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 Cornell University Library 
 PR 2234.A66 1876 
 
 Thule; or, Vertues historie. 
 
 3 1924 013 118 512 
 
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/cu31924013118512 
 
publications of fl&e 
 
 Issue No. ""lb 
 
 THE 
 
 %ociet^> 
 
 I 
 
 OF, 
 
 
 REPRINTED FROM THE QKIGWAL EDITION OF 
 
 m ■■,. : 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY 
 
 
THE 
 
 WORTHINES 
 
 OF 
 
 WALES 
 
 THOMAS CHURCHYARD 
 
 REPRINTED FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITION OF 
 I S 87 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY 
 /Cavs. 
 
\. <\ 
 
 fcfc3 5" * 
 
 Printed by Charles E. Simms, 
 Manchester. 
 
NOTICE. 
 
 A 
 
 COMPLETE Collection of the Works of 
 Thomas Churchyard, reprinted in exact con- 
 formity to the original editions, has been long felt to 
 be a great desideratum. The republications issued by 
 Mr. J. P. Collier, valuable in themselves, have only 
 applied to selected pieces, and the very limited number 
 of copies printed have left the original demand, even 
 as respects those, in a great measure unsatisfied. To 
 remedy this generally admitted want, the Council of the 
 Spenser Society propose, if the feeling of the members 
 appear to coincide with theirs, to reproduce, according as 
 they can be conveniently issued with due regard to the 
 completion of other works now in progress, the various 
 writings of Thomas Churchyard, and have now the 
 pleasure of submitting, as a- preliminary specimen, The 
 Worthines of Wales, which has always been considered 
 as one of the most interesting and valuable of his poetical 
 productions, and is now reprinted as nearly as possible 
 in fac-simile form from the beautiful copy of the original 
 edition in Chetham's Library, Manchester. 
 
 J A?. CROSSLEY, 
 
 President. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Pages. 
 
 The Epiftle Dedicatorie 3 _8 
 
 To euery louing and friendly Reader , 9 _ I2 
 
 A true note of the auncient Catties, famous Monuments, 
 goodly Riuers, faire Bridges, fine Townes, and courteous 
 
 people, that I haue feene in the noble Countrie of Wales 13 
 
 A defcription of Monmouth Shiere 16-18 
 
 A Creation of an Earle x 8-2 1 
 
 Here followeth the Creation of an Earle of Penbroke in Latin 21-27 
 Now followes the Catties and Townes neere Oske, and there 
 
 aboutes 27-34 
 
 An Introduction to the Letters fent from Lucius Tyberius, at 
 
 the Coronation of King Arthur 34~3S 
 
 The Coronation, and folemnitie thereof: The Embaffage, and 
 proude menage of the Romaines : And the whole refolution 
 
 of King Arthur therein, is firft fet forth here in Englifh... 35-36 
 The Epiftle of Lucius the Romaine Lieutenant, to Arthur 
 
 King of Britaine 36-37 
 
 Cador the Duke of Cornewall his Oration to the King 37-38 
 
 The Oration of Arthur to his Lords and people 38-39 
 
 The Anfwere of Howell King of little Britaine 39~4 r 
 
 Here followeth the Latin of the Englifh going before 4 1-45 
 
 The true Authors of this whole Booke 46 
 
 A Hill moil notable neere Carleo a myle fro the towne 46-49 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 Aborgaynies Towne is walled round about, and hath fayre 
 
 Suburbs alfo 5°-57 
 
 An Introduction for Breaknoke Shiere 58-63 
 
 The Towne and Church of Breakenoke 63-66 
 
 Somewhat of fome Riuers and Waters 66-67 
 
 Ludloe Towne, Church and Caille 6 7~74 
 
 The Towne of Ludloe, and many good gifts graunted to the 
 
 fame 74~7 6 
 
 An Introduction to remember Shropfhiere 7 6-84 
 
 Of Shrewfebury Churches and the Monuments therein, with a 
 Bridge of ftone two bowfhot long, and a ftreate called 
 Colam, being in the Subbarbs, and a fayre Bridge there 
 
 in like maner: all this was forgotten in the firft copie... 84-87 
 
 An Introduction to bring in Denbighfhiere 87-9 1 
 
 A generall Commendation of Gentilitie 9 I_ 93 
 
 A Difcourfe of Mountaynes 93 - 97 
 
 Of Yale a little to be fpokenof 98-99 
 
 A difcourfe of Tyme 99-100 
 
 OfWrythen, both the Caftle and the Towne 100-102 
 
 The Caftle of Cargoorley in Denbighfhiere 103-105 
 
 Of Valey Crucis Thlangothlan, and the Caftle Dynofebrane . . . 105-107 
 
 Churchyards Armes 108 
 
THE 
 
 Worthines 
 
 of Wales: 
 
 Wherein are more then a thoufand feuerall things 
 
 rehearfed : fome fet out in profe to the pleafure of the 
 
 Reader, and with fuch varietie of verfe for the 
 
 beautifying of the Book, as no doubt fhal 
 
 delight thoufands to vnderftand. 
 
 Whichworkeisenterlardedivithmanyivondersandrightftrange 
 matter to confider of: All the which labour and deuice is 
 drawn forth and fet out by Thomas Church- 
 yard, to the glorie of God, and honour of 
 his Prince and Countrey. 
 
 ^Imprinted at London, by G. 
 
 Robin/on, for Thomas Cadman. 
 1587. 
 
To the Queenes 
 
 moll Excellent MaiefHe, Elizabeth, 
 
 by the grace of God, Queene of England, 
 
 Fraunce and Ireland, &c. Thomas Church- 
 
 yard wifheth alwayes bleffednes, good fortune, 
 
 viftorie, and worldly honour, with the encreafe 
 
 of quiet raigne, vertuous lyfe, and moft. 
 
 Princely gouernment. 
 
 S T Redoubted and Royall 
 Queene, that Kings doe feare, 
 SubieEls doe honour, Jlrangers 
 
 I feeke fuccour of, and people of 
 fpeciall spirit acknowledge (as 
 their manifold books declare) 
 
 1 leaf of all, prefume to farre, 
 either in prefenting matter to be iudged of, or to ad- 
 uenture the cracking of credite, with writing any 
 thing, that may breede mi/like (presents not well ta- 
 ken) in the deepe iudgement of fo high and mightie 
 a Princejfe. But where a multitude runnes forward 
 (forced through defire or fortune) to fliewe duetie, 
 or to fee what falleth out of their forwardnes, I Jlep- 
 ping in among the refl, am driuen and led (by affec- 
 
 * 2 Hon 
 
The Epiftle 
 
 Hon to followe) beyond the force of my power or fee- 
 ling of any learned arte. So being thrift on with the 
 throng, I finding my felf brought before the prefence 
 of your Maiefiie (but barely furniflied of know- 
 ledge ) to whont I mujl vlter fome matter of delight, 
 or from whom I mufil retourne all abafhed with open 
 difgrace. Thus Gracious Lady, vnder your Prince- 
 ly fauour 1 haue vndertaken to fet foorth a worke 
 in the honotir of Wales, where your highnes aunce- 
 flors tooke' name, and where your Maiefiie is as 
 much loued and feared, as in any place of your high- 
 neffe dominion. And the loue and obedience of which 
 people fo exceedes, and furpaffeth the common good- 
 will of the worlde, that it feemeth a wonder in our 
 age (wherein are fo many writers) that no one man 
 doth not worthely according to the countries good- 
 nes fet forth that noble Soyle and Nation. Though 
 in deede diuers haue fleightly written of the fame, 
 and fome of thofe labours deferueth the reading, yet 
 except the eye be a witnes to their workes, the wri- 
 ters can not therein fufficiently yeeld due commen- 
 dation to thofe Jlately Soyles and Principalities. 
 For which caufe I liaue trauayled fondry times of 
 purpofe through the fame, and what is written of J 
 haue beheld, and throughly feene, to my great con- 
 
 tentment 
 
Dedicatorie 
 
 tentment and admiration. For the Citties, Townes, 
 
 and goodly Cajlles thereof are to be mufed on, and 
 
 merites to bee regijlred in euerlajiing memorie, 
 
 but chiefly the Cajlles ( that Jland like a company 
 
 of Fortes ) may not be forgotten, their hiyldings are 
 
 fo princely, their Jlrength is fo greate, and they are 
 
 fuch flately feates and defences of nature. To which 
 
 Caflles great Royaltie and liuings belongeth , and 
 
 haue bene and are in the giftes of Princes, now pof- 
 
 feffed of noble men and fuch as they appoint to keep 
 
 them. The royalties whereof are alwayes looked vn- 
 
 lo, but the Caflles doe dayly decay, a forrowfull flght 
 
 and in a maner remediles. But nowe to come to the 
 
 coditions of the people, & to fhew fomewhat of their 
 
 curte/ie, loyalty, & -nahirall kindnes, I prefume your 
 
 Maie/lie jwill pardon me to fpeake of, for of trtieth 
 
 your highnes is no foner named among them, but 
 
 fuch a generall reioyjing doth arife, as maketh glad 
 
 any good mans hart to behold or heare it, it proceeds 
 
 of fuch an affectionate fauour. For let the meaneft 
 
 of the Court come downe to that countrey, he fhalbe 
 
 fo faluted, halfed and made of, as though he were 
 
 fome Lords fonne of that foyle, & fiirther the plain 
 
 people thinks it debt & duetie, to follow a flrangers 
 
 Stirrop (being out of the way) to bring him where 
 
 * 3 he 
 
The Epiftle 
 
 he wifheth, which gentlenes in all countries is not 
 vfed, and yet bejides all this goodnes and great re- 
 gard, there is neither hewe nor cry (for a robbery) 
 in many hundreth myles riding, fo whether it be for 
 feare of iuflice, hue of God, or good difpofition, fmall 
 Robberies or none at all are heard of there. They 
 triumph likewife fo mtich of fidelitie, that the very 
 name of a falfifier of promes, a murtherer or a theef 
 is mofl odious among them, efpecially a Traytor is 
 fo hated, that his whole race is rated at and abhord 
 as I haue heard there, report of Parrie and others, 
 who the common people would haue lorne in peeces 
 if the lawe had not proceeded. And fuck regard they 
 haue one of another, that neither in market townes, 
 high wayes, meetings, nor publicke ajfemblies they 
 flriue not for place, nor fhewe any kind of royfling: 
 for in fled of fuch high flomackes and floutnes, they 
 vfe frendly fahitations and courtefie , acknowled- 
 ging duetie thereby, & doing fuch reuerence to their 
 betters, that ettery one in his degree is fo well vn- 
 derclood and honored , that none can iu/lly fay hee 
 hath fuffered iniurie, or found offence by the rude & 
 burbarous behauiour of the people. Thefe vfages of 
 theirs, with the refl that may be fpoken of their ciuil 
 maner and honefl frame of lyfe, doth argue there is 
 
 fome 
 
Dedicatorie 
 
 fome more nobler nahire in that Nation, then is ge- 
 nerally reported, which I doubt not but your High- 
 nes is as willing to heare as I am defirozts to make 
 manifejl and publifh : the hope whereof redoubleth 
 my boldnes, and may happely JJieeld me from the ha- 
 zard of worlds haflie iudgement , that condemnes 
 men without caufe for writing that they know, and 
 prayfing of people before their faces : (which fufpi- 
 cious heads call a kind of adulation) but if telling of 
 troth, be rebukable, and playne fpeeches be offenfiue, 
 the ignorant world fhall dwell long in errors, and 
 true writers may fodaynly fit in filence. J haue not 
 only fearched fondry good Authors for the confir- 
 mation of my matter, but alfo paynfully traueiled to 
 trye out the fubfla?ice of that is written, for feare of 
 committing fome vnpardonable fault and offence, 
 in prefentiug this Booke vnto your Highnejfe. 
 Which worke, albeit it is but title, (becaufe it trea- 
 teth not of many Shieres) yet greatly it Jlial reioyce 
 the whole Countrey of Wales, whe they fhall heare 
 it hath found fauour in yozir gracious fight, & hath 
 pajfed through thofe bleffed hands, that holds the 
 rayne and bridle of many a flately Kingdome , and 
 Terry torie. And my felfe fhall reape fo much glad- 
 neffe, by the free pafifage of this fiimple labour, that 
 
 here- 
 
The Epiftle 
 
 hereafter y Jhall goe through (GOD /paring life) 
 with the reji of the other Shieres not heere named. 
 Thefe things only taken in had, to caufe your High- 
 neffe to knowe, what puyfance and flrength fuch a 
 PrinceJJe is of, that may commaund fuch a people : 
 and what obedience loue and loyaltie is in fuch a 
 Countrey, as hereunto hath bin but little fpoken of, 
 and yet deferueth mojl greatefl lawdation. And in 
 deede the more honorable it is, for that your High- 
 neffe princely Aunceflors fprong forth of the noble 
 braunches of that Nation. Thus duetifully pray- 
 ing for your Maie/iies long prefertiation, (by whofe 
 bountie and goodnejfe I a long while haue liued) 
 y wi/k your Highneffe all the hap, honour, 
 viclorie, and harts eafe, that can 
 be dejired or imagined. 
 
 Your Highneffe humble Seruant and 
 Subiecl, Thomas Churchyard. 
 
<^£ To euery louing and 
 
 friendly Reader. 
 
