters through the thin ayre flie, That with the terror heauen and earth doth grone ; With the like clamor and confufed woe, To the dread fhocke thefe defp'rate Armies goe. D 2 Now 45 36 Thefecottd Booke of 35 Now might you fee the famous Englifh Bowes So fortunate in times we did fubdue, Shoote their fharpe arrowes in the face of thofe Which many a time viflorioufly them drew, Shunning their aime, as troubled in the loofe ; The winged weapons mourning as they flew, Cleaue to the firing, (now impotent and flacke) As to the Archers they would faine turne backe. 36 Behold the remnant of Troyes auntient ftocke, Laying on blowes, as Smiths on Anuils ftrike, Grapling together in this fearefull fhocke, Whereas the like incountreth with the like, As firme and ruthleffe as th'obdurate Rocke, Deadly oppofed at the pufh of pike ; Still as the wings, or battels brought together, When Fortune yet giues vantage vnto neither. 37 From battred caskes with euery enuious blow, The fcattred plumes flie loofly heere and there, Which in the ayre dooth feeme as drifts of fnow, Which euery light breath on his wings dooth beare, As they had fence and feeling of our woe ; And thus affrighted with the prefent feare, (make, Now backe, now forward fuch ftrange windings As though vncertaine which way they fhould take; Slaughter 46 the Barrens warres. 37 38 Slaughter runnes wildely through th'affli&ed hofte Whilft yet the battaile ftrongly dooth abide, That in this ftrange diftemprature is loft, Where hellifh fury fenfibly doth guide, Neuer fuffifde, where tyrannizing moll, (wide,) That now their woundes (with mouthes euen opend Laftly inforcde to call for prefent death, (breath. That wants but tongues, your fwords do give them 39 Heere lies a heape halfe flaine, and halfly drownd, Gafping for breath among the watry fegs, And there a fort falne in a deadly fwownd, Troade with the preffe into the muddy dregs, Other lie bleeding on the firmer ground, Hurt in the bodies, maimde of armes and legs, One kills a foe, his braine another cuts, Ones feete intangled in anothers guts. 40 One his affayling enemie beguiles, As from the bridge hee happily dooth fall, Crufht with his weight vpon the forced piles, Some in their gore vpon the pauement fpraule, That euery place fo loathfomely defiles, The carcafies lie heaped like a wall, Such hideous fhreekesyet ftilthe fouldiers breathe, As though the fpirits had howled from beneathe. D 3 The 47 38 The fecond Booke of 4* The fadtion ftill defying Edwards might, Edmond of Woodjiocke with the men of Kent, Charging afrefh, reuiues the doubtfull fight, Vpon the Barrons languifhing and fpent, New preparation for a tragicke fight ; When they againe fupplies immediate fent A fecond battaile prowdly to beginne, The nobleft fpirits but newly entred in. 42 As at Troyes facke, faire Thetis godlike funne, Couragious Talbot with his fhield him bare, Clifford and Mowbray brauely following on, Awdley and Gifford thronging for a fhare ; Thefe feconding, the former being gone, Elntjbridge and Bald/mere in the thickeft are, Pell mell together flie this furious powre, When they perceiue that death will all deuoure. 43 Mountfortand 7m,yourwoorth I faine would fpeake, But that your valure dooth fo ill deferue, And Denuile heere from thee perforce muft breake, And from thy praifes Willington muft fwerue, Your deeds permit not I your wrongs fhould wreake, Prowd Datnory, heere muft thy glorie ftarue ; Concealing many moft deferuing blame, Becaufe your actions quench my facred flame. O 48 the Barrons warres. 39 44 O had you fafhion'd your great deedes by them, Who fommond Aeon with an Englifli drumme, Or marcht before that faire Ierufalem, With the vnited powres of Chriftendome, Eternall then had beene your Diadem, And with Chrifts warriors flept about his toombe : Then ages had immortalizde your name, Where now my fong can be but of your fliame. 45 O age inglorious, armes vntimely borne, When now this prooued and victorious fliield Muft in this ciuill maffacre be tome, Which bare the markes of many a bloody field ; And laftly, in their ouerthrowne forlorne, When now to flight the Barrons bafely yeeld, That fince that time the ftones for very dreed, Againft foule ftormsfmal drops of moifture fheed. 46 When now thofe wretched and vnftedfaft frends, Which all this while ftoode doubtfully to pawfe, When they perceiue what defteny intends, And his fucceffe dooth iuftifie his caufe, Their faintneffe now more comfort apprehends, For viftory both feare and friendfhip drawes, T'an open fmile, conuert a couered frowne, All lend their hands to hew the conquered downe. D 4 That g 49 40 Tkefecond Evoke of 47 That part of power th'emperiall feemde to lacke, Whilft yet the aduerfe bare an vpright face, When now conftraind to giue a recreant backe, Quickely returnes to profecute the chafe, Where now the Barrons wholy goe to wracke, In the iuft triall of fo neere a cafe ; Inforcde to prooue the fortune of the coaft, When they perceiue the glorious goale is loft. 48 And to the fortunes of the conquering King, Which well confirmde his long and tendered hope, His faire fucceffe ftill more incouraging, Which now had gote fo large and ample fcope, The Earle of Carlell happily dooth bring His light-armde bands the valiant Northerne troope, Armed too lately, and with too much fpeed, To doe mod harme, euen when we leaft had need. 49 When now the Barrons making out their way, Through partes for fafety, and aduantage knowne, Keeping their force ftill bodied as they may, Into the depth of this misfortune throwne ; And in purfuite, deuifing day by day T'offend th'affailant, and defend their owne, In their laft hope the utmoft to endure, To deferre th'effeft, although the end were fure. And 50 the Barrons war res. 41 SO And whilft their fortune fating fadly thus, To Burrough-bridge conduced by their fate, Bridges to Barrons euer ominous, And to this place their fall preordinate, That miniftring fuch caufe of griefe to vs, By the remembrance of their paffed ftate ; The very foile by deepe impreffion yit, Euen to this day doth ftill remember it. Si New courage now, new fights, new battells rangde, New breath (but what might make deftruftion new) They change the ground, but yet theirfate vnchangde, Which too directly doth their courfe purfue, Nor from their former mifery eftrangde, Their ftrength decayes, their dangers daily grew, To fhorten that which whilft it did depend, Gaue a long breathing to a fearefull end. 52 Like to a heird of weary heartleffe deere, Whom hote-fpurrde huntfmen ferioufly doe chafe, In brakes and bufhes falling heere and there, Proouing each couert, euery fecret place, Yet by the hounds recouered euery where, With eager yearning in the fented trace ; Hem'd on each fide with homes rechating blaft, Headlong themfelues into the toyles doe caft. Enfigne 51 42 Thefecond Booke of 53 Enfigne beards enfigne,fword genft fworddoth (hake, Wing againft wing, and ranke doth ranke oppofe, In, on each other furioufly they brake, And death in earned to his bus'neffe goes, A generall hauocke as difpofde to make, And with deftruftion dooth them all inclofe, Dealing it felfe impartially to all, Friend by his friend, and foe by foe doth fall. 54 This parte of life which yet they did refpire, In fpite of Fortune, as they ftood preparde, With courage chargde, with comelineffe retire, Make good their ground, & then relieue their guarde, Withftand the entrer, then purfue the flier, New forme their battell, fhifting euery warde, As your hie courage ; but were your quarrell good, O noble fpirits, how deare had bin your blood ? 55 The Northerne bands th'ambitious Herckley led On the weake Barrens mangled fo before, That now towards Burrough make a puiffant head, Incouraging th'emperiall power the more ; O day fo fatall, and fo full of dread, When ere fhall time thy ruinous wafte reftore, Which to amend although thou fhalt perfeuer, Thou ftill maift promife, but performe it neuer. Pale 52 the Barrens warres. 43 56 Pale death beyond all wonted bounds doth fwell, Caruing prowd flefh in cantells now at large, As leaues in Autumne, fo the bodies fell Vnder rough fteele at euery boyftrous charge, O what fad pen can the deftru&ion tell, Where fcalps lay beaten as the battred targe ; And euery one he claimeth as his right, That not prouides t'efcape away by flight. 57 Thofe enfigns erft, that in the glittring field With their curld foreheads threat th'ambitious foe, Like wetherd foule the drowping pinions yeeld, Stouping their prowde heads to the duft below, There fits a helmet, and there lies a fhield, O ill did fate thefe noble Armes beftow, Which as a quarry on the foilde earth lay, Seizde on by conqueft as a glorious pray. 58 Heere noble Bohutie that braue-iffued peere, Herford fo hie in euery gracious heart, Vnto his country fo receiude, and deere, Wounded by treafon in the lower part, (As o're the bridge his men returning were) Through thofe ill-ioynd planckes by an enuious dart : But Lancafter, whofe lot not yet to die, Taken, referu'd to greater infamie. O s;> 44 The fecond Booke of 59 O fubieft for fome fadder Mufe to fing, Of fiue great Earledomes happily poffeft, Of the direct line of the Englifh king, With fauours, friends, and earthly honours bleft, If fo that all thefe happineffe could bring, Or could endow affurednes of reft ; But what eftate ftands free from fortunes powre ? The Fates haue guidance of our time and howre. 60 Some few themfelues in fanftuaries hide, In mercie of that priuiledged place, Yet are their bodies fo vnfan&ifide, As fcarce their foules can euer hope for grace ; Whereas they ftill in want and feare abide, A poore dead life this draweth out a fpace, Hate ftands without, and horror fits within, Prolonging fhame, but pard'ning not their finne. 61 Here is not death contented with the dead, As though of fome thing carelefly denide, Till which might firmely be accomplifhed His vtmoft fully were not fpecifide, That all exactly might be perfected A further torment vengeance dooth prouide, That dead men fhould in mifery remaine, To make the liuing die with greater paine. You 54 the Barrons warres. 45 62 You foueraine Cities of th'ami&ed He, In Cipreffe wreathes, and widowed attire, Prepare yee now to build the funerall pile ; Lay your pale hands vnto this lateft fire, All mirth and comfort from your ftreetes exile, Till you be purgde of this infectious ire, The nobleft blood yet liuing to be fhed, That euer dropt from your rebellious dead. 63 When this braue Lord great Lancajler, who late This puiffant force had now thus long retainde, As the firft Agent in this ftrange debate At fatall Pomfret for thefe fafts arraignde ; Gainft whom of all things they articulate, To whom thefe factions chiefly appertainde : Whofe proofes apparant fo dire£lly fped, As from his body reft a reuerent head. 64 Yet Lancajler, it is not thy deere breath Can ranfome backe the fafety of the Crowne, Nor make a league of fo great powre with death, To warrant what is rightfully our owne, But they muft pay the forfait of their faith, Which fondly broke with their ambition, When now reuenge vnto the vtmoft rackt, The Agents iuftly fufifer with the aft. Euen 55 \6 The fecond Booke of 65 Euen in that place where he had lately led, As this darke path vnto the reft to fhow, It was not long ere many followed, In the fame fteps that he before did goe ; London, thy freedom is prohibited, The firft in place (O would the firft in woe) Others in blood did not excell thee farre, That now deuoure the remnant of this warre. 66 O parents ruthfull, and hart-renting fight, To fee that fonne thy tender bofome fed, A mothers ioy, a fathers fole delight, That with much coft, yet with more care was bred ; A fpeftacle euen able to affright Th'moft fenceleffe thing, and terrifie the dead ; His blood fo deere vpon the cold earth powr'd, His quarter'd coarfe of birds and beafts deuour* The third Booke of the Barrons warres. (***) The Argument. By a Jleepie potion that the Queene ordaines, Lord Mortimer ef capes out of the Tower, And by falfe flights, and many fubtile traines, Shee gets to France to rai/e a forraigne power ; The French King leaues hisfofier ; neede conjlraines The Queene to Henault in a happie hower : Edward herfonne to Philip is affide, And for inuafion prefently prouide. SCarce had thefe paffed miferies their ends, When other troubles inftantly begunne, As (ftill) new matter mifchiefe apprehends, By things that inconfid'rately were done ; And further yet this infolence extends, Whilft all not yeelded that the fword had wonne ; For fome there were that fecretly did lie That to this bus'nes had a watchfull eye. When 58 the Barrons war res. 49 2 When as the King (whilft things thus fairely went) Who by this happy victory grew ftrong, Sommons at Yorke a prefent Parlement, To plant his right, and helpe the Spenfers wrong, By which he thinkes t'eftablifh his intent, Whence (more & more) his Minions greatnes fprong, Whofe counfells ftill in all proceedings croffde Th'inraged Queene, whom all misfortunes toffde. 3 When now the eldft, a man extreamely hated, Whom yet the King not aptly could preferre, The edge of their fharpe infolence abated, This Parlement makes Earle of Winchefter, Where Herckley Earle of Carlell is created, And Baldocke likewife is made Chancellor, On whom the king had for his purpofe wrought, A man as fubtile, fo corrupt, and nought. When now mifhaps that feldome come alone, Thicke in the necks of one an other fell, The Scot pretends a new inuafion, And France doth thence our vfe-full powre expell, Treafons fufpefted to attend his throne, The grieued Commons euery day rebell, Mifchiefe on mifchiefe, curfe doth follow curfe* One ill fcarce paft, when after comes a worfe. E For 59 50 The third Booke of 5 For Mortimer this winde yet fitly blew, Troubling their eyes which elfe perhaps might fee, Whilft the wife Queene, who all aduantage knew, Is clofly plotting his deliuery, (Which now fhe dooth with all her powres purfue) Aptly contriu'd by her deepe policie, Againft opinion, and the courfe of might, To worke her will, euen through the jawes of fpite. 6 A fleepy drinke fhe fecretly hath made, Whofe operation had fuch wondrous povvre, As with cold numneffe could the fenfe inuade, And mortifie the patient by an houre, The lifeleffe coarfe in fuch a (lumber laide, As though pale death did wholy it deuoure : Nor for two dayes take benefite of eyes, By all meanes Arte or Phyficke could deuife. 7 For which fhe Plantane and colde Lettice had, The water Lilly from the marrifh ground, With the wanne Poppy, and the Night-fhade fad, And the fhort moffe that on the trees is found, The poyfning Henbane, and the Mandrake drad, With Cypreffe flowers that with the reft are pownd ; The braine of Cranes like purpofely fhe takes, Mixt with the blood of Dormife, and of Snakes. Thus 6o the Barrons ivarres. 5 1 8 Thus fits the great Enchauntreffe in her Cell. Strongly engirt with ceremonious charmes, Her cleanfed body fenfde with halowing fmell, With veftall fire her potent liquor warmes, Hauing full heate, vnto her bufnes fell, When her with Magicke inftruments fhe armes : And from the herbs the powrefull verdure wrong, To make the medcine forcible and ftrong. 9 The fundry doubts that incident arife, Might be fuppofde her trembling hand to flay, If fhe confidred of the enterprife, To thinke what perill in th'attempting lay, The fecret lurking of deceitfull fpies, That on her fteps continually do pray : But when they leaue off vertue to efteeme, Thofe greatly erre which take them as they feeme. 10 Their plighted faith for liberty they leaue, Their love is colde, their luft hote, hote their hate, With fmiles and teares they ferpent-like deceaue, In their defires they be infatiate, There's no reftraint their purpofe can bereaue, Their will no bound, nor their reuenge no date, All feare exempt where they at ruine aime, Couering their finnewith their difcouered fhame. E 2 The 61 5 2 The third Booke of ii The elder of the Mortimers this fpace, (That many fundry miferies had paft,) So long reftrainde within that healthleffe place, Redeemde by death, yet happily at laft That much auailes the other in this cafe, And from this Lord that impofition caft, Which the deare fafety of his vncles breath Within the tower fo ftriftly limiteth. 12 But there was more did on his death depend, Than heauen was pleafde the foolifh worlde fhoulde And why the Fates thus hafted on his end, (know, Thereby intending greater things to fhow ; Braue Lord, in vaine thy breath thou didft not fpend, From thy corruption further matters grow, And fome beginning fruitfully to fpring, New formes of feare vpon the time to bring. 13 All things preparde in readineffe, and fit, The Queene attends her potions powre to proue, Their ftedfaft friends, their beft affifting it, Their feruants feale their fecrets vp in loue ; And he expreffe his valure and his wit, Whome of the reft it chiefly doth behoue, Places refolu'd where guide and horfes lay, And where the fhip him fafely to conuay. As 62 tJie Barrens warres. 5 3 14 As his large bounties liberally were heap't To all deferuing, or to thofe that neede, His folemne birth-dayes feftiual was kept At his free charge, all in the Tower to feede, Which may fufpition cleerely intercept, A ftrong affiftant in fo great a neede, (quench, When midd'ft their eates, their furious third to Mixing their wine with this approoued drench. IS Which foone each fence, and eu'ry power doth feize, When he that knew the ftrength of euery warde, And to the purpofe forting all his keyes, His corded ladders readily preparde ; And lurking foorth by the moft fecret wayes, Not now to learne his Compaffe by the Carde, To winne the walles couragioufly doth goe, Which looke as fcorning to be maiftred fo. 16 They foundly fleepe whilft his quicke fpirites awake, Oppofde to perill, and the ftern'ft extreames, Alcydes labours new to vndertake, Of walls, of gates, of watches, and of ftreames, Through which his paffage he is now to make, An let them tell king Edward of their dreames : For ere they rofe out of the brainficke traunce, He hopes to tell this noble jeaft in Fraunce. E 2 The 63 54 The third Booke of The fullen night hath her blacke curtaines fpred, Lowring the day had tarried vp fo long, Whofe faire eyes clofing foftly fteales to bed, When all the heauens with duskie clowdes are hung. And Cynthia now pluckes in her horned head, And to the Weft incontinently flung ; As fhe had long'd to certifie the funne, What in his abfence in her Court was done. 18 The glimmering lights, like Sentinels in warre, Behind the clowdes ftand craftily to pry, And through falfe loope-holes looking from afarre, To fee him skirmifh with his defteny j Not any fix'd, nor any wandring ftarre, As they had held a counfell in the skie ; And had before concluded with the night, It fhould not looke for any cheerefull fight. In deadly filence all the fhores are hufh'd, Onely the Skreech-howle founds to the affault, And IJis with a troubled murmure rufh'd, As if consenting, and would hide the fault ; And as his foote the (and or grauell crufh'd, A little whifp'ring mou'd within the vault, Made by the treading foftly as he went, Which feem'd to fay, it furthred his intent. This 64 the Barrons warres. 55 20 This wondrous Queene whom care yet reftleffe kept, Now for his fpeede to heauen holds vp her hands, A thoufand ftrange thoughts in her bofome heap't, As in her clofet liftning ftill fhe ftands, That many a figh fpent, many a warme teare wept, And though diuided, as in fundry ftrands, Moft abfent, prefent in defires they bee, Our mindes difcerne where eyes do ceafe to fee. 21 The fmall clowdes iffuing from his lips fhe faith, Labouring fo faft, as he the ladder clame, Should purge the ayre of peftilence and death ; And as fometime that filch'd Promethian flame, Euen fo the power and vertue of his breath, New creatures in the elements fhould frame ; And to what part of heauen it happ'd to ftray, There fhould path out another milkie way. 22 Attainde the top, halfe fpent a while to blow, Now round about he cafts his longing eyes, The gentle earth falutes him from below, And couered with the comfortable skies, Viewing the way that he is now to goe, Cheer'd with the beames of Ifabels faire eyes, Downe from the turret defperately doth Aide, Night be fucceffefull, fortune be his guide. E 4 With 65 5 6 The third Booke of 23 With his defcent, her eye fo (till defcends, As feare had fix'd it to fore-warne his fall, On whom her hope and fortune now depends, When fuddaine feare her fences doth appall ; For prefent aide her god-like hand extends, Forgets herfelfe, and fpeedie aide doth call ; Silent againe, if ought but good fhould hap, She begs of heauen his graue may be her lap. 24 Now fhe intreates the darke diftempred ayre, Then by ftrong Magicks fhe coniures the wind, Then fhe inuokes the gloomie night by prayre, Then with her fpells the mortall fence to bind ; And fearing much left thefe yet fruftrate are, Now by the burning tapers fhe diuin'd, Intreating Thames to giue a friendly paffe, The deereft fraught ere on her bofome was. 25 The rufhing murmure ftills her like a fong, But yet in feare the ftreame fhould fall in loue, Sufpefts the drops that on his treffes hung, And that the billowes for his beautie ftroue, To this faire body that fo clofely clong, Which when in fwimming with his breaft he droue ; Palled with griefe fhe turnes away her face, Iealous that he the waters fhould embrace. This 66 The Barrons warres. 5 7 26 This angry Lyon hauing flipp'd his chaine, As in a feuer makes King Edward quake, Which knew (too well) ere he was caught againe, Deere was the blood mull ferue his thirft to flake, Many the labours had beene fpent in vaine, And he inforc'd a longer courfe to take, Saw further vengeance hanging in the wind, That knew the pride and greatnes of his mind. 27 The faction working in this lingring jarre, How for the Scot free paffage might be made, To lay the ground of a fuccesfull warre, That hope might breede frefh courage to inuade ; And whilft our fafetie ftandeth out fo farre, More dangerous proiefts eu'ry where are layd ; That fome in hand home troubles to enure, Others in France do forraigne broiles procure. 28 By thefe difcentions that were lately fowne, Inciting Charles to open Armes againe, Who feazing Guyne, pretended as his owne, That Edward fhould vnlawfully detaine, Proceeds to make a further title knowne, T'our Lands in Pontieu, and in Aquitaine, When wanted homage hath defolu'd the truce, Waking his wrongs by I/abels abufe. This 67 5 8 The third Booke of 29 This plot concluded that was long in hand, (Which to this iffue profperoufly had thriu'd) The Bafe whereon a mightie frame muft ftand, With mickle Art, yet with more feare contriu'd ; So ftrongly builded by this factious band, As from the fame their fafetie is deriu'd, Till their full-rooted and inueterate hate, Getting more ftrength might deepely penetrate. 30 When choife of fuch to fway this French affaire, Which as a lharpeleffe and vnweldie maffe, Might well imploy the ftrength of all their care ; So hard and perlous to be brought to paffe, Which it behooues them quickly to prepare, That being now fo fetled as it was, Craues a graue fpirit, whofe eminence and powre, Might like a ftiffe gale checke this threatning (fhowre. 3i This muft a Seffion ferioufly debate, That depth of iudgement crau'd to be difcuft, That fo concernes the fafetie of the ftate, And in a cafe fo plaufible and iuft, As might haue quench'd all fparckes of former hate, And might be thought euen pollicie might truft, Could enuy mafter her diftrafted will, Or apprehend facietie in ill. Torlton 68 the Barrons war res. 59 32 Tarleton,wh.ok tongue mens eares in chaines could tie, And as a fearefull thunder-bolt could pierce, In which there more authoritie did lie, Then in the Sybils fage propheticke verfe, Whofe fentence was fo abfolute and hie, As had the power a iudgement to reuerfe ; On the Queenes part with all his might doth ftand, To lay this charge on her well-guiding hand. 33 What helpes her prefence to the caufe might bring, Being a wife, a fifter, and a mother, And in fo great and pertinent a thing, To right her fonne, her husband, and her brother, Her gratious helpe to all distributing, To take of her what they fhould holde of other ; Which colour ferues t'effect in thefe extreames, That which (God knowes) King Edward neuer (dreames. 34 Torleton, is this thy fpirituall pretence ? Would God thy thoughts were more fpirituall, Or leffe perfwafiue were thy eloquence. But O ! thy actions are too temporall ; Opinion lends too great preheminence, Thy reafons fubtile, and fophifticall ; Would all were true thy fuppofition faith, Thy arguments leffe force, or thou more faith. Thefe 69 60 The third Booke of 35 Thefe fuddaine broiles that were begun of late, Still kept in motion by their fecret Height, By falfe fuggeftions fo interminate ; That as a ballaft of fome folide weight, Betwixt thefe aduerfe currents of debate, Kept their proceeding in a courfe fo ftreight, As lends the Queene an ampler colour ftill, By generall meanes to worke a generall ill. 36 She which thus fitly found both wind and tyde, And fees her leifure ferue, the howre fo neare, All her endeuours mutually apply'd, Whilft for her purpofe things fo fitly were, And thus aduantage quickly had efpy'd, As one whofe fortunes taught the worft to feare, Seeing the times fo variously inclinde, And eu'ry toy foone altring Edwards minde. 37 Her followers fuch as friendleffe elfe had flood, Suncke, and deiefted by the Spenfers pride, Who bare the brands of treafon in their blood, Which but with blood there was no way to hide ; Whofe meane was weake, whofe will was but too Which to effect did but the howre abide, (good, And knew all meanes that mifchiefe could inuent, That any way might further her intent. Whilft 7° the Barrons warres. 61 38 Whilft Mortimer which now fo long hath laine From our iuft courfe, by fortune lately crofft, In Fraunce now ftrugling how he might regaine That which before he had in England loft, All prefent meanes doth gladly entertaine, No jote difmaide in all thefe tempefts tofft : Nor his great minde can thus be ouerthrowne, All men his friends, all countries are his owne. 39 And Mufe, tranfported by thy former zeale, Led in our progreffe where his fortune lies, To thy faire ayde I ferioufly appeale, To fing this great man his magnanimous guife, The auntient Heroes vnto me reueale, Whofe worths may raife our nobler faculties, That in my verfe, tranfparent, nete, and cleere, His character more liuely may appeere. 40 Such one he was, of him we boldely fay, In whofe rich foule all foueraigne powres did fute, In whome in peace th'elements all lay So mixt, as none could foueraignty impute ; As all did gouerne, yet all did obey, His liuely temper was fo abfolute, That t'feemde when heauen his modell firft began, In him it fhewd perfection in a man. So 71 62 The third Booke of So throughly feafond, and fo rightly fet, As in the leuell of cleere iudgements eye, Time neuer tuch't him with deforming fret, Nor had the powre to wrap him once awry, Whofe ftedfaft courfe no croffe could euer let, His eleuation was fo heauenly hie, Thofe giddy tempefts that the bafe world proue, Sate vnder where he Planet-like did moue. 42 Which this faire Queene that had a knowing fpirite, And fawe the beauties refting in his minde, One that had throughly lookt into his merit, Aboue the value of the vulgar kinde, That rightly did his Grandfires deedes inherit, When now the ages in their courfe declinde, When the old world, being weake, began to bow, To th'effeminate bafenes that it refts at now. 43 What weighs lie wealth, or what his Wigmore left ? Let needleffe heapes, things momentary ftand, He counts not his that can be rapde by theft, Man is the fole Lord both of fea and land, And ftill is rich of thefe that is not reft, Who of all creatures hath an vpright hand ; And by the ftarres is onely taught to know, That as they progreffe heauen, he earth fhould do. Where- 73 the Barrens warres. 63 44 Wherefore wife Nature forcde this face of ground, And through the deeps fhewd him the fecret way, That in the flouds her iudgements might be found, Where fhe for fafety did her treafure lay ; Whofe ftore, that he might abfolutely found, Shee gaue him courage for her onely kay, That he alone of all her creatures free, Her glory, and her wondrous works mould fee. 45 Let wretched worldlings fweate for mud and earth, Whofe groueling bofomes licke the recreant ftones, And pefants carke for plenty, and for dearth, Fame neuer lookes vpon thefe proftrate drones, Man is allotted at his princely birth, To manage Empires, and to fit on thrones, Frighting coy Fortune when fhe fternft appeares, Which elfe fcornes fighes, and jeereth at our teares. * 46 When now Report with her fleet murmuring wing, Tucht the ftill entrance of his liftning eare, A fleete preparde this royall Queene to bring, And her arriuall ftill awaited neare, When euery found a note of loue doth fing, The ioyfull thoughts that in his bofome were : The foule in doubt to make her funftion leffe, Denies the vtterance fully to expreffe. Quoth 73 64 The third Booke of 47 Quoth he, Slide billowes gently for her fake, Whofe fight can make your aged Nereus yong, For her faire paffage euen allies make, On the fleeke waters waft her failes along ; And whilft fhe glides vpon the pleafant lake, Let the fweete Syrens rocke her with a Song : Though not Loues mother that dooth paffe this Fairer than fhe thats borne vpon the fea. (way, 48 You Sea-bred creatures, gaze vpon her eie, And neuer after with your kinde make warre ; O fteale the accents from her lip that flie, Which like the mufickes of the Angels are, And them vnto your amorous thoughts apply, Comparde with which, Aryons did but jarre : Wrap them in aire, and when blacke tempefts rage; Vfe them as charmes the rough feas to affwage. 49 France, fend to fetch her with full fholes of oares, With which her fleete may euery way be plide, And being landed on thy happie fhoares, As the vaft nauie dooth at anckor ride ; For her departure when the wilde fea roares, Ship mount to heauen, there brightly ftellifide : Next Iafons Argo on the burnifht throne, Aflume thee there a conftellation. Her 74 the Barrons war res. 6$ 50 Her perfon hence conuaide with that delight, Which beft the languifh of her iournies eafde, That to her pleafure dooth it felfe inuite, Whereon her mind, and fubtil fancie feafde, And that (moftdeare) her likingmight excite, (pleafd, Which then this Lorde, naught more her prefence Where, when with ftate fhe firft her time could take, Thus the faire Queene her Mortimer befpake. Si O Mortimer, great Mortimer, quoth fhee, What angry power did firft this meane deuife, To feperate Queene Ifabell and thee, Whome loues eternall vnion ftrongly ties ; But if fuppofde this fault beganne by mee, For a iuft pennance to my longing eyes : (Though guiltleffe they) this punifhment afilgnde, To gaze vpon thee, till they leaue me blinde. 52 Tis ftrange, fweete friend, how thou arte altred thus, Since firft in Court thou didft our fauours weare, Whofe fhape feemde then not mortall vnto vs, When in our eye thy brow was beauties fpheare, In all perfection fo harmonious, A thoufand feuerall graces mooving there ; But what then couldft thou be, not now thou arte, An alien firft, laft home4>orne in my heart. F That 75 66 The third Booke of 53 That powerfull fate thy fafetie did inforce, And from the worft of danger did thee free, Still regular, and conftant in one courfe, Wrought me a firme and euen path to thee, Of our affeflions as it tooke remorce, Our birth-fix't ftarres fo happily agree ; Whofe reuolution ferioufly direfts Our like proceedings, to the like effefts. 54 New forme of counfaile in the courfe of things, To our diflignement findes a neerer way, That by a cleere and perfect managing, Is that firme prop whereon we onely flay ; Which in it felfe th'authoritie doth bring, That weake opinion hath no power to fway ; Confuting fuch, whofe fightleffe iudgement fit, In the thicke ranke with euery vulgar wit. 53 Then fince pleafde Time our wifh'd content affures, Imbrace the bleffings of our mutuall reft ; And whilft the day of our good hap endures, And we as fauorites leane on Fortunes breaft, Which doth for vs this vacancie procure, In choice make free eleftion of the beft ; Ne're feare the ftorme before thou feele the fhower, My fonne a King, an Empire is my dower. Of 76 the Bartons warres. 67 56 Of wanton Edtvard when I firft was woo'd, Why cam'ft thou not into the Court of France ? Thy felfe alone then in my grace hadft flood ; Deere Mortimer, how good had beene thy chance ? My loue attempted in that youthfull mood, I might haue beene thine owne inheritance ; Where entring now by force, thou hold'ft thy might, And art defcifor of anothers right. 57 Honour thou Idole women fo adore, How many plagues dooft thou retaine to grieue vs ; When ftill we finde there is remaining more, Then that great word of Maiefty can giue vs ; Which takes more from vs then it can reftore, And of that comfort often doth depriue vs, That with our owne felues fets vs at debate, And mak'ft vs beggars vnder our eftate. 58 Thofe pleafmg raptures from her graces rife, Strongly inuading his impreffiue bread, That foone entranced all his faculties, Of the prowd fulneffe of their ioyes poffeft ; And hauing throughly wrought him in this wife, Like tempting Syrens fing him to his reft, When eu'ry power is paffiue of fome good, Felt by the fpirits of his high-rauifht blood. F 2 Like 77 68 The third Booke of 59 Like as a Lute that's touch'd with curious skill, In mufickes language fweetely fpeaking plaine, When eu'ry firing his note with found doth fill, Taking the tones, and giuing them againe, And the eare bath's in harmony at will, A diapafon clofing eu'ry ftraine ; So their affe&ions fet in keyes fo like, Still fall in confort as their humors ftrike. 60 When now the path to their defire appeares, Of which before they had been long debar' d, By defolution of fome threatning feares, That for deftruftion feem'd to ftand prepar'd, Which the fmooth face of better fafetie beares, And now protected by a ftronger guard, Giues the large fcope of leifure to fore-caft Euents to come, by things alreadie pad. 61 Thefe great diffignements fetting eafly out, By due proportion meafuring eu'ry pace, T'auoide the cumbrance of each hindring doubt, That might diftort the comlineffe and grace, Comming with eu'ry circumftance about, Stri£lly obferuing perfon, time and place ; All ornaments in faire difcretions lawes, Could giue attire to beautifie the caufe. The 78 the Barrons warres. 69 62 The Embaffie in termes of equall height, As well their ftate and dignity might fit, Apparelling a matter of that weight, In ceremony well befeeming it, To carry things fo fteddy, and fo right, Where Wifedome with cleare maiefty might fit ; All things ftill feeming ftrictiy to effe6t, (fpe4 Whofe difcontentment being quickly found, By fuch as all aduantages await, That ftill apply'd ftrong corfiues to the wound, And by their fharpe and intricate deceit, Hindred all meanes might poflibly redound, This faft-arifiing mifchiefe to defeate ; Vntill his wrongs were to that fulneffe growne, That they haue made him abfolute their owne. IS Whofe felfe-like followers in thefe faithleffe warres, Men mod experienc'd, and of worthieft parts, Which for their pay receiued onely fcarres, Whilft the inglorious reap'd their due defarts, And Mineons hate of other hope debarres, With too much violence vrg'd their grieued harts, On Iohn of Henault wholy doe rely, Who led a great and valiant company. 16 That in this conqueft do themfelues combine, The Lords Pocelles, Saves, and Boyfeers, Dambretticourt, the young and valiant Heyn. EJhteuill, Comities, and Villeers, Others his Knights, Sir Michaell de la Lyne, Sir Robert Balioll, Bo/wit, and Semeers, Men of great power, whom fpoile & glory warmes, Such as were wholy dedicate to Armes. G Three 91 82 The fourth Booke of Three thoufand fouldiers muftred men in pay, Of French, Scotch, Almaine, Swifer, and the Dutch, Of natiue Englifh, fled beyond the fea, Whofe number neere amounted to af much ; Which long had look'd for this vnhappie day, Whom her reuenge did but too neerely tutch, Her friends now ready to receiue her in, And new commotions eu'ry day begin. 18 When fhe for England fitly fetting forth, Spreading her prowd failes on the watry plaine, Shaping her courfe diredlly to the North, With her young Edward Duke of Aquitaine, With th'other three of fpeciall name and worth, (The deftainde fcourges of his lawleffe raigne) Her fouldier Beumotmt, with the Earle of Kent, And Mortimer, that mightie malcontent. A fore-winde now for Harwich fitly blowes, Blow not too faft to kindle fuch a fire, Whilft with full faile, and fairer tide fhe goes, Turne gentle winde, and force her to retire ; The fleete thou driu'ft is fraughted with our woes, But windes and feas, do Edwards wracke confpire ; For when iuft heauen to chaftice vs is bent, All things conuert to our due punifhment. Thy 92 the Barrons warres. 83 20 Thy coafts be kept with a continuall ward, Thy Beacons watch'd her comming to difcry ; O had the loue of fubiects beene thy guard, T'had beene t'effea that thou didft fortifie ; But whilft thou ftandft gainft forraigne foes prepard, Thou art betraide by thy home enemy ; Small helpe by this thou art but like to win, Shutting death out, thou keep'ft deftru&ion in. 21 When Henry brother to that hapleffe Prince, The firft great engine of this ciuill ftrife, (Deere Lancafter) who law did late conuince, And that at Pomfret left his wretched life ; This Henry, in whofe great hart euer fince Reuenge lay couerd, fmotherd vp in griefe, Like fire in fome fat minerall of the earth, Finding the leaft vent, giues it felfe a birth. 22 That being Earle Marfball, great vpon the coaft, With bells and bon-fires welcomes her afhore, And by his office gath'ring vp an hoaft, Shewes the old malice in his breaft he bore, Nor of his helpe abafh'd at all to boaft, The Clergies power in readineffe before, Vpon their friends a great taxation laide, To raife munition for the prefent aide. G 2 And 93 84 The fourth Booke of 23 And to confufion all their power expofe, On the rent bofome of this He, where long Warre did it felfe fo ftedfaftly inclofe ; (Warre from our owne lewd defolutenefle fprong) Whom no inuafion euer yet could lofe ; So old the malice, and fo great the wrong, Vrg'd with the force that forraigne fire doth bring, A greater fpoile, and horror menacing. 24 This innouation by an altred ftate, Lent this new a6tion fuch a violent hand, That it thus boldly dare infinuate, On the cold faintneffe of the feebled Land ; And being arm'd with all the power of fate, Finding a way fo openly to ftand To their intendments, which endeuoured well, Might get that height from whence at firft they fel. 25 When all their ftrength in order ftrictly fet, All helps and doubts by warres bed counfailes waid, What well might further, what their courfe might let, And their reliefes conueniently had laid, A meane referu'd fecuritie to get, Whereon at worft their fortune might be ftayd, And furnifh'd fully as themfelues defir'd, Of all this a&ion needefully requir'd. And 94 the Barrons war res. 8 5 26 And at Saint Edmonds doe a while repofe, To reft themfelues, and their new welcom'd force, Better to learne the manner of their foes, To th'end, not vainely to direct their courfe ; And feeing daily how the Armie growes, To take a full view both of foote and horfe ; With fuch difcretion managing the war, Truly to fhew them what indeede they are. 27 When now the King of thefe proceedings heard, And of the troopes that to them daily runne, And little ftrength at London yet preparde, Where he expected fauour to haue wonne, He now commits the Cittie to the guard Of his approu'd moft-trufted Stapleton, To Iohn of Eltham (his faire fonne) the Tower, Himfelfe to Wales to raife a fpeedy power. 28 Yet whilft his name doth any hope admit, Proclaimes in forfait both of goods and life, All that enioyde a fubiefts benefit, Should lend their power againft his fonne and wife, And doth all flaughters generally acquite Were done vpon the moouers of this ftrife : And who could bring in Mortimers prowd head, Should freely take th'reuenewes of the dead. G 3 Which 95 86 The fourth Booke of 29 Which ftrait encountred by the Queenes Edi<5l, Who making knowne the iuftnes of her caufe, That fhe proceeded in a courfe fo ftridt, T'vphold their antient liberties and lawes ; Nor that fhe did this punifhment inflict For priuate hate, or popular applaufe, Onely the Spenfers to account to bring, Whofe wicked counfells had abufde the King. 30 Which ballafing the multitude that flood As a light barke thats tofft twixt winde and tide, Turnd in the mixture of th'oppofed flood, When yet opinion not their courfe could guide, And wau'ring thus in their inconftant moode, Till by the weakenes of th'emperiall fide, Suffers the feifure of it felfe at lafl, Which to the Queene all free aduantage caft. 31 When friendlefle Edward followed by his foes, Whom danger dooth to recreant flight debafe, As poore in hope, as he is rich in woes, Dcpriu'd all princely ornament and grace, Whofe force th'more weakened further that he goes, His fafety now fufpefting eu'ry place; No helpe at home, no fuccour feene abroade, His minde fmall reft, his body leffe abode. One 96 the Barrons wanes. 87 32 One fcarce to him his fad difcourfe hath done Of Henaults power, and what the Queene intends, But whilft he fpeakes, another hath begunne, A third dooth take it where the fecond ends, When now abroade theres other rumours runne, Some of new foes, fome of reuolting friends ; Thefe fcarcely paft when more reports are fpred, Of many that rebell, of many fled. 33 What plagues doth Edward for himfelfe prepare, Forfaken king, O whither dooft thou flie ? Men change their clime, but fildome change their care, Thou fli'ft thy foes, but follow'ft mifery, The euill fates in number many are, That to thy footfteps doe themfelues apply ; And ftill thy confcience prickt with inward griefe, Thy felfe purfues thy felfe, both robd, and thiefe. 34 Accepting fuccour offerd next at hand, At laft for Wales commits him to the feas ; And feeing Lundy that fo faire dooth ftand, Puts in for fuccour, (neede would faine haue eafe) This little modell of his banifht land, Which for a while his fancie feemes to pleafe, Faine would he be king of a little He, Although his Empire bounded in a mile, G 4 And 97 88 The fourth Booke of 35 And ready now to ftrike his profp'rous faile, As vnder lee, paft dangers of the flood, A fuddaine ftorme of mixed fleet and haile, Not fuffers him to rule this peece of wood. What doth thy labour, what thy toyle auaile, When thou art ftill with greater powers with flood ? Edward, thy hopes all vainely do delude, By Gods and men, inceffantly purfude. 36 In this blacke tempeft long turmoild and toft, Quite from their courfe, & well they know not where, Mongft rockes and fands, in danger to be loft, Without in perrill, and within in feare, At length perceiuing they are neere the coaft, And that the place more plainely doth appeare, Knowes by the mountaines infolently tall, That part of Wales that we Glamorgan call. 37 To Neath, a Caftell fortifi'd and ftrong, Commanding entrance with his banifh'd crew, The Earle of Glojler, worker of much wrong, The Chancelor Baldocke that much euill knew, Reding his Marfhall is the reft among, Heere hid from eyes, but not from enuies view ; Where for a while committing them to dwell, We muft prepare more dreadfull things to tell.. You 98 the Barrons warres. 89 38 You lighter Mufes, leaue me, and be gone, Your weake complaints are matters much too flight, More horred plagues are heere approching on, Yee ghaftly fpirits that haunt the gloomie night, Lend me your fhreeks t'expreffe the depth of moane, With ghaftly howling all approach my fight ; And round about with funerall tapers ftand, To giue a fad light to my fadder hand. 39 Each line fhall leade to fome dire point of wo, And eu'ry cadence as a torturde cry, Now muft my teares in fuch aboundance flow, That they furround the circle of mine eye j And whilft thefe great calamities I fhow, All loofe affeftions ftand you idely by, Once more our cleere Mufe dips her wing in gore, The dreereft tale that pen did ere deplore. 40 New forts of vengeance threatned to the earth, The raging Ocean paft the bounds to rife, Strange apparitions, and prodigious birth, Vnheard of fickneffe, and mortalities, More inaccuftom'd, and vnlook'd for dearth, New forts of Meteors gazing from the skies ; As what before had fmall or nothing bin, And onely now our miferies begin. And 99 90 The fourth Bookeof And whilft thefe difcordes and diffentions breede, The land layd naked to all offered ill, The lawleffe exile now returnes with fpeed, Not, to defend his countrey, but to kill, And all the prifons diffolutely freed, Both field and towne with wretchednes to fill, London firft author of our lateft fhame, Soonft that repentft, moft plagued for the fame. 42 Whofe giddy commons mercileffe and rude, Let loofe to mifchiefe in this curfed day, Their hands in blood of Edwards friends imbrude, Neuer content till they were made away ; Th'implacable and wicked multitude On the Lieutenant Stapleton doe pray, Who dragg'd and tome by this tumultuous heape, Cut off his head before the Croffe in Cheape. 43 Reade woefull Citty on thy ruinde wall, Thy fad definition which is drawing nie, Where on thy gates is chara&ered thy fall, In mangled bodies thine Anatomy, Now thy lewd errours to a reckning call, Which may exftract teares from thy ruthleffe eye : And if the thicke ayre dim thy hatefull fight, Thy buildings are on fire to giue thee light. Thy the Bartons warns. 9 1 44 Thy chattels ferue for incke, for paper, ftones, And on the ground write murther, inceft, rape, Aud for thy pennes, a heape of dead mens bones, Let euery letter be fome monftrous fhape, Thy poynts and accents be departing groanes, And let no vile, nor defperate aft efcape, And when with pride thou arte againe ore'gon, Then take this booke, and fadly looke thereon. 45 ' Poore wretch difpoilde of thy late Virgins name, Now for thy finne what impious villaine flient, Blacke is my incke, but blacker thy defame, Who lhall reuenge whilft I thy ftate lament, What might be done to remedy thy fliame, When now too late thefe mifchiefes to preuent, Againft thefe horrors thou dooft idely ftriue, Thou feeft thy felfe deuoured, yet aliue. 46 Thou wantil redrefie, and tyrannie remorce, To whom fliouldft thou thy helples woes complaine ? But yeelde thy felfe to the adulterers force, Thy words vntimely, and returne in vaine, The more thou grieu'ft, thy fault is ftill the worfe ; This remedy there onely dooth remaine, Difpoylde of fame, be prodigall of breath, And make thy life cleere by a refolute death. For 92 The fourth Booke of 47 For worlds that were, the prefent times complaine, When men might haue beene buride when they di'de, And children fafely in their cradles laine, And when the husband might enioy his bride, When in fome hounds ill could it felfe containe, The fonne haue kneeld by*s fathers death-bed fide, The liuing wrongde, the dead no right can haue, The father fees his fonne to want a graue. 48 But tis too late thy head-ftrong courfe t'recall, Depriude all feeling of externall feare ; Thefe deadly founds by their continuall fall, Settle confufion in thy deafned eare, This is the laft, O would the worft of all ! Shreekes be the muficke thou delightft to heare, Armes thy attire, and wounds be all thy good, Thy end confifts in rapine and in blood. 49 In glorious age of whom it fhould be faid, That all thefe mifchieues fhould abound in thee, That all thefe finnes fhould to thy charge be laid, From no calumnious nor vile aftion free, O let not time vswith thy ills vpbrayd, Left feare what hath beene, argue what may be j And fafhioning fo a habite in the minde, Make vs alone the haters of our kinde. O 102 the Barrons warm. 93 50 O powrefull heauen, in whofe all-foueraigne raine, Thofe thy pure bodies mooue in harmony, And by a ftrong and euerlafting chaine, Together linckt in facred vnitie ; In which you doe continually remaine, Stayd in one certaine courfe eternally, Why his due motion keepeth eu'ry ftar, Yet what they gouerne fo irregular? Mufe, in the courfe of this vnnaturall warre, Tell me from whence this height of mifchiefe grew, That in fo lhort time fpread it felfe fo farre, Whereon fuch ftrange calamities enfue ; The true occafions faithfully declare : O men religious, was the fault in you ? (draw Which euen growne refty by your powre, with- Your ftifned neckes, as free from ciuill awe. 52 What wonder then the people grow prophane, When Church-mens Hues giue lay-rhen leaue to fall ; Their former Doue-like humbleneffe difdaine, For coates of haire, now clad in coftly pall, The holy Ephod made a cloke for gaine, And what moft cunning, moft cannonicall, And blinde promotion fliuns that dangerous road, Which the old Prophets diligently troad. Hence 103 94 The fourth Booke of 53 Hence ift that God fo (lightly is ador*d, The rocke remoou'd whereon our faith is gounded, Confcience efteemde but as an idle word, Which weake before, by vaine opinion wounded, ProfefTors Hues fo little fruit affoord, And in her fleets religion lies confounded ; The facred things a merchandize become, None talks of texts, and prophecying dumbe. 54 And of the former being thus poffeft, Like to the venome of infectious ayre, That hauing got into the fecret breaft, Is not prefcribde, nor long times ftaies it there ; But from this ground to feize vpon the reft, The rancke contagion fpreading eu'ry where ; That ere this euill hath the vtmoft done, The folide body laftly ouer-runne. 55 Cauells breake forth to cancelt wholefome lawes, And caching hold vpon the publique weale, Where doubts mould ceafe, they rife in euery clawfe, The fword that wounds ordaind a falue to heale, One mifcheefe ftill another forward drawes Each ftriuing others vileneffe to conceale By lewd corruptions in a needefull vfe, Right cloakes all wrong, and couers all abufe. When 104 the Barrons warres. 95 56 When now the King late taken to this hold, And in this poore imprifned libertie, Liuing a death in hunger, want, and cold, Euen in depth of woe and miferie ; By hatefull treafon fecretly is fold, Before he could the trecherous drift efpy ; For when oppreffion's vp vnto the chin, Who lends not hand to thruft him boldly in ? 57 In th'luckleffe fortunes of this wretched King, Whofe perfon's feifed by th'inuading part, Vnto his friends fad matters menacing, With bloodleffe terror ftriking eu'ry hart, All expectation now difcouraging, When no euafion from the foe to ftart ; And that the clowd which threatned greateft feare, Rofe whence their hopes moil brighteft did appeare. 58 Which breaking in now with a generall force, On the two Spenfers, from whofe onely hate This warre firft fprung, diftrafted in their courfe, Their lateft power confined by their fate, Of whom theres none takes pittie or remorce ; Which to avoide, as cankers of the ftate, The eldeft firft to death at Briftow led, Where hangde to death, his body quartered. When r °5 96 The fourth Booke of 59 Whenas the heire to Winchejler late dead, The bloody lot to th'Earle of Glojier fell, Reding the Marfhall, marfhald with the dead, When foone fucceedes the Earle of Arundell, To pay the forfait of a reuerent head, Then Muchelden, and wofull Daniell, Who followed him in his lafciuious waies, Muft go before him to his fatall daies. 60 Euen like fome pillar, on whofe goodly height, A pondrous building onely doth depend, Which when not able to fuftaine the weight, And that his ftrong backe hath begun to bend, As quite depriued of his former might,. The mafly load vnto the ground doth fend, Crufhing the leffer props, and murdring all That ftand within the compaffe of the fall. 61 That ftate whereon the ftrength of Princes leanes, Whofe hie afcent we trembling do behold, From whence by coynefle of their chafte difdaines, Subieftion is imperioufly controld ; Their earthly weakneffe euermoreexplaines, Exalting whom they pleafe, not whom they fhould, When their owne fall (fhowes how they fondly er'd) Procur'd by thofe vnworthily prefer'd. Merit 106 the Barrons warres. 97 62 Merit goes vnregarded and vngrac'd, When by his fauters ignorance held in, And Parafites in wife mens roomes are plac'd, Onely to footh the great ones in their fin, From fuch whofe gifts, and knowledge is debac'd, Theres many ftrange enormities begin, Forging great wits into moil factious tooles, When mightieft men oft proue the mightieft fooles. 63 But why fo vainely doe I time beftow, The fowle abufe of th'wretched world to chide, Whofe blinded iudgement eu'ry howre doth fhow, What follie weake mortalitie doth guide ? Wife was the man that laugh'd at all thy woe, My fubiect ftill more forrow doth prouide, And this late peace more matter ftill doth breede, To haften that which quickly muft fucceede. The end of the fourth Canto. H The 107 The fifth Booke of the Barrons warres. (***) The Argument. TKimprifoned King his gouernement forfakes, And to thePeeres his weakeneffefo excufed, Who him ere long from Leifters keeping takes, That with much woe his foueraigne Lord refu/ed, His torturers of him a mockery makes, And bafely, and reprochfully dbufed, By fecret waies to Berckley being led, And cruelly inprifon murthered. THe wretched King vnnaturally betrayd, By lewd coruption of his natiue Land, From thence with fpeede to Kennelworth conuayd, By th'Earle of Leijler with a mightie band, Some few his fauorers quickely ouer-wayd, And now a prefent Parlement in hand, To ratifie the generall intent, His refignation of the gouernment. Falne 108 the Bartons warres. 99 2 Falne through the frailtie of intemperate will, That with his fortunes it fo weakely farde, To vndergoe that vnexpecled ill, For his deferued punifliment preparde, The meafure of that wretchedneffe to fill, To him alotted as a iuft reward, Armes all with malice, either leffe or more, To ftrike at him that ftrooke at all before. 3 And being a thing the commons daily craue, To which the great are refolutely bent, Such forward helpes on eu'ry fide to haue, T'effe£t their ftrong and forcible intent, Which now that fpeede vnto their action gaue, That ratifi'd by generall confent, Still haftned on to execute the thing, Which for one ill, two worfe fhould fhortly bring. 4 Bifhops, Earles, Abbots, and the Barrons all, Each in due order as becomes the ftate, Set by the Heraults in that goodly hall, The Burgeffes for places corporate, Whom this great bufnes at this time doth call, For the Cinque-ports the Barrons conuocate, And other Knights, for the whole body fent, Both on the South, and on the North of Trent. H 2 From 109 100 The fifth Booke of 5 From his impris'ning chamber clad in blacke, Before th'affembly fadly he is brought, A dolefull hearfe vpon a dead mans backe, Whofe heauy lookes might tell his heauier thought, In which there doth no part of forrow lacke, Nor fained action needes to grieue be taught : His funerall folemniz'd in his cheere, His eyes the mourners, and his legs the Beere. 6 Torleton, as one felect to this intent, The bed experienc'd in this great affaire, A man graue, fubtile, ftowt, and eloquent, Firft with faire fpeech th'affembly doth prepare, Then with a voyce auftere and eminent, Doth his abufe effectually declare, As winnes each fad eye with a reuerent feare, With due attention drawing eu'ry eare. 7 The great exactions raifed by the King, With whofe full plenty he his Mineons fed, Himfelfe and fubiects fo impou'rifhing, And that deere blood he lauifhly had fhed, Which defolation to the land fhould bring, And the chiefe caufe by his lewd riots bred ; The loffe in warre fuftained through his blame, The during fcandall to the Englifh name. Pro- the Barrons warres. 101 8 Proceeding forward to the future good, That their diffignements happily intend, And with what vpright policie it ftoode, No after hopes their fortunes to amend, The refignation to his proper blood, That might the aftion lawfully defend, The prefent neede that willd it ftri&ly fo, Whofe impofition they might not forflowe. 9 Pardon me Art, that ftriuing to be fhort, To this intent a fpeech deliuering, And that at full I doe not heere report Matters that tuch depofing of the King, My faithfull Mufe, O doe not thou exhort The after times to fo abhorr'd a thing, To fhew the reafons forcibly were laide, Out of thy feelings what hee might haue faide, 10 The ftrong deliu'ry of whofe vehement fpeech, Borne with a dauntleffe, and contracted brow, That with fuch fterne feueritie did teach, His reafons more authentique to allow, Which the more eafly made the dang'rous breach, By the remembrance of a generall vow : To which they heere muft openly conteft, When Edward comes to confumate the reft. H 3 His m 102 The fifth Booke of ii His faire cheeke couerd in pale flieets of fhame, And as a dumbe fhew in a fwowne began, Where paffion dooth fuch fundry habites frame, As eu'iy fence a right Tragedian, Truely to fhew from whence his forrow came, Beyond the compaffe of a common man, Where Nature feemes a praftifer in Art, Teaching Difpaire to aft a liuely part. 12 Ah Pitty, doft thou Hue, or wert thou not, Mortalls by fuch fights haue to flint bin turned, Or what men haue beene, hath their feed forgot, Or was it neuer knowne that any mourned, In what fo ftrangely are we ouerfhot ? Againft our owne felfe hath our frailtie fpurned, Or teares henceforth abandon humane eies, And never-more to pitty miferies. 13 He takes the Crowne yet fcornefully vnto him, With flight regarde, as fcarcely thinking on it, As though not fenceleffe that it fhould forgoe him, And fildome cafts a fcornefull eie vpon it, Would feeme to leaue it, and would haue it woe him, Then fnatching it, as loath to haue forgone it, Yet puts it from him, yet he will not fo, Would faine retaine what faine he would forgoe. In the Barrons warres. 103 14 In this confufed conflict of the minde, Teares drowning fighes, and fighs confounding teares, Yet when as neither libertie could finde, Oppreffed with the multitude of feares, Stands as a man affrighted from his kinde, Griefe becomes fenfleffe when too much it beares, Whilft fpeech&filece ftriues which place fhuld take From his ful bofome thus his forrowes brake. 15 If that my title rightfully be planted, Vpon a true indubitate fucceffion, Confirmed by nations as by nature granted, That freely hath deliuerd me poffeffion, Impute to heauen fufficiencie t'haue wanted, Which muft deny it power, or you oppreffion, Which into queftion by due courfe may bring, The grieued wrongs of an annointed King. 16 That halowed vnction by a facred hand, Which once was powrde on this emperious head, Which wrought th'indument of a ftricT; command, And round about me the rich verdure fpred, Either my right in greater ftead muft ftand, Or why in vaine was it fo idely fhed, Whofe prophanation and vnreuerent tuch, Iuft heauen hath often punifht alwayes much. H 4 When P "3 104 The fifth Booke of When from the bright beames of our foueraine due, Defcends the ftrength of your enated right, And profperoufly deriues it felfe to you, As from our fulnes taking borrowed light, Which to your fafeties alwayes firme and true, Why thus repugne you by prepoftrous might ? But what heauen lent me vertuoufly t'haue vfed, Leaues to your power what weaknes hath abufed. 18 But heere I doe refigne it to your King, Pawfing heereat as though his tongue offended, With gripingthrowes feemes forth that word to bring, Sighing a full point as he there had ended, O how that found his grieued heart doth wring, Which he recalling gladly would haue mended : Things of fmall moment we can fcarcely holde, But griefes that touch the heart are hardly colde. But being paft, he profecutes in teares, Calming that tempeft with a fhower of raine, As he had ftroue to keepe it from his eares, Quoth he, the liegeman to your Soueraigne ? O in his lippes how vile that word appeares, Whereat afhamde doth fadly pawfe againe, Yes, yes, euen fay fo vnto him you beare it, I ft be yong Edward that you meane fhall weare it. Let 114 the Barrons warres. 105 20 Let him account his bondage from that day That he is with the Diademe inuefted, A glittering Crowne hath made this haire fo gray, Within whofe circle he is but arrefted, To true content this not the certaine way, With fweeter cates a meane eftate is feafted, And when his prowd feet fcorne to tuch the mold, His head a prifner in a gayle of golde. 21 His fubiects numbred, numbring of his care, And when with fhowts the people doe beginne, Let him fuppofe th'applaufe but prayers are T'efcape the danger that they fee him in, Wherein t'aduenture he fo boldly dare ; The multitude hath multitudes of finne, And he thats firft to cry, God faue the King, Is the firft man doth newes of forrow bring. 22 Appeafing tumults hate cannot appeafe, Soothde with deceits, and fed with flatteries, Thy felfe difpleafing, other fought to pleafe, Obeyd as much as hee fhall tyrannize, The leaft in fafety being moft at eafe, Feare forcing friends, inforcing enemies : And when hee fitteth in his greatft eftate, His foot-ftoole danger, and his chaire is hate. Raigne us 106 The fifth Booke of 23 Raigne he alone, whilft he no King, was one Difarmde of power, and heere deiected is, By whofe depofing he enioyes a throne, Nor fliould I fuffer that, nor he doe this, I muft confeffe th'inheritance his owne, But whilft I Hue it fhould be none of his, The fonne climes vp to thruft the father downe, And thus the crowned left without a Crowne. 24 Hauing performd this hard conftrained part, His fpeech, his raigne, the day all ioyntly ended, Strangely transformd, not being what thou art, Carde for of none, vnlookt on, vnattended, Sadly departing with a heauy heart, To his ftrong lodging ftraightly recommended, Left to bemoane his miferable plight, To the rude walls, and folitarie night. 25 Whilft things are thus difaftroufly decreed, Seditious libels euery day are fpred, By fuch as like not of their violent deede, That he by force fhould be deliuered, Whether his wrong remorce in fome did breede, That him at laft vntimely pittied, Or elfe deuifde in pollicie by fome, To cloake that mifchiefe afterward to come. And ufi the Barrons warres. 107 26 And hate that each where hearkning ftil doth lurke, And yet fufpitions Edward is not fure, Thinking what blood with Leicefter might wurke, Or elfe, what friends his name might him procure, Which yet their thoughts continually doth yrke The time he fhould at Kenelworth endure : Fore-thinke fome place t'which fecretly conuaide, Vnknowne his being, be fecurde from aide. 2^ And though the great to hide their clofe intent, (Seeme ne're fo cleare from knowing thofe know ill) Not vnprouided of the inftrument, Which they keepe ready to performe their will, Such haue th'in ftore to their damnation bent, In villanie notorious for their skill, Difhoneft, defperate, mercileffe, and rude, To all vile actions ready to intrude. 28 Matreuers and bafe Gurney are the men In this lewd act that mull confedered be, Whofe hatefull names pollute our maiden pen, But I intreate you, be not grieu'd with mee To whome the fame doe worthily pertaine, Some boughs grow crooked from the ftreighteft tree : Nor (hall you be partakers of their fhame, The fault lies in their deede, not in your name. Thefe 717 108 The fifth Booke of 29 Thefe fecretly to Killingworth difpatcht, Fitted of all things that their hearts defire, At fuch a time as few their purpofe watcht, After whofe bufnes none is to enquire, Which by their warrant fubtilly was matcht, Onely to them knowne whither to retire : Taking the King, his guardian to acquit, And to bellow him where they thought moft fit. 30 With a crew of ribalds, villainous, and nought, As their coagents in this hatefull thing, To th'earle of Leijler their commiflion brought, Commaunding the deliu'ry of the King, Which (with much griefe) they laftly fro him wrought, About the Caftell clofely houering, Watching a time till filence, and the night, Might with conuenience priuiledge their flight 3i With fhamefull fcoffes, and barbarous difgrace, Him on a leane ill-fauord jade they fet, In a vile garment, beggarly, and bafe, Which, it fhould feeme, they purpofely did get, And in a wretched miferable cafe, Benumd and beaten with the colde, and wet, Depriu'd of all repofe and naturall reft, With thirft and hunger grieuoufly oppreft. Yet 118 The Barrens warres. 109 32 Yet ftill fufpitious that he fhould be knowne, They fhaue away his ornament of haire. The laft thing his that he could call his owne, Neuer left Fortune any wight fo bare ; Such tyranny on king was neuer fhowne, Thus voide of comfort, were he voide of care : No, no, our ioyes are fhadowes, and deceiue vs, But till our death our forrowes neuer leave vs. 33 To which intent, when fartheft from refort, Forcing him light from his poore wearie beaft, Vpon a mole-hill (O moft fad report) With puddle-water him they lewdly dreft, Whilft at his woes and miferies they fport, An yron skull the Bafon, like the reft, Whofe lothing eyes in this more lothed glaffe, Well may difcerne how much deformd he was. 34 Th'abundant drops that from his eyes do fall, A poole of teares ftill rifing by this raine, Which wraftling with the water, and withall, A troubled circle makes it to retaine, His endleffe griefes vnto his minde might call, Billowde with fighes like to a little maine, Water with teares contending whether fhould Make water warme, or make the warme tears cold. Vile 119 1 1 The fifth Booke of 35 Vile traitors, hold off your vnhalowed hands, His brow the ftate of maieftie ftill beares, Dare you thus keepe your foueraigne Lord in bands, How can your eyes behold th'annointeds teares ? Or if your fight thus all remorce with-ftands, Are not your harts euen pierced through your eares? The minde is free, what ere afflift the man, He's yet a King, do Fortune what fhe can. 36 Who's he fhould take what God himfelfe hath giuen, Or fpill that life his holy fpirit infufed, All powers be fubieft to the power of heauen, Wrongs paffe not vnreueng'd how ere excufed, If of all fenfe griefe hath thee not bereauen, Rife maieftie when thou art thus abufed, O whither fhall authoritie betake, When in this fort it doth it felfe forfake. 37 And in defpight and mockery of a Crowne, A wreathe of graffe they for his temples make, Which when he felt, as comming from a fwoune, And that his powers a little gan awake, Fortune (quoth he) thou dooft not alwaies frowne, I fee thou giu'ft afwell as thou dooft take, That wanting natural! couert for my braine, For that defect, thou lend'ft me this againe. To 120 the Barrons warres. m 38 To whom,0 heauen,fhould I my griefes complaine Since thou art iuft and prouident in all ? How fhould this body naturall ftrength retaine, To fuffer things fo much innaturall ? My cogitations labour but in vaine, Except thou be partaker in my fall ; And when at once fo many mifchiefes meete, My change of forrow mak'ft my torment fweete. 39 Wherefore my fate I fhould but fondly grutch, Tis vaine contention when with heauen we ftriue, Which preordaines my miferies for fuch, That by one woe another fhould furuiue, To fhew how it mortalitie can tutch, My wretchedneffe fo ftrangely to contriue, That all my comfort in mifhaps fhould reft, And elfe in nothing but misfortune bleft. 40 To Berckley thus they led this wretched King, The place of horror that was long fore-thought, What power fhould fuffer fo defilde a thing, Or can behold this murther to be wrought, That might the Nation into queftion bring, But that your waies with iudgement ftill are fraught; Thus art thou hap'd into thy earthly hell, Now take thy leaue, and bid the world farewell. Berckley 121 1 1 2 The fifth Booke of Berckley, whofe faire feate hath beene famous long, Let thy faire buildings fhreeke a deadly found, And to the ayre complaine thy greeuous wrong, Keeping the figure of King Edwards wound, That as thou waxeft old, their fhame ftill yong, Their wretched foote-fteps printed on the ground, That when report fhall lend their vile aft breath, All tongues may adde damnation to their death. 42 The omenous Rauen with a difmall cheere, Through his hoarfe beake, of following horror tells, Begetting ftrange imaginarie feare, With heauie ecchoes like to pafling-bells ; The howling dogge a dolefull part doth beare, As though they chimde his lateft burying knells, Vnder his eaue the buzzing fhreech-owle fings, Beating his windowes with her fatall wings. 43 And ftill affrighted in his fearefull dreames, With raging fiends and goblins that he meetes, Of falling downe from fteepe Rockes into ftreames, Of toombes, of burialls, and of winding-fheetes, Of wandring helpelefle in far forraigne Realmes, Of ftrong temptations by feducing fprites, Wherewith awakde, and calling out for aide, His hollow voyce doth make himfelfe afraide. Next the Barrons warrcs. 