 T may feeme ftraunge (good Rea- 
 der that I haue chofen in the end 
 of my daies to trauaile , and make 
 difcription of Countries : whereas 
 the beginning of my youth ( and a 
 long while after) I haue hauted the 
 warres, and written fomewhat of 
 Martiall Difcipline : but as euery 
 feafon breedeth a feuerall humour, 
 and the humours of men are diuers : (drawing the mynd to 
 fondrie difpofitions) fo common occafion that commands 
 the iudgement, hath fet me a worke , and the warme good 
 will & affeftion, borne in breaft, towards the worthie Coun- 
 trey of Wales, hath haled me often forward, to take this la- 
 bour in hand, which many before haue learnedly handled. 
 But yet to fhewe a difference in writing, and a playnneffe in 
 fpeech (becaufe playne people affefts no flourifhing phrafe) I 
 haue now in as ample a maner (without borrowed termes) 
 as I could, declared my opinion of that fweete Soyle and 
 good Subiedts thereof, euen at that very inftant, when Wales 
 was almoft forgotten, or fcarce remembred with any great 
 lawdation, when it hath merited to be written of : for fon- 
 drie famous caufes moft meete to be honored, and neceffary 
 to be touched in. Firft, the world will confeffe (or els it fhall 
 do wrong) that fome of our greateft Kings (that haue con- 
 quered much) were borne & bred in that Countrey : which 
 Kings in their times, to the glory of England, haue wrought 
 wonders, & brought great benefites to our weale publicke. 
 Among the fame Princes, I pray you giue me leaue to place 
 our good Queene Elizabeth, and pardo me withall to com- 
 
 A mit 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 mit you to the Chronicles , for the feeking out of her Aun- 
 ceftors noble adtions , and fufifer me to fhewe a little of the 
 goodneffe , gathered by vs , from her Maiefties well doing, 
 and poffeffed a long feafon from her princely and iuft dea- 
 lings. An aft fo noble & notorious, that neither can efcape 
 immortall fame, nor fhall not paffe my pen vnrefited. 
 
 Now weigh in what plight was our ftate when fhe came 
 firft to the Crowne, and fee how foone Religion was refor- 
 med, (a matter of great moment) peace planted, and warres 
 vtterly extinguifhed, as the fequell yet falleth out. 
 
 Then behold how fhe fuccoured the afflifted in Fraunce, 
 (let the going to Newhauen beare witneffe) and chargeably 
 without breaking of League mainteyned her friends and a- 
 mazed her enemies. 
 
 Then looke into the feruice and preferuation of Scotland 
 (at the fiege of Leeth) and fee how finely the French were al 
 fhipped away (they being a great power) and fent home in 
 fuch fort, that neuer fince they had mynd to returne thether 
 againe, in that fafhion and forme that they fayled towards 
 Scotland at the firft. 
 
 Then confider how bace our money was, & in what fhort 
 tyme (with little loffe to our Countrey) the bad coyne was 
 converted to good filuer : and fo is like to continue to the 
 end of the world. 
 
 Then in the aduancing of Gods word and good people, 
 regard how Rochell was relieued, and Rone and other places 
 foud caufe to pray for her life, who fought to purchace their 
 peace and fee them in fafetie. 
 
 Then thinke on the care fhe tooke for Flaunders , during 
 the firft troubles , and how that Countrey had bene vtterly 
 deftroyed, if her Highnes helping hand had not propped vp 
 that tottering State. 
 
 Then Chriftianly coceiue how many multitudes of ftran- 
 gers fhe hath giuen gracious countenance vnto , and hath 
 freelly licenfed them to Hue here in peace and reft. 
 
 Then paife in an equall ballance the daungerous eftate of 
 Scotland once againe, when the Kings owne Subiefts kept 
 
 the 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 the Caftle of Edenbrongh againft their owne naturall Lord 
 and Maifter : which prefumptuous part of Subiefts, her High- 
 neffe could not abide to behold : whereupon fhe fent a fuffi- 
 cient power to ayde the Kings Maieftie : which power vali- 
 antly wonne the Caftle, and freely deliuered the fame to the 
 right owner thereof, with all the treafure and prifoners 
 therein. 
 
 Then regard how honourably fhe hath dealt with diuers 
 Princes that came to fee her, or needed her magnificet fup- 
 portation and countenance. 
 
 Then looke throughly into the mightineffe and managing 
 of all matters gone about and put in exercife princely, and 
 yet peaceably fince the day of her Highneffe Coronation, 
 and you fhalbe forced to confeffe that fhe furmounts a great 
 number of her Predeceffors : and fhe is not at this day no 
 whit inferiour to the greateft Monarke of the world. 
 
 Is not fuch a peereles Queene then, a comfort to Wales, 
 a glorie to England , and a great reioyfing to all her good 
 neighbours ? And doth not fhe daily deferue to haue bookes 
 dedicated in the higheft degree of honor to her Highneffe ? 
 Yes vndoubtedly, or els my fences and iudgement fayleth 
 me. 
 
 So (good Reader) do iudge of my labours : my pen is pro- 
 cured by a band of caufes to write as farre as my knowledge 
 may leade : and my duetie hath no end of feruice, nor no li- 
 mits are fet to a loyall SubiecT:, but to wifh and worke to the 
 vttermoft of power. 
 
 Within this worke are feuerall difcourfes : fome of the 
 beautie & bleffednes of the Countrey : fome of the ftrength 
 and ftatelyneffe of their inpregnable Caftles : fome of their 
 trim Townes and fine fituation : fome of their antiquitie, 
 fhewing from what Kings and Princes they tooke their firft 
 name and prerogatiue. So generally of all maner of matters 
 belonging to that Soyle, as Churches, Monuments, Moun- 
 taynes, Valleys, Waters, Bridges, fayre Gentlemens houfes, 
 and the reft of things whatfoeuer , may become a writers 
 pen to touch, or a readers iudgement to knowe. I write not 
 
 A 2 con- 
 
 1 1 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 contencioufly to find fault with any, or confute the former 
 ^ ll , ham , . writers and tyme: but to aduance and winne credite to the 
 
 Malmesbune ' . ,. - 
 
 de regibus an- preterit, trueth, agreeing and yeelding to all former tymes 
 glorum. and ages, that hath iuftly giuen euery Nation their due, and 
 
 Dauid Powell truely without affedtion hath fet downe in plaine words the 
 a late writer, wor thines of plaine people: for I honor and loue as much a 
 karned^madl true Author , as I hate and deteft a re P orter of trifeling fa- 
 a^arp'inulc- 6 bles. A true Hiftorie is called the Miftreffe of life : and yet all 
 tiueagainft Hiftoryographers in writing of one thing, agree not well 
 William Par- one with another : becaufe the writers were not prefent in 
 nus and Polli- ^ tymes, in the places, nor faw the perfons they make me- 
 dor Virgin (& tion of . but rat j ]ier haue i eanec i an d liftned on the common 
 
 all their com- . 
 
 plices) accu- report, than flayed or trufted to their owne experience. 
 fmg them of Strabo a moft famous writer findes fault (for the like oc- 
 lying tongues, cafion) with Erjlaothens, Metrodorus,Septius, PoJJidonius, and 
 enuyous de- Patrocles the Geographer : And fuch difcord did arife amog 
 ciofslTaurT^ 1 ' writers in l y me P aft > as Io f e P hus faitn againft Appio, that they 
 ders, reproach- reprooued one another by bookes, and all men in generall 
 full and veno- reprooued Herodotus. 
 
 mous lan- God fhield me from fuch caueling for I deliuer but what 
 
 guage, wilfull j haue feene and read : alledging for defence both auncient 
 ignorace, og- Authors, anc i p- 00 d tryall of that is written. Wherefore (lo- 
 
 srcct cntiic, and 
 
 canckered u ' n S K- ea dei') doe rather ftruggle with thofe two ftrong pil- 
 mindes, for lars of knowledge, than ftriue with the weakneffe of my in- 
 that thei fpake uention : which to auoyde iharpneffe (and bitter words) is 
 vnreuerently fweetned and feafoned with gentle verfes, more pleafant to 
 m, an f orne mens eares then profe, and vnder whofe fmooth grace 
 
 many other l . ° 
 
 thrife noble °* 'P eecn » more acceptable matter is conuayed, then the 
 
 Princes. common fort of people can comprehend. For verfes like a 
 
 Ieffrey of familiar friend (with a gallant phrafe) rides quietly by thou- 
 
 Monmouth. f an( j S) an d daflieth no one perfon , and galloping cleanly a- 
 
 wl evr l ° way merites no rebuke : when profe with a foft pace cannot 
 
 Weftminfter, J . . r . . r 
 
 and others are wltn fuc " cunnin g P a ffe vnperceiued . But all is one 
 here in like when in neither of both is found no matter of 
 
 fort to be read miftruft, nor fpeeches to offend, there is no 
 
 & looked on. cau f e f diflike . So crauing thy good 
 
 opinion, good Reader farewell. 
 
A true note of the 
 
 auncient Caftles, famous Monu- 
 
 ments, goodly Riuers, /aire Bridges, 
 
 fine Townes, and courteous people, 
 
 that I haue feene in the noble 
 
 Countrie of Wales. 
 
 ^jougl) fontyie Copies, anti ftatelp The Authors 
 
 ItinS&OtneSf n'tClj, troublefome 
 
 3long jjatoc 3 ttaeft, to treab out time life briefeIy 
 
 anti peaces : 
 •IMjere 9j at Ml, fjaue furelp feene 
 
 rigljt mi'tclj, 
 as bp mp toojfef, anti printeti bookes 
 
 appeared, 
 anti toeaneti tljus , tot'tlj tople in top 
 rapne place, 
 31 Ijometoarti tijue, to take Tome reft a tpace : 
 But labouring mpnti, tljat refts not but in beU, 
 Began a fceu), to trouble reftles Ijeti. 
 
 djen netofounti toples, tljat fjales men all in Ijafte, 
 Co runne on Ijeao, anti loofee not toljere tljep goe: 
 Batie teafon rise, totiere loue fljoulD be enbjafte, 
 anti totjece tjmie coulD, Ijis labour beft bcftotoe. 
 %z Wales (quott) flfllit), tijere both, plaine people titoell, 
 »o mapft tljou tome, to Ijeauen out of bell: 
 jfor Fraunce is fine, anti full of faitljleUe toaies, 
 }9ooje Flaunders grotfe, anti farre from ijappfe Dales. 
 
 Bite!) Spayne is pjoutie, anli tterne to ftraungers all, 
 3jn italie, popfning is altoaieS rife: 
 
 B 
 
 fet downe. 
 
 A fhort note 
 of the nature 
 of many Cou- 
 tries, with the 
 difpofition of 
 the people 
 
 ana there - 
 
 13 
 
The worthines 
 
 SLnti Germanie, to SDumkennetfe tiotlj fall, 
 %$z Danes u'fsetoife, tioe leatie a bibhin* life* 
 W$z Scots feefce blouti, ana beat* a traell mpnti, 
 Ireland grotoess nought, tfje people toace tmfepni): 
 England dSoti toot, Ijatlj IcauutJC fuel) leatoDneile late, 
 'QEljat Wales metljinfeg, te noto tlje founfced date. 
 
 3in all tlje red, of 3&ng&ome;3 farce o? nece, 
 a commen- g tricfce oj ttoo, of treacljecie tfapneg tlje »>ople: 
 
 SyaMetf ^ Ut QnCC *& e f ? me rt J at rUle ailtl l£lto * Came ^ eCe » 
 
 weiihmen. 'flRjia Brittifli lanti, toa-* neuer put to fogle, 
 jfoj foule offence, 01 fault it Dft> commit: 
 Wqz people Ijere, in peace Dott) quiet fit, 
 gDbapess tlje prince, toitljout reuolt 0£ iarce, 
 25ecaufe tijej? fenoto, etlje fmart of Ciuill toarce* 
 
 Arehearfaii of ^(i e!S quaci'elgf rage, UiD nourifl) uujme ana tojacfce, 
 dSofthat ana 0wen Glendore, fet blooDie b?oj?le£ afyoactj : 
 ruinated jfull man? a 'flrotone, toass Cpopld ana put to facfee, 
 Wales. #n& cleane confum'ti, to Countries? foule repjoacl). 
 (Bceat CadlesS cade, fap?e BupHungsS burnt to Bud, 
 feuct) reuell raign&e, tljat men Hits liue bp lud : 
 But Once ffjep came, anti peeltieti into Hatoe, 
 9£od meefce a<3 Eambe, toirtjin one poke tljej> tyatoe* 
 
 SdiJ^'Lffl %iU b &tol tn noto > * oe MW^nten dill agree, 
 
 men together" 3 n a # m « cl J to"*> ^0 anp men aliue X 
 
 like brethren. <3tlje frienSffjip tljere, ana concojO tljat 31 fee, 
 
 31 doe compare, to JSeeg in l^onep Ijiue. 
 
 <Hliljfclj feeepe in Ctoacme, ana IjolB togeffjer dill, 
 
 get glaalp fljotoe, to draunpr great gooti tot'U : 
 
 & courteous bpnti, of loue in euerp place, 
 
 £ man map untie, in ample peoples* face. 
 
 The accufto- Pde toljere ?ou pleafe, on Paine 01 Qpountaine toiTtie, 
 med courtefie anfc beare gour felfe, in ftoeete anti ciuill fojt : 
 
 of Wales. rr.vs. 
 
 XJ.'lU 
 
 '4 
 
of Wales. 
 
 #nt> pott (tall fore, be battltt toft!) matt anti cbiltie, 
 m\)a toi'll falttte, totth gentle cornel? po?t 
 W$z paHec0 b? : on bjauetf tlje? fomt) not Co, 
 (ffllttljout gooti fpeeclj, to let a trau'ler go : 
 'GEbe? tbsnfee it tiett, anti tmtfe franfce ana free, 
 In ketone o? fi'elue, to ?eelti ?ou cap anti fcnee* 
 
 W$zy tot'll not tfrtue, to ro?ft ana take tlje toa?, 
 
 j3D£ an? man, tbat trauaileg through, t^eir Hanti : 
 
 £ greater tbfng, of Wales noto toill 31 fa?, 
 
 $e ma? come tljece, beare purfe of goto in banti, 
 
 3D? mtgljtte bagger, of filuei' ftufcets thjotoe, 
 
 £n& no one man, tiare touclj ?our treasure noto : 
 
 cLQIIjfctj fi&etoeg fome grace, tioth rule anti gu?ae them there, 
 
 'QTljat ttotlj to (BoU, anti man fuel) Conference beare, 
 
 Behold beGtresf, a further tbmg to note, 
 W$z bed cheape cbeare, the? haue that ma? be founti: 
 ®je fyot te great, toljen each mang pai'e-sfhte groate, 
 3if all alifee, tlje reckoning runneth, round, 
 'flthere marfeet good, anti factual^ nothing Deaue, 
 (Each place i«3 filoe, toith plentie all tbe ?eare : 
 Wzz gcountie mannurUe, tlje grame tioth fo encreafe, 
 ^bat tljoufantigi lute, in toealth anti bleCCeti peace* 
 
 ffiut come againe, imto tljefc courteoug ujoe, 
 tlhat tofn0 the hearts, of all that niarke-s tlje fame: 
 Wi}Z like tohereof , though all tbe toojlo doe goe, 
 £n& fcarce ?e fljall, finde people in fuel) frame* 
 Stoi meefee as SDoue, in looker anti fpeeclj tlje? are, 
 $iot rough anti rutie, (ag fpttefull tongues Declare) 
 Mo fure tlje? feeme, no fooner out of ifcell, 
 (But nature tyetoeg) tbe? fenotoe gooti manersf toelU 
 
 l^oto can tljtss be, tljat toeakltngss nurtf fo IjarDe, 
 (2211)0 barel? goe& both, barefoote and fcncled) 
 
 26 2 
 
 No fuch theft 
 and robberie 
 in Wales as in 
 other Coun- 
 tries. 
 
 Victuals good 
 cheape in moft 
 part of Wales. 
 
 A great re- 
 buke to thofe 
 that fpeakes 
 not truely of 
 Wales. 
 
 Good difpofi- 
 tion neuer 
 wants good 
 maners. 
 
 In 
 
The worthines 
 
 In gifts? of mpno, fljoulti fiaue to great regale, 
 (fercept toitljin, from birtl) Come grace toere bjeo* 
 3Jt mud be fo, Doe toft not me tieceaue, 
 afllljat nature gfue0, tfje toojlti cannot bereaue: 
 3jn tljfjS remained, a fecrete toojke oeuine, 
 aailjicl) fibetoe tljep rife, from auncfent race ana line. 
 
 Good & true gn £utljor0 olo, pou tyall tljat plainly reatie, 
 
 Authors that Qeraldus one, ano leamet) Geffrey ttoo : 
 ^oTneffeT ®J* tljlLt. fo? trotlj, Ig Venerable Beade, 
 
 waies than 'Eljat man? graue, ano toojtljie toojfceg oia t>oe, 
 i write of. afloat neeoeg tljt'0 pjoofe, o? genalogfeg bere, 
 tOjefr noble blooti, tot!) bp tljetr IfuesS appeare: 
 lljeir ttatety ^otoneg, ano Cattle? euerp toljere, 
 flDf tljefr renotome, tiotft Dailp toimeffe beare* 
 
 A defcription of Mon- 
 
 mouth Shiere. 
 
 Two Riuers T73jrff 31 begin, at auncfent Monmouth noto, 
 the ITcaUed -L ®-iat ftanos b? Wye, a Ktuer large anU long: 
 Mon°now, a 3 to til tljat »>bfere, ano otljer feljfereg goe tbjotoe, 
 
 and the other SDefcribe tljem all, oj el0 3J uiQ tbem tojong. 
 Wye - 3jt i& great blame, to ton'terg of our Oafeg, 
 
 t^Ijat treated of toojlo, ano gfueg to Wales no p?aife : 
 <<Ebep rattier Ijpoe, fn clotooe (ano cunning fople) 
 tEljat Hano tljan peelo, rfgljt glojfe to tljat »>oj>le, 
 
 the n n fth. enry & l&mg of our0, toag borne in Monmouth fare, 
 
 Neere the ^ Cattle X ^ m i Vii0 l^ ty falJle a Vlfftjt : 
 
 Towne sir &n0 tbottgb, ttje toalleg, toljiclj cannot ttill enoure, 
 charies Har- ^tjjough Coje oecap, (|)£\xie0 nothing fapje to agljt. 
 
 bert of Troy g n &M{e ft Wfe (an j, toeU pMe cftfe ^ 
 dwelt in a faire r~ , * . -.rv- » » »»»^ 
 
 seate called 25? tueto 2* map, a puncel? plot bebolo : 
 
 Troy. (J5000 
 
 16 
 
of Wales. 
 
 (Boon tmmtijs tfjej? Ijati, tijat urft tljcfe toalleg bio raiTe, 
 'Cbat makes our age, to tljinke on cluergs fcafeg. 
 
 TElje l&ng tjere borne, bib pjoue a peereleg ^n'nce, 
 % conquers Fraunce, anti caign'd nine peered in Ijap : 
 Cbere toajs not Ijere, Co great a (Htctoj ance, 
 l^at fjerti fuel) cljaunce, ano fortune in W lap, 
 ifoj Ije bp fate, ana fojee DiD couet all, 
 &nd ag turne came, ttrofce tjauti at iFojtuneg ball: 
 afllith, manip tmmti, an& ran a rebbie Xoap, 
 'QTo lofe a iojmt, o? toinne tfje (Bole bp plap. 
 
 3jf Monmouth fymg, ftttl) ^inCCfl! fojtlj ag tljigf, 
 
 SI §>ople of grace, it flbalbe calbe of rigljt: 
 
 » 
 
 peafce toljat jou can, a Ijappie feeate it fef, 
 
 51 trim »>l}iere totone, fo? ilJoble, Barron o\ Jkni$$t. 
 & Cittie Cure, ag free as iss tlje bed, 
 flfllfjere »>tje is kept, anO learneti HalogersS reft : 
 2Buplt auncient toife, in ftoeete anti toljolefome ap?e, 
 flfllijere tlje beft fojt, of people oft repa^e. 
 
 |iot farce from tljence, a famous Caftle fine, 
 'Eljat Raggland bjgfjt, ftanbS moteb almoft round : 
 Static of ifreeftone, bpn'gljt a0 ftraigbt ag line, 
 afll&ofe toojfemanfyip, in beautie dorb abound, 
 %\)t curious Imotg, tojougljt all toitlj ebged toole, 
 %%e ftatelp Softer, tljat looked o^e ^onQ and ^oole : 
 'SEfje jFountaine trim, tfjat rung botlj Da? and nigbt, 
 SDotlj peeld in fijotoe, a rare and noble Ggljt. 
 
 |2oto Chepftowe comes, to tmmd (as toell it map) 
 JLQlliofe £>eate is fet, fome partbpon an 'bill: 
 #nd though, tlje totone,- to Neawport iges a toap, 
 ^hat o?e a Budge, on Wye pou nUe at tofll, 
 %ty$ Bridge is long, tlje Eiuer ftoift anti great, 
 %%z Slpountaine bigge, about dotl) flbade tlje feeate : 
 
 B 3 
 
 At Wyneftow 
 now dwels Sir 
 Thomas Har- 
 bert, a little 
 from the fame 
 Troy. 
 
 Wbt 
 
 Maifter Roger 
 leames dwelt 
 at Troy nere 
 this Towne. 
 
 The Earle of 
 Worcefters 
 houfe and 
 Caftle. 
 
 The Earle of 
 Penbroke that 
 was created 
 Earle by King 
 Edward the 4. 
 buylt the Ca- 
 ftell of Rag- 
 gland fump- 
 tuoufly at the 
 firft. 
 
 Earle of Wor- 
 cefter Lord 
 hereof. 
 
 A faire bridge. 
 Maifter Lewis 
 of Saint Peere 
 dwelles neere 
 that. 
 
 >7 
 
The worthines 
 sir charies ^ e cragffie l&ocfcg, tljat o?e tbe tEotone Hot!) In, 
 
 doth dwell 
 
 now. (^tje common po& anfl fatten 10 fo gooO, 
 
 3jt merits pjaife, becaufe 25ar&e£ tljere Hoe ribe : 
 Morglm Zt W* W% tf»e §>>ea, comes* in toitb. flotoine; floob, 
 is dead dwelt SLixXt botlj foure tjotoerg, aljoue tlje JBjitiffe abfte. 
 
 at Pennycoyd. ^Bejontl tlje fame, llCltf) Tyntterne &bbep ftanb, 
 Harbetofcoi- 8$ old a »>ell, a<3 10 toitljin tfjat ILanb : 
 broke buryed ag^ece biuerg tftfitffgf, tjatb, bene rigtjt toojrt)fc note, 
 chTftow M*&tt«>f a # P ct > #* twtl J 31 Saue not ffote. 
 
 In the Caftle ^_ 
 
 there is an an- CO Chepftowe Wt, tttg pen agajmC tHUtt palfe, 
 
 dent tower fau^e strongbow once, (an €arle of tare renotone) 
 
 totS Sy & ^S tim * <*««» ^ ^o?b an* ^aiffer toa* 
 reus a tale to (In pnncelp fojt) of Cattle anb of Cotone. 
 be conhdered q[$zn after tbat, to Mowbray ft befell, 
 ° f - 0if Norffoike 2Dufee, a toojtfjie fenotone full to ell: 
 
 "alreafand Mlfa fott> tbe famet, William Harbert mniffTjt, 
 
 worthie tale to 'ilbat toaj3 tljc (Carle , of Penbrooke t&en bp riff^t* 
 
 be heard. 
 
 EaXstrong- (i3Df Huntyngton:anb Penbrooke (Carle Itfeetolfe) 
 
 bowe was ma- ^ab but one ctjilbe, a 2Daut$l}ter of great race: 
 ried to the g n ti j|je ^0 matcljt, toitlj pompe anti folempne guife, 
 Sf^Tte^ Somerfet, tbat toa<s %op Chamberlaine, 
 in Ireland, and 8nb mabe an (forle, in Henry feuentJiiS raigne : 
 this strong- £[>f tym tiotl) come, (Cade Worfter liuing notoe, 
 w Tarmes MHjo builbetb, bp, tbe lioufe of Raggland rtnotoe* 
 
 the Earledoms 
 
 ofWoliler* A Creation Q f an Earle> 
 
 E2Dtoarb bv tlje grace of <Botr,- l&ing: mod imperial!, 
 <3Df jFraunce,*GEnglanb,ttbellDjb of 3jrelanb rtiertoitball, 
 'QEo £rcl)biibop0, $ Biffoopgf all, to &bbotesf anb to $jio# 
 ^o 2u«l«e0, to Earless, to Barrong, i to feljeriffeg of tlje fibireg, 
 
 'SCo 
 
 18 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Co 3jtid(ces, to SSaiojs, anb ctitefc of Cotonlp gouernment, 
 Co ISaplielteS^ tro> licljefolfce all, baue Ijeretoftb greeting Cent. 
 Itnotoe ?e totjeceas toe fubge ft fs a gracious pjfnce bj's parte, 
 Co j>eclb loue, fauour, anb retoarb to men of great beCarte: 
 (1211)0 of Ijfmfelfe, bis Kopall Ijoufe, ana of tlje publique (late, 
 l?aue toell beteru'b, rtjefr bertues rare euer to remunerate: 
 Sint} to abome toitb, Ijfgi) retoarb, fuel) bertue cleere anti bn'gbt, 
 fetirs crljers tip to great attempts, anti faintnes puts to flight. 
 22le foliotoing on tlje famous courfe^'founerl&ings baue run, 
 Cljat toojtbje $ appioueb tofgljt, toljofe DeebeS mod noblt> dun, 
 ??aue greated things of tis beteru'b, toe tio intend to raife, 
 Co fame anb ljono?s bjgbed tppe, toftb gifts of $?uicelp piaffe, 
 Cyai: tnielj? regail ait toe meane, tljat balfant toojt'pie Iknigijf, 
 Cljat ■JQlllU'am Herbert Ijatlj to name,? noto %, Herbert Ijigljt, 
 Cfllpfe ferujte tolje toe fird bfo rafgne, toe tit'D modfaitfjftil finQ, 
 IQlljcn fo? our ropal rfgljt toe fought, toljfcl) (til toe call to mint): 
 Co toljtclj tee ati from tljen till noto, continuall Ceruiccs, 
 aaiyicl) manp toere toljereof eaclj one, to bs mod pleaang is. 
 anb ctjfcSp toyen as latelp noto, Ijfs tieeties titD bfm beclare, 
 a toojtljfe l&nigtjt toljerbp be gapn'd,botlj fame anti glo?ie rare ; 
 flfliljen as tljat ikebell anti our foe, euen lafper Tudyrs fonne, 
 toyo Cafd Ije (Carle of Penbroke toas, bia toedtoales coaft ojcrii. 
 anti tljere bp. fubtile drifts anti fojce, bib tiiuers Confine toaies 
 anop our ^tate, anti tljeretofttjall a bple »ebftfon ratfe. 
 2But tljere Ije gaue to Ijim a fielde, anti toittj a tialiant band 
 ®?etl;?eto Ijfm anti Ijis fojces all, tljat on Ijfs part did dand. 
 ano marching all along ttjoCe Coafts, y' mod Ije aete out rfgljt, 
 Clje red lje bjake anti Co difperd, tljep gaue tljemfelttes to flight. 
 £Dur Cattle tljen of Hardeiach, tljat from our fird daies raigne, 
 a refuge foj all Eebels did, againtt bs ftfii remaine : 
 Si jfojt of toonderous fojce, beaege about did lje, 
 anti toofee it, toljere in mod mens mentis, ft could not taken be. 
 3£e toan ft 1 OtU make tljem peeld, toljo tljere tfjetr faftie fougpt, 
 anti all tye Countrie thereabouts, to our obedience bjougtjt. 
 Cyefe tyerefoje Ijis mod too^rljie acts, toe calling into mfnde, 
 l?i'S ferulces anb great befarts, toljfclj toe pjafte toojtljfe finde: 
 
 ana 
 
 l 9 
 
The worthines 
 
 #nD toi tljat tmte toe toilli'ng Ijim, tot'tb ljono# royalty 
 Jfo? to aDome, Decfee, anD aDuaunce, anD to fublime on tjpc* 
 r 2Pbe effflJt nap of September, in tlje eight peere of out* Katgne, 
 22Ie bp rtjte Cljarter, that foj oucgi ujall acme Co? euer remafne: 
 3Df fpeciall grace anU fcnotoleDge Cure, CounQ anD Determinate, 
 &nD motto meece btm Miilliam Doe, of Penbroke Count create 
 (Erect, pjeferre, anti bnto him ttje IMe fft'le anti tfate, 
 #nD name tljeceof anti Dignitie, fojeuec appropriate, 
 &$ (Carle of Penbroke anti toitball, toe giue all eighty tljat Do 
 all honors* anti pjebemtnence, tljat ftate pectejme into: 
 aflli'th tobt'clj etf ate, (hie, bono?, great, ana toorrtjie Dtgnitte, 
 25j? cincture of a fetoorb, toe htm ennoble reallie. 
 