1 1 3 44 Next comes the vifion of his bloody raine, Masking along with Lancafters fterne ghoft, Of Barrons twenty eight, or hangd, or flaine, Attended with the ruefull mangled hoft, That vnreuengde yet all this while remaine, At Borough battell, and at Burton loft, Threatning with frownes, and trembling eu'ry lim, As though in peeces they would torture him. 45 And if it chance that from the troubled skies, The leaft fmall ftarre through any chincke giue light, Straitwaies on heapes the thronging cloudes arife, As though the heauen were angry with the night, That it fhould lend that comfort to his eies, Deformed fhadowes, glimpfing in his fight As darkenes, for it would more darkened be, Through thofe poore crannies forcde it felfe to fee. 46 When all th'affli&ion that they could impofe, Euen to the full, and vtmoft of their hate, Aboue his torment yet his ftrength arofe, As Nature made a couenant with Fate, When now his watchfull and two wary foes, That ceafe not ftill his woes to aggrauate, All further helps fufpe&ed to preuent, To take his life to Berckley clofely fent. I And 123 H4 The fifth Booke of 47 And fubtilly a letter fafhioning, Which in the wordes a double fence doth beare, Which feemes to bid them, not to touch the King, Shewing withall how, vile a thing it were, But by falfe poynting, is another thing, And to difpatch him, bids them not to feare, Which taught to find, thefe murderers neednomore, For which they flood too ready long before. 48 Whereas he haps a Chronicle to find Of formerkings, their raignes, their deaths, and deedes, Which fome their lodgde forgotten had behind, On which to paffe the houres he falls to reede, Thinking thereby to recreate his mind, But in his breaft this greater woe doth breede, For when deepe forrow on the fancie feafeth, What ere we fee, our mifery increafeth. 49 Firft of great William, Conquerourof this lie, (From whom hee's tenth that in fucceflion lies) Whofe power inforcde the Saxon to exile, Planting new lawes, and forraine fubtilties, Force and fubiection, fo to reconcile The punifhment of Harolds tyrannies, Which he applies with arguments fo ftrong, To the due courfe of his iuft punifht wrong. Rufus 124 the Barrens warres. 1 13 So Rufus his fonne, duke Robert farre abroade, Receiues the rule in weake infeebled ftate, His fathers fteps that euidently troade, Depreffing thofe who had beene conquerd late, Wifhing releafe of this their grieuous loade, Vnder the guidance of their former fate, The place for men that did to beafts intend, A beftiall life had laft a beaftly end. 51 Henry the yongft, his brother William dead, Taketh the Crowne from his vfurpfull hand, Due to the eldeft good duke Roberts head, Bearing our Red Croffe in the Holy Land, Whofe force farre off fo much diminifhed, That his returne difabled to withftand, When thofe for whom th'unnaturall war was done, The fea deuours, he left without a fonne. 52 To Mawd the Empreffe he the Scepter leaues, His onely daughter, which by falfe pretext Stephen Earle of Bolloine forcibly bereaues, Henries falfe nephew in fucceflion next, By which the Land a ftranger warre receaues, Wherewith it grew fo miferably vext : Till Stephen failing, and his iffue reft, T'the heires of Mawd the regall Scepter left. I 2 The 125 1 1 6 The fifth Booke of 53 The fecond Henry, Mawd the Emprefle Tonne, Of th'Englifh line Plantagenet the firft, By Stephens death a glorious raigne begunne, Whofe youth prolongd to make his age accurft, By his fonne Henries coronation, Which to his dayes much woe and forrow nurft, When thofe for whom he conquerd, to make great, Abroad his townes, at home vfurpde his feate. 54 Richard his fonne that after him fucceedes, Who not content with what was fafely ours, A man lift vp to great and glorious deedes, Into the Eaft tranfportes our valiant powres, Where with his fworde whilft many a Pagan bleedes, Relentleffe Fate haftes on vntimely howres, And makes a period to this hopefull ftory, Euen in the fpring and bloffome of his glory. 55 When him fucceedes his faithleffe brother Iohn, Murthring yong Arthur by oppreffefull might, Climing by force to his vfurped throne, Iuftly with poyfon was repayde his fpight, His life to all men is fo hatefull growne, Who grieues his wrongs that ne're did any right ? That on the Cleargie tyrannoufly fed, Was by the Cleargie iuftly punifhed. Henry 126 the Barrons warres. i \J 56 Henry his fonne now crowned very yong, Who for the hate they to his father bare, His ftate of raigning ftpode in queftion long, Or to be left vnto a ftrangers care ; With whom the Barrons, infolent and ftrong, For the old Charter in commotion are, Which his long raine fo carefully attends Granting, his daies in peace fecurely ends. 57 From him proceedes a Prince, iuft, wife, and fage, (In all things happy but in him his fonne) For whom euen nature did herfelfe engage, More then in man, in this Prince to haue done, Whofe happy raigne, recur'd the former rage, By the large bounds he to his Empire wonne, As the firft Edward had the fecond beene, O what a flow of glory had we feene ! 58 Turning the leafe as finding vnawares, What day yong Edward Prince of Wales was borne, Which letters feeme like Magique Characters, Or to defpight him they were made in fcorne, Marking the paper like dif-figuring ftars, O let that name (quoth he) from bookes be torne, Left in that place the fad difpleafed earth, Doe loath it felfe as (laundered with my birth. I 3 From 127 u8 The fifth Booke of 59 From thence heereafter humane birth exil'd, By th'earth deuour'd, or fwallowed by the fea, And fame enquiring for that luckleffe child, Say twas abortiue, or elfe ftolne away ; And left, O Time, thou be therewith defil'd, In thy vnnumbred courfe deuoure that day ; Let all be done that power can bring to paffe, Onely forget that fuch there euer was. 60 The troubled teares now {landing in his eyes, Through which as glaffes he is forc'd to looke, Make letters feeme as rondlets that arife, By a ftone caft into a ftanding brooke, Appearing to him in fuch various wife, And at one time fuch fundry fafhions tooke, Which like deluding monfters do affright, And with their fowle fhapes terrifie his fight 61 When on his faint bed falling downe at laft, His troubled fpirit fore-telling danger nie, When (forth) the doores a fearefull howling caft, To let thofe in by whom a King fhould die ; Whereat he ftarts, amazed and agaft, Thefe ruthleffe villaines all vpon him flie, Sweete Prince, alas in vaine thou call'ft for aide, By thefe accurfed homicides betraide. O 128 tfie Barrons war res. iig 62 O be not authors of fo vile an aft, My blood on your pofteritie to bring, Which after times with horror fhall diftraft, When Fame euen hoarce with age your fhame fhall And by recounting of fo vile a fa£t, (ring, Mortalitie fo much aftonifhing, Thattheyfhal count theirwickedneffe fcarce finne, To that which long before their time hath bin. 63 And if your hate be deadly, let me Hue, For that aduantage angry heauen hath left, That except life, takes all that it could giue, But for iuft vengeance fhould not quite bereft ; Me yet with greater mifery to grieue, Referue a while this remnant of their theft, That that which fpent fro th'reft fhould interdicl me, Alone remaining, doth withall afflift me. 64 Thus fpake this wofull and diftreffed Lord, As yet his breath found paffage to and fro, With many a fhort pant, many a broken word, Many a fore grone, many a grieuous throw, Whilft yet his fpirit could any ftrength affoord, Though with much paine disburdning of his woe, Till laftly gafping by their maift'ring ftrength, His kingly heart fubiefts it felfe at length. I 4 When 129 1 20 The fifth Booke of 65 When twixt two beds they clofe his wearied corfe, Bafely vncou'ring of his fecret part, Without all humane pittie and remorce, With burning yron thruft him to the hart ; O that my Mufe had but fumcient force, T'explaine the torment in the which thou art ; Which whilft with words we coldy do expreffe, Thy paine made greater that we make it leffe. 66 When thofe in dead and depth of all the night, Good fimple people that are dwelling neare, From quiet fleepe whom care did now affright, That his laft fhreeke and wofull cry do heare, Euen pittying that miferable wight, As twixt companion, and obedient feare, Lift their fad eyes with heauy fleepe oppreft, Praying to heauen to giue the foule good reft. 6 7 Still let the buildings figh his bitter grones, And euermore his fad complaints repeate, And let the dull walls and the fenceleffe ftones, By the impreffion of his torment, fweate, As wanting founds wherewith to fhew his mones, With all fharpe paine and agony repleate, That all may thether come that fhall be told it, As in a mirror cleerely to behold it. When 130 the Barrons warres. 121 68 When now the Genius of this wofull place, Beeing the guide to his affrightfull ghoft, With haire difheued, and a gaftly face, Shall haunt the prifon where his life was loft ; And as the denne of horror and difgrace, Let it be fearefull vnto all the coaft, That thofe heereafter that do trauell neere, Neuer behold it but with heauy cheere. The end of the fifth Canto. 131 122 JF*» The fixth Booke of the Barrons warres. (V) The Argument. Lord Mortimer made Earle of March; when he And the fair e Queene rule all things by their might, Tliepompe wherin at Nottingham they be, The cofl wherewith their amorous Court is dight, Enuide by thofe their hatefull pride that fee, The King attempts the dreadfull caue by night, Entring the Caftell, taketh him from thence, Aftd March at London dies for the offence. i INforc'd of other accidents to fing, (Bearing faire fhowes of promifed delight, Somewhat to flacke this melancholie firing,) That new occafions to our Mufe excite, To our conceit ftrange obiefts fafhioning, Doth our free numbers liberally inuite, Matter of moment much to be refpe&ed, Muft by our pen be ferioufly directed. And 132 The Barrens ivarres. 123 2 And now the time more cuuningly redeeming, Thefe fraudfull courfes fitly to contriue, How ill fo e're, to beare the faireft feeming, For which they now muft diligently ftriue, Calling all waies to gaine the fame efteeming, That to the world it profproufly might thriue, This farre gone on, now with the hand of might, Vpon this wrong to build a lading right. 3 The pompous Synod of thefe earthly Gods ; At Salsbury felefted by their King, To fet all euen that had beene at ods, And into fafhion their difiignes to bring, And ftrongly now to fettle their abodes, That peace might after from their actions fpring ; Firmely t'eftablifti what was well begunne, Vnder which colour mighty things were done. 4 When Mortimer purfuing his defire, Whilft eu'ry engine had his temperate heate, To b'Earle of March doth fuddainely afpire, T'increafe the honor of his antient feate, That his command might be the more entire ; Who now but onely Mortimer is great ? Who knew a kingdome as her lot was throwne, Which hauing all, would neuer ftarue her owne. Now 1 24 The fixth Booke of 5 Now (land there firme as thofe celeftiall Poles, Twixt which the ftarres in all their courfe do moue, Whofe ftrength this frame of gouernement vpholds, An argument their wifedomes to approue, Which way foe're the time in motion roles, So perfect is the vnion of their loue ; For right is ftill moil abfolute alone, Where power and fortune kindely meete in one. 6 Whilft Edwards non-age giues a further fpeede, To th'antient foe-man to renew the warre, Which to preuent they muft haue fpeciall heede, Matters fo ftrangely manag'd as they are, Which otherwife, if their negleft fhould breede, Nothing yet made, it might not eafily marre, Which with the moft, referuing their eftate, Inforc'd to purchafe at the deereft rate. 7 So much t'releafe the homage as fuffic'd, Mongft which that deed namde IRagmait, of renown, By which the kings of Scotland had deuifde, Their fealty vnto the Englifh crowne, With other Reliques that were highly prizde, As that which forc'd the greateft part to frowne ; Th'blacke Croffe of Scotland (men did omenous Being a Relique of fo hie efteeme. deeme) To i34 the Barrons warns. 125 8 To colour which, and to confirme the peace, They make a marrige twixt the Scot and vs, To giue more ftrength vnto this ftrange releafe, Which vnto all men feemd fo dangerous Whilft Roberts raigne, and after his deceafe, The league might euer be continued thus, Dauid the Prince the Lady lane mould take, Which twixt the Realms alaftingbond fhuldmake. 9 When th'Earle of Kent that being one of thofe, Which in their actions had a powerfull hand, Perceiuing them of matters to difpofe, To the fubie&ion of fo great a land, Finding the inconuenience that growes Vnder the guidance of their wilfull hand, To fhake their power whilft he ftrangely doth caft, His fatall end too violently doth hafte. 10 Which giuing out his brother yet to Hue, (Long now fuppofed the deceafed King) Vnto his nephew might that fcandall giue, As into queftion might his title bring : 111 this report beganne, and worfe it thriue, Being fo foule and dangerous a thing, Which being the motiue of interline ftrife, The time not long ere it bereft his life. Whilft 135 126 Thejlxth Booke of ii Whilft Edward takes what late their power did giue, Whofe non-age craues their bountifull prote&ion, Which know to rule whilft he mult learne to Hue, From their experience taking his direction, Which more and more their doubtfull hopes reuiue, When borne to raigne, yet crownd by their election, Th'allegiance duely dooth to him belong, Now makes their faction abfolutely ftrong. 12 Prouiding for protection of the king, Men of moft power, and nobleft of the Peeres, That no diftafte vnto the realme might bring, For ripened iudgement, or well feafoned yeeres, With comelines all matters managing, Yet whilft they row, tis Mortimer that fteeres, Wei might we think the man were worfe than blind, That wanted fea-roome, and could rule the wind. 13 To fmoothe the path wherein this courfe was gone, Which as a teft might to their actions ftand, And giue more full poffeffion of their owne, In being receiued from a foueraine hand, Into their bofomes abfolutely throwne, Both for the good, and fafety of the land : When their proceedings colourd with this care, To the worlds eye fo faire an out-fide bare. All 136 the Barrons warres. 1 27 14 All complement that appertained to ftate, By giuing greatnes eu'ry honored rite, To feed thofe eies that did their houres avvaite ; And by all meanes to nourifh their delight, That entertaining loue, they welcome hate, And with free bounty equally inuite, A Princes wealth in fpending ftill doth fpred, Like to a brooke with many fountaines fed. IS To Nottingham the Norths emperious eye, Which as a Pharus guardes the goodly foile, And armd by Nature danger to defie, There to repofe him fafely after toile, Where treafon leaft aduantage might efpie, Clofely conuaies this great in-valued fpoile : That by refiding from the publique fight, He might more freely relifh his delight. 16 Nine fcore in checke attending in their court, Whom honored Knighthood knitts in mutuall bands. Men moll feledt, of fpeciall worth and fort, Much might they doe that haue fo many hands, Who payes not tribute to this lordly port ? This hie-rearde Caftell eu'ry way commands ; Thus like thofe Giants gainftgreat heauen theyrife, Which darted Rockes at the emperiall skies. It i37 128 The Jixth Booke of It feemes in him Fame meanes hir power to fhow, And twixt her wings to beare him through the skies, He might more eafly fee the things below, Hauing aboue them mounted him fo hie, Vnto whofe will they meekely feeme to bow, Vnder whofe greatnes meaner powers doe lie : All things concurre with faire fuccefiefull chance, To raife that man whom Fortune will aduance. 18 Heere all along the flower enameld vales, The {iluer-Trent on pearly fands dooth Hide, And to the medowes telling wanton tales, Her Criftall limbs lafciuioufly in pride, (As rauilhed with the enamored gales,) With often turnings calls from fide to fide, As loath fhe were the fweete foyle to forfake, And caft her felfe into the German lake. Neare whom, faire Sherwood wildely bent to roue, Twines her loofe armes about the flattering Towers, By the milde Ihadowes of her fcattered groue, Lends winter fhelter, and giues fummer bowers, As with the flood in curtefie it ftroue, And by repulfing the fharpe Northerne fliowers : Courts the prowd Caftell, who by turning to her, Smiles to behold th'lafciuious wod-nymph wo hir. Who 138 the Barrons warres. 129 20 Who being retirde fo ftrictly to this place, To this faire fted the Princes perfon drawes, When Fortune feemes their greatnes to embrace, That as a working and efpeciall caufe, Effe&s each formall ceremonious grace, As by her iuft and neceffary lawes, That in the towne retaines his kingly feate, With Marches Court the Caftle is repleate. 21 Occafiond where, in counfels to debate, And by the king conueniently is met, So foueraigne and magnificent in ftate, As might all eies vpon his greatneffe fet, Prizing his honour at that coftly rate, As to the fame due reuerence might beget, Which as the obiedt fundry paffions wrought, Stirring ftrange forms in many a wandring thoght. 22 Could blind ambition find the meaneft ftay His difproportiond and vaine courfe to guide, T'affure fome fafety in that flippery way, Where the moft worldly prouident doe Aide, Feeling the fteep fall threatning fure decay, Befotted in the wantonneffe of pride, The minde affuming abfoluter powres, Might checke the fraile mortality of ours. K But *39 130 Thejixth Booke of 23 But ftill in pleafure fitting with exceffe, His fauory junkets tatted with delight, Ne're can that glutton appetite fuppreffe, Where eu'ry difh inuites a licorifh fight, Nor hauing much, is his defire the leffe, Till tempted paft the compaffe of his might, The pampered ftomacke more than well fuffizde, Cafts. vp the furfet lately gurmundizde. 24 And when fom brook from th'ouer moiftned ground By fwelling waters prowdly ouer flowd, Stoppeth his current, fhouldreth downe his mownd, And from his courfe dooth quite himfelfe vnloade, The bordring meddowes eu'rywhere furrownd, Difperfing his owne riches all abroade, Spending the ftore he was maintained by, Leaues his firft channell defolate and dry. 25 When now thofe few that many teares had fpent, And long had wept on murthered Edwards graue, Muttring in corners, grieu'd, and difcontent, And finding fome a willing eare that gaue, Still as they durft, bewraying what they meant, Tending his pride and greatnes to depraue, Vrging withall, what fome might iuftly do, If things thus borne, were rightly lookt into. Some 1 4c the Barrons zvarres. 131 26 Some giue it out, that March by blood to rife, Had cut off Kent, the man might next fucceed, And his late treafons falfly did furmife, As a meere colour to this lawleffe deede, That his ambition onely did deuife, In time the royall family to weede, When in account there was but only one, That kept him off from ftepping to the throne. 27 And thofe much bufied in the former times, Then credulous that honour was his end, And by the hate they bare to others crimes, Did not his faults fo carefully attend, Perceiuing how he defolutely climes, (Hauing thus brought his purpofe to an end) With a feuere eye now more ftriftly looke Into the courfe that his ambition tooke. 28 All fence the tree that ferueth for a fhade, Whofe large growne body doth repulfe the winde, Vntill his waftefull branches do inuade, The ftraighter plants, and them in prifon binde, And as a tyrant to the weaker made ; When like a foule deuourer of his kinde, Vnto his roote all put their hands to hew, Whofe romth but hinders others that would grow. K 2 Thus 141 132 Thefixth Booke of 29 Thus at his eafe whilft he fecurely fate, And to his will thefe things affured were, With a wel-gouernd and contented fate, Neuer fo much freed from fufpitious feare, Wei fortifide, and in fo good eftatej As not admits of danger to be neare, But ftill we fee before a fodaine fhower, The funne fhines hotft,and hath the greateft power. 30 Within the Caftle hath the Queene deuifde A chamber with choice rarities fo frought, As in the fame fhe had imparadizde Almoft what man by induftrie hath fought, Where, with the curious penfill was comprizde, What could with colours by the Arte be wrought, In the moft fure place of the Caftle there, Which fhe had namde the Tower of Mortimer. 3i An orball forme with pillers fmall compofde, Which to the top like paralels doe beare, Arching the compaffe where they were inclofde, Fafhioning the faire roofe like the hemifphere, In whofe partitions by the lines difpofde, All the cleere Northerne Afterifmes were In their corporeall fhapes with ftarres inchafed, As by th'old Poets they in heauen were placed. About 142 The Barrons zvarres. 133 32 About which lodgings, towards the vpper face, Ran a fine bordure circularly led, As equall twixt the hi'ft point and the bafe, That as a Zone the wafte ingirdled, That lends the fight a breathing or a fpace, Twixt things neere view, and thofe farre ouer head ; Vnder the which, the Painters curious skill, In liuely formes the goodly roome did fill. 33 Heere PJicebus clipping Haycinlhus flood, Whofe Hues laft drops his fnowie bread imbrew, The ones teares mixed with the others blood, That fhoul't be blood or teares, no fight could view, So mix'd together in a little flood, Yet heere and there they feu'rally with-drew, The pretty wood-nimphs chafing him with balme, To bring the fweete boy from his deadly qualme. 34 With the Gods Lire, his quiuer and his bow, His golden mantle caft vpon the ground, T'expreffe whofe geiefe, Art euen her beft did fhow, The fledge fo fhadowed ftill feem'd to rebound, To counterfet the vigor of the blow, As ftill to giue new anguifh to the wound, The purple flowre fprung from the blood that run, That opneth fince, and clofeth with the Sun. K 3 By i43 1 34 Thefixth Booke of 35 By which the heyfer Io, Ioues faire rape, Gazing her new tane figure in a brooke, The water fhadow'd to obferue the fhape, In the fame forme that fhe on it doth looke : So cunningly to clowde the wanton fcape, That gazing eyes, the portraiture miftooke, By profpectiue deuifde beholding now, This way a maiden, that way'tfeemde a Cow. 36 Swift Mercury like to a Sheepheards boy, Sporting with Hebe by a fountaine brim, With many a fweete glance, many an amorous toy, He fprinckling drops at her, and fhe at him ; Wherein the Painter fo explainde their ioy, As though his skill the perfect life could lim ; Vpon whofe browes the water hung fo cleere, As throgh the drops the faire skin might appeare. 37 And Ciffy Cynthus with a thoufand birds, Whofe freckled plumes adorne his bufhy crowne, Vnder whofe fhadow graze the ftragling heards, Out of whofe top the frefh fprings trembling downe, Dropping like fine pearle through his fhaggy beards, With moffe and climing Ivie ouer-growne, The Rocke fo liuely done in eu'ry part, As Nature could be paterned by Art. The 144 the Barrons warres. 135 38 The naked Nimphs fome vp and downe defcending, Small fcattering flowers at one another flung, With nimble turnes their limber bodies bending, Cropping the blooming branches lately fprung, (Vpon the briers their coloured mantles rending) Which on the Rockes grew heere and there among ; Some combe their haire.fome making garlands by, As with delight might fatisfie the eye. 39 (clowdes, There comes prowde Phaeton tumbling through the Caft by his Palfraies that their raines had broke, And fetting fire vpon the welked fhrowdes, Now through the heauen run madding from the yoke, The elements together thruft in crowdes, Both Land and Sea hid in a reeking fmoke, Drawne with fuch life, as fome did much defire, To warme themfelues, fome frighted with the fire. 40 The riuer Po, that him receiuing burnde, His feauen fitters Handing in degrees, Trees vnto women feeming to be turnde, As the gods turnde the women into trees, Both which at once fo mutually that mournde, Drops from their boughs, or tears fell from their eyes, The fire feemde to be water, water flame, Such excellence in (hewing of the fame. K 4 And i45 136 Tlie fixth Booke of And to this lodging did the light inuent, That it fhould firft a naturall courfe refleft, Through a fhort roome into the window fent, Whence it fhould come expreffiuely direft, Holding iuft diftance to the lineament, And fhould the beames proport'onably proieft : And being thereby condenfated and graue, To eu'ry figure a fure colour gaue. 42 In part of which, vnder a golden Vine, Whofe broad leau'd branches cou'ring ouer all, Stood a rich bed, fpred with this wanton twine, Doubling themfelues in their lafciuious fall, Whofe rip'ned clufters feeming to decline, Whereas among the naked Cupids fprawle, Some at the fundry coloured birds do fhute, Some fwaruing vp to plucke the purple fruite. 43 On which a Tiffue counterpoint was caft, Arachnes web the fame did not furpaffe, Wherein the ftory of his fortunes part, In liuely pictures neatly handled was ; How he efcap'd the Tower, in France how grac'd, With ftones embroyd'red of a wondrous maffe ; About the border in a curious fret, Emblems, Emprefas, Hiroglifiques fet. This 146 the Barrons warres. 1 37 44 This flattering calme.congeales that thickned fhower, Which the full clowdes of poifnous enuy fed, Whofe defolution waits th'vnhappy hower, To let the fury on his hatefull head, Which now was of that violence and power, As his delights not yet imagined, When men fuppofe in fafety molt to ftand, Then greateft dangers are the neer'ft at hand. 45 Yet finding the neceflitie is fuch, To execute what he doth vndertake, And that his crowne it did fo neerely tuch, If they too foone his fleeping power awake ; The attempt was great, the danger was as much, Muft fecretly prouide fome courfe to take, By which he might th'enterprife effedt., And moft offend, where he might leaft fufpeft. 46 A deepe blacke caue low in the earth is found, Whofe duskie entrance like pale Morpheus Cell, With ftrange Meanders windeth vnder ground, Where footy darkenes euermore doth dwell ; That with fuch dread and horror doth abound, As might be deemde an entrance into hell ; Which Architects to ferue the Caftell made, Whenas the Dane this Hand did inuade. Now i47 138 Thefixth Booke of 47 Now on along this cranckling path doth keepe, Then by a rocke turnes vp another way, Now rifing vp, now falling towards the deepe, As the ground leuell, or unlevell lay ; And now direct, now angular doth creepe, Nor in the courfe keepes any certaine ftay, Till in the Caftell in a fecret place, He cafts the fowle maske from his clowdy face. 48 By which the King with a felefted crew, Of fuch as he with his intent acquainted, And well affected to this action knew, That in reuenge of Edward neuer fainted, And to their vtmoft zealoufly purfue, Such,whofe cleere blood no time had euer tainted ; Aduentures now this labirinth t'affay, To rowze the beaft which kept them all at bay. 49 What time the Sunne with his day-laboring teames, Is driuing downe vnto the Weft apace, T'refrefh his cauples in the Ocean ftreames, And coole the feruor glowing in his face, Which now appeares by his hie-coloured beames, To reft him from our Hemifphere a fpace, Leauing fowle darkeneffe to poffeffe the skies, The fitteft times for bloody tragedies. With 148 the Barrons warres. 1 39 50 With torches now attempting the fad caue, Which at their entrance feemeth in a fright, At the reflection that the brightneffe gaue, As till that time it neuer faw the light ; Where light anddarkneffe with the power they haue, Strongly from the preheminence do fight, And each confounding other, both appeare, As to their owne felues they contrary were. Si The craggy cleeues which crofle them as they go, Make as their pafiage they would haue denide, And threatning them their iourney to forflow, As angry with the path that was their guide, As they their griefe and difcontent would fhow, Curfing the hand that did them firft diuide ; The combrous falls and rifings feeme to fay, This wicked action could not brooke the day. 52 The gloomy lamps this troope ftill forward led, Forcing fhadowes follow on their backe, Are like the mourners waiting on the dead, And as the deede, fo are they vgly blacke ; Hate goes before, confufion followed, The fad portents of blood-fhed and of wracke ; Thefe faint dim-burning lights as all amazed, At thofe deformed (hades whereon they gazed. The 149 140 Thefixth Booke of S3 The clattering armes their maifters feeme to chide, As they would reafon wherefore they fhould wound, And ftriking with the points from fide to fide, As though euen angry with the hallow ground, That it this vile and ruthleffe acl: fhould hide, Whofe ftony roofe lock'd in* their dolefull found, And hanging in the creekes, draw backe againe, As willing them from murther to refraine. 54 Now waxing late, and after all thefe things, Vnto her chamber is the Queene withdrawne, To whom a choice Mufitian plaies and fings, Repofing her vpon a ftate of Lawne, In night attire diuinely glittering, As th'approching of the cheerefull dawne, Leaning vpon the breaft of Mortimer, Whofe voice more then the mufick pleas'd her eare. 55 Where her faire breafts at liberty are let, Where violent veines in curious branches flow, Where Venus Swans and milkie Doues are fet, Vpon the fwelling mounts of driuen fnow, Where Loue whilft he to fport himfelfe doth get, Hath loft his courfe nor findes which way to goe, Inclofed in this Labyrinth about, Where let him wander ftill, yet ne're get out. Her IS" the Barrons warres. 141 56 Her loofe golde haire, O gold, thou arte too bafe, Were it not finne to name thofe filke threeds haire, Declining downe to kiffe her fairer face, But no word faire enough for thing fo faire, O what hie wondrous epethite can grace, Or giue the due praife to a thing fo rare ! But where the pen failes, penfill cannot fhow it, Nor can be knowne vnleffe the mind do know it. 57 She laies thofe fingers on his manly cheeke, The gods pure Scepters, and the dartes of loue, Which with a touch might make a tygre meeke, Or the maine Atlas from his place remoue, So foft, fo feeling, delicate, and fleeke, As Nature ware the lillies for a gloue, As might beget life where was neuer none, And put a fpirite into the flinty ftone. 58 The fire of precious wood the lights perfume, Whofe perfect cleereneffe on the painting fhone, As eu'ry thing to fweetnes did confume, Or eu'ry thing had fweetnes of it owne, And to it felfe this portrayed did refume, The fmell wherewith his naturall is growne, That light gaue colour on each thing it fell, And to the colour the perfume gaue fmell. Vpon 151 142 Thefixth Booke of 59 Vpon the fundry pidtures they deuife, And from one thing they to another runne, Now they commend that body, then thofe eyes, How well that bird, how well that flowre was done, Now this part fhadowed, and how that doth rife, This top is clouded, and that traile is fpunne, The landskip, mixtures, and delineatings, And in that Arte a thoufand curious things. 60 Looking vpon prowde Phaeton wrapt in fire, The gentle Queene doth much bewaile his fall, But Mortimer more praifing his defire, To loofe a poore life, or to gouerne all ; And though he did ambitioufly afpire, And by his minde is made prowde Fortunes thrall, Yet in defpight when fhe her worft hath done, He perifht in the chariot of the Sunne. 61 The Queene faith Phcebus is much forcde by Arte, Nor can fhe find how his embraces be, But Mortimer now takes the Painters part, Why thus great Empreffe,thus, and thus quoth he, Thus holdes the boy, thus clips his fainting hart, Thus twine their armes, and thus their lips you fee : You fhalbe Phoebus, Hyacinthus I, It were a life thus eu'ry houre to die. By 1S2 the Barrons warres. 143 62 By this time neere, into the vpper hall, Is rudely entred this difordered rowt, When they within fufpe&ing lead of all, Difchargdetheguard that mould hauewatchtwithout O fee how mifchiefe fodainely doth fall, And fteales vpon vs, being freeft from doubt, How ere the life, the end is euer fure, And oft in death fond man is moft fecure. 63 Whilft his lou'd Neuill, and deere Turrington, Amongft the Ladies that attended there, Relating things that antiently were done, With fuch difcourfe as women loue to heare, Staying delight, whilft time fo faft doth runne, Thus in the Lobby as they freely were, Chargde on the fodaine by this armed traine, Both in the entrance miferably flaine. 64 As from the fnow-crownd Skidos lofty cleeues, Som fleet-wingd haggard towards the euening houre, Stooping amongft the More-bred Mallard driues, And th'aire of all her featherd flockes doth skowre, When backe vnto her former pitch fhe ftriues, The feely fowle all proftrate to her powre : Such a fharp fhreek doth ring through all the vault, Made by the Ladies, at the firft affault. March iS3 144 The fix th Bookeof 65 March now vnarmde ((he onely in his armes, Too faire a fhield, not made for fouler blowes) That leaft of all exfpefted thefe alarmes, And to be thus intrapped by his foes, When he is mod improuident of harmes, O, had he had but weapons like his woes, Either his valure had his breath redeemde, Or in her fight dide happily efteemde. 66 Amongft the others looking for the king, In this blacke fhew that (he affures him) is, Though much difguifde, yet him imagining By the moil perfect lineaments of his, Quoth he, the man thee to the Crowne did bring, Might at thy hands the leaft haue lookt for this, And in this place vnfeeming of the reft, Where onely facred folitude is bleft. 67 Her prefence frees th'offender of his ill, And as the eflence makes the place diuine, What ftrong Decree can countermaund the will, That gaue to thee the power that now is thine, And in her armes preferu'd in fafety ftill, As the moft pure inuiolable fhrine, Though thou thus irreligioufly defpife, And dar'ft profane thefe halowed liberties. But i54 the Barrons warrcs. 149 68 But as when Illion fatally furprifde The Grecians iffuing from the woodden horfe, Their rage and fury prowdly exercifde, Opening the wide gates, letting in their force, Putting in a6t what was before deuifde, Without all fence of pitty or remorce, With cries, fhreekes, rumors in confufed found, Wordsare broken off, complaints abruptly drownd. 69 Diflblu'd to drops fhe followes him, O teares, Elixar like turne all to pearle you touch, To vveepe with her the building fcarce forbeares, The forrowes that fhe. vttereth are fuch, Able to wound th'impenitrabl'ft eares, Her plaints fo piercing, and her woes fo much, When with th'abundanee words wold hardly come, Her eyes in filence fpake when lips were dumbe. ;o Sweete fonne (quoth fhe) let not that blood be fpilt, Once prizd fo deere as did redeeme thy Crowne, Whofe purity if tainted now with guilt, The caufe thereof efficiently thine owne, That from the ruines of thy country built, (Razde with diffentions) thy fubftantiall throne, And broke thofe bounds thy kingdomes once con- Into large France, to exercife thy minde. (finde, L For i55 1 50 Thefixth Booke of For the deere portion of that naturall blood, Which lends thee heate, and nutriment of life, Be not a niggard of fo fmall a good, Where bounty fhould be plentifully rife, Begg'd on thofe knees at which thou oft haft flood, In thofe armes circles might coniure this ftrife, O God ! that breath from fuch a bofome fent, Should thus in vaine be prodigally fpent. 72 When in this vproare with the fodaine fright, Whilft eu'ry one for fafety feekes about, And none regarding to preferue the light, Which being wafted fadly goeth out, Now in the midft and terrour of the night, At the departure of this armed rowt, The Queene alone (at leaft if any neare) Her wretched women, yet halfe dead with feare. 73 When horror, darkenes, and her prefent woe, Begin to worke on her affli&ed minde, And eu'ry one his tyranny doth fhow, Euen in the fulnes of his proper kinde, In fuch exceffe her accufations flow, This liberty vnto their power affignde, Racking her confidence by this torture due, It felfe t'accufe with whatfoere it knew. O 136 the Barrons war res. i S i 74 O God, to thinke (that not an houre yet part) Her greatnes, freedome, and her hopes fo hie, The fweet content wherein her thoughts were placde, Her great refpe£t in eu'ry humbled eye, How now Ihe is abufed, how difgracde, Her prefent fliame, her after mifery, When eu'ry woe could by defpaire be brought, Prefents his forme to her diftracled thought. 75 To London now a wretched prifner led, London where oft he triumpht with the Queene, And but for fpite of no man followed, Scarcely thought on, who had for many beene, Of all regard and ftate impou'rifhed, Where in exceffe he often had bin feene : Which at his fall doth make them wonder more, Who fawe the pompe wherein he liu'd before, 7 6 O mifery ! where once thou dooft infeft, How foone thy vile contagion alters kinde, That like a Circe metamorphifeft The former habite of the humane minde, That euen from vs dooft feeme our felues to wreft, Striking our fraile and fading glories blinde, And with thy vicious prefence in a breath, Chain'ft vs as flaues vnto pale fainting Death. L 2 At i57 152 T/ieJixtk Booke of 77 At Wejlminjler a Parliment decreed, To th'eftablifhing the fafetie of the Crowne, Where to his end they finally proceede, All laying hand to dig this mountaine downe, To which Time wills they haue efpeciall heede, Now whilft the Fates thus angerly doe frowne, The blood of Edward, and the Spenfers fall, For their iuft vengeance haftily doe call. 78 The death of Kent that foule and loathfome blot, Th'affuming of the Wardes and Liueries, With lone the Princeffe married to the Scot, The fummes oft feized to his treafuries, And that by this might well haue beene forgot, The figne at Stanhope to the enemies, Or what elfe ript from the records of Time, That any way might aggrauate his crime. 79 O dire Reuenge, when thou in time arte rakde, From the rude afhes which preferu'd thee long, In the dry cindars where it feemde as flakde, Matter to feed it, forcde with breath of wrong, How foone his hideous fury is awakde, From the fmall fparks what flames are quickly fprong, And to that top dooth naturally afpire, Whofe weight and greatnes once repreft his fire. And 158 The Barrons warres. 193 80 And what auailes his anfwer in this cafe, Which now the time doth generally diftaft ? Where iudgement lookes with fo feuere a face, And all his actions vtterly difgrac'd, What fainting bofome giues him any place, From out the faire feate of opinion caft ? With pen and incke his forrowes to deceiue, Thus of the faire Queene takes his lateft leaue. 81 Moft mighty Emprefle s'daine not to perufe, The Swan-like dirges of a dying man, Vnlike thofe raptures of the fluent Mufe, In that fweete feafon when our ioyes began, That did my youth with glorious fire infufe, When for thy gloue at Tilt I prowdly ran ; Whereas my ftartling Courfer ftrongly fet, Made fire to flie from Hartfords Burgonet. 82 The King your fonne, which haftrteth on my death, (Madam) you know I tendred as mine owne, And when I might haue grafped out his breath, I fet him gently on his fathers throne, Which now his power too quickly witneffeth, Which to this height and maiefty is growne ; But our defert forgot, and he forgiuen, As after death we wifh to Hue in heauen. L 3 And i59 154 The Jixth Booke of 83 And for the fole rule whereon thus he (lands, Came baftard William but himfelfe on fhore, Or borrowed not our fathers conqu'ring hands, Which in the field our ancient enfignes bore, (Guarded about with our well-ordred bands) Which his prowd Leopards for their fafety wore, Raging at Haftings like that ominous Lake, From whofe dread waues our glorious name wetake 84 Had I beene chargde vpon mine armed horfe, As when I came vnto the walles of Gaunt, Before the Belgike and Burgonian force, There challenging, my Countries Combattant, Borne from my feate in fome robuftious courfe, That of my fpoiles the enemy might vaunt, Or had I falne vnder my battered fhield, And lent mine honour to fome conquered field. 85 I haue not followed Fortune like a flaue, To make her bounty any whit the leffe, By my defert her iudgement to depraue, Nor lent me aught I freely not confeffe, And haue returnd with intreft what fhe gaue, A minde that futed with her mightineffe, He twice offends which finne in flattry beares, Yet eu'ry houre he dies that euer feares. I 160 the Barrons war res. 155 86 I cannot feare what forceth others quake, The times and I haue tuggd together fo, Wonting my way through fword and fire to make, So oft conftraind againft the ftreame to rowe, To doubt with Death a couenant to make, When I am growne familiar with my woe : And nothing can th'afflidted confcience grieue, But he can pardon, that doth all forgiue. And thus thou moll adored in my heart, Whofe thoghts in death my humbled fprite doth raife Lady moil faire, moft deere, of moft defart, Worthy of more than any mortall praife, Condemned March, thus laftly doth depart From her, the greateft Empreffe of her dayes : Nor in the duft mine honor I interre, Thus Ccefar dide, and thus dies Mortimer. 88 To Nottingham this Letter brought vnto her, Which is fubfcribde with her Emperious ftile, Puts her in minde how once that hand did wooe her, With this fhort thought to pleafe herfelfe a while, Thus forrow can fo fubtilly vndooe her, That with fuch flattery doth her fence beguile. To giue a fharper feeling to that paine, Which her grieu'd heart was fhortly to fuftaine. L 4 Putting 161 i s 6 The fifth Booke of 89 Putting her fingers to vnrip the feale, Cleauing to keepe thofe forrowes from her eyes, As it were loth the tidings to reueale, Whence griefe fhould fpring in fuch varieties ; But ftrongly vrg'd doth to her will appeale, When the foft waxe vnto her touch implies, Sticking vnto her fingers bloody red, To fhew the bad newes quickly followed. 90 Thus by degrees fhe eafly doth begin, As the fmall fifh plaies with the baited hooke, Then more and more to fwallow forrow in, As threatning death at eu'ry little looke ; Where now fhe reades th'expences of her fin, Sadly fet downe in this blacke dreadfull booke, And thofe deere fummes were like to be defray'd, Before the fame were abfolutely pay'd. An hoaft of woes her fuddainely affaile, As eu'ry letter wounded like a dart, As though contending which fhould moft preuaile, Yet eu'ry one doth pierce her to the hart, As eu'ry word did others cafe bewaile, And with his neighbour feemde to beare a part, Reafon of griefe each fentence is to her, And eu'ry line a true remembrancer. Greefe the Barrons warres. 1 57 92 Greefe makes her reade,yet ftraitwaies bids herleaue, With which ore-charg'd fhe neither fees nor heares, Her fences now their Miftris fo deceiue, The words do wound her eyes, the found her eares, And eu'ry organe of the vfe bereaues, When for a fefcue fhe doth vfe her teares ; That when fome line fhe loofely ouer-paft, The drops do tell her where fhe left the laft. 93 O now fhe fees, was neuer fuch a fight, And feeing, curs'd her forrow-feeing eye, Yet thinkes fhe is deluded by the light, Or is abufde by the orthography ; And by fome other t'is deuifde for fpight, Or pointed falfe, her fchollerfhip to try ; Thus when we fondly footh our owne defires, Our befl conceits oft proue the greateft liers. 94 Her trembling hand as in a feauer fhakes, Wherewith the paper doth a little ftirre, Which fhe imagines at her forrow fhakes, And pitties it, who fhe thinkes pitties her, Each fmall thing fomewhat to the greater makes, And to the humor fomething doth infer ; Which when fo foone as fhe her tongue could free, O worthy Earle, deere loued Lord quoth fhee. I 163 158 Thefixth Booke of 95 I will referue thy afhes in fome Vrne, Which as a relique I will onely faue, Mixt with the teares that I for thee fhall mourne, Which in my deere bread fhall their buriall haue, From whence againe they neuer fhall returne, Nor giue the honor to another graue, But in that Temple euer be preferued, Where thou a Saint religioufly art ferued. 96 When fhe breakes out to curfing of her fonne, But March fo much ftill runneth in her mind, That fhe abruptly ends what fhe begunne, Forgets her felfe, and leaues the reft behind, From this fhe to another courfe doth runne, To be reuengde in fome notorious kind : To which fhe deepely doth ingage her troth, Bound by a ftrong vow and a folemne oth. 97 For pen and incke fhe calles her maides without, And the kings dealings will in griefe difcouer, But foone forgetting what fhe went about, She now begins to write vnto her louer, Heere fhe fets downe, and there fhe blotteth out, Her griefe and paffion doe fo ftrongly moue her : When turning backe to reade what fhe had writ, She teares the paper, and condemnes her wit. And 164 the Barrons war res. 1 5 9 98 And thus with contrarieties araifed, As waters chilneffe wakeneth from a fwownd, Comes to her felfe, the agony appeafed, When colder blood more fharpely feeles the wound, And griefe her fo incurably hath feized, That for the fame no remedie is found, As the poore refuge to her reftleffe woes, This of her griefe flie laftly doth difpofe. 99 That now vnkinde King as thou art my fonne, Leauing the world, fome legacie mure, giue thee, My harts true loue the dying March hath wonne, Yet that of all I will not quite bereaue thee ; The wrong and mifchiefe to thy mother done, I thee bequeathe, fo bound that they out-liue thee, That as my breaft it hourely doth torment, Thou maift enjoy it by my Teftament. 100 Henceforth within this folitary place, Abandoning for euer generall fight, A priuate life I willingly embrace, No more rejoycing in the obuious light, To confumate the weary lingering fpace, Till death inclofe me with continuall night : Each fmall remembrance of delight to flie, A conuertite and penitently die. Finis. "55 To the Reader. SEing thefe Epijlles are now to the world made publike, it is imagined that I ought to be accountable of my pri- uate meaning, chiefely for mine owne difcharge, left being mijlaken, I fall in hazard of a iufi and vniuerfall repre- henfwn, for : Hse nugae feria ducent In mala derifum femel exceptumque finiftre. Three points are efpecially therefore to bee explained. Firfl, why I entitle this worke Englands Heroicall Epi- flles ; then, why I obferue not the perfons dignitie in the de- dication; laflly, why I haue annexed notes to euery Epiflles end. For the firfl, the title I hope carrieth reafon in it felfe, for that the mofil and greateft perfons heerein were En- glifh, or elfe, that their loues were obtained in England. And though {heroicall) bee properly vnderflood of demi- gods, as of Hercules and ^Eneas, whofe parents were faid to be, the one celefilall, the other mortall; yet is it alfo transferred to them , who for the greatneffe of minde come neere to Gods. For to bee borne of a celeftiall In- cubus , is nothing elfe but to haue a great and migh- tie fpirit , farre aboue the earthly weakneffe of men ; in which fence , Ouid {whofe imitator I partly profeffe to bee) doth alfo vfe Heroicall. For the fecond, feeing none to whom I haue dedicated any two Epijlles, but haue their Jlates ouer-matched by them , who are made to fpeake in the Epiflles, howeuer the order is in dedicati- on, yet in refpeft of their degrees in my deuotion, and the 166 To the Reader. the caufe before recited, I hope they fujfrer no difparage- ment , feeing euery one is the firft in their particular inte- rejl, halting in fome fort, forted the complexion of the Epi- ftles to the character of their iudgements to whom I dedi- cate them, excepting onely the blamefulnes of the perfons paffion, in thofepoynts wherin the paffion is blamefull. Laft- ly, fuch manifeft diffrence being betwixt euery one of them, where, or whofoeuer they be marfhalled, how can I be iuftly appeached of vnaduifement. For the third , becaufe the worke might in trueth be iudged braini/h, if nothing but a- morous humor were handled therein , I haue enter-wouen matters hifloricall, which vnexplaned, might defraude the minde of much content, as for example, in Queene Marga- rites Epiflle to William de la Poole, My Daizie flower, which once perfumde the aire, Margarite in French fignifies a Daizie, which for the allu- fton to her name, this Queene did giue for her deuife; and this as others more, haue feemed to me not worthy the ex- planing. Now , though no doubt I hadde neede to excufe other things befide, yet thefe moft efpecially , the reft T ouerpaffe to efchue tedious recitall, or tofpeake as malicious enuy may, for that in trueth I ouerfee them. If they be as harmelefly taken, as I meant them, it fhall fuffice to haue only touched the caufe of the title of the Dedications, and of the Notes, whereby emboldned to publifh the refidue , (thefe not being accounted in mens opinions relifhleffe) J fhall not laflly be afraide to beleeue and acknowledge thee a gentle Reader. M. D. 167 To M. Michaell Drayton. HOw can he write that broken hath his penne, Hath rent his paper, throwne his incke away, Detefts the world, and company of men, Becaufe they growe more hatefull day by day ? Yet with thefe broken reliques, mated mind, And what a iuftly-grieued thought can fay : I giue the world to know, I ne're could find, A worke more like to Hue a longer day. Goe Verfe, an objedt for the prowdeft eye ; Difdaine thofe which difdaine to reade thee ouer, Tell them they know not how they fhould defcry, The fecret paffions of a witty louer. For they are fuch, as none but thofe fhall know, Whom Beauty fchooles to hold the blind Boies bow. Once I had vowd, (O who can all vowes keep ?) Henceforth to fmother my vnlucky Mufe ; Yet for thy fake fhe ftarted out of fleepe, Yet now fhe dies : Then doe as kinsfolkes vfe ; Clofe vp the eyes of my new-dying ftile, As I haue op'ned thy fweeet babes ere-while. E. St. Gent. Duris decus omen. 168 The Epijile of Rofamond to King Henry the fecond. (V) The Argument. Henry the fecond of that name, King of England, thefon of Geffrey Plantaginet, Earle of Aniow, and Mawd the Empreffe, hauing by longfute and Princely gifts, won (to his vnlawfull defire) faire Rofamond, the daughter of the Lord Walter Clyfford, and to auoyde the danger of Ellinor his iealous Queene, had caufed a Labyrinth to be made within his Pallace at Woodftocke, in the centre wherof he had lodged his beauteous paramour. Whilefl the king is abfent in his warres in Normandie, this poore diflreffed Lady, inclofed in this folitary place, toucht with remorce of confcience, writes to the king of her diflreffe and miferable eftate, vrging him by all meanes and per- fwafions, to cleere himfelfe of this infamie, and her of the griefs of minde, by taking away her wretched life. IF yet thine eies (great Henry) may endure Thefe tainted lines, drawne with a hand impure, Which fain would blufh,but feare keeps blufhes back, And therefore futed in difpairing black, This in loues name, O that thefe lips might craue, But that fweete name (vile I) prophaned haue, M Punifh 169 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Punifh my fault, or pittie mine eftate, Reade it for loue, if not for loue, for hate. If with my fhame thine eies thou faine wouldft feed, Heere let them furfeit, on my fhame to reede ; This fcribled paper which I fend to thee, If noted rightly, doth refemble mee ; As this pure ground, whereon thefe letters ftand, So pure was I, ere flamed by thy hand ; Ere I was blotted with this foule offence; So cleere and fpotleffe was mine innocence, Now likethefe marks which taint this hateful] fcroule, Such the blacke finnes which fpot my leprous foule. O Henry \ why by loffe thus fhouldft thou win ? To get by conqueft ? to enrich with finne ? Why on my name this flaunder dooft thou bring, To make my fault renowmed by a King ? Fame neuer ftoopes to things but meane and poore, The more our greatnes, makes our fault the more. Lights on the ground, themfelues doe leffen farre, But in the ayre, each fmall fparke feemes a ftarre. Why on a womans frailtie wouldft thou lay This fubtile plot, mine honour to betray ? Or thy vnlawfull pleafure fhouldft thou buy With vile expence of kingly maieftie ? T'was not my minde confented to this ill, Then had I beene tranfported by my will : For what my body was inforcde to doe, (Heauen knowes) my foule did not confent vnto ; For through mine eyes had fhe her liking feene, Such as my loue, fuch had my louer beene. True loue is fimple, like his mother Truth, Kindly 170 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 2 Kindly affection, youth to loue with youth ; No fharper corfiue to our blooming yeeres, Then the colde badge of winter-blafted haires. Thy kingly power makes to withftand thy foes, But canft not keepe backe age, with Time it growes, Though honour our ambitious fex doth pleafe, Yet in that honour, age a foule difeafe, Nature hath her free courfe in all, and then, Age is alike in Kings, and other men, Which all the world will to my lhame impute, That I my felfe did bafely proftitute ; And fay that gold was fuell to the fire, Gray haires in youth not kindling greene defire. O no ; that wicked woman wrought by thee, My tempter was to that forbidden tree, That fubtile Serpent, that feducing deuill, Which bade me tafte the fruit of good and euill ; That Circe, by whofe magicke I was charmd, And to this monftrous fhape am thus transform 'd, That viperous hag, the foe of her owne kinde, That wicked fpirite vnto the weaker minde ; Our frailties plague, our natures only curfe, Hels deepft damnation, the worft euills worfe. But Henry, how canft thou affecl: me thus, T'whom thy remembrance now is odious ? My hapleffe name, with Henries name I found, Cut in the glaffe with Henries Diamond, That glaffe from thence faine would I take away ; But then I feare the aire would me betray ; Then doe I ftriue to wafh it out with teares, But then the fame more euident appeares. M 2 Then Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Then doe I couer it with my guilty hand, Which that names witnes doth againft me Hand ; Once did I finne, which memory doth cherrifh, Once I offended, but I euer perrifh. What griefe can be, but time doth make it leffe? But infamie time neuer can fuppreffe. Sometimes to paffe the tedious irkefome houres, I climbe the toppe of Woodjlockes mounting towres, Where in a Turret fecretly I lie, To view from farre fuch as doe trauell by, Whether (me thinkes)_all caft their eies at mee, As through the ftones my fhame did make them fee, And with fuch hate the harmeleffe walls doe view, As vnto death their eies would me purfue. The married women curfe my hatefull life, Which wrong a lawfull bed, a Queene, a wife ; The maidens wifh I buried quicke may die, The loathfome ftaine to their virginitie. Well knewft thou what a monfter I would be When thou didft build this Labyrinth for me, Whofe ftrange Meanders turning euery way, Be like the courfe wherein my youth did ftray ; Onely a Clue to guide me out and in, But yet (till walke 1 circular in fin. As in the Tarras heere this other day, My maide and I did paffe the time away, Mongft many pictures which we paffed by, The feely gerle at length hapt to efpie Chafte Lucrece picture, and defires to knowe, What me mould be herfelfe that murdred fo ? Why gerle (quoth I) this is that Roman Dame, Not 172 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 3 Not able then to tell the reft for fhame, My tongue doth mine owne guiltineffe betray ; With that I fend the pratling girle away, Left when my lifping guilty tongue fhould hault, My lookes fhould be the index to my fault. As that life blood which from the heart is fent, In beauties field pitching his crimfon Tent, In louely fanguine futes the Lillie cheeke, Whilft it but for a refting place doth feeke ; And changing often-times with fweete delight, Conuerts the white to red, the red to white. The louely blufh the paleneffe doth diftaine, The paleneffe makes the blufh more faire againe ; Thus in my breaft a thoufand thoughts / carry, Which in my paffion diuerfly do vary. Whenas the Sunne Kales towards the Wefterne flade, And the trees fhadowes three times greater made, Forth goe /toa little current neere, Which like a wanton traile creepes heere and there, Wherewith mine angle cafting in my baite, The little fifties (dreading the deceit) With fearefull nibbling flie th'inticing gin, By nature taught what danger lies therein. Things reafonleffe thus warnde by nature be, Yet / deuour'd the baite was laid for me ; Thinking thereon, and breaking into grones, The bubling fpring which trips vpon the ftones, Chides me away, left fitting but too nie, / fhould pollute that natiue puritie, Rofe of the world, fo doth import my name, Shame of the world, my life hath made the fame. M 3 And i73 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. And to th'vnchafte this name fhall giuen be, Of Rofamond, deriu'd from finne and me. The Cliffords take from me that name of theirs, Famous for vertue many hundred yeeres. They blot my birth with hatefull baftardie, That I fprang not from their nobilitie ; They my alliance vtterly refufe, Nor will a ftrumpet fhall their name abufe. Heere in the garden wrought by curious hands, Naked Diana in the fountaine ftands, With all her Nimphes got round about to hide her, As when Atteon had by chance efpide her ; This facred Image I no fooner view'd, But as that metamorphofde man purfu'd By his owne hounds ; fo by my thoughts am I, Which chafe me ftill, which way fo ere I flie. Touching the graffe, the honny-dropping dew, Which falls in teares before my limber fhue, Vpon my foote confumes in weeping ftill, As it would fay, why wentft thou vnto ill ? Thus to no place in fafetie can I goe, But euery thing doth giue me caufe of woe. In that faire Casket of fuch wondrous coft, Thou fentft the night before mine honor loft Amimone was wrought, a harmeleffe maide, By Neptune that adult' rous God betraide ; She proftrate at his feete begging with praiers, Wringing her hands, her eyes fwolne vp with teares, This was not the entrapping baite of men, But by thy vertue gentle warning then ; To fhew to me for what intent it came, Left i74 Englands Heroicall Epiftles 3 Left / therein fhould euer keepe my fhame. And in this Casket (ill I fee it now) What Ioues loue I-o, turnde into a Cow. Yet was fhe kept with Argus hundred eyes, So wakefull ftil be Iunoes iealoufies : By this /well might haue forewarned beene, T'haue cleerde my felfe to thy fufpe&ing Queene, Who with more hundred eyes attendeth mee, Then had poore A rgus fingle eyes to fee. In this thou rightly imitated loue, Into a beaft thou haft transformde thy loue. Nay, worfer farre, (degenerate from kinde) A monfter, both in body and in minde. The waxen taper which / burne by night, With his dull vapory dimneffe mocks my fight, As though the dampe which hinders his cleere flame, Came from my breath, in that night of my fhame, When it did burne as darkneffe vgly eye, When fhot the ftarre of my virginitie, And if a ftarre but by the glaffe appeare, / ftrait intreat it not to looke in heere ; / am already hatefull to the light, It is enough, betray me not to night. Then fith my fhame fo much belongs to thee, Rid me of that by onely murdering mee ; And let it iuftly to my charge be laide, Thy royall perfon / would haue betraide ; Thou fhalt not neede by circumftance t'accufe me, If I deny it, let the heauens refufe me. My life's a blemifh which doth clowd thy name, Take it away, and cleere fhall fhine thy fame. M 4 Yeelde i75 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Yeelde to my fute, if euer pittie moou'd thee, In this fhew mercy, as I euer lou'd thee. If Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. Well knewfl thou what a monfter I would bee, When thou didft build this Labyrinth for mee. IN the Cretean Labyrinth a monfter was inclofed, called a Minotaur, the hiftory whereof is well knowne, but the Laby- rinth was framed by Dadalus, with fo many intricate waies, that being entred, one could either hardly or neuer return, being in maner of a maze, faue that it was larger, the waies being walld in on euery fide, out of the which The/eus by Ariadnes helpe (len- ding him a clue of thrid) efcaped. Some report that it was a houfe, hauing one halfe beneath the ground, another aboue, the cham- ber doores therin fo deceitfully enwrapped, and made to open fo many waies, that it was held a matter almoft impoffible to return. Some haue held it to haue beene an Allegory of mans life , true it is that the comparifon wil hold , for what liker to a Labyrinth then the maze of life? But it is affirmed by antiquity, that there was indeede fuch a building, though Dadalus being a name appli- ed to the workmans excellencie, make it fufpected : for Dadalus is nothing elfe but engenious, or artificiall. Heereupon it is vfed a- mong the antient Poets, for any thing curioufly wrought. Rofamonds Labyrinth, whofe ruins together with her well being paued with fquare ftone in the bottome, & alfo her Tower from which the Labirinth did run, (are yet remaining) was altogether vnder ground, being vaults arched & walld with brick & ftone, almoft inextricably wound one within another, by which if at any time her lodging were laid about by the Queene, fhe might eafly auoid perill imminent, & if need be, by fecret iffues take the aire abroad, many furlongs round about Woodftock in Oxford- fhire, wherin it was fituated. Thus much for Rofamonds labirinth. Whofe flrange Meanders turned euery way, Meander is a riuer in Lycia, a prouince of Natalia, or Afia minor, famous for the finuofity & often turning thereof, rifing from cer- taine 176 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 5 taine hills in Maonia, heerevpon are intricate turnings by a tran- fumtiue & metonimicall kind of fpeech, called Meanders, for this Riuer did fo ftrangely path it felfe, that the foote feemed to touch the head. Rofe of the world, fo doth import my name, Shame of the world, my life hath made the fame. It might be reported, how at Godfiow, where this Rofe of the world was fumptuoufly interred, a certaine Biihop in the vifitati- on of his Dioceffe, caufed the monument which had bin erected to her honour, vtterly to be demolifhed, but be that feuere cha- ftifement of Rofamond then dead, at this time alfo ouer-pafled, left (he mould feeme to be the Shame of the world. Henry to Rofamond. WHen firft the Poft arriued at my Tent, And brought the letters Rofamond had fent, Thinke from his lips but what fweete comfort came, When in mine eare he foftly breath'd thy name, Straight I enioyne him of thy health to tell, Longing to heare my Rofamond did well ; With new enquiries then I cut him fhort, When of the fame he gladly would report, That with the earneft hafte my tongue oft trips. Catching the words halfe fpoke out of his lips : This told, yet more / vrge him to reueale, To loofe no time while / vnript the feale. The more / reade, ftill do / erre the more, As though mistaking fomewhat faid before. Miffing the point, the doubtfull fence is broken, Speaking againe, what / before had fpoken, Still in a fwound, my heart reuiues and faints, (plaints. Twixt hopes, difpaires, twixt fmiles and deepe com- As 177 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. As thefe fad accents fort in my defires, Smoothe calmes, rough ftorms, fharp frofts, & raging Put on with boldnes, and put back with feares, (fires, My tongue with curfes, when mine eyes with teares. O how my hart at that blacke line did tremble ! That blotted paper fhould thy felfe refemble ; O were there paper but neere halfe fo white ! The Gods thereon their facred lawes would write With pens of Angells wings, and for their inke, That heauenly Na6tar, their immortall drinke. Maiefticke courage ftriues to haue fuppreft This fearefull paffion ftird vp in my breaft ; But ftill in vaine the fame I go about, My hart muft breake within, or woe breakes out, Am I at home purfu'd with priuate hate, And war comes raging to my pallace gate ? Is meager Enuie ftabbing at my throne, Treafon attending when / walke alone ? And am I branded with the curfe of Rome, And ftand condemn'd by dreadfull counfels dombe ? And by the pride of my rebellious fonne, Rich Normandie with armies ouer-runne ? Fatall my birth, vnfortunate my life, Vnkinde my children, moft vnkind my wife. Griefe, cares, old age, fufpition to torment me, Nothing on earth to quiet or content me, So many woes, fo many plagues to finde, Sicknes of body, difcontent of minde ; Hopes left, helpes reft, life wrong' d, ioy interdicted, Banifh'd diftrefs'd, forfaken and afflifted, Of all reliefe hath Fortune quite bereft me ? Onely 178 JEnglands Heroicall Epijlles. 6 Onely my loue vnto my comfort left me, And is one beautie thought fo great a thing, To mittigate the forrowes of a King ? Barr'd of that choife the vulgar often proue, Haue we (then they) leffe priuiledge in loue ? Is it a King, the wofull widdow heares ? Is it a King dries vp the Orphans teares ? Is it a King regards the Clyants cry ? Giues life to him by law condemnd to die ? Is it his care the Common-wealth that keepes, As doth the Nurfe her babie whilft it fleepes ? And that poore king, of all thofe hopes preuented. Vnheard, vnhelp'd, vnpittied, vnlamented, Yet let me be with pouertie oppreft, Of earthly bleffings rob'd, and difpoffeft, Let me be fcornde, reie&ed and reuilde, From Kingdome, Country, and from Court exilde ; Let the worlds curfe vpon me ftill remaine, And let the laft bring on the firft againe : All miferies that wretched man may wound, Leaue for my comfort, onely Rofamond ; For thee fwift Time her fpeedie courfe doth ftay, At thy command the Deftinies obay ; Pittie is dead that comes not from thine eyes, And at thy feete, euen mercy proftrate lies : If I were feeble, rheumatike, or cold, Thefe were true fignes that I were waxed old ; But I can march all day in maffie fteele, Nor yet my armes vnweldy weight do feele, Nor wak'd by night with bruife or bloody wound, The tent my bed, no pillow but the ground : For 179 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. For very age had / laine bedred long, One fmile of thine againe could make me yong. Were there in Art a power but fo diuine, As is in that fweete Angel-tongue of thine, That great Enchantreffe which once tooke fuch pains, To force young bloode in Aifons witherd veines, And from groues, mountaines, and the moorifh Fen, Vs'd all the hearbes ordainde to vfe of men, And in the powerfull potion that fhe makes, Puts blood of men, of birds, of beafts, of fnakes, Neuer had needed to haue gone fo farre, To feeke the foiles where all thofe fimples are, One accent from thy lips, the blood more warmes, Then all her philters, exorcifmes, and charmes. Thy prefence hath repaired in one day, What many yeeres and forrowes did decay, And made frefh beauties faireft branches fpring, From wrinkled furrowes of times ruining. Euen as the hungry winter-ftarued earth, When fhe by nature labours towards her birth, Still as the day vpon the darke world creepes, One bloffome forth after another peepes, Till the fmall flower whofe roote is now vnbound, Gets from the froftie prifon of the ground, Spreading the leaues vnto the powerfull noone, Deck'd in frefh colours, fmiles vpon the funne. Neuer vnquiet care lodg'd in that breaft, Where but one thought of Rofamond did reft ; Nor thirft, nor trauaile, which on warre attend, E're brought the long day to defired end ; Nor yet did pale Feare, or leane Famine liue, Where t8c Englands Heroicall Epiflles. 7 Where hope of thee did any comfort giue, Ah what iniuftice then is this of thee That thus the guiltleffe dooft condemne for me ? When onely fhe (by meanes of my offence) Redeemes thy pureneffe, and thy innocence, When to our wills perforce obey they muft, That iuft in them, what e're in vs vniuft, Of what we doe, not them account we make, The fault craues pardon .for th'offenders fake, And what to worke a Princes will may merit, Hath deepft impreffion in the gentleft fpirite ; Ift be my name that dooth thee fo offend, No more my felfe fhall be mine owne names friend, And ift be that which thou dooft onely hate, That name, in my name, laftly hath his date. Say tis accurft, and fatall, and difpraife it, If written, blot it, if engrauen, raze it. Say that of all names tis a name of woe, Once a Kings name, but now tis not fo. And when all this is done, I know t'vvill grieue thee, And therfore (fvveet) whie fhould I now belieue thee ? Nor fhouldft thou thinke thofe eies with enuie lower, Which palling by thee, gaze vp to thy tower ; But rather praife thine owne which be fo cleere, Which from the Turret like two ftarres appeare ; Aboue the funne dooth fhine, beneath thine eie, Mocking the heauen to make another side, The little ftreame which by thy tower dooth glide, Where oft thou fpendft the wearie euening tide, To view thee well his courfe would gladly ftay, As loath from thee to part fo foone away ; And Englands Heroicall Epiftles. And with falutes thy felfe would gladly greete, And offer vp thofe fmall drops at thy feete, But rinding that the enuious banks reftraine it, T'excufe it felfe, doth in this fort complaine it, And therefore this fad bubling murmure keepes, And in this fort within the channell weepes. And as thou dooft into the water looke, The fifh which fee thy fhadow in the brooke, Forget to feede, and all amazed lie, So daunted with the luftre of thine eie. And that fweet name which thou fo much doft wrong In time fhalbe fome famous Poets fong ; And with the very fweetnes of that name, Lions and tygers men fhall learne to tame. The carefull mother from her penfiue breaft, With Rofamond fhall bring her babe to reft ; The little birds, (by mens continuall found) Shall learne to fpeake, and prattle Rofamond. And when in Aprill they beginne to fing, With Rofamond fhall welcome in the fpring ; And fhe in whom all rarities are found, Shall ftill be faid to be a Rofamond. The little flowers which dropping honied dew, Which (as thou writft) doe weepe vpon thy fhue, Not for thy fault (fweet Rofamond) doe moane, But weepe for griefe that thou fo foone art gone, For if thy foote tuch Hemlocke as it goes, That Hemlocke's made more fweeter than the Rofe, Of Ioue or Neptune how they did betray, Nor fpeake of I-o, or Amimone, When fhe for whome Ioue once became a Bull, Com- 182 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Comparde with thee, had beene a tawny trull ; He a white Bull, and fhe a whiter Cow, Yet he nor fhe, neere halfe fo white as thou. Long fince (thou knowft) my care prouided for To lodge thee fafe from iealous Ellenor, The labyrinths conueyance guides thee fo, (Which only Vaghan, thou, and I doe know) If fhe doe guard thee with a hundred eies, I haue an hundred fubtile Mercuries, To watch that Argus which my loue doth keepe, Vntill eie, after eie, fall all to fleepe. Thofe ftarres looke in by night, looke in to fee, Wondring what ftarre heere on the earth mould be. As oft the Moone amidft the filent night, Hath come to ioy vs with her friendly light, And by the curtaine helpt mine eie to fee What enuious night and darkenes hid from mee ; When I haue wifht that fhe might euer ftay, And other worlds might ftill enioy the day : What fhould I fay ? words, teares, and fighs be fpent, And want of time doth further helps preuent : My campe refounds with fearefull fhockes of warre, Yet in my bread the worfer conflicts are ; Yet is my fignall to the battels found, The bleffed name of beauteous Rofamond. Accurfed be that heart, that tongue, that breath, Should thinke, fhould fpeake,or whifper of thy death. For in one fmile, or lower from thy fweete eie, Confifts my life, my hope, my viftorie. Sweet Woodflocke, where my Rofamond doth reft, Bleffed in her, in whom thy King is bleft ; For 183 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. For though in France a while my body be, (Sweete Paradice) my heart remaines in thee. Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie, Am I at home purfued with priuate hate. And warre comes raging to my Pallace gate ? ~D Obert erle of Leicefter, who took part with yong king Henry, entred into England with an atmie of 3000. Flemmings, and fpoild the countries of Norffolk and Suffolke, being fuccored by many of the Kings priuate enimies. And am I branded with the curfe of Rome ? King Henry the fecond, the firft Plantaginet, accufed for the death of Tho. Becket, archbifhop of Canterbury, flaine in the ca- thedrall church, was accurfed by Pope Alexander, although hee vrgde fufficient proofe of his innocencie in the fame, and offered to take vpon him any penance , fo he might efcape the curfe and interdiction of the Realme. And by the pride of my rebellious fonne, Rich A'ormandie with armies ouer-runne. Henry the yong K. whom king Henry had caufed to be crow- ned in his life (as he hoped) both for his owne good and the good of his Subie Obert erle of Leicefter, who took part with yong king Henry, entred into England with an armie of 3000. Flemmings, and fpoild the countries of Norffolk and Suffolke, being fuccored by many of the Kings priuate enimies. And am I branded with the curfe of Rome ? King Henry the fecond, the firft Plantaginet, accufed for the death of Tho. Becket, archbiftiop of Canterbury, flaine in the ca- thedrall church, was accurfed by Pope Alexander, although hee vrgde fufficient proofe of his innocencie in the fame, and offered to take vpon him any penance , fo he might efcape the curfe and interdiction of the Realme. And by the pride of my rebellion fonne, Rich Normandie with armies ouer-runnc. Henry the yong K. whom king Henry had caufed to be crow- ned in his life (as he hoped) both for his owne good and the good of his Subieifls, which indeed turned to his owne forrow, and the trouble of the Realme, for he rebelled againft him , and raifing a power, by the meanes of Lewes king of France, and William K. of Scots, who tooke part with him, inuaded Normandie. Vnkindt my children, moft vnkinde my wife : Neuer king more vnfortunate then K : Henry, in the difobedi- enceofhis children: firft Henry, then Geffrey, then Richard, then Iohn, all at one time or other, firft or lad, vnnaturally rebelled a- gainft him ; then the iealoufie of Elinor his Qu. who fufpe&ed his loue to Rofamond, which grieuous troubles the deuout of thofe times attributed to happen to him iuftly , for refufing to take on him the gouemment of Ierufalem, offred to him by the patriarke there ; which country was mightily affliifted by the Souldane. Which 184 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 7 Where hope of thee did any comfort giue, Ah what iniuftice then is this of thee That thus the guiltleffe dooft condemne for me ? When onely fhe (by meanes of my offence) Redeemes thy pureneffe, and thy innocence, When to our wills perforce obey they muft, That iuft in them, what e're in vs vniuft, Of what we doe, not them account we make, The fault craues pardon for th'offenders fake, And what to worke a Princes will may merit, Hath deepft impreflion in the gentleft fpirite ; Ift be my name that dooth thee fo offend, No more my felfe fhall be mine owne names friend, And ift be that which thou dooft onely hate, That name, in my name, laftly hath his date. Say tis accurft, and fatall, and difpraife it, If written, blot it, if engrauen, raze it. Say that of all names tis a name of woe, Once a Kings name, but now tis not fo. And when all this is done, I know t'vvill grieue thee, And therfore (fvveet) whie fhould I now belieue thee ? Nor fhouldft thou thinke thofe eies with enuie lower, Which pafling by thee, gaze vp to thy tower ; But rather praife thine owne which be fo cleere, Which from the Turret like two ftarres appeare ; Aboue the funne dooth fhine, beneath thine eie, Mocking the heauen to make another skie, The little ftreame which by thy tower dooth glide, Where oft thou fpendft the wearie euening tide, To view thee well his courfe would gladly ftay, As loath from thee to part fo foone away ; And Englands Heroicall Epijlles. And with falutes thy felfe would gladly greete, And offer vp thofe fmall drops at thy feete, But finding that the enuious banks reftraine it, T'excufe it felfe, doth in this fort complaine it, And therefore this fad bubling murmure keepes, And in this fort within the channell weepes. And as thou dooft into the water looke, The fifh which fee thy fhadow in the brooke, Forget to feede, and all amazed lie, So daunted with the luftre of thine eie. And that fweet name which thou fo much doft wrong In time fhalbe fome famous Poets fong ; And with the very fweetnes of that name, Lions and tygers men fhall learne to tame. The carefull mother from her penfiue bread, With Rofamond fhall bring her babe to reft ; The little birds, (by mens continuall found) Shall learne to fpeake, and prattle Rofamond. And when in Aprill they beginne to fing, With Rofamond fhall welcome in the fpring ; And fhe in whom all rarities are found, Shall ftill be faid to be a Rofamond. The little flowers which dropping honied dew, Which (as thou writft) doe weepe vpon thy fhue, Not for thy fault (fweet Rofamond) doe moane, But weepe for griefe that thou fo foone art gone, For if thy foote tuch Hemlocke as it goes, That Hemlocke's made more fweeter than the Rofe, Of Ioue or Neptune how they did betray, Nor fpeake of I-o, or Amimone, When fhe for whome Ioue once became a Bull, Com- 182 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 1 3 I once determinde ftill to haue beene mute, Onely by filence to refell thy fute, But this againe did alter mine intent, For fome will fay, that filence doth confent : Defire, with fmall encouraging growes bold, And Hope, of euery little thing takes hold. I fet me downe at large to write my minde, But now, nor pen, nor paper can I finde ; For dread and paffion, are fo powerfull o're me, That I difcerne not things that ftand before me : Finding the pen, the paper, and the waxe, This at command, and now inuention lacks ; This fentence ferues, and that my hand out-ftrikes, That pleafeth well, and this as much miflikes, I write, indite, I point, I raze, I quote, I enterline, I blot, correct, / note ; / hope, difpaire, take courage, faint, difdaine, I make, alleadge, / imitate, / faine : Now thus it muft be, and now thus, and thus, Bold, fhame-fac'd, feareleffe, doubtfull, timorous ; My faint hand writing, when my full eye reedes, From euery word ftrange paffion ftill proceedes. O ! when the foule is fettered once in wo, T'is ftrange what humors it doth force vs to ; A teare doth drowne a teare, figh, figh doth fmother, This hinders that, that interrupts the other : Th'ouer-watched weakneffe of a ficke conceit, Is that which makes fmall beautie feeme fo great, Like things which hid in troubled waters lie, Which crook'd, feem ftraight, if ftraight, feem contrary: And thus our vaine imagination fhewes it, As bb 193 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. As it conceiues it, not as iudgement knowes it, (As in a Mirrhor, if the fame be true) Such as your likenes, iuftly fuch are you : But as you change your felfe, it changeth there, And fhewes you as you are, not as you were ; And with your motion doth your fhadow moue, If frowne or fmile ; fuch the conceit of loue. Why tell me, is it poffible the minde A forme in all deformitie fhould finde ? Within the compaffe of mans face we fee, How many forts of feuerall fauours be ; And that the chin, the nofe, the brow, the eye, If great, if fmall, flat, fharpe, or if awry, Alters proportion, altereth the grace, And makes a mighty difference in the face ; And in the world, fcarce two fo likely are, One with the other which if you compare, But being fet before you both together, A iudging fight doth foone diftinguifh either. How woman-like a weakneffe is it then ? O what ftrange madneffe fo poffeffeth men ! Bereft of fence ; fuch fenceleffe wonders feeing, Without forme, fafhion, certaintie, or being ? For which fo many die to Hue in anguifh, Yet cannot Hue, if thus they fhould not languifh ; That comfort yeeldes not, and yet hope denies not, A life that Hues not, and a death that dies not ; That hates vs moil, when moft it fpeakes vs faire, Doth promife all things, alwaies paies with aire, Yet fometime doth our greateft griefe appeafe, To double forrow after little eafe. Like 194 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 14 Like that which thy lafciuious will doth craue, Which if once had, thou neuer morecanft haue ; Which if thou get, in getting thou dooftwafte it, Taken, is loft, and perrifh'd if thou haft it ; Which if thou gain'ft, thou ne're the more haft wonne, I loofing nothing, yet am quite vndone ; And yet of that, if that a King depraue me, No King reftores, though he a kingdome gaue me. Dooft thou of father and of friends depriue me ? And tak'ft thou from me all that heauen did giue me ? When Nature claimes my blood, alies or neereneffe, Or friendfhip challenge, by regard or deereneffe. Mak'ft me an Orphan ere my father die, A wofull widdow in virginitie ? Is thy vnbrideled luft the caufe of all ? And now thy flattering tongue bewailes my fall. The dead mans graue with fained teares to fill, So the deuouring Crocodile doth kill, To harbor hate in fhew of fweeteft things, So in the Rofe the poifned ferpent ftings. To lurke farre off, yet lodge deftruftion by, The Bafiliske doth poifon with the eye ; To call for aide, and then to lie in wait, So the Hiena murthers by deceit ; By fweete inticements, fuddaine death to bring, So from the rockes th'alluring Mir-maides fing ; In greateft wants, t'infli6t the greateft woe, This is the vtmoft tyranny can doe. But where (I fee) the tempeft thus preuailes, What vfe of ankors, or what neede of failes ? Aboue vs bluftring windes and dreadfull thunder, The i9S Englands Heroicall Epijlles. The waters gape for our deftru&ion vnder ; Heere on this fide the furious billowes flie, There rocks, there fands, & dang'rous whirl-poole lie. Is this the meane that mightineffe approues ? And in this fort doe Princes woo their loues ? Mildeneffe would better fute with maieftie, Then rafh reuenge and rough feueritie. O in what fafety Temperance doth reft, Obtaining harbor in a foueraigne breaft. Which if fo praifefull in the meaneft men, In powerfull Kings, how glorious is it then ? Alas, and fled / hether from my fo, That innocence fhould be betraied fo ? Is Court and Country both her enemy, And no place found to fhrowd in chaftitie ? Each houfe for luft a harbour, and an Inne. And euery Cittie a receite for finne ; And all do pittie beautie in diftreffe, If beautie chafte, then onely pittileffe. Thus is fhe made a tempting ftale to luft, Or vnreleeued, nedfly perrifh muft. Lafciuious Poets which abufe the truth, Which oft teach age to finne, infedting youth, For the vnchafte make trees & ftones to mourne, Or as they pleafe, to other fhapes do turne : Cinyras daughter, whofe inceftuous minde, Made her wrong Nature and dishonour Kinde ; Long fince by them is turnde into a Mir, Whofe dropping liquor euer weepes for her ; And in a fountaine, Biblis doth deplore Her fault fo vile and monfterous before : Silla, 196 Englands Herokall Epiftles. 1 5 Silla, which once her father did betray, Is now a bird, (if all be true they fay.) Shee that with Pkcebus did the foulc offence, Now metamorphofde into frankencenfe. Other, to flowers, to odors, and to gumme, At leaft Ioues leman is a ftarre become ; And more ; they faine a thoufand fond excufes, To hide their fcapes, and couer their abufes, The virgine onelie they obfcure and hide Whilft the vnchafte, by them are deifide ; Yet if a Veftals name be once expreft, She mult be fet together with the reft. I am not now, as when thou fawft me laft, That fauour foone is vanifhed and paft ; That Rofie-blufli, lapt in a Lilly-vale, Now with the morphew ouer-growne and pale, And down my cheeks with fhowres of fwelling tears, Remaine the furrowes that continuance weares, And in the circles of my withered eies, In aged wrinckles Beautie buried lies ; And in my grace, my prefence, gefture, cheere, Ruine, diftreffe, woe, anguifh, doth appeere. That breaft, that hand, that cheeke,that eie, that brow, Faded, decayed, fallen, darkned, wrinckled now ; Such was my beautie once, now is it fuch, Once thought moft rare, now altred more than much, Nor I regarde all that thou canft proteft, My vow is taken, I a Nunne profeft. This veftall habite doth content me more, Then all the robes that yet I euer wore, Had Rofamond, (a reclufe of our fort) Taken 197 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Taken our Cloifter, left the wanton Court, Shadowing that beauty with a holy vale, Which fhe (alas) too loofely fet to fale, She neede not like an vgly Minotaur, Haue beene lockt vp from jealious E lienor, But bin as famous by thy mothers wrongs, As by thy father fubiefl to all tongues. To fhadow finne, might can the moft pretend, Kings, but the confcience, all things can defend. A ftronger hand reftraines our wilfull powres, A will muft rule aboue this will of ours, Not following what our vaine defires doe wooe For vertues fake, but what we (only) doe. And hath my father chofe to liue exilde, Before his eyes fhould fee my youth defllde ? And to withftand a tyrants lewd defire, Beheld his towers and caftles razde with fire : Yet neuer tucht with griefe, fo only I, Exempt from fhame might with true honor die. And fhall this Jewell which fo deerly coft, Now after all, by my difhonour loft ? No, no, his reuerend words, his holy teares, Yet in my foule too deepe impreflion beares His lateft farewell at his laft depart, More deepely is ingraued in my hart, Nor fhall that blot, by me his name fhall haue, Bring his gray haires with forrow to his graue, Better his teares to fall vpon my tombe, Then for my birth to curfe my mothers wombe. Though Dunmow giue no refuge heere at all, Dunmow can giue my body buriall. If 198 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 16 If all remorceleffe, no teare-fhedding eie, My felfe will moane my felfe, fo Hue, fo die. Notes of the Chronicle hijlory. 'T'His Epiftle containeth no particular points of Hiftorie, more than the generality of the argument layeth open ; for after the banithment of the Lord Robert Fitzwater , and that Matilda was become a Reclufe at Dunmow, (from whence this reply is ima- gined to be written,) the King ftill earneftly perfifting in his fute. Matilda with this chafte and conftant deniall, hopes yet at length to find fome comfortable remedy, and to rid her felfe of doubts, by taking vpon her this monafticke habite, and to ihew that thee ftill beareth in minde his former cruelty, bred by the impatience of his luft, ihee remembreth him of her fathers bamfhment, and the lawleffe exile of her alies and friends. Dooft thou oj father and of friends depriue me ? Then complaining of hir dhtreffe, that flying thether, thinking there to find reliefe, the fees her felfe mod aflaild where flie ho- ped to haue found moil fafety. Alas, and fled I hether from my foe, Then, &*c. After againe, ftanding vpon the precife poynts of confcience, not to caft off this habite the had taken. My vow is taken, I a Nunne profefl. And at laft laying open more particularly the miferies fuftaind by her father in England, the burning of his Caftles and houfes, which (he prooueth to be for her fake : as refpedling only her ho- nour, more then his natiue Country and his owne fortunes. And to withftand a tyrants lewd defire, Behold his Towers and Caftles fet on fire. Knitting vp her Epiftle with a great and conftant refolution. Though Dunmow giue no refuge heere at all, Dunmow can giue my body buriall. Finis. To 199 T To the vertuous Lady, the Lady Anne Harrington, wife to the hono- rable Gentleman, fir Iohn Harrington Knight. j Yfinguler good Lady , your many vertues iknowne in gentrall to all, and your gracious ifauors to my vnworthy felfe, haue confirmed l that in me, which before I knew you, Ionlie )faw by the light of other mens iudgements. Honour feated in your breaft, findes her felfe adorned as in a rich Pallace, making that excellent which makes her ad- mirable ; which like the Sunne (from thence) begetteth mofl pretious things of this earthly world, onely by the vertue of his rayes, not the nature of the mould. Worth is beftdifcer- ned by the worthy, deietled minds want that pure fire which Jhouldgiue vigor to vertue. I referre to your great thoughts (the vnpartiall Judges of true affeilion) the vnfained zeale I haue euer borne to your honourable feruice; and fo refl your Ladifhips humbly to commaund. Mich: Drayton. Queene 200 Englands Heroicall Epijlles 17 Queene Jfabell to Mortimer, The Argument. Queene Ifabel, (the wife of Edward the fecond, called Edward Carnaruan,) beeing the daughter of Philip de Beau, King of France, forfaken by the King her husband, who delighted onely in the company of Piers Gauefton, his minion and fauorite, and after his death feduced by the euil counfel of the Spencers. This Queene thus left by her huf- band, euen in the glory of her youth, drew into her efpeciall fauour Roger Mortimer, Lord of Wigmore, a man of a mightie and inuincible fpirit. This Lord Mortimer rifing in armes againflthe King, with Thomas Earle of Lancafter, and the Barons, was taken ere he could gather his power,&* by the King committed to the tower of London. During his imprifonment, he ordained a feaft in honor of his birth-day, to which he inuited Sir Stephen Segraue, Lieutenant of the Tower, and the reft of the officers, where, by meanes of a drinke prepared by the Queene, he cafl them all into a hea- uiefleepe, and with Ladders of coards being ready prepared for the purpofe, he efcapeth andflieth into Fraunce, whither fliefendeth this Epiflle, complaining her owne misfortunes, and greatly reioycing at his fafe efcape. T Hough fuch fweet comfort comes not now from As Englands Queene had fent to Mortimer, (her Yet what that wants, which might my power approue If lines can bring, this fhall fupply with loue, O Mee 201 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Me thinks affliction fhould not fright me fo, Nor fhould refume thefe fundry fhapes of woe ; But when I faine would finde the caufe of this, Thy abfence fhewes me where the errour is. Oft when I thinke of thy departing hence, Sad forrow then poffeffeth eu'ry fence : But finding thy deere blood preferu'd thereby, And in thy life, my long-wifht liberty, With that fweet thought my felfe I only pleafe Amidft my griefe, which fometimes giues me eafe, Thus doe extreameft ills a ioy poffeffe, And one woe makes another woe feeme leffe. That blefsed night, that milde-afpefted howre, Wherein thou madft efcape out of the Tower, Shall confecrated euermore remaine ; What gentle Planet in that houre did raigne ; And fhall be happy in the birth of men, Which was chiefe lord of the Afcendant then. O how I feard that fleepy iuyce I fent, Might yet want power to further thine intent ! Or that fome vnfeene myfterie might lurke, Which wanting order, kindly fhould not worke ; Oft did I wifh thofe dreadfull poyfned lees, That clofde the euer-waking Dragons eies, Or I had had thofe fence-bereauing ftalkes, That grow in fhady Proferpines darke walkes ; Or thofe blacke weedes on Lethe bankes below, Or Lunary that doth on Latmus flow ; Oft did I feare that moift and foggy clime, Or that the earth, waxt barren now with time, Should not haue hearbes to help me in this cafe, Such Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 1 8 Such as do thriue on Indiaes parched face, That morrow, when the blefsed Sunne did rife, And fhut the liddes of all heauens lefser eies, Forth from my pallace by a fecret ftaire, I fteale to Thames, as though to take the ayre ; And aske the gentle floud as it doth glide, Or thou didft paffe or periih by the tide ? If thou didft perifh, I defire the ftreame To lay thee foftly on her filuer teame, And bring thee to me to the quiet fhore, That with hir tears thou mightfthauefometears more. When fodainely doth rife a rougher gale, With that (me thinkes) the troubled waues looke pale, And fighing with that little guft that blowes, With this remembrance feeme to knit their browes. Euen as this fodaine paffion doth affright me, Thecheerfull Sunne breaks from a cloude to light me; Then doth the bottome euident appeere, As it would fhew me, that thou waft not there, Whenas the water flowing where I ftand, Doth feeme to tell me, Thou art fafe on land. Did Bulloyne once a feftiuall prepare, For England, Almaine, Cicile, and Nauarref When France enuied thofe buildings (only bleft) Gracde with the Orgies of my Bridall feaft, That Englifh Edward fhould refufe my bed, For that inceftuous fhamelefse Ganimed? And in my place, vpon his regall throne, To fet that gerle-boy, wanton Gauejion. Betwixt the feature of my face and his, My glafse affures me no fuch difference is, 2 That 203 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. That a foule witches baftard fhould thereby Be thought more worthy of his loue than I. What doth auaile vs to be Princes heires, When we can boaft our birth is onely theirs ? When bafe diffembling flatterers fhall deceiue vs, Of all our famous aunceftors did leaue vs ; And of our princely iewels and our dowres, We but enioy the leaft of what is ours ; When minions heads mult weare our monarks crowns To raife vp dunghills with our famous townes ; When beggars-brats are wrapt in rich perfumes, Their buzzard wings impt with our Eagles plumes ; And matcht with the braue iffue of our blood, Alie the kingdome to their crauand brood. Did Longjhankes purchafe with his conquering hand, Albania, Gafcoyne, Cambria, Ireland ? That yoong Camaruan (his vnhappy fonne) Should giue away all that his father wonne ? To backe a ftranger, prowdly bearing downe The braue alies and branches of the crowne ? And did great Edward on his death-bed giue This charge to them which afterwards fhould Hue, That that prowde Gafcoyne banifhed the land, No more fhould treade vpon the Englifh fand ? And haue thefe great Lords in the quarrell flood, And fealde his laft will with their deereft blood, That after all this fearefull maffacre, The fall of Beauchamp, Lacy, Lancajier, Another faithleffe fauorite fhould arife, To cloude the funne of our Nobilities ? And gloried I in Gaueftons great fall, That 204 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 19 That now a Spenfer fhould fucceede in all ? And that his afhes fhould another breed, Which in his place and Empire fhould fucceede ; That wanting one a kingdomes wealth to fpend, Of what that left, this now fhall make an end ; To wafte all that our father won before, Nor leaue our fonne a fword to conquer more. Thus but in vaine we fondly do refill, Where power can doe (euen) all things as it lift, And with vniuft men to debate of lawes, . Is to giue power to hurt a rightfull caufe ; Whilft Parlements muft ftill redreffe their wrongs, And we muft ftarue for what to vs belongs ; Our wealth but fuell to their fond exceffe, . And we muft faft to feaft their wantonneffe. Think'ft thou our wrongs then infufficient are, To moue our brother to religious warre ? And if they were, yet Edward doth detaine Homage for Pontiu, Guyne, and Aquytaine ; And if not that, yet hath he broke the truce, Thus all accurre, to put backe all excufe. The filters wrong, ioynde with the brothers right, Me thinks might vrge him in this caufe to fight. Be all thofe people fenceleffe of our harmes, Which for our Country ought haue manag'd armes? Is the braue Normans courage now forgot ? Or the bold Brittaines loft the vfe of fhot ? The big-bonde Almaines, and ftowt Brabanders, Their warlike Pikes, and fharp-edg'd Semiters ? Or do the Pickards let their Croffe-bowes lie, Once like the Centaurs of old Theffalie I O 3 Or 205 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Or if a valiant Leader be their lacke, Where thou art prefent, who fhould driue them back ? I doe coniure thee by what is moft deere, By that great name of famous Mortimer, By antient Wigmors honourable creft, The tombes where all thy famous grand-fires reft ; Or if than thefe, what more may thee approue, Euen by thofe vowes of thy vnfained loue, That thy great hopes may moue the Chriftian King, By forraigne armes fome comfort yet to bring, To curbe the power of traitors that rebell, Againft the right of princely Ifabell. Vaine witleffe woman, why fhould I defire, To adde more heate to thy immortall fire ? To vrge thee by the violence of hate, To fhake the pillars of thine owne eftate, When whatfoeuer we intend to doe, To our misfortune euer forts vnto ; And nothing elfe remaines for vs befide, But teares and coffins (onely) to prouide, When ftill fo long as Burrough beares that name, Time fhall not blot out our deferued fhame ; And whilft cleere Trent her wonted courfe fhall keep, For our fad fall, her chriftall drops fhall weepe. All fee our ruine on our backes is throwne, And to our felues our forrowes are our owne. And Torlton now whofe counfell fhould direct, The firft of all is flaundred with fufpefl. ; For dang'rous things diffembled feldome are, Which many eyes attend with bufie care. What fhould I fay ? My griefes do ftill renew, And 206 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 20 And but begin when I fhould bid adiew, Few be my words, but manifold my woe, And ftill I ftay, the more I ftriue to goe. As accents iffue forth, griefes enter in, And where I end, me thinks I but begin ; Till then faire time fome greater good affords, Take my loues paiment in thefe ayrie words. If Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. how Ifeard thatjleepie drinhe Ifent, Might yet want power to further thine intent. \/t Ortimer being in the Tower, and ordaining a feaft in honor of his birth-day, as he pretended, and minting there-vnto Sir Stephen Segraue, Conftable of the Tower, with the reft of the officers belonging to the fame, he gaue them a fieepie drinke, pro- uided him by the Queene, by which meanes he got libertie for his efcape. IJleale to Thames, as though to take the aire, And aske the gentle Jireame as it doth glide, Mortimer being got out of the Tower, fwamme the riuer of Thames into Kent, whereof flie hauing intelligence, doubteth of his ftrength to efcape, by reafon of his long imprifonment, being almoft the fpace of three yeares. Did Bulloyne once a feJHuall prepare, For England, Almaine, Cicile, and Nauarre ? Edward Carnaruan , the firft Prince of Wales of the Englifh blood, married Ifabell, daughter of Philip the Faire at Bulloine, in the prefence of the Kings of Almaine, Nauarre, and Cicile, with the chiefe Nobilitie of France and England : which marriage was there folemnized with exceeding pompe and magnificence. And in my place, vpon his regall throne, Tofet that gerle-boy, wanton Gauefton. Noting the effeminacie :and luxurious wantonneffe of Gaue- Jlon, the Kings Minion, his behauiour and attire euer fo woman- like, to pleafe the eye of his lafciuious Prince. O 4 That 20I Englands Heroicall Epijlles. That afowle Witches baftard Jhould thereby. It was vrged by the Queene & the Nobiliy, in the difgrace of Piers Gaueftone that his mother was conuidted of witchcraft, and burned for the fame , and that Piers had bewitched the King. Albania, Gafcoine, Cambria, Ireland. Albania, Scotland, fo called of Albanaci, the fecond fon of Bru- tus, and Cambria ; Wales, fo called of Camber the third fonne, the foure Realmes and Countries, brought in fubieflion by Edward Longjhanks. When of our princely lewells and of our dowers. We but enioy the leafl of what is ours. A complaint of the prodigalitie of King Edward, giuing vnto Gaueftone the Jewells and treafure which was left him, by the ancient Kings of England ; and enriching him with the goodly Manor of Wallingford, affigned as parcell of the dower, to the Queenes of this famous He. And ioyn'd with the braue iffue of our blood, Alie our kingdome to their crauand brood. Edward the fecond, gaue to Piers Gauejlon in marriage, the daughter of Gilbert Clare, Earle of Glocefter, begot of the Kings filler, lone of Acres, married to the faid Earle of Glocefter. Should giue away all that his father won, To backe aflranger. King Edward offered his right in France, to Charles his brother in law , and his right in Scotland to Robert Brufe, to be aided a- gainft the Barrens, in the quarrell of Piers Gauefton. And did great Edward on his death-bed giue. Edward Longfhankes, on his death-bed at Carlile, commanded yong Edward his fonne on his blefiing, not to call backe Gauefton, which (for the mif-guiding of the Princes youth) was before ba- nifhed by the whole counfell of the Land. That after all this fearefull maffaker. The fall of Beuchamp, Lafy, Lancafter. Thomas, Earle of Lancafter, Guy, Earle of Warwicke, and Henry Earle of Lincolne, who had taken their oaths before the deceafed King at his death, to withftand his fonne Edward if he mould call Gauefton fro exile, being a thing which he much feared : now fee- ing Edward to violate his fathers commandement , rife in armes againft 208 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 2 1 againft the King, which was the caufe of the ciuill warre, and the ruine of fo many Princes. And gloried I in Gaueftons great fall, That now a Spenfer fhould fueceede in all. The two Hugh Spenfers, the father & the fon, after the death of Gaucjlon, became the great fauorites of the king, the fon being cre- ated by him lord Chamberlain, & the father Earl of Winchester. And if they were, yet Edward doth detaine Homage for Pontiu, Guyne, and Aquitaine. Edward Long/hankes, did homage for thofe Citties and Terri- tories to the French King, which Edward the fecond neglecting, moued the French King, by the fubornation of Mortimer, to feafe thofe Countries into his hands. By antient Wigmors honourable Crefl. Wigmore in the marches of Wales, was the antient houfe of the Mortimers, that noble and couragious familie. That fHU fo long as Borrough beares that name. The Queene remembreth the great ouerthrow giuen to the Barrons, by Andrew Herckley, Earle of Carlil, at Borrough bridge, after the battaile at Burton. And Tori ton now whofe counfells fhmld direcl. This was Adam Tor/ton, Bifhop of Herford, that great Polititia, who fo highly fauored the faction of the Queene & Mortimer, whofe euil counfel afterward wroght the deftrudlion of the king. Mortimer to Queene y/abell, AS thy falutes my forrowes do adiourne So backe to thee their intereft I turne ; Though not in fo great bounty (I confeffe) As thy heroicke princely lines expreffe : For how fhould comfort iffue from the breath, Of one condemn'd, and long lodg'd vp in death ? From murthers rage thou didft me once repriue, Now dd 209 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Now in exile, my hopes thou dooft reuiue ; Twice all was taken, twice thou all didft giue, And thus twice dead, thou mak'ft me twice to Hue. This double life of mine, your onely due, You gaue to me ; I gaue it backe to you ; Ne're my efcape had, I aduentur'd thus, As did the sky-attempting Dcedalns ; And yet to giue more fafetie to my flight, Haue made a night of day, a day of night. Nor had / backt the prowd afpiring wall, Which held without, my hopes, within, my fall, Leauing the cords to tell where / had gone, For gazing eyes with feare to looke vpon ; But that thy beautie (by a power diuine) Breath'd a new life into this fpirit of mine. Drawne by the Sunne of thy celeftiall eyes, With fiery wings made paffage through the skies, The heauens did feeme the charge of me to take, And fea and land befriend me for thy fake ; Thames ftopt her tide, to make me way to go, As thou hadft charg'd her that it fhould be fo ; The hollow murmuring windes their due time kept, As they had rock'd the world, while all things flept ; One billow bore me, and another draue me, This ftroue to helpe me, and that ftroue to faue me ; The brifling reedes mou'd with the aire did chide me, As they would tell me that they meant to hide me ; The pale fac'd night beheld thy heauy cheere, And would not let one little ftarre appeare, But ouer all her fmokie mantle hurl'd, And in thicke vapors muffled vp the world ; And Englands Heroicall Epiftles, 22 And the pure ayre became fo calme and ftill, As it had beene obedient to my will ; And euery thing difpofde vnto my reft, As when on Seas the Alcion buildes her neft. When thofe rough waues which late with furie rufht, Slide fmoothely on, and fuddainely are hufht ; Nor Neptune lets his furges out fo long, As Nature is in bringing forth her yong ; Nor let the Spencers glory in my chance, That I fhould Hue an exile heere in France : That I from England banifhed mould be, But England rather banifhed from me : More were her want, France our great blood fhould Then Englands loffe fhould be to Mortimer, (beare, My grandfire was the firft fince Arthurs raigne, That the Round-table reftifide againe ; To whofe great Court at Kenelworth did come, The peereleffe knighthood of all Chriftendome : Whofe princely order, honoured England more, Then all the Conquefts fhe atchiu'd before. Neuer durft Scot fet foote in Englifh ground, Nor on his backe did Englifh beare a wound, Whilft Wigmore flourifht in our princely hopes, Andwhilft our Enfignemarch'd with Edwards troups: Whilft famous Longjkankesbones(m Fortunes fcorne) As facred reliques to the field were borne ; Nor euer did the valiant Englifh doubt, Whilft our braue battailes guarded them about. Nor did our wiues and wofull mothers mourne, The Englifh blood that ftained Banocksbume, Whilft with his Minions fporting in his Tent, Whole Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Whole daies and nights in banquetting were fpent, Vntill the Scots (which vnder fafegard flood) Made lauifh hauocke of the Englifh blood ? And battered helmes lay fcattered on the fhore , Where they in conqueft had beene borne before. A thoufand kingdomes will we feeke from far, As many Nations wafte with ciuill war, Where the difheuel'd gaftly Sea-nimph fings, Or well-rigd fhips fhall ftretch their fwelling wings, And drag their ankors through the fandy fome, About the world in euery clime to rome, And thofe vnchriftned Countries call our owne, Where fcarce the name of England hath bin knowne ; And in the dead-fea finke our houfes fame, From whofe fterne waues we firft deriu'd our name, Before fowle blacke-mouth'd infamy fhall fing, That Mortimer e're ftoop'd vnto a King. And we will turne fterne-vifag'd furie backe, To feeke his fpoile, who fought our vtter facke : And come to beard him in our natiue He, E're we march forth to follow our exile. And after all thefe boiftrous ftormie fhockes, Yet will we grapple with the chaulkie rockes : Nor will we come like Pirates, or like theeues, From mountaines, forrefts, or fea-bordering Cleeues, But fright the ayre with terror (when we come) Of the fterne trumpet, and the bellowing drum : And in the field aduance our plumy Creft, And march vpon faire Englands flowrie breaft ; And Thames which once we for our life did fwim, Shaking our dewy treffes on her brim, Shall Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 23 Shall beare my nauie ; vaunting in her pride, Falling from Tanet with the powerfull tide ; Which fertile Effex, and faire Kent fhall fee, Spreading her flags along the pleafant lee, When on her ftemming poope fhe prowdly beares The famous Enfignes of the Belgicke Peeres, And for the hatefull facrilegious finne, Which by the Pope he ftands accurfed in, The Canon text fhall haue a common gloffe, Receits in parcels, fhall be paide in groffe. This doctrine preachde, who from theChurchdoth take, At leajl Jhall trebble rejiitution make : For which Rome fends her curfes out from farre, Through the fherne throte of terror-breathing warre, Till to th'vnpeopled fhores fhe brings fupplies Of thofe induftrious Roman Colonies. And for his homage, by the which of olde Prowd Edward Guyne and Aquitaine doth hold. Charles by inuafiue armes againe fhall take, And fend the Englifh forces o're the lake ; When Edwards fortune ftands vpon this chance, To loofe in England, or expulfde from France ; And all thofe townesgreat Longfhankes left his fonne, Now loft againe, which once his father wonne. Within their ftrong percullizde Ports fhall lie, And from their walls his fieges fhall dene. And by that firme and vndiffolued knot, Betwixt their neighboring French, and bordring Scot, Brufe now fhall bring his Red-fhanks from the feas, From th'Iled Oreads, and the Hebrydes, And to his wefterne hauens giue free paffe, To 213 England* Heroicall EpiJIUs. To land the warlike Irifh Galiglajfe, Marching from Tweede to fwelling Humber fands, Wafting along the Northerne netherlands. And wanting thofe which fhould his power fuftaine, Confumde with (laughter in his bloody raigne, Our warlike fword fhall driue him from his throne, Where he fhall lie for vs to tread vpon ; And thofe great lords now after their attaints, Canonized amongft the Englifh Saints ; And by the fuperftitious people thought, That by their Reliques, miracles are wrought, And thinke that flood much vertue doth retaine, Which tooke the blood of famous Bohun flaine ; Continuing the remembrance of the thing, To make the people more abhorre their King. Nor fhall a Spenfer (be he ne're fo great) Poffeffe our Wigmore, our renowned feate. To raze the antient Trophies of our race, With our deferts their monuments to grace ; Nor fhall he leade our valiant marchers forth, To make the Spenfers famous in the North ; Nor be the Gardants of the Brittifh pales, Defending England, and preferuing Wales. At firft our troubles eafily reculde ; But now growne head-ftrong hardly to be rulde ; With graueft counfell all muft be directed, Where plaineft fhewes are openly fufpefted ; For where mif-hap our errour dooth affault, There doth it eaflieft make vs fee our fault, Then (fweet) repreffe all fond and wilfull fpleene, Two things to be a woman, and a Queene ; Keepe 214 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 24 Keepe clofe the cindars, left the fire fhould burne, It is not this which yet muft ferue our turne. And if I doe not much miftake the thing, The next fupply fhall greater comfort bring ; Till when I leaue my Princeffe for a while, Liue thou in reft, though I liue in exile. Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. Of one condemnd and long lodgde vp in death. R Offer Mortimer Lord of Wigmore, had ftoode publikely con- demned, for his infurreftion with Thomas erle of Lancajier, and Bohune earle of Herford, by the fpace of three months : and as the report went, the day of his execution was determined to haue bin ihortly after, which he preuented by his efcape. Twice all was taken, twice thou all did/! giue. At what time the two Mortimers, this Roger lord of Wigmore and his vncle Roger Mortimer the elder, were apprehended in the weft, the Queene by meanes of Torlton Bifhop of Hereford, and Becke Bithop of Durefme, and Patriarke of Ierufalem, being then both mighty in the ftate , vpon the fubmifiion of the Mortimers, fome- what pacified the king, and now fecondly thee wrought meanes for his efcape. Leaning the cordes to tell where I had gone. With ftrong ladders made of cords prouided him for the pur- pofe, he efcaped out of the Tower, which when the fame were found faftned to the walles, in fuch a defperate attempt they bred aftoniihment to the beholders. Nor let the Spenfers glory in my chance. The two Hugh Spenfers, the father, and the fonne, then being fo highly fauored of the King, knew that their greateft fafety came by his exile, whofe high and turbulent fpirit could neuer brooke any corriuall in greatnes. My grandfire was the firfl fince Arthurs raigne, That the Round-table reftifide aqaine. Roger Mortimer, called the great Lord Mortimer, Grandfather to "5 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. to this Roger, which was afterward the firft Earle of March , ree- rected againe the Round-table at Kenelwoorth, after the ancient order of king Arthurs table, with the retinue of a hudred knights, and a hundred ladies in his houfe, for the entertaining of fuch ad- uentures as came thither from all parts of Chriftendome. Whileft famous Longfhanks bones in Fortunes fcorne. Edward Longfhanks willed at his death, that his body fhould be boyled, the flefli from the bones , and that the bones mould bee borne to the wars in Scotland, which he was perfwaded vnto by a prophecie, which told that the Englifli mould ftill be fortunate in conqueft, fo long as his bones were caried in the field. The EngHJk blood M«/y?a/«i?rfBanocksburne. In the great voyage Edward the fecond made againft the Scots, at the battell at Striueling neere vnto the riuer of Banocksburne in Scotland, where there was in the Englifh campe fuch banker, ring and exceffe, fuch riot and miforder, that the Scots, (who in the meane time laboured for aduauntage) gaue to the Englifh a great ouerthrow. And in the Dead-fea fincke our houfes fame, From whofe, £fc. Mortimer, fo called of Mare mortuum, and in French Mort mer, in Englifh the Dead-fea, which is faid to be where Sodom and Go- morra once were, before they were deftroyed by fire fro heauen. And for that hatefull facrilegious fin Which by the Pope hejlands accurfed in. Gaujielinus and Lucas, two Cardinals, fent into England from Pope Clement, to appeafe the auncient hate betweene the King and Thomas Earle of Lancafter, to whofe Embaflie the king fee- mc.l to yeeld , but after their departure hee went backe from his prcmifes, for which he was accurfed at Rome. Ofthofe indufirious Roman Colonies. A Colony is a fort or number of people, that come to inhahite a place before not inhabited, whereby he feemes here to prophe- cie of the fubuerfion of the land ; the Pope ioyning with the pow- er of other Princes againft Edward for the breach of his promife. Charles by inuafiue Amies againe fhall take. Charles 216 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 25 Charles the French King, mooued by the wrong done vnto his fifter, feifeth the Prouinces which belonged to the King of Eng- land into his hands, ftirred the rather thereto by Mortimer, who folicited her caufe in France , as is expreffed before in the other Epiftle, in the gloffe vpon this poynt. And thofe great Lords now after their attaints, Canonized among the Englijh Saints. After the death of Thomas Earle of Lancafter at Pomfret, the people imagined great myracles to be done by his reliques : as they did of the body of Bohune earle of Hereford , flaine at Bo- rough bridge. Finis. To et 217 $+> To my worthy and honored friend, Sir Walter AJlon Knight of the Bath. IR, though without fufpition of fiatterie I might in more ample and free tearmes, in- timate my affeclion vnto you, yet hauing fo fenfMe a tafle of your generous and noble difpofition, which without this habite of ceremony can eftimate my loue : I will ra- ther affecl breuitie, though itfhould feeme my fault , than by my tedious complement, to trouble mine owne opinion fel- led in your iudgement and difcretion. I make you the Pa- tron of this Epiflle of the Black e-Prince, which I pray you accept, till more eafie houres may offer vp from mee fome thing more worthy of your view, and my trauell. Yours tritely denoted, Mich: Drayton. Ed- 2l3 26 If Edward the Blacke- Prince to Alice Countefse of Salisbury. The Argument. Alice Counteffe of Salt/bury, remaining at Roxborough cajlle in the North, in the abfence of the earle her hufband, who was by the Kings commaund fent ouer into Flaundcrs, and there deceafed ere his returne. This Lady being befie- ged in her cajlle by the Scots , Edward the Blacke-Prince being fent by the King his father to relieue the north parts with an Armie , and to remooue the fiege of Roxborough, there fell in loue with the Counteffe ; when after /he retur- ned to London , hee fought by diuers andfundry meanes to ■winne her to his youthfull pleafures, as by forcing the Earle of Kent her father, and her mother, vnnaturally to become his Agents in his vaine defire; where after a long and affu- red triall of her inuincible conftancie, hee taketh her to his wife, to which end he only frameth this RpifUe. REceiue thefe papers from thy wofull Lord, With farre more woes than they with wordes are Which if thine eie with rafhnes do reproue, (ftorde, Thei'le fay they came from that imperious loue. In euery letter thou maift vnderftand, Which loue hath fignde and fealed with his hand ; And where no farther proceffe he refers, In blots fet downe, for others Characters, This cannot blufh, although you doe refufe it, P 2 Nor 219 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Nor will reply how euer you (hall vfe it ; All's one to this, though you fhould bid difpaire, This ftill intreates you, this ftill fpeakes you faire ; Haft thou a liuing foule ? a humane fence ? To like, diflike, proue, order and difpence, The depth of reafon, foundly to aduife, To loue things good, things hurtfull to defpife ; The tuch of iudgement, which fhould al things proue, And haft thou toucht, yet not allowft my loue ? Sound moues his found, voyce doth beget his voyce, One Eccho makes another to reioyce, One well-tunde ftring, fet truely to his like, Strooke neere at hand doth make another ftrike. How comes it then that our affections jarre ? What oppofition doth beget this warre ? I know that Nature franckly to thee gaue, That meafure of her bounty that I haue, And with that fence fhe likewife to vs lent Each one his organ, each his inftrument, But euery one, becaufe it is thine owne, Doth prife it felfe, vnto it felfe alone. Thy dainty hand, when it it felfe doth tuch, That feeling tells it there was neuer fuch ; When in thy glafse, thine eie it felfe doth fee, That thinkes theres none, like to it felfe can be, And euery one doth iudge it felfe diuine. Becaufe that thou dooft challenge it for thine ; And each it felfe, Narciffus-\ik.e dooth fmother, And loues it felfe, not like to any other ; Eie, be not burnd thus in thine owne defire, Tis needleffe beauty fhould it felfe admire, The Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 27 The Sunne, by which all creatures lightned bee, And feeth all, it felfe yet cannot fee ; And his owne brightneffe his owne foile is made, And is to vs the caufe of his owne fhade. When firft thy beautie by mine eye was prou'd, It faw not then fo much to be belou'd ; But when it came a perfect view to take, Each looke of one, doth many beauties make : In little circlets firft it doth arife, Then fomewhat larger feeming in mine eyes, And in this giring compaffe as it goes, So more and more, the fame in greatnes growes, And as it yet at libertie is fet, The motion ftill doth other formes beget ; Vntill at length, looke any way I could, Nothing there was but beautie to behold. Art thou offended that thou art belou'd ? Remoue the caufe, th'effect is foone remou'd ; Indent with Beautie how farre to extend, Set downe defire, a limmit where to end ; Then charme thine eies, their glances fhal not wound, And teach the fence, the depth of loue to found : If thou do this, nay then thou fhalt do more, And bring to paffe what neuer was before ; Make anguifh fportiue, crauing all delight, Mirth folemne, fullen, and inclinde to night ; Ambition lowly, enuie fpeaking well, Loue, his reliefe of nigardize to fell ; Our war-like father did thefe forts deuife, As fureft holds againft our enemies, The fafeft places for our fexe to reft, P 3 Feare England* Heroicall Epijtles. Feare foone is fetled in a womans bread, Thy breaft is of another temper farre, And then thy Caftell fitter for the warre, Thou dooft not fafely in thy Caftell reft, Thy Caftell fhould be fafer in thy breaft, That keepes out foes, but doth thy friends inclofe, But thy breaft keepes out both thy friends and foes ; That may be batterd, or be vnderminde, Or by ftrait fiege, for want of fuccour pinde ; But thy heart is inuincible to all, And more defenfiue than thy Caftell wall ; Of all the fhapes that euer Ioue did proue, Wherewith he vfde to entertaine his loue ; That likes me beft, when in a golden fhower, He rainde himfelfe on Danae in her Tower, Nor did I euer enuie his command, In that he beares the thunder in his hand ; But in that fhowrie fhape / cannot bee, And as he came to her, / come to thee, Thy Tower with foes, is not begirt about, If thou within, they are befieg'd without, One haire of thine, more vigor doth retaine To binde thy foe, then with an yron chaine : Who might be gyu'd in fuch a golden firing, Would not be captiue, though he were a King ; Hadft thou all India heap'd vp in thy fort, And thou thy felfe befieged in that fort, Get thou but out, where they can thee efpie, They'le follow thee, and let the treafure lie. I cannot thinke what force thy Tower fhould win, If thou thy felfe dooft guard the fame within ; Thine 222 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 28 Thine eye retaines artillary at will, To kill who euer thou defir'ft to kill ; For that alone more deepely wounds their hearts, Then they can thee, though with a thoufand darts ; For there entrenched little Cupid lies, And from thofe turrets all the world defies : And when thou letft downe that tranfparant lid, Of entrance, there an Armie doth forbid. And as for Famine, thou needes neuer feare, Who thinkes of want when thou art prefent there ? Thy onely fight giues fpirit vnto the blood, And comforts life, though neuer tafting foode. And as thy fouldiers keepe their watch and ward, So chaftitie thy inward breaft doth guard ; Thy modeft pulfe ferues as a larum bell, When watched by a wakefull Sentinell, Is ftirring ftill with euery little feare, Warning, if any enemy be neare. Thy vertuous thoughts, when all the others reft, Like carefull Skowts paffe vp and downe thy breaft, And ftill they round about that place doe keepe, Whilft all the bleffed garrifon do fleepe. But yet I feare, if that the truth were told, That thou haft robbde, and fli'ft vnto this hold : I thought as much, and didft this Fort deuife, That thou in fafety heere mightft tyrannize. Yes, thou haft robbde the heauen and earth of all, And they againft thy lawleffe theft doe call ; Thine eies with mine, that wage continuall warres, Borrow their brightneffe of the twinckling ftarres ; Thy breath, for which mine ftill in fighes confumes, P 4 Hath 323 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Hath rob'd fweete flowres, rich odors and perfumes, Thy cheeke, for which mine all this penance proues, Steales the pure whitenes both from Swans & doues. Thy lips from mine, that in thy maske be pent, Haue filch'd the blufhing from the orient ; mighty Loue ! bring hether all thy power, And fetch this heauenly theefe out of her Tower, For if fhe may be fuffred in this fort, Heauens ftore will foone be hoarded in this fort. When I arriu'd before that ftate of loue, And faw thee on the battlement aboue, 1 thought there was no other heauen but there, And thou an Angel didft from thence appeare. But when my reafon did reproue mine eye, That thou wert fubieft to mortalitie, I then excufde the Scot before had done, No maruaile though he would the fort haue wonne ; Perceiuing well thofe enuious walls did hide, More wealth then was in all the world befide ; Againft thy foe, I came to lend thee aide, And thus to thee my felfe, my felfe betraide ; He is befieg'd, the fiege that came to raife, There's no aflault that not my bread affaies, Loue growne extreame, doth finde vnlawfull fhifts, The Gods take fhapes, and do allure with gifts, Commanding loue, that by great Stix doth sweare, Forfworne in loue, with louers oathes doth beare, Loue caufeleffe ftill, doth aggrauate his caufe, It is his law to violate all lawes ; His reafon is, in onely wanting reafon, And were vntrue, not deepely tuch'd with treafon ; Th'un- 224 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 29 Th'vnlawfull meanes, doth make his lawfull gaine, Hee fpeakes moft true, when he the moft doth faine ; Pardon the faults that haue efcapde by mee, Againft faire vertue, chaftitie and thee ; If Gods can their owne excellence excell, Is it in pardoning mortalls that rebell ? When all thy trialls are enrol'd by fame, And all thy fexe made glorious by thy name, Then I a captiue fhall be brought heereby, To adorne the triumph of thy chaftitie ; I fue not now thy Paramore to bee, But as a husband to be linck'd to thee. I am Englands heire, I thinke thou wilt confeffe, Wert thou a Prince, I hope / am no leffe ; But that thy birth doth make thy ftocke diuine, Elfe durft /boaft, my blood as good as thine ; Difdaine me not, nor take my loue in fcorne, Whofe brow a crowne heereafter may adorne. But what I am, I call mine owne no more, Take what thou wilt, and what thou wilt, reftore ; Onely I craue, what e're I did intend, In faithfull loue, now happily may end. Farewell fweete Lady, fo well maift thou fare, To equall ioy with meafure of my care ; Thy vertues more then mortall tongue can tell, A thoufand, thoufand times, farewell, farewell. Notes of the Chronicle hijlory. Receiue thefe papers from thy wofull Lord. T>Andello, by who this hiftory was made famous, being an Italia as it is the peoples cuftom in that clime, rather to faile fomtime in // "5 Englands Herokatt Epijiles. in the truth of circumftance , then to forgoe the grace of their conceit ; in like manner as the Grecians, of whom the Satyrift, Et quicquid Gracia mendax, Audetin hijloria. Thinking it to be a greater triall, that a Counteffe (hould be fude vnto by a King, then by the fonne of a King, and confe- qently, that the honour of her chaftitie ihould be the more, hath caufed it to be generally taken fo ; but as by Polidore, Fabian, and Froifard, appeares the contrarie is true. Yet may Bandello be very well excufed, as being a ftranger, whofe errors in the truth of our fiiftorie, are not fo material!, that they fhould neede an inuectiue, left his wit ihould bee defrauded of any part of his due, which were not lefle, were euery part a fiction. Howbeit, left a common error Ihould preuaile againft a truth ; thefe Epiftles are conceiued in thofe perfons, who were indeede the actors : to wit , Edward, furnamed the Black Prince, not fo much of his complexion, as of the difmall battells which he fought in France, (in like fence as we may fay, a blacke day) for fome tragicall euent, though the Sunne fhine neuer fo bright therein. And Alice, the Counteffe of Salsburie, who as it is certaine , was beloued of Prince Edward ; fo it is as certaine, that many points now current in the receiued ftory, can neuer hold together with likelihoode of fuch enforce- ment, had it not beene fhewed vnder the title of a King. And when thou let'Jl downs that tranfparent lid. Not that the lid is tranfparent, for no part of the skin is tranf parent , but for the gemme which at that clofure is faid to con taine, is tranfparent, for otherwife how could the minde vnder {land by the eye? ihould not the images Hide through the fame, and replenifh the ftage of the phantafie ? But this belongs to i tides. The Latines call the eye lid cilittm, (I will not fay of ce- lando) as the eye brow fupercilium , and the haire on the eye lids palpebra, perhaps quod palpitct, all which haue their diftinct and neceffary vfes. Alice 226 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. 30 Alice Counteffe of Salsbury, to the Blacke Prince. AS one would grant ; yet gladly would deny, Twixt hope and feare, I doubtfully reply ; A womans weakeneffe, left I fhould difcouer, Anfwering a Prince, and writing to a louer ; And fome fay, Loue with Reafon doth difpence, And wreft our plaine words to another fence : Thinke you not then, poore women had not neede Be well aduifde to write, what men fhould reade, When being filent moouing but awry, Giues caufe of fcandall and of obloquy ; Whilft in our hearts, our fecret thoughts abide, Th'inuenom'd tongue of flander yet is tide ; But if once fpoke, deliuered vp to Fame, Hers the report, but ours returnes the fhame. About to write, yet newly entring in, Me thinkes I end, ere I can well begin ; When I would end, then fomething makes me ftay, And then me thinkes I fhould haue more to fay ; And fome one thing remaineth in my breaft, For want of words that cannot be expreft ; What / would fay ; as faid to thee I faine, Then in thy perfon / reply againe, Then in thy caufe, vrge all I can obiecl:, Then what againe mine honour muft refpecl:. O Lord ! what fundry paffions do I trie ? Striuing to hate, you forcing contrarie ; Being 227 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Being a Prince, / blame you not to proue, The greater reafon to obtaine your loue. That greatnefle which doth challenge no deniall, The onely teft that doth allow my triall : Edward fo great, the greater were his fall, And my offence in this were capitall. To men is granted priuiledge to tempt, But in that charter women be exempt : Men win vs not, except we giue confent ; Againft our felues, except our felues are bent. Who doth impute it is a fault to you ? You proue not falfe, except we be vntrue ; It is your vertue, being men, to try, And it is ours, by vertue to deny. Your fault it felfe, femes for the faults excufe, And makes it ours, though yours be the abufe. Beautie a beggar, fie it is too bad, When in it felfe fufficiencie is had, Not made a Lure t'entice the wandring eye, But an attire t'adorne fweete modeftie, If modeftie and women once do feuer, We may bid farewell to our fame for euer Let Iohn and Henry, Edwards inftance be, Matilda and faire Rofamond for me : A like both woo'd, alike fu'd to be wonne, Th'one by the father, th'other by the fonne ; Henry obtaining, did our weakeneffe wound, And laies the fault on wanton Rofamond ; Matilda chafte, in life and death all one, By her deniall, laies the fault on Iohn ; By thefe we proue, men acceffary ftill, But 2?8 Englands Heroicall Epijlles 3 1 But women only principalis of ill. What praife is ours, but what our vertues get ? If they be lent, fo much we be in debt, Whilft our owne honours vertue doth defend, All force too weake, what euer men pretend ; If all the world elfe, fhould fuborne our fame, Tis we our felues that ouerthrow the fame ; And howfoe're, although by force you win, Yet on our weakenes ftill returnes the fin. A vertuous Prince who not Edward call ? And fhall I then be guiltie of your fall ? Now God forbid ; yet rather let me die, Then fuch a fin vpon my foule fhould lie. Where is great Edward? whither is he led ? At whofe vi&orious name whole armies fled. Is that braue fpirit that conquerd fo in France, Thus ouercome and vanquifht with a glance ? Is that great hart that did afpire fo hie, So foone tranfperfed with a womans eie ? He that a king at Poiftiers battell tooke, Himfelfe led captiue with a wanton looke ? Twice as a Bride to church I haue bin led, Twice haue two Lords enjoyd my Bridale bed ; How can that beauty yet be vndeftroyd, That yeeres haue wafted, and two men enioyd, Or fhould be thought fit for a Princes ftore, Of which two fubiefts were poffeft before ? Let Spaine, let France, or Scotland fo preferre Their infant Queenes ; for Englands dowager, That bloud fhould be much more than halfe diuine, That fhould be equall euery way with thine : Yet 329 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Yet princely Edward, though I thus reproue you. As mine owne life, fo deerely doe I loue you. My noble husband, which fo loued you, That gentle Lord, that reuerend Mountague, Nere mothers voyce did pleafe her babe fo well, As his did mine, of you to heare him tell ; I haue made fhort the houres that time made long, And chaind mine eares vnto his pleafing tong, My lips haue waited on your praifes worth, And fnatcht his words ere he could get them forth : When he hath fpoke, and fomething by the way Hath broke off that he was about to fay ; I kept in minde where from his tale he fell, Calling on him the refidue to tell ; Oft he would fay, how fweet a Prince is he ! When I haue praifde him but for praifing thee, And to proceede, I would intreate and wooe, And yet to eafe him, help to praife thee too : Muft fhe be forcde, t'exclaime th'iniurious wrong, Offred by him, whom fhe hath lou'd fo long ? Nay, I will tell, and I durft almoft fweare, Edward will blufh, when he his fault fhall heare. Iudge now that time doth youths defire affwage, And reafon mildely quencht the fire of rage. By vpright iuftice let my caufe be tride, And be thou iudge if I not iuftly chide. That not my fathers graue and reuerend yeeres, When on his knee he beggd me with his teares, By no perfwafions poffibly could winne, To free himfelfe as guiltleffe of my finne. The woe for me my mother did abide, Whofe »3° Englands Heroicall Epijiles. 32 Whofe fute (but you) theres none would haue denide. Your luftfull rage your tyranny could ftay ; Mine honours ruine further to delay ; Haue I not lou'd you ? let the truth be fhowne, That ftill preferu'd your honour with mine owne. Had your fond will your foule defires preuailde, When you by them my chaftitie affailde : Though this no way could haue excufde my fault, True vertue neuer yeelded to affault : Yet what a thing were this it mould be faid, My parents fin fhould to your charge be laide : And I haue gainde my libertie with fhame, To faue my life, made fhipwracke of my name. Did Roxborough once vaile her towring fane, To thy braue enfigne, on the Northerne plaine ? And to thy trumpet founding from thy tent, Often replide (as to my fuccor fent) And did receiue thee as my foueraigne liege Comming to ayde, thou fhouldft againe befiege, To raife a foe, but for my treafure came To plant a foe, to take my honeft name ; Vnder pretence to haue remou'd the Scot, And wouldft haue won more than he could haue got; That did ingirt me ready ftill to flie, But thou laidft batt'ry to my chaftitie : O modeftie, didft thou me not reftraine, How I could chide you in this angry vaine ! A Princes name, (heauen knowes) I doe not craue, To haue thofe honours Edwards fpoufe fhould haue; Nor by ambitious lures will I be brought, In my chafte breaft to harbour fuch a thought, As England* Heroicall Epiftles. As to be worthy to be made a Bride, An Emprefse place by mighty Edwards fide, Of all the mod vnworthy of that grace, To waite on her that fhould enioy that place. But if that loue Prince Edward doth require, Equall his vertues, and my chafte defire : If it be fuch as we may iuftly vaunt, A Prince may fue for, and a Lady graunt : It it be fuch as may fupprefse my wrong, That from your vaine vnbrideled youth hath fprong, That faith I fend, that I from you receaue, The reft vnto your Princely thoughts I leaue. \ Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. Twice as a Bride I haue to Church beene led, THe two husbands of which fhe makes mention, obiecling bi- gamy againft herfelfe, as being therfore not meet to be mar- ried with a batcheller-Prince, were fir Thomas Holland knight, & fir William Montague, afterward made Earle of Salisbury. That not my fathers graue and reuerend yeeres. A thing incredible , that any Prince mould be fo vniuft to vfe the fathers meanes for the corruption of the daughters chaftitie, though fo the hiftorie importeth, her father being fo honourable, and a man of fo fingular defert , though Polidore would haue her thought to be lane, the daughter to Edmund earle of Kent, vncle to Edward the third, beheaded in the Protedlorfhip of Mortimer, that dar.gerous afpirer. And I haue gainde my libertie withjhame. Roxborough is a caftle in the North, mif-termed by Ban-delto Salisbury caftle, becaufe the king had giuen it to the Earle of Sa- lisbury, in which her Lorde being abfent , the Counteffe by the Scots was befieged, who by the comming of the Englilh Armie were remoued. Here firft the Prince faw her, whofe libertie had bin 23a England* Heroicall Epijiles. 33 bin gained by her fhame, had fhee bin drawne by difhoneft loue to fatisfie his appetite, but by her moft praife-worthy conftancie ihe conuerted that humor in him to an honourable purpofe, and obtained the true reward of her admired vertues. The reft vnto your princely thoughts 1 leaue. Left any thing be left out which were woorth the relation, it fhall not be impertinent to annex the opinions that are vttered, concerning her , whofe name is faid to haue bin Aelips , but that being reiected as a name vnknowne among vs , Froifard is rather beleeued, who calleth her Alice, rolidore contrariwife as before is declared, names her lane, who by Prince Edward had iffue, Ed- ward dying yong, and Richard the fecond king of England, thogh (as he faith) fhe was diuorced afterwards, becaufe within the de- grees of confanguinitie prohibiting to many, the trueth whereof I omit to difcuffe, her husband the Lord Montague, being fent o- uer into Flaunders by king Edward, was taken prifoner by the French, and not returning, left his Counteffe a. widow, in whofe bed fucceeded Prince Edward, to whofe laft and lawfull requeft the reioycefull Lady fends this louing anfwere. Finis. Q. To ss *n England* Heroicall Epijlles. T To the right Honourable and my very good Lord, Edward Earle of Bedford. THrice noble and my gratious Lord, the loue I haue fi- tter borne to the illujlrious houfe of Bedford , and to the honourable familie of the Harringtons , to the which by marriage your Lordjhip is happily vnited, hath long fence deuoted my true and zealous affeilion to your honourable feruice, and my Poems to the proteclion of my noble Ladie, your Counteffe ; to whofe feruice I was furfi bequeathed, by that learnd 6° accomplifht gentleman fir Henry Goodere, (not long fince deceafed, ) whofe T was whilft hee was, whofe patience pleafed to beare with the imperfeclions of my heedles and vnflaied youth. That excellent and match- leffe Gentleman, was the firfl cherifher of my Mufe, which had beene by his death left a poore Orphan to the world, had he not before bequeathed it to that Lady whom he fo deere- ly loued. Vouchfafe then, my deere Lord, to accept this Epi- file, which I dedicate as zealoufly, as (I hope) you will pa- tronize willingly, vntill fome more acceptable feruice may be witneffe of my loue to your honour, Your Lordfhips euer Michaell Drayton. *34 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 34 Queene Ifabell to Richard thefecond. The Argument. Queene Ifabel the daughter of Charles king of France) being thefecond wife of Richard thefecond, the fon of Ed- ward the Blacke Prince, the eldeft fonne of King Edward the third; After the f aide Richard her hufband was de- pofed from his crowne and kingly dignitie , by Henry duke of Herford, the eldeft /on of Iohn of Gaunt duke of Lan- cafkr, the fourth fonne of Edward the third, this Ladie being then very yong, was fent backe againe into Fraunce, without dowre, at what time the depofed King her hufband was fent from the Tower of London (as a prifoner) vnto Pomfret Caflle. Whether this poore Lady bewailing her huf bands misfortunes writeth this Epiflle from France. AS dooth the yeerely Auger of the fpring In deapth of woe, thus I my forrow fing ; Words tunde with fighes, teares falling oft among, A dolefull burthen to a heauy fong : Words iffue forth to finde my griefe fome way, Teares ouertake them, and doe bid them ftay ; Thus whilft one ftriues to keepe the other backe, Both once too forward, now are both too flacke. If fatall Pomfret hath in former time, Nurrifht the griefe of that vnnaturall clime. Q 2 Thether 23S Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Thether I fend my forrowes to be fed, But, where firft borne, where fitter to be bred ? They vnto France be aliens and vnknowne, England from her doth challenge thefe her owne. They fay all mifchiefe commeth from the North, It is too true, my fall doth fet it forth ; But why fhould I thus limite Griefe a place, When all the world is filld with our difgrace ? And we in bounds thus ftriuing to containe it, The more refifts, the more we doe reftraine it. Oh how euen yet I hate thefe wretched eies, And in my glaffe oft call them faithleffe fpies (Preparde for Richard) that vnwares did looke Vpon that traitor Henry Bulingbrooke, But that exceffe of ioy my fence bereau'd So much, my fight had neuer bin deceau'd. Oh how vnlike to my lou'd Lord was hee, Whom rafhly I, fweet Richard tooke for thee, I might haue feene the Courfers felfe did lacke, That Princely rider fhould beftride his backe, He that (fince Nature her great worke began) Shee made to be the mirrour of a man, That when fhe meant to forme fome matchleffe lim, Still for a patterne, tooke fome part of him, And iealous of her cunning, brake the mould, In his proportion done the beft fhe could. Oh let that day be guiltie of all finne, That is to come, or heeretofore hath bin, Wherein great Norffolkes forward courfe was ftaide, To prooue the treafons he to Her/ord hide, When (with fterne furie) both thefe Dukes enragde, Their 236 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 35 Their warlike gloues at Couentry engag'd, When nrft thou didft repeale thy former grant, Seal'd to braue Mowbray, as thy Combatant, From his vnnumbred howres let time deuide it, Left in his minutes he fhould hap to hide it ; Yet on his brow continually to beare it, That when it comes, all other daies may feare it, And all ill-boding Planets by confent, That day may hold their dreadfull parlement, Be it in heauens decrees enroled thus, Blacke, difmall, fatall inaufpitious : Prowd Herford then, in height of all his pride, Vnder great Mowbraies valiant hand had dide ; Nor fhould not thus from banifhment retire, The fatall brand to fet our Troy on fire. O why did Charles relieue his needy ftate ? A vagabond and ftragling runnagate ; And in this Court, with grace did entertaine This vagrant exile, this abie6ted Caine, Who with a thoufand mothers curfes went, Mark'd with the brand of ten yeeres banifhment. When thou to Ireland took'ft thy laft farewell, Millions of knees vpon the pauements fell, And euery where th'applauding ecchoes ring, The ioyfull fhowts that did falute a King ; Thy parting hence, what pompe did not adorne ? At thy returne, who laugh'd thee not to fcorne ? Who to my Lord a looke vouchfafde to lend, Then all too few on Herford to attend. Princes (like funnes) be euermore in fight, All fee the clowdes betwixt them and their light ; Q 3 Yet 337 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. Yet they which lighten all downe from the skies, See not the clowdes offending others eyes, And deeme their noone-tide is defir'd of all, When all expect cleere changes by their fall. What colour feemes to fhadow Herfords claime, When law and right his fathers hopes doth maime ? Affirm'd by church-men (which fliould beare no hate) That Iohn of Gaunt was illegitimate ; Whom his reputed mothers tongue did fpot, By a bafe Flemifh Boore to be begot, Whom Edwards Eglets mortally did fhun, Daring with them to gaze againft the Sun. Where lawfull right and conqueft doth allow, A triple crowne on Richards princely brow, Three kingly Lions beares his bloody field, No baftards marke doth blot his conquering fhield, Neuer durft he attempt our hapleffe fhore, Nor fet his foote on fatall Rauenfpore ; Nor durft his Hugging Hulkes approch the ftrand, Nor ftoope a top as fignall to the land, Had not the Percyes promifde aide to bring, Againft their oath vnto their lawfull King, Againft their faith vnto our crownes true heire, Their valiant kinfman, Edmond Mortimer ; When / to England came, a world of eyes Like ftarres attended on my faire arife, At my decline, like angry Planets frowne, And all are fet before my going downe ; The fmooth-fac'd ayre did on my comming fmile, But with rough ftormes are driuen to exile ; But Bullingbrooke deuifde we thus fhould part, Fearing 338 Englands Heroicall Epiflles. 36 Fearing two forrowes fliould poffeffe one heart ; To make affliction ftronger, doth denie, That one poore comfort left our miferie, He had before diuorc'd thy crowne and thee, Which might fuffice, and not to widdow mee, But that to proue the vtmoft of his hate, To make our fall the greater by our ftate. Oh would Aumerle had funcke when he betraid The complot, which that holy Abbot laid, When he infring'd the oth which he firft tooke, For thy reuenge on periurde Bullingbrooke. And beene the ranfome of our friends deere blood Vntimely loft, and for the earth too good ; And we vntimely mourne our hard eftate, They gone too foone, and we remaine too late. And though with teares / from my Lord depart, This curfe on Herford fall, to eafe my heart : If the fowle breach of a chafte nuptiall bed, May bring a curfe,- my curfe light on his head ; If murthers guilt with blood may deepely ftaine, Greene, Scroope, and Bujhie, die his fault in graine ; If periury may heauens pure gates debar, Damn'd be the oth he made at Dancafter ; If the depofing of a lawfull King, The curfe condemne him, if no other thing ; If thefe difioynde, for vengeance cannot call, Let them vnited ftrongly curfe him all. And for the Percyes, heauen may heare my prayre, That Bullingbrooke now placde in Richards chaire ; Such caufe of woe vnto their wiues may be, As thofe rebellious Lords haue beene to me. Q 4 And '39 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. And that prowd Dame, which now controlleth all, And in her pompe triumpheth in my fall, For her great Lord may water her fad eyne, With as fait teares as / haue done for mine, And mourne for Henry Hotfpur, her deere fonne, As I for my fweete Mortimer haue done ; And as / am, fo fuccourleffe be fent, Laftly, to tafte perpetuall baniftiment. Then loofe thy care, where firft thy crowne was loft, Sell it fo deerely, for it deerely coft ; And fith they did of libertie depriue thee, Burying thy hope, let not thy care out-liue thee. But hard (God knowes) with forrow doth it goe, When woe becomes a comforter to woe ; Yet much me thinkes of comfort / could fay, K from my hart pale feare were rid away : Something there is which tells me ftill of woe, But what it is, that heauen aboue doth know ; Griefe to it felfe, moft dreadfull doth appeare, And neuer yet was forrow voide of feare ; But yet in death, doth forrow hope the beft, And with this farewell wifh thee happy reft. Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. If fatall Pom/ret hath informer time, "pOmfret Caftle , euer a fatall place to the Princes of England, and moft ominous to the blood of Plantaginet. Oh how euen yet I hate thefe wretched eyes, And in my glaffe, &*c. When 340 Engiands Heroicall Epijiies. 27 When Biillingbrooke returned to London from the Weft, brin- ging Richard a prifoner with him, the Queene, who little knew of her husbands hard fucceffe, ftaid to behold his comming in, little thinking to haue feene her husband thus ledde in triumph by his foe, and now feeming to hate her eyes , that fo much had graced her mortal! enemie. Wherein great Norfolks forward courfe wasjlaid. She remembreth the meeting of two Dukes of Herford and Norfolke at Couentry, vrging the iuftneffe of Mowbrayes quarrell againft the Duke of Herford , and the faithfull affurance of his vietorie. O why did Charles relieue his needieflate ? A vagabond, &c. Charles the French King her father, receiued the Duke of Her- ford in his Court, and releeued him in Fraunce, being fo neerely alied, as Cofin german to king Richard his fonne in Law, which he did fimply, little thinking that hee mould after returne into England , and difpoffeffe King Richard of the Crowne. When thou to Ireland took'Jl thy laji farewell. King Richard made a voyage with his Armie into Ireland, a- gainft Onell and Mackemur, which rebelled, at what time Henry entred here at home, and robd him of all kingly dignitie. Affirmdc by Church-men (which Jkould beare no hate) That Iohn of Gaunt was illegitlimate. William Wickham, in the great quarrell betwixt Iohn of Gaunt and the Clergy , of meere fpight and malice (as it fhould feeme) reported, that the Queene confeffed to him on her deathbed, be- ing then her Confeffor, that Iohn of Gaunt, was the fon of a Flem- ming, and that fliee was brought to bed of a woman childe at Gaunt, which was fmothered in the cradle by mifchance, & that ftie obtained this childe of a poore woman, making the king be- leeue it was her owne, greatly fearing his difpleafure. Fox en Chron. Alban. No baftards marie doth blot our conquering Jhield. Shewing the true and indubitate birth of Richard, his right vn- to the Crowne of England, as carrying the Armes without blot or difference. Againft their faith vnto the Crownes true heire, Their h h 241 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Their noble kin/man, &*c. Edmund Mortimer, Earle of March, fonne of Earle Soger Morti- mer, which was fonne to Lady Phillip, daughter to Lionell Duke of Clarence, the third fonne to King Edward the third, which Edmund (King Richard going into Ireland) was proclaimed heire apparant to the Crowne , whofe Aunt called Ellinor, this Lord Piercie had married. would Aumerle hadfuncke when he betrayd The complot which that holy Abbot layd. The Abbot of Weftminfter had plotted the death of King Henry, to haue beene done at a Tilt at Oxford : of which confe- deracie there was John Holland, Duke of Excefter, Thomas Holland, Duke of Surrey, the Duke of Aumerle, Mountacute, Earle of Salf- bury, Spenfer, Earle of Glofter, the Bifhop of Carlile, Sir Thomas Blunt, thefe all had bound themfelues one to another by Inden- ture to performe it, but were all betrayd by the Duke of Au- merle. Scroope, Greene, and BuJhU, die his fault in graine, Henry going towards the Caftle of Flint , where King Richard was, caufed Scroope, Greene, and Bujkie, to be executed at Briftow ; as vile perfons, which had feduced this King to this lafciuious and wicked life. Damned be the oth he made at Doncafter After Henries exile, at his returne into England , he tooke his oth at Doncafter vpon the Sacrament, not to claime the crowne or Kingdome of England, but onely the Dukedome of Lancafter, his owne proper right, and the right of his wife. And mournefor Henry Hotfpur, her deere fonne. As I for my, &*c. This was the braue couragious Henry Hotfpur, that obtained fo many victories againfl the Scots, which after falling out right with the curie of Queene Jfabell, was flaine by Henry, at the bat- taile at Shrewsbury. Richard 342 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 38 Richard the fecond to Queene Ifabell. WHat may my Queeene, but hope for fro that Vnfit to write; vnskilfull to comand ? (hand, A Kingdomes greatneffe, hardly can he fway, That wholefome counfaile neuer did obay ; 111 this rude hand did guide a Scepter then, Worfe now (I feare me) gouerneth a pen ; How fhall I call my felfe, or by what name, To make thee know from whence thefe letters came ? Not from thy husband, for my hatefull life Hath made thee widdow, being yet a wife ; Nor from a King, that title I haue loft, Now of that name prowd Bullingbroeke may boaft : What I haue beene, doth but this comfort bring, That no woe is, to fay, I was a King. This lawleffe life, which flrft procurde my hate, This tongue, which then denounc'd my regall ftate, This abiecl: minde, that did confent vnto it, This hand, that was the inftrument to do it ; All thefe be witneffe, that I doe denie All paffed hopes, all former foueraigntie. Didft thou for my fake leaue thy fathers Court, Thy famous Country and thy virgine port ; And vndertook'ft to trauaile dangerous waies, Driuen by aukward windes and boift'rous feas ? And 243 Englands Heroicall Epijihs. And left's great Burbon for thy loue to mee, Who fu'd in marriage to be linck'd to thee, Ofifring for dower the Countries neighbouring nie, Of fruitfull Almaine, and rich Burgundie : Didft thou all this, that England fhould receiue thee, To miferable banifhment to leaue thee ? And in my downefall, and my fortunes wracke, Forfaken thus, to France to fend thee backe. When quiet fleepe (the heauie hearts reliefe) Hath refted forrow, fomewhat lefned griefe, My paffed greatnes vnto minde I call, And thinke this while / dreamed of my fall : With this conceit my forrowes / beguile, That my faire Queene is but with-drawne a while, And my attendants in fome chamber by, As in the height of my profperitie. Calling alowd, and asking who is there, The Eccho anfwering, tells me Woe is there ; And when mine armes would gladly thee enfold, I clip the pillow, and the place is cold, Which when my waking eyes precifely view, Tis a true token, that it is too true. As many minutes as in the howres there be, So many howres each minute feemes to me, Each howre a day, morne, noone-tide, and a fet, Each day a yeare, with miferies complet. A winter, fpring-time, fummer and a fall, All feafons varying, but vnfeafoned all : In endeleffe woe my thrid of life thus weares, By minutes, howres, dates, months & lingring yeares, They praife the fummer, that enioy the South, Pomfret 244 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. 39 Pomfret is clofed in the Norths cold mouth : There pleafant fummer dwelleth all the yeere, Froft-ftarued-winter dooth inhabite heere ; A place wherein difpaire may fitly dwell, Sorrow beft futing with a cloudy Cell : When Herford had his Judgement of exile, Saw I the peoples murmuring the while ; Th'vncertaine Commons toucht with inward care, As though his forrowes mutually they bare : Fond women, and fcarfe fpeaking children mourne, Bewaile his parting, wifhing his returne, Then being forcde t'abridge his banifht yeeres, When they bedewd his footfteps with their teares : Yet by example could not learne to know To what his greatnes by this loue might grow, Whilft Henry boafts of our atchiuements done, Bearing the trophies our great fathers wonne ; And all the ftorie of our famous warre Now grace the Annales of great Lancafter. Seauen goodly fiens in their fpring did flourifh, Which one felfe root brought forth, one ftock did no- Edward the top-branch of that golden tree, (rifh : Nature in him her vtmoft power did fee, Who from the bud ftill bloffomed fo faire, As all might iudge what fruite it meant to beare : But I his graft of eu'ry weede ore-growne, And from the kind, as refufe forth am throwne, From our braue Grandfire, both in one degree, Yet after Edward, lohn the yongft of three. Might Princely Wales beget an impe fo bafe, (That to Gaunts iffue fhould giue foueraigne place) That 245 Englatids Heroicall Epijlles. That leading Kings from France returned home, As thofe great Ccefars brought their fpoiles to Rome, Whofe name obtained by his fatall hand, Was euer fearefull to that conquered land ; His fame increafing, purchafde in thofe warres, Can fcarcely now be bounded with the ftarres, With him is valour quite to heauen fled, (Or elfe in me is it extinguifhed,) Who for his vertue and his conquefts fake Pofteritie a demy god fhall make, And iudge this vile abiect fpirit of mine Could not proceede from temper fo diuine. What earthly humor, or what vulgar eie Can looke fo lowe as on our rhifery ? When Bullingbrooke is mounted to our throne, And makes that his, which we but calld our owne : Into our counfells he himfelfe intrudes, And who but Henry with the multitudes ? His power difgrades, his dreadfull frowne difgraceth, He throwes them downe, whome our aduauncement As my difable, and vnworthy hand, (placeth : Neuer had power belonging to command. He treades our facred tables in the duft, And proues our acts of Parlament vniuft ; As though he hated that it fhould be faide, That fuch a law by Richard once was made, Whilft I depreft before his greatnes, lie Vnder the weight of hate and infamie. My backe a footftoole Bullingbrooke to raife, My loofenes mockt, and hatefull by his praife : Out-liu'd mine honour, buried my eftate, And 246 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 40 And nothing left me but the peoples hate. (Sweet Queene) ile take all counfell thou canft giue, So that thou bidft me neither hope nor Hue ; Succour that comes, when ill hath done his worft, But fharpens griefe, to make vs more accurft. Comfort is now vnpleafing to mine eare, Pad: cure, paft care, my Bed become my Beere. Since now misfortune humbleth vs fo long, Till heauen be growne vnmindfull of our wrong, Yet they forbid my wrongs fhall euer die, But (till remembred to pofteritie ; And let the crowne be fatall that he weares, And euer wet with woefull mothers teares. Thy curfe on Percie angry heauens preuent, Who haue not one curfe left, on him vnfpent, To fcourge the world, now borrowing of my ftore, As rich of woe, as I a King am poore. Then ceafe (deere Queene) my forrowes to bewaile, My wounds too great for pittie now to heale, Age ftealeth on, whilft thou complained thus, My griefes be mortall and infectious ; Yet better fortunes thy faire youth may trie, That follow thee, which ftill from me doth flie. 1f Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. This tongue which, firft denounc'd my regall Jiate. ■p Ichard the fecond, at the refignation of the crowne to the duke of Herford, in the Tower of London, deliuering the fame with his owne hand, there confefled his difabilitie to gouerne, vtterly denouncing all kingly authoritie. And ?47 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. And left 1 ft great Burbon for thy love to me. Before the Piinceffe lfahell was maried to the king, Lewes duke of Burbon fued to have had her in marriage , which was thought he had obtained , if this motion had not fallen out in the meane time ; This Duke of Burbon fued agaitie to have received her at her comming into France, after the imprifonment of king Richard but King Charles her Father then croft him as before , and gave her to Charles fonne to the Duke of Orleans. When Herford had his iudgement of exile. When the combate mould have beene at Couentrie, betwixt Henrie Duke of Herford, and Thomas Duke of Norfolke ; where Herford, was adiudged to banilhment for ten yeares, the com- mons exceedingly lamented, fo greatly was he ever favored of the people. Then being fore 'd i 'abridge his banijht yeeres. When the Duke came to take his leave of the King ; beeing then at Eltham, the King to pleafe the Commons, rather then for any love he bare to Herford, repleaded foure yeares of his ba- nifhment. Whileft Henry boafts of our atchieuements done, Henry the eldeft Sonne to John Duke of Lancafter, at the firft Earle of Darby, then created Duke of Herford, after the death of the Duke John his father, was Duke of Lancafter and Hereford, Earle of Darby, Leicefter, and Lincolne ; and after he had obtai- ned the Crowne, was called by the name of Bullingbrooke, which is a towne in Lincolnefhire , as vfually all the Kings of England bare the name of the places where they were borne. Seauen goodly fyens in their fpring did flourifk. Edward the third had feuen fonnes, Edward Prince of Wales, after called the blacke Prince, William of Hatfield the fecond, Lio- ntll Duke of Clarence the third , Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lanca- fter the fourth, Edmund of Langley Duke of York the fifth, Thomas of Woodftocke Duke of Glofter the fixth , William of Winfore the feuenth. Edward the top-branch of that golden tree. Truly boafting hiinfelfe to be the eldeft Sonne of Edward the blacke Prince. Yet 348 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 41 Yet after Edward, Iohn theyong/i of three. As difabling Henry Bullingbrooke, being but the fon'of the fourth brother : William and Lionell being both before Iohn of Gaunt. That leading Kings from France, returned home, Edward the blacke Prince, taking Iohn king of France prifoner, at the battel of Poicters, brought him into England, where- at the Sauoy he died. Whofe name atchieued by hisfatall hand, Called the Blacke Prince, not fo much of his complexion, as of the famous battell he fought, as is fliewed before : in the gloffe vpon the Epiftle of Edward to the Counteffe of Salisbury. And prooues our Adls of Parlement vniufl. In the next parlement, after Richards refignation of the crown, Henry caufed to be annihilated all the lawes made in the Parlia- ment, called the wicked Parliament, held in the twenty yeere of king Richards raigne. Finis. To »49 To fir Iohn Swinerton Knight, and one of the Aldermen of the Citie of London. # * * Orthy Sir, fo much miftrujl I my owne abili- ) tie, to doe the leajl right to your vertues, that ; / could gladly wijh any thing that is truely \mine, were woorthy to beare your name, fo much (reuerend Sir) I efteeme you, and fo ample inter ejl haue you in my loue; To fome honourable friends haue I dedicated thefe Poemes, (with whom I ranke you : may I efcafie prefumption ) Like not this Britaine the worfe, though after fome former Impreffions he be laftly to you confecrated ; in this like an honefi man that would part- lie approoue his owne woorth, before he would prefume his friends patronage, with whom you fhall euer commaund my feruice, and haue my beft wifhes. That loue you truely, Mich: Drayton. 550 42 Queene Katharine to Owen Tudor. The Argument. After the death of that victorious Henry thefift, Queene Katharine, the Dowager of England and France, daughter to Charles the French King, holding her eflate with Henry her fonne {then the fixt of that name) falleth in loue with Owen Tuder a Welchman, a braue and gallant Gentleman of the Wardrobe to the yong King her f on \ yet greatly fear- ing if her loue Jhoulde be dif covered ' , the Nobilitie woulde croffe her purpofed marriage ; or fearing, that if her fame and princely promifes fhould not affure his good fucceffe, this high and great attempt, might (perhappes) daunt the for- wardneffe of his modefl and fhamefafl youth; wfierefore to breake the ice to her intent ; fhe writeth vnto him this Epi- flle following. IVdge not a Princeffe worth impeacht hereby, That loue thus triumphs ouer maieftie ; Nor thinke leffe vertue in this royall hand, Which now intreates that wonted to command, For in this fort, though humbly now it wooe, The day hath beene, thou wouldft haue kneeld vnto. Nor thinke that this fubmiffion of my ftate, Proceedes from frailtie, (rather iudge it fate.) Alcides ne're more fit for warres fterne fhocke, Then when for loue fate fpinning at the rocke, Neuer leffe cloudes did Phosbus glory dim, Then in a clownes fhape when he couered him ; R 2 Ioues Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Ioues great commaund was neuer more obeyd, Than when a Satyres anticke parts he playd. He was thy king that fued for loue to mee, Shee is thy Queene that fues for loue to thee. When Henry was, whats Tuders now, was his ; Whilft yet thou arte, whats Henries, Tuders is ; My loue to Owen, him my Henry giueth, My loue to Henry, in my Owen liueth ; Henry woode me whilft warres did yet increafe, I wooe my Tuder, in fweet calmes of peace, To force affeftion he did conqueft proue, I fight with gentle arguments of loue. Incampt at Melans, in warres hote alarmes, Firft faw I Henry clad in princely armes. At pleafant Wind/ore firft thefe eies of mine, My Tuder iudgde for wit and fhape diuine. Henry abroade, with puiffance and with force, Tuder at home, with courtfhip and difcourfe, He then, thou now, I hardly can iudge whether Did like me beft, Plantaginet or Tether. A march, a meafure, battell, or a daunce, A courtly rapier, or a conquering launce. His princely bed hath ftrengthned my renowne, And on my temples fet a double crowne ; Which glorious wreathe, (as Henries lawfull heire) Henry the fixt vpon his brow doth beare. At Troy in Champaine he did firft enioy My Brydall rites, to England brought from Troy, In England now that honour thou fhalt haue, Which once in Champaine famous Henry gaue, I feeke not wealth, three kingdomes in my power, If 253 Englauds Heroicall Epijlles. 34 If thefe fuffice not, where fhall be my dower ? Sad difcontent may euer follow her, Which doth bafe pelfe before true loue prefer ; If titles ftill could our affections tie, What is fo great but Maieftie might buy ? As I feeke thee, fo Kings do me defire, To what they would, thou eafily mai'ft afpire. That facred fire, once warmde my heart before, The fuell fit, the flame is now the more, And meanes to quench it, I in vaine do proue, We may hide treafure, but not hide our loue ; And fince it is thy fortune (thus) to gaine it, It were too late, nor will I now reftraine it. Nor thefe great titles vainely will I bring, Wife, daughter, mother, fifter to a King, Of grandfire, father, husband, fonne and brother, More thou alone to me, then all the other, Nor feare my Tudor, that this loue of mine, (line, Should wrong the Gaunt-borne great Lancaftrian Nor ftir the Englifh blood, the Sunne and Moone, T'repine at Loraine, Burbon, Alanfoon ; Nor do / thinke there is fuch different ods, They fhould alone be numbred with the Gods. Of Cadmus earthly iffue reckoning vs, And they from loue, Mars, Neptune, Eolus, Of great Latonas of-fpring onely they, And we the brats of wofull Niobe, Our famous grandfires (as their owne) beftride, That horfe of fame, that God-begotten fteede, Whofe bounding hoofe plow'd that Boetian fpring, Where thofe fweete maides of memory do fing, R 3 Not *53 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. Not onely Henries Queene, but boaft as well, To be the childe of Charles and Ifabell. Nor do I know from whence their grief fhould grow, They by this match fhould be difparag'd fo ; When Iohn and Longfhankes iffue both affied, And to the Kings of Wales in wedlocke tied, Shewing the greatneffe of your blood thereby, Your race, and royall confanguinity. And Wales as well as haughty England boafts, Of Camilot, and all her Penticofts ; A nephewes roome in great Pendragons race, At Arthurs Table held a princely place, If by the often conqueft of your land, They boaft the fpoiles of their victorious hand, H thefe our antient Chronicles be true, They altogether are not free from you. When bloodie Rufus fought your vtter facke, Twice entring Wales, yet twice was beaten backe, When famous Cambria wafh'd her in the flood, Made by th'effufion of the Englifh blood, And oft returnde with glorious victory, From Worjier, Herford, Chejler, Shrowesbury, Whofe power in euery conqueft fo preuailes, As once expulfde the Englifh out of Wales. Although my beautie made my Countries peace, And at my Bridall former broyles did ceafe ; Yet more then power, had not his perfon beene, / had not come to England as a Queene. Nor tooke I Henry to fupply my want, Becaufe in France, that time my choice was fcant ; When he had robde all Chriftendome of men, And 3 54 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 44 And Englands flower remainde amongft vs then ; Glofter, whofe counfells (Nejlor-like) aflift, Couragious Bedford, that great martiallift, Clarence, for vertue honoured of his foes, And Yorke, whofe fame yet daily greater growes, Warwicke, the pride of Neuels haughty race, Great Salebury, fo fearde in euery place. That valiant Poole, whom no atchieuement dares, And Vere, fo famous in the Irifh warres, Who though my felfe fo great a Prince were borne, The worft of thefe my equall neede not fcorne : But Henries rare perfections and his parts, As conquering Kingdomes, fo he conquer'd hearts, As chafte was I to him as Queene might bee, But freed from him, my chafte loue vow'd to thee ; Beautie doth fetch all fauour from thy face, All perfect courtfhip refteth in thy grace. If thou difcourfe, thy lips fuch accents breake, As loue a fpirit forth of thee feem'd to fpeake. The Brittifh language, which our vowels wants, And iarres fo much vpon harfh confonants, Comes with fuch grace from thy mellifluous tongue, As do the fweete notes of a well fet fong, And runnes as fmoothly from thofe lips of thine, As the pure Tuskan from the Florentine ; Leauing fuch feafoned fweetenes in the eare, As the voyce paft, yet ftill the found is there : In Nifus Tower, as when Apollo lay, And on his golden viall vfde to play, Where fenceleffe ftones were with fuch muficke As many yeares they did retaine the found, (drownd, R 4 Let »5S Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Let not the beames that greatnes doth reflect, Amaze thy hopes with timerous refpe£t ; Affure thee Tudor, maiefty can be As kinde in loue, as can the mean'ft degree ; And the embraces of a Queene as true, As theirs (might iudge them) much aduanc'd by you, When in our greatnes our affections craue Thofe fecret ioyes that other women haue : So / (a Queene) be foueraigne in my choice, Let others fawne vpon the publique voice ; Or what (by this) can euer hap to thee, Light in refpecl: to be belou'd of mee. Let peeuifh worldlings prate of right and wrong, Leaue plaints and pleas, to whom they do belong ; Let old men fpeake of chances and euents, And Lawyers talke of titles and difcents, Leaue fond reports to fuch as ftories tell, And couenants to thofe that buy and fell ; Loue my fweete Tudor, that becomes thee beft, And to our good fucceffe referre the reft. Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. Great Henry fought to accomplijh his defire, Armid, (s'c. \JEnry the fift, making claime to the Crowne of France, firft fought by Armes to fubdue the French , and after fought by marriage to confirme what he got by conqueft, the heate and fu- rie of which inuafion , is alluded to the fixion of Semele in Ouid; which by the crafty perfwafion of luno, requefted lout to come vnto her, as he was wont to come vnto his wife luno, who at her requeft hee yeelding vnto, deftroyed her in a tempeft. In- 356 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 45 Incamp'd at Melons in wars hole alarmes, Firjl, &>c. Neere vnto Melans, vpon the Riuer of Scyne, was the appoin- ted place of parley , betweene the two Kings of England and France, to which place , Ifabell the Queene of France , and the Duke of Burgoyne, brought the yong Princeffe Katharine, where King Henry firft faw her. And on my temples fet a double Crowne. Henry the fift and Queene Katherine, were taken as King and Queene of France, and during the life of Charles the French king, Henry was called King of England, and heire of France, and after the death of Henry the fift, Henry the fixt his fonne, then being ve- ry yong, was crowned at Paris, as true and lawfull King of Eng- land and France. At Troy in Champaine he did firft enioy. Troy in Champaine, was the place where that victorious king Henry the fift married the Princeffe Katherine , in the prefence of the chiefe nobilitie of the Realmes of England and France. Nor thefe great titles vainely will I bring, Wife, daughter, mother, £r°c. Few Queenes of England or France, were euer more princely alied then this Queene, as it hath beene noted by Hiftoriogra- phers. Nor thinke/o Tudor that this loue of mine, Should wrong the Gaunt-borne, &°c. Noting the difcent of Henry her husband, from John Duke of Lancafter, the fourth fonne of Edward the third, which Duke Iohn was firnamed Gaunt, of the Cittie of Gaunt in Flanders, where he was borne. Norflirre the Engiifk blood, the Sunne and Moone, T'repine, &°c. Alluding the greatnes of the Englifh line, to Phcebus and Phtz- be, fained to be the children of Latona, whofe heauenly kind might fcorne to be ioyned with any earthly progenie : yet withall, boa- fling the blood of France, as not inferior to theirs. And with this allufion followeth on the hiftorie of the ftrife betwixt luno and the race of Cadmus, whofe iffue was afflicted by the wrath of heauen. The children of Niobe flaine, for which the wofull mo- ther, kk 257 England* Heroicall Epijlles. ther became a rocke, gufhing forth continually a fountaine of teares. And Iohn and Longftianks iffue, both affied, Lhewellin or Leolin ap lorweth, married Ioane, daughter to king Iohn, a mod beautifull Lady. Some Authors affirme that flie was bafe borne, Lhewellin ap Gryftth, married Ellenor, daughter to Si- mon Montfort , Earle of Leicefter, and Cofin to Edward Long- Jhankes, both which Lhcwellins were Princes of Wales. Of Camilot and all her Pentecofls, A Nephewes roome, &°c. Camilot, the antient Pallace of King Arthur , to which place all the Knightes of that famous order yeerely repaired at Peuti- coft, according to the law of the Table , and moft of the famous home-borne Knights were of that Country , as to this day is perceiued by their antient monuments. When bloody Rufus fought your vtterfacke. Noting the ill fuccefle which that William Rufus had in two voyages he made into Wales ; in which a number of his chiefe Nobilitie were flaine. And oft returnde with glorious viclorie. Noting the diuers fundry incurfions that the Welchmen made into England, in the time of Rufus, Iohn, Henry the fecond, and Longfhankes. Jfo Owen Tudor to Queene Katherine. (name, WHen firft mine eyes beheld your princely And found from whence this friendly letter As in excefle of ioy my felfe forgot, (came, Whether / faw it, or / faw it not ; My panting heart doth bid mine eyes proceede, My »58 Englands Heroicall Epiflles. 46 My dazeled eye, inuites my tongue to reede ; Mine eye fhould guide my tongue, amazed mift it, My lips which now fhould fpeak, are dombe, & kift it, And leaues the paper in my trembling hand, When all my fences fo amazed ftand ; Euen as a mother comming to her childe, Which from her prefence hath been long exilde, With tender armes his gentle necke doth ftraine, Now kiffing him, now clipping him againe ; And yet exceffiue ioy deludes her fo, As ftill fhe doubts if this be hers or no : At length awak'ned from this pleafing dreame, When paffion fomwhat leaues to be extreame, My longing eyes, with their faire obiecT; meete, Where euery letter's pleafing, each word fweete. It was not Henries conquefts nor his Court, That had the power to win me by report, Nor was his dreadfull terror-ftriking name, The caufe that I from Wales to England came ; For Chriftian Rhodes, and our religious truth, To great atchieuements firft had wonne my youth ; Before aduenture did my valour proue, Before I yet knew what it was to loue : Nor came / hether by fome poore euent, But by th'eternall Deftinies confent, Whofe vncomprifed wifedomes did fore-fee, That you in marriage fhould be linck'd to mee. By our great Merlin, was it not fore-told, {Amongft his holy prophecies enrold) When firft he did of Tudors name diuine, That Kings and Queenes fhould follow in our line, And *59 Notes of the Chronicle hiftorie. And that the Helme, (the Tudors antient Creft) Should with the golden Flower-delice be dreft ; And that the Leeke, (our Countries chiefe renowne) Should grow with Rofes in the Englifh Crowne : As Charles faire daughter, you the Lilly weare, As Henries Queene the blufhing Rofe you beare ; By France's conqueft, and by Englands oth, You are the true made dowager of both ; Both in your crowne, both in your cheeke together, /oyne Tethers loue to yours, and yours to Tether. Then make no future doubts, nor feare no hate, When it fo long hath beene fore-told by Fate ; And by the all-difpofing doome of heauen, Before our births, vnto one bed were giuen. No Pallas heere, nor Iuno is at all, When / to Venus giue the golden ball ; Nor when the Graecians wonder I enioy, None in reuenge to kindle fire in Troy. And haue not ftrange euents diuinde to vs, That in our loue we fhould be profperous. When in your prefence I was call'd to dance, In lofty trickes whilft / my felfe aduance ; And in my turne, my footing failde by hap, Was't not my chance to light into your lap ? Who would not iudge it Fortunes greateft grace, Sith he muft fall, to fall in fuch a place ? His birth from heauen, your Tudor not deriues, Nor ftands on tip-toes in fuperlatiues, Although the enuious Englifh do deuife, A thoufand ieafts of our hyperbolies ; Nor do / claime that plot by antient deedes, Where 260 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 47 Where Phcebus paftures his firie-breathing fteedes ; Nor do I boaft my god-made Grandfires fcarres, Nor Giants trophies in the Titans warres ; Nor faine my birth (your princely eares to pleafe) By three nights getting as was Hercules, Nor doe I forge my long defcent to runne From aged Neptune, or the glorious Sunne, And yet in Wales with them mod famous be, Our learned Bards doe fing my pedigree, And boaft my birth from great Cadwallader, From old Cair-fepton, in mount Palador, And from Eneons line, the South-wales king By Theodor the Tuders name do bring. My royall mothers princely ftocke began, From her great grandam faire Gwenellian ; By true defcent from Leolin the great, As well from North-wales as faire Powjlands feat ; Though for our princely genealogie, I doe not ftand to make apologie ; Yet who with iudgements true vnpartiall eyes, Shall looke from whence our name at firft did rife, Shall finde that Fortune is to vs in debt ; And why not Tuder as Plantaginet f Not that terme Croggen, nicke-name of difgrace, Vfde as a by-word now. in euery place, Shall blot our blood, or wrong a Welchmans name, Which was at firft begot with Englands fhame. Our valiant fwords our right did ftill maintaine, Againft that cruell, prowde, vfurping Dane ; And bucklde in fo many dangerous fights, With Norwayes, Swethens, and with Mufcouits, And 261 England* Heroicall Epiftles. And kept our natiue language now thus long, And to this day yet neuer changde our tong, When they which now our Nation faine would tame, Subdude, haue loft their country, and their name : Nor neuer could the Saxons fwords prouoke Our Brittaine neckes to beare their feruile yoke, Where Cambriaes pleafant Countries bounded bee, With fwelling Seiterne , and the holy Dee ; And fince great Brutus firft arriu'd, haue flood, The onely remnant of the Troian blood. To euery man is not allotted chaunce, To boaft with Henry to haue conquerd Fraunce ; Yet if my fortunes thus may raifed be, This may prefage a farther good to me. And our 6". Dauid, in the Brittaines right, May ioyne with Grorge, the fainted Englifh knight, And old Caer-marden, Merlins famous towne, Not fcorn'd by London, though of fuch renowne. Ah would to God, that houre my hopes attend, Were with my wifh brought to defired end, Blame me not Madame, though I thus defire, When eies with enuie doe my hap admire ; Till now your beauty in nights bofome flept, What eie durft ftirre, where awfull Henry kept ? Who durft attempt to faile but neere the bay, Where that all-conquering great Alcides lay ? Thy beauty now is fet a royall prize, And Kings repaire to cheapen merchandize. If thou but walke to take the breathing aire, Orithia makes me that I Boreas feare, If to the fire loue once in lightning came, And 362 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 48 And faire Egina make me feare the flame. If in the Sunne, then fad fufpition dreames Phoebus fhould fpread Lucothoe in his beames, If in a fountaine thou dooft coole thy blood, Neptune I feare, which once came in a flood ; If with thy maides, I dread Apolloes rape, Who cofned Chion in an old wiues fhape ; If thou dooft banquet, Bacchus makes me dread, Who in a grape Erigone did feede ; And if my felfe the chamber doore fhoulde keepe, Yet feare I Hermes comming in a fleepe. Pardon (fweete Queene) if I offend in this, In thefe delayes loue moft impatient is ; And youth wants powre his hote fplene to fuppreffe, When Hope already banquets in exceffe. Though Henries fame in me you fhall not finde, Yet that which better fhall content your minde ; But onely in the title of a King Was his aduantage, in no other thing : If in his loue more pleafure you did take, Neuer let Queene truft Brittaine for my fake. Yet iudge me not from modeftie exempt, That I another Phaetons charge attempt, My minde that thus your fauours dare afpire, Declare a temper of celeftiall fire ; If loue a fault, the more is Beauties blame, When fhe her felfe is author of the fame. All men to fome one qualitie incline, Onely to loue is naturally mine. Thou arte by Beauty famous, as by birth ; Ordainde by heauen, to cheere the drowping earth, Adde 263 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Adde faithfull loue vnto your greater ftate, And then alike in all things fortunate. A King might promife more, I not deny, But yet (by heauen) he lou'd not more than I. And thus I leaue, till time my faith approue, I ceafe to write, but neuer ceafe to loue. IT Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. And that the helmc, the Tudors ancient Crejl. '"THe armes of Tudor was the helmes of mens heads, whereof he fpeaketh as a thing prophetically fore-told of Merlin. When in thy prefence I was calfd to daunce. Owin Tudor, being a courtly and actiue Gentleman, commaun- ded once to daunce before the Queen, in a turne (not being able to recouer himfelfe) fell into her lappe, as fhee fate vpon a little ftoole, with many of her Ladies about her. And yet with them in Wales mo/2 famous be, Our learned Bards, your loue to the Mufes, affure me of your kinde acceptance of my dedication. It is feated by cuflome {from which wee are now bolde to affume authoritie) to beare the names of our friends vpon the fronts of our bookes , as Gentlemen vfe to fet their Armes ouer their gates. Some fay this vfe began by the Heroes & brauefpirits of the old world, which were defirous to be thought to patronize learning ; and men in re- quital! honour the names of thofebraue Princes. But I think fome after, put the names of great men in their bookes, for that menfhouldfay there was fome thing good, only becaufe indeed their names flood there ; But for mine owne part (not to diffemble) Ifindnofuch vertue in any of their great titles to do fo much for any thing ofmitie , and fo let them pajfe. Take knowledge by this, I loue you and in good faith, wor- thie of all loue Ithinkeyou, which I pray you mayfupply the place of further complement. Yours euer, M. Drayton 266 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 50 Elinor Cob ham to Duke Humfrey. The Argument. Elinor Cobham, daughter to the Lord Cobham of Ster- borough, and wife to Zfumfrey Plantaginet duke of Gloce- fter, thefonne of Henry the fourth, King of England, furna- pied Bullingbrooke. This noble Duke for his great wif- dome and iuftice called the good, was by King Ifenry thefift (brother to this Duke) at his death appointed Protector of the land, during the nonage of Henry thefixt ; this Elinor Duches of Glocefter, a prowd and ambicious woman, know- ing that if young Henry died without iffue , the Duke her husband was the neerefl of the bloud , confpired with one Bullingbrooke, (otherwife called Onely a great Magi- tian) -ffiin apriefl, aw^Iourdane witch of Eye, by for eerie to make away the King, and by coniuration to know who Jhould fucceed. Of this being iuftly conuicTed, fhee was ad- iudged to do penance three feuerall times openly in London, and then to perpetuall banijhment in the He of Man , front whence fhe writeth this EpifUe. M E thinks, not knowing who thefe lines mould fend, Thou ftraight turn'ft ouer to the latter end, Where thou my name no fooner haft efpi'd, But in difdaine my letters caft afide ; Why if thou wilt, I will my felfe denie, Nay, I'le affirme and fweare I am not I, S 2 Or 367 England* Heroicall Epijlles. Or if in that thy fhame thou dooft perceiue, lie leaue that name, that name my felfe fhall leaue, And yet me thinkes amazd thou fhouldft not ftand, Nor feeme fo much appauled at my hand, For my misfortunes haue invrde thy eie (Long before this) to fights of mifery ; No, no, reade on, tis I, the very fame, All thou canft reade, is but to reade my fhame. Be not difmaide, nor let my name affright, The worft it can, is but t'offend thy fight ; It cannot wound, nor doe thee deadly harme, It is no dreadfull fpell, nor magique charme ; If fhee that fent it loue duke Humfrey fo, lit poffible her name fhould be his foe ? Yes, I am Elnor, I am verie fhee, Who brought for dower a virgins bed to thee, Though enuious Beuford flaunderd me before, To be duke Humfreis wanton Paramore, And though indeede / can it not denie, To Magique once / did my felfe apply, / wonne thee not, as there be many thinke, With poifning Philters, and bewitching drinke, Nor on thy perfon did / euer proue, Thofe wicked portions fo procuring loue, / cannot boaft to be rich Hollands heire Nor of the bloud and greatnes of Bauire, Yet Elnor brought no forraine armies in, To fetch her backe, as did thy Iacomin ; Nor clamorous husbands followed me that fled, Exclayming Humfrey to defile his bed, Nor waft thou forcde the (launder to fuppreffe. To 268 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 5 1 To fend me backe as an adulterefle ; Brabant nor Burgoyne, claimed me by force, Nor fu'd to Rome to haften my deuorce ; Nor Belgias pompe defac'd with Belgias fire, The iuft reward of her vniuft defire ; Nor Bedfords fpoufe, nor noble fifter Anne, That princely-iffued great Burgunnian, Should ftand with me, to moue a womans ftrife, To yeelde the place to the Protectors wife. If Cobhams name my birth can dignifie, Or Sterborough renowne my familie ; Where's Greenewich now, thy Elnors Court of late, Where fhe with Humfrey held a princely ftate ? That pleafant Kent, when I abroad ftiould ride, That to my pleafure laid forth all her pride ; The Thames by water when I tooke the ayre, Danc'd with my Barge in lanching from the ftaire ; The ankoring fhips that when I pafs'd the road, Were wont to hang their chequered tops abroad ; How could it be, thofe that were wont to ftand, To fee my pompe, fo goddeffe-like on land, Should after fee me mayld vp in a fheete, Doe fhamefull penance three times in the ftreete ? Rung with a bell, a Taper in my hand, Bare-foote to trudge before a Beedles wand ; That little babes, not hauing vfe of tongue, Stood pointing at me as I came along. Where's Humfreys power, where was his great coin- Waft thou not Lord -protector of the Land ? (mand, Or for thy iuftice, who can thee deny, The title of the good Duke Humfrey ? S 3 Haft » 69 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Haft thou not at thy life, and in thy looke, The feale of Gaunt, the hand of Bullingbrooke ? What blood extract from famous Edwards line, Can boaft it felfe to be fo pure as thine ? Who elfe next Henry fhould the Realme prefer, If it allow of famous Lancajier? But Rayners daughter muft from France be fet, And with a vengeance on our throne be fet ; Mauns, Maine and Aniou, on that begger caft, To bring her home to England in fuch hafte, And what for Henry thou haft laboured there, To ioyne the King with Arminacks rich heire, Muft all be dafh'd, as no fuch thing had beene, Poole needes muft haue his darling made a Queene ; How fhould he with our Princes elfe be plac'd, To haue his Earlefhip with a Dukedome grac'd ? And raife the of-fpring of his blood fo hie, As Lords of vs and our pofteritie. O that by fea when he to France was fent, The fhip had funcke wherein the traitor went ; Or that the fands had fwallowed her before She e're fet foote vpon the Englifh fhore. But all is well, nay we haue ftore to giue, What neede we more, we by her lookes can hue ; All that great Henry by his conquefts heapt, And famous Bedford to his glory kept, Be giuen backe to Rayner all in poll, And by this meanes, rich Normandy be loft ; Thofe which haue comen as Miftreffes of ours, Haue into England brought their goodly dowers, Which to our Coffers yeerely tribute brings, The 270 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 52 The life of fubiecls and the ftrength of Kings ; The meanes whereby faire England euer might Raife power in France, to backe our antient right ; But fhe brings ruine heere to make aboad, And cancells all our lawfull claime abroad, And fhe muft recapitulate my fhame, And giue a thoufand by-words to my name, And call me Beldam, Gib, Witch, Night-mare, Trot, With all defpight that may a woman fpot : that I were a witch but for her fake ! 1 faith her Queenefhip little reft fhould take ; I would fcratch that face that may not feele the ayre, And knit whole ropes of witch-knots in her haire, Or / would hag her nightly in her bed, And on her breaft fit like a lumpe of lead, And like a Fayrie, pinch that dainty skin, Her wanton blood is now fo cockered in, Or take me fome fuch knowne familiar fhape, As fhe my vengeance neuer fhould efcape ; Were I a garment, none fhould neede the more To fprinckle me with Nejfus poifned gore, It were enough if fhe once put me on, To teare both flefh and finewes from the bone ; Were I a flower that might her fmell delight, Though I were not the poifning Aconite, I would fend fuch a fume into her brow, Should make her mad, as mad as I am now. They fay, the Druides once liu'd in this He, This fatall Man, the place of my exile, (wroght, Whofe powerfull charmes, fuch dreadfull wonders Which in the gotifh Ifland tongue were taught ; S 4 O 271 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. O that their fpels to me they had refignde, Wherewith they raifde and calmde both fea & winde, And made the Moone pawfe in her paled fpheare, Whilft her grim Dragons drew them throgh the aire, Their hellifh power to kill the Plow-mans feede, Or to fore-fpeake the flockes as they did feede, To nurfe a damned fpirit with humaine blood, To carry them through earth, ayre, fire and flood ; Had / this skill that time hath almoft loft, How like a Goblin / would haunt her ghoft, O pardon, pardon my mif-gouernde tongue, A womans ftrength cannot endure my wrong. Did not the heauens her comming in withftand, As though affrighted when fhe came to land ? The earth did quake, her comming to abide, The goodly Thames did twice keepe backe her tide ; Pauls fhooke with tempefts, and that mounting fpire, With lightning fent from heauen was fet on fire ; Our ftately buildings to the ground were blowne, Her pride by thefe prodigious fignes were fhowne ; More fearefull vifions on the Englifh earth, Than euer were at any death or birth. Ah Humfrey, Humfrey, if /fhould not fpeake, My breaft would fplit, my very heart would breake. / that was wont fo many to command, Worfe now then with a clapdifh in my hand ; A Ample mantle couering me withall, A very leaper of Cares hofpitall, That from my ftate a prefence held in awe, Glad heere to kennell in a pad of ftraw ; And like an Owle by night to goe abroad, Roofted 372 Englands Heroicatt Epiftles. 53 Roofted all day within an Iuy tod, Among the fea-cliffes, in the dampy caues, In charnall houfes, or among the graues ; Saw'ft thou thofe eies, in whofe fweet cheereful looke, Duke Humfrey once fuch ioy and pleafure tooke ; Sorrow hath fo difpoyl'd me of all grace, Thou couldft not fay, this was my Elnors face ; Like a fowle Gorgon, whofe difheuel'd haire, With euery blaft flies glaring in the ayre ; Some ftanding vp like homes vpon my head, Euen like thofe women that in Coos are bred : My lanke breafts hang like bladders left vnblowne, My skin with lothfome Iaundize ouer-growne ; So pinde away, that if thou long'ft to fee Ruines true picture, onely looke on mee ; Sometime in thinking of what I haue had, Euen in a fuddaine extafie am mad ; Then like a Bedlam, forth thy Elnor runnes, Like one of Bacchus raging franticke Nunnes, Or like a Tartar, when in ftrange difguife, Preparde vnto a difmall facrifiee. That Prelate Beuford, a fowle ill befall him, Prelate faid 1 1 nay diuell I fhould call him, Ah God forgiue me, if I thinke amiffe, His very name me thinks my poifon is ; Ah that vile Iudas, our profeffed foe, My curfe purfue him where fo e're he goe ; That to my judgement when / did appeare, Laid to my charge thofe things which neuer were. / fhould pertake wfth Buttingbrookes intents, The hallowing of his magique inftruments ; That m m 273 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. That I procured Southwell to aflift, Which was by order confecrate a Prieft, That it was I fhould couer all they did, That but for him, had to this day beene hid. Ah that vile baftard, that himfelfe dare vaunt To be the fonne of thy braue grandfire Gaunt, Whom he but fatherd of meere charity, To rid his mother of that infamy, Who if report of Elder times be true, Vnto this day his father neuer knew. He that by murthers blacke and odious crime, To Henries throne attempted once to clime ; Hauing procurde by hope of golden gaine, A fatall hand his foueraigne to haue flaine ; Who to his Chamber clofely he conuaide, And for that purpofe fitly there had laide, Vpon whofe fword that famous Prince had died, If by a dogge he had not beene difcried. But now the Queene, her Minion Poole and he, As it pleafe them, fo now muft all things be ; England's no place for any one befide, All is too little to maintaine their pride : What of a King hath Henry but the name, And now fcarce that, fo publike his defame ? And / pray God I do not Hue the day, To fee thy ruine, and thy Realmes decay ; And yet as fure as Humfrey feemes to ftand, He be preferu'd from that vile traytors hand ; From Glojlers feate, I would thou wert eftrang'd, Or would to God that Dukedomes name were For it portends no goodnes vnto vs, (chang'd ; Ah 274 Englands Heroicall Epiftles 54 Ah Humfrey, Humfrey, it is ominous, Yet rather then thy hap fo hard fhould be, I would thou wert heere banifhed with me : Humfrey adue, farewell true noble Lord, My wifh is all thy Elnor can afford. Tf Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. I fought that dreadfull Sorcereffe of Eye. "CLinor Cobham was accufed by fome that fought to withftand, and mifliked her marriage with Duke Humfrey, that (he pradti- fed to giue him Philters, and fuch poifoning potions, to make him loue her, as flie was flandered by Cardinal] Beuford, to haue liued as the Dukes Lemman, againft the which Cardinall the exclai- meth in this Epiflle in the verfe before. Though enuious Beuford flandered me before. Noting the extreame hate he euer bore her. Nor Elnor brought theeforraine Armies in, To fetch her backe as did thy Iacomin. This was the chiefe and onely thing that euer tutched the re- putation of this good Duke, that dotingly he married Iacomin, or as fome call her Iaquet , daughter and heire to William Bauter, Duke of Holland, married before, and lawfull wife to John Duke of Brabant , then liuing ; which after as it is fliewed in this verfe following. Brabant nor Burgoyne claimed me by force, Nor fid to Rome to hafien my deuorce. Caufed great warres , by reafon that the Duke of Burgoyne tooke part with Brabant, againft the Duke of Glocefter ; which being arbitrated by the Pope, the Lady was adiudged to be deli- uered backe to here former husband. Nor Bedfords fpoufe, your noble fifier Anne, That Princely ijfuedbraue Burgonian. John Duke of Bedfort, that fcourge of France, and the glory of the 275 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. the Englishmen, married Anne, fifter to the Duke of Burgundie, a vertuous and beautifull Lady ; by which marriage, as alfo by his victories attained in France, he brought great ftrength to the En- glifli Nation. Whereas Greenewich now, thy Elnors Court of late? That faire and goodly pallace of Greenewich, was firft buil- ded by that famous Duke , . whofe rich and pleafant Situation might remaine an affured monument of his wifedome , if there were no other memory of the fame. They fay the Druides once lined in this lie. It would feeme that there were two Hands, both of them cal- led Mona, though now diftinguifhed the one by the name of Man, the other by the name of Anglefey, both which were full of ma- ny infernal! ceremonies , as may appeare by Agricolaes voyage, made into the hithermoft Man, defcribed by -his fonne in law Cornelius Tacitus. And as fuperftition, the daughter of barbarifme and ignorance ; fo amongft thofe Northerly nations , like as in America, Magicke was moft efteemed. Druidm were the publicke minifters of their religion, as throghly taught in all rites thereof; their doctrine concerned the immortalitie of the foule , the con- tempt of death, and all other points which may conduce to refo- lution, fortitude^ and magnanimitie : their aboad was in groues and woods , whereupon they haue their name ; their power ex- tended it felfe to maifter the foules of men deceafed, and to con- ferre with ghofts and other Spirits , about the fuccefle of things. Plutarch , in his profound and learned difcourfe of the defect of Oracles , reporteth that the outmoft Brittiih lies, were the pri- fon of I wot not what Demi -gods ; but it ihall not neede to fpeake any farther of the Drueda, then that which Lucan doth. Et vos barbaricus ritus, moremq; ftneflrum, Sacrorum Druidse pofttis repetifiis ah armis. Did not the heauens her comming in withftand? Noting the prodigious and fearefull fignes that were feene in England, a little before her comming in : which Elinor expreffeth in this Epiftle, as fore-mewing the dangers which mould enfue vpon this vnlucky marriage. The 376 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. 5 S The hallowing of the magique injlruments. The inftruments which Bullenbrooke vfed in his coniurations, according to the diuellifli ceremonies and cuftomes of thefe vn- lawflill Artes, were dedicated at a Maffe in the Lodge in Harnfey Parke, by Southwell, Prieft of Wejlminjler. Hauing procurde by hopes of golden game, This was one of the Articles that Duke Humfrey vrgde againft the Cardinall Beuford, that confpiied the death of Henry the fift, by conuaying a villaine into his chamber , which in the night fhould haue murthered him : but what ground of trueth hee had for the fame, I leaue to difpute. If Duke Humfrey to Elinor Cobham. ME thinks thou fhuldft not doubt I could forget Her whom fo many do remember yet ; No, no, our ioyes away like fhadowes Aide, But forrowes firme, in memory abide ; Nay I durft anfwere, thou dooft nothing leffe, But moou'd with paffion, vrgde by thy diftreffe ; No Elnor no, thy woes, thy griefe, thy wrong, Haue in my bread beene refident too long ; Oh when report in euery place had fpred, My Elnor was to fanfluarie fled, With curfed Onley, and -the -"witch of Eye, As guiltie of their vile confpiracie ; The dreadfull fpirits when they did inuocate, For 277 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. For the fucceffion, and the realmes eftate ; When Henries Image they in waxe had wrought, By which he mould vnto his death be brought ; That as his picture did confume away, His perfon fo by ficknes fhould decay ; Griefe that before could ne're my thoughts controule, That inftant tooke poffeffion of my foule. Ah would to God I could forget thine ill, As for mine owne, let that inftrucT: me ftill ; But that before hath taken too fure hold, Forget it faid I ; would to God I could. Of any woe, if thou haft but one part, I haue the whole remaining in my hart ; I haue no neede of others cares to borrow, For all I haue is nothing elfe but forrow. No my fweete Nell, thou tookft not all away, Though thou wentft hence, here ftil thy woes do ftay, Though from thy husband thou wert forcde to go, Thofe ftill remaine, they will not leaue me fo ; No eie bewailes my ill, moanes my diftreffe, Our griefe is more, but yet our debt is leffe ; We owe no teares, no mourning dayes are kept ; For thofe that yet for vs haue neuer wept ; We hold no obijts, no fad exequies Vpon the death-daies of vnweeping eies. Alas good Nell, what fhould thy patience moue, T'vpbraid thy kind Lord with a forraine loue ? Thou mightft haue bid all former ills adue, Forgot the olde, we haue fuch ftore of new. Did I omit thy loue to entertaine With mutuall griefe to anfwere griefe againe ? Or 278 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. $6 Or thinkft thou I vnkindly did forbeare, To bandie woe for woe, and teare for teare ? Did I omit, or carelefiy negleft, Thofe fhewes of loue that Ladies fo refpe6l ? In mournefull blacke was I not feene to goe ? By outward fhewes to tell my inward woe : Nor drerie words were wafted in lament, Nor cloudy brow bewraid my difcontent, Is this the caufe ? if this be it, know then, One griefe concealde more grieuous is than ten : If in my breaft thofe forrowes fometimes were, And neuer vtterd, ftill they muft be there, And if thou knowft, they many were before, By time increafing they muft needes be more ; England to me, can challenge nothing lent, Let her caft vp, what is receiu'd, what fpent, If I her owne, can fhe from blame be free, If fhe but proue a ftepdame vnto mee ? That if I fhould with that prowd baftard ftriue, To pleade my birth-right and prerogatiue ; Ii birth allow, I fhould not neede to feare it, For then my true nobilitie fhould beare it ; Ii counfell ayde, that Fraunce will tell (I know) Whofe townes lie wafte before the Englifh foe ; When thrice we gaue the conquered French the foile, At Agincourt, at Crauant, and Uernoile, Ii faith auaile, thefe armes did Henry hold, To claime his crowne, yet fcarcely nine months old. Ii countries care haue leaue to fpeake for me, Gray haires in youth, my witnes then may be, Ii peoples tongues giue fplendor to my fame, They 279 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. They adde a title to duke Humfries name ; If toyle at home, French treafon, Englifh hate, Shall tell my skill in managing the ftate, If forraine trauell my fucceffe may try, In Flaunders, Almaine, Boheme, Burgundy, That robe of Rome prowd Beuford now doth weare, In euery place fuch fway fhould neuer beare. The Crofier ftaffe in his imperious hand, To be the Scepter that controules the land ; That home to England, defpenfations drawes, Which are of power to abrogate our lawes, That for thofe fummes the wealthy church fhould pay, Vpon the needy Commontie to lay, His ghoftly counfells onely doe aduife, The meanes how Langlies progenie may rife, Pathing young Henries vnaduifed waies, A Duke of Yorke from Cambridge houfe to raife, Which after may our title vndermine, Grafted fince Edward in Gaunts famous line : Vs of fucceffion fafely to depriue, Which they from Clarence famedly deriue, Knowing the will old Cambridge euer bore, To catch the wreathe that famous Henry wore. With Gray and Scroope, when firft he laide the plot, From vs, and ours, the garland to haue got. As from the March-borne Mortimer to raigne, Whofe title Glendour ftoutly did maintaine, When the prowde Percies haughty March, and hee, Had fharde the Land by equall partes in three. His Priefthoode now fterne Mowbray doth reftore, To ftirre the fire that kindled was before ; Againft 2S0 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 57 Againft the Yorkifts fhall their claime aduance, To fteele the poynt of Norffolkes fturdie lance, Vpon the bread of Herfords iffue bent, In iuft reuenge of antient banifhment. He dooth aduife to let our prifner goe, And doth enlarge the faithleffe Scottifh foe, Giuing our heires in marriage, that their dowres May bring inuafion vpon vs and ours. Ambitious Suffolke fo the helme doth guide, With Beufords damned policies fupplide ; He and the Queene in counfell ftill conferre, How'to raife him who hath aduanced her. But my deere heart, how vainely do I dreame, And flie from thee, whofe forrowes are my theame ? My loue to thee and England thus diuided, With the moft parte how hard to be decided, Or thee, or that, to whether I am loath, So neere are you, fo deere vnto me both, Twixt that and thee, for equall loue I finde England ingratefull, and my Elnor kind. But though my country iuftly I reproue, For countries fake vnkinde vnto my loue, Yet is thy Humfrey to his Elnor, now, As when frefh beauty triumpht on thy brow, As when thy graces I admired moft, Or of thy fauours might the frankli'ft boaft, Thofe beauties were fo infinite before, That in abundance I was onely poore, Of which, though time hath taken fome againe, I aske no more but what doth yet remaine. Be patient gentle heart in thy diftreffe, T Thou nn 281 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Thou arte a Princeffe, not a whit leffe. Whilft in thefe breafts we beare about this life, I am thy husband, and thou arte my wife ; Caft not thine eie on fuch as mounted be, But looke on thofe caft downe as lowe as we ; For fome of them which prowdly pearch fo hie, Ere long fhall come as lowe as thou or I. They weepe for ioy, and let vs laugh in woe, We fhall exchange when heauen will haue it fo. We mourne, and they in after time may mourne, Woe paft may once, laugh prefent woe to fcorne, And worfe than hath beene we can neuer tafte, Worfe cannot come than is already paft. In all extreames, the onely depth of ill, Is that which comforts the afflicted ftill ; Ah would to God thou wouldft thy griefes denie, And on my backe let all the burthen lie ! Or if thou canft refigne, make thine mine owne, Both in one carrige to be vndergone, Till we againe our former hopes recouer, And profp'rous times blow thefe misfortunes ouer, For in the thought of thofe forepaffed yeares, Some new refemblance of old ioy appeares. Mutuall our care, fo mutuall be our loue, That our affliction neuer can remoue, So reft in peace, where peace hath hope to hue, Wifhing thee more than I my felfe can giue. Notes 282 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. 