 The Authors ^°? t 5 at $* ftt1Ce > m * ^l*W tUO?U0 \XHW gltat, 
 
 verfes in the fEhe ferui'ce Cuch, a<s merited noble fame : 
 honor of no- %\)t fo?me thereof, in tierfe 3) doe repeate, 
 bie mynds. a „j jjj^j itfeetotfe, the llattfo of the fame. 
 
 % feru'D a lung, that coulti him toell retoarD, 
 
 #nD of fjtjs houfe, anti race toofee great regaro, 
 
 #nD recompenft, ht'0 manty Doing right, 
 
 ftcltftb bono? one, to fucb a noble Imt'gbt. 
 
 Good men are flfllfjece lopall mjmti, Doth offer life anD all, 
 
 bukeT" 'ftbere tiotb great hap, anD thankfuli fortune fall, 
 &$ guerDon fent, bp Deftnte anD gooD fate. 
 i]2o »>oueratne can, forget a feubiectg troetlj, 
 aQItth tobofe gooD grace, great loue anD fauour goeth : 
 (Breat gi'ftg anD place, great glou'e anD renotone, 
 tChey. get anD gapne, that truelp. ferueg a Crotone. 
 
 anD thou mp Bnigljt, tljat art big betre in blooD, 
 Harbertof" »ugb EojDujip, lanD, anD Raggknds ffatel? totoecg, 
 saint Guiyans. & female hefce, anD fojee of fortune^ flooD 
 
 l^aue ttjee bereft, pet beard h& fruity anD flotoecg: 
 
of Wales. 
 
 %'g acmes*, W name, tjtss faitlj ant) mpnfc are ttjpne, 
 25p nature, nurture, arte anb grate tieupne : 
 4D?e »>ea0 anD ItanDgf, tljefe moue tljee pajmess to tafee, 
 fo? (BoD, fo? fame, fo£ rtjp flueete feoueraineg fake. 
 
 <^f Here followeth the Creation 
 
 of an Earle of Penbroke in Latin. 
 
 EDwardus Dei gracia Rex Anglie & Frauncias & Domi- 
 nus Hibernie, Archiepifcopis, Epifcopis, Abbatib 9 , Pri- 
 oribus, Ducibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Iufticiarijs, 
 Vicecomitibus, Prepofitis, Miniftris, & omnibus Balliuis, & 
 fidelibus fuis, falute. Sciatis quod cum felicis & grati admo- 
 dum Regis munus cenfeamus, de fe, de Regia domo, deque 
 Republica & regno bene meritas perfonas , cogruis amore, 
 beneuolentia & liberalitate profequi : denique & iuxta exi- 
 mias probitates, eafdem magnificentius ornare & decorare, 
 quatenus in perfonis huiufcemodi congeftis clarifsimis vir- 
 tutum premijs ceteri, focordia ignauiaque fepofitis ad pera- 
 genda pulcherrima quaeque facinora laude & gloria conci- 
 tentur : Nos ne a. maiorum nro laudatifsimis moribus difce- 
 dere videamur, noftri effe officij putamus probatifsimu no- 
 bis virum qui ob res ab fe clarifsime geftas quam maxima 
 de nobis promeruit, condignis honoru faftigijs attollere & 
 vere regijs infignire muneribus . Strenuum & infignem lo- 
 quimur milite Willum Herbert Dominum Herbart, iam de- 
 funclu, cuius in regni noftri primordijs obfequia gratifsima 
 turn nobis multipliciter impenfa cum nro pro iure decer- 
 taretur, fatis ambigue obliuifci non poffumus acceffere & 
 de poft in hoc vfque temporis continuata feruicia, que non 
 parum nobis fuere complacita, prefertim nuperimis hijs 
 diebus quibus optimum fe gefsit militem, ac non mediocres 
 fibi laudis & fame titulos comparauit . Hijs equidem iam- 
 pride cu Rebellis, hoftifque noftri Iafper Owini Tedur filliu 
 nuper Pembrochise fe Comitem dicens , Wallise partes per- 
 
 C uaderet, 
 
The worthines 
 
 uaderet, multaque arte ad contra nos & ftatum noftrum vi- 
 lem pupulo feditionem concitandum truculentiam molire- 
 tur, focietatis fibi ad eandem rem conficiendam ele&ifsirms 
 viris fidelibus noftris arma cepit, conftigendi copiam hofti- 
 bus exhibuit , adeoque valida manu peruafus ab ipfis par- 
 tes peruagatus eft & nufquam eis locum permiferit quo no 
 eos complicefque afHigauerit, vires eorudem fregerit, mor- 
 teque affecerit, feu defperantes in fugam propulerit, denium 
 Caftrum noftrum de Hardelagh nobis ab initio regni no- 
 ftri contrarium . quo vnicum miferis patebat refugium, ob- 
 fidione vallabat, quod capi impofsible ferebatur, cepit, in- 
 clufos que ad deditionem compulit, adiacentem quoq ; pri- 
 mam omnem noftram Regise Maieftati rebellem hadtenus 
 ad fummam obedientiam reduxit . Hsec itaque fua laudabi- 
 lia obfequia, promeritaque memoriter & vt decet intime re- 
 colentes volentefque proinde eundem Willum condignis 
 honoribus, regalibiifque prsemijs ornare amplicare & fub- 
 limare, o<5tauo die Septembris anno regni noftri odtauo, 
 per Chartam noftram de gratia noftra fpeciali ac ex certa 
 fcientia & mero motu noftris ipfum Willum in Comitem 
 Pembrochise ereximus, praefecerimus , & creauerimus , & ei 
 nome, ftatum, ftilum, titulum, & dignitatem Comitis Pem- 
 brochie cum omnibus & fingulis preeminencijs honoribus 
 & ceteris quibufcunque huius ftatui Comitis pertinenti- 
 bus, fine congruis dederimus & concefferimus, ipfumq ; hu- 
 iufmodi ftatu, ftilo, titulo, honore, & dignitate per cinclu- 
 ram gladij infigniuerimus, & realiter nobilitauerimus. 
 
 CyfsJ teiag fet fcotone, to? caufesf maje tljen one, 
 %%z fe)o?lti fceleeue-*, na msje ttjan it fjatp Ceene : 
 SLGltjeu tlnngg l?e Seat), ana t»me i$ pair anti pne, 
 2BljmSJ people lay, it fcs not Co toe toeene. 
 3it t'0 a tale, Deuftos to pleafe tfce eare, 
 @£o?e fo? deu'syt, of topes tpen ttoty mat? bears : 
 ©tit tpofe tijat tpfnfef, tpfc map a fable be, 
 'So atitpo# sooti, 3 Cenu tpem pece from me* 
 
 jftcit 
 
of Wales. 
 
 5Fi:ff let tljem fearclj, Kecojas as g [jane bone, 
 djm l^all tfje? Sntie, tljis is moil certaine true: 
 ana all tlje cea befoje 31 Ijere beg;un, 
 Is tafeen out, not of no tojiters nue* 
 Cfje oltieCt Con, anti fottnDeft men of ffeill 
 S£?ne aut;jo?s ace, noto reaise tijefc names toljo toill : 
 Cljeic tooj&es, tljeic tooias, ana fo tljeic learning; tlj^astj, 
 MiaU S;£toe ?ou all, toljat tcotlj 9j tojite of noto, 
 
 T3 (fcauCe man? tljat fauoureo not Wales (parffall ton'ters ano 
 Ijittojians) Ijaue to^'tten $fet DoVone ttjeir otone opinions, as 
 tlje? pleafeS to publiu) of tljat Countre? : 31 tljerefoje a little De-- 
 5reSTefromtljeojtiecl?mattecoftl)et)oofee,an-)touc5fometo^at 
 tlje too^eS anU toojties of tijem tljat raujl? Ijaue ton'tten mo?e 
 tljen tye? fcnetoe, oj toell coulo pjoue. 
 
 £s learneU men IjatT) tojote graue toojfes of ?oje, 
 is>o great reg;ari3, to natitte »>o?le tlje? tjaa : 
 fo? fuel) tefpett, 31 blame noto Poiiydore : 
 Becaufe of Wales, tjis iu&pment toas but bat). 
 
 3Jf Buckanan , tlje Scottifh }©oet late 
 
 aaiece ijere in fp^ite, of Brittons to Debate: 
 
 tyz ftjoulO finde men, tljat tooulo Voitlj Iji'm tu'fpute, 
 
 SLviit man? a pen, toljiclj tooulo Ijis toojks confute* 
 
 ©at toitfj tge tieati, tlje quick ma? ncaec ftriae, 
 (tOjougl) fontiiie tooiks, of tijeirs toere little toojrlj) 
 get better facte, tlje? Ijaa not bene aliue, 
 tPjan fotoe fuel) feezes, as Im'ng-s no potmeffe fo?tlj : 
 tljeic pjaife is fmall, itjat plucks backe otijecs fame, 
 Cijeir loue not great, tljat blots out neighbours name, 
 ^fjeir booties but tyatoles, ttjeir bable baulo anU bare, 
 ^ijat in Difoaine, of fables toutecs are. 
 
 S21ij3t fable moje, tljen fa? tlje? fcnotoe tljat tljing; 
 13}?? neuer fatoe, anS fo g;iue iiftgement ftreig-ijt : 
 
 C 2 gnD 
 
The worthines 
 
 #n& bp tljefc boofceg, tlje too?lo fit erro? tying;, 
 <i;ijat rtjinkg it reader, a matter of great toeigljr. 
 ([fliljett tljat a tale, of mucl) tintcotl) fa tola : 
 'QTiWg all tljat ujinejs, and sjliftergf is? not gold : 
 4£o? all tlje booked, tljat aunctent JFattjecgf to?ate 
 Sire not alo'too, fo? trotlj in euerp (late, 
 
 'flEljouglj Caefar toaa, a VoiTe and toojtljte $?ince, 
 
 ano COnqueCO mucl), Of Wales ailO England botlj : 
 
 'QElje to?iter0 tljan, ano orfjer 8utljo?$ ance, 
 SDt'o flatter tpme, ano (till abufe tlje trotfj. 
 »>ome fo? a fee, and Come did ljumo?0 feede, 
 flfllljen fo?e toa0 Ijealde, to make a toound to bleede: 
 ano Come fottgljt meaneg, tljeir patient dill to pleafe, 
 HM)tn bodp t&?otoe, toa<5 full of foule Difeafe. 
 
 W$z too?ldlp toit0, tljat toftft eaclj tpme toould toagge, 
 afllere carped cleane, atoap from toifedomeg lo?e : 
 tOjep ratljer toatcljt, to fill an emptie bagge, 
 'flTljan touch, tlje tpme, tljen p?efent o? befo?e: 
 jRo? cac'D not mucl), fo? future tpme to come, 
 Wzzp rould tip tpme, lifee tlj?eede about t&e tljome: 
 Slno toljen tljeir clue, on tcfaegf all toa<s fpent, 
 Sl^ucft rotten ftuffe, into tlje garment toent. 
 
 aailjtcl) fluffe patcljt fop, a peece of Ijomelp toare, 
 31n p?interg fljop, fet out to fale fometgme: 
 aoibicl ill to?ougljt too?fce, at lengtb. became fo bare, 
 3It neitljer feru'd, fo? p?ofe no? pleafant rpme : 
 But pad lifee cljat, anD old toiuesf tales* full foapne, 
 i:ijat tijunderg long, but neuer b?ing0 fo?tl) rapne : 
 SI fepno of found, tljat ma&e* a Ijurling nopfe, 
 lo feare poung babeg, toitti b?ute of buggeg ano toj?e& 
 
 But aged dreg, of riper toit ana f kill, 
 2DifbaineiS to reade, fuel) rabble farfl toittj Ipess : 
 
 24 
 
of Wales. 
 
 %U& 10 enougjj, to tyetoe pou mj gootitortl 
 <2Df SLutlmti true, ariti tojtter^ graue anb tofft* 
 flfllljofe pen. fijall pjoue, eacb tljmg in punteU boofce, 
 flMjofe epe0 fcu'tljall, on matter ttraunge tu'ti looke: 
 £n& toljofe great charge, an& labour tottneffe beared, 
 Cljeir too?ti0 are tuft, tljep offer to pour eare0. 
 
 (Catf) Ration Ijati, fome ton'ter m tljelr &aie0 
 
 Jfo? to atiuaunce, tljetr Countrep to tlje »>tarre0: 
 
 Homer toa0 one, toljo gaue tije Greekes great p?alfe, 
 
 SinXi t)ono?& not, tlje Troyans foj tljetr toarre0> 
 
 Liui among;, tlje Romaines folate rigijt mtttb, 
 
 SMtlj rare renotone, lji'0 Countrep to enritclj : 
 
 &n& Pollidore, &tti pip tbe pen a pace, 
 
 Co blurre ftraunge £>ople0, anD peelti tlje Romaines grate. 
 