58 \ Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. At Agincourt, at Crauant, and Vernoyle, T^He three famous battels, fought by the Engliftimen in France : Agincourt by Henry the fift , againft the whole power of France, Crauant fought by Montacute, Earle of Salisburie , and the Duke of Burgoyne, againft the Dolphine of France, & William Stuart, Conftable of Scotland : Vernoile, fought by John Duke of Bedford, againft the Duke of Alanfon, and with him mod of the Nobilitie of France, Duke Humfrey an Efpeciall Councellour in all thefe expeditions. In Flounders, Almain, Boheme, Burgundie. Here remembring the auncient amitie which in his ambaffaes he concluded betwixt the King of England, and Sigitmund Em- perour of Almaine, drawing the Duke of Burgoyne into the fame league, giuing himfelfe as an hoftage for the duke of faint Omers, while the Duke came to Calice to confirme the league. With his many other imployments to forraine Kingdoms. That crofter flaffe in his imperious hand. Henry Beuford, Cardinall of Winchefter, that proud & haugh- tie Prelate, receyued his Cardinals hat at Calice by the Popes Legate, which dignitie, Henry the fift his nephew , forbade him to take vpon him, knowing his haughtie and malicious fpirit vnfit for that robe and calling. The meanes how Langleis progenie may rife. As willing to fhew the houfe of Cambridge to bee defcended of Edmund Langley Duke of Yorke , a yonger brother to John of Gaunt his Grand-father (as much as in him lay) to fmother the title that the Yorkifts made to the crowne (from Lionell of Cla- rence, Gaunts elder brother) by the daughter of Mortimer. T 2 His 283 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. His priejlhood now, Jlerne Mowbray doth re/lore. Noting the ancient grudge betweene the houfe of Lancafter and Norffolke, euer fince Mowbray duke of Norffolke was bani- fhed for the accufation of Henry duke of Herford , (after the king of England father to duke Humfrey,) which accufation hee came as a Combatant, to haue made good in the Lifts at Couentry. And giues our heires in marriage that their dowers. lames Stuart King of Scots, hauing bin long prifoner in Eng- land, was releafed, and tooke to wife the daughter of Iohn duke of Somerfet, fifter to Iohn duke of Somerfet, neece to the Cardi- nall, and the duke of ExceJUr, and coofin germain remooued to the King, this King broke the oath he had taken, and became af- ter a great enemie to England. FINIS. To 284 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 59 T To my Honored Miftris, Mi- ftris Elizabeth Tanfield, the foledaughter and heire of that famous and learned Law- yer, Lawrence Tanfield, Efquire. F'Aire and vertuous Miflres, fincefirji it was my good fortune to bee a witneffe of the many rare perfections wherewith nature and education haue adorned you, I haue beetle forced fince that time, to attribute more admiration to your fexe , then euer Petrarch could before perfwade mee to by the praifes of his Laura . Sweete is the French tongue, morefweete the Italian ; but moft fweete are they both, iffpoken by your admired felfe. If Poefce were praife- leffe, your vertues alone were a fubietl fufficient to make it efteemed, though among the barbarous Getes : by how much the more your tender yeeres giue fcarcely warrant for your more then womanlike wifedome, by fo much is your iudge- ment and reading the more to be wondred at. The Graces fhall haue one morefifter by your felfe, and England to her felfe fhall adde one Mufe more to Mufes. I reft the hum- ble deuoted feruant, to my deere and modefl Miflreffe , to whom I wifh the happieft fortunes I can deuife. Michaell Drayton. T 3 William 285 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. William de la Pole Duke of Suf- folke, to Queene Margaret. The Argument. William de la Pole, firjl Marques, and after created Duke of Sutfolke , being fent into France by King Henry thefixt, concluded a marriage betweene the King his Ma~ Jler, and Margaret , daughter to Rayner, Duke of Anion, ■who onely had the title of the King of Cicily and lerufa- lem. This marriage being made, contrary to the liking of the Lords and Counfell of the Realme {by reafon of the yeel- ding vp of Aniou and Maine into the Dukes hands , which Jkortly after proued the loffe of all Aquitaine,) they euer after continually hated the Duke, and after, (by meanes of the Commons) banifhed him at the Parlement at Berry; where after he had the iudgement of his exile , being then ready to depart , hee writeth backe to the Queene this E- piflle. IN my difgrace (deere Queene) reft thy content, And Margarets health from Suffolkes banifhment, Not one day feemes flue yeeres exile to mee, But that fo foone I mull depart from thee ; Where thou not prefent, it is euer night, All be exilde that liue not in thy fight. Thofe Sauages which worfhip the Sunnes rife, Would hate their God, if they beheld thine eyes ; The worlds great light, might'ft thou be feene abroad, Would at our noone-ftead neuer make aboad ; And 286 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 60 And make the poore Antipodes to mourne, Fearing left he would neuer more returne, Wert not for thee, it were my great'ft exile, To liue within this fea-inuirond He. Poles courage brookes not limmitting in bands, But that (great Queene) thy foueraignty commands : Our Falcons kinde cannot the cage endure, Nor buzzard-like dooth ftoope to euery lure ; Their mounting broode in open ayre doth roue, Nor will with Crowes be coop'd within a groue ; We all do breath vpon this earthly ball, Likewife one heauen encompaffeth vs all, No banifhment can be to him aflignde, Who doth retaine a true refolued minde. Man in himfelfe, a little world doth beare, His foule the Monarch, euer ruling there, Where euer then his body doth remaine, He is a King that in himfelfe doth raigne, And neuer feareth Fortunes hot'ft alarmes, That beares againft her Patience for his Armes. This was the meane prowd Warwicke did inuent, To my difgrace at Leifter Parlement, That onely I, by yeelding vp of Maine, Should be the loffe of fertile Aquitaine, With the bafe vulgar fort to win him fame, To be the heire of good Duke Humfreys name ; And fo by treafon fpotting my pure blood, Make this a meane to raife the Neuels brood. With Salsbury his vile ambitions fyre, In Yorkes fterne breaft, kindling long hidden fire, By Clarence title working to fupplant, T 4 The 287 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. The Eagle ayrie of great Iohn of Gaunt. And to this end did my exile conclude, Thereby to pleafe the rafcall multitude ; Vrg'd by thefe enuious Lords to fpend their breath, Calling reuenge on the Protectors death, That fince the old decrepit Duke is dead, By me of force he muft be murthered. If they would know who rob'd him of his life, Let him call home Dame Ellitior his wife, Who with a taper walked in a fheete, To light her fliame at noone through London ftreet ; And let her bring her Negromanticke booke, That fowle hag Iordane, Hun, and Bullenbrooke, And let them call the fpirits from hell againe, To know how Humfrey died, and who fhall raigne. For twenty yeeres and haue I ferude in France, Againft great diaries and baftard Orleance? And feene the Slaughter of a World of men, Victorious now, and conquered agen ; And haue I feene Vernoylas batfull fields, Strew'd with ten thoufand helms, ten thoufand fhields, Where famous Bedford did our fortune try, Or France, or England for the victory ? The fad inuefting of fo many Townes, Scorde on my bread in honourable wounds ; When Mountacute and Talbot of fuch name, Vnder my Enfigne both firft won their fame, In heate and cold all fortunes haue indurde, To rowze the French, within their walls immurde ; Through all my life, thefe perrills haue / paft, And now to feare a banifhment at laft ? Thou 28a Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 61 Thou knowft how I (thy beauty to aduance) For thee refufde the infant Queene of France, Brake the contract Duke Humfrey firft did make, Twixt Henry and the Princeffe Arminacke; Onely (fweete Queene) thy prefence /might gaine, I giue Duke Rayner, Aniou, Mauns and Maine, Thy peereleffe beutie for a dower to bring, To counterpoize the wealth of Englands King ; And from Aumerle with-drew my warlike powers, And came my felfe in perfon firft to Towers, Th'Ambaffadors for truce to entertaine, From Belgia, Denmarke, Hungary and Spaine, And telling Henry of thy beauties ftory, / taught my tongue a louers Oratory, As the report it felfe did fo indite, And make it ravifh teares with fuch delight ; And when my fpeech did ceafe {as telling all) My lookes fhewde more that was Angelicall, And when I breathde againe and pawfed next, / left mine eyes dilating on the text ; Then comming of thy modefty to tell, la mufickes numbers my voyce rofe and fell : And when I came to paint thy glorious ftile, My fpeech in greater cadences to file, By true defcent to weare the Diadem, Of Naples, Cicils and Terufalem, And from the Gods thou didft deriue thy birth, II heauenly kinde could ioyne with broode of earth ; Gracing each title that I did recite, With fome mellifluous pleafing Epethite, Nor left him not, till he for loue was ficke, Behol- 289 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Beholding thee in my fweete Rhetoricke. A fifteenes taxe in France I freely fpent In triumphs, at thy nuptiall tournament ; And folemnizde thy marriage in a gowne, Valude at more then was thy fathers Crowne ; And onely ftriuing how to honour thee, Gaue to my King, what thy loue gaue to mee. Iudge if his kindeneffe haue not power to moue, Who for his loues fake gaue away his loue. Had he which once the prize to Greece did bring, (Of whom old Poets long agoe did fing) Seene thee for England but imbarqu'd at Deepe, Would ouer-boord haue caft his golden fheepe, As too vnworthy ballace to be thought, To pefter roome, with fuch perfection fraught. The briny feas which faw the fhip enfold thee, Would vaut vp to the hatches to behold thee, And falling backe, themfelues in thronging fmother, Breaking for griefe, enuying one another ; When the prowd Barke, for ioy thy fteps to feele, Scornd the fait waues fhuld kiffe her furrowing keele, And trick'd in all her flags, her felfe fhe braues, Capring for ioy vpon the filuer waues ; When like a Bull from the Phenician ftrand, loue with Europa, tripping from the land, Vpon the bofome of the maine doth feud, And with his fwannifh breaft cleauing the floud, Tow'rd the faire fields, vpon the other fide, Beareth Agenors ioy, Phenicias pride. All heauenly beauties ioyne themfelues in one, To fhew their glory in thine eye alone ; Which 290 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 6z Which when it turneth that celeftiall ball, A thoufand fweet ftarres rife, a thoufand fall. Who iuftly faith, mine banifhment to bee, When onely France for my recourfe is free ? To view the plaines where I haue feene fo oft, Englands victorious engines raifde aloft, When this fhall be my comfort in my way, To fee the place where I may boldly fay, Heere mighty Bedford forth the vaward led, Heere Talbot charg'd, and heere the Frenchmen fled, Heere with our Archers valiant Scales did lie, Heere ftood the Tents of famous Willoughbie ; Heere Mountacute rangde his conquering band, Heere forth we march'd, and heere we made a ftand. What fhould we ftand to mourne and grieue all day, For that which time doth eafily take away ? What fortune hurts, let patience onely heale, No wifedome with extreamities to deale. To know our felues to come of humane birth, Thefe fad afflictions croffe vs heere on earth. A taxe impofde by heauens eternall law, To keepe our rude rebellious will in awe. In vaine we prize that at fo deere a rate, Whofe beft affurance is a fickle ftate, And needeleffe we examine our intent, When with preuention, we cannot preuent ; When we our felues fore-feeing cannot fhun, That which before, with deftinie doth run, Henry hath power, and may my life depofe, Mine honour mine, that none hath power to lofe ; Then be as cheerefull, (beauteous royall Queene) As 191 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. As in the Court of France we erft haue beene ; As when arriu'd in Porchefters faire road, (Where, for our comming Henry made aboad) When in mine armes I brought thee fafe to land, And gaue my loue to Henries royall hand, The happy howres we paffed with the King, At faire South-hampton, long in banquetting, With fuch content as lodg'd in Henries breaft, When he to London brought thee from the Weft ; Through golden Cheape, when he in pompe did ride, To Weftminfter, to entertaine his Bride. Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. Our Falcons hinde cannot the cage indure, XJ E alludes in thefe verfes to the Falcon, which was the antient deuice of the Poles, comparing the greatneffe and hawtineffe of his fpirit, to the nature of this bird. This was the meane prowd 'Warwicke didinuent, To my difgrace, dr'c. The Commons at this Parlement, through Warwicks meanes, accufed Suffolke of treafon, and vrged the accufation fo vehe- mently, that the king was forced to exile him for flue yeeres. That onely I by yeelding vp of Maine, Should be the loffe of fertile Aquitaine. The Duke of Suffolke being fent into France to conclude a peace, chofe Duke Rainers daughter, the Lady Margaret, whom he efpoufed for Henry the fixt, deliuering for her to her father, the Countries of Aniou and Maine, and the Citty of Mauns. Where- upon the Earle of Arminach (whofe daughter was before promi- fed to the King) feeing himfelfe to bee deluded, caufed all the Englishmen to be expulfed Aquitaine, Gafcoyne and Guyen. With 2<)2 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 63 With the baft vulgar fort to win him fame, To be the htyre of good Duke Humfreys name. This Richard that was called the great Earle of Warwicke, when Duke Humfrey was dead, grew into exceeding great fauour with the Commons. With Salisburie, his vile ambitious Sire, In Yorksfleme breafl, kindling long hidden fire, By Clarence title, working to fuf plant, The Eagle Ay He of great Iohn of Gaunt. Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Yorke , in the time of Henry the fixt, claimed the Crowne (being affifted by this Richard Neuill Earle of Salisburie, and father to the great Earle of Warwicke, who fauoured exceedingly the houfe of Yorke) in open Parlia- ment, as heir to Lionell Duke of Clarence, the third fonne of Ed- ward the third, making his title by Anne his Mother, wife to Ri- chard Earle of Cambridge, fonne to Edmund of Langley, Duke of Yorke ; which Anne was daughter to Roger Mortimer Earle of March, which Roger was fonne & heire to Edmund Mortimer that married the Ladie Philip, daughter and heire to Lionell Duke of Clarence, the third fonne of King Edward, to whom the crowne after King Richard the feconds death, linealy defcended, he dying without iffue. And not to the heires of the Duke of Lancafter, that was yonger brother to the Duke of Clarence. Hall. cap. I. Tit. Yor. GfLanc. Vrg'd by thefe enuious Lords to f fend their breath, Calling reuenge on the Proteftors death. Humfrey Duke of Glocefter, & Lord Protector in the 25. yeare of Henry the fixt, by the meanes of the Queene, and the Duke of Suffolke was arretted by the Lord Beumond, at the Parliament holden at Berrie, and the fame night after murthered in his bed. If they would know who robd him, &c. To this verfe, To know how H umfrey died, and whofhall raigne. In thefe verfes he iefts at the Protectors wife, who (being accufed & conuicted of treafon, becaufe with Iohn Hun a prieft, Roger Bui- lingbrooke a Negromancer, & Margery Iordan, called the Witch of Eie, the had confulted by forcery to kil the king) was adiudged to perpetuall 293 Englauds Heroicall Epijlles. perpetuall prifon in the lie of Man, and to doe penance openly in three publique places in London. For twinlie yeares and haue Ifcru'd in Fraunce, In the fixt yeare of Henry the fixt, the Duke of Bedford being deceafed, then Lieutenant generall, and Regent of Fraunce ; this Duke of Suffolke, was promoted to that dignity, hauing the Lord Talbot, Lord Scales, and the Lord Mountacute to affift him. Againfl great Charles, and baftard Orleance. This was Charles the feauenth, and after the death of Henry the fifth obtained the crowne of France, and recouered againe much of that his father had loft. Baftard Orleance , was fonne to the Duke of Orleance, begotten of the Lord Cawnies wife, preferred highly to many notable offices, becaufe hee being a moft valiant Captaine, was continuall enemie to the Englifhmen, dayly infe- fting them with diuerfe incurfions. And haue I feme Vemoyla's batfull fields. Vernoyle is that noted place in Fraunce, where the great battell was fought in the beginning of Ilenrie the fixt his raigne , where the moft of the French Chiualrie were ouercome by the Duke of Bedford. And from Aumerle with-drew my warlike powers, Aumerle is that ftrong defenced towne in France, which the Duke of Suffolke got after 24. great affaults giuen vnto it. And came my felfe in per/on firft to Towers Th ' Embajfadours for truce to entertaine, From Belgia, Denmarke, Hungary and Spaine. Towers is a Cittie in France, built by Brutus as hee came into Britaine , where , in the twentie and one yeare of the raigne of Henry the fixt, was appoynted a great diet to bee kept , whither came the Embaffadours of the Empire, Spaine, Hungary, & Den- marke, to entreate for a perpetuall peace, to bee made betweene the two Kings of England and Fraunce. By true defcent to weare the Diadem, Of Naples, Cicilie, and Icrufalem. Kaincr 204 Englands Heroicall Epijlles, 64 Rainer Duke of Aniou, father to Queene Margaret, called him felfe King of Naples, Cicily, and Ierufalem, hauing the title alone of King of thofe Countries. A fifteene taxe in Fraunce I freely /pent. The Duke of Si ffolke , after the marriage concluded twixt King Henry and Margaret, daughter to duke Rayner, asked in open Parliament a whole fifteenth to fetch her into England. Seene thee for England but imbarqu'd at Deepe. Deepe is a towne in Fraunce, bordering vpon the Sea, where the Duke of Suffollce with Queene Margaret, tooke fhippe for England. As when arriu'd in Porchejler /aire Roade. Porchefter, a hauen towne in the South-weft part of England, where the King tarried, expecting the Queenes arriuall, whom from thence he conuayed to South-hamton. Queene Margaret to William de-la-Poole Duke of Suffolke. WHat newes (fweet Pole) look'ft thou my lines fhuld But like the tolling of the dolefull Bell ? (tell, Bidding the deaths-man to prepare the graue, Expe6l from me no other newes to haue, My breft, which once was mirths imperiall throne, A vaft and defart wilderneffe is growne : Like that cold Region, from the world remote, On 2 95 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. On whofe breeme feas the icie mountaines flote Where thofe poore creatures banifht from the light, Do liue imprifond in continuall night. No ioy prefents my foules eternal! eies, But diuination of fad tragedies, And Care takes vp her folitarie inne, Where youth and ioy their court did once beginne. As in September when our yeere refignes, The glorious Sunne vnto the watrie fignes, Which through the clouds looks on the earth in fcorn, The little bird, yet to falute the morne, Vpon the naked branches fets her foote, The leaues now lying on the moffie roote ; And there a feely chiripping dooth keepe, As though fhe faine would fing,yet faine would weep, Praifing faire fummer that too foone is gone, Or fad for winter too faft comming on, In this ftrange plight I mourne for thy depart, Becaufe that weeping cannot eafe my hart. Now to our aide, who ftirs the neighbouring kings ? Or who from France a puiffant armie brings ? Who moues the Norman to abet our warre ? Or ftirs vp Burgoyne, to ayde Lancafter f Who in the North our lawfull claime commends, To win vs credite with our valiant friends ? To whom fhall I my fecret griefe impart ? Whofe breaft I made the clofet of my hart. The antient Heroes fame thou didft reuine, And didft from them thy memorie deriue, Nature by thee, both gaue and taketh all, Alone in Poole fhe was too prodigall ; Of 296 Englands Heroicali Epijiles. 65 Of fo diuine and rich a temper wrought, As heauen for him perfections deepe had fought ; Well knew king Henry what he pleaded for, When he chofe thee to be his Orator ; VVhofe Angell-eye by powrefull influence, Doth vtter more than humane eloquence, That when lone would his youthful fports haue tride, But in thy fhape himfelfe would neuer hide ; Which in his loue had bin of greater power, Then was his Nymph,his flame, his fwan.his fhower, To that allegiance Yorke was bound by oath, To Henries heires and fafety of vs both, No longer now he meanes record fhall beare it, He will difpence with heauen, and will vnfweare it. He that's in all the worlds blacke finnes forlorne, Is careleffe now how oft he be forfworne ; And now of late his title hath fet downe, By which he makes his claime vnto the Crowne. And now I heare his hatefull ducheffe chats, And rips vp their defcent vnto her brats, And bleffeth them as Englands lawfull heires, And tells them that our diademe is theirs. And if fuch hap her goddeffe Fortune bring, If three fonnes faile, fheele make the fourth a King. He that's fo like his Damme, her yongeft Dicke, That foule, ill-fauored, crookebacke ftigmaticke, That like a carcas ftolne out of a tombe ; Came the wrong way out of hir mothers wombe ; With teeth in's head, his paffage to haue tome, As though begot an age e're he was borne. Who now will curbe prowde Yorke when he fhal rife ? V Or PP 2 97 Englands Heroicatt Epijlles. Or armes our right againft his enterprize, To crop that baftard weede which daily growes To ouer-fhadow our vermilian Rofe ? Or who will muzzel that vnruly Beare, Whofe prefence ftrikes our peoples harts with feare ? Whilft on his knees this wretched King is downe, To faue them labour, reaching at his Crowne, Where like a mounting Cedar he fhould beare His plumed top aloft into the ayre ; And let thefe fhrubs fit vnderneath his fhrowdes, Whilft in his armes he doth embrace the clowdes, Or that he fhould his fathers right inherite, Yet be an alien to that mightie fpirite. How were thofe powers difperfde, or whether gone, Should fympathize in generation, Or what appofed influence had force, So much t'abufe and alter natures courfe ? All other creatures follow after kinde, But man alone doth not beget the minde. My Daifie-flower, which erft perfumde the ayre, Which for my fauours Princes once did weare, Now in the duft lies troden on the ground, And with Yorkes garlands euery one is crownd. When now his rifing waites on our decline, And in our fetting he beginnes to fhine, Now in the skies that dreadful Comet waues, And who be ftarres but Warwickes bearded ftaues ? And all thofe knees which bended once fo low, Grow ftiffe, as though they had forgot to bow ; And none like them purfue me with defpite, Which moft haue cride, God faue Queene Margarite, When 798 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 66 When fame fhall brute thy banifhment abroade, The Yorkifh faction then will lay on loade ; And when it comes once to our wefterne coaft, O how that hag Dame Elinor will boaft, And labour ftrait by all the meanes fhe can, To be calld home out of the He of Man, To which I know great Warwicke will confent, To haue it done by a£l of Parlement, That to my teeth my birth fhe may defie, Slaundring duke Rayner with bafe beggerie ; The onely way fhe could deuife to grieue me, (me, Wanting fweete Suffolke, which fhouldft moft relieue And from that ftocke doth fprowt another bloome, A Kentifh rebell, a bafe vpftart groome ; And this is he the white Rofe muft preferre, By Clarence daughter, matcht with Mortimer, Thus by Yorkes meanes, this rafcall pefant Cade, Muft in all hafte Plantaginet be made ; Thus that ambitious duke fets all on worke, To found what friends affect the claime of Yorke, Whilft he abroad doft praftife to command, And makes vs weake by ftrengthning Ireland ; More his owne power ftill feeking to increafe, Then for king Henries good, or Englands peace. Great Winchejler vntimely is deceafde, That more and more my woes fhould be increafde. Beuford, whofe fhoulders prowdly bare vp all The Churches prop, that famous Cardinall. The Commons (bent to mifchiefe) neuer let, With Fraunce t'vpbraid that valiant Sommerfet, Rayling in tumults on his fouldiers loffe, V 2 Thus 299 Englands HeroicalL Epijiles. Thus all goes backeward, croffe comes after croffe, And now of late duke Humfries old alies, With banifht Elnors bafe complices, Attending their reuenge grow wondrous croufe, And threaten death and vengeance to our houfe ; And I alone the wofull remnant am, T'endure thefe ftormes with wofull Buckingham. I pray thee Poole, haue care how thou dooft paffe, Neuer the Sea yet halfe fo dangerous was ; And one foretolde by Water thou fhouldft die, (Ah! foule befall that foule tongues prophecie) And euery night am troubled in my dreames, That I doe fee thee tofft in dangerous ftreames ; And oft-times fhipwrackt, caft vpon the land, And lying breathleffe on the queachy fand ; And oft in vifions fee thee in the night, Where thou at Sea maintainft a dangerous fight ; And with thy proued target and thy fword, Beatft backe the pyrate which would come aboord. Yet be not angry that I warne thee thus, The trueft loue is moft fufpitious, Sorrow doth vtter what vs ftill doth grieue, But hope forbids vs forrovve to belieue ; And in my counfell yet this comfort is, It can not hurt, although I thinke amiffe, Then liue in hope in triumph to returne, When cleerer dayes fhall leaue in cloudes to mourne, But fo hath forrow girt my foule about, That that word Hope (me thinks) comes flowly out ; The reafon is, I know it heere would reft, Where it would ftill behold thee in my breaft. Fare- 3CQ Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 67 Farewell fweete Pole, faine more / would indite, But that my teares doe blot as / do write. If Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. Or brings in Burgoyne to ayde Lancafter. TiHillip Duke of Burgoyne and his fonne, were alwaies great fa- uorites of the houfe of Lancafter, howbeit they often diffem- bled both with Lancafter and Yorke. Who in the North our lawful! claime commends, To win vs credite with our valiant friends. The chiefe Lords of the North parts, in the time of Henry the fixt, withftood the Duke of Yorke at his rifing, giuing him two great ouerthrowes. To that allegeance Yorke was bound by oth To Henries heires, andfafety ofvs both, No longer now he meanes Records Jhall beare it, He will difpence with heauen, and will vnfweare it. The Duke of Yorke at the death of Henry the fift , and at this Kings coronation, tooke his oth to be true fubieft to him and his heires for euer ; but afterward difpenfing therewith, claimed the crowne as his rightfull and proper inheritance. If three fonnes faile,Jhee'le make the fourth a King. The Duke of Yorke had foure fonnes, Edward Earle of March, that afterward was Duke of Yorke, and King of England, when he had depofed Henry the fixt , and Edmund Earle of Rutland, flaine by the Lord Clifford at the battel at Wakefield : and George Duke of Clarence , that was murfhered in the Tower : and Ri- chard Duke of Glofter , who was (after he had murthered his brothers fonnes) King by the name of Richard the third. He that's fo like his Dam, her yongejl Dicke, Thatfowle illfauored crookebacKd Stigmaticke, &*c. Till this verfe, As though begot an age, &*c. This Richard (whom ironically fhe heere calls Dicke) that by V 3 trea- 3"l Englands Heroicall Epifttes. treafon after his Nephewes murthered, obtained the crowne, was a man low of ftature, crooke-back'd, the left fhoulder much higher then the right, and of a very crabbed and fower counte- nance : his mother could not be deliuered of him, hee was borne toothd, & with his feet forward, contrary to the courfe of nature. To ouerfhadow our vermilian Rofe. The red Rofe was the badge of the houfe of Lancafter, and the white Rofe of Yorke , which by the marriage of Henry the fea- uenth, with Elizabeth indubitate heire of the houfe of Yorke, was happily vnited. Or who will muzzell that vnruly beare. The Earle of Warwicke, the fetter vp and puller downe of Kings, gaue for his Armes the white Beare rampant, and the rag- ged ftaffe. My Daifte flower which erfl perfumde the ayre, Which for my fauour Princes once didweare, &*c. The Daifie in French is called Margaret, which was Queene Margarets badge, where- withall the Nobilitie and chiualrie of the Land, at the firft arriuall were fo delighted, that they wore it in their hats in token of honour. And who bejiarres but Warwikes bearded ftaues. The ragged or bearded ftaffe, was a part of the Armes belon- ging to the Earledome of Warwicke. Slandring Duke Rayner with bafe beggery. Rayner Duke of Aniou, called himfelfe King of Naples, Cicile, and Ierufalem, hauing neither inheritance nor tribute from thofe parts , and was not able at the marriage of the Queene , of his owne charges, to fend her into England, though he gaue no dow- er with her : which by the Dutcheffe of Glocefter , was often in difgrace caft in her teeth. A Kentijh rebell, a bafe vpftart groome. This was facke Cade, which caufed the Kentifh-men to rebell in the 28. yeere of King Henry the fixth. And this is he the white Rofe muft prefer, By Clarence daughter match' d to Mortimer. This Iacke Cade inftrudted by the Duke of Yorke , pretended to be defcended from Mortimer, which married Lady Phillip, daughter to the Duke of Clarence. And 302 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 68 And makes vs weake by Jlrengthning Ireland. The Duke of Yorke being made Deputy of Ireland, firft there began to pracWe his long pretended purpofe, ftrengthning him- felfe by all meanes poffible, that hee might at his returne into England by open warre, claime that which fo long he had priui- ly gone about to obtaine. Great Winchefter vntimely is deceafde. Henry Beuford, Bilhop and Cardinall of Winchefter, fonne to John of Gaunt, begot in his age, was a prowd and ambitious Pre- late, fauouring mightily the Queene and the Duke of Suffolke, continually heaping vp innumerable treafure, in hope to haue beene Pope, as himfelfe on his death-bed confeffed. With France tvpbraide the valiant Somerfet. Edmund Duke of Somerfet , in the 24. of Henry the fixlh , was made Regent of France, and fent into Normandie to defend the Engliih territories againft the French inuafions, but in (hort time he loft all that King Henry the fifth won, for which caufe the No- bles and Commons euer after hated him. T'endure thefejlormes with wofull Buckingham. Humfrey Duke of Buckingham, was a great fauorite of the Queenes faction, in the time of Henry the fixt. And one fore-told, by water thou Jhouldjl die. The Witch of Eye, receiued anfwer from her fpirit, that the Duke of Suffolke mould take heede of water : which the Queene forwarnes him of, as remembring the Witches prophecie, which afterwards came to paffe. Finis. V 4 To 3°3 To the Right Worfhipfull Sir Thomas Munfon, Knight # * * SIR , among Jl many which mojl deferuedly loue you, • though I the leaft, yet am loth to be the laft, whofe ende- uours may make knowne how highly they ejieeme of your noble and kinde difpofition ; Let this Epiftle Sir (Jbefeech you) which vnworthily weares the badge of your worthy name, acknowledge my zeale with the refl, (though much leffe deferuing ) which for your fake, doe honour the houfe of the Mounfons. I know true generofitie accepteth what is zealoufly offred, though not euer deferuingly excellent; yet for loue of the Art from whence it receiueth refemblance. The light Phrigian harmony fiirreth delight, as well as the melancholy Doricke moueth paffion ; both haue their motion in thefpirit, as the liking of the foule moueth the affeclion. Your kinde acceptance of my labour, fhall giue fame life to my Mufe, which yet houers in the vncertaintie of the ge- nerall cenfure. Mich: Drayton. 3°4 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 69 Edward the fourth to Shores wife. The Argument. This Mi/Iris Shore, King Edward tJie fourths beaute- ous Paramore, was fo called of her husband a Gold-fmith, dwelling in Lombard fireete. Edward the fourth, fonne to Richard Duke of Yorke, after he had obtained the crowne by depofing Henry thefixth, {which Henry was after mur- thered in the Tower by Richard Crookebacke) and after the battel! fought at Barnet , where the famous Earle of Warwicke was flaine, and that King Edward quietly pof- feffed the Crowne, hearing (by report of marly) the rare and wonderfull beautie of the aforefaid Shores wife , commeth himfelfe difguifed to London to fee her; where after he had once beheld her , he was fo furprifed with her admirable beautie^ as not long after he robbed her husband of his dee- rest iewell; butfirfl by this Epiflle he writeth vnto her. VNto the fair'ft that euer breath'd this ayre, From Englifh Edward to that faireft faire, Ah would to God thy title were no more, That no remembrance might remaine of Shore, To countermand a Monarchs high defire, And bar mine eyes of what they moll admire. O why mould Fortune make the Citty prowd, To giue that more then is the Court allow'd ? Where H 305 Englands Heroicall Epijllei. Where they like (wretches) hoard it vp to fpare, And do engroffe it, as they do their ware. When fame firft blaz'd thy beautie heere in Court, Mine eares repulfde it as a light report. But when mine eyes fawe that mine eare had heard, They thought report too nigardly had fparde ; And ftrooken dumbe with wonder, did but mutter, Conceiuing more then (he had words to vtter. Then thinke of what thy husband is poffeft, When / enuie that Shore fliould be fo bleft ; When much aboundance makes the needie mad, And hauing all, yet knowes not what is had. Into fooles bofomes this good fortune creepes, And wealth comes in the whilft the mifer fleepes. If now thy beautie be of fuch efteeme, Which all of fo rare excellencie deeme, What would it be, and prized at what rate, Where it adorned with a kingly ftate ? Which being now but in fo meane a bed, Is like an vncut Diamond in lead, E're it be fet in fome high-prized ring, Or garnifhed with rich enamiling ; We fee the beauty of the Hone is fpilt, Wanting the gratious ornament of guilt. When firft attracted by thy heauenly eyes, I came to fee thee, in a ftrange difguife, Paffing thy (hop, thy husband calls me backe, Demanding what rare Jewell I did lacke : I want (thought I) one that I dare not craue, And (one I feare) thou wilt not let me haue ; He calls for Caskets forth, and fhewes me ftore, But 306 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 70 But yet / knew he had one Jewell more ; And deadly curft him that he did denie it, That / might not for loue or mony buy it. might V" come a Diamond to buy, That had but fuch a luftre as thine eye. Would not my treafure ferue, my Crowne fhould go, If any jewell could be prized fo ; An Agat, branched with thy blufhing ftraines, A Saphire, but fo azurde as thy veines ; My kingly Scepter onely fhould redeeme it, At fuch a price if iudgement could efteeme it. How fond and fenceleffe be thofe ftrangers then, Who bring in toyes to pleafe the Englifhmen ? 1 fmile to thinke how fond Ha! Italians are, To iudge their artificiall gardens rare, When London in thy cheeks can fhew them heere, Rofes and Lillies growing all the yeere : The Portugall, that onely hopes to win, By bringing ftones from fartheft India in, When happy Shore can bring them forth a girle, Whofe lips be Rubies, and her teeth be Pearle. How filly is the Polander and Dane, To bring vs Criftall from the frozen maine ? When thy cleere skins tranfparence doth furpaffe Their Chriftall, as the Diamond doth glaffe. The foolifh French which brings in trafh and toyes, To turne our women, men, our girles to boyes, When with what tire thou dooft thy felfe adorne, That for a fafhion onely fhall be worne ; Which though it were a garment but of haire, More rich then robe that euer Empreffe ware. Me 3«7 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Methinks thy husband takes his marke awry, To fet his plate to fale when thou art by ; When they which do thy Angel-locks behold, Like bafeft droffe do but refpect his gold, And wifh one haire before that maffie heape, And but one locke before the wealth of Cheape ; And for no caufe elfe, hold we gold fo deare, But that it is fo like vnto thy haire, And fure I thinke Shore cannot choofe but flowt, Such as would finde the great Elixar out, And laugh to fee the Alchimifts, that choke Themfelues with fumes.&wafte theirwealth in fmoke. When if thy hand but touch the groffeft mold, It is conuerted to refined gold, When theirs is chafferd at an eafie rate, Well knowne to all to be adulterate ; And is no more when it by thine is fet, Then paltry Beugle, or light-prized jeat. Let others weare perfumes, for thee vnmeete, If there were none, thou could'ft make all things fweet. Thou comfort'ft fence, and yet all fence doft wafte, To heare, to fee, to fmell, to feele, to tafte ; Thou a rich fhip, whofe very refufe ware, Aromatickes, and pretious odors are. If thou but pleafe to walke into the Pawne, To buy thee Cambricke, Callico, or Lawne, If thou the whitenes of the fame wouldft proue, From thy more whiter hand plucke off thy gloue ; And thofe which buy, as the beholders ftand, Will take thy hand for Lawne, Lawne for thy hand ; A thoufand eyes, clofde vp by enuious night, Doe 308 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 7 1 Do vvifh for day, but to enioy thy fight ; And when they once haue bleft their eies with thee, Scorne euery obie6l elfe, what ere they fee, So like a goddeffe beauty ftill controules, And hath fuch povverfull working in our foules. The Merchant which in traffike fpends his life, Yet loues at home to haue a dainty wife, The blunt-fpoke Cynicke poring on his booke, Sometimes (afide) at beauty loues to looke. The church-man, by whofe teaching wee are led, Allowes what keepes loue in the marriage bed ; The bloudy Souldier fpent in armes and broiles, With beautie yet content to fhare his fpoiles ; The bufie Lawyer wrangling in his pleas ; Findeth that Beauty giues his labour eafe ; The toyling tradef-man, and the fweating clowne, Wold haue his wench faire,thogh his bread be brown; So much is Beauty pleafing vnto all, To Prince and peafant like in generall ; For neuer yet did any man defpife it, Except too deere, and that he could not prize it, Vnlearn'd is learning, artleffe be all Artes, If not imployde to praife thy feuerall partes ; Poore plodding Schoolemen they are farre too lowe, Which by probations, rules, and axiomes goe ; He muft be ftill familiar with the skies, Which notes the reuolutions of thine eies : And by that skill which meafures fea and land, See beauties all, thy wafte, thy foote, thy hand, Where he may find, the more that hee doth view, Such rare delights as are both ftrange and new ; And 3°9. England* Heroicall Epiftles. And other worlds of beauty more and more, Which neuer were difcouered before ; And to thy rare proportion to apply, The lines and circles in Geometry, Vfing alone Arithmetickes ftrong ground, Numbring the vertues that in thee are found. And when thefe all haue done what they can doo, For thy perfections all too little too. When from the Eaft the dawne hath broken out, And gone to feeke thee all the world about, Within thy Chamber hath fhe fixt her light, Where but that place the world hath all beene night ; Then is it fit that euery vulgar eie, Should fee Loue banquet in her maieftie ? We deeme thofe things our fight doft moft frequent, To be but meane, although moft excellent ; For ftrangers ftill the ftreetes are fwept and ftrowd, Few looke on fuch as daily come abroade ; Things much reftraind,doth make vs much defire the, And beauties feldome feene, makes vs admire them. Nor is it fit a cittie fhop fhould hide, The worlds delight and natures onely pride, But in a Princes fumptuous gallery. Hung all with tiffue, floorde with tapeftrie ; Where thou fhalt fit, and from thy ftate fhalt fee, The tiltes and triumphs that are done for thee. Then know the diffrence (if thou lift to proue) Betwixt a vulgar, and a kingly loue ; And when thou findft, as now thou doubtft the troth, Be thou thy felfe vnpartiall Iudge of both. Where hearts be knit, what helps if not enioy ? Delayes 310 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 72 Delayes breedes doubts, no cunning to be coy. Whilft lazie Time his turne by tariance ferues, Loue ftill growes fickly, and hope dayly fterues, Meane while receiue that warrant by thefe lines, Which princely rule and foueraintie refignes : Till when, thefe papers by their Lords commaund, By me fhall kiffe thy fweete and daintie hand. If Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. "TTHis Epiftle of Edward to Shores wife, and of hers to him, being of vnlawfull affection, miniftreth fmall occafion of hiftoricall notes, for had he mentioned the many battels betwixt the Lan- castrian faition and him , or other warlike daungers, it had beene more like to Plautus boafting Souldier then a kingly Courtier. Notwithstanding, it fhall not be amiffe to annexe a line or two. From Englijh Edward to the fairejl faire, Edward the fourth was by nature very chiualrous, and very a- morous, applying his fweet & amiable afpedl to attaine his wan- ton appetite the rather , which was fo well knowne to Lewes the French king, who at their interuiew inuited him to Paris, that as Comineus reports, being taken at his word, hee notwithftanding brake off the matter, fearing the Parifian Dames with their witty conuerfation , would detaine him longer then mould bee for his benefit, by which means Edwad was difapointed of his iorny : and albeit Princes whilft they Hue, haue nothing in them but what is admirable ; yet we need not miftruft the flatterie of the Court in thofe times : for certaine it is, that his ihape was excellent, his haire drew neare to a black, making his face fauor to feeme more de- lectable. Though the fmalnes of his eies full of a mining moifture, as it tooke away fome comelinefle ; fo it argued much fharpnes of vnderftanding, and cruelty mingled togither. And indeed George Buccanan (that imperious Scot) chargeth him and other Princes of 3» Englands Heroicall Epijlles. of thofe times , with affectation of tyranny , as Richard the third manifeftly did. When firji attracted by thy heauenly eyes, Edwards intemperate defires, with which he was wholy oner- come, how tragically they in his of-fpring were punilhed, is vni- uerfally knowne. A mirrour reprefenting their ouerfight, that ra- ther leaue their children what to poflefle, than what to imitate. Howfeely is the Polander and Dane, To bring vs Criftall from the frozen maine. Alluding to their opinions, who imagin Criftall to be a kind of Ice, and therefore it is likely, they who come from the frozen parts, fhould bring great ftore of that tranfparent ftone, which is thought to be congealed with extreame colde. Whether Criftall be Ice, or fome other liquor, I omit to difpute , yet by the exam- ples of Amber and Corall, there may be fuch an induration ; for Solinus out of Plinie mentioneth, that in the Northerly Region, a yellow jelly is taken vp out of the fea at two tides, which he cals Succinum, we Amber ; fo likewife, out of the Ligufticke deepe, a part of the Meridian Sea, a greeniih ftalk is gathered, which hard- ned in the ayre, becomes to be Corrall, either white, or red. Am- ber notwithftanding is thought to drop out of trees , as appeares by Martials Epigram. Et lacet, &" hicet Phaethonide condita gulla, Vt videatur apis netflare claufafuo, Dignum tantorum pretium tulit Me laborum, Credibile eft ipfamfic voluiffe mors. To behold a Bee inclofed in Electrum, is not fo rare as that a boyes throat fhould be cut with the fal of an Ice-ficle, the which Epigram is excellent, the 1 8. li. 4. He cals it Phaethontu Gutta, be- caufe of that fable which Ouid rehearfeth, concerning the Heliades or Phaetons fifters, metarr.orphofed into thofe trees, whofe Gum is Amber, where flies alighting, are often times tralucently ira- prifoned. UThe 3 12 Englands Heroicall Epijlles; 73 T[ The Epiftle of Shores wife to king Edward the fourth. AS the weake child, that from the mothers wing f Is taught the Lutes delicious fingering, At euery firings foft touch, is mou'd with feare, Noting his maifters curious liftning eare ; VVhofe trembling hand, at euery ftraine bewraies. In what doubt he his new fet leffon plaies ; As this poore child, fo fit I to indite, At euery word ftill quaking as I write. Would I had led an humble fhepheards life, Nor knowne the name of Shores admired wife, And liu'd with them in Countrie fields that range, Nor feene the golden Cheape, nor glittering Change, To ftand a Comet gaz'd at in the skies, Subiect to all tongues, obiedl to all eyes, Oft haue I heard, my beautie praifd of many, But neuer yet fo much admir'd of any ; A Princes Eagle eye to find out that, Which vulgar fights do feldome wonder at, Makes me to thinke affeclion flatters fight, Or in the obieci fome thing exquifite. To houfed beautie, feldome ftoop's report, Fame muft attend on that which liues in Court What Swan of great Apollos brood doth fing X To 3'3 Englands Heroicall JEpiJlles. To vulgar loue, in courtly Sonetting ? Or what immortall Poets fugred pen, Attends the glory of a Cittizen ? Oft haue /wondred what fhould blinde your eye, Or what fo far feduced Maiefty, That hauing choice of beauties fo diuine, Amongft the moft to choofe this leaft of mine ? More glorious funnes adorne faire Londons pride, Then all rich Englands continent befide ; Who takes in hand to make account of this, May number Rumneys flowers, or Ifis fifh ; Who doth frequent our Temples, walkes, andftreets Noting the fundry beauties that he meetes, Thinkes not that Nature left the wide world poore And made this place the Chequer of her (lore : As heauen and earth were lately falne at iarres, And growne to vying wonders, dropping ftarres. That if but fome one beautie fhould incite, Some facred Mufe, fome rauifht fpirit to write, Heere might he fetch that true Promethian fire, As after ages fhould his lines admire ; Gathering the honny from the choifeft flowers, Scorning the wither'd weedes in Country bowers. Heere in this garden (onely) fprings the Rofe, In euery common hedge the Bramble growes, Nor are we fo turnde Neapolitan, That might incite fome fowle-mouth Mantuan, To all the world to lay out our defefts, And haue iuft caufe to raile vpon our fexe ; To prancke old wrinckles vp in new attire, To alter Natures courfe, proue Time a Her, Abu- 3H Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 74 Abufing fate, and heauens iuft doome reuerfe, On beauties graue to fet a crimfon hearfe, With a deceitfull foile to lay a ground, To make a glaffe to feeme a Diamond. Nor cannot without hazard of our name, In fafhion follow the Venetian Dame, Nor the fantafticke French to imitate, Attirde halfe Spanifh, halfe /talionate ; Nor waft, nor curie, body nor brow adorne, That is in Florence, or in Genoa borne. But with vaine boafts how witleffe fond am /, Thus to draw on mine owne indignitie ? And what though married when I was but yong, Before /knew what did to loue belong, Yet he which now's poffeffed of the roome, Cropt beauties flower when it was in the bloome, And goes away enriched with the ftore, Whilft others gleane, where he hath reapt before ; And he dares fvveare that / am true and iuft, And fhall I then deceiue his honeft truft ? Or what ftrange hope mould make you to affaile, Where ftrongeft battery neuer could preuaile ? Belike you thinke that /repulft the reft, To leaue a King the conqueft of my breaft, Or haue thus long preferude my felfe from all, A Monarch now fhould glory in my fall. Yet rather let me die the vildeft death, Then Hue to draw that finne-polluted breath ; But our kind hearts mens teares cannot abide, And we leaft angry oft, when moft we chide ; Too well know men what our creation made vs, X 2 And 3'5 England* Heroicall Epiftles. And nature too well taught them to inuade vs. They know but too well, how, what, when, and where, To write, to fpeake, to fue, and to forbeare, By fignes, by fighs, by motions, and by tears, (praiers, When vows fhuld ferue, when oths, when fmiles, when What one delight our humors moft doth moue, Onely in that you make vs nourifh loue. If any naturall blemifh blot our face, You doe proteft it giues our beautie grace, And what attire we moft are vfde to weare, That of all other excellentft you fweare. And if we walke, or fit, or ftand, or lie, It muft referable fome one deitie, And what you knowe we take delight to heare, That are you euer founding in our eare ; And yet fo fhameleffe when you tempt vs thus, To lay the fault on beautie, and on vs. Romes wanton Ouid did thofe rules impart, O that your nature fhould be helpt with Arte. Who would haue thoght, a King that cares to raigne, Inforcde by loue, fo Poet-like fhould faine ? To fay that Beauty, Times fterne rage to fhunne, In my cheekes (Lillies) hid her from the Sunne ; And when fhe meant to triumph in her Maie, Made that her Eaft, and heere fhe broke her day, And fwearft that fummer ftill is in my fight, And but where I am, all the world is night ; As though the fairft, ere fince the world beganne, To me a Sunne-burnt bafe Egyptian ; But yet I knowe more than I meane to tell, (O would to God you knew it not too well) That 316 England s Heroicall Epiftles. 75 That women oft their mod admirers raife, Though publikely not flattering their owne praife. Our churlifh husbands which our youth enioy'd, Who with our dainties haue their ftomackes cloyd, Do lothe our fmooth hand with their lips to feele, T'enrich our fauours, by our beds to kneele ; At our command to waite, to fend, to goe, As euery howre our amorous feruants doe ; Which makes a ftolne kiffe often we beftow, In earneft of a greater good we owe ; When he all day torments vs with a frowne, Yet fports with Venus in a bed of dowlne ; Whofe rude embracement, but too ill befeemes Her fpan broad wafte, her white and dainty limmes, And yet ftill preaching abftinence of meate, When hee himfelfe of euery difh will eate. Blame you our husbands then, if they denie Our publike walking, our loofe libertie ; If with exception ftill they vs debar, The circuite of the publike Theater ; To heare the fmooth-tongude Poets Syren vaine, Sporting in his lafciuious Comicke fcene ; Or the young wanton wits, when they applawd The flie perfwafions of fome fubtile Bawd, Or paffionate Tragedian in his rage, Afting a loue-ficke paffion on the ftage : When though abroad retraining vs to rome, They very hardly keepe vs fafe at home, And oft are touch'd with feare and inward griefe, Knowing rich prizes fooneft tempt a theeefe. What fports haue we whereon our mindes to fet ? X 3 Our 3 T 7 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Our dogge, our Parrat, or our Marmuzet ; Or once a weeke to walke into the field, Small is the pleafure that thofe toyes do yielde, But to this griefe, a medicine you applie, To cure reftraint with that fweete libertie ; And foueraignty, (O that bewitching thing) Yet made more great, by promife of a King ; And more, that honour which doth moft intice The holieft Nunne, and (he that's ne're fo nice. Thus ftill we ftriue, yet ouer-come at length, For men want mercy, and poore women ftrength : Yet grant, that we could meaner men refift, When Kings once come, they conquer as they lift. Thou art the caufe Shore pleafeth not my fight, That his embraces giue me no delight ; Thou art the caufe I to my felfe am ftrange, Thy comming is my full, thy fet my change. Long winter nights be minutes, if thou heere, Short minutes if thou abfent be a yeere. And thus by ftrength thou art beceme my fate, And mak'ft me loue euen in the midft of hate. *J[ Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. Would I had led an humble Sheefiheards life, Nor knowne the name of Shores admired wife. nrWo or three Poemes written by fundry men, haue magnified this womans beautie ; whom that ornament of England and Londons more particular glory , Sir Thomas Moore very highly hath praifed for her beautie , fhe being aliue in his time , though being poore and aged. Her ftature was meane, her haire of a dar 3i8 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 76 dark yellow, her face round & ful, her eie gray, delicate harmony being betwixt each parts proportion, & each proportions colour, her body fat, white, and fmooth , her countenance cheerefull, and like to her condition. That picture which I haue feen of hers, was fuch as fhe rofe out of her bed in the morning , hauing nothing on but a rich mantle caft vnder one arme ouer her fhoulder, and fit- ting on a chaire on which her naked arme did lie. What her fa- thers name was, or where fhe was borne, is not certainly known ; but Shore a yong man of right good perfon , wealth and behaui- our, abandoned her bed after the king had made her his Concu- bine. Richard the third caufing her to do open penance in Paules Church -yard , commaunded that no man fhould relieue her, which the tyrant did not fo much for his hatred of Cnne , but that by making his brothers life odious, he might couer his horrible treafon the more cunningly. May number Rumneys flowers, or Ifisfijh. Rumney is that famous Marfh in Kent, at whofe fide Rie a Ha- uen towne dooth ftand. Hereof the excellent Englifh Antiquarie Maifter Camden, and Maifter Lambert in his preambulation doe make mention. And Marifhes are commonly called thofe low grounds, which abut vpon the fea, and from the Latine word are fo denominated . Ifis is heere vfed for Thamefis by a Synecdo- chicall kind of fpeach, or by a Poeticall libertie , in vfing one for another : for it is faid that Thamefis is compounded of Tame and Ifis making when they are met , that renowmed water running by London , a Cittie much more renowmed then that water : which being plentifull of fifh, is the caufe alfo why all things elfe are plentifull therein. Moreouer, I am perfwadedj that there is no riuer in the world beholds more ftately buildings on either fide cleane throgh, then the Thames. Much is reported of the Graund Canale in Venice, for that the fronts on either fide are fo gorge- ous. That might inticefomefoule-mouth'dM.antua.n, Mantuan a paftorall Poet, in one of his Eglogs bitterly inuey- eth agaynft woman-kind, fome of the which by way of an Ap- pendex, might be heere inferted, feeing the fantafticke and info- lent humours of many of that fexe deferue much (harper phi- ficke were it not that they are growne wifer then to amend , for X 4 fuch 319 England* Heroicall Epiftles. fuch an idle Poets fpeech as Mantuan , yea or for Euripides him- felfe, or Senecas inflexible Hippolitus. The circuite of the publike Theater. Ouid, a moft fit Author for fo defolute a Sectary, calls that place Chaftities fhipwracke , for though Shores wife wantonly pleade for liberty , which is the true humour of a Curtizan , yet much more is the praife of modefty, then of fuch Iibertie. How- beit the Veftall Nunnes had feates afligned them in the Roman Theater , whereby it fhould appeare , it was counted no im- peachment to modeftie, though they offending therein, were bu- ried quicke : a fharpe law for them, who may fay as Shores wife doth. When though abroad retraining vs to rome, They very hardly keepe vsfafe at home. FINIS. To 3*> Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 77 To the right V Vorfhipfull Sir Henry Goodere of Powlefworth Knight. SIR, this Poeme of mine, which I imparted to you, at my being with you at your lodging at London in Maie loft, brought at length to perfeclion, (emboldned by your wonted fauours) I aduenture to make you\Patron of. Thus Sir you fee I haue aducntured to the world , with what like or dif- like, I know not, if it pleafe, {which I much doubt of) I pray you then be partaker of that which 1 fhall efleeme not my leafl good; ifdiflike, it fhall lejf en fomc part of my grief e, if it pleafe you to allow but of my loue : howfoeuer , I pray you accept it as kindely as I offer it, which though without many proteflations, yet (I affure you) with much defire of your ho- nour. Thus vntillfuch time as T may infome more larger meafure, make knowne my loue to the happy and generous familie of the Gooderes, (to which I confeffe my felfe to be beholding to, for the mofl part of my education) I wifh you all happineffe. Michaell Drayton. -321 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Mary the French Queene, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke. The Argument. Mary, the daughter of that renowned Prince King Henry the feauenth, being very yong at her fathers deathe, after by her brother King Henry the eight, was giuen in marriage to Lewes King of France , being a man olde and decrepit: This f aire and beautiful Lady, long afore had pla- ced her affedion on Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke, a braue and couragious yong Gentleman , and an efpeciall fauorite of the King her brother , and a man raifed vp by him. King Lewes , the husband of this beautifull Queene, liued not long after he was married ; and Charles Brandon hauing commifsion from the King to bring her backe into England , but being delaied by fome ftnifler meanes , the French Queene writeth this Epiflle, to haflen t/ie Duke forward on his intended voyage to France. SVch health from heauen myfelfe may wifhto mee, Such health from France, Queene Mary fends to Brandon, how long mak'ft thou excufe to ftay, (thee. And know'ft how ill we women brooke delay ? If one poore channell thus can part vs two, Tell me (vnkinde) what would an Ocean do ? Leander 322 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 78 Leander had an Hellefpont to fwim, Yet this from Hero could not hinder him ? His barke(poore foule)his breaft,his armes,his oares, But thou a fhip, to land thee on our fhores ; And oppofite to famous Kent doth lie, The pleafant fields of flowrie Picardie, Where our faire Callice, walled in her fands, In kenning of the clime Douer ftands. Heere is no Beldame Nurfe to powt or lower, When wantoning, we reuell in my Tower ; Nor neede I top my Turret with a light, To guide thee to me, as thou fwim'ft by night ; Comparde with me, wert thou but halfe fo kinde, Thy fighs fhould ftuffe thy failes, though wanting But thy breaft is becalmd, thy fighs be flacke, (wind; And mine too ftiffe,and blow thy broad failes backe. But thou wilt fay that I fhould blame the flood, Becaufe the winde fo full againft thee ftood ; Nay, blame it not it did fo roughly blow, For it did chide thee, for thou waft fo flow; For it came not to keepe thee in the Bay, But came from me to bid thee come away. But that thou vainely lett'ft occafion Aide, Thou mightft haue wafted hether with the tide. If when thou com'ft, / knit mine angry brow, Blame me not Brandon, thou haft broke thy vow ; Yet if I meant to frowne, / might be dombe, For this may make thee ftand in doubt to come : Nay come fweete Cnarles,ha\ie care thy fhip to guide, Come my fweete hart, in faith / will not chide. Whenas my brother and his louely Queene In 3*3 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. In fad attire for my depart were feene, The vtmoft date expired of my ftay, When I from Douer did depart away, Thou know'ft what woe I fuffered for thy fake, How oft I fain'd of thee my leaue to take ; God and thou know'ft with what a heauie hart I tooke my farewell when I fhould depart ; And being fhip'd, gaue fignall with my hand, Vp to the Cliffe, where I did fee thee ftand, Nor could refraine in all the peoples view, But cried to thee, fweete Charles adiew, adiew. Looke how a little infant that hath loft, The things wherewith it was delighted moft, Weary with feeking, to fome corner creepes, And there (poore foule) it fits it downe and weepes ; And when the Nurfe would faine content the mind, Yet ftill it mournes for that it cannot find : Thus in my carefull Cabin did I lie, Whenas the fhip out of the roade did flie. Think'ft thou my loue was faithfull vnto thee, When yong Cajlile to England fu'd for mee ? Be iudge thy felfe, if it were not of power, When I refus'd an Empire for my dower. To Englands Court, when once report did bring, How thou in Fraunce didft reuell with the king, When he in triumph of his victorie, Vnder a rich imbrodered Canapie, Enlred proud Tournay, which did trembling ftand, To beg for mercie at his conquering hand ; To heare of his enderements, how/ioy'd ? But fee, this calme was fuddenly deftroy'd, When .3*4 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. 79 When Charles of Caftile there to banquet came, With him his fifter that ambitious dame, Sauoyes prowd dutcheffe, knowing how long fhe, By her loue fought to win my loue from me ; Fearing my abfence might thy vowes acquite, To change thy Mary for a Margarite, When in king Henries tent of cloth of gold, She often did thee in her armes enfold ; Where you were feafted more delicioufly, Than Cleopatra did Marke Anthony, Where fports all day did entertaine your fight, And then in maskes you paffde away the night ; But thou wilt fay, tis proper vnto vs, That we by nature all are iealous. I muft confeffe tis oft found in our fex, But who not loue, not any thing fufpects : True loue dooth looke with pale fufpitious eie, Take away loue, if you take iealoufie. Turwin and Turney when King Henry tooke, For this great change who then did euer looke ? When Maximilian to thofe warres addreft, Ware Englands Croffe on his imperiall bread, And in our armie let his Eagle flie, That viewd our enfignes with a wondring eie. Little thought I when Bullen firft was wonne, VVedlocke fhould end, what angry warre begunne. From which I vow, I yet am free in thought, But this alone by Wolfeis wit was wrought. To his aduife the King gaue free confent, That will I, nill I, I muft be content. My virgins right, my ftate could not aduance, But 325 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. But now enriched with the dower of France ; Then, but poore Suffolkes Dutcheffe had I beene, Now.thegreat Dowager, the moft Chriftian Queene. But I perceiue where all thy griefe doth lie, Lewes of France had my virginitie ; He had indeede, but fhall I tell thee what, Beleeue me Brandon he had fcarcely that ; Good feeble King, he could not do much harme, But age muft needes haue fomething that is warme ; Small drops (God knowes) do quench that heatleffe When all the ftrength is onely in defire. (fire, And / could tell (if modefty might tell) There's fomewhat elfe that pleafeth louers well, To reft his cheeke, vpon my fofter cheeke, Was all he had, and more he did not feeke. So might the little babie clip the nurfe, And it content, (he neuer awhit the worfe ; Then thinke this Brandon, if that makes thee frowne, For maydenhead, he on my head fet a Crowne, Who would exchange a kingdome for a kiffe ? Hard were the hart that would not yeeld him this ; And time yet halfe fo fwiftly doth not paffe, Not full fiue months yet elder than I was. When thou to Fraunce conducted was by fame, With many knights which from all countries came, Inftalled at Saint Dennis in my throne, Where Lewes held my coronation ; Where the prowd Dolphin, for thy valour fake, Chofe thee at tilt his princely part to take ; Whenas the ftaues vpon thy caske did light, Grieued therewith, I turnd away my fight ; And 326 Englands Heroicall Epijllcs. 80 And fpake alowd, when / my felfe forgot, T'is my fweete Charles my Brandon, hurt him not : But when / fearde the King perceiued this, Good feely man, / pleafde him with a kiffe ; And to extoll his valiant fonne began. That Europe neuer bred a brauer man ; And when (poore King) he fimply praifed thee, Of all the reft / ask'd which thou fhouldft bee ? Thus / with him diffembled for thy fake, Open confeffion now amends muft make. Whilft this old King vpon a pallet lies, And onely holds a combat with mine eyes ; Mine eyes from his, by thy fight ftolne away, Which might too wel their Miftres thoughts bewray. But when / faw thy prowd vnconquered Launce, To beare the prize from all the flower of France, To fee what pleafure did my foule imbrace, Might eafily be difcerned in my face. Looke as the dew vpon a damaske Rofe, How through that liquide pearle his blufhing fhowes, And when the foft aire breathes vpon his top, From the fweet leaues falles eafily drop by drop ; Thus by my cheeke, diftilling from mine eyes, One teare for ioy, anothers roome fupplies. Before mine eie (like touch) thy fhape did proue, Mine eie condemn'd my too too partiall loue ; But fince by others I the fame doe trie, My loue condemnes my too too partiall eie. The pretious ftone mod beautifull and rare, When with it felfe we onely doe compare, Wee deeme all other of that kinde to be, As Englands Heroicall Epijlles. As excellent as that we onely fee ; But when we iudge of that with others by, Too credulous we doe condemne our eie, Which then appeares more orient and more bright, As from their dimneffe borrowing great light. Alanfoon, a fine timbered man, and tall, Yet wants the fhape thou arte adornd withall ; Vandon, good carriage, and a pleafing eie, Yet hath not Suffolkes princely maieftie ; Couragious Burbon a fweete manly face, But yet he wants my Brandons courtly grace. Prowd Longauile, our Court iudgde had no peere, A man fcarcemade (was thoght) whilft thou waft here. County S. Paule, brau'ft man at armes in Fraunce, Would yeeld himfelfe a Squire to beare thy launce; Galleas and Bounearme, matchleffe for their might, Vnder thy towring blade haue cowcht in fight. If with our loue, my brother angry be, He fay to pleafe him, I firfb fancied thee. And but to frame my liking to his minde, Neuer to thee had I beene halfe fo kinde. Worthy my loue the vulgar iudge no man, Except a Yorkift, or Lancastrian : Nor thinke that my affection mould be fet, But in the line of great Plantaginet. I paffe not what the idle Commons fay, I pray thee Charles make hafte and come away. To thee whats England, if I be not there ? Or what to me is Fraunce, if thou not here ? Thy abfence makes me angry for a while, But at thy prefence I mult needfly fmile, When 328 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. 81 When laft of me his leaue my Brandon tooke, He fware an oath, (and made my lips the booke) He would make haft, which now thou doo'ft denie : Thou art forfworne, 6 wilfull periurie ! Sooner would I with greater finnes difpence, Then by entreatie pardon this offence. But yet / thinke, if / mould come to fhriue thee, Great were the fault that / fhould not forgiue thee ; Yet wert thou heere, / fhould reuenged bee, But it fhould be with too much louing thee. /, that is all that thou fhalt feare to taft, / pray thee Brandon come, fweete Charles make haft. Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. The vtmojl date expired ofmyjlay, When I for Douer did depart away. XT Ing Henry the 8. with the Queene and Nobles, in the 6. yeare of his raigne, in the mone'th of September, brought this La- die to Douer, where me tooke fliipping for Fraunce. Think'Jl thou my loue was faithfull vnto thee, When yong Caftile to England fu'd for me. It was agreed and concluded betwixt Henry the feuenth , and Philip King of Caftile, fonne to Maximilian the Emperour, that Charles eldeft fonne of the faid Philip , mould marry the Ladie Mary, daughter to King Henry, when they came to age : which agreement was afterward in the eight yeare of Henry the eight annihilated. When he in triumph of his vicJorie, Vnder a rich cmbrodered Canapie, Entred proud Turney which did trembling fland. cVv. Y Henry tt 329 Englands Heroicall Epijiles. Henry the 8. after the long fiege of Turnay, which was deliue- red to him vpon compofition, entred the Citie in triumph, vnder a Canapie of cloth of gold, bome by foure of the chiefe and moft noble Cittizens ; the king himfelfe mounted vpon a gallant cour- fer barbed with the Armes of England, France and Ireland. When Charles of Caftile there to banquet came, With him hisflfer, that ambitious Dame. Sauoys prowd Dutches, The King being at Turnay, there came to him the Prince of Caftile, and the Lady Margaret Dutches of Sauoy his after, to whom King Henry gaue great entertainment. Sauoys proud Dutches, knowing how longjliee By her lone fought to win my hue from mee. At this time there was fpeech of a marriage to be concluded, betweene Charles Brandron then Lord Life , and the Dutches of Sauoy, the Lord Life being highly fauoured, and exceedingly be- loued of the Dutches. When in King Henries Tent of cloth of gold, The King caufed a rich Tent of cloth of gold to bee eredled, where he feafted the Prince of Caftile, and the Dutches, and en- tertained them with fumptuous maskes and banquets during their aboad. When Maximillian to thofe wars addreft Wore Englands Croffe on his imperiall breaft. Maximillian the Emperour -with all his fouldiers, which ferued vnder king Henry, wore the Croffe of S. George with the Rofe on their breafts. And in our Annie let his Eagle fie. The blacke Eagle is the badge imperiall, which here is vfed for the displaying of his enfigne or ftandard. And had his fay from Henries treafurie. Henry the 8. at his wars in France, 'retained the Emperor & alhis fouldiers in wages, which ferued vnder him during thofe warres. But this alone by Wolfeys wit was wrought, Thomas Wolfey, the kings Almoner, then Biihop of Lincolne , a man of great authoritie with the king, and afterward Cardinall, was the chiefe caufe that the Lady Mary was married to the old French 33° Englar.ds Heroicall Epijtlcs. 82 French King, with whom the French had dealt vp.der-hand to befriend him in that match. When the proud Dolphin for thy valour fake, Chofe thee at tilt his Princely part to take. FrauMcis Duke of Valoyes, and Dolphin of Fraunce, at the ma- nage of the Lady Mary, in honour thereof proclaimed a Iufts, where he chofe the Duke of Suffolke, and the Marques Dorfet for his aydes, at all martiall exercifcs. Galeas, and Bounarme, matchleffe for their might, This Countie Galeas at the Iufts ran a courfe with a fpeare, which was at the head fiue inches square on euery fide , and at the But nine inches fquare, wherby he fhewed his -wodrous force and ftrength. Thus .Bounarme, a Gentleman of Fraunce, at the fame time came into the field armed at all poyntes with tenne Speares about him : in each ftirrop three, vnder each thigh one, one vnder his left arme, and one in his hand, and putting his horfe to the careere, neuer flopped him till he had broken eue- rieftaffe. flail. Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, to Mary the French Queene. BVt that thy faith commaunds me to forbeare, The fault thine owne, if / vnpacient were ; Were my difpatch fuch as fhould be my fpeede, I fhould want time thy louing lines to reede, Heere in the Court, Camelion-like / fare, And as that creature feed, vpon the ayre, All day / waite, and all the night / watch, And ftarue mine eares to heare of thy difpatch ; U Douer were th Abydos of my reft, Y 2 Or 3.3 l Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Or pleafant Callice were my Maries Ceft, Thou fhouldft not need, faire Queene,to blame me fo, Did not the diftance to defire fay no : No tedious night from trauell fhould be free, Till through the waues with fwimming vnto thee, A fnowy path I made vnto thy Bay, So bright as is that Neciar-ftained way The reftleffe funne by trauelling doth weare, Palling his courfe to finifh vp the yeare. But Paris lockes my loue within the maine, And London yet my Brandon doth detaine, Of thy firme loue thou putft me ftill in minde, But of my faith, not one word can I finde. When Longauile to Mary was affide, And thou by him waft made King Lewes bride, How oft I wifht that thou a prize mightft bee, That I in armes might combate him for thee, And in the madneffe of my loue diftraught, A thoufand times his murther haue fore-thought, But that th'all-feeing powers which fit aboue, Regard not mad mens oathes, nor faults in loue, And haue confirmde it by the graunt of heauen, That Louers finnes on earth fhould be forgiuen ; For neuer man is halfe fo much diftreft, As he that loues to fee his loue poffeft. Comming to Richmond after thy depart (Richmond where firft thou ftolft away my heart) Me thought it lookt not as it did of late, But wanting thee, forlorne and defolate, In whofe faire walkes thou often haft bin feene, To fport with Katharine, Henries beauteous Queene, Afto- 33 2 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 83 Aftonifhing fad winter with thy fight, As for thy fake, the day had put backe night ; That the fmall birds, as in the pleafant fpring, Forgot themfelues, and haue begun to fing : So oft I go by Thames, fo oft returne, Me thinkes for thee the riuer yet doth mourne, Who I haue feene to let her ftreame at large, Which like a hand-maid waited on thy Barge ; And if thou hapft againft the flood to row, Which way it ebd, it prefently would flow, Weeping in drops vpon thy laboring oares, For ioy that it had got thee from the fhoares. The Swans with muficke that the Roothers make, Ruffing their plumes, come gliding on the lake, As the fleete Dolphins by Arions firings, Were brought to land with their fweete rauifhings, The flockes and heirdes that pafture neere the flood, To gaze vpon thee, haue forborne their food, And fate downe fadly mourning by the brim, That they by nature were not made to fwim. Whenas the Poft to Englands royall Court, Of thy hard paffage brought the true report, How in a ftorme thy well rigd fhips were toft, And thou thy felfe in danger to be loft, I knew twas Venus loath'd that aged bed, Where beautie fo fhould be difhonoured ; Or fearde the Sea-Nimphs haunting of the lake, If thou but feene, their Goddeffe fhould forfake. And whirling round her Doue-drawne Coach about, To view the Nauie now in lanching out, Her ayrie mantle loofely doth vnbinde, Y 3 Which 333 England* Heroicall Epijiles. Which fanning forth a rougher gale of winde, Wafted thy failes with fpeede vnto the land, And runnes thy fhip on Bullins harboring ftrand. How fhould I ioy of thy arriue to heare ? But as a poore fea-faring paffenger, After long trauaile, tempeft-torne and wrack'd, By fome vnpitting Pirat that is fack'd ; Heares the falfe robber that hath ftolne his wealth, Landed in fome fafe harbour, and in health, Enriched with invaluable (lore, For which he long hath trauailed before. When thou to Abuile heldft th'appointed day, We heard how Lewes met thee on the way ; Where thou in glittering Tiffue ftrangely dight, Appear'dft vnto him like the Queene of light, In cloth of filuer all thy virgin traine, In beautie fumptuous as the Northerne waine ; And thou alone the formoft glorious ftar, Which lead'ft the teame of that great Wagoner. What could thy thought be, but as I do thinke, When thine eyes tafted what mine eares did drinke ? A cripple King laid bed-rid long before, Yet at thy comming crept out of the doore, T'was well he rid, he had no legs to goe, But this thy beautie forc'd his body to ; For whom a cullice had more fitter beene, Then in a golden bed a gallant Queene. To vfe thy beautie as the mifer gold, Which hoards it vp but onely to behold, Still looking on it with a iealous eye, Fearing to lend, yet louing vfurie ; O 334 England* Heroicall Epijlles. 