 Stomit tljep tojate, t!jetr tiolume0 all of troetlj, 
 Oanti bits affetf, ne man no? matter tljen) 
 get totter fee0, not Ijoto all mattery goetlj 
 3jn fielSrtoIjen Ije, at Ijome i& at &10 pen. 
 
 %ty$ Pollidore, Catoe neUCC mucl) Of Wales, 
 
 C&ougfo, Ije Ijaue tola, of Brittons manp tale0 : 
 C^far tjimfelf, a Ufcto? manp a toap, 
 flflient not fo farre, a0 Pollidore uotl Cap. 
 
 7&\n$$ are obapJj, toljere tljep toere neuer feene, 
 £nti mm map tojite, of rtjing0 tljep ijeare h^ eare : 
 fe>o Pollidore, oft tpme0 migljt ouertoeene, 
 Sltit} fpeafee of »>ople0, pet Ije came neuer tljere. 
 »>ome runne a ground, tljat tljjougl) eacb, toater failed, 
 SL $plot gooti, in |)i0 otone Compaile faile0 : 
 SI totter tljat, beleeue0 m Voo?lD0 report, 
 9£ap roue to farre, o? furelp u)oote to tyojt. 
 
 %ty epe t'0 iu\}$e, a0 Hanterne cleere of Itgljt, 
 Cljat fearcfjetl) tfoougl), tlje Dim ana tiarfeeft place : 
 
 C 3 » 
 
 25 
 
The worthines 
 
 'flElje gla&fome epe, ijiueg all tlje ftotiie fifftit, 
 3ft t'0 t&e glaffe, anti beautie of tljc fate* 
 25ut tofiere no face, no? fudging epe dotlj come, 
 ^Se fence i0 blpnti, tlje fpirit i0 deaffe and dome : 
 jFor toit can not, conceiue till agljt fend in 
 ~>ome ffcill to Ijead, toljere&p toe fenotoledge torn* 
 
 3[f ffraunger0 fpeafee, but ffraungelp on our ffate, 
 
 W$ tube notlj ing ttraunge, tlsouglj ftraunger0 top'te ami0: 
 
 3if ffraunger0 tio, our natt'ue people liate, 
 
 j3Dur Countrep Imotoe0, fjoto ftraunge tfjeic nature i0, 
 
 Sl^ott ttraunge it toere, to truft a fojapne foe, 
 
 <3Dj fauour tljofe, tfiat toe fo? ffraunger0 fcnotoe: 
 
 'E&en ttraungelp reaoe, tlje booked tijat ffraunger0 make, 
 
 jfo? feare pe fl^oude, in bofome flinging fenake. 
 
 poiidorus vir. W$z ffraunger0 fttll, in auncient time tljat to?ate, 
 gMust&ke aii fcxdx tl)emrelue0, ana feeepegf tags tinder foote : 
 ni°r;k **0 toe of fejmd, and nature doe tfcem bate, 
 and fawe but ' &o beare ttjtp ruff, anD canker at tlje roote 
 httie of Brit- flDf fieart, to ti0, toljen pen to paper goetlj, 
 tai ,Hw r l0 ' ^ e ™ nmnfng; can, toitf) craft fo cloke a troetfi, 
 
 «ed the fame. ^^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^^ 
 
 'flTo fmell tftem forjb, n\ pet t&eir fineneffe finde* 
 
 Venerabl ^ ^ U *&*"• mUtt ' ?0U CWllto 0Ur Dtott * mm > 
 
 *2t nobie OTo& dertue0 too?fe0, a glou'ou0 garland gapneg) 
 writer. (LQltjo fjad t|)e gift, tfie grace anD arte of pen : 
 
 Sinn to&o Did ton'te, toitlj fuclj ftoeete aotoing t>atme0, 
 Giidas, a P af. %^&x %onep feent'd, to dpp from Jp>oet0 quill : 
 fag Poet of gj f a? no mo ^ truft ftraunger^ and pe toill, 
 n me. ^^ Counti:e p {,?eeDe0, a0 faitbfull men a? tljofe, 
 && famous too, in ttatelp tierfe o? pjoCe* 
 
 Siiilla, a de- _ . , _ _ , . .... 
 
 uine Prophe- #** truetb 3 trotoe, t0 Ulite among t)0 bed: 
 fiar & writer, jpo? eac& man froune0, toljen fabling tope0 rtjep Ijeare, 
 
 and 
 
 26 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Sim tbOUgb toe COUnt, but Robin Hood a 3jeff, 
 
 Sim old tofueg talegf, agf tatting topess appeare: 
 
 get Arthurs rafgne, tlje toojto cannot &enpe, 
 
 »>ucb p?oofe tljere 10, tlje trotlj tljereof to trpe : mvhhus Am. 
 
 tCbat toljo fo fpeafceg, agafntt Co graue a tbing, *"#•», * man 
 
 &$all MuQ to blot, tie fame of fucb a lung, itdgf &fp^. 
 
 Confcemne tbe OafesS, of eUierg peat oj fmall, 
 
 Sim tljen blurre out, t^e courfe of pjefent tpme : 
 
 Catt one age tiotone, anti fo &oe o?ertj?oto all, 
 
 Sim burne tbe boofceg, of p?inteti p?ofe 01 vprntt 
 
 ISJljo fltjall beleeue, ije rulegf oj flje tiotlj rafgne 
 
 3jn tpme to come, tf tojitergf loofe tbefr pafne : 
 
 'fltlje pen recojog, tpme paft anb pjefent botb, 
 
 »»fe!'H fyfngiS foo?tb boofeeg, anti boo&eg i$ nurfe to trots* 
 
 Now followes the Caftles and 
 
 Townes neere Oske , and 
 there aboutes. 
 
 Af jetfe Cotone, calbe Oske neere Raggiand ffantig, A deration 
 51 l&fuer tbere, tiotb beare tlje felfefame name : of oske. 
 
 %'js Cbjfttall ffreameg, tljat runneg along tlje »>anb0, 
 fe»l)etoe0 tjat ft f<3, a Emer of great fame, 
 ifreu) toater ftoeete, tbt'0 gooblp Eftter peelag, 
 Sim toljen it ftoelg, ft fpjeatig o?e all tlje f eelbg: 
 (Stmt ffoje of jfifl), te caugljt toftbfn tljte flooo, 
 %^at tiotlj in tieebe, botlj Cotone ana Countrep gooti. 
 
 Si tfjfng to note, toben Gammon faflesJ in Wye, Tw0 R i Uers 
 
 (Sim feafon tfjere:goe0 out ag ojtier 10) ««e together 
 
 "^ban ttfll of coucfe, fn Oske botb 5ammon0 l?e, ^2*S^"a 
 
 anti of ffooti fifft, fn Oske you fljall not mi'0* ftogethlg. a 
 
 JSnO tfjfg feeme0 ttcaunge, a0 Dotl) tfipugb Wales appeere, 
 3!n fome one place, are »>ammon0 all tlje peere: 
 
 fe»o 
 
 J 7 
 
The worthines 
 
 &o freft), fo ftoeete, Co reO, ft crimp toitfjall, 
 21$ man migljt fa?, loe, Gammon bere at call. 
 
 King Edward SL Cattle tljere, in Oske tiott) yet rematne, 
 
 the fourth and % fe, eate to i je! ;e Bings, anO Pjinceg Ijaue bene borne : 
 
 his children, ^ um Ml ^ a potllp vk ^ mt p aine , 
 
 &L), and » toaltas tofieceo£, anti totoerg ace all to tome, 
 King Richard (?ajitij toetljerg blatt, ant) tpme tljat toeaceg all out) 
 
 the third, were ^ ^ ft j^ a g^ p?0 f peC t a b 0U t: 
 
 borne here. ^^ ^^ ^ ^fo^ a l 0n rr t f je fofaetf ClOe, 
 
 Mlmj Bu'Dge to ell built, t&e fojce of ttooti to biDe, 
 
 Mpon tfje cue, of toootmie pi full ta^e, 
 doA^eTre^ ^ isf Cattle ttanDiS > Ml fo ? e ^t&^e anti bjofee: 
 m°a\ne ye three $" buil&eU once, in freu) am tobolefome a^e, 
 myie from jfull neece great (LGiooiig, anU matt? a migljtie 3Dfce, 
 oske, but the 23 Ut fj t ^ it toeacess, anti toalleg fo toafteg atoap, 
 
 moftcleane 31" P*«f ft tl J ECe ° f ' 1 m ? nl1 n0t mUC ^ tt & ? : 
 
 downe. (Eacb, tljing Uecapti, goeg quicfelp out of minDe, 
 Si rotten tioure, Dotlj but fetoe fauoursf untie, 
 
 in the Duchie ^ee Cattleg fapje, are in a gootilp gcounti, 
 thefeTi 6 "' Grofmont i$ one, on $fll it buiiaeH toag : 
 caftL are, Skenfreth fbe nert, in Uallep us it founti, 
 but not in <q%t a>ople about, foj pleautre ttiere Dotl) patfe, 
 good plight Whit Caftle ^ tlje t ^j C0 o£ toorttiie fame, 
 any way. ^ e countrep tljere, ootb beare Whit Caftles name, 
 SL aatelp »>eate, a loftie p^incelp place, 
 aflitjofe beautie giueg, tlje ample dogleg Come grace. 
 
 The Duke of (fify;) m p( e f ram tfjat, fcpon a migljtte %'ll, 
 S r here° n a e nd Langibby ftan&ss, a Cattle once of date: 
 now the' ci- flfllljece toell pou map, tlje Countcep ijieto at Ml, 
 rteii is m Mai- slab toljere tljere i0, fome builoingg netoe of late, 
 wm^mT a toljolefome place, a patting plat of gcounti, 
 hands?" 13 #0 arooti an a^e, ag tljere about?! i$ founD : 
 
 2$ 
 
 It 
 
of Wales. 
 
 3ft Teenies to Qffljt, tlje S>eate toaa plaff to toell, 
 3]n elijecg Daiess, Tome SDufce tijecein DID Dtoell. 
 
 Carleon noto, flep fn toitft ffatelp ftple, 
 |3o feeble plj^afe, map ferae to fet thee fojtb : 
 '(Ifip famous tEotone, toag Cpofee of man? a mple, 
 ^ou Ijatf bene great, tljougt) note but little too^tlj. 
 W$ noble bounty, ljatb reacljt beponD tljem all, 
 3|n tbee Ijatfj bene, Iting Arthurs goltien ^all : 
 31n tljee the toffe, anD too^tljieg DiD repofe, 
 Sim though, % ^otone, tlje toater ebg anD flotoe& 
 
 (~*flDme learneti lo?e toith loftie ttple, 
 ^ anD leaDe tbefe Ipneg of mpne : 
 Come gracfoug (J5oD0, anD fpace a toljple 
 
 to me the 2pufe0 npne. 
 Come $oet0 all, toljofe patting ph^afe 
 
 DotTj pearce tlje fineff toitg : 
 Come ImotoleDge toheceon too^lD Doth gafe, 
 
 (pet ttill in iuDgement at0) 
 #nD Ijelpe mp pen to plap hjg parte, 
 
 foi pen 10 ftept on ttage, 
 'SEo fljetoe bg ffelll anD cunning; arte, 
 
 tlje (late of former age* 
 iFoj pjefent tpme hath, frienD0 enotoe, 
 
 to flatter faune anD f aine : 
 £nD elDer0 Daie0 31 Itnotoe not poto, 
 
 Doe Dtoell in Deepe DiCDaine* 
 il5o frienD fo? auncient peered toe finDe, 
 
 our age loue0 youth, alone : 
 %l)t former age toeare0 out of mintie, 
 
 a0 though Cttcf) tymt toere none* 
 
 Iking Arthurs raigne (though true it toeare) 
 3J0 noto of fmall account: 
 
 2D 
 
 A defcription 
 of Carleon. 
 
 Maifler Mor- 
 gan of Lan- 
 ternam in a 
 fayre houfe 
 dwelles two 
 mile from 
 Carleon. 
 
 A plaine and 
 true rehearfall 
 of matter of 
 great antiqui- 
 tie. 
 
 A fayre Foun- 
 taine now be- 
 gun. 
 
 A free Schoole 
 now erected 
 by Maifter 
 Morgan of 
 Lanternam. 
 
 A gird to the 
 flatterers and 
 fauners of pre- 
 fent tyme. 
 
 A houfe of re- 
 formatio new- 
 ly begun like- 
 wife. 
 
 The Bifhop of 
 Landaffe ftill 
 lying in the 
 Towne. 
 
 <3Ehe 
 
 ^9 
 
The worthines 
 
 we praife and <^j fame of Troy t'0 fcnotone each, tohere, 
 
 extoll ftrange 
 Nations, and 
 forget or abafe 
 
 extoll ftrange ^ t£| ^ £,fc ?€0 ^J, ttlDUtlt* 
 
 Nations, and 
 
 our owne 2Sotl) Athens, Theabes, an& Carthage tOO 
 
 countries. a?ue ft oft of great renotone : 
 
 ctflhat then 31 pjap pou flfjall toe Doo, 
 
 ICO pOOje Carleon ^Ototie» 
 
 in Arons ^j^g; Arthur fure toag crotoneii there, 
 
 5S, It toa* »f* yll &eate : 
 
 Arthur was #n& in tljat Cotone dm »>ceptei' beare, 
 
 crowned. aaittft potnpe an& tjoiioj greate* 
 
 Three Arch- Sill SLVt\)Utt)Op tftat Dubrick fotffljt, 
 
 *°^ or J e 2DtO crotone tljte l&inff in &ee&e : 
 
 Carie^'crow- $ 0m * Itfngtf befclje him 1)0?* in fight, 
 
 ning King Ar- jfoure gol&en »>toojD0 toe reetie* 
 
 thur. 
 