84 O Sacriledge (if beautie be diuine) The prophane hand fliuld touch the halowed fhrine. To furfet fickeneffe on the found mans diet, To rob content, yet ftill to Hue vnquiet ; And hauing all, to be of all beguild, And yet ftill longing like a little child. When Marques Dorfet and the valiant Grates, To purchafe fame firft croft the narrow Seas, With all the Knights that my affociates went, In honour of thy nuptiall turnament ; Thinkft thou /ioy'd not in thy beauties pride, When thou in triumph didft through Paris ride ? Where all the ftreetes as thou didft pace along, With Arras, Biffe, and Tapeftry were hung ; Ten thoufand gallant Cittizens prepar'd, In rich attire thy princely felfe to guard ; Next them, three thoufand choife religious men, In golden veftments followed on agen ; And in proceffion as they came along, With Hymeneus fang thy marriage fong. Then fiue great Dukes as did their places fall, To each of thefe, a princely Cardinall, Then thou on thy imperiall Chariot fet, Crown'd with a rich imperled Coronet, Whilft the Perfian dames, as thy traine part, Their pretious incence in abundance caft. As Cinthia from the waue-embatteld fhrowdes, Opening the Weft, comes ftreaming through the With fhining troupes of filuer-treffed ftars, (clowds, Attending on her as her torch-bearers, And all the leffer lights about her throne, Y 4 With 335 England* Heroicall Epijlles. With admiration Hand as lookers on ; Whilft fhe alone in height of all her pride, The Queene of light, along her fpheare doth glide, When on thy tilt my horfe like thunder came, No other fignall had I but thy name ; Thy voyce my trumpet, and my guide thine eyes, And but thy beautie, I efteemde no prize. That large-limd Almaine of the Giants race, Which bare ftrength on his breaft, feare in his face, Whofe finewde armes, with his fteele-temperd blade, Through plate and male fuch open paffage made, Vpon whofe might the Frenchmens glory lay, And all the hope of that victorious day ; Thou fawe'ft thy Brandon beate him on his knee, Ofifring his fhield a conquerd fpoile to thee. But thou wilt fay perhaps I vainely boaft, And tell thee that which thou already know'ft. No facred Queene, my valour I denie, It was thy beautie, not my chiualrie ; One of thy treffed curies which falling downe, As loth to be imprifoned in thy crowne, / faw the foft ayre fportiuely to take it, To diuers fhapes and fundry formes to make it, Now parting it to foure, to three, to twaine, Now twifting it, and then vntwift againe ; Then make the thrids to dally with thine eye, A fu nny candle for a golden flie. At length from thence one little teare it got, Which falling downe as though a ftar had fhot, My vp-turnde eye purfues it with my fight, The which againe redoubleth all my might. Tis 336 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 85 7is but in vaine of my defcent to boaft, When heauens lampe fhines, all other lights be loft, Faulcons gaze not, the Eagle fitting by, Whofe broode furuaies the funne with open eye ; Elfe might my blood finde iffue from his force, 7h Bofworth plaine beate Richard from his horfe, Whofe puiffant armes, great Richmond chok to wield, His glorious colours in that conquering field ; And with his fword in his deere Soueraignes fight, To his laft breath, ftood faft in Henries right ; Then beauteous Empreffe, thinke this fafe delay, Shall be the euen to a ioyfull day ; Fore-fight doth ftill on all aduantage lie, Wife-men muft giue place to neceffitie ; To put backe ill, our good we muft forbeare, Better firft feare, then after ftill to feare. T'were ouer-fight in that at which we aime, To put the hazard on an after-game ; With patience then let vs our hopes attend, And till I come, receiue thefe lines I fend. ^T Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. When Longauile to Mary was affied. T^He Duke of Longauile, which was prifoner in England vpon the peace to be concluded betweene England and France, was deliuered, and married the Princeffe Mary, for Zewes the French King his Maifter. How in aftorme thy well rigg'djhips were toft, And thou, &°c. As the Queene failed for France, a mighty ftorme arofe at fea, fo that the Nauy was in great danger, and was feuered, fome driuen vpon the coaft of Flanders, fome on Brittaine : the fhip wherein uu 337 Englands Heroicalt Epijtles. wherein the Queene was , was driueu into the hauen of Bullen with very great danger. When thou to Abuile heldfl th'appointed day. King Lewes met her by Abuile, neere to the Forreft of Arders, and brought her into Abuile, with great folemnitie. Appear 'dji vnto him like the Queene of light. Expreffing the fumptuous attire of the Queene & her train, at- tended by the chiefe of the Nobility of England , with 36. La- dies, al in cloth of filuer, their horfes trapped with crimfon veluet. A cripple King laid bed-rid long before. King Lewes was a man of great yeeres, troubled much with the gowt, fo that he had long time before little vfe of legs. When Marques Dorfet, and the valiant Graies, The Duke of Suffolke when the proclamation came into Eng- land, of iufts to be holden in France at Paris, he for the Queenes fake his Miftris, obtained of the King to go thither : with whom went the Marqueffe Dorfet and his foure brothers, the Lord Clin- ton, Sir Edward ' NeutU, Sir Giles Chafpell, Tho: Cheyney, which went all ouer with the Duke as his affiftants. When thou in triumph didfl through Paris ride. A true defcription of the Queenes entring into Paris, after her coronation performed at S. Dennis. Then fiue great Dukes as did their places fall. The Dukes of Alanfoon, Burbon, Vandome, Longauile, Suf- folke, with fiue Cardinalls. That large-limd Almaine of the Giants race. Francis Valoys, the Dolphin of France , enuying the glory that the Englifhmen had obtained at the Tilt, brought in an Almaine fecretly, a man thought almoft of incomparable ftrength, which encountred Charles Brandon at Barriers, but the Duke grapling with him , fo beate him about the head with the pumell of his fword, that the blood' came out of the fight of his Caske. Elfe might my blood finde ijfuefrom his force. In Bofworth, &°c. Sir William Brandon Standard-bearer to the Earle of Rich- mond, (after Henry the f. ) at Bofworth field, a braue and gallant Gentleman, who was flaine by Richard there ; this was father to this Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke. FINIS. 338 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 85 To my molt deere friend Mai- fter Henry Lucas, fonne to Edward Lucas Efquire. SIR, to none hane I beene more beholding, then to your kinde parents, for (I muft truly confeffe) aboue the mea- fure of my deferts : Many there be in England, of whom for fome particularity I might iuflly chaknge greater merit, had I not beene borne info euill an howre, as to be poifoned with that gaule of ingratitude : to your felfe am I ingaged for many more curtefies then I imagined could euer haue beetle found in one of fo few yeeres: nothing doe I more defire; then that thofe hopes of your toward and vertuous youth, may prone fo pure in the fruit , as they are f aire in the bloome: long may you Hue to their comfort that loue you mofl, and may I euer wifh you the encreafe of all good fortunes. Yours euer, Mich: Drayton. 339 Englands Heroicall Epi/iles. Henry Howard Earle of Surrey to Geraldine. The Argument. Henry Howard, that true noble Earle of Surrey, and excellent Poet, falling in loue with Geraldine, defcended of the noble family of the Fitzgeralds of Ireland, a faire and modefl Lady, and one of the honourable maides to Qiieene Katherine Dowager : eternizeth her praifes in many ex- cellent Poemes , of rare and fundry inuentions : and after fome few yeares being determined to fee that famous Italy, the four ce and Helicon of all excellent Arts ; firfl vifiteth that renowned Florence, from whence the Geralds challenge their defcent, from the antient family of the Geraldi; there in honour of his Mijlreffe he aduanceth herpiclure, and challengeth to maintaine her beautie by deedes of Armes, againft all that durfl appeare in the lifts; where after the proof e of his braue and incomparable valour, whofe arme crowned her beauty with eternal! memory, he writeth this Epiflle to his deerefl Miflreffe. FRom learned Florence (long time rich in fame) From whence thy race, thy noble grandfires came, 7b famous England, the kinde nurfe of mine, T'hy Surrey fends to heauenly Geraldine \ Yet let not Thufcan thinke I do her wrong, That 34o Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 87 That I from thence write in my natiue tongue, That in thefe harfh-tun'd cadences I fing, Sitting fo neare the Mufes facred fpring, But rather thinke her felfe adorn'd thereby, That England reades the praife of Italic Though to the Thufcan, I the fmoothnes grant, Our dialefl no Maieftie doth want, To fet thy prayfes in as hie a key, As Fraunce, or Spaine, or Germanie, or they. That day I quit the Fore-land of faire Kent, And that my fhip her courfe for Flanders bent ; Yet thinke I with how many a heauie looke, My leaue of England and of thee I tooke, And did intreat the tide (if it might be) But to conuey me one figh backe to thee, Vp to the decke a billow lightly skips, Taking my figh, and downe againe it flips ; Into the gulfe it felfe, it headlong throwes, And as a poft to England-ward it goes ; As I fit wondring how the rough feas ftird, I might farre off perceiue a little bird, Which as fhe faine from fhore to fhore would flie Hath loft her felfe in the broad vaftie skie, Her feeble wing beginning to deceiue her, The feas, of life ftill gaping to bereaue her ; Vnto the fhip fhe makes which fhe difcouers, And there (poore foole) a while for refuge houers, And when at length her flagging pinion failes Panting fhe hangs vpon the ratling failes, And being forc'd to loofe her hold with paine, Yet beaten off, fhe ftraight lights on againe, And 34i Englands Heroicall Epiftles. And tofft with flaws, with ftorms, with wind, with we- Yet ftill departing thence, ftil turneth thether, (ther, Now with the poope, now with the prow doth beare, Now on this fide, now that, now here, now there, Me thinkes thefe ftormes fhould be my fad depart, The feely helpleffe bird is my poore bart, The fhip, to which for fuccour it repaires, That is your felfe (regardleffe of my cares) Of euery furge doth fall, or waue doth rife, To fome one thing I fit and moralize. When for thy loue I left the Belgicke more, Diuine Erafmus, and our famous Moore, Whofe happy prefence gaue me fuch delight, As made a minute of a winters night ; With whom a while I ftaide at Roterdame, Now fo renowned by Erafmus name. Yet euery houre did feeme a world of time, Till I had feene that foule-reuiuing clime, And thought the foggy Netherlands vnfit, A watry foyle to clogge a fiery wit ; And as that wealthy Germany I paft, Comming vnto the Emperours court at laft, Great learnd Agrippa, fo profound in Art, Who the infernall fecrets doth impart, When of thy health I did defire to know, Me in a glaffe my Geraldine did fhew, Sicke in thy bed, arid for thou couldft not fleepe, By a waxe taper fet thy light to keepe ; I doe remember thou didft reade that Ode, Sent backe whilft I in Thanel made abode, Where as thou cam'ft vnto the word of loue, Euen 34* Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 88 Euen in thine eies I fawe how paffion ftroue ; That fnowy lawne which couered thy bed, Me thought lookt white, to fee thy cheeke fo red, Thy rofie cheeke oft changing in my fight. Yet ftill was red, to fee the lawne fo white ; The little Taper which lhould giue thee light, Me thought waxt dim, to fee thy eie fo bright ; Thine eie againe fupplies the Tapers turne, And with his beames doth make the taper burne, The fhrugging ayre about thy Temple hurles, And wraps thy breath in little crowded curies, And as it doth afcend, it ftrait doth ceaze it, And as it finks, it prefently doth raife it ; Canft thou by ficknes banifh beautie fo ? Which if put from thee, knowes not where to goe, To make her fhift, and for her fuccour feeke, To euery riueld face, each bankrupt cheeke, If health preferu'd, thou beautie ftill dooft cherifh, If that neglefled, beauty foone doth perifh. Care drawes on care, woe comforts woe againe, Sorrow breeds forrow.one griefe brings forth twaine, If Hue or die, as thou dooft, fo doe I, If Hue, I Hue, and if thou die, I die, One hart, one loue, one ioy, one griefe, one troth, One good, one ill, one life, one death to both, If Howards blood, thou holdft as but too vile, Or not efteemft of Norffolkes Princely ftile, If Scotlands coate no marke of fame can lend, That Lion placde in our bright filuer bend, Which as a trophie beautifies our fhield, Since Scottifh bloud difcoloured Floden field ; When 343 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. When the prowd Cheuiot our braue Enfigne beare, As a rich iewell in a Ladies haire, And did faire Bramjlons neighbouring valies choke, With clouds of Canons, fire difgorged fmoke, Or Surreys Earledom infumcient be, And not a dower fo well contenting thee ; Yet am I one of great Apollos heires, The facred Mufes chalenge me for theirs. By Princes, my immortall lines are fung, My flowing verfes grac'd with euery tung ; The little children when they learne to go, By painfull mothers daded to and fro, Are taught by fugred numbers to rehearfe, And haue their fweet-lips feafon'd with my verfe ; When heauen would ftriue to do the beft it can, And put an Angels fpirit into a man ; The vtmoft power in that great worke doth fpend, When to the world a Poet it doth intend, That little difference twixt the Gods and vs, (By them confirm'd) diftinguifh'd onely thus ; Whom they in birth, ordaine to happie dayes, The Gods commit their glorie to our prayfe, To eternall life when they diffolue their breath, We likewife fhare a fecond power by death : When time fhall turnethofe Amber colours to gray, My verfe againe fhall guild and make them gay, And tricke them vp in knotted curies anew, And in the Autumne giue a Summers hew ; That facred power, that in my Inke remaines, Shall put frefh blood into thy wither'd vaines, And on thy red decay'd, thy whitenes dead, Shall 344 Englands Heroicall Epijlks. 89 Shall fet a white, more white, a red, more red ; When thy dim fight thy glaffe cannot defcry. Thy crazed mirrour cannot fee thine eie ; My verfe to tell, what eie, what mirrour was, Glafse to thine eie, an eie vnto thy glaffe, Where both thy mirrour and thine eie fhall fee, What once thou fawft, in that, that faw in thee, And to them both fhall tell the fimple trueth, What that in pureneffe was, what thou in youth. If Florence once fhould loofe her olde renovvne, As famous Athens, now a fifher tovvne, My lines for thee a Florence fhall ere6l, Which great Apollo euer fhall protect, And with the numhers from my penne that falls, Bring marble mines to re-erecl: thofe walls ; Nor beauteous Stanhope, whom all tongues report, To be the glory of the Englifh Court, Shall by our nation be fo much admirde, If euer Surrey truely were infpirde. And famous Wyat, who in numbers fings, To that inchanting Thracian harpers firings, To whome Phcebus (the Poets god) did drinke, A bowle of Neftar filld vnto the brinke, And fweet-tongd Bryan, {whom the Mufes kept And in his Cradle rockt him whilft he flept,) In facred verfes (fo diuinely pend) Vpon thy praifes euer fhall attend. What time / came vnto this famous towne, And made the caufe of my arriuall knovvne, Great Medices a lift (for triumphs) built, Within the which, vpon a tree of gilt, Z (With 345 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. With thoufand fundry rare deuifes fet,) I did erect thy louely counterfet, To anfwer thofe Italian dames defire, Which daily came thy beautie to admire. By which my lion in his gaping jawes Holdeth my launce, and in his dreadfull pawes, Reacheth my gauntlet vnto him that dare A beauty with my Geraldines compare. Which when each manly valiant arme affaies, After fo many braue triumphant daies, The glorious prize vpon my launce I bare, By Heralds voyce proclaimde to be thy fhare ; The fhiuered ftaues here for thy beautie broke, With fierce encounters paft at euery fhocke, When ftormie courfes anfwered cuffe for cufife, Denting provvde Beuers with the counter-buffe, Vpon an altar burnt with holy flame, And facrificde as enfence to thy fame. Where, as the Phoenix from her fpiced fume, Renues herfelfe in that fhe doth confume ; So from thefe facred afhes Hue we both, Euen as that one Arabian wonder dooth. When to my chamber I my felfe retire, Burnt with the fparkes that kindled all this fire, Thinking of England which my hope containes, The happy He where Geraldine remaines, Oi Hun/don, where thofe fweete celeftiall eyne, At firft did pierce this tender breaft of mine ; Oi Hampton Court, and Wind/ore, where abound All pleafures that in Paradife were found ; Neere that faire Caftle is alittle groue, with 34<5 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 90 With hanging rockes all couered from aboue, Which on the bancke of louely Thames doth (land, Clipt by the water from the other land, Whofe bufhy top doth bid the Sun forbeare, (there, And checkes thofe provvde beames that would enter Whofe leaues ftill muttring as the ayre doth breathe, With the fvveet bubling of the ftreame beneathe, Doth rocke the fenfes (whilft the fmall birds fing,) Lulled afleepe with gentle murmuring, Where light-foote Fairies fport at prifon bafe, No doubt there is lbme power frequents the place ; There the foft poplar and fmoothe beech doe beare, Our names together carued euery where, And Gordian knots doe curioufly entwine, The names of Henry, and of Geraldine. O let this Groue in happy times to come, Be calld, The Loiters bleffde Elizium, Whither my Miftris wonted to refort, In fummers heate in pleafant fhades to fport, A thoufand fundry names I haue it giuen, And calld it Wonder-hider, Couer-heauen, The roofe where Beautie her rich Court doth keepe, Vnder whofe compaffe all the Starres doe fleepe. There is one tree which now I call to minde, Doth beare thefe verfes carued in his rinde : When Geraldine Jhall fit in thy fair e fhade, Fanne her fweete treffes with perfumed aire, Let thy large boughes a Canopie be made, To keepe the Swine from gazing on my fair e. And when thy fpredding braunched armes befuncke, And thou nofap nor pith fhalt more retaine, Z 2 Ml Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Eu'nfrom the dujl of thy vnweldy Truncke, I will renue thee Phoenix like againe, And from thy drie decayed roote will bring, Anew-borne Stem, another JEfons fpring. I finde no caufe, nor iudge I reafon why My country fhould giue place to Lombardy, As goodly flowers on Thamifis doe growe, As beautifie the bankes of wanton Po ; As many Nymphs as haunt rich Amus ftrand, By filuer Sabrine tripping hand in hand, Our fhades as fweete, though not to vs fo deere, Becaufe the funne hath greater power heere. This diftant place but giues me greater woe, Farre off, my fighs the farther haue to goe, Ah abfence ! why thus fhouldft thou feeme fo long ? Or wherefore fhouldft thou offer Time fuch wrong ? Summer fo foone, fhould fteale on winters colde, Or winters blafts, fo foone make fummer olde ? Loue did vs both with one felfe arrow ftrike, Our wounds both one, our cure fhould be the like, Except thou haft found out fome meane by art, Some powrefull medicine to withdraw the darte, But mine is fixt, and abfents phyficke proued, It ftickes too faft, it Gannot be remoued. Adiew, adew, from Florence when I goe, By my next letters Geraldine fhall know, Which if good fortune fhall my courfe direct, From Venice by fome meffenger exfpect, Till when, I leaue thee to thy hearts defire, By him that Hues thy vertues to admire. Notes 343 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. gi If Notes of the Chronicle Hiftorie. From learned Florence, long time rich in fame. "pLorence, a Citty of Thufcan , ftanding vpon the Riuer Arnus, (celebrated by Dante Petrarch, and other the moft noble wits of Italie) was the originall of the familie , out of which this Ge- raldine did fpring, as Ireland the place of her birth , which is inti- mated by thefe verfes of the Earle of Surrey. From Thufcan came my Ladies worthy race, Faire Florence was fometime her ancient feate, The Wefterne He, whofe pleafant fhore doth face Wilde Cambers cliffs, did giue her liuely heate. Great learn' d Agrippa, fo profound in Art. Cornelius Agrippa, a man in his time fo famous for Magicke (which the bookes publifhed by him, concerning that argument, do partly proue) as in this place needes no further remembrance. Howbeit, as thofe abftrufe and gloomy Arts are but illufions : fo in the honour of fo rare a Gentleman as this Earle, (and there- withall fo noble a Poet) (a quality, by which his other titles re- ceiue their greateft luftre) inuention may make fomewhat more bold with Agrippa aboue the barren truth. That Lionfet in our bright filuer bend. The blazon of the Howards honorable armour, was Gules be- tweene fix croffelets Fitches a bend Argent, to which afterwards was added by atchieuement, In the Canton point of the bend an efcutche- on, or within the Scoltifh treffure, a Demi-lion rampant Gules, &*c. as Maifter Camden now Clerenceaulx from authoritie noteth. Neuer fhall time nor bitter enuie be able to obfeure the brightneffe of fo great a victory as that , for which this addition was obtained. The Hiftorian of Scotland George Bucchanan reporteth, that the Earle of Surrey gaue for his badge a Siluer Lion, (which from an- tiquitie belonged to that name) tearing in peeces A Lion proflrate Gules ; and withall, that this which he termes infolencie, was pu- niftied in him and his pofteritie , as if it were fatall to the Con- Z 3 querour 349 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. querour, to doe his Soueraigne fuch loyall feruice as a thoufand fuch feuere cenfurers were neuer able to performe. Since Scottijh blood dif coloured Floden field. The battle was fought at Bramftone, neere Floden hill, being a part of the Cheuiot, a mountaine that exceedeth all the moun- taines in the North of England for bignefle, in which the wilfull periurie of lames the fifth was puniihed from heauen by the Earle of Surrey, being left by King Henry the eight (then in France be- fore Turwin) for the defence of his Realme. Nor beauteous Stanhope, whom all tongues report To be the glory, &*c. Of the beautie of that Lady , he himfelfe teftifies in an Elegie which he writ of her, refufing to daunce with him, which hee fee- meth to alegorize vnder a Lion and a Wolfe. And of himfelfe he faith : A Lion faw I late, as white as any fnow, And of her. I might perceiue a Wolfe as white as Whales bone, A fairer beaft, of frefher hue, beheld I neuer none, But that her lookes were coy, and froward was her grace. And famous Wyat who in numbers Jings. Sir Thomas Wyat the elder, a mod excellent Poet, as his Poems extant doe witnefle , befides certaine Encomions written by the Earle of Surrey vppon fome of Dauids Pfalmes , by him translated. What holy graue, what worthy Sepulchre, To Wyats Pfalmes mail Chriflians purchafe then. And afterward vpon his death the faid Earle writeth thus : What vertues rare were tempred in thy breaft ? Honour that England fuch a iewell bred, And kiffe the ground whereas thy corpes did reft. At Honfdon, where tho/efweete celefliall eyne, It is rnanifeft by a Sonnet written by this noble Earle, that the firft time he beheld his Lady, was at Hunfdon. Hunfdon did firjl prefent her to mine eyne. Which Sonnet being altogether a defcription of his loue, I do alleadge in diuers places of this gloffe , as proofes of what I write. Of 35« Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 92 Of Hampton Court and Wind/or, where abound All pleafures, <5rv. That he enioyed the prefence of his faire and vertuous Miftris, in thofe two places, by reafon of Queene Katherines vfuall aboad there, (on whom this Lady Geraldine was attending) I proue by thefe verfes of his : Hampton me taught to wifli her firft for mine, Wind/or alas doth chafe me from her fight. And in another Sonnet following : When Winfor walls fuftainde my wearied arme, My hand my chin, to eafe my reftleffe head. And that his delight might draw him to compare Winfor to Paradice, an Elegy may proue, where he remembreth his patted pleafures in that place. With a Kings fonne my childifh yeeres I pafs'd, In greater feaft then Priams fonne of Troy. And againe in the fame Elegie ; Thofe large greene Courts, where we were wont to roue With eyes caft vp vnto the maidens Tower, With eafie fighs, fuch as men draw in Ioue. And againe in the fame : The ftately feates, the Ladies bright of hue, The dances ftiort, long tales of fweete delight. And for the pleafantneffe of the place, thefe verfes of his may teftifie in the fame Elegie before recited. The fecret groues which we haue made refound, With filuer drops the meads yet fpread for ruth. As goodly flowers from Thamifts doe growe, &*c. I had thought in this place not to haue fpoken of Thames, be- ing fo oft remembred by mee before , in fundry other places on this occafion : but thinking of that excellent Epigram, which, as I iudge, either to bee done by the faid Earle, or Sir Frauncis Brian : for the worthineffe thereof I will heere infert, which, as it feemes to me, was compiled at the Authors being in Spaine. Z 4 Tagut 35' Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Tagus farewell, which Weftward with thy ftreames, Tum'ft vp the graines of gold already tride, For I with fpur and faile go feeke the Thames, Againft the Sunne that fhewes her wealthy pride ; And to the towne that Brutus fought by dreames, Like bended Moone that leanes her lufty fide, To feeke my Country now, for whom I Hue, O mighty Ioue, for this the windes me giue. FINIS. Geraldine to Henry Howard Earle of Surrey. SVch greeting as the noble Surrey fends, The fame to thee thy Geraldine commends ; A maidens thoughts do checke my trembling hand, On other termes, or complements to ftand, Which (might my fpeech be as my heart affords) Should come attired in farre richer words ; But all is one, my faith as firme fhall proue, As hers that makes the greateft (hew of loue. In Cupids Schoole / neuer read thofe bookes, Whcfe lectures oft we praclife in our lookes, Nor euer did fufpitions riuall eye, Yet lie in vvaite my fauours to efpie, My virgine thoughts are innocent and meeke, As the chafte blufhes fitting on my cheeke : As 352 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 93 As in a feuer I do fhiuer yet, Since firft my pen was to the paper fet. If I do erre, you know my fexe is weake, Feare proues a fault, where maids are forc'd to fpeake; Do I not ill ? ah footh me not heerein, O, if I doe, reproue me of my fin, Chide me in faith, or if my fault you hide, My tongue will teach my felfe, my felfe to chide. Nay noble Surrey, blot it if thou wilt, Then too much boldneffe fhould returne my guilt ; For that fhould be euen from our felues concealde, Which is difclofde, if to our thoughts reuealde, For the leaft motion, more the fmalleft breath, That may impeach our modeftie, is death ; The page that brought thy letters to my hand, (Methinks) fhould meruaile at my ftrange demand, For till he blufh'd, I did not yet efpie, The nakedneffe of my immodeftie, Which in my face he greater might haue feene, But that my fanne / quickly put betweene ; Yet fcarcely that my inward guilt could hide, Feare feeing all, feares it of all efpide, Like to a taper lately burning bright, Now wanting matter to maintaine his light. The blaze afcending forced by the fmoke, Liuing by that which feekes the fame to choke ; The flame ftill hanging in the ayre, doth burne, Vntill drawne downe, it backe againe returne. Then cleere, then dim, then fpreadeth, & then clofeth, Now getteth ftrength, and now his brightneffe lofeth. As well the beft difcerning eye may doubt, Whe- yy 353 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Whether it yet be in, or whether out : Thus in my cheeke my diuers paflions fhew'd, Now afliy pale, and now againe it glow'd ; If in your verfe there be a power to moue, It's you alone, who are the caufe I loue, It's you bewitch my bofome by mine eare, Vnto that end I did not place you there. Ayres to affwage the bloody fouldiers minde, Poore women, we are naturally kinde. Perhaps you'le thinke that / thefe termes enforce, For that in Court this kindeneffe is of courfe, Or that it is that honny-fteeped gall, We oft are faid to bait our loues withall, That in one eye we carry ftrong defire, The other drops which quickly quench the fire ; Ah, what fo falfe can Enuy fpeake of vs, But fhall finde fome too vainely credulous? I do not fo, and to adde proofe thereto, / loue in faith, in faith fweete Lord / do ; Nor let the enuie of enuenom'd tongues, Which ftill is grounded on poore Ladies wrongs, Thy noble breaft diafterly poffeffe, By any doubt to make my loue the leffe : My houfe from Florence I do not pretend, Nor from Giraldi claime / to defcend, Nor hold thofe honours infufficient are, That / receiue from Defmond or Kyldare ; Nor adde / greater worth vnto my blood, Than /rifh milke to giue me infant food, Nor better ayre will euer boaft to breathe, Then that of Lemjler, Mounjler, or of Meathe, Nor 354 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 94 Nor craue / other forraine farre alies, Then Wind/or or Fitz-geralds families. It is enough to leaue vnto my heires, H they will but acknowledge me for theires. To what place euer did the Court remoue, But that the howfe giues matter to my loue, At Windfor ftill / fee thee fit and walke, There mount thy Courfer, there deuife, there talke : The roabes, the garter, and the ftate of Kings, Into my thoughts thy hoped greatnes brings ; Non fuch.the name imports (me thinks) fo much, None fuch as thou, nor as my Lord, none fuch, In Hamptons great magnificence / finde, The liuely image of thy princely minde, Faire Richmonds Towers like goodly pillars ftand, Rearde by the power of thy victorious hand ; White-halls triumphing galleries are yet Adornde with rich deuifes of thy wit, In Greenewich yet as in a glaffe / view, Where laft thou badft thy Geraldine adiew, With euery little gentle breath -that blowes, How are my thoughts confufde with ioyes & woes, As through a gate, fo through my longing eares, Paffe to my hart whole multitudes of feares ; O in a map that / might fee thee fhow, The place where now in danger thou dooft goe J Whilft we difcourfe to trauaile with our eye, Romania, Tufcaine, and faire Lumbardy, Or with thy pen exactly to fet downe, The modell of that Tempell, or that Towne, And to relate at large where thou haft beene, And 55-3 England* Heroicall Epijlles. And there, and there, and what thou there haft feene. Or to defcribe by figure of thy hand, There Naples lies, and there doth Florence ftand ; Or as the Grecians finger dip'd in wine, Drawing a Riuer in a little line, And with a drop, a gulfe to figure out, To modell Venice moted round about ; Then adding more, to counterfet a Sea, And draw the front of ftately Genoa. Thefe from thy lips were like harmonious tones, Which now do found like Mandrakes dreadful grones. Some trauell hence t'enrich their mindes with skill, Leaue heere their good, and bring home others ill : Which feeme to like all Countries but their owne, Affefting moft where they the leaft are knowne. Their leg, their thigh, their back, their neck, their head, As they had been in feuerall Countries bred ; In their attire, their jefture, and their gate, Fond in each one in all Ttalionate. So well in all deformitie in fafhion, Borrowing a limbe on euery feuerall Nation, And nothing more then England hold in fcorne, So liue as ftrangers where as they were borne. But thy returne in this / do not reede, Thou art a perfeft Gentleman indeede ; O God forbid that Howards noble line, From ancient vertue fhould fo farre decline, The Mufes traine (whereof your felfe are chief e) Onely with me participate their griefe : To footh their humors, / do lend them eares, He giues a Poet, that his verfes heares, Till 356 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 95 Till thy returne, by hope they onely Hue ; Yet had they all, they all away would giue : The world and they, fo ill according be, That wealth and Poets neuer can agree. Few Hue in Court that of their good haue care, The Mufes friends are euery where fo rare ; Some praife thy worth (that it did neuer know,) Onely becaufe the better fort doe fo, Whofe iudgement neuer further doth extend, Then it doth pleafe the greateft to commend, So great an ill vpon defert doth chaunce, When it doth paffe by beaftly ignoraunce. Why arte thou flacke whilft no man puts his hand To raife the mount where Surreys towers muftftand? Or who the grounfill of that worke doth lay Whilft like a wandrer thou abroade dooft ftray ? Clipt in the armes of fome lafciuious dame, When thou fhouldft reare an /lion to thy name. When fhall the Mufes by faire Norwich dwell, To be the Cittie of the learned Well ? Or Phcebus altars there with incenfe heapt, As once in Cyrrha, or in Thebe kept ? Or when fhall that faire hoofe-plowd fpring diftill From great mount Surrey, out of Leonards hill ? Till thou returne, the Court will I exchange For fome poore cottage, or fome countrey Grange, Where to our diftaues as we fit and fpin, My maide and I will tell of things haue bin, Our Lutes vnftrung fhall hang vpon the wall, Our leffons ferue to wrap our Towe withall, And paffe the night, whiles winter tales we tell, Z s Of 357 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Of many things that long ago befell ; Or tune fuch homely Carrols as were fung In Countrey fports when we our felues were yung. In prettie Riddles to bewray our loues, In queftions, purpofe, or in drawing gloues. The nobleft fpirits to vertue moft inclind, Thefe heere in Court thy greateft want do find. Other there be, on which we feede our eye, Like Arras worke, or fuch like /magerie ; Many of vs defire Queene Katherines ftate, But very few her vertues imitate. Then, as Vlyjfes wife write / to thee, Make no reply, but come thy felfe to me. T[ Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. Then Wind/ore, or Fitzgeralds families, ""THE coil of many Kings, which from time to time haue ador- ned the Caftle at Windfor with their princely magnificence, hath made it more noble then that it need to bee fpoken of now, as though obfeure, and I hold it more meet to referre you to our vulgar monuments for the founders and finifhers thereof, then to meddle with matter nothing necre to the purpofe. As for the fa- mily of the Fitz-gera!ds, of whence this excellent Lady was line- ally difcended, the original was Englifh, though the branches did fpread themfelues' into diftant places & names nothing cofonant, as in former times it was vfual to denominate themfelues of their manours or forenames : as may partly appeare in that which en- fueth , the light whereof proceeded from my learned and verie worthie friend, Maifter Francis Thinne, Walter of Windfor, the fonne of Oterus, had iffue lYilliam, of whom Henry now Lord Windfor is difcended, and Robtrt of Windfor, of whom Robert the 358 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. the now Earle of Eflex , and Gerald of Windfor his third fonne, who married the daughter of Rees the great Prince of Wales , of whom came Nejla, paramour to Henry the firft . Which Gerald had ifiue Maurice Fitz-gerald, aunceftor to Thomas Fitz-maurice, Iuftice of Ireland buried at Trayly ; leauing iffue Iohn his eldeft fonne, firft Earle of Kildare, ancefter to Geraldine, and Maurice his fecond fonne, firft earle of Defmond. To raife the mount where Surreys Toivers mnjljland, Alludeth to the fumptuous houfe which was afterward builded by him vpon Leonards hill right againft Norwich, which in the rebellion of Norflblke vnder Ket , in king Edward the 6. time, was much defaced by that impure rabble. Betwixt the hil and the Ci- tie, as Alexander Ncuill defcribes it, the riuer of Yarmouth runs, hauing Weft and South thereof a wood , and a little Village called Thorpe, and on the North, the paftures of Moufholl, which containes about fixe miles in length and breadth. So that befides the ftately greatnes of Mount-Surrey, which was the houfes name : the profpect and fite thereof was paffing pleafant and commodious ; and no where elfe did that encreafing euill of the Norffolke furie enkennell it felfe but then there, as it were for a manifeft token of their intent, to debafe all high things, and to prophane all holy. Like Arras worke, or other imagerie. Such was he whom Iuuenall taxeth in this manner. — truncoque Jimilimus Hermce Nullo quippe alio vincis difcrimine quamquod, Illi Marftioreum caput eft, tua viuit imago. Being to be borne for nothing elfe but apparell and the out- ward appearance, intituled Complement, with whom the ridicu- lous fable of the Ape in Efope forteth fitly , who comming into a Caruers houfe, and viewing many Marble workes , tooke vp the head of a man very cunningly wrought, who greatly in prayfmg did feeme to pittie it, that hauing fo comely an outfide, it had no- thing within, like emptie figures walke and talke in euery place, at whom the noble Geraldine modeftly glanceth. Finis. To 359 To the virtuous Lady, the Lady Francis Goodere , wife to fir Henry Goodere, Knight. MY very gratious a?id good Miftris, the loue and duety I bare vnto your father whilft he lined, now after his deceafe is to your hereditarie ; to whome by the bleffcng of your birth he left his verities . Who bequeathed you thofe which were his, gaueyou whatfoeuer good is mine, as deuo- led to his, he being gone, whome I honoured fo much whi- lefl he liued ; which you may iuftly challenge by all lawes of thankefulneffe . My felfe hauing beene a witnejfe of your excellent education, and milde difpofition (as I may fay ) e- uer from your Cradle , dedicate this Epiftle of this vertu- ous and godly Lady to your felfe ; fo like her in all perfecli- on, both of wifedome and learning , which I pray you ac- cept, till timefJiall enable me to leaue you fome greater mo- nument of my loue. M. Drayton. The 360 Englands Heroicall Epiflles. 97 The Lady yane Gray to the Lord Gilford Dudley. The Argument. After the death of that vertuous young Prince King Edward thefixt, thefonne of that famous King Henry the eight, lane the daughter of Henry Gray, Duke of Suffolke by the confent of Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland, was proclaimed Queene of England, being married to Gil- ford Dudley , the fourth fonne of the fore-faid Duke of Northumberland; which match was concluded by their ambitious fathers, who went about by this meanes, to bring the Crowne vnto their children, and to difpoffeffe the Prin- ceffe Mary eldeft daughter to King Henry the eight, hcire to King Edward her brother. Queene Mary rifing in Armes to claime her rigthfull Crowne, taketh the faide lane Gray and the Lord Gilford her husband, being lod- ged in the Tower for their more fafetie , which place being laftly their Pallace , by this meanes became their prif on, where being feuered in fundry prifons, they write thefe Epi- flles one to another. Mine own deere Lord, fith thou art lockt fro mee, In this difguife my loue muft fteale to thee, Since to renue all loues, all kindneffe paft, This refuge fcarcely left, yet this the laft. Aa My 361 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. My Keeper comming, I of thee enquire, Who with thy greeting anfwers my defire, Which my tongue willing to returne againe, Griefe ftops my words, and I but ftriue in vaine ; Wherewith amazde, away in hafte he goes, When throgh my lips, my hart thrufts forth my woes, Whenas the dores that make a dolefull found, Driue backe my words, that in the noife are drownd, Which fomewhat hulh'd, the Eccho doth record, And twice or thrice reiterates my word ; When like an aduerfe winde in Ifis courfe, Againft the tide bending his boiftrous force ; But when the flood hath wrought it felfe about, He following on, doth head-long thruft it out ; Thus ftriue my fighes with teares e're they begin, And breaking out, againe fighes driue them in. A thoufand formes prefent my troubled thought, Yet proue abortiue when they forth are brought. The depth of woe with words wee hardely found, Sorrow is fo infenfibly profound : As teares do fall and rife fighes come and goe, So do thofe numbers ebbe, fo do they flow. Thefe briny teares do make my incke looke pale, My incke clothes teares in this fad mourning vaile, The letters mourners, weepe with my dim eye, The paper pale, grieu'd at my mifery. Yet miferable our felues, why fhould we deeme, Sith none is fo, but in his owne efteeme ? Who in diftreffe from refolution flies, Is rightly faid, to yeelde to miferies ; They which begot vs, did beget this fm, They. 362 Englands Heroicall EpiftUs. 98 They firft begun, what did our griefe begin, We tailed not, t'was they which did rebell, Not our offence, but in their fall we fell ; They which a crowne would to my Lord haue linckt, All hope of life and liberty extinct ; A fubieft borne, a Soueraigne to haue beene, Hath made me now, not fubiect, nor a Queene. Ah vile ambition, how dooft thou deceiue vs, Which fhew'ft vs heauen, and yet in hell dooft leaue vs? Seldome vntouch'd doth innocence efcape, When error commeth in good counfailes fhape, A lawfull title countercheckes prowd might, The weakeft things become ftrong props to right. Then my deere Lord, although affliction grieue vs, Yet let our fpotleffe innocence relieue vs. Death but an acied paffion doth appeare, Where truth giues courage, and the confcience cleere, And let thy comfort thus confift in mine, That I beare part of whatfoe're is thine ; As when we liued vntouch'd with thefe difgraces, Whenas our kingdome was our deere embraces ; At Durham Pallace, where fweete Hymen fang, Whofe buildings with our nuptiall muficke rang : When Prothalamions praifde that happy day, Wherein great Dudley match'd with noble Gray, When they deuifde to lincke by wedlockes band, The houfe of Suffolke to Northumberland ; Our fatall Dukedome to your Dukedome bound, To frame this building on fo weake a ground. For what auailes a lawleffe vfurpation, Which giues a Scepter, but not rules a Nation ? A a 2 Only 363 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Onely the furfet of a vaine opinion, What giues content, giues what exceedes dominion. When firft mine eares were pierced with the fame, Of lane proclaimed by a Princeffe name, A fuddaine fright my trembling heart appalls, The feare of confcience entreth yron walls. Thrice happy for our fathers had it beene, If what we fearde, they wifely had fore-feene, And kept a meane gate in an humble path, To haue efcapde the heauens impetuous wrath, The true-bred Eagle ftrongly beares the winde, And not each bird that's neere vnto their kinde, That like a King, doth from the clowdes command, That fearefull fowle that moues but neere the Land, Though Mary be from mighty Kings defcended, My blood not from Plantaginel pretended ; My grandfire Brandon did our houfe aduance, By princely Mary, Dowager of France ; The fruit of that faire ftocke which did combine, And Yorkes fweete branch with Lancafters entwine, And in one ftalke did happily vnite, The pure vermilion Rofe, with purer white ; I the vntimely flip of that rich ftem. Whofe golden bud brings forth a Diadem. But oh forgiue me Lord, it is not I, Nor do I boaft of this, but learne to die. Whilft we were as our felues conioyned then, Nature to nature, now an alien. The pureft blood, polluted is in blood, Neerenes contemn'd, if foueraignty withftood; A Diadem once dazeling the eye, The 364 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 99 The day too darke to fee affinitie ; And where the arme is ftretch'd to reach a Crowne, Friendfhip is broke, the deereft thing throwne downe; For what great Henry moll ftroue to auoide, The heauens haue built, where earth would haue de- And feating Edward on his regall throne, (ftroide, He giues to Mary, all that was his owne, By death alluring what by life is theirs, The lawfull claime of Henries lawfull heires. By mortall lawes the bound may be diuorc'd, But heauens decree by no meanes can be forc'd : That rules the cafe, when men haue all decreed, Who tooke him hence, fore-faw who fhould fucceed, For we in vaine relie on humaine lawes, Whe heauen ftands forth to plead the righteous caufe, Thus rule the heauens in their continuall courfe, That yeeldes to fate, that doth not yeelde to force. Mans wit doth build for time but to deuoure, But vertue's free from time and fortunes powre ; Then my kinde Lord, fweete Gilford be not grieu'd, The foule is heauenly, and from heauen relieu'd ; And as we once haue plighted troth together, Now let vs make exchange of mindes to either ; To thy faire breaft take my refolued minde, Armde againft blacke difpaire, and all her kinde, And to my bofome breathe that foule of thine, There to be made as perfecl: as is mine ; So (hall our faith as firmely be approued, As I of thee, or thou of me beloued. This life no life, were thou not deere to mee, Nor this no death, were I not woe for thee. A a 3 Thou 3<* England* Heroicall Epiftles. Thou my deere husband, and my Lord before, But truely learne to die, thou fhalt be more. Now Hue by prayer, on heauen fixe all thy thought, And furely finde, what e're by zeale is fought ; For each good motion that the foule awakes, A heauenly figure fees, from whence it takes That fweete refemblance, which by power of kinde, Formes (like it felfe) an image in the minde, And in our faith the operations bee, Of that diuineneffe which through that we fee ; Which neuer erres, but accidentally, By our fraile flefhes imbecillitie ; By each temptation ouer-apt to Aide, Except our fpirit becomes our bodies guide ; For as thefe Towers our bodies do inclofe Their prifons, fo vnto our foules fuppofe Our bodies, flopping that celeftiall light, As thefe do hinder our exterior fight ; Whereon death feafing, doth difcharge the debt, And vs at bleffed liberty doth fet. Then draw thy forces all vnto thy heart, The ftrongeft fortreffe of this earthly part, And on thefe three let thy affurance lie, On faith, repentance, and humilitie ; By which to heauen afcending by degrees, Perfift in prayer vpon your bended knees ; Whereon if you affuredly be ftaide, You neede in perill not to be difmaide, Which ftill fhall keepe you that you fhall not fall, For any perill that you can appall ; The key of heauen thus with you, you fhall beare, And 366 England* Heroicall Epiftles. ioo And grace you guiding, giue you entrance there, And you of thofe celeftiall ioyes poffeffe, Which mortal tongue's vnable to expreffe. Then thanke the heauen, preparing vs this roome, Crowning our heads with glorious martiredome, Before the blacke and difmall daies beginne, The daies of all idolatry and finne, Not fuffering vs to fee that wicked age, When perfecution vehemently fhall rage, When tyranny new tortures fhall inuent, Inflicting vengeance on the innocent. Yet heauen forbids, that Maries wombe fhall bring, Englands faire Scepter to a forraigne King, But vnto faire Elizabeth fhall leaue it, Which broken, hurt, and wounded, fhall receiue it ; And on her temples hauing placde the Crowne, Roote out the dregs Idolatry hath fowne ; And Syons glory fhall againe reftore, Laid ruine, wafte, and defolate before ; And from blacke finders, andrudeheapesofftones, Shall gather vp the Martires facred bones, And fhall extirpe the power of Rome againe, And caft afide the heauie yoke of Spaine. Farewell fweete Gilford, know our end is neere, Heauen is our home, we are but ftrangers heere. Let vs make hafte to goe vnto the bleft, Which from thefe weary worldly labours reft, And with thefe lines my deereft Lord I greete thee, Vntill in heauen thy lane againe fhall meet thee. A a 4 Notes 367 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. If Notes of the Chronicle Hijlorie. They which begat vs did beget this finne. CHewing the ambition of the two Dukes their Fathers , whofe pride was the caufe of the vtter ouerthrow of their children. At Durham Pallace -where fweete Hymen fang, The building, <5°f. The Lord Gilford Dudley, fourth fonne to Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland, married the Lady lane Gray , daughter to the Duke of Suffolke at Durham houfe in the Strand. When firft mine eares were pierced with the fame, Of lane proclaimed by a princes name Prefently vpon the death of King Edward, the Lady lane was taken as Queene, conueyed by water to the Tower of London for her fafetie , and after proclaimed in diuers parts of the realme, as fo ordained by king Edwards Letters-pattents, and his will. My Grandfire Brandon did our houfe aduaunce By princely Maty, dowager of Fraunce. Henry Gray, duke of Suffolk, married Frauncis the eldeft daugh- ter of Chat les Brandon Duke of Suffolke, by the French Queene, by which Frauncis he had this Lady lane : this Mary the French Queene, was daughter to king Henry the feuenth, by Elizabeth his Queene, which happie mariage conioyned the two noble fami- lies of Lancafter and Yorke. For what great Henry moftftroue to auoyde, Noting the diftruft that King Henry the eight euer had in the Princeffe Mary his daughter, fearing fhe fhould alter the ftate of Religion in the land, by matching with a ftranger , confeffing the right that King Henries iffue had to the Crowne. And vnto faire Elizabeth./^*?// leaue it. A prophecie of Queene Maries barrenneffe, and of the happie and glorious raigne of Queene Elizabeth , her reftoring of Reli- gion, the abolifhing of the Romifh feruitude, and cafting afide the yoke of Spaine. Gilford 368 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. IOI If Gilford Dudley to lane Gray. AS the Swanne finging at his dying howre, So I reply from my imprifning Towre : could there be that powre but in my verfe, To expreffe the griefe my wounded heart doth pierce; The very walles that ftraitly thee inclofe, Would furely weepe at reading of my woes ; Let your eies lend, He pay you euery teare, And giue you intreft, if you doe forbeare, Drop for a drop, and if youle needes haue lone, 1 will repay you franckly, two for one. Perhaps youle thinke (your forrowes to appeafe) That words of comfort fitter were than thefe : True, and in you when fuch perfeftion liueth, As in moft griefe moft comfort alwaies giueth : And thinke not (lane) that cowardly I faint, To begge mans mercy by my fad complaint, That death fo much my courage can controule, At the departing of my liuing roule. For if one life a thoufand Hues could bee, All thofe too few to confummate with thee, When thou this croffe fo patiently dooft beare, As if thou wert incapable of feare, And dooft no more this defolution flie, Than if long age conftrained thee to die : Yet 3<* 3 6 9 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. Yet it is ftrange thou arte become my foe, And onely now add'ft moft vnto my woe, Not that I loathe, that moft did me delight, But that fo long depriued of thy fight ; For when I fpeake, and would complaine my wrong, Straitwayes thy name poffeffeth all my tong, As thou before me euermore didft lie The prefent obiecl: to my longing eie. No ominous ftarre did at thy birth tide fhine. That might of thy fad deftiny diuine ; Tis onely I that did thy fall perfwade, And thou by me a facrifice arte made, As in thofe countries where the louing wiues With their kinde husbands end their happy Hues, And crownd with garlands in their Brides attire, Burne with his body in the funerall fire ; And fhe the worthieft reckned is of all, Whome leaft the perill feemeth to appall. I boaft not of Northumberlands great name, Nor of Ket conquered, adding to our fame, When he to Norffolke with his armies fped, And thence in chaines the rebells captiue led, And brought fafe peace returning to our dores, Yet fpread his glory on the eafterne fhores, Nor of my brothers, from whofe naturall grace, Vertue may fpring to beautifie our Race, Nor of Grates match my children borne by thee, Of the great blood indoubtedly to bee, But of thy vertues onely doe I boaft, That wherein I may juftly glory moft : I crau'd no kingdomes though I thee did craue, It 37° Englands Heroicall Epiftles. 102 It might fuffice thy onely felfe to haue, Yet let me fay how-euer it befell, Me thinkes a Crowne mould haue become thee well: For fure thy wifedome merited (or none) To haue beene heard with wonder from a throne. When from thy lippes the counfell to each deede, Doth as from fome wife oracle proceede, And more efteemd thy vertues were to mee, Then all that elfe might euer come by thee ; So chafte thy loue, fo innocent thy life, As being a virgine when thou wert a wife, So great a gift the heauen on me beftow'd, As giuing that it nothing could haue ow'd, Such was the good I did poffeffe of late, Ere worldly cares difturbde our quiet ftate, Ere trouble did in euery place abound, And angry warre our former peace did wound. This is all that ambition vs affordes, One crowne is guarded with a thoufand fwords, To meane eftates, meane forrowes are out fhowne, But crowns haue cares whofe workings be vnknowne, When Dudley led his armies to the eaft, Of our whole forces generally poffeft, What then was thought his enterprife could let, Whome a graue counfell freely did abet, That had the iudgement of the powrefull lawes, In euery poynt to iuftifie the caufe, The holy Church a helping hand that layde, Who would haue thought that thefe could not haue But what alas can parlements auaile, (fwayde : Where Maries right muft Edwards A6ts repeale ? When 37i Englands Heroicall EpiftUs. When Suffolkespowre doth Suffolkes hopes withftand, Northumberland doth leaue Northumberland ; And they that fhould our greatnes vndergoe, Vs, and our actions onely ouerthrow, Ere greatnes gain'd we giue it all our hart, But being once come, could wifh it would depart, And indefcreetly follow that fo fa ft, Which ouertaken punifheth our hafte ; If any one doe pitty our offence, Let him be fure that it be farre from hence : Heere is no place for any one that fhall, So much as (once) commiferate our fall : And we of mercy vainely fhould but thinke, Our timeleffe teares th'infatiate earth doth drinke. All lamentations vtterly forlorne, Dying before they fully can be borne. Mothers that fhould their woefull children rue, Fathers in death too kindely bid adue. Friends their deare farewell louingly to take, The faithfull feruant weeping for our fake. Brothers and fillers waiting on our beere, Mourners to tell what we were liuing heere : But we alas depriued are of all, So fatall is our miferable fall, And where at firft for fafety we were fhut Now in darke prifon wofully are put, And from height of our ambitious ftate, Lie to repent our arrogance too late, To thy perfwafion thus I then reply, Holde on thy courfe refolued ftill to die, And when we fhall fo happily be gone, Leaue 372 Englands Heroicall Epijlles. 103 Leaue it to heauen to giue the rightfull throne, And with that health regreet / thee againe, Which I of late did gladly entertaine. Notes of the Chronicle Hifiorie. Not ofKst conquered adding to our fame, T Ohn Duke of Northumberland , when before he was Earle of Warwike in his expedition againft Ket, ouerthrew the rebels of Norfolke and Suffolke, encamped at Mount-Surrey in Nor- folke. Nor of my brothers from whofe naturall grace, Gilford Dudley as remembring in this place the towardneffe of his brothers j which were all likely indeed to haue raifed that houfe of the Dudleys, of which he was a fourth brother, if not fup- preffed by their fathers ouerthrow. Nor of Grayes match my children borne by thee, Noting in this place the aliance of the Lady lane Gray, by her mother, which was Francis the daughter of Charles Brandon, by Mary the French Queene, daughter to Henry the feuenth, and fi- lter to Henry the eight. To haue beene heard with wonder from a throne. Seldome hath it euer beene knowne of any woman endued with fuch wonderfull gifts, as was this Ladie , both for her wif- dome and learning, of whofe skill in the tongues one reporteth by this Epigram. Miraris Ianam Graio, fermone valere, Quo primum nata efl tempore Graia fuit. When Dudley led his armies to the Eaft. The Duke of Northumberland prepared his power at Lon- don for his expedition againft the Rebels in Norfolke , and ma- king hafte away, appoynted the reft of his forces to meete him at New-market 373 Englands Heroicall Epiftles. Newmarket Heath : of whom this faying is reported , that paf- fing through Shorditch, the Lord Gray in his companie , feeing the people in great numbers came to fee him, he fayd, the people preffe to fee vs, but none bid God fpeed vs. Whom a graue Councell freely did abet. John Dudley Duke of Northumberland, when he went out a- gainft Queene Mary, had his commiffion fealed for the general- fhip of the Army, by the confent of the whole Councell of the land ; infomuch that paffing through the Councell chamber at his departure, the Earle of Arundell wifhed that hee might haue gone with him in that expedition , and to fpend his blood in the quarrell. When Suffolks power doth. Suffolks hopes with/land, Northumberland doth leaue Northumberland. The Suffolke men were the firft that euer reforted to Queene Mary in her diftreffe, repayring to her fuccours, whilft fhee re- mained both at Keningall, and at Fermingham Caftell, ftill in- creafmg her aydes, vntill the Duke of Northumberland, was left forfaken at Cambridge. Finis. The 374 104 <#^^Sfc^astf^^ h^^^^^h?^ THE worlds faire Rofe, and Henries froftie fire, Iohns tirranny ; and chafte Matilda's wrong, Th'inraged Queene, and furious Mortimer, The fcourge of Fraunce, and his chafte loue I fong. Depofed Richard, Ifabell exil'd, The gallant Tudor, and faire Katherine, Duke Humfrey, and old Cobhams hapleffe child, Couragious Pole, and that braue fpritfull Queene, Edward, and the delicious London Dame, Brandon, and that rich dowager of Fraunce, Surrey, with his faire paragon of fame, Dudleys mifhap, and vertuous Grayes mifchaunce ; Their feuerall loues fince I before haue fhowne, Now giue me leaue, at laft to fing mine owne. To 375 To the Reader of his Poems. Sonet, i. IN to thefe loues who but for paffion lookes, At this firft fight, heere let them lay them by, And feeke elfe-where in turning other bookes, Which better may his labour fatisfie, No far fetch'd figh fhall euer wound my breaft, Loue from mine eye, a teare fhall neuer wring, Nor in ah-mees my whining Sonnets dreft, (A Libertine) fantaftickly I fing ; My verfe is the true image of my mind, Euer in motion ftill defiring change, The choife of all varietie inclin'd, And in all humors fportiuely / range, My a£tiue Mufe is of the worlds right ftraine, That cannot long one fafhion entertaine. Thefecond to the Reader. Sonet. 2. -^ MAny there be excelling in this kind, Whofe wel-trick'd rimes with al inuention fwel ; Let each commend as beft fhall like his mind, Some Sidney, Conjlable, fome Daniell. That thus their names familiarly I fing, Let none thinke them difparaged to be, Poore men with reuerence may fpeake of a King, And fo may thefe be fpoken of by me ; My wanton verfe nere keepes one certaine ftay ; But now, at hand, then, feekes inuention far, And with each little motion runnes aftray, Wilde, madding, iocund, and irregular ; Like me that luft, my honeft merry rimes, Nor care for Criticke, nor regard the times. Sonet 37 6 IDEA. Sonnet I. */ THine eies taught me the alphabet of loue, To kon my croffe-row ere I learnd to fpell, For / was apt, a Schollar like to proue, Gaue me fweete lookes whenas I learned well, Vowes were my vowells when I then begunne, At my firft leffon in thy facred name, My confonants the next when I had done, Words confonant, and founding to thy fame ; My liquids then, were liquide criftall teares, My cares, my mutes, fo mute to craue reliefe, My dolefull dipthongs, were my lifes difpaires, Redoubling fighs, the accents of my griefe ; My loues Schoole-miftris now hath taught me fo, That I can reade a ftorie of my woe. B b Son- ib ill Sonnet. 2. A/T Y hart was flaine, and none but you and I, x Who fhould I thinke the murther fhould comit ? Since but your felfe, there was no creature by But onely I, guiltleffe of murthring it. It flew it felfe ; the verdi<5t on the view Doe quit the dead, and me not acceffary ; Well, well, I feare it will be prou'd by you, The euidence fo great a proofe doth carry. But O, fee, fee, we neede enquire no further, Vpon your lips the fcarlet drops are found, And in your eye, the boy that did the murther, Your cheeks yet pale fince firft they gaue the wound. i; By this, I fee, how euer things be paft, > Yet heauen will ftill haue murther out at laft. Sonnet 3. 'TVAking my penne, with words to caft my woes, Duely to count the fumme of all my cares, I finde, my griefe innumerable growes, The recknings rife to millions of difpaires, And thus diuiding of my fatall houres, The payments of my loue I reade, and croffe Subftracting, fet my fweets vnto my fowers, My ioyes arerage leades me to my loffe ; And thus mine eyes a debtour to thine eye, Which by extortion gaineth all their lookes, My heart hath payd fuch grieuous vfurie, That all his wealth lies in thy beauties bookes. And all is thine which hath beene due to mee, And I a Bankrupt, quite vndone by thee. An 37* An allufion to Narcijfus. Sonnet. 4. ^ BEautie fometime in all her glorie crowned, Paffing by that cleare fountaine of thine eye, Her fun-fhine face there chauncing to efpie, Forgot herfelfe, deeming fhe had beene drowned, And thus whileft beautie, on her beautie gazed, Who then (yet liuing) thought fhe had beene dying, And yet in death fome hope of life efpying, With her owne rare perfections fo amazed, Twixt ioy and griefe, yet with a fmiling frowning, The glorious fun-beames of her eyes bright fhining, And fhe on her owne deftenie diuining, Caft in her felfe, to faue herfelfe by drowning ; The well of Nectar, pau'd with pearle and gold, Where fhe remaines for all eyes to behold. Sonnet. 5. NOthing but no and I, and I and no, How falls it out fo ftrangely you reply ? I tell ye (Faire) ile not be aunfwered fo, With this affirming no, denying I, I fay I loue, you {lender aunfwere I, I fay you loue, you pule me out a no ; I fay I die, you eccho me with I, Saue me I cry, you figh me out a no : Muft woe and 7, haue naught but no and I, No I am I, if I no more can haue, Aunfwere no more, with filence make reply, And let me take my felfe what I do craue ; Let no and I, with I and you be fo, Then aunfwere no, and I, and I, and no. Bb 2 To 379 To Harmonie. Sonnet. 6. " LOue once would daunce within my Miftreffe eye, And wanting mufique fitting for the place, Swore that / mould the inftrument fupply, And fodainely prefents me with her face ; Straitwaies my pulfe play liuely in my vaines, My panting breath doth keepe a meaner time, My quau'ring attires be the tenours ftraines, My trembling finewes ferue the counterchime, My hollow fighs the deepeft bafe doe beare, True diapafon in diftinfted found ; My panting hart the trebble makes the aire, And deskants finelie on the mufikes ground ; Thus like a Lute or Viall did / lie, Whilft he prowd flaue dauncde galliards in her eie. Sonnet. 7. IOue in an humor plaide the prodigall, _^And bids my fences to a folemne feaft, Yet more to grace the companie withal], Thuites my hart to be the chiefeft gueft ; No other drinke would ferue this gluttons turne, But pretious teares diftilling from mine eine, Which with my fighs this Epicure doth burne, Quaffing carowfes in this coftly wine, Where, in his cups o'recome with foule exceffe, Beginnes to play a fwaggering ruffins part, And at the banquet, in his drunkennes Slew my deere friend, his kinde and trueft hart ; A gentle warning friends, thus may you fee, What tis to keepe a drunkard companie. To 380 To the Moone. Sonet. 8. PHcebe looke downe, and heere behold in mee, The elements within thy fphere inclofed, How kindely Nature plac'd them vnder thee, And in my world, fee how they are difpofed ; My hope is earth, the loweft, cold and dry, The groffer mother of deepe melancholie, Water my teares, coolde with humidity, Wan, flegmaticke, inclinde by Nature wholy ; My fighes, the ayre, hote, moid, afcending higher, Subtile of fanguine, dy'de in my harts dolor, My thoughts, they be the element of fire, Hote, dry, and piercing, dill inclinde to choler, Thine eye the Orbevnto all thefe, from whence Proceedes th'effefts of powerfull influence. To Lunacie. Sonnet. 9. AS other men, fo I my felfe do mufe, Why in this forte I wren: inuention fo, And why thefe giddy metaphors I vfe, Leauing the path the greater part do goe ; I will refolue you ; I am lunaticke, And euer this in mad-men you fhall finde, What theylaft thoght on when thebrainegrewficke, In moft dift.ra6t.ion keepe that ftill in miride. Thus talking idely in this bedlam fit, Reafon and I (you muft conceiue) are twaine, Tis nine yeeres now, fince firft I loft my wit, Beare with me then, though troubled be my braine ; With diet and correction, men diftraught, (Not too farre pad) may to their wits be brought. B 3 Sonnet 381 Sonnet. 10. TO nothing fitter can I thee compare, Then to the fonne of fome rich penny-father, Who hauing now brought on his end with care, Leaues to his fonne all he had heap'd together ; This new rich nouice, lauifh of his cheft, To one man giues, and on an other fpends, Then heere he riots, yet amongft the reft, Haps to fend fome to one true honeft friend. Thy gifts thou in obfcuritie dooft wafte, Falfe friends thy kindenes, borne but to deceiue thee, Thy loue, that is on the vnworthy plac'd, Time hath thy beautie, which with age will leauethee; Onely that little which to me was lent, I giue thee backe, when all the reft is fpent. Sonnet, n. YOu not alone, when you are ftill alone, O God from you that / could priuate be, Since you one were, I neuer fince was one, Since you in me, my felfe fince out of me, Tranfported from my felfe into your being, Though either diftant, prefent yet to either, Senceleffe with too much ioy, each other feeing, And onely abfent when we are together. Giue me my felfe, and take your felfe againe, Deuife fome meanes but how I may forfake you, So much is mine that doth with you remaine, That taking what is mine, with me I take you ; You do bewitch me, O that / could flie, From my felfe you, or from your owne felfe /. To 382 To tlie Soule. Sonnet. 12. THat learned father, which fo firmely proues The Soule of man immortall and diuine, And doth the feuerall offices define : Anima Giues her that name as fhethe body moues, Amor Then is fhe loue imbracing Charitie, Animus Mouing a will in vs, it is the minde, Mens Retainingknowledge.ftill the fame inkinde; Memoria As intellectuall it is the memory, Ratio In iudgeing, Reafon onely is her name, Senfus In fpeedie apprehenfion it is fence, Confcientia In right or wrong, they call her confcience: Spiritus The fpirit, whe it to Godward doth inflame- Thefe of the foule the feuerall functions bee, Which my heart lightned by thy loue doth fee. To t/te Shaddow. Sonnet. 13. LEtters and lines we fee are foone defaced, Mettells do wafte, and fret with cankers ruft, The Diamond fhall once confume to duft ; And frefheft colours with fowle ftaines difgraced. Paper and incke, can paint but naked words, To write with blood, of force offends the fight, And if with teares, / finde them all too light, And fighes and fignes, a feely hope affords. O fweeteft fhadow, how thou feru'ft my turne, Which (till fhalt be, as long as there is funne, Nor whilft the world is, neuer fhall be done, Whilft Moone fhall fhine, or any fire fhall burne : That euery thing whence fhadow doth proceede, May in his fhadow, my loues ftory reede, B b 4 Sonnet 383 Sonnet. 14. IF hee from heauen that filch'd that liuing fire, Condemn'd by Ioue to endleffe torment be, I greatly meruaile how you ftill go free, That farre beyond Prometfieus did afpire ? The fire he ftole, although of heauenly kinde, Which from aboue he craftily did take, Of liueleffe clods vs liuing men to make, Againe beftow'd in temper of the minde. But you broke into heauens immortall ftore, Where vertue, honour, wit and beauty lay, Which taking thence, you haue efcap'd away, Yet ftand as free as e're you did before ; But old Prometheus punifh'd for his rape, Thus poore theeues fuffer, when the greater fcape. Sonnet. 