 Inhere 1&inff0 toere famous of renotone, 
 greaTft^co- ^ £t fo * th * ir homage bite : 
 
 mandedfech 3R,epap£tl tjrttO Carleon ketone, 
 
 folemnitie. %g J tebearfe tO £0tU 
 
 The true au- ^ \)) man p 2Dufee0, anti (Carles* to it*) all, 
 
 Snninfof <^ 0& ^bO?* C ™ ?°« «U : 
 
 this booke for #nti Co true tojiterss tyetoe jou tyall, 
 
 profe of this. I^Oto Arthur there ittU &toell* 
 
 (Ifllhat Court he kept, tofiat £ctg( he &t'&, 
 aai&at Conquett foe obtapnti : 
 anli in tohat ^incelp bono? ttill, 
 Iking Arthur long remapnlu 
 
 Another no- sDueene Gueneuer toa0 croton'ti lifeetolCe, 
 
 Uett^Cort 3 n IU1IUS *%**% **«!? fe * *• 
 
 nation. 
 
 daifiere 
 
 3° 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Sflifiere tbat fotoer £Dueeneg in folemne guife* 
 (3|n ropall ricl) arap)» 
 
 iFoure pigeongf toljite, boje in tljeir bantig 
 fcztoiz t^e ^-.inceffe face : 
 3|n dgne tlje Uueene of Brittifh I-an&g, 
 Hfil&$ toojt|)te of rtjat grace* 
 
 Carleon lofcgeti all tbefe l&ingg, 
 ami manp a noble linigbt: 
 £g map be pjou'D b? fonH^te thing;?, 
 tiTtjat 3j Ijaue fee»e in agbt* 
 
 Cbe bounty tjatt) bene nine mples* about, 
 '(Ihe lengtlj thereof toass great: 
 9it fljetoesi it felf tbfjs Dap throughout, 
 It to ass a ^inceg »>eate* 
 
 3!n Arthurs tpme a ^ITafale rotmO, 
 (HUa? there toijereat he fate*. 
 £L$ pet a plot of goo&lp grounti, 
 feet? £oo*.th tljat rare eftate* 
 
 W&z Citie reacht to Creetchurch than, 
 
 ■atlt) tO »>amt Gillyans botlj : 
 
 aMjich pet appeared to tneto of man, 
 Wa trpe tlji-s tale a troth* 
 
 Inhere are fuch, flUauteg anti hollotoe Caueg, 
 »>uch toalleg anQ Connit0 tieepe : 
 S^atie all like pppesf of earthen potg, 
 c&lherein a cbitti map creepe* 
 
 feuch ffreateg ana pauementg fontijie toateg, 
 "Eo euerp market ^otone : 
 
 3D 
 
 In Iulius 
 Church the 
 Martyr the 
 Queene was 
 crowned. 
 An honor rare 
 and great yet 
 feldome feene. 
 
 A deepe and 
 large round 
 peece of groiid 
 fhewes yet 
 where Arthur 
 fate. 
 
 A Church on 
 a hi! a mile of. 
 Saint Gillyans 
 is a faire houfe 
 where Sir Wil- 
 liam Harbert 
 dwelles. 
 
 Wonderfull 
 huge and long 
 pauements. 
 
 »>ttcb 
 
 ,v 
 
The worthines 
 
 fe>ucl) 25?t'Dffeg! built in el&ergf bategf, 
 #n& tljintjtf of fuel) tenotome* 
 
 The notableft %g mm maj , mu f e „£ t0 ^0% 
 
 blV°ont ld Butct)iefl ? ^tono«: 
 top that may tE&ere t0 a Cattle tecp ola, 
 
 be feene. ^ftf ma? tlOt be fcljpt* 
 
 The Caftleal- Jt ttant)0 ijpOIt 3 fflJCCtl %fll, 
 
 moft downe. ^j ot f arre ft om flotoing" flooti : 
 
 (Ifllljere loe pe bietD long; IMetf at toill, 
 (foupjon'ti all toitb, toootu 
 
 The flowing # ^ a te z$\ an? lung altue, 
 
 aWboTh iF^R) rpifog* nort) ftreames of toatec tijiue, 
 Towne and &lmott tl) jougb, euerp ttreate* 
 
 Caftle. 
 
 ifrotn Caaie all ttjefe tilings are feene, 
 Xi a* pleasure* of tbeeje: 
 w a ters,groues, ^be gooDlp (Broueg an& IMlieg greene, 
 & other piea- an j) tooodtiie apotmtameg Ijpe* 
 e^etobe reLe ^ e croofceb Cree&eiS anti pjetie 2Bjoofeegf, 
 fr y om°the e m* tljat ace amiti tlje pame : 
 came of car- %$z aotomg tLybts tljat fp^ea&g tlje lanU, 
 leon - anU turned to »>ea agatne* 
 
 W$t ttatelp flfllootiss tljat like a Ijoope, 
 T , r &otb compare all tlje (Kale : 
 
 canes vnder W Wncelj? plow tbat ttanDss in traope, 
 ground (at this to beautifie tlje 2Dale + 
 day) that g oe i^ c Eiuerss tljat tiott) Mi'lp rttnne, 
 hrLtaii a0clearea*«ttallttone: 
 made of excel- »>betoe!3 tljat mott pleafure0 tm&ei; »>unne, 
 
 lent work, and Carleon l)3tl alone* 
 goodly great 
 
 ueThea b d 0t ind ®™M rutlj to fee fo bjaue a e^ople, 
 vnder foote, & jfall in fo Coje liecap : 
 
 In 
 
 32 
 
of Wales. 
 
 3>:i Co^toe at, fall ttere tlje tople, 
 M fojtune aeti atoap. 
 
 £na toojla fo^foofce to Imotoleage tljoCc, 
 'QEljat earft batlj bene Co greate : 
 CErjere l&fn-jjS ana graue ^bitofopberss, 
 SJ^atie once tljcrcm tbei'r feeate. 
 
 Vrbs legionum teas it namae, 
 3Jn Caefars aaieg 3! trotoe: 
 ana Arthur ijolat'ns refaence ttjere, 
 (#3 tfojt'eg plainly u)otoe),. 
 
 jjJot onlp %in$& ana noble ^eeregf, 
 Iftepapjae tsnto tbat place: 
 But learnea men full man? peeress, 
 l&eceftt'a therein tbefr grace. 
 
 tHjan pou that aunct'ent tfimggf aenpeg, 
 ?Let noto pour talke furceafe : 
 221ben pzofe fe brought befoje pour epeg, 
 $e ougjjt to hoia pour peace. 
 
 janti let Carieon fjaue Ijt0 riffbt, 
 £na iope ht'0 toonteO fame: 
 £na let each tot'fe ana toojtljte toijyljt, 
 £>peafee toell of Arthurs name. 
 
 flflioula (Boa tbe bjute thereof toere fcnotone, 
 3jn Countrep, Court, ana ^otone: 
 jartti u)e that (Its in reapll W$m\z, 
 Sflii'th Scepter, ^tooja, and Crotone. 
 
 clofe and fine 
 round about 
 the whole 
 Caue. 
 
 The name To 
 mightie ar- 
 gues it was a 
 mightie and 
 noble towne. 
 
 Two hunched 
 Philosophers 
 were nori- 
 fhed in Car- 
 ieon. 
 
 Yeeld right as 
 well to our el- 
 ders daies, as 
 to our prefent 
 age. 
 
 (MJbo came from Arthurs rafe ana Ipne) 
 aaioula marke thefe mattery tljjotoe: 
 
 2D 3 
 
 £na 
 
 33 
 
The worthines 
 mn tbetoe rtje^eon Ijer gracious* epne, 
 
 %0 Ijelpe Carleon nofcl* 
 
 %\>u8 farre mp pen tit Arthurs p^aife, 
 %rtj pad fo? plainneffe faite: 
 3|n Ijono? of our elDerg tiaiess, 
 ^at feeepeg mp mute atoake* 
 
 Sill only fo? to public plaine, 
 <<I}?me pad, tpme pjefent bortj : 
 tOjat tpme to come, ma? loell retaine, 
 flDf earfj goon tgme, tlje trotlj* 
 
 ^An Introduction to the Letters fent 
 
 from Lucius Tyberius, at the Coro- 
 nation of King Arthur. 
 
 N4Dt bntoillingto Delate anti mafce large tlje matteu noto 
 to?itten of, $ furtljer becaufe tfje raigne of I&ing Arthur 
 10 biuerflp tteateti on anti imcertainlp fpofeen of (tlje men 
 of tbtg too?lti ace grotoen fo toffe) 3j Ijaue feaccbeft anti fount) (in 
 gooti £utljo?!3) fuclj cectaintie of l&tng Arthur, and matter tljat 
 merits tlje teaming, tljat 3! am compelled toitlj pen to ejplaine, 
 antitoitb fome painegi anti ttutiie to pjefent tpetoojlti totrtj in ge= 
 neralU'Clj? utbffancetobereof being m 3larin, (maybe reati anti 
 tmUerltooti tip tljoufanbgf) i& engltl^eti becaufe tlje common fojte 
 (agf toell a0 tlje learneo) iTjall fee Ijoto little tlje ikings anti ^?tn-- 
 ce0 of t|jigi ?Lanti, Ijaue etfeemeti tbe potoer of tlje Romaines, o? 
 manaKng anti fojce of anp fo?rame foe tobatfoeuec* &nti fo? tlje 
 amending of mp tale , let our »>oueraine liable be toell conliUe-- 
 reti of,(tobofe graces paCCerlj mp pen to ujetoe) anti you ujall fee 
 great tljingss are encountreti , anti no fmall mattery gone about 
 ano bjougljtto gooti paffe, in tlje action afoje nametutoljiclj be= 
 commetl) toell a^Dueene of tljat race, toljo & tiefcentieti of fo no-- 
 ble a p?ogenie + But novo purpoOng ojberlp to pjoceebe to tbe 
 
 fowier 
 
 34 
 
of Wales. 
 
 fomter trifcoucfe, anli ro reljearfe too^o foj too?ti, as ittoag left bp 
 
 our fojefatb,er0,(men of peat learning anti Imotolctige) 31 fiaue 
 
 Tet lioune Come Cue]) Hetterg anti 3D?ation0,ag peratmenture toil 
 
 mafee pou to maruell of, o? at tlje leaft to tbjnfee on fo mucl), tljat 
 
 Come one among: a multitutie, toill peelo me thanked fo? mp la= 
 
 bour, anli ratljer encourage a true tojiter to continue in tlje like 
 
 cjercifeg, tljen to giue Ijfm any occadon to fit ptile, anti fo fojget 
 
 tlje bfe of pen* tEfjere follotoetlj hereafter tljofe things befoje 
 
 mentioneli, toljiclj 31 bopetljelUatiecgMliutigetoitlj a&uife= 
 
 ment,anli conffrue to tlje belt intent anti meaning, jfojtbjgmafc 
 
 tec not onlp ujetoeg bp gooli autfjojirie tt>e ropall Coronation of 
 
 iking Arthur, but in like maner Declares Voitlj toljat pjitie ana 
 
 pomp tlje Romains Tent Ijetljer (at tbe ijecp inftant of ttjijs great 
 
 trjumpb) for tribute ana bomage:at toljicb pjouU anli pjeumtp= 
 
 tuoug liemaunli, Bing Arthur (ants all big ottjer ^u'neess about 
 
 him) began to bee greatly mouet>,ano pjefentlp toitljout further 
 
 t)elap,gaue fo ujacpeano fooaine an anftoer to tlje(fenbaiTatio$ 
 
 of Rome, tljat tbe? toere fo taej:eCi ant) abaujeti tberetoitlj, tljat 
 
 tljep neither fenetoe toellljoto to tafee it,no? maoe an? further re-- 
 
 pty:a0 follow eg bp matter pjefentlpljcuc^fpou pleafetljjougbl? 
 
 to reaDe it, Conflfo w toitball, tljat after tljig CfonbaUage, 1W ng 
 
 Arthur in plaine battaile Hue Lucius, anU Ijati gone to Rome to 
 
 ftaue bene ccotoneU (tmperour tljere, if Mordred baD not malie 
 
 a reuolt in Arthurs otone king&ome. 
 
 The Coronation, and folemnitie ther- 
 
 of: The Embajfage, and proude mejjage of the 
 
 Romaines : And the whole refolution of 
 
 King Arthur therein , is firft fet 
 
 forth here in Englifh. 
 