15. * Viewing the glaffe of my youthes miferies. / fee the face of my deformed cares, With withered browes, all wrinckled with difpaires, That for my youth the teares fall from mine eyes, Then in thefe teares, the mirrors of thefe eyes, Thy faireft youth and beauty do / fee, Imprinted there by looking ftill on thee ; Thus midft my woes, ten thoufand ioyes arife. Yet in thefe ioyes the fhadowes of my good, In this faire limmed ground as white as fnow, Painted the blacked image of my woe, With murthring hands imbrude in mine owne blood ; And in this image his darke clowdy eyes, My life, and loue, I heere anatomize. To 3S4 To the Pkcenix. Sonnet 16. Within the compafle of this fpatious round, Amongft all birds the Phcenix is alone, Which but by you could neuer haue beene knowne, None like to that, none like to you is found, Heape your owne vertues feafoned by their funne, On heauenly top of your diuine defire ; Then with your beautie fet the fame on fire, So by your death, your life fhalbe begunne. Your felfe thus burned in this facred flame, With your owne fweetnes all the heauens perfuming, And ftill encreafing as you are confuming, Shall fpring againe from th'aflies of your fame, And mounting vp fhall to the heauens afcend, So may you liue, paft world, paft fame, paft end. To Time. Sonnet. 17. STay,ftay,fweete Time, behold or e're thou paffe, From world to world, thou long haft fought to fee, That wonder now wherein all wonders bee, Where heauen beholds her in a mortall glaffe : Nay, looke thee Time in this celeftiall glaffe, And thy youth paft, in this faire mirrour fee, The firft worlds beautie in the infancie, What it was then, what thou before it was. Now paffe on Time, to after-worlds tell this : (And yet fhalt tell) but truely what hath beene, That they may fay, what former time hath feene, And heauen may ioy to thinke on paft worlds blis : Heere make a period Time, and fay for me, She was, whofe like againe fhall neuer be. To 3' 3 8 5 To the Celejliall numbers. Sonnet. 18. VNto the world, to learning, and to heauen, Three nines there are, to euerie one a nine, One number of the earth, the other both diuine, One woman now makes three odde numbers euen ; Nine orders firft of Angells be in heauen, Nine Mufes do with learning ftill frequent, Thefe with the Gods are euer refident ; Nine worthy ones vnto the world were giuen : My worthy one to thefe nine worthies addeth, And my faire Mufe, one Mufe vnto the nine, And my good Angell in my foule diuine, With one more order, thefe nine orders gladdeth : My Mufe, my worthy, and my Angell then, Makes euery one of thefe three nines a ten. To Humour. Sonnet. 19. YOu cannot loue my pretty heart, and why ? There was a time you told me that you would, But now againe you will the fame denie, If it might peafe you, would to God you could ; What will you hate ? nay that you will not neither, Nor loue, nor hate, how then ? what will you doe, What will you keepe a meane then betwixt eyther? Or will you loue me, and yet hate me too ? Yet femes not this, what next, what other fhift ? You will, and will not, what a coyle is heere ? I fee your craft, now I perceiue your drift, And all this while I was miftaken there : Your loue and hate is this, I now do proue you, You loue in hate, by hate to make me loue you. Sonnet. 386 Sonnet. 20. AN euill fpirit your beautie haunts me ftill, Wherewith (alas) I haue beene long poffeft, Which ceafeth not to tempt me vnto ill, Nor giues me once but one poore minutes reft : In me it fpeakes whether / fleepe or wake, And when by meanes to driue it out / trie, With greater torments then it me doth take, And tortures me in mod extreamitie, Before my face, it laies all my difpaires, And haftes me on vnto a fuddaine death ; Now tempting me to drowne -my felfe in teares, And then in fighing to giue vp my breath ; Thus am I ftill prouokde to euery euill, By this good wicked fpirit, fweete Angell diuell. To the Spheares. Sonnet. 21. THou which dooft guide this little world of loue, Thy planets manfions heere thou maift behold, My brow the fpheare where SaturneRiW doth moue, Wrinckled with cares, withered, dry and cold ; Mine eyes the Orbe where Iupiter doth trace, Which gently fmile becaufe they looke on thee, Mars in my fwartie vifage takes his place, Made leane with loue, where furious conflicts bee : Sol in my breaft with his hote fcorching flame, But in my heart alone doth Venus raigne ; Mercury my hands, the Organs of my fame, Luna my wauering and vnconftant vaine ; The ftarry heauen thy praife by me expreft, Thou the firft mouer, guiding all the reft. To 387 To Folly. Sonnet. 22. With fooles & children good difcretion beares, Then honeft people beare with Loue & me, Nor older yet, nor wifer made by yeares, Amongft the reft of fooles and children be, Loue's ftill a baby, plaies with gawdes and toyes, And like a wanton, fports with euery feather, And ideots ftill are running after boyes, Then fooles and children fittft to go together ; He ftill as youug as when he firft was borne, No wifer I, then when as young as he, You that behold vs, laugh vs not to fcorne, Giue Nature thankes you are not fuch as we : Yet fooles and children fometimes tell in play, x Some wife in fhew, more fooles indeede then they. Sonnet. 23. LOue banifh'd heauen,in earth was held in fcorne, Wandring abroad in neede and beggery, And wanting friends, though of a Goddeffe borne, Yet crau'de the almes of fuch as paffed by, / like a man, deuote and charitable ; Clothed the naked, lodg'd this wandring gueft, With fighes and teares ftill furnifhing his table, With what might make the miferable bleft ; But this vngratefull for my good defart, Enticde my thoughts againft me to confpire, Who gaue confent to fteale away my heart, And fet my breaft his lodging on a fire : Well, well, my friends, when beggars grow thus bold, No meruaile then though charity grow cold. Sonnet 388 Sonnet 24. IHeare fome fay, this man is not in loue, Who can he loue ? a likely thing they fay : Reade but his verfe, and it will eafly proue ; O iudge not rafhly (gentle Sir) I pray, Becaufe / loofely trifle in this fort, As one that faine his forrows would beguile : You now fuppofe me, all this time in fport, And pleafe your felfe with this conceit the while. You fhallow cenfures, fometime fee you not In greateft perills fome men pleafant be, Where fame by death is onelie to be got ; They refolute, fo ftands the cafe with me ; Where other men in depth of paffion crie, I laugh at Fortune, as in jeaft to die. Sonnet 25. OWhie fhould nature niggardly reftraine, The Southerne nations rellifh not our tongue, Elfe fhould my lines glide on the waues of Rhene, And crowne the Pirens with my liuing fong ; But bounded thus to Scotland get you forth, Thence take you wing vnto the Orcades, There let my verfe get glorie in the north, Making my fighs to thawe the frozen feas, And let the Bards within that Irijh ile, To whome my Mufe with flrie wings fhall paffe, Call backe the ftiffe-neckt rebells from exile, And mollifie the flaughtring Galliglaffe ; And when my flowing numbers they reherfe, Let wolues and beares be charmed with my verfe. To 389 To Defpaire. Sonnet 26. IEuer loue, where neuer hope appeares, Yet hope drawes on my neuer-hoping care, And my lifes hope would die but for difpaire, My neuer-certaine ioy, breeds euer-certaine feares, Vncertaine-dread, giues wings vnto my hope, Yet my hopes wings are loaden fo with feare, As they cannot afcend to my hopes fpheare, Yet feare giues them more than a heauenly fcope ; Yet this large roome is bounded with difpaire, So my loue is ftill fettered with vaine hope, And libertie depriues him of his fcope, And thus am / imprifond in the aire ; Then fvveet defpaire, a while holde vp thy head, Or all my hope for forrow will be dead. To Fantafie. Sonnet 27. IGaue my faith to Loue, Loue his to me, That he and / fworne brothers fhould remaine, Thus faith receiu'd, faith giuen backe againe, Who would imagine bond more fure could be ? Loue flies to her, yet holdes he my faith taken, As from my vertue raifing my offence, Making me guiltie by mine innocence ; And onelie bond by being fo forfaken, He makes her aske what / before had vow'd, Giuing her that, which he had giuen mee, T bound by him, and he by her made free. Who euer fo hard breach of faith allowd ? Speake you that fhould of right & wrong difcuffe, Was right ere wrongd, or wrong ere righted thus ? Son- 39° Sonnet 28. '"TO fuch as faie, thy loue I ouer-prife, And doe not fticke to terme my praifes follie, Againft thefe folkes that thinke themfelues fo wife, / thus appofe my force of reafon wholie, Though / giue more, then well affords my ftate, In which expenfe the moft fuppofe me vaine, Would yeeld them nothing at the eafieft rate, Yet at this price, returnes me trebble gaine, The value not vnskilfull how to vfe, And / giue much, becaufe I gaine thereby, / that thus take, or they that thus refufe Whether are thefe deceiued then, or I? In eu'rie thing / holde this maxime ftill, The circumftance doth make it good or ill. To the Sences. Sonnet 29. WHen conqu'ring loue did firft my hart affaile, Vnto mine aide / fommond euerie fence, Doubting if that prowde tirant mould preuaile, My hart mould fuffer for mine eies offence ; But he with beautie firft corrupted fight, My hearing bribde with her tongues harmonie, My tafte by her fweete lippes drawne with delight, My fmelling wonne with her breaths fpicerie ; But when my touching came to plaie his part, (The King of fences, greater than the reft) He yeeldes loue vp the keis vnto my hart, And tells the other how they fhould be bleft : And thus by thofe of whome / hopde for aide, To cruell loue my foule was firft betraide. Son- 39 1 To the Vejlalls. Sonnet 30. 'T'Hofe Priefts which firft the Veftall fire begun, Which might be borrowed from no earthly flame, Deuifde a veffell to receiue the Sunne, Being ftedfaftly oppofed to the fame ; Where, with fweete wood, laide curioufly by Arte, Whereon the Sunne might by reflexion beate, Receiuing ftrength from euerie fecret part, The fuell kindled with celeftiall heate. Thy bleffed eies, the Sunne which lights this fire, My holie thoughts, they be the Veftall flame, The precious odours be my chafte defire, My breaft the fuell which includes the fame ; Thou arte my Vejla, thou my goddeffe art, Thy halowed temple onlie is my hart. Sonnet 31. TV/f E thinkes I fee fome crooked Mimicke jeere, And taxe my Mufe with this fantafticke grace, Turning my papers, askes, what haue we heere ? Making withall, fome filthie antike face ; I feare no cenfure, nor what thou canft fay, Nor fhall my fpirit one jote of vigor lofe, Thinkft thou my wit fhall keepe the packe-horfe way, That eu'rie dudgen lowe inuention goes ? Since Sonnets thus in bundles are impreft, And eu'rie drudge doth dull our fatiate eare, Thinkft thou my Loue fhall in thofe ragges be dreft, That eu'rie dowdie, eu'rie trull doth weare ? Vnto my pitch no common judgement flies, I fcorne all earthlie dung-bred fcarabies. Son- 39* To the riuer A nkor. Sonnet 32. (crowned, OVr floudes Queene Thames, for (hips & fwans is And Irately Seuerne for her fhoares is praifed, The criftall Trent, for Foords and Fifh renowned, And Auons fame, to Albions cliues is raifed. Carlegion Chejler, vaunts her holie Dee, Yorke manie wonders of her Oivfe can tell, The Peake her Done, whofe bankes fo fertile bee, And Kent will faie, her Medway doth excell, Cot/wold commends her IJis and her Tame, Our northerne borders boaft of Tweedes faire floud, Our wefterne parts extoll her Wilis fame, And olde Legea brags of Danijh bloud ; Ardens fweete Ankor let thy glorie bee, That faire Idea fhe doth liue by thee. To Imagination. Sonnet 33. WHilft yet mine eies doe furfet with delight, My wofull hart imprifond in my breft, Wifheth to be transformed in my fight, That it like thofe, by looking might be bleft, But whilft mine eies thus greedily doe gaze, Finding their obiefts ouer-foone departe, Thefe now the others happines doe praife, Wifhing themfelues that they had bin my hart ; That eies were hart, or that the hart were eies, As couetous the others vfe to haue ; But finding reafon, their requeft denies, This to each other mutually they craue ; That fince the one cannot the other bee, That eies could thinke,or that my hart could fee. C c Son- 3 ^ 393 To Admiration. Sonnet 34. MAruell not Loue, though I thy power admire, Rauifht a world beyond the fartheft thought, That knowing more than euer hath bin taught, That / am onelie ftaru'd in my defire ; Maruell not Loue, though I thy power admire, Aiming at things exceeding all perfection, To wifedomes felfe to minifter direction, That / am onelie ftaru'd in my defire ; Maruell not Loue, though I thy power admire, Though my conceit / further feeme to bend, Than poffibly inuention can extend, And yet am onelie ftaru'd in my defire ; If thou wilt wonder, heere's the wonder Loue, That this to me doth yet no wonder proue. To Miracle. Sonnet 35. SOme misbelieuing, and prophane in loue, When / doe fpeake of miracles by thee, May fay that thou art flattered by mee, Who onelie write, my skill in verfe to proue. See miracles, ye vnbeleeuing fee, A dumb-borne Mufe, made to expreffe the minde, A cripple hand to write, yet lame by kinde, One by thy name, the other touching thee ; Blinde were mine eies, till they were feene of thine, And mine eares deafe, by thy fame healed be, My vices curde, my vertues fprung from thee, My hopes reuiu'd which long in graue had line : All vncleane thoughts, foule fpirits caft out in mee, Onely by vertue that proceedes from thee. Son- 394 To Wonder. Sonnet 36. REading fometime, my forrowes to beguile, I finde olde Poets hills and floods admire, One, he doth wonder monfter-breeding Nyle, Another maruells fulphure Aitnaes fire. Now broad-brimd Indus, then of Pindus height, Pelion and OJfa, froftie Caucafe olde, The Delian Cinthus, then Olympus weight, Slow A rrer, franticke Gallus, Cydnus colde. Some Ganges, IJler, and of Tagus tell, Some whirle-poole Po, and Aiding Hypafis, Some olde Pernaffus where the Mufes dwell, Some Helicon, and fome faire Simois ; A fooles thinke I, had you Idea feene, (beene. Poore brookes and bankes, had no fuch woonders Sonnet 37. DEere, why fhould you commaund me to my reft, When now the night doth fommon all to fleepe ? Me thinkes this time becommeth Louers beft, Night was ordaind together friends to keepe, How happie are all other liuing things, Which though the daie disjoyne by feuerall flight, The quiet euening yet together brings, And each returnes vnto his loue at night. O thou that arte fo curteous vnto all, Whie fhouldft thou Night abufe me onelie thus, That euerie creature to his kinde dooft call, And yet tis. thou dooft onelie feuer vs : Well could I wifh it would be euer daie, If when night comes you bid me goe awaie. C c 2 Son- 395 Sonnet 38. Sitting alone, Loue bids me goe and write, Reafon pluckes backe, commanding me to ftaie, Boafting that fhe dooth ftil direct the waie, Or elfe loue were vnable to indite ; Loue growing angrie, vexed at the fpleene, And fcorning Reafons maimed argument, Strait taxeth Reafon, wanting to inuent, Where fhe with Loue conuerfing hath not beene, Reafon reproched with this coy difdaine, Difpiteth Loue, and laugheth at her follie, And Loue contemning Reafons reafon wholie, Thought it in weight too light by manie a graine. Reafon put backe, doth out of fight remoue, And Loue alone findes reafon in my loue. Sonnet 39. SOme, when in time they of their loue doe tell, With flames and lightning their exordiums paint, Some call on heauen, fome inuocate on hell, And Fates and Furies with their woes acquaint, Elizium is too high a feate for me, I will not come in Stix or Phlegiton, The thrice three Mufes but too wanton be, Like they that luft, I care not, / wil none. Spitefull Errinis frights me with her lookes, My manhoode dares not with foule A te mell, / quake to looke on Heccats charming bookes, / ftil feare bug-beares in Apolloes Cell. / paffe not for Minerua, nor AJlrea, Onelie / call vpon diuine Idea. Son- 396 Sonnet. 40. MY heart the anuile where my thoughts do beate, My words the hammers fafhioning my defire, My bread the forge, including all the heate, Loue is the fuell which maintaines the fire : My fighes the bellowes which the fame increafeth, Filling mine eares with noife and nightly groning, Toiling with paine, my labour neuer ceafeth, In grieuous paffions my woes ftill bemoning : Mine eyes with teares againft the fire ftriuing, Whofe fcorching gleed my heart to cinders turneth ; But with thofe drops, the flame againe reuiuing, Still more and more vnto my torment burneth : With Sifiphus thus do I role the ftone, And turne the wheele with damned Ixion Sonnet. 41. WHy do I fpeake of ioy, or write of loue, When my heart is the very den of horror, And in my foule the paines of hell I proue,; With all his torments and infernall terror ? What fhould I fay, what yet remaines to doe ? My braine is drie with weeping all too long, My fighes be fpent in vttring of my woe, And I want words wherewith to tell my wrong : But ftill diftratted in Loues lunacie, And bedlam-like thus rauing in my griefe, Now raile vpon her haire, now on her eye, Now call her Goddeffe, then I call her theefe ; Now I deny her, then I do confeffe her, Now do I curfe her, then againe I bleffe her. C c 3 Sonnet 291 Sonnet. 42. SOme men there be which like my method well, And do commend the ftrangenes of my vaine, Some fay, I haue a paffing pleafing ftraine, Some fay, that in my humor I excell : Some, who not kindely relifh my conceit, They fay (as Poets doe) I vfe to faine, And in bare words paint out my paffions paine. Thus fundry men their fundry mindes repeate ; I paffe not I, how men affected be, Nor who commends, or difcommends my verfe, It pleafeth me, if I my woes rehearfe, And in my lines, if fhe my loue may fee : Onely my comfort ftill confifts in this, Writing her praife, / cannot write amiffe. Sonnet. 43. (grace, "\ J\ 7Hy fhould your faire eyes with fuch foueraine Difpearfe their raies on euery vulgar fpirit, Whilft / in darkenes in the felfefame place, Get not one glance to recompence my merit : So doth the plow-man gaze the wandring ftarre, And onely refts contented with the light, That neuer learnd what conftellations are, Beyond the bent of his vnknowing fight. O why fhould beautie (cuftome to obey) To their groffe fence applie her felfe fo ill ? Would God / were as ignorant as they, When I am made vnhappy by my skill ; Onely compeld on this poore good to boaft, Heauens are not kind to the that know them moft. Sonnet 398 Sonnet. 44. WWHilft thus my pen ftriues to eternize thee, Age rules my lines with wrinckles in my face, Where in the map of all my miferie, Is modeld out the worlde of my difgrace, Whilft in defpight of tyrannizing times, Medea-like I make thee yong againe, Prowdly thou fcornft my world-outwearing rimes, And murther'ft Vertue with thy coy difdaine ; And though in youth, my youth vntimely perifh, To keepe thee from obliuion and the graue, Enfuing ages yet my rimes fhall cherifh, When I entomb'd my better part fhall faue ; And though this earthly bodie fade and die, My name fhall mount vpon eternitie. Sonnet. 45. TV/T Vfes which fadly fit about my chaire, Drownd in the teares extorted by my lines, With heauie fighes whilft thus I breake the aire, Painting my paffions in thefe fad diffignes ; Since fhe difdaines to bleffe my happie verfe, The ftrong-built Trophies to her liuing fame, Euer henceforth my bofome be your hearfe, Wherein the world fhall now entombe the name ; Enclofe my muficke you poore fenfeleffe walls, Sith fhe is deafe and will not heare my mones, Soften your felues with euerie teare that falls, Whilft I like Orpheus fing to trees and ftones ; Which with my plaint feeme yet with pittie moued, Kinder then fhe who I fo long haue liued. C c 4 Sonnet. 399 Sonnet. 46. PLain-path'd Experience the vnlearneds guide, Her fimple followers euidently fhewes, Sometime what fchoolemen fcarcely can decide, Nor yet wife Reafon abfolutely knowes : In making triall of a murther wrought, If the vile actor of the heinous deede, Neere the dead bodie happily be brought, Oft hath been prou'd the breathleffe coarfe wil bleed; She comming neere that my poore hart hath flaine, Long fince departed (to the world no more) The auncient wounds no longer can containe, But fall to bleeding as they did before : But what of this ? fhould fhe to death be led, It furthers iuftice, but helpes not the dead. Sonnet. 47. IN pride of wit, when high defire of fame Gaue life and courage to my labouring pen. And firft the found and vertue of my name, Won grace and credite in the eares of men : With thofe the thronged Theaters that preffe, I in the circuite for the Lawrell ftroue, Where the full praife I freely muft confeffe, In heate of blood and modeft minde might moue : With fhowts and claps at euerie little pawfe, When the prowd round on euerie fide hath rung, Sadly I fit vnmou'd with the applawfe, As though to me it nothing did belong : No publique glorie vainely I purfue, The praife I ftriue, is to eternize you. Sonnet. 400 Sonnet. 48. CUpid, dumbe Idoll, peeuifti faint of Loue, No more fhalt thou nor faint nor idoll be, No god art thou, Loues goddeffe (he doth proue, Of all thine honour flie hath robbed thee : Thy bow olde broke, is peecde with halfe defire, Her bow is beautie with ten thoufand firings, And euery one of pureft golden wire ; The leaft, of force to conquer hoafts of Kings : Thy fhafts be fpent, and fhe (to war appoynted) Hides in thofe Criftall quiuers of her eyes, More arrowes with hart-piercing mettle pointed, Then there be ftarres at mid-night in the skies : With thefe fhe fteales mens harts for her releefe, Yet happie he that's robd of fuch a theefe. Sonnet. 49. THou leaden braine which cenfur'ft what I write And faift my lines be dull, and do not moue, I maruaile not thou feel'ft not my delight, Which neuer feltft my fierie tuch of loue : But thou whofe pen hath like a Packe-horfe feru'd, Whofe ftomacke vnto gaule hath turnd thy food, Whofe fenfes like poore prifners hunger-ftaru'd, Whofe greefe hath parch'd thy body, dride thy blood; Thou which haft fcorned life, and hated death. And in a moment mad, fober, glad and forie, Thou which haft bann'd thy thoughts, and curft thy With thoufand plagues more then in purgatory,(birth Thou thus whofe fpirit Loue in his fire refines, Come thou and reade, admire and plawd my lines. Sonnet. 3 e 401 Sonnet. 50. AS in fome Countries far remote from hence, The wretched creature deftined to die, Hauing the iudgement due to his offence, By Surgeons begg'd, their Art on him to trie : Which on the liuing worke without remorce, Firft make incifion on each maiftring vaine, Then ftanch the bleeding, then tranfperce the coarfe, And with their balmes recure the wounds againe, Then poiibn and with Phificke him reftore, Not that they feare the hopelefle man to kill, But their experience to encreafe the more ; Euen fo my Miftreffe works vpon my ill, By curing me, and killing me each howre, Onely to (hew her beauties foueraigne powre. Sonnet. 5 1 . C Ailing minde fince firft my loue begunne, Th'incertaine times oft varying in their courfe, How things ftill vnexpeftedly haue runne, As pleafe the fates, by their refiftleffe force : Laftly, mine eyes amazedly haue feene, EJfex great fall, Tyrone his peace to gaine, The quiet end of that long-liuing Queene, This Kings faire entrance, and our peace with Spaine, We and the Dutch at length our felues to feuer, Thus the world doth, and euermore fhall reele, Yet to my goddeffe am I conftant euer ; How ere blind fortune turne her giddie wheele : Though heauen & earth proue both to me vntrue, Yet am I ftill inuiolate to you. An 402 An alufion to Dedalus and Icarus. Sonnet 52. A/T Y heart imprifoned in a hopeleffe lie, Peopled with Armies of pale jealous eyes, The fhores befet with thoufand fecret fpies, Muft paffe by ayre, or elfe die in exile ; He framde him wings with feathers of his thought, Which by their nature learnd to. mount the skie, And with the fame he pradtifed to flie, Till he himfelfe this Eagles Art had taught : Thus foaring ftill, not looking once below, So neere thine eyes celeftiall funne afpired, That with the raies his wafting pineons fired : This was the wanton caufe of his owne woe, Downe fell he in thy beauties Ocean drenched, Yet there he burnes in fire that's neuer quenched. Another to the Riuer Ankor. Sonnet 53. CLeere Ankor, on whofe filuer-fanded fhore, My foule-fhrin'd faint, my faire Idea lies, O bleffed brooke, whofe milke-white fwans adore That criftall ftreame refined by her eyes, Where fweet mirrh-breathing Zephire in the fpring, Gently diftills his Nectar-dropping fhowers, Where Nightingales in Arden fit and fing, Amongft the daintie dew-impearled flowers ; Say thus faire Brooke, when thou fhalt fee thyQueene, Loe heere thy fheepheard fpent his wandring yeeres ; And in thefe fhades deere Nimph he oft hath beene, And heere to thee he facrifizde his teares : Faire Arden, thou my Tempe art alone, And thou fweete Ankor art my Helicon. Sonnet 403 Sonnet. 54. YEt reade at laft the ftory of my woe, The drery abftra£ls of my endleffe cares, With my like forrow enterlined fo, Smokde with my fighes, and blotted with my teares ; The fad memorialls of my miferies, Pend in the griefe of mine afflicted ghoft ; My lifes complaint in dolefull Elegies, With fo pure loue as time could neuer boaft : Receiue the incence which / offer heere, By my ftrong faith afcending to thy fame, My zeale, my hope, my vowes, my praife, my praier, My foules oblations to thy facred name : Which name my Mufe to higheft heauen fhal raife, By chafte defire, true loue, and vertues praife. Sonnet 55. A/T Y Faire, if thou wilt regifter my loue, More then worlds volumes fhall thereof arife ; Preferue my teares, and thou thy felfe (halt proue, A fecond flood downe raining from mine eyes : Note but my fighes, and thine eyes fhall behold, The fun-beames fmothered with immortall fmoke ; And if by thee my praiers may he enrold, They heauen and earth to pittie fhall prouoke ; Looke thou into my breaft, and thou fhalt fee, Chafte holy vowes for my foules facrifice, That foule(fweete Maide)which fo hath honored thee, Erecting Trophies to thy facred eyes ; Thofe eyes to my hart fhining euer bright, When darkenes hath obfcurde each other light. Sonnet 404 An allufion to the Aiglets. Sonnet 56. "jVyT Y thoughts bred vp with Eagle-birds of loue, And for their vertues I defirde to know ; Vpon the neaft I fet them forth, to proue If they were of the Eagles kinde, or no. But they no fooner fawe my funne appeare, But on her raies with gazing eyes they ftoode, Which proou'd my birds delighted in the aire, And that they came of this rare kingly broode. But now their plumes full fummde withfweete defire, To fhew their kinde, beganne to clime the skies : Doe what I could, my Eglets would afpire, Strait mounting vp to thy celeftiall eies. And thus (my Faire) my thoughts away be fiowne, And from my breaft into thine eies be gone. Sonnet 57. You beft difcern'd of my interior eies, And yet your graces outwardly diuine, Whofe deare remembrance in my bofome lies, Too rich a relique for fo poore a fhrine : You in whome Nature chofe herfelfe to view, When fhe her owne perfection would admire, Bellowing all her excellence on you ; At whofe pure eies Loue lights his halowed fire, Euen as a man that in fome traunce hath feene, More than his wondring vttrance can vnfolde, That rapt in fpirite in better worlds hath beene, So muft your praife diftractedly be tolde ; Moft of all fhort, when I mould fhew you moft, In your perfections altogether loft. Son- 4°. 5 Sonnet. 58. IN former times, fuch as had (lore of coyne, In warres at home, or when for conquefts bounds For feare that fome their treafures fhould purloyne, Gaue it to keepe to fpirites within the ground ; And to attend it, them fo ftrongly tide, Till they return'd, home when they neuer came, Such as by art to get the fame haue tride, From the ftrong fpirite by no means get the fame, Neerer you come, that further flies away, Striuing to holde it ftrongly in the deepe : Euen as this fpirit, fo fhe alone doth play, With thofe rich Beauties heauen giues her to keepe : Pitty fo left, to coldenes of her blood, Not to auaile her, nor doe others good. To Prouerb. Sonnet 59. AS Loue and I, late harbourde in one Inne, With Prouerbs thus each other entertaine ; In loue there is no lacke, thus I beginne : Faire wordes makes fooles, replieth he againe : That /pares to fpeake, dotlifpare to fpeede (quoth I) As well (faith he) too forward as tooflowe. Fortune afjtfts the boldefl, I reply : A haflie man (quoth he) ne're wanted woe. Labour is light, where loue (quoth I) doth pay, (Saith he) light burthens heauy, if farre borne : (Quoth I) the maine loft, caft the by away : You hauefpunne a faire thred, he replies in f come. And hauing thus a while each other thwarted, Fooles as we met, fo fooles againe we parted. Son- 406 Sonnet 60. DEfine my loue, and tell the ioyes of heauen, Expreffe my woes, and (hew the paines of hell, Declare what fate vnluckie ftarres haue giuen, And aske a world vpon my life to dwell. Make knovvne that faith, vnkindnes could not moue ; Compare my worth with others bafe defart, Let vertue be the tuch-ftone of my loue, So may the heauens reade wonders in my hart ; Beholde the cloudes which haue eclipfde my funne, And view the croffes which my courfe doth let ; Tell me, if euer fince the world begunne, So faire a rifing had fo foule a fet : And by all meanes, let foule vnkindnes proue, And (hew a fecond to fo pure a loue. Sonnet 61. WHen firft I ended, then I firft beganne, The more / trauell, further from my reft, Where moft / loft, there moft of all / wanne, Pined with hunger, rifing from a feaft. Me thinkes / flee, yet want / legs to goe, Wife in conceit, in aft a very fot, Rauifht with ioy amidft a hell of woe, What moft I feeme, that fureft am / not. / build my hopes a world aboue the skie, Yet with the Mole / creepe into the earth. In plenty am / ftaru'd with penurie, And yet / furffet in the greateft dearth : / haue, / want, difpaire, and yet defire, Burn'd in a fea of ice, and drown'd amidft a fire> Son- 407 Sonnet 62. TRuce gentle Loue, a parlee now / craue, Me thinks tis long fince firft thefe warres begun, Nor thou nor I, the better yet can haue : Bad is the match where neither party wonne. I offer free conditions of faire peace, My heart for hoftage, that it fhall remaine, Difcharge our forces heere, let malice ceafe, So for my pledge, thou giue me pledge againe. Or if nothing but death will ferue thy turne, Still thirfting for fubuerfion of my ftate ; Doe what thou canft, raze, maffacre, and burne, Let the world fee the vtmoft of thy hate : / fend defiance, fince if ouerthrowne, Thou vanquishing, the conquefb is mine owne. Certaine 408 ^i^^^K^t^ $?p9#9^s^g^p^MtM Certaine other Sonnets to great and worthy Perfonages, To the high and mightie Prince, lames king of Scots. Sonnet 61. NOt thy graue Counfells, nor thy fubiedts loue, Not all that famous Scottifh royaltie, Or what thy foueraigne greatnes may approue, Others in vaine doe but hiftorifie, When thine owne glory from thy felfe doth fpring, As though thou didft all meaner praifes fcorne : Of Kings a Poet, and the Poets King, They Princes, but thou Prophets dooft adorne ; Whilft others by their Empires are renown'd, Thou dooft enrich thy Scotland with renowne, And Kings can but with diadems be crown'd, But with thy laurell thou dooft crowne thy Crowne; That they whofe pens (euen) life to Kings do giue, In thee a King, fhall feeke themfelues to Hue.. Dd T 3/ 409 To Lucy Countejfe of Bedford. Son. 61. GReat Lady, effence of my chiefeft good, Of the moft pure and fined tempred fpirit, Adorn'd with gifts, ennobled by thy blood, Which by defcent true vertue dooft inherit : That vertue which no fortune can depriue, Which thou by birth tak'ft from thy gratious mother, Whofe royall mindes with equall motion ftriue, Which moft in honour, fhall excell the other ; Vnto thy fame my Mufe herfelfe fhall taske, Which rainft vpon me thy fweete golden fhowers, And but thy felfe, no fubiecT; will I aske, Vpon whofe praife my foule fhall fpend her powers. Sweet Lady yet, grace this poore Mufe of mine, Whofe faith, whofe zeal, whofe life, whofe al is thine. To the Lady Anne Harington. Sonnet. 62. TV/T Adam, my words cannot expreffe my minde, My zealous kindnes to make knowne to you, When your deferts all feuerally I finde ; In this attempt of me do craue their due : Your gratious kindenes firft doth claimetny hart, Your bounty bids my hand to make it knowne, Of me your vertues each doe challenge part, And leaue me thus the leaft that is mine owne : What fhould commend your modefty and wit, Is by your wit and modefty commended, And ftandeth dumbe, in moft admiring it, And where it fhould begin, is onely ended ; Returning this your praifes onely due, And to your felfe, fay you are onely you. To 410 To the Lady L.S. Sonet 63. B Right ftarre of Beautie, on whofe eie-lids fit, A thoufand Nymph-like and enamoured graces, The goddeffes of memorie and wit, Which in due order take their feuerall places, In whofe deere bofome, fweete delicious loue, Layes downe his quiuer, that he once did beare, Since he that bleffed Paradice did proue, Forfooke his mothers lap to fport him there. Let others ftriue to entertaine with wordes, My foule is of another temper made ; I holde it vile that vulgar wit affords, Deuouring time my faith fhall not inuade : Still let my praife be honoured thus by you, Be you moft worthie, whilft I be moft true. To fir Anthonie Cooke. Sonet 64. VOuchfafe to grace thefe rude vnpollifht rimes, Which but for you had flept in fable night, And come abroade now in thefe glorious times, Can hardly brooke the purenes of the light. But fith you fee their deftenie is fuch, That in the world their fortune they muft try, Perhaps they better fhall abide the tuch, Wearing your name their gracious liuerie. Yet thefe mine owne, I wrong not other men, Nor traffike further then this happy clime, Nor filch from Fortes, nor from Petrarchs pen, A fault too common in this latter time ; Diuine fir Philip, I auouch thy writ, I am no picke-purfe of anothers wit. Finis. D d 2 411 The Legend of Robert Duke of Normandie. WHat time foft night had filently begunne, To fteale by minutes on the long-liu'd daies, The furious dogge purfuing of the funne, Whofe noyfome breath addes feruor to his raies, That to the earth fends many a fad difeafe : Which then inflam'd with his intemprate fires, Her felfe in light habiliments attires. When the rathe morning newly but awake, Scarfe with frefh beautie burnifhed her browes, Her felfe beholding in the generall Lake, (To which fhe paies her neuer-ceafing vowes,) With the new day me willingly to rowze ; Downe to faire Thames I foftly tooke my way, Where the milde windes continually do play. Striuing to fancie his chafte bread to moue, Whereas all pleafures plentifully flowe, When him along the wanton tide doth fhoue, And to keepe backe they eafily doe blow, Still meete him eomming, thinking him too flowe : He forcing waues to checke their hote imbrace, They fanning breath vpon his criftall face. Still 4'* Robert Duke of Normandie. Still forward Tallying from his bounteous fource, Along the fhores lafciuioufly doth ftraine, And often times retreating in his courfe, As to his fountaine he would backe againe, Or turnde to looke vpon his filuer traine ; With coy regards the goodly foile he greetes, Till with faire Medway happily he meetes. Steering my compaffe by the wandring ftreame, Whofe flight might teach me times ne'r-turninghowrs, Delighted thus as in a pretty dreame, Where pleafure wholly had poffeft my powres ; Yet looking backe on Londons climing Towres, So Troy, thought I, her ftately head did reare, Whofe crazed ribs the furrowing plow doth eire. Wearie at length, a willow-tree I found, Which on the banke of this great torrent ftood, Whofe roote, with rich graffe greatly did abound, (Forc'd by the moifture of the furging flood) Ordain'd it feemde to fport her Nimphifh brood ; Whofe curled top denied the heauens great eye, To view the ftocke he was maintained by. The Larke that learnes obferuance to the Sunne, Quauers her cleere notes in the quiet ayre, That on the riuers murmuring bafe doth runne, And the pleafde heauens, their faireft liuery ware, The place fuch pleafure gently doth prepare ; The flowers my fcent, the flood my tafte to fteepe, Each fence thus fated, lulled me afleepe. Dd 3 When 4i3 The Legend of When in a dreame it feemed vnto me, Triumphall muficke from the flood arofe, As when the Soueraigne we embargde do fee, And by faire London for his pleafure rowes, Whofe tender welcome the glad Cittie fhowes ; The people fwarming thicke vpon the fhores, And the curlde water ouer-fpread with oares. A troupe of Nimphs came fuddainely on land, In the full end of this triumphall found, And me incompaft, taking hand in hand, Cafting themfelues about me in a round, And fo downe fet them on the eafie ground ; Their fober eyes caft with a modeft grace, Vpon my fwarth and melancholy face. Next, twixt two Ladies came a goodly Knight, As newly brought from fome diftreffefull place, To me who feemed fome right worthy wight, Though his attire was miferable bafe, Many deepe furrowes in his manly face ; And though cold age had frofted his faire haires, It rather feemde with forrow then with yeares. The one a Lady of a princely port, Leading this fad Lord, fcarcely that could ftand, The other fleering in difdainefull fort, With fcornefull ieftures drew him by the hand, Who lame and blinde, yet bound with many a band; Which (I perceiued nearer as they came) That this was Fortune, that more conftant fame. Fame 414 Robert Duke of Normandie. Fame on the right hand in a robe of golde, Whofe traine old Time obfequioufly did beare, Whereon in rich Embraudry was enrolde, The acts of all the worthies euer weare, Which all might reade depainted liuely there, Set downe in loftie well compofed verfe, Firft the great deedes of Heroes to rehearfe. On her faire breaft fhe two broad Tablets wore, Of criftall th'one, the other Ebony, Where were ingrauen all the names of yore, In the large Toombe of lading memory, Or the blacke booke of endleffe obloquy ; The firft with Poets and with Conquerours pilde, That with bafe worldlings euery where defilde. And in her words appeared (as a wonder) Her inftant force and after-during might, Which foftly fpoke, farre off were heard to thunder, About the world that quickly tooke their flight, And brought the moft obfcureft things to light : That ftill the farther off, the greater ftill Did found our good, or manifeft our ill. Fortune, as blinde as he whom fhe did leade, Her feature often changing in an hower, Fantaftically carying her head, Soone would fhe fmile, and fodainely would lower, And with one breath, her words both fweete & fower Vpon her foes fhe amoroufly would glance, And on her followers coily looke askance. Dd 4 About -US The Legend of About her necke in manner of a chaine, Tome diadems and broken fcepters hung, If any on her ftedfaftly did leane, Them to the ground difdainefully fhe flung ; And in this order as fhee pafft along, Great bags of gold out of her bofome drew, Which to the vnworthieft euermore fhe threw. A duskie vaile which hid her fightleffe eyes, . Like clowdes that couer our vncertaine Hues, Wherein were portraide direfull tragedies, Fooles wearing Crownes, and wife-men clogg'd in All things how fhe prepofteroufly contriues ; (giues, That as a map her regency difcouers, In Camps, in Courts, and in the fate of louers. An eafie bancke neere to this place there was, A feate faire Flora vfde to fit vpon, Curling her faire lockes in this liquid glaffe, Putting her rich gems and attirings on, Fitter then this about vs was there none ; Heere fet they downe this poore diftreffed man, And in this fort prowd Fortune thus began. Behold this Duke of Normandie quoth fhee, The heire of William, Conqueror of this /le, Appealing to be iuftifi'd by thee, {Whofe tragedy this Poet rauft compile) He of all other that I hold moft vile, His birth being markde with my vnluckie brand, For whom / fee thou com'ft preparde to ftand. What 416 Robert Duke of Normandie. What art thou but a tumor of the minde, A bubble blowne vp with deceitfull breath, Which neuer yet exactly wert definde, In whom no wife man e're repofed faith, Speaking of few well vntill after death, That from loofe humor haft thy timeleffe birth, Vnknowne to heauen, and leffe efteemde on earth ? Firft in opinion hadft thou thy creation, On whom thou ftill dooft feruilely attend, Like whom thou long retainft not any fafhion, But with the world vncertainely dooft wend, Which as a pofte, doth vp and downe thee fend ; Without prophane tongs, thou could'ft neuer rife, Not be vpholden, were it not with lies. In euery corner prying like a theefe, And through each cranny fubtilely dooft creepe, Apt to report, and eafie of beleefe : What's he whofe counfell thou didft euer keepe, That into cloffets fawcily darfte peepe ? Telling for truth, what thou canft but fuppofe, And that divulging, thou fhouldft not difclofe. With extreame toile and labour thou art fought, The way is danger leadeth to thy Cell, Onely with blood thy fauour muft be bought, And who would haue thee, fetcheth thee from hell, Where thou impalde with fire and fword doft dwell ; And when thou art in all this perill found, What art thou ? onely but a tinckling found. Such lg 4i7 The Legend of Such as the world holds (of all other) bafe, And of the reft reproachfully doth fcorne, That amongft men fit in the feruilft place, Thefe be the creatures which thou dooft fubborne, Thofe waite on fame, whofe weedes be neerely worne: Yet thefe poore wretches come not vnto thee, Vnleffe preferrde and dignifide by mee. Thy trumpe fuch men fuppofed to aduance, Is but as thofe fantaftically deeme, Whom folly, youth, or vanity intrance, Onely to found fufficing but to feeme, (Which the wife fort a dotage but efteeme ;) And with this toy the humerous abufing, Their wilfull error, and thy fault excufing. Except in perill thou dooft not appeare, And yet not then, but with intreates and wooing, Flying oft times when thou art very neare At hand, diminifhd and augmented going, On flighteft things the greateft coft beftowing ; In promifing their loffes to repaire, When the performance is but onely ayre. On balefull hearfes as the fitteft grounds, (Written with blood) thy fad memorialls lie, Whofe letters are immedicable wounds, Onely fit obiefts for the weeping eye, And from the duft thou worth dooft only try ; And when fometime thou falfly didft depraue, Thou dooft acknowledge onely in the graue. The 418 Robert Duke of Normandie. The mighty Orbe is witneffe of my power, And how I raigne with the eternall fates, With whom I fit in councell euery howre, On th'alterations of the times and dates, Them fetting downe their changes and their dates, In fore-apointing euery thing to come, Vntill the great and vniuerfall doome. The ftarres to me an euerlafting booke, In that eternall regifter the skie, Whofe mighty volumes I do ouer-looke, Still turning o're the leaues of deftinie ; Which man I to inuiolate, denie, And his fraile will imperioufly controle, By fuch ftrong claufes as I there enrole. Predeftination giuing me a being, Whofe depth manswit could neuer throughly found, Into thofe fecrets haue I onely feeing, Wherein wife Reafon doth herfelfe confound, Searching where doubts do more and more abound ; Where facred texts vnlocke the way to mee, To lighten thofe that will my glory fee. What names old Poets to their gods did giue, Were onely figures to expreffe my might, To fhew the vertues that in me do Hue, And my great power in this all-moouing wight, And all their altars vnto me were dight ; Whofe alterations euermore did bring, Matter whereon continually they fing. Still 419 77*1? Legend of Still moft vncertaine varying in my courfe, Yet in all changes aime one certaine end, Crofiing mans fore-call (he may know my force) Still foe to none, to none a perfe6l friend, To him leaft thought of, fooneft I do fend ; That all fhould finde I worthily beftow, Nor reafon vrge, but that / hold it fo. Forth of my lap I powre aboundant bliffe, All good proceedes from my all-giuing hand, By me, many happy or vnhappy is ; For whom I fticke, or whom I doe withftand, And it is / am friendfhips onely band ; And vpon which, all greedily take hold, Which being broke, loue fuddainely growes cold. Pawfing, fhe frownes, when fuddainely withall, A fearefull noife arifeth from the flood, As when a temped furioufly doth fall, Within the thicke wafte of fome antient wood, That in amazement euery mortall ftoode ; As though her words fuch powerfulneffe didbeare, That euery thing her minaces did feare. When fame yet fmiling, mildely thus replies, Alas quoth fhe, what labor thou haft loft, What wond'rous mifts thou cafts before our eyes ? Yet will the gaine not counteruaile the coft ; What wouldft thou fay if thou hadft caufe to boaft, Which fett'ft thy ftate forth in fuch wond'rous fort, Which but thy felfe, none euer could report ? A 420 Robert Duke of Normandie. A thing conftrained onely by euent, Breeding in fome a tranfitory terror ; A, what men will, that comes by accident, And onely named to excufe their error. What then is Fortune ? or who doth preferre her ? Or who to thee fo foolifh is to leane, Which weake tradition onely doth maintaine ? A toy whereon the doting world doth dreame, Soothed by that vncertaine obferuation Of all attempts, that being the extreame, Faftneth thereby on weake imagination ; Yet notvvithftanding all this vfurpation, Vnto thy felfe art incidently loathing Molt, when thou woldft be, that art rightly nothing. That flightly by insinuating thus, And vnder fo allowable pretence, Clofely incroacheth on mans Genius, In good and euil taking refidence, And hauing got fome fmall preheminence, Vnto thy felfe a being that wouldft frame, Findes in conclufion only but a name. Thofe ignorant which made a god of Nature, And Natures God diuinely neuer knew, Were thofe to Fortune did direcl: a ftature, From whom thy worfhip ignorantly grew, Which being adored foolifhly by few, Grounded thy loofer and vncertaine lawes, Vpon fo weake and indigent a caufe. Firft 421 The Legend of Firft, flouth did beare thee in her fleepy cell, And thee with eafe difhonourably fed, Deliuering thee with Cowardice to dwell, Which with bafe thoughts continually thee bred, By fuperftition idely being led : A lewd impofture after did thee make, Whom for a goddeffe fooles doe onely take. And as thy followers, nothing dooft forecaft, And as thou arte improuident, as light ; And this the chiefeft property thou haft, That againft vertue thou bendft all thy might, With whom thou wageft a continuall fight ; The yeelding fpirite in fetters thou dooft binde, But weake and flauifh to the conftant minde. Such is thy froward and malignant kinde, That thou dooft all things croffely in defpight, Thou art inamored of a barbarous hinde, Whome thou dooft make thy onely fauorite, None but the bafe in bafeneffe doth delight ; For wert thou heauenly, thou in loue wouldft bee, With that which neereft doth refemble thee. But I alone the herauld am of heauen, Whofe fpacious kingdome ftretcheth farre and wide, To euery coaft as fwift as lightning driuen, And on the funne-beames glorioufly I ride ; Now mount I vp, now downe againe I Aide : I regifter the worlds eternall howres, That know the hid will of th'immortall powres. Men 42: Robert Duke of Normandie. Men to the ftarres, me guiding them, do clime, That all dimenfions perfectly expreffe, And I alone the vanquifher of time, Bearing that fweete that cures deaths bitterneffe, That doe all labour plentifully bleffe, That all obftrufe profundities impart, Leading man through the tedious wayes of Arte. My pallace placed betwixt earth and skies, Which many a Tower ambitioufly vpbeares. Whereof the windowes are compofde of eies, The walles as ftrongly edifide of eares, Where euery thing in heauen and earth appeares, Nothing fo foftly whifpered in the round, But through my pallace prefently doth found. And vnder-foote floor'd all about with drummes, The rafters trumpets admirably cleere, Sounding alowde each name that thither comes, The crannies tongues, and talking euery where, And all things paft doe in remembrance beare : The doores vnlocke with euery little breath, And open wide with euery word man faith. And throwout hung with armes & conquer'd fpoiles, The poftes whereon the goodly roofe doth ftand, Are Pillars grauen with Herculian toiles, Th'atchieuements great of many a warrelike hand, Both in the chriften'd and in heathen land ; Done by thofe Nobles that are moft renown'd, Which there by me immortally are crown'd. Herein 423 The Legend of Here in the bodies likenes whilft it liues, Appeare the thoughts proceeding from the minde, To which the place a glorious habite giues, When vnto me they freely are refignde, To be preferu'd there, by my power refinde ; That when the body by pale death doth perifh, Then doth this place the minds true Image cherifh. My beautie neuer fades, but as new borne, As yeares increafe, fo euer waxing yong, My ftrength is not diminifhed, not worne, What weakeneth all things, makes me onely ftrong, Nor am I fubiect vnto worldly wrong, The rape of time I carelefly defie, Nor am I awde by all his tyrannic The brow of heauen my monuments containe, Which is the mighty regifter of Fame, Which there in fine characters remaine, The gorgeous feeling of th'immortall frame, The Conftellations publifhing my name Where my memorialls euermore abide, In thofe pure bodies highly glorifide. Fame hauing ended, Fortune next beganne, Further to vrge what fhe before had faid, When (loe quoth fhe) duke Robert is the man, Which as my prifners I in bondes do leade, For whome thou comft againft me heere to pleade, Whome I alone depriued of his crowne, Who can raife him that Fortune will haue downe? A 424 Robert Duke of Normandie. A fitter inftance (Fame replying) none, Then is Duke Robert, Fortune do thy worft, Greater to man thy might was neuer fhowne, Doing on him what euer Fortune durft ; And fince thy turne allotted thee the firft, Proceede, fee which the Norman Duke fhall haue, Whether that Fame, or Fortune and the graue. Quoth Fortune then, I found th'vnftedfaft ftarre, Whofe luckleffe working limited his fate, That mark'd his fad natiuitie with warre, And brothers moft vnnaturall debate, Publique fedition and with priuate hate, And on that good his father him begunne, Grounded the wracke and downe-fal of this fonne. What bounteous nature franckly did beftow, Wherein her beft fhe ftrained her to trie, Thereby, himfelfe I made him ouerthrow, Aboue you both fo powerfull am I ; His breaft to all fo openly did lie, Iudg'd from his fafhion differing fq farre, For peace too milde, too mercifull for warre. And yet the courage that he did inherit, And from the greatneffe of his blood did take, Though fhrowded in fo peaceable a fpirit, When now his wrong fo roughly did awake, Forthwith fuch furie violently brake, As made the world impartially to fee, All humane affions managed by mee. E e That 3 h 425 Tlte Legend of That till reuenge was wholly him bereft, Oppofde againft fo abfolute a powre, And him to leane on nothing being left, When danger moft him threatned to deuoure, Vnto the period of the vtmoft howre ; Him flattering ftill with promife of my loue, Did make him all extreamities to proue. That whilft his father with the Norman fword, On fruitfull England profprous entrance made, I caft the proiecl: that this youthfull Lord, In the meane time fhould Normandie inuade ; And with as prou'd and powerfull a blade, Him I perfwaded (conftantly by this) To make his owne yet doubtfull to be his. That Robert daily in difgrace might runne, As ftill the Conqueror towards his end did grow, Who well in yeeres, thus vexed by his fonne, Which now his will fo openly did fhow ; His ftate deuifed wifely to beftow, For his owne fafety that his daies to clofe, He might himfelfe more quietly repofe. And that left time might coole his weakned blood, This luckleffe warre by lingring I fupplide, That whilft Duke Robert iuftly cenfured ftood, Vnder the weight of his vnnaturall pride ; In heate of all, this Conqueror William dide, Setting young Rufus on th'vnrightfull throne, Leauing his eldeft ftrugling for his owne. Which 426 Robert Duke of Normandie. Which in fmall time fo many mifchiefes bred, As fundry plagues on Williams of-fprings fent, Attaining to fo violent a head, Which pollicie not after could preuent ; When to deftru6tion all things head-long went, And in the end, as confumating all, Was Roberts irrecouerable fall. When none could profprous Normandie diffwade, From fending enfignes to the Englifh field, Brother oppofde the brother to inuade, Sword againft fword, fhield menaced to fhield, Whofe equall worth to other fcorne to yield ; One arme a front, the others furious ftroke, Scepter with fepter violently broke. Thefe fundry foiles, in both of which was fowne, By fo approu'd and fortunate a hand, The feede to both might profproufly haue growne, By their conioyning in a mutuall band ; Now when thefe Princes oppofite do ftand, What them fhould fofter, greater wounds them lent, Then the prowd'ft powre that Europe could haue (fent. Hauing my felfe wonne William in his life, This conquered Realme to Rufus that did giue, Getting by ftrength what he did leaue in ftrife, Thofe to moleft that after him fhould Hue ; In this aduantage cunningly I driue, T'affli6t his iffue with a generall ill, Yet th'extreame in Robert to fulfill. Ee 2 As 427 The Legend of As when ftowt Odo (that with William held, Daily prickt forward by prowd Lanfrancks fpight, Both powerfull Prelates rigoroufly compeld, Rufus to leaue abetting Roberts right, Drawing both Mortaines and Mongomeries might, Mangling the He with many a greeuous fcarre, Scarcely yet cured of the former warre. That being fet in fo direct a way, Strong friends at hand his enterprize to backe, Ready before him when his entrance lay, Of all fupplide that he did lately lacke, Him I perfwade the remedy to flacke, Stopping the courfe which he did lately runne, All to vndoe that he had euer done. Thus did I ftirre vp that vnkindely rage, That did fo farre preuaile vpon his blood, And at my pleafure did againe affwage, When now this heate in fted might him haue flood ; Thus with his humour altred I my mood, That firft by Armes his vigor he might lofe, Which then laid down, gaue ftrength vnto his foes. That by concluding this vntimely peace, I might thereby a lingring warre beginne, That whil'ft thefe tumults did a little ceafe, Craft more aduantage cunningly might winne ; Thus let / treafon fecretly in, Giuing deceitfull Pollicie the kay, To the faire clofet where his councells lay, Thus 438 Robert Duke of Normandie. Thus reconciling outwardly a friend, I drew an inward and a dangerous foe, That all his wit ambitioufly did lend, To clothe his treafons in a vertuous fhow ; Which were contriued fo currantly to goe, That fecret mallice ftrengthned more and more, Laftly, fliould proue more dangerous then before. And now poore Fame, my power to thee addreft, And thee mine onely inftrument I made, That whilft thefe brothers at this paffe do reft, Him to the warres I wonne thee to perfwade, With thofe that now were going to inuade, With great Duke Godfrey preffing for his bands, From Pagans power t'regaine the holy lands. His youthfull humour finely thus I feed, The meane mod fit to draw him forth abroad, When now at home his prefence moft fhould neede, In forraine lands to faften his aboad, Him in this order onely I beftow'd ; That William dying, Robert being gone, Henry might feate him on his brothers throne. So fweete the founds of thefe aduent'rous Armes, And euery fence fo ftrougly they do binde, That he hath now no feeling of his harmes, So farre away tranfported in his minde, Declaring well the greatneffe of his kinde ; That him fo high and forcibly doth beare, As when moft caufe, he leaft his ill doth feare. Ee 3 Him 429 The Legend of Him hauing throwne into eternall thrall, Wifely fore-cafting how the fame fhould bee, When euery thing made fit vnto his fall, Which none could hinder, though the moft fore-fee, For which I made an inftrument of thee ; For where deftru&ion fadly I pretend, Mifchiefe like lines, all to their centre bend. He gone, and William yeelded vp the breath, The younger Henry couetous of raigne, Offered fo fairely by his brothers death, Whilft Robert doth in Palejline remaine, And now a Kingdome eafily might gaine ; What by his power and fcience to perfwade, Himfelfe a Monarch abfolutely made. Whilft this great Duke imbraced is by thee, Which thou as thine dooft abfolutely claime, Finding meere fhadowes onely miffing mee, And idle Caftles in the ayre doth frame ; Loe, fuch a mighty Monarcheffe is Fame, That what fhe giues, fo eafie is to beare, As none therefore needes violence to feare. Vntill returning from thofe holy warres, So highly honored with the Pagans flight, From forraigne battells vnto ciuill iarres, And getting others for his owne to fight, Inforc'd to vfe the vtmoft of his might ; With that rich fword in Pagan blood imbru'd, Himfelfe to faue by his owne friends purfu'd. When 43° Robert Duke of Normandie. When wanting fummes, the finewes of his force, Which his great courage quickly comes to finde, Euen in the high fpeede of his forward courfe, So skilfully I mannaged his minde, That I a way out readily did finde ; To his deftruction, Henry to fupply, His future fafetie happily to buy. Him by all waies to amity to winne, Not fully yet eftablifh'd as he would, Hauing thus farre already gotten in, Setting himfelfe fubftantially to hold, By the francke offers of bewitching gold ; The yearely tribute from his Crowne to rife, Which might all former iniuries fuffice. Which entertaind by confident beleefe, By which to paffe his purpofes were brought, Not yet fufpitious of this fecret theefe, By which he foone and cunningly was caught ; Or which the leaft when princely Robert thought, Euen in a moment did annoy him more, Then all their powre could euer do before. Which to this great Lord vtterly vnknowne, Not vnderftanding, eafily could not flie, Into his way that fubtilly was throwne, Which to auoide, Duke Robert look'd too hie, Into good minds fraud doth the fooneft prie ; Whofe pliant nature I fecurely chofe, To worke what forme it pleafde me to difpofe. Ee 4 This 431 The Legend of This fatall tribute cutting off the claime, A lawfull Prince to Englands Empire laid, His former right doth altogether maime, As they agreed yeerely to be paid ; Thereon relying after being ftaid, As from a fountaine plenteoufly did fpring, Th'efficient caufe of Roberts ruining. Whenas his friends fo well to him that meant, And for this day did wholly them prepare, Seeing him thus their purpofe to preuent, And how thereby t'was like with him to fare ; Now vpon Henry bended all their care, Giuing their power their peace with him to make, Gathered at firft the Norman part to take. And I by whom yet euery thing had beene, Since Norman William conqueft heere begunne, To fhew my felfe the worlds emperious Queene, DirecT: my courfe againft his eldeft fonne, Things falling out difaflxoufly to runne, On Englands part gainft Normandie to ftand, Conquerd but lately by the Norman hand. The conqueft William made vpon this He, When Norman blood the Englifhmen did tame, That natiue now enriched with her ftile, Turnde with reuenge to captiuate the fame, As backe defcending whence it lately came, As Norman power did Englifh thrall prouoke, That Norman neckes fhould beare the Englifh yoke. For 43 2 Robert Duke of Normandie. For which, being vp, and fallne to open Armes, Such mortall hate betweene them daily growes, And preffing in where deadly perill fwarmes, The angry brothers dealing furious blowes, Backe to regaine what they before did loofe, Either to quit him of the others thrall, Either to rife, or euermore to fall. Him on whome late in Palefiine I fmilde, Returnde from Fraunce now dreadfully I frowne, Being calld home that chiefly is exilde, And in his kingdome onely leaues his crowne, Him in the deluge of mifchance to drowne : Laftly, himfelfe contemptfully doth lofe, Leauing his realme to his iniurious foes. Which home to England prifner doe him bring, Left as a fpoile and prey vnto his owne, Become her captiue fhould haue bin her king, Such was the lot vpon his life was throwne, Where he remaining in continuall mone, Prefcrib'd to one poore folitarie place, Whofe lawfull bounds the ocean did embrace, Could humane knowledge comprehend my hate, Or reafon found the depth of things diuine, The world amazed at Duke Roberts ftate, Might thinke no might to be comparde with mine, And all the chaunces vnto me refigne, In Roberts fall apparantly to fee, Amongft the ftarres the ftrength that refts in mee. That 3 l 433 The Legend of That fword vpon him which refumes fuch powre, Yet is too weake to confumate his daies, Time, whofe fwift courfe doth euery thing deuoure, In his mod neede, prolongs him with delaies, Whilft he his brothers tyrannie obeies, That he in life a thoufand deaths might die, In euery courfe fo forcible am I. And whilft in fuch extreamity he lies, Depriude of all comfort but the bleffed light, Yet t'was not this that could my rage fuffice, But to abridge that, rob him of his fight, To fute his daies direftly with the night ; That, that to all men laftly which fhould be, Due to the wretchedft, him denide by me. That Robert fo infortunately blinde, No outward obiecl: might difpearfe his care, The better to illuminate his minde, To fee his forrowes throughly what they are, To do fo much vnto this Prince I dare, That being depriu'd of that which was the chiefe, Did of the other amplifie the griefe. And when bereaued of his nightly reft, With the remembrance of fo great a wrong, Faftning fo deepely on his penfiue breaft, His heart the while that violently ftung, Nature in him doth fhew herfelfe fo ftrong ; That griefe, which many doth of life depriue, Seemes to preferue and keepe him ftill aliue. Him 434 Robert Duke of Normandie. Him I denide his enemy to kill, Nor by his owne hand wretchedly to die, That life vnto him fhould be loathfome ftill, And that death from him euermore fhould flie, Making them both to him an enemie ; Willing to die by life, him double killing, Vrged to liue, twice dying he vnwilling. So many yeares as he hath worne a Crowne, So many yeares as he hath hopde to rife, So many yeares vpon him did I frowne, So many yeares he Hues without his eyes, So many yeares in dying e're he dies, So many yeares fhut vp in prifon ftrong, Sorrow doth make the fhorteft time feeme long. Thus fway I in the courfe of earthly things, That time might worke him euerlafting fpight, To fhew how I can tyrannize on Kings, And in the fall of great ones do delight, In fined things my working infinite ; All worldly changes at my will difpofed, For that in me all wonder is inclofed. At Fortunes fpeech amazed whilft they ftand, And Fame herfelfe yet wondreth at his woe, When from Duke Robert Fortune takes her hand, Whofe mifery fhe thus had let them know ; When now to anfwer her difpightfull foe, Fame from deepe filence feeming to awake, Thus for her Client modeftly beipake. Quoth 435 The Legend of Quoth (he, returning from renowned Rome, Seeking my felfe in Europe to aduance, To winne her Princes to regaine the tombe, Which had beene loft by her mifgouernance, Calling to England, Germany and France (At length) perfwaded happily by me, From Pagan hands faire Paleftine to free. That holy hermite long that did bemone This their fo great and euident a loffe, With famous Godfrey forwards that was gone, Bearing the banner of the bloody Croffe, Now whilft in fo faire forward nes it was, And euery care attentiue now did ftand, To this great buifnes onely then in hand. Thither did all the nobleft fpirites refort, Which I that time fucceffefully did bring, Allured by the confident report That from fo great an enterprife did fpring, T'aduenture in fo popular a thing ; And no man deemed worthy to be mine, That was not forward in this great defigne. Where now this duke the Conqu'rors eldeft fonne, Which with his birthright Normandie did wreft, When of what elfe his noble father wonne, His brother Rtifus ftrongly was poffeft ; Which whilft he ftriueth from his hands to reft, This great attempt now glorioufly broke forth, Which was by me divulged through the north. Which 43 6 Robert Duke of Normandie. Which hauing got free entrance to his eare, Such entertainement happily did finde, As no perfwafion fuffreth to be there, From this high purpofe to diuert his minde, And being fo religioufly inclinde, Woo'd with this offer fitly doth prepare Himfelfe to furnifh to this great affaire. That kingdome he dooth carelefly negle£t, His brother Rufus wrongfully doth keepe, And onely that doth conftantly refpect, Where he once in his fepulchre did fleepe, At whofe deere death the very rockes did weepe, His crown of gold this chriftian Prince doth fcorn, So much he lou'd him that was crownd with thorne. The want that him did grieuoufly oppreffe, Of thofe great fummes in leuying power were fpent, Himfefe againe of England to poffeffe, Much hindreth his religious intent, Yet could not this his purpofe fo preuent, Although a while it feemd delay to make, Of that which he did brauely vndertake. Wherefore this noble and high fpirited Lord, Whilft now his buifnes ftandeth at this ftay, And fince his ftate no better could afford, In gage to Henry Normandie doth lay, Prouiding firft his fouldiers how to pay, Rather himfelfe chofe kingdomleffe to leaue, His countries hopes then bafely to deceaue. To 437 The Legend of To his victorious enfigne comes from farre, Th'in lied Red-fhanks toucht with no remorfe, The light-foote Irifh that with darts do warre, The Scot fo much delighting in his horfe, The Englifh Archer of a Lions force, The valiant Norman moft his troupes among, With the braue Britton wonderfully ftrong. Remote from comfort in this colder clime, To other Countries kindely doth you bring, (And wifely teach you to redeeme the time, Whence your eternall memory might fpring) Vnto the place whereas the heauenly King, Your deare redemption happily beganne, Liuing on earth, which was both God and man. Poore Uanders which in the Oceans chaine, Too long imprifoned from the cheerefull day, Your warlike leader brings you to the maine, Which to my Court doth fhew the open way, And his victorious hand becomes the key ; Vnto fo high aduentures that you beares, Glory to you, and honour to your heires. And doth thereto fo zealoufly proceede, As thofe faire lockes his temples that adorne, Vntill the great Ierufalem were freed, He made a vow fhould neuer more be fhorne, Which fince they fo religioufly were worne ; In euery eye did beautifie him more, Then did the Crowne of Normandie before. Whilft 438 Robert Duke of Normandie. Whilft he ftill on his vpright courfe doth hold, As we the fequell briefely fhall relate, Bearing himfelfe (as worthily he could) And beft became his dignitie and ftate, Teaching how his themfelues fhould moderate, Not following life, fo with his chance content, Nor flying death, fo truly valient. So did he all his faculties beftow, That euery thing exactly might be done, That due fore-fight before the act might goe, Others groffe errors happily to ihunne, Wifely to finifh well that was begunne ; Alftly directed in the courfe of things, By the ftraight rule from found experience fprings. /die regards of greatnes that did fcorne, Careleffe of pompe, magnificent to bee, That man reputing to be nobleft borne, That was the molt magnanimous and free, In. honor fo impartiall was hee, Efteeming titles meritleffe and nought, Vnleffe with danger abfolutely bought. Giuing the fouldier comfortable words, And oft imbalmes his well-receiued wound, To him that needed maintenance affords, To braue attempts encouraging the found, Neuer difmaide in any perrill found ; His Tent a feate of iudgement to the greeu'd, And as a Court to thofe fhould be releeu'd. So 439 The Legend of So perfect was that rarifying fire, That did compofe and re£tifie his minde, Vnto that place that raifed his defire, Aboue the vfuall compaffe of his kinde, And from the world fo cleerely him refinde, As him did wholy confecrate to glorie, A fubiedt fit whereon to build a ftorie. Who in ambaffage to the Emperour fent, Pafling along through Macedon and Thrace, Neuer did fleepe but onely in his tent, Till he reviewd that famous Godfreis face, Nor till hee came vnto that halowed place, Ne're did repofe his bodie in a bed, Such were the cares poffeft his troubled head. O wherefore then great finger of thy daies, Renowned Taffo in thy noble ftorie, Shouldft thou be tax'd as partiall in his praife, And yet fo much fhouldft fet forth others glorie ? Me thinkes for this thou fhouldft be inly forie, That thou fhouldft leaue another to recite, That which fo much thou didft negle6l to write. There was not found in all the chriftian hofte, Any than he more forward to the field, Nor their battallions could another boaft, To beare himfelfe more brauely with his fhield, So well his armes this noble Duke could wield, As fuch a one he properly fhould be, Thatt I did meane to confecrate to me. Of 440 Robert Duke of Normandie. Of fo