 T$<£ appopnteH tg me of tlje folemnitie appjocljing, anti all 
 being reauie aUembleti in tbe Citie of Carieon, tlje &cclj-- 
 
 biftjopsS, London anU Yorke : anil in tlje Citie Of Carieon 
 
 the acebbifbop Dubright toere conueigheo to tlje palace, toitb. 
 
 ropall 
 
 35 
 
The worthines 
 
 ropall folemnitie to ccotone Mn$ Arthur . Dubright therefore 
 (becaufe tfae Court tfaen lav toitfain faig 2Dioceu~e, tttcm'ffcea faint* 
 felfe accojainglp to perfourme anU tolemnije tfate charge in big 
 otone petfon.'Qrfae iking being crotonea,toas ropall? b jougbtto 
 tljeCatljeDjaU Church of tfaat 9£etropoltticall feee,Cn either 
 liana of faint, faotfa tfae rigfat ana tlje left, &ia ttoo accfabiihoppe.s 
 fuppo?thim*£na fotoeclkingg, to toft, Angufelllting of Alba= 
 
 nia, Caduall Itt'ng Of Venedocia, Cador l&ing of Cornewall,"" 
 
 $ Sater Iking of Demetia, toent before tym, caching iiiu golaen 
 »>too?a& %%z companies alfo ana concouufe of fonan'e Cojtss of 
 office^, plapea afo?e faim mod meloaiousf % faeabenlp faarmonie* 
 flDn tfae otfaer parte, tfae jfflueenetoagbjougfat to tfae Church of 
 p^ofeffefc |5unne0, being coauctea ana accompaniea toitfa £rcfa-- 
 bifibopg ana Bifibopgf, toitfa her arnteg ana titled ropallp pent-- 
 fyea ♦ #na tfae ^Dueenesf, being toiueg into tfae fotoer l&inggf a= 
 fo£efaj?a,carpea before hec(a-3 tfae o?aer ana cuftome toagf) fotoec 
 tofaite 2Douegf oj pigeon^ 
 
 ifo? befaoia, ttoelue aifrceete perfonageg of reuerena counter 
 nance came to tfae Iting in ft atelp maner, carding in their right 
 faanag in tofeenana Ogncof ambaffage, )3Dliue bougfae& £na af= 
 ter tfae? faaa Calutea faint, thep aeliuerea imto him on tfae befaalfe 
 of Lucius Tyberius, SLetterjs containing thig effect* 
 
 ^The Epiftle of Lucius the Romaine 
 
 Lieutenant, to Arthur King of Britain? 
 
 LVcius ofcouerner of tfae Commontoealtfa, to Arthur lu'ng 
 of Britaine, assfaefaatb Hefcaieti + 31 &aue ejrceeaingl? toon* 
 aerea to tfainfee of tfap malepert ana t^annicaliaealing, 31 
 aoe meruaileGJj fa?) ana in conCtaering tfae matter,! ant angrie 
 ana tafee in ill part, tfae iniurie tfaat tfaou halt offerea to Rome : 
 ana tfaat thou,no better aauiangtfapfelf,refufetttoacknotoleage 
 her. ^either faaft tfaou an? care fpeeaelie to reajeCCe tfapne ouer-- 
 Gght,tbugJ fa? tmiutt aealingg to offena tfae Senate; imto tofaom 
 
 thou 
 
 36 
 
of Wales. 
 
 tljou art not ignorant, tljat tf»e toljole toojla otoetT) bomage ana 
 fetufce * iFo?, tlje Ixibute Hone foi Britaine toljiclj tlje Senate 
 commaunaea tljee to pa? ; fo? tljat Iulius Caefar, ana ottjertoor= 
 tljte Romaines long: anti manp peered enfopeti tije fame, rtjott to 
 tlje contempt of fuel) an Ijonojable tote, Ijatt pjefumea to ae= 
 taine ana feeepe baefce ♦ tlfiou jjaft alfo taken from tijent Gallia : 
 tljou Ijatt toonne from tljenyjje Quince;* of Sauoy ana Daul- 
 phinie: thou Ijaff gotten, tlje poffettion of all tlje 3|lana# of the Mlohto ^ s - 
 Ocean : tlje liing^ tobereof (fo long a0 tlje Romaine autljou'tie 
 toagtljereobepea) papea tribute to our aunottoja. Sft& ther= 
 foje tlje feenate Ijatlj aecreea to reaemauna amenag ano re(titt!= 
 tion at tbp tjanas foj tljefe tljp fo great tojongtf, 3| eniopne ana 
 commauna tfjee to come to Rome in tlje miaaeft of jauguft tlje 
 nejt peere; ttjere to anftoere tinto tljp Hojajs, ana to abpae fuel) 
 fentence ana ojdcc, m they b? tuftice ftjall la? bpon tfiee* &UbicIj 
 thing if tljou refufe to aoe, 31 toill inuaae tljp Countcieg, ana 
 toljatfoeuerttptoilfullralijnegfljatpi'aopallp'ta&enatoapfrom 
 tljeir Commonwealth, tljat toill 31 b g aint of ftoora, affag to re= 
 coutr ana to tljem relloje, 
 
 ^"Cador the Duke of Cornewall 
 
 his Oration to the King. 
 
 Ilfeaue Ijitijerto be.ne in feare,leaff tljeBritaines tbjougljmucl) 
 cafe ana long peace, fijoula gcotoe to Houtlj ana cotoacaijej 
 anaiofe tljat fjonojable reputation of Cljeualrie ana martiall 
 pjotoeKe, toberein tbep are generally accoumptea to furmount 
 all otljer #lations. jfoj toljece tlje bfe of acmes i& not etfeemea, 
 but in tteeae tberof,2Dpcing,Caraing, aaMng toith toomen ana 
 otbecfcajmeaelitegfrequentea, it cannot cfjooCe,buttberecotoac= 
 aije ana Uuggacaie mull neeaees aimme ana aeface all bertue, 
 honour,tialiaunce,ana fame, tKjere bee noto almott ft'ue peejess 
 pau~ea,Gncetoe baiting lacfcea2(5artialejercife,l)aue effeminate-- 
 Iv bene nuj jelea in tljefe fo?efa?a aelite&dSoa therefore not toiU 
 ling to fee is an? longer marrea ana ftapea toitb fluggaraie, 
 
 d£ batlj 
 
 37 
 
The worthines 
 
 tjatlj ttirreti ty tlje Romaines, ttjat tljep u;ou\be tlje meaner to 
 retiuce ouu auncient balour tmto trje former (late anti tu'gnitie. 
 aoiijile tee UiQ tljefe anti Otclj lifee too^eg, conflirmeti bp tftofe 
 tljat toere tljere at tljat tpme in pjefence, tljep came at lengtlj to 
 tljeir Bencbe0 oj feeateg, toljere after tljat etterp perfon toa<3 fet 
 anti placeti Arthur tifeD tljfss fpeeclj into rtjenu 
 
 m$ The Oration of Arthur 
 
 to his Lords and people. 
 
 MgfellotoesKfaptljlje) anti companpon<3 botlj of atiuerfi= 
 tie anti pjorpetntfe:to5oCefitientie03JT)aaet)eretofoce 
 botlj m pour founti counfelg, anti in e,rploprina; militare 
 feruicegljatipoti tcpallantie;rperienceof: littennotoantiatToorti 
 fonto me pour atiuife, anti toifelp fojeCee, toljat pou tljinfce conue= 
 nientfojfo&touctjingfucl) Demauntfaant) commauntiementss, to 
 be Done* if oj, toljen a tljing; 10 toifelp afojeljanti Deliberated anti 
 carefully fo?efeene,toljen it commeth, to ttje pincl), it fa mo?e ea^ 
 fllie auopDeQ anti tolecatetuOflie ftjall trjerefoje tlje eaQer bee able 
 to abpUe tlje imperious Demaunti of Lucius,if toee lap our fjeatiss 
 together anti fojefee,ljoto anti toljicb, toap,toee map bell tiefeate 
 anti infringe tlje Tame*Slnti (furelp)fo? nip parr, gidoenotttjmfee 
 tljat toe Ijaue anp caufe greatlp to feare ljim,fitlj tjpon an tmrea= | 
 fonable caufe tie feebetb to Ijaue a tribute papeti out of Britaine. ". 
 JFo?, be alleDgetlj, tbat tlje fame i& Due and papable to bjm, be-- 
 caufe it toag paiti to iuiius Ca:far anti otljersf tji0 »>ucreu"o$, 
 tohjclj being inuiteti ana calleti better tbjougb. tlje DifcojDe anti 
 iarrejs of tlje auncient Britaines, acriuefc Ijere in Britaine toitb, 
 numbertf of armetife>oltiiour0:anti toitlj fojce anb&polence, 
 b?ougf)ttinDertljeirfubie(tion,tt)i0ourCountrep,miferablptor= 
 feD toitb. ciuile garbopless anti tiomettfcall DifcojD. SLrib becattfe 
 tljep in tljte to?t,got tlje poDTeCTion of it,tljepljaueancetafeen anti 
 imiuftlp receiueti a tribute out of it f o? noting tljat & gotten 
 ^ fojce anti bpolence, fe iuttlp poOTeCfeti b^ Ijim tljat offered tlje 
 tpolence^lje caufe tljerefoje tobjcb, ije pjetentietlj i$imreafona= 
 
 ble, 
 
 3^ 
 
of Wales. 
 
 ble,toherebp he Ueemett)t)<s bp lato anO right to be tributarie bn= 
 totljem^ttlitljerefoceljetljusjpjefumertjtoDcmauittiofti^tljat 
 tohichjsSimiuff : let bg fap the Tame reafon,&emaunti of him,tri= 
 buteatRome:$hethati0the0tconpr,letljimcarieatoaptl)at 
 to5tt^^t>^Qwtf)ani3clapmet|) ) .iFo?,tTt)i0rearontD{)??I)etie= 
 maunDeth tribute noto,ag Due, to be papeti bpbg»,becaufeCaefar 
 animberRomainepjincessfometpmesf conquered Britaine be 
 goot) : bptljeltfeereafon,3HioetIjmttett)atRomeoug;ljt to pap 
 tribute to tnee,becaufe mp ^efcecellorgi heretofore toanne ana 
 
 ftlbliuet) It jfO? Belinus tljat moft nobleMlgOf Britaines, toitb, 
 
 tI)e^elpeant)a5tieonjt0b?otIjecBrennus3DufeeofSauoy,toofee Aibbroges. 
 bpfo?cetIjatCitie,anl3lonffto!)tlepotCe([ei)it,l)anfftn0;tipHi 
 tlj e mioteff of their cljtefe Marketplace atiti fjfort) ftreate, rtoentie 
 of tije chiefeft|2oblegJ amonjthem* Conftantine alf 3 the fonne 
 ofHelena,auDMaximianuslifeetotfe,beina;botljofrijem,mp 
 nereCoren^antieitberoftbemfucceittuel^craVoneal&insof 
 Britaine, toere entbionijefc in. the imperiall »>eate of tije Ro- 
 maine Cmppje,. ft&Ihat tljinfte pe nolo : 3[uag;e pott that the Ro- 
 maines ijatte anp reafon o? riffhttooemaun&e'Cribute at out* 
 hantijS: Sis touching Fraunce 01 other collaterall 3jlaim0 of the 
 Ocean, it nee&eth no anftoere, fitlj thep refufeu to Qefenti them, 
 tohentoe fojciblptooke them otttof their cloutchegtiurifijirtion* 
 
 The Anfwere of Howell King 
 
 of little Britaine. 
 
 HT^ough euerp one of pou tfjouio neuei* fo tiiligentlp conQoer: 
 an&oebatetot'thbt'mfelfeneuer fo aatiiTetilpinhtgmpnti: pet 
 Doe 3| not thinfce, tijat be could poffiblte tieuffe anp better coun= 
 fellthenthi0,Vohicnthpmott graue toifetmmehathnoto remem= 
 bjcS), %l)v eloquent anO^ullfe like atnuTe thei'efo?e,hath ittcni-- 
 fljeti W tottb tlj at riu'll>herehp toee ought incetfantlp to com= 
 mentie in pou the affect of a conftant man, the effeitof a toiCe 
 mpnn,anti tije beneSte of p?uoent counfelL ifo?, if pe to ill tafee 
 pourijopageand expedition to Rome, according to tije reafon a= 
 
 (t 2 fo?e 
 
 39 
 
f.ybilla her 
 prophefies 
 touching the 
 liritaines. 
 
 Ar. exhcrta 
 of Howell. 
 
 The worthines 
 
 toiz alledged, 91 UDubt not but toee Qjaulti toinne trpumplj, Qtlj 
 toee Doe but defend our libertie, and iuftl? demaund of our ene= 
 mie0,tljat,toljiclj tljep Ijauedniuttlp begun to demaunde of d&. 
 jfo? toljofoeuer goetij about to defeate o? UifpoCTeiCe an ottjer of 
 fjCjSrfgtjtjanti to ta&e frombimtljattoljicl) id W otonjjtoorttiH* 
 Ue and ijefecueUUe ma? bee put from tljat, tobtclj te life otone,bp 
 ijhn to toljom Ije Ijatb, offered and none fucb tojonganddiolence* 
 feeeing therefore, tlje Romaines toauld fo gladlp take from 63, 
 tbat tobiclj ije? our otone,toe torn* toitnout doubt,tafce from tgem 
 tljat,toljicb tljep ljaue,if toe map once cometobucfcletoitbtijenn 
 25eljold tljte 10 tlje twain tbat al true Ijearted Britaines fo long 
 bauetoiftjed fo?:15ebola tbefe be tlje$^opbea>0 of Sybillanoto 
 fulfilled, tobftb To plainly and tnttlg fojetolde, tbat of tbe third 
 Cock of tlje Britaines ti)ei*c Sjould one be bojne, tbat fyould ob-- 
 taine and poCCeiletye Romaind&nppje* j£oto,fojttoo of tjjefe, 
 tlje ^op!)ke0 bee alreadie fulfilled: fittience it is maru'fefi (as 
 tljouljaa alreadte declared) tljat tljofe ttoomoitnobleandejceU 
 lent^incess Beiinus and Conftantine, ouercame, and gatte tlje 
 Semes* of the Romaine d£mpp?e*Snd noto Ijaue toe pou,being 
 tlje tljird,t>:ito totjomfucljljiglj e.rploptandbonourispromifed,. 
 Spake Ijafie tljerefoje to receiue tbat tobicb (Cod fe readie to be-- 
 ttotoe on tbee. fatten Q faj) to fubdue tljat tobicb. Ije & toilling 
 fljoulD be Cubdued* fallen to addance all dsf, tljat ace Ijere rea-- 
 diefojtljpneaduauncement$ljonour,neitljertorefufetooundg, 
 nojto lofe life and limine* and fojtljp better atcbjeumg Ijereof, 
 3! mp felfetefll accompanie tbeetoitb, tenne tijoufand toell armed 
 £>ouldiour& 
 