approoued and deliuer force, Charging his launce or brandifhing his blade, Whether on foote, or managing his horfe, That open paffage through the ranckes he made, At all aflaies fo happy to inuade, That were he abfent in the charge or chafe, It was fuppofde the day did loofe the grace. In doubtfull fights where danger foon'ft did fall, He would be prefent euer by his will, And where the Chriftians for fupplies did call, Thither through perill Robert preffed ftill, To helpe by valour, or relieue by skill ; To euery place fo prouidently feeing, As power in him had abfolutely being. When in the morne his Courfer he beftrid, He feemd compofde effentially of fire, But from the field he euer drowping rid, As he were vanquifht onely to retire, Neereft his reft, the furth'ft from his defire, And in the fpoiles his fouldiers fhare the crownes, They rich in golde, he only rich in wounds. And when the faire Ierufalem was wonne, And king thereof they gladly him would make, All worldly titles he fo much doth fhunne, As he refufde the charge on him to take, One the vaine world that cleerely did forfake, So farre it was from his religious minde, To mixe things vile with thofe of heauenly kinde. Ff No 3* 44* The Legend of No triumph did his victories adorne, But his high praife for finfull man that dide, Nor other marke of viftory is worne, But that red Crofle to tell him crucifide, All other glories that himfelfe denide : A holy life fo willingly he leades, In dealing almes, and bidding of his beades. Thus a poore Pilgrime he returnes againe, For glittring armes in Palmers homely gray, Leauing his Lords to leade his warrelike traine, Whilft he alone comes fadly on the way, Dealing abroad his lately purchafde pray ; An aged ftaffe his carefull hand doth hold, That with a launce his heathen foe controld e. But now to end this long continued ftrife, Henceforth thy mallice takes no further place, The hate thou bar'ft him ended with his life, By thee his fpirite can fuffer no difgrace, Now in mine armes his vertues I embrace, His body thine, his croffes witnes bee, But mine his minde, that from thy powre is free. Thou gau'ft vp rule when he gaue vp his breath, And where thou end'ft, eu'n there did I beginne, Thy ftrength was buried in his timeleffe death, When as thy Conquerour laftly came I in, That all thou gotft from thee againe did winne ; To whom thy right thou wholy didft refigne, That all thou hadft was abfolutely mine. To 442 Robert Duke of Normandie. To the bafe world then Fortune get thee backe, The fame with drery tragedies to fill, There by thy power bring all things vnto wracke, And on weake mortalles onely worke thy will, And fince fo much thou dooft delight in ill, Heare his complaint, who wanting eies to fee, May giue thee fight, which arte as blinde as hee. At her great words amazed whilft they ftand, The Prince which looked dreadfully and grimme, Bearing his eies in his diftreffefull hand, Whofe places ftoode with bloode vnto the brimme, In the great anguifh fhaking euery limme ; After deepe fighes and lamentable throwes, Thus gan at length to vtter forth his woes. Saith he, farewell, the lights are now put out, And where they were, is buried all my ioy, That are with darkenes compaffed about, Which tiranny did wilfully deftroy, To breed my more perpetuall annoy, That euen that fenfe I onely might forgoe ; That could alone giue comfort to my woe. You which beheld faire Palejline reftorde, And from prophane hands of the Pagans freed, The Sepulchre of that moft gratious Lord, Andfeen the mountwherehis deere wounds did bleed That with thefe fights my zealous foule did feede ; Sith from your functions night doth you diffeuer, Seclude me now from worldly ioyes for euer. F f 2 They 443 The Legend of They fawe no Sunne, nor did they view the day, Except a candle, they beheld no light, Strong walles before thofe bleflings kept away, What could be feard ? they could not hurt the night, For then teares wholy hindred them of fight ; O then from whence fhould Henries hate arife, Though I fawe nothing that I fhould haue eies ? The wretchedft thing the moft defpifedft bead, Enioyes that fence as generally as wee, The very Gnat, or what than that is leaft, Of fight by nature kindely is made free, What that hath mouth to feede, but eies to fee, O that a tyrant then fhould me depraue, Oi that which elfe all liuing creatures haue ! Whilft yet the light did mittigate my moane, Teares found a meane to found my forrowes deepe, But now ay me, that comfort being gone, By wanting eies wherewith I erft did weepe, My cares alas concealed I muft keepe ; O God, that blindeneffe ftealing my delight, Should aboue all things giue my forrow fight ! Where fometime ftoode the beauties of this face, Thofe lampes once lighted with the veftall flame, Is now a dungeon, a diftreffed place, A harbour fit for infamy and fhame, Which but with horrour none can fcarcely name ; OwX. of whofe darke grates mifery and griefe, Starued for vengeance, daily beg reliefe. The 444 Robert Duke of Normandie. The day abhorres me, and me ftill doth flie, Night ftill me followes, yet too long doth ftay, This neuer comes though it be euer nie, And this in comming vanifheth away, What now me booteth either night or day ; All's one, ftil day, or be it euer night, Sith one to me the darkeneffe and the light. You wherewith once my comforts I did view, Th'alcouering heauen and glory that it beares, No more the fame fhall e're be feene of you, That happy fight that euery mortall cheares, No more to me for euer nowe appeares ; Betake you felues vnto your darkefome cell, And bid the world eternally farewell. His fpeech thus ending, Fortune difcontent, Turning herfelfe as (he away would flie, Playing with babes and fooles incontinent, As neuer tutch'd with humane miferie, As what fhe was herfelfe to verifie ; And ftrait forgetting what fhe had to tell, To other fpeech and girlifh laughter fell. When gracefull Fame conueying thence her charge, With all thefe troupes that did to her refort, Gaue me this booke, wherein was writ at large, His life fet out in admirable fort, T'amaze the world with this fo true report, But Fortune angry with her foe therefore, Gaue me this gift, that I fhould ftill be pore. FINIS. F 3 445 The Legend of Matilda. IF yet a Mufe there happily remaine, That is by truth fo diligently taught, As vninftrudted wantonly to faine, Declareth but what modeftie (he ought ; If this be fuch which I fo long haue fought, I craue by her my life may be reuealde, By blacke obliuion enuioufly concealde. Oh if fuch fauour I might hope to finde, Heere in this world yet once to Hue agen, As I yet laftly might expreffe my minde, By the endeuour of a powrefull pen, In all my forrowes happy were I then ; Three hundreth yeares by all men ouer-paft, Finding one friend to pitty me at laft. O you of him fo happily eleft, Whom I intreat to profecute my ftory, Lady moft deere, moft worthy all refpecT;, The worlds beft Jewell, and your fexes glory, It fhall fuffice me, be Idea fory, Reading my Legend fadly in his verfe, Which now alone muft ferue me for a herfe. Be 446 of Matilda. Be you the patterne by whofe perfect view, Like your faire felfe he wifely may me make, For fure aliue none fitter is then you, Whofe forme vnfpotted chaftitie may take, Be you propitious, for whofe onely fake For me I know hee'le gladly do his beft, So you and I may equally be bleft. Bright Rofamond fo highly that is graced, Inroled in the regifter of fame, That in our fain6led kalender is placed, By him who ftriues to ftellifie her name ; Yet will the modeft fay fhe was too blame, Though full of ftate and pleafing be his rime, Yet can his skill not expiate her crime. The wife of Shore winnes generall applaufe, Finding a pen laborious in her praife, Elftred reuiu'd to pleade her pittied caufe, After the enuie of fo many daies, Happie's the man their glories high'ft can raife ; Thus the loofe wanton liked is of many, Vice fhall finde friends, but vertue feldome any. To vaunt of my Nobilitie were vaine, Which were I know, not bettered by the beft, Nor fhould befeeme an honourable ftraine, And me a maiden fits not of the reft, Nor worldly titles fondly will fuggeft ; A vertuous life I meane to boaft alone, Our birth our fyres, our vertues be our owne. Ff4 T'is 447 The Legend T'is fhame to fetch our long defcent from Kings, If from the gods deriued thou fhouldft be, The old atchieuements of thofe wondrous things, Which thou thy felfe then liuedft not to fee, What be their a£ts materiall vnto thee ? Staining that blood and honour that was theirs, Which could not leaue their vertues to their heires. Heauen powr'd downe more abundance on my birth, Then it before had vfually beftow'd, And was in fo bountifull to earth, As though the fulneffe meaning to haue fhow'd, On me it fo immeafurably flow'd, That fuch a fhape with fuch a fpirit infpir'd, Did of the wifeft make me moft defir'd. Vpon my brow fate Beautie in her pride, Vnto the world as miniftring her law, And vnto all fuch riches did diuide, As vnto her all generally did draw ; And yet mine eye did keepe them fo in awe, As that which onely could true vertues meafure, Ordainde by Nature to preferue her treafure. My carrige fuch as might content the wife. My fpeech fuch comely decencie retaine, As of the yonger was not deemde precife, Nor of the aged was accounted vaine ; So well inftrufted to obferue the meane, So well compact, and natiue was each good, That did cohere with temper of my blood. Nature 44 8 of Matilda. Nature in me did fuch perfections vary, As that the leaft allow'd not of compare, And yet fo well did teach me them to carry, That then themfelues did make them feeme more rare, As in my portion fuffering none to fhare, In her faire grace by placing me fo hie, That there fhould fit the darling of the skie. When Fame beganne my beauty firft to blaze, That foone became too lauifh of the fame, Hauing her trumpet laden with my praife, That euery place was filled with my name, For which report thou too much wert too blame ; But vnto thee is beautie fubie<5l ftill, Which I may fay, is caufer of our ill. This jealous monfter hath a thoufand eyes, Her ayrie body hath as many wings, Now about earth, now vp to heauen fhe flies, And heere and there with euery breath fhe flings, Euen from the deepe her meffages fhe brings, Nothing fo fecret but to her appeareth, As apt to credite euery thing fhe heareth. And Princes eares as open to report, As skill in blazing beauty to a King, SubiecT: vnto the cenfure of the Court, From whence Fame carries, thither fhe doth bring, And which foeuer fhe doth lowdly ring, Thither ah me vnhappily fhe brought, Where I my bane vnfortunately caught. There 3^ 449 Ttie Legend There ftood my beautie boldly for the prize, Where the moft cleere and perfe&ft iudgements be, And of the fame the moft iudiciall eyes, Did giue the gole impartially to me ; So did I ftand vnparaleld and free, And like a comet in the euenings side, Strooke with amazement euery wondring eye. This t'was poffeft the breaft of princely Iohn, This on his hart-ftrings endleffe muficke made, This wholy wonne him vnto it alone, And fully did his faculties inuade, From which not reafon euer could diffwade ; This taught his eyes their due attendance ftill, Holding the reines which rulde his princely will When yet my father fortunate in Court, And by his blood ranck'd equall with the beft, Hauing his quicke eare touch'd with this report, Which yet the newes but hardly could digeft, And on my youth his onely care did reft ; Straitly purfues it by thofe fecret fpies, As ftill in Courts attend on Princes eyes. And he thus while who feemed but to fleepe, Till he the Princes purpofes could found, And to himfelfe yet fecretly did keepe, What he but late had prouidently found ; So well that wife Lord could conceale his wound, That well fore-faw how dangerous it would proue, To croffe the courfe of his impatient loue. When 45° of Matilda. When hairing found how violent a flame, Vnbrideled will had kindled in the King, If on the fuddaine he fhould flop the fame, A greater inconuenience might bring, Which being knowne fo dangerous a thing, Me doth bethinke him fitteft to perfwade, E're for my fafety further means he made. Deare girle quoth he, thou feeft who doth await, T'intrap that beautie bred to be thy foe, Being fo faire and delicate a bait, Tempting all eyes themfelues there to beftow, Whofe power the King is taught too foone to know; Of his defire that what the end may bee, Thy youth may feare my knowledge doth fore-fee. And for thou liueft publiquely in Court, Whofe priuiledge doth euery meane protect, Where the enfample of the greateft fort, Doth more then opportunitie effect, None thriuing there that dwell vpon refpeft, Being a lottery where but few do winne, Falfhood th'aduenture, and the prize but finne. Subt'ly oppofing to thy longing fight, What may to pleafure poffibly prouoke, And fitly fafhioned vnto thy delight, That with the graueft ftrikes too great a ftroke, Hauing withall emperious power thy cloke ; With fuch ftrong reafons on her part propounded, As may leaue vertue feemingly confounded. Many 45 * The Legend Many the waies inducing to thy fall, And to thy fafety none is left to guide thee, And when thy danger greateft is of all, Euen then thy fuccour fooneft is denide thee : So fundry meanes from vertue to diuide thee, Hauing with all mortalitie about thee, Frailty with in, temptation fet without thee. The leachers tongue is neuer voide of guile, Nor wants he teares when he would winne his pray, The fubtilft tempter hath the fmootheft ftile, Sirens fing fweetely when they would betray, Luft of it felfe had neuer any ftay, Nor to containe it bounds could haue deuifde, That when moft fild, is leaft of all fuffifde. With euery meane and maieftie is fraught, That all things hath contained in his power, And who wil conquer, leaues no meane vnfaught, Soft golden drops did pierce the brazen Tower, Watching th'aduantage of each paffing hower, Time offering ftill each howre to doe amiffe, Thy banefull poifon fpiced with thy bliffe, And when this heady and vnfeafned rage, Which in his blood doth violently raigne, Time, that the heate fhall peceably affwage, Shall fhew the more apparently thy Maine, Which vnto ages euer fhall remaine ; Sinne in a chaine leades on her fifter fhame, And both in gyues faft fettered to defame. Kings 452 of Matilda. Kings vfe their loues as garments they haue worne, Ox as the meate whereon they fully fed, The Saint once gone, who doth the fhrine adorne ? Or what is Nectar carelefly if fhed, What Princes wealth redeemes thy maidenhead, Which fhould be held as pretious as thy breath, Whofe defoliation confumates thy death. The ftately Eagle on his height dooth ftand, And from the maine the fearefull fowle doth fmite, Yet fcornes to tuch it lying on the land, When he hath felt the fweete of his delight, But leaues the fame a prey to euery kite ; With much we furffet, plenty makes vs poore, T^he wretched Indian fpurnes the golden ore. When now he points the periode with a teare, Which in my bofome made fo great a breach, As euery precept firmely fixed there, And ftill his councel vnto me did preach, A father fo effectually fhould teach, That then his words I after euer found, Written on fo immaculate a ground. The youthfull king deluded but the while, That in his breaft did beare this quenchleffe fire, Whilft flattring hope his fences doth beguile, That with frefh life ftill quickned his defire, And gone fo farre now meant not to retire ; Thinkes if that aptly winning him but place, By loue or power to purchafe him my grace. Which 453 The Legend Which ftill deferring, found he ftill did faile, Nor to his minde aught (kindely) tooke effect, Couragioufly refoluing to affaile, That other meanes doth vtterly neglect, In fpite what feare could any way obiect, And finding time, not booting to be mute, Thus to me laftly did preferre his fute. Deare maide(quoth he) when Nature had ordained Thee to the world her workemanfhip to bring, All other creatures knowing fhe had ftained, By fo diuine and excellent a thing, Onely therefore to gratifie a King, Seal'd thee the Charter dated at thy birth, Mirrour of heauen, the wonder of the earth. Hoord not thy beautie, heauen doth giue thee ftore, Pittie fuch treafure fhould lie idely dead, Which being imparted fhall increafe the more, And by the intereft euermore be fed, To be mans comfort that was onelie bred, Which of it felfe is of fuch power and might, As like the funne ioyes all things with the fight. From thofe bright ftars fuch ftreams of lightning glide As through the eies doe wound the very hart, Whofe vertues may be fundrie waies applide, Hurting and healing like Achilles dart ; Such bountie Nature did to them impart, 7"hofe lampes two planets clearer then the feauen, 7^hat with their fplendor light the world to heauen. Had 454 of Matilda. Had Art fuch colours as could truly (how, Each rare perfection rightly in his kinde, And on each one fufficiently beftowe, Vnto the glory properly affignde, Painting the beauties aptly to the minde, But O alone thy excellence is fuch, As words though many leffen worth fo much. He is thy king, who is become thy fubiecT:, Sometimes thy Lord now feruant to thy loue, Thy gracefull features be his onely obiect, Who for thy fake a thoufand deaths durft proue. A Princes prayer fhould fome compafTion moue ; Let woolues and beares be cruell in their kindes, But women meeke and haue relenting mindes. Daine (deare) to Iooke vpon thefe brimfull eyes, With tides of teares continually frequented, Where hope without foode hunger-ftaruen lies, Which to betray me trecheroufly confented, That for the fa6l being lawfully conuented, Iudgde in thefe waters ftill to haue their being, For their prefumption thy perfections feeing. Sit thou commanding vnder mine eftate, Hauing thy treffes honored with my Crowne, As not vnworthie of a meaner fate And make the prowd'ft to tremble with a frowne, Raife whom thou wilt, call who itpleafe thee downe : And be my loue renowned through this He, With all the titles fame may thee inftile. What 455 The Legend What if my Queene repining at our bliffe, Thee as did Iuno Ioues faire darling keepe, Mine I'le preferue as that great god did his, Wife Mercury lulld Argus eies to fieepe, Loue euer laughs when iealoufie dooth weepe, When moft fhe ftirs, our power fhal keep hir vnder, She may raife ftormes,but we doe rule the thunder. Thus hauing made the entrance to his loue, Which he fuppofde affuredly in time, Oi better tidings meffenger might proue, By which he after to his ioyes might clime, And of my youth now being in the prime, (me, Leaues me, not knowing well which way to turne Warm'd with the fire which vnawares might burne (me. Vpon my weaknes that fo ftrongly wrought, Whilft in my breaft a mutiny arofe, Feare and Defire a doubtfull combate fought, As like two eager and ambitious foes, This ftriues to winne, the other feares to loofe ; By this oft cleered, and by that accufed, Flattred by that moft, moft which me abufed. And in my felfe that well fufpecled treafon, Knowing who watcht to haue me for his pray, And in fo apt and dangerous a feafon, When youth and beauty bare fo great a fway, And where he battery ftill to me might lay, Who girt fo ftrongly eueiy way about, Well might fufpeft I could not long holde out. All 4S 6 of Matilda. All doubts end feares caft vtterly afide, Refolu'd at laft away from Court to goe, Whither it pleafde my happy ftarres to guide, There I my felfe determinde to beftowe, Vntill time might the paflion ouer-blow, Or if at leaft it wrought not the extrufion, Might lend me power to help my refolution. When he whofe care this while me not forfooke, That many a fweete fleepe for my fafetie brake, Much that was pleafed with the courfe I tooke, As one that truely fuffred for my fake, Did his abode at Baynards Cattle make, Which fince the Court fo happly did leaue me, To his protection kindely did receiue me. Whence forrow feemed vtterly exilde, Wherein my life I long before did wafle, The prefent time that happily beguilde, With thought of that which was alreadie pad, Where I was now fo fortunately plac'd ; Euen as a bird efcap'd the Fowlers fnare, Whome former danger warneth to beware. When now the King whofe purpofes were croffd, Which this euafion fubt'ly did preuent, And that the meane to which he trufted moft, Was that which moft did fruftrate his intent, Seeing his fute prepofteroufly went, Another courfe bethinkes himfelfe to runne, Elfe now as farre off, as when firft begunne. G g Thence 3 m 457 The Legend of Thenceforth deuifing to diffolue the maffe, That lay fo full betwixt him and the light, That in his fute fo great a hindrance was And leaft exfpefted wrought him moft difpite, Finding the caufe that all things went not right, Cafteth forthwith my father to remoue, To make the way more cleerer to his loue. When fcarcely cured of that fickely qualme, And that my hart was happily at eafe, But as a fhip that in a gentle calme, Floates vp and downe vpon the quiet feas, By fome rough guft fome aduerfe ftarre doth raife, Driuen againe into the troubled maine, Which well had hopde fecurely to haue laine. The powrefull Prince whome I did thus reie6l, Heereon in Court doth firft this Peere difgrace, Thereby to giue the people to fufpeft, T'offend in fome thing fitting neere his place, Them it (by all meanes) vrging to imbrace ; Which if he cleerely modeld out, that path Should giue a paffage freely to his wrath. And giuing colour to his ranck'rous hate, By fuch falfe councell as to him he drew, Cunning in all the ftratagems of ftate, My guiltleffe father ceafelefly purfue, Whofe kingly power too quickely ouerthrew Him which I hop'd me fuccour mould haue giuen, Till from all refuge abfolutely driuen. And 458 of Matilda. And not their cleere and intelle6tuall fight, Into the quarrell that did throughly looke, Not our alies that to their vtmoft might Gainft his proceeding that our partie tooke, Vnto the end that neuer me forfooke ; Could the effecl: of his great power preuent, To ftay from Fraunce my banifht father fent. Not all his feruice to his foueraigne done, In warre as valiant, as in councell found, Which from this Prince companion might haue won, To him that faithfull euermore was found, How deepely thou ingratitude dooft wound : Sure firft deuifed to no other end, But to grieue thofe whom nothing could offend. Ay me, forfaken, left vnto my foe, Thus by my fortune frowardly betraide, Neuer poore maiden was befieged fo, And all depreffed that fhould lend me aide, Such weight the heauens vpon my birth had laide, Yet her due merite vertue neuer lofeth, (feth. Gainft her faire courfe though heauen it felfe oppo- Embarkt for France his fad deie<5ted eies, Filled with teares in plentifulleft ftore, His parting threatned by the lowring skies, Then vnder faile from fight of any fhore, Feare him behinde, and forrow him before ; Wafting withall his fad laments in vaine, To the rude waters only to complaine. Gg 2 When 459 The Legend When like a deere before the hounds imbofte, When him his ftrength beginneth to forfake, Leaues the fmoothe lawnes to which he trufted moft, And to the couert doth it felfe betake, Doubling that creepes from brake againe to brake ; Thus (till I fhift me from the Princes face, Which hath me now continually in chafe. The coaft now cleere, fufpition laide to reft, And each thing fit to further his intent, Which with much pleafure quieted his breaft, That euery thing fo profperoufly went, And if the reft fucceffefully confent, Of former ayde that being quite forfaken, He hopes the fort may eafily be taken. A Princes armes are ftretcht from fhore to fhore, Kings_fleeping fee with eies of other men, Craft findes a key to open euery doore, Little it bootes in walles my felfe to pen, The lambe inclofed in the lions den ; Whofe watchfull eies too eafily defcride me, (me. And found me foonft, where fur'ft I thought to hide My paths by fpies are diligently noted, O're me he holdes fo vigilant a watch, And on my beautie he fo fondly doted, That at my lookes he enuioufly did catch, Readie that ftoode attending at my latch, Where jealous loue continually did warde, Treafon my handmaide, Falfhoode on my guarde. Where- 460 of Matilda. Wherefore fince this fo badly forted out, He to my fhifts fo narrowly me draue, Another courfe muft needefly caft about, Where fafer harbor happily to haue, Since infufficient this was me to faue, His power fo fpatious euery way did lie, That ftill I ftood in his ambitious eye. And feare which taught me euery way to proue, When I of many long time did debate, Me at the laft it pleafde the powers to moue, To take vpon me a religious ftate, The holy Cloifter none might violate ; Where after all thofe ftormes I did endure, There yet at laft might hope to Hue fecure. Wherefore to Dunntow fecretly conuaide, Vnto a houfe that fometime was begunne, By Iuga, of our anceftry, a maide, At whofe great charge this Monaftry was done, In which fhe after did become a Nunne ; And kept her order ftricHy with the reft, Which in that place virginitie profeft. Where I my felfe did fecretly beftow, From the vaine world which I too long had tride, One whom affliction taught my felfe to know, My youth and beautie gently that did chide, And me inft.ru6t.ing as a skilfull guide ; Printed with all fuch coldneffe in my blood, That it might fo perpetuate my good. Gg 3 The 461 The Legend The King who with an enuious eye did fee, His power deluded, ftrongly difcontent, Who thence his power not poflibly could free, Which his fad breaft doth grieuoufly torment ; Which, fince that I fo wilfully was bent, And he paft hope now euer to enioy me, Refolues by fome meanes laftly to deftroy me. And he that knew one fit for fuch a fa£t, To whom he durft his fecret thoughts impart, One that for him would any thing enact, And in performance wanted not his Art, That had a ftrong hand, a relentleffe hart ; On him the King (in madneffe fo enrag'd) Impofde my death himfelfe thereto that gag'd. Who making hafte the fatall deede to do, Thither repaires, but not as from the King, One that did well know what belong'd thereto, Nor therein needed any tutoring, But as one fent vpon fome needefull thing ; Witha fmooth countenance and with fetled browes, Obtaines to get in where I paide my vowes. Where I alone and to his tale expofde, As one to him a willing eare that lent, Aye me, too foone himfelfe to me difclofde, And who it was that him vnto me fent, From point to point, relating his intent ; (vafion, Which whilft I ftoode ftrooke dumbe with this in- He thus purfues me ftrongly with perfwafion. Saith 462 of Matilda. Saith he, but heare how greatly thou dooft erre, Fondly to doat vpon thine owne perfection, Whenas the King thee highly will preferre, And that his power defireth thy protection ; So indifcreetly fort not thy election, To fhut vp in a melancholy cell, That in the Court ordained was to dwell. How dangerous is fo bountifull an offer, If thy negle6l do retchlefly abufe it, Who was it euer that did fee a coffer, Filled with gold, and proffered did refufe it ; Greater thy faith the more thou dooft excufe it, Thy felfe condemning in thine owne good hap, Refufing treafure caft into thy lap. Wrong not thy faire youth, nor the world depriue Of that great riches Nature freely lent, Pitty t'were they by niggardize fhould thriue, Whofe wealth by waxing craueth to be fpent, For which thou after iuftly fhalt be fhent ; Like to fome rich churle burying his pelfe, Both to wrong others, and to ftarue himfelfe. What is this vaine, this idle reputation, Which to the fhew you feemingly refpecl:, Onely the weakeneffe of imagination. Which in conclufion worketh no effect ? Leffe then that, can the worfhippers protect, That onely ftandeth vpon fading breath, And hath at once the being, and the death. Gg 4 A 4&3 The Legend A feare that grew from doting fuperftition, To which ftill weake credulitie is prone, And onely fince maintained by tradition, Into our eares impertinently blowne, By follie gathered, as by error fowne ; Which vs ftill threatning, hindreth our defires, Yet all it fhewes vs be but painted fires. Thee let it like this Monaftry to leaue, Which youth and beautie iuftly may forfake, Do not the Prince of thofe high ioyes bereaue, Which happy him eternally may make, Which fends me elfe thy life away to take ; For dead to him if needfly thou wilt proue, Die to thy felfe, and buried with his loue. Rage that refumde the colour of his face, Whofe eye feemde as the Bafalisks to kill, The horror of the folitary place, Being fo fit wherein to worke his will, Each good omitted, euery prefent ill ; Which all doe feeme my ouerthrow to further, By feare diffwaded, menaced by murther. In this fo great and peremptory triall, With ftrong temptations grieuoufly afflicted, With many a yeelding, many a deniall, Oft times acquitted, oftentimes conuifted, Whilft feare before me liuely (lands depifled, And at the inftant by a little breath, Giues me my life, or fends me vnto death. When 404 of Matilda. When nowe my foule that gathred all her powres, Which in this neede might friendly giue her aide, The refolution of fo manie howres, Whereon herfelfe fhe confidently ftaide ; (In this diftreue their helpe together laide,) Making the ftate which fhe maintained good, Expeld the feare, vfurping on by blood. The which my tongue did modeftly enlarge, From thofe ftric"t limits terror it confinde, My greeued bofome fadly to difcharge, And my loft fpirites did liberally vnbinde ; To my cleere eyes their refidence refignde, And ftrongly there mine honour to maintaine, Check'd his prefumption with a chafte difdaine. Finding me thus inuiolably bent, He for my death that onely did abide, Hauing a poifon murdring by the fcent, Vnto the organ of that fenfe applide ; Which for the fame when fitteft time he fpide, Vnto my nofthrills forcibly did ftraine, Which at an inftant wrought my deadly baine. With his rude tuch (my vaile difordered then) My face difcouering, whofe delitious cheeke Tinckted with crimfon, fading foone agen, With fuch a fweetenes as made death euen meeke, Seeming to him, beholding it euen like Vnto a fparke extinguifh'd to the eye, Breakes forth in fire e're fuddainely it die. And 3» 465 The Legend And whilft thereat amazed he doth ftand, Wherein he fuch an excellencie faw, Ruing the fpoile done by his fatall hand, Whom nothing elfe my beauty now did awe, And from his eyes would force him teares to draw ; Of which depriu'd and fetled euen as dead, Greeuing for me that it had none to fhed. When life retreating gently towards the hart, (On whom cold death inuafion now did make, Winning by little euery outward part) As more and more her fuccours her forfake, To this laft fort enforc'd her to betake, To him whom fadly yet did me behold, Thus with milde fpeech my greefe I did vnfold. Is this the gift the King on me beftowes, Which in this fort he fends thee to prefent me ? I am his friend, what giues he to his foes, If this in token of his loue be fent me ? His pleafure thus, it muft not difcontent me ; Yet after fure a prouerbe this fhall proue, The gift King Iohn beftow'd vpon his loue. When all that race to memory are fet, And by their ftatues their atchieuements done Which wonne abroad, and which at home did get, From fonne to fyre, from fyre vnto the fonne, Grac'd with the fpoiles that glorioufly they wonne ; O that of him it onely fhould be faid, This was that King, the murtherer of a maid ! O 466 of Matilda. O keepe it fafely from the eares of Fame, That none do heare of this vnhalowed dcede, To him be fecret and conceale his fhame, Left after-ages hap the fame to reede, And in their eyes the very letters bleede ; O let the graue my innocency hold, Ere of a King fo heynous finne be told. Vttering my minde my forrow to affwage, The heauy burthen of my penfiue breaft, The poifon now that inwardly did rage, The prefent vigor forcibly expreft, Me no way fuffering to declare the reft ; Longer for him t'was now no time to (lay, And death call'd on to haften me away. Thus in my clofet being left alone, Vpon the floore vncomfortably lying, The deede committed and the murtherer gone, Almoft arriued at the point of dying, Some of the afters me by chance efpying, Calls all the reft that in moft wofull plight, Came to behold this miferable fight Where like a rofe by an vnkindly blaft, Mongft many buds that round about it grow, The withered leaues improfp'roufly doth caft. Yet all the reft their foueraigne beauties fhow, Amidft this goodly fifterhood euen fo ; Nipt with cold death vntimely did I fade, Whilft they about me pitteous wailing made. When 467 The Legend Whenas my poore foule in hir fuddaine flight, Negle6ts the organ of each feuerall fenfe, With all that horror could the fame affright, Being difturbed in her parting hence, Onely conftrained for her beft defence, Vnto her fpotleffe innocence to take her, Which her not leaues when all the reft forfake her. When all our pleafures are but childrens toyes, And as meere fhadowes prefently do paffe, As yeares encreafing, waning are our ioyes, As we forget our fauours in a glaffe, Euen as a tale of that which neuer was ; Death our delights continually doth feuer, Vertue alone abandoneth vs neuer. And now my fpirit thus liberally enlargde, By gently flitting from this earthly roome, The debt to Nature faithfully difchargde, And at the howre conditiond on my toombe ; Such is the heauens ineuitable doombe, Me Baynards Caftle to the earth did bring, Dunmow againe my place of burying. Now fcarfly was my breathleffe body cold, But euery where my tragedy was fpred, For tatling Fame in euery place had told, My refolution being lately dead, Ruing my blood fo prodigally fhed, And to my father flies with this mifchance, Which then remained in the Court of France. His 468 of Matilda. His loffe too great to be bewailde with teares, Nor were there found wordes to expreffe his woe, Terror it felfe fo fettled in his eares, No more might enter, nothing out might goe, O whie againe fhould griefe diftra6l me fo ? Enough of forrow is already fhowne, And telling his renewing of mine owne. Me t'fhall fuffife my fortunes to relate, And beare the burthen of my proper ill, If I expreffe my pittifull eftate, Tis all I aske, and I obtaine my will, For whie, true forrow needes not others skill, It is too much the bitterneffe we tafte, Without remembrance when the fame is paft. Some faie, the King repentant for this deede, Whenas remorce to thoughts thereof him draue, Poorely difguifed in a Pilgrimes weede, Offered his teares on my vntimely graue, For which, no doubt but heauen his finne forgaue ; And did thereby my grieued fpirite appeafe, He being contrite, I happly at eafe. Then tolde my ftorie, I my Mate deuife, To you fweete Madam, fitt'ft with you to reft, Which do my vertues daily exercife, That be impreffed in your patient breaft, By whome alone I rightlieft am expreft ; For whom my praife (it grieues me) is too fcant, Whofe happie name an Epethite fhall want. Then 469 The Legend of Matilda. Then moft deere Lady for a maidens fake, To fhead one teare, if gently you but daine, For all my wrongs it full amends may make, And be my paffe to the Elizian plaine, In your chafte eies fuch powre there doth remaine, As can th'afflifted profproufly deliuer, Happy be they may looke vpon them euer. FINIS. The 47° The Legend of Pierce Gauejlon. FRom gloomy fhadowes of eternall night, Shut vp in darkenes where I long did dwell, O heere beholde me miferable wight, Laftly, inuokt my tragedie to tell ; Giue me then leaue my forrowes to impart, Somewhat to eafe. my poore afflicted hart. Goddeffe of Artes and Armes, Pallas diuine, Let thy bright fawchion lend me Ciprejfe boughes, Be thou aflifting to this Poet of mine, With funerall wreathes incompaffing his browes, Pittying my cafe when none would heare me weep, To tell my forrowes, layes his owne to fleepe. And mournefulft maiden of the facred Nine, That balefull founds immoueably dooft breathe, With thy fwolne vifage, and thy blubbred eine, I vnto thee my fad complaints bequeathe ; Matter that yeelds fufficient for thy glorie, If thou exactly profecute my ftorie. Tell 47i The Legend Tell how the ftarres my wandring ftate did guide, Th'unconftant turnes of euerie changing houre, Of manie a lowe ebbe, manie as high a tide, Manie a fmoothe calme, manie a ftormie fhowre, The height whereto I laftly did afcend, My ftrange beginning, and my fatall end. When Edward fate vpon the Englifh throne, Long-Jhankes that fo viftorioufly did raigne ; Firft of that name, and fecond vnto none, In all to knighthoode euer did pertaine, My life begunne, and then begunne my bliffe, Euen in thofe daies, thofe happie daies of his. So much did vertue gratious harts inflame, Promotion then not purchafed with golde, And in thofe times he that defired fame, Bought it of them that it full deerely folde, Hatefull exceffe fo much did not deuoure, Lawes had leffe force, and honefty more powre. And fince that time fo violently prayes Vpon thofe ages that euen holieft bee, Let me remember thofe more happie daies, In thefe fad houres my grieued eies doe fee, With greater griefe that makes me thefe deplore, When I doe thinke of thofe that were before. And 472 Pierce Gauejlon. And Mufe, to thee I fadly then appeale, Since thou my life wilt needfly haue me fhow, That I by thee may faithfully reueale, Euen what the mod inquifitiue would know> Whilft that my foule heere bodied did abide, In the vaine world that pampred me in pride. From Gafcony our name and our defcent, Of which my father naturally was borne, In all his warres that with king Edward went, To him a liege man and a fouldier fworne : And in his country ventred his eftate, To follow him that feemd to gouerne fate. Whofe truft that great king highly did imploy, And neare his perfon tooke him for the fame, Who with my felfe, but then a little boy, Vnto the Court of famous England came ; Whereas the King for feruice he had done, Made me a page vnto the Prince his fonne. In me what fhape that man's did not excel, Where euery part fuch harmony did beare, As in this modell Nature feemd to tell, T'was not perfection if it were not there, As euery age referu'd his rareft feature, Thereof to make fo excellent a creature. Hh My 10 473 The Legend of My lookes the powrefull adamants to loue, Which vnto them attracted euery fight, With which the fame was fixed or did moue, As fympathizing naturally delight, That where my thoughts intended to furprife, I at my pleafure conqu'red with mine eies. If euen the beft in Paintings curious art, In fome rare peece his workemanfhip fhould fhow, Imagination helping with her part, When th'hand had done the vtmoft it could doe Vnto that bodie modelling a minde, Such a one was I the mirrour of my kinde. This was the baite was laide for Edwards loue, That bred the league of amitie thereby, That no misfortune after could remoue, When fhe the vtmoft of her force did trie, Nor death it felfe retained power to funder, Friendfhip feld feene, and in the world a wonder. Heere on this earth th'onely meane thou art, Whereby we hold intelligence with heauen, And it is thou that onely dooft impart, All good can to mortalitie be giuen ; That facred bond that neuer canft be broken, O word diuine to be with reu'rence fpoken ! With 474 Pierce Gauejlon. With this fweete Prince in height of worldly bliffe, Whilft Tutors care his wandering eares did guide, T liu'd enioying whatfoe're was his, Who ne're my pleafures any thing denide, Whofe deare affections ftill me fo attended, As on my ioyes his happines depended. Whether that it my rare perfections were, That wonne my youth fuch fauour in his eie, Or that the heauens to whom I feemde fo deare, On me downe fhowr'd this bleffing from the skie ; I cannot tell, but well it did dire£l, That could produce fuch wonderfull effect. Thou Arke of heauen where wonders are enrouled, O depth of Nature, who can looke vnto thee ? What might he be that hath thy doome controuled ? Or hath the key of Reafon to vndoe thee ? Thy workes diuine, which thine alone doe know, Shallow mans wit, too fhort for things below. The foule her liking fubt'ly doth efpie, In the high power that is to her affignde, By the cleere fight difcouering through the eie, The thing agreeing aptlieft with her kinde ; And by each motion quickely apprehendeth, That which it felfe paft humane fenfe extendeth. Hh 2 This 475 The Legend of This Edward in the April of his age, Whilft yet the crowne fate on his fathers head, Like that great Ioue with his rap'd Phrigian page, Me with Ambrofiall delicacies fed ; He might command that was the Soueraignes fon, And what I faid, that onelie muft be done. My will a lawe autentically paft, My yea by him was neuer croffd with no, Who in affection chained was fo faft, He as my fhadow ftill with me did goe, To me this Prince fo pliant was in all, Still as an eccho anfwering to my call. My fmiles his life, his heauen was in my fight, And his delight confinde by my defire, Who from my cleere eies borrowed all his light, As pale-eide Cinthia from her brothers fire ; My cheeke the pillow where he laide his head, My brow his booke, my bofome was his bed. Like faire Idalia bent to amorous fportes, With yong Adonis in the wanton fhade, Figuring her paflions in as fundry fortes, As he to her indeerements to perfwade Eithers affeftions happily to moue, With all the tender daliances of loue. The 476 Pierce Ganejlon. The table (thus) of our delight was laid, Seru'd with what dainties pleafure coulde deuife, And many a Syren muficke fweetely plaid, (O that youth had vs wherewith to fuffice) Whilft we on that vnfatiately doe feede, Which our confufion afterwards did breed. For Mill I fpurd his violent defire, Holding the reines wherewith he rulde the funne, My blandifhment the fuell to the fire, In which to frie already he begunne ; Waxing his wings taught him Art to flie, Who on his back might beare me through the skie. Whilft the vaine world vpon vs ftill did winne, Inticde his flatteries ftedfaftly to truft, Loofing the clew which led vs fafely in, Are loft within this Labyrinth of luft ; For when the flefh is nufled once in vice, The fweete of finne makes hell a paradice. Who thy deceits vile world yet euer told, In thee what is that's not extreamely ill ? A fhop where poifon's onely to be fold, Whofe very entrance inftantly doth kill, Where all deformed wickedneffe do dwell, And all thy waies guide head long into hell. Hh 3 The 477 Tlie Legend of The King that faw his hopefull fonne betraide, That like young Phaeton ventred on the skies, Perceiu'd his courfe with danger hardly ftaide, (For he was graue and prouidently wife ;) That wanting skill to maifter youthes defire, Might by mifguidance fet his throne on fire. This was a corfiue to King Edwards daies, That without ceafing fed vpon his bones, That in the day bereau'd him of his eafe, Breaking his night-fleepe with vnquiet grones ; That did depreffe and burthened him downe, More then the weight that fate vpon his Crowne. When now their iudgement that feuerely tride, The matter whence this malladie firft grew, Likewife muft now a remedie prouide, To preuent the perill likely to enfue, The caufe muft end e're the effe£t could ceafe, Elfe (well) of one, there many might encreafe. When fuch in Court my oppofites as were, On all aduantage that could wifely play, Who did to me inuetterate malice beare, That for their purpofe found fo faire a way ; On this their forces inftantly did ground, My name and fame perpetually to wound. And 478 Pierce Gauejlon. And the time fit for venting their vntruth, Me into hate more forcibly to bring, Sticke not to charge the loofeneffe of my youth, T'offend euen in th'vnnaturaleft thing ; And olde fore-paffed outrages awake, With all that me contemptible might make. Wherefore the Prince to priuacie beftow'd In Realmes remote I banifhed to tome, Cenfured of all men fitft to be abroad, That had betraide my honeft truft at home, Adiudg'd to die, if after I were found, The day prefcrib'd vpon the Englifli ground. So much aftonifh'd with the fuddaine blow, That I became infenfible of paine, Vntill awak'd with fharpneffe of my woe, I faw the wound which open did remaine ; By which my ioyes ftill fainted more and more, No hope at all me euer to reftore. Euen as a Turtle for her faithfull make, Whofe youth her deare virginitie enioyde, Sits fhrowded on fome folitary brake, With melancholy penfiueneffe annoide ; Thus without comfort fit I all alone, From the fweete Prince infortunately gone. H h 4 My 479 The Legend of My beauty once which fdainde the fummers fight, Beaten with bleake and chilly winter ftormes, Thofe tender limbes mult trauell day and night, So often hug'd in Edwards princely armes ; Thofe eyes oft viewing pleafure in her pride, With fearefull obiefts euery way fupplide, And whilft thefe ftormes me ftrangely thus did toffe, Where I my felfe confined yet in France, Thwarted the while with many a greeuous croffe, Infeperables to my fad mifchance ; Others that ftem'd the current of the time, By which I fell, prou'd afterwards to clime. Camelion-like the world doth alter hue, And as falfe Proteus puts on fundrie fhapes, One change fcarce gone, another doth enfue, This fild, that likewife for promotion gapes ; Thus did they fwarme like Bees about the brim, Some drownd, and fome as dang'roufly fwim. And fome on whom the higher powres look'd faire, Yet of the feafon little feemde to vaunt, For there were clowdes hung in the troubled ayre, Which fhew'd fomething to their defire did want, That forc'd them ftoope which otherwife would flie, Whilft with much care they fading honor buy. When 480 Pierce Gauejion. When reftleffe Time that neuer turnes againe, Whofe winged feete are Aiding with the funne, By the fleete howres attending on his traine, His refolution fatally begunne ; In a iuft courfe eftfoone to bring about, That which long fince the wifer fort did doubt. For wihlft the King doth ferioufly attend. His long-hop'd voyage to the Holy-land, For which his fubiecls mighty fummes did lend, Euen whilft this buifnes onely was in hand ; All on the fuddaine happily doth fall, The death of Edward quickely altred all. Should I affay his vertues to report, To do the honor due vnto his name, My meane endeuours fhould come farre too fhort, And I thereby fhould greatly wrong the fame ; But leaue it to fome facred Mufe to tell, Vpon whofe life a Poets pen might dwell. His princely body fcarfly wrapt in lead, Before his mournefull obfequies were done, But that the Crowne was fet on Edwards head, With whom too foone my happy daies begunne ; After blacke night like brightneffe of the day, All former forrowes vanifhed away. When IP 481 The Legend of When now Carnaruan calls within a while, Whom Edward Long-Jhanks hated to the death, He whom the father lately did exile, Is to the fonne as precious as his breath, What th'old infcrib'd the yonger forth did blot, Kings wils perform'd, and dead mens words forgot. When the winde wafts me to that happy place, And foone did fet me fafely on that fhore, From whence I feemde but banifh'd for a fpace, That my returne might honored be the more ; Vnto this new King happily to leaue me, Whofe princely armes were ready to receiue me. Who would haue feene how that kinde Roman dame, O're-come with ioy did yeelde her lateft breath, Her fonne returning laden with fuch fame, When thankfull Rome had mourned for his death, Might heere behold her perfonated right, When I approached to the Princes fight. My Ioue now Lord of the Afcendant is, In an afpe£b that promifde happy fpeede, Whilft in that luckie influence of his, Some praifde the courfe wherein I did proceede ; Yet it to fome prodigioufly appeares, Telling the troubles of enfuing yeares. When 482 Pierce Gauejlon. When like to Midas all I touch'd was gold, Powr'd as t'was once downe into Danaes lap, For I obtained anything I would, Fortune had yet fo lotted out my hap ; The chefts of great men like to Oceans are, To whom all floods by courfe do ftill repare. The Ifle of Man he firft vnto me gaue, To fhew how high I in his grace did Hand, But fearing me fufficient not to haue, I next receiued from his bounteous hand, Faire Wallingford that antiently had beene, The wealthy dower of many an Englifh Queene. The fummes his father had beene leuying long, By impofitions for the warre abroad, Other his princely benefits among, At once on me he bounteoufly beftow'd ; When thofe which faw how much on me he caft, Soone found his wealth fufficed not his wafte. He giues me then chiefe Secretaries place, Thereby to traine me in affaires of ftate, And thofe high roomes that I did hold to grace, Me Earle of Cornwall franckly did create ; And that in Court he freely might pertake me, Of EnglandLordhigh Chamberlaine did make me. And 483 The Legend of And that he would more ftrongly me alie, To backe me gainft their infolent ambition, Doth his faire Cofen vnto me affie, A Lady of right vertuous condition, Which his deare fifter profperoufly bare, To the Earle of Glojler blood-ennobled Clare. O facred bounty, mother of content, Fautreffe and happy nourifher of Arts, That giu'ft fucceffe to euery high intent, The Conquerour of the moft nobleft harts ; High grace into mortalitie infufed, Pitty it is that e're thou waft abufed. When thofe that did my banifhment procure, Still in my bofome hated did abide, And they before that could me not endure, Are now much more impatient of my pride ; For emulation euer did attend, Vpon the great, and fhall vnto th'end. And into fauour clofly working thofe, That from meane places lifted vp by me, And factious fpirits being fitteft to oppofe, Them that perhaps too powerfull elfe might be ; That euen gainft enuie raifed by my hand, Me muft vphold to make themfelues to ftand. And 484 Pierce Gauejfon. And fince the frame by fortune fo contriu'd, To giue proteft to my ambitious waies, Vrging thereby their hate to me deriu'd, From thofe hie honours he vpon me layes, Drawing the King my courfes to pertake, Still to maintaine what he himfelfe did make. Thus doth my youth Hill exercife extreames, My heed fond rafhnes to forerunne my fall, My wit meere folly, and my hopes but dreames, My councell ferues my felfe but to inthrall, That me abufed with a vaine illufion, When all I did intending my confufion. And now the King, to haften his repaire, Himfelfe by marriage highly to aduance, With Ifabel a Princeffe, yong and faire, As was her father Philip king of France, When now the more to perfect my command, Leaues vnto me protection of the land. My power confirm'd fo abfolute withall, That I dranke pleafure in a plenteous cup, When there was none me to account to call, All to my hands fo freely rendred vp, That earth to me no greater bliffe could bring, Except to make me greater than a King. When 485 The Legend of When being now got as high as I could clime, That the vaine world thus bountifully bleft, Franckly imbrace the benefite of time, Fully t'enioy that freely I poffeft ; Strongly maintaining he was worfe than mad, Fondly to fpare, a Princes wealth that had. Their counfells when continually I crofft, As fcorning their authoritie and blood ; And in thofe things concernd their honor's moft, In thofe againft them euer moft I ftoode : And things moft publique priuately extend, To feede my riot that had neuer end. When laftly Fortune like a treacherous foe, That had fo long attended on my fall, In the plaine path wherein I was to goe, Layes many a baite, to traine me on withall ; Till by her skill fhe cunningly had brought me, Vnto the place where at her will fhe caught me. The mighty bufines falling then in hand, Triumphs ordain'd to welcome his returne (Before the French in honour of the land) With all my power I labourd to adiourne ; Till all their charge was laftly ouerthrowne, Who likde t'haue feene no glory but mine owne. Thus 486 Pierce Gauejlon. Thus euery thing me forward ftill doth fet, Euen as an engine forcing by the flight, One mifchiefe thus a fecond doth beget, And that doth leade th'other but to right ; Yet euery one himfelfe, employing wholy, In their iuft courfe to profecute my folly. Which when they found how ftill I did retaine, Th'ambitious courfe wherein I firft beganne, And laftly felt, that vnder my difdaine Into contempt continually they ranne ; Take armes at once to remedy their wrong, Which their cold fpirits had fuffred but too long. Me boldely charging to abufe the King, A waftefull fpender of his needefull treafure, A fecret thiefe of many a facred thing, And that I led him to vnlawfull pleafure, That neuer did in any thing delight, But what might pleafe my fenfuall appetite. That as a fcourge vpon the land was fent, Whofe hatefull life the caufe had onely beene, The State fo vniuerfally was rent, Whofe ill increafing euery day was feene ; I was reproached openly of many, Who pitti'd none, not pitti'd now of any. And 487 The Legend of And for oppofde by men of greateft might, (The King my danger that had wifely waide) That did purfue me with fuch deadly fpight, Me into Ireland fecretly conuaide, Vntill he might my peace againe procure, And his owne fafety better might affure. As one whofe houfe remedilefly burning, Seeing his goods now heapt together loft, His griefe no whit disburthen'd by his mourning, Taking fome one thing that he loueth moft, To fome remote place doth with that retire, Leauing the reft to'th mercie of the fire. Yet he fo much that ftill did me efteeme, That euer ftroue to couer my difgrace, To make my abfence otherwife to feeme, And to the world to beare a fairer face, Left my exile fuggefted by their hate, Might ouerthrow my liuelihoode and eftate. By their neere councell that were him about, His Deputy of Ireland doth me make, And caufde it each-where to be giuen out, My iourney thither inftantly to take, To flop their mouthes that gladly would embrace, Any report might tend to my difgrace. There 488 Pierce Gauejlon. There liu'd I in that honourable fort, As to my high place purchafed renowne ; With no leffe bountie managing a court, Then hourely crau'd th'reuenues of a Crowne ; To me his loue fuch foueraigntie did bring, That though he raignde, I abfolutely King. Few weekes there went but fome the channell crofft, With fome fuch prefent Princes holde in price, Some jewell that him infinitely coft, Or fumptuous roabe of excellent deuife ; When they that fawe what he vpon me caft, Found that his treafure long time could not laft. And fince the fioud me followed in this wife, His fulnes I as amply entertaine, It might fhew folly to be found precife, That to refufe which fell as did the raine, Such as no age before did euer winne, And fince his being, yet hath neuer bin. When now th'abated Baroqry that found, The cunning vfde for couering of my flight, That me but fhifted to a furer ground, On which fo vainely they beftow'd their might ; Perceiu'd farre off where greater perill rofe, Then they could finde how rightly to difpofe. I i Like iq 4 8 9 The Legend of Like thofe that ftriue to ftop fome violent fourfe, Whofe plenty Nature planted not for boundes, Climes aboue all the oppofers of his courfe, Or let at large the neighboring plaine furrounds, That in it felfe f ' enated is blefs'd, That will the more be, more it deprefs'd. And fearing now the force I had abroade, Who knew the way the Irijh harts to winne, Fitter by farre at home to be beftow'd, (And to the State more fafety found therein) Where though my riots they could not preuent, Yet might furuey the giddy courfe I went. Whereof they fcarfly entertain'd the thought, And did thereto but feemingly defcend, But that his loue immediately it caught, Nor cares he by it what they doe intend ; Plot what they could, fo he therbymight gaine him, That with delight, which ftill did entertaine him. O how thy prefence maieftie commands ! That fo feuerely humbleth euery eie, Whofe onely felfe a6t.es more than many handes, In thee fuch vertue fecretly doth lie, Hauing about thee the high power of fate, Art both emperious ouer loue and hate. He 49° Pierce Gauejlon. He that occafion neuer did negleft, That aught vnto my happineffe might winne, My buifnes did fo carefully effect, That euer was fo fortunate therein, As he to paffe doth prouidently bring, Before deemde fo impoffible a thing. And Meffengers immediately are fent, Me into England inftantly to call, Authorizde by the generall confent, Although not likde of inwardly of all ; Yet, twas fufficient that it freedome gaue me, But to be there where he defirde to haue me. My failes now fwelling with a profperous winde, The boifterous feas do homage to mine eies, That much aboue their vfuall courfe are kinde, All lowring clouds abandoning the skies, Nothing difcern'd that any whit might feare me, Fortune herfelfe fittes at the helme to fteare me. What time the King his progreffe then did take, That part of Wales pretending now to fee, For which he forward inftantly did make, Which was (indeede) there but to meete with me, With all the fauour that he could deuife, To giue me honour in the publique eies. I i 2 Where 401 The Legend of Where for my landing long he did prouide, That nought might want intending my delight, And at each place as leafurely we ride, Did entertaine me with fome pleafing fight, And vnto London to the pompous Court, Brings me in the magnificenteft fort. Which prou'd but fpurres to my vntamde defire, Giuing the reines to my lafciuious will, Who let me forth vnto my full carire, On places flippery, and my manage ill, Small my forefight, and ouermuch my hade, That me alas infortunately caft. The Princes eare, that hauing at command, That who would aught haue, me muft entertaine, And yet before it paffde my gripple hand, Got the greatft fhare vnto my priuate gaine ; Nor carde I what from any I did wring, Many thereby too much impouerifhing. And daily begging of Monopolies, Taking the lands belonging to the Crowne, And hence tranfporting thofe commodities, To England vfefull comming of her owne, And bafely felling offices (ere then) The due reward of beft deferuing men. And 492 Pierce Gauejlon. And being irrecouerably prowd, Held all things vile that futed not my vaine, Nothing might pafie, my iudgement not allow'd, A great opinion to my wit to gaine, Giuing vile termes and nicke-names of difgrace, To men that fate in honourable place. By which brake out that execrable rage, That long before had boiled in their blood, And for reuenge they boldly them ingage, When laftly for their libertie they flood ; And in this quarrell open Armes they take, Or to marre all, or better it to make. They durft affirme my mother was a witch, And for the fa£t. condemned burnt to be, And I her fonne and rightly of her pitch, She had bequeath'd her damned Art to me ; Vrging it an infeperable thing, That I by Magicke wrought vpon the King. And into France did charge me to conuay, A goodly table that was maflie gold, A relique kept at Wind/or many a day, That to King Arthur did belong of old ; Vpon whofe margent as they did furmife, Merlin ingraued many prophecies. Ii 3 And 493 The Legend of And by appealing to the fea of Rome, A Legat thence procuring to the land, With malediction by the Churches doome, On any one that on my part fhould ftand : The King fufpending fhould he not confent, And ratifie the generall intent. Which they did but to profperoufly effect, Being fo ftrong to counterprize his force, The Clergy ftill being ready to direct Them the beft way in all their reftleffe courfe, That at the laft they ftrongly him procure, By folemne oth me euer to abiure. Th'vncertaine biding of each earthly thing, (Set out moft liuely in my ftarre-croft ftate) That doth remaine in Fortunes mannaging, Appearing in my variable fate On me that frown'd and flattered me fo oft, Cafting me downe and fetting me aloft. To Flanders then my prefent courfe I caft, Which being the near'ft, lay fitteft for my eafe, Safeft the way, the fooner it was paft, All not my friends that were abroad at feas ; Such meanes in France they daily do procure, That there my felfe I doubted to fecure. And 494 Pierce Gauejlon. And though I chang'd my habite and my name, Becaufe I meant to Hue vnknowne to any, Yet fwift report had fo divulg'd my fhame, My hated life was publifti'd to too many ; In euery ftreete that as I pas'd along, I was the talke of euery common tongue. And finding that which onely I did craue, A fecret meanes to fend vnto the King, To me certaine intelligence that gaue, Of the eftate and courfe of euery thing ; Who labored now (more euer then before) Me into England fafely to reftore. For which relying on my Soueraignes loue, (To whom my life had euer beene fo deare) Which I then now had ne're more caufe to proue, Striuing t'obtaine (if any meane there were ;) A difpenfation for his former oth, In their difpight that thereto feem'd moft loth. Where cafting many a fundry courfe at length, (Being my marridge mightily alide, And but too much prefuming of my ftrength) Refolu'd for England, come what could betide ; And in a fhip that for the iourney lay, Thither my felfe did fuddainely conuay. I i 4 And 495 The Legend of And fafely landed on the wifhed fhore, Vnto the Court me fecretly betooke, Of which the King had notice long before, And for my comming euery day did looke, Wifely that plotted when I fhould arriue, All helpefull meanes my fafetie to contriue. Which foone being known whilft yet their blood was That to their ftrength now onely were to truft, (hote, For what before was done preuailed not, And for my fake the King did proue vniuft ; Bringing thereby whilft trifling they did ftand, Wrong to themfelues, and danger to the land. Now when the time did generally diftafte, Our lewd and inconfiderate neglect, When thofe in Court that our high fauours plac'de, Giue vs iuft caufe their dealings to fufpecl:, And they that view'd vs with the pleafedft eye, Yet at our aflions fometimes looke awrie. Wherefore the King inforced to prouide, A prefent Armie trufting to his friends, Repairde to Yorke vntill he were fupplide, From whence for aide he into Scotland fends, To warlike Balioll, and to Wales, from whence He might get power to fruftrate their pretence. But 496 Pierce Gauejlon. But they his purpofe wholy intercept, Not now to feeke in any fecret thing, The marches that fo vigilantly kept, And yet renounce all malice to the King ; Only to chaftice my abhorred finne, Who had the caufe of all this trouble bin. Thus Like a fhip difmembred of her failes, Forc'd by the winde againft the ftreamefull tide, From place to place with euery billow hales, And as it haps from fhore to fhore doth ride ; As that poore veffell refts my brittle ftay, Nearer the land, ftill neareft caft away. Corfiue of kingdoms home-begotten hate, Which in no limits euer yet waft bounded, When didft thou feize euen on the greateft ftate, By thee that was not vtterly confounded ? How many kingdoms be there that doe rue thee ? Happy the world was till too well it knew thee ? Thus of our fuccour inftantly bereft, Hauing but now fome little force at fea, Laftly to truft to, onely vs was left, On which our hope infortunately lay ; Which he to haften, fpeedily doth make, His former courfes forced to forfake. The •197 The Legend of The prefent danger mannaging it fo, That did for aide importunately call, Wherefore in Yorke as fartheft from the foe, Leaues me vnto the fafegard of the wall ; Till his returne me further helpe might giue, Whom more and more he ftudied to releeue. From Bedford now the Armie fetting on, Th'appointed randy where they gathered head, When they had notice that the King was gone, Vpon their way more haftily them fped, (Me t'amicl as purpofed they were,) Whofe prefence elfe might force them to forbeare. To Skarborough immediately I pofte, With the fmall force my fortune then did lend me, A Fort beft fitting ftanding on the coaft, And of all other likeft to defend me, And came the worft, refiftleffe were their might, The fea fhould fafely priuiledge my flight. But they the Cittie lying round about, Keepe euery paffage with a watchfull fpie, That gaue them notice of my palling out, And their light horfe purfue me by and by ; Whereas vpon me fuddainely they came, E're I had time to fortifie the fame. Along 498 Pierce Gauejiott. Along the lands towards Oxford they conuey me, Wondring my fight as birds do at the Owle, And by the way continually they bray me, As hungry woolues at paffengers do howle, Each one exulting that I now was caught, That in the land fuch mifchiefe euer wrought. And being brought to Dedington at laft, Where the Earle oiPembrooke wild me to be ftaid, To vnderftand e're further that I part, Things to my charge that fecretly were laid ; And to the King he fpeedily had fent, T'acquaint him with the generall intent. But the Earle of Warwicke (lying but too neare) (The dog of Arden that I vfde to call,) That deadly hatred ftill to me did beare, And that I euer doubted mod of all ; Thither repairing with a powerfull band, Ceazed vpon me with a violent hand. And vnto Warwicke carrying me along, Where he had long defired me to get, With friends and tenants abfolutely ftrong, Whom all the puiffant Barronry abet ; Since now occafion offered them fuch hold, Haften my death by all the meanes they could. North 499 Tfie Legend of North from the Towne, a mile, or very neare, An eafie hill in publike view doth lie, Blacklow then call'd of thofe that dwelled there, Neare to the antient Hermitage of Guy ; Thither with arm'd bands ftrongly they me led ; Whereas I laftly forfaited my head. My fundry paflions hauing thus expreft, In the fad tenor of my tragicke Tale, Let me returne vnto the fields of reft, Thither tranfported by a profp'rous gale ; I leaue the world my deftiny to view, Bidding it thus for euermore adiew. FINIS. 500 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. ltm For the Fifth Year 1 871—2. n. Juvenilia: Poems by George Wither, contained in the collections of his Juvenilia which appeared in 1626 and 1633. Part III. 1 2. Miscellaneous Works of George Wither. Reprinted from the Original. Editions. First Collection. For the Sixth Year 1872-3. 13. Miscellaneous Works of George Wither. Reprinted from the Original Editions. Second Collection. 14. Works of John Taylor the Water Poet, not included in the Folio Volume of 1630. Reprjnted from the Original Editions. Second Collection., For the Seventh Year 1873-4. 15. Flovversof Epigrammes, ovt of sundrie authours selected, as well auncient as late writers. By Timothe Kendall. Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1577. 16. Miscellaneous Works of George Wither. Reprinted from the Original Editions. Third Collection. For the Eighth Year 1874-5. 17. Belvedere; or, The Garden of the Muses. By John Bodenham. Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1600. 18. Miscellaneous Works of George Wither. Reprinted from the Original Editions. Fourth Collection. ■ ■„ For the Ninth Year 1875-6. 19. Works of John Taylor the Water Poet, not included in the Folio Volume of 1630. Reprinted from the Original Editions. Third Collection. 20. The Worthines of Wales. By Thomas Churchyard. Reprinted from the original edition of 1587. For the Tenth Year 1876-7. 21. Works of John Taylor the Water Poet, not included in the Folio Volume of 1630. Reprinted from the Original Editions. Fourth, Collection. \ 22. Miscellaneous Works of George Wither. Reprinted from the Original Editions? Fifth Collection. , For the Eleventh Year 1877-8. 23. Thule, or Vertues Historic By Francis Rous. Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1598. 24. Miscellaneous Works of George Wither. Reprinted from the Original Editions. Sixth Collection. 25. Works of John Taylor the Water Poet, not included in the Folio Volume of 1630. Reprinted from the Original Editions, Fifth Collection. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. fssue For the Twelfth Year 1878-9. if>. Halelviah or Britans Second Remembrancer (1641.) By George Wither. Part I. 27. Halelviah or Britans Second Remembrancer. Parti II. and III. For the Thirteenth Year 1879-80. 28. Britain's Remembrancer. By George Wither. Part I. 29. Britain's Remembrancer. Part II. For the Fourteenth Year 1 880-1. 30. The Hymnes and Songs of the Church. By George Wither. 31. The Psalms of David translated into Lyrick-verse. By George Wither. Part I. For the Fifteenth Year 188 1 -2. 32. The Psalms of David translated into Lyrick-verse. By George Wither. Part II. 33. Paralellogrammaton. By George Wither. 34. Exercises vpon the First Psalme. By George Wither. For the Sixteenth Year, 1882-3. 35. A Fig for Fortune. By Anthonie Copley. 36. Respublica Anglicana or the Historie of the Parliament. By Gectoge Wither. < 37. A Preparation to the Psalter. By George Wither. For the Seventeenth Year, 1883-4. 38. The Mirrour of Good Maners. By Alexander Barclay. 39. Certayne Egloges. By Alexander Barclay. 40. The Great Assises Holden in Parnassus by Apollo and his Assessovrs. 41. Vaticinium Votivum ; or, Palaemon's Prophetick Prayer. For the Eighteenth Year, 1884-5. 42. Willoby his Avisa : or the true Picture of a modest Maid ; and of a chast and constant wife. 43. The Tenne Tragedies of Seneca. Translated into English. Part I. For the Nineteenth Year, 1885-6. 44. The Tenne Tragedies of Seneca. Translated into English. Part II. 45. Poems : By Michael! Draiton, Esquire. Re-printed from the Edition of 1605. Part I. For the Twentieth Year, 1886-7. 46. Poems: By Michaell Draiton, Esquire. Re-printed from the Edition of 1605. Part II. Printed by Charles Simmi & Co., Manchester. "*$Tw " ir-'W" *. £m