 A Ngufeii Iting of Albania, toljen Howell bad made an ende 
 of W Ration, began to declare bis Ip&ing and opinion of 
 tlje matter,in tbte fo?t follotoing^ince tlje tjme tljat 3| beard 
 my %ojd titter t)f0 tmmd, toucbing tt)f0 cafe, % Ijaue concerned 
 fucb intoarde iope as 3| am not able Ijere afoje pou to e^p^eCe, 
 ifoj, in all our bictorious Conquetts alreadie palled, and in fo 
 mannings and Regions astoeebauefubbued,toee map toell 
 feeme to Ijaue done nortjing at all ; if toee fuffer tlje Romaines 
 
 and 
 
 4° 
 
of Wales. 
 
 anO Germaines (till to cemaine, anti aoe not manfully tojeeke 
 i>pontI)em,tljofeblootiie aaug:ljters,toljtcl) beuetofojertjeymaic* t^"'™- 
 tea bpon our&uncetto^ anti Countceymemiano noto Gtb. toee of theiango" 
 Ijatte cccaQon anti libertfe to tcye tee mattei* toi'tij tljem bp fojee Albania. 
 of acmesS, 1 ! vei'oyce exceedingly, ana Ijatte a longinfftljicft to fee 
 tljat tiay,tol)erein toe map meete together; yea31 tlji't1t,euen as if 
 3 bail bene tijye anti kept fyjee 6aie0,tt)trftte,from ajfountafne 
 oftoater JDIjt|3at3| mfgftt fee tljat oay,f)0to ftoeete anti pleafant 
 fimtlii tijofe \oountijS be, tljat 3! ff?oulD eftfjei* gt'ae o i take,toljen 
 toe coape together/yea, tieatlj itfelf ffjall be ftoeete anti toelcome, 
 fot^at3| may fairer tlje fame in rettengmgour fatl)er*},mliefen= 
 Ding our l!berti>,ant) in adnauntmg: ottrlking.ilet&gtljerefoje 
 gaie tlje charge anti oncttfcpon yonoereffeminateantimeycocke 
 people, ana let ttf (tanti to otic tackle like men-.tljat after toe Ijaue 
 ianquiiyeti tl;em,toe may enioye tljetc bonojg anti oJficeg toitl) 
 ioyfull tjittojie ♦ &nti ioi my parte, 31 toill augment our 3rmie 
 toitb ttoo tdoufant) piemen toellappoynteo anti armeo,be£it>e 
 ifootemen, 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 Here followeth the Latin of the Englifh 
 going before. 
 
 OMnibus in vrbe legionum congregatio foleranitate 
 inftante Archiprsefules Londinenfis Eboracenfis : 
 necnon in vrbe legionum Archiepifcopus Dubricius 
 ad pallatium ducuntur vt regem Arthurum diademate re- 
 gali coronarent Dubricius ergo quoniam in fua duecefi cu- 
 ria tenebatur : paratus ad celebrandum huius rei curam fuf- 
 cepit . Rege tandem infignito ad templum metropolitans 
 fedis ornate conducitur: a. dextro & a leuolatere duo Archi- 
 pontifices ipfum tenebant.Quatuor autem reges viz Angu- 
 felus rex Albanie, Caduallus Venedociae rex, Cador rex Cor- 
 nubiae , & Sater rex Demetiae : quatuor aureos gladios ante 
 ipfum ferentes prseibant . Conuentus quoque multimodo- 
 cum ordinatorum miris modulationibus prascinebat. Ex a- 
 lia parte reginam fuis infignibus laureatam Archipraefules 
 
 E 3 atque 
 
 4' / 
 
The worthines 
 
 atque pontifices ad templum dicatarum puellarum condu- 
 cebant. Quatuor quoque praedidtorum regum reginae qua- 
 tuor albas columbas de more praefetebant. 
 
 Ecce enim duodecim viri maturae etatis reuerendi vultus : 
 ramos oliuae in fignum legationis in dextris ferentes mode- 
 ratis pafsibus ad regem ingrediuntur : & eo falutato literas 
 ipfi ex parte Lucij Tiberij in haec verba obtulerunt. 
 
 Lucij Romani Procuratoris ad Arthurum 
 Britonum regem epiftola. 
 
 T Vcius reipublicae procurator Arthuro regi Britaniae quid 
 meruit. Admirans vehementer admiror fuper tuse tyran- 
 nidis proternia. Admiror inquam & iniuriam quam Romae 
 intulifti recolligens, indignor quod extra te egreffus earn 
 cognofcere diffugias : nee animaduertere feftines quid fit 
 iniuftis a6tibus fenatum offendiffe : cui totum orbem famu- 
 latum debere non ignoras . Etenim tributu Britanniae quod 
 tibi fenatus reddere precaeperat : quia Caius Iulius ceteriq ; 
 romanae dignitatis viri illud multis temporibus habuerunt : 
 negledto tanti ordinis imperio detinere praefumpfifti . Eri- 
 puifti quoque illi Galliam : eripuifti Allobrogum prouincia : 
 eripuifti omnes oceani infulas : quarum reges dum romana 
 poteftas in illis partibus perualuit, ve£tigal maioribus no- 
 ftris reddiderut. Quia ergo de tantis iniuriarum tuarum cu- 
 mulis fenatus reparationem petere decreuit mediante Au- 
 guftum proximi anni terminum perfigens Romam te veni- 
 re iubeo : vt dominis tuis fatisfaciens fententie quam eorum 
 diftatori iufticia acquiefcas. Sin aliter ipfe partes tuas adibo 
 & quicquid vefania tua reipublicae erripuit eidem medianti- 
 bus gladijs reftituere conabor. 
 
 Cadoris ducts Cornubice ad regem. 
 
 T_T Vcufq; in timore fueram ne Britones longa pace quietos 
 ocium quod ducunt ignauos faceret famamque militise 
 
 qua 
 
 4- 
 
of Wales. 
 
 qua ceteris gentibus clariores cenfentur in eis omnino de- 
 leret. Quippe vbi vfus armorum videtur abeffe, alearum ve- 
 ro & mulierum inflamationes, ceteraque oblectamenta ad- 
 effe : dubitandum non eft quin quod erat virtutis : quod ho- 
 noris, quod audaciae : quod famse ignauia commaculet. Fere 
 namque tranfa6li funt quinque anni ex quo (predictis deli- 
 tijs dediti) exercitio Martis caruimus. Deus igitur vt nos feg- 
 nitia liberaret : Romanos in hunc affectum induxit vt in pri- 
 ftinum ftatum noftram probitatem reducerent . Hsec & hijs 
 fimilia illo cum cseteris dicente venerunt tandem ad fedilia 
 vbi collocatis fingulis : Arthurus illos in hunc modum affa- 
 tus. 
 
 Oratio Arthuri ad fuos. 
 
 COnfocij (inquit) aduerfitatis & profperitatis : quorum 
 probitatis hactenus, & in dandis cofilijs, & in militijs 
 agendis expertus fum : adhibete & monete nunc vn- 
 animiter fenfus veftros, & fapienter prouidete quae fuper ta- 
 libus mandatis nobis effe agenda noueritis. Quicquid enim 
 a fapiente diligenter prouidetur cum ad actum accedit faci- 
 lius toleratnr . Facilius ergo inquietationem Lucij tolerare 
 poterimus fi communi ftudio premeditati fuerimus qui- 
 bus mofiis earn debilitare inftaremus . Quam non multum 
 timendam nobis effe exiftimo : cum ex irrationabili caufa 
 exigat tributum quod ex Britannia habere defiderat . Dicit 
 enim ipfum fibi dare debere quia Iulio Caefari ceterifque 
 fuccefforibus fuis redditum fuerit : qui difsidio prifcoru Bri- 
 tonum inuitatem cum armata manu in Britaniam applicue- 
 runt : atque patriam domefticis motibus vacillante fuse po- 
 teftati vi, & violetia fubmiferunt. Quia vero hoc modo earn 
 adepti fuerunt vectigal ex ea iniufte ceperunt . Nihil enim 
 quod vi vt violentia acquiritur iufte ab ipfo pofsidetur qui 
 violentiam metuit. 
 
 Irrationabilem ergo caufam pretendit : qua nos iure fibi 
 tributarios effe arbitratur - Quoniam ergo id quod iniuftu 
 
 eft 
 
 43 
 
The worthines 
 
 eft a nobis praefumit exigere : confimili ratione petamus ab 
 illo tributum Romae : & qui fortior fuperuenerit ferat quod 
 habere exoptauit . Nam fi quia Casfar caeterique romani re- 
 ges Britanniam olim fubiugauerunt vedligal nunc debere fi- 
 bi ex ilia reddi decernit : Similiter nunc ego cenfeo quam 
 Roma mihi tributum reddere debet : quia anteceffores mei 
 earn antiquitus obtinuerunt. Belinus etenim ille Britonum 
 ferenifsimus rex vfus auxilio fratris fui, Brenni videlicet du- 
 cis Allobrogum : fufpenfis in medio foro viginti nobiliori- 
 bus Romanis : vrbem ceperut, capfimque multis tempori- 
 bus poffederunt . Conftantinus etiam Helenas filius necnon 
 & Maximianus vterque mihi cognatione propinquus alter 
 poft alterum diademate Britannie infignitus : thronum Ro- 
 mani imperij adeptus eft. Cenfetis ne ergo veftigal romanis 
 petendum ? De Gallia autem fine de collateralibus infulis 
 oceani non eft refpondendum : cum illas diffugerent quan- 
 do eafdem poteftati eorum fubtrahebamus. 
 
 Hoeli regis minoris Bri- 
 
 tannicz, refponjio. 
 
 T Icet vnufquifque veftrum totus in fe reuerfus, omnia , & 
 omnibus animo traflare valuerit non exiftimo eum prae- 
 ftantius confiliu poffe inuenire quam iftud quod modo dif- 
 cretio folertis prudentiae tuae recoluit. Proinde etenim pro- 
 uidit nobis tua deliberatio Tulliano liquore lita. Vnde con- 
 ftantis viri affectum : fapientis animi eMum optimi con- 
 filij profe£tum laudare indefinenter debemus. Nam fi iuxta 
 prsedi£ta rationem Romam adire volueris non dubito quin 
 triumpho potiamur : dum libertatem noftra tueamur dum 
 iufte ab innimicis noftris exigamus quod a nobis iniufte pe- 
 tere incaaperunt. Quicunque enim fua alteri eripere conatur 
 merito quae fua funt per eum quern impetit amittit . Quia 
 ergo Romani noftra nobis demere affeftant : fua illis procul 
 dubio : auferemus fi authoritas nobis congrediendi praefta- 
 
 bitur 
 
 44 
 
of Wales. 
 
 bitur . En congreffus cun&is Britonibus defiderandus . En Vatidnia Si- 
 vaticinia fibyllae quae veris angurijs teftantur : ex Britannico biUe de Bri J l °- 
 genere tertio nafciturum qui Romanum obtinebit imperii*. mbus ' 
 De duobus autem adimpleta funt oracula : cum manifeftum 
 fit praeclaros vt dixifti principes Belinum atque Conftanti- 
 num imperij Romani gefsiffe infignia & imperia . Nunc ve- 
 ro te tertium habemus, cui tatum culmen honoris promit- 
 titur . Feftina ergo recipere : quod deus non differt largiri. 
 Feftina fubingare quod vitro vult fubingari. Feftina nos om- Exhortatb 
 nes exaltare qui vt exalteris nee vulnera recipere : nee vitam Hocli - 
 amittere diffugiamus . Vt autem haec perficias decern milli- 
 bus armatorum prsefentiam tuam conabor.. 
 
 A Ngufelus Albanian rex : vt Hoelus finem dicendi fecerat : 
 quod fuper hac re affeftabat in hue modum manifeftare 
 perrexit.Ex dominum meum ea quae dixit affedbare conieci: 
 tanta laetitia animo meo illapfa eft : quantam nequeo in ve- 
 ftra prefentia exprimere. Nihil enim in tranfa6tis debellati- Smkntia n<ris 
 onibus quas tot & tantis regibus intulimus egiffe videmur: Albania. 
 fi Romani & Germani illefi permaneant : nee in illos clades 
 quas olim noftratibus ingefferunt viriliter vindicemus . Ac 
 nunc quoniam licentia congrediendi permittitur gaudens 
 admodu gaudeo & defiderio diei quo conueniamus aeftuans 
 fitio cruorem illorum quemadmodu fontem fi triduo pro- 
 hiberer . O fi illam lucem videbo quae dulcia erunt vulnera 
 quae vel recipiam vel inferam : quando dextras conferemus. 
 Ipfa etiam mors dulcis erit : dum earn in vindicando patres 
 noftros : in tuendo libertatem noftram : in exaltando regem 
 noftrum perpeffus fuero . Aggrediamur ergo femiuiros illos 
 & aggrediendo perftemus vt deuiftis ipfis eorum honoribus 
 cum leta potiamur vifloria. Exercitum autem noftrum duo- 
 bus milibus armatoru equitum exceptis peditibus angebo. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 afllouUi to (Boa toe fjau tlje likz apDe otl&in&l aritj offer noto 
 to Daunt tlje pjtoe oi tlje 3&otmfy pjactifegf* 
 
 F The 
 
 45 
 
The worthines 
 The true Authors of this 
 
 whole Booke. 
 
 Iohannes Badius Afcenciu. 
 
 Merlinus Ambrofius. 
 
 Gualterus Monemotenfis. 
 
 Giraldus Cambrenfis. 
 
 Iohannes Bale of Brutus. 
 
 Ieffrey of Monmouth. 
 Analles fue Gildas Cambrius, a $Det Of Britaine. 
 gentes. Sibilla. 
 
 ®xioB?ethjentIjattoere91£artj#,iulius aim Aron inCar- 
 leon, m tofjofe ttamesi ttoo Churches* toere built there. 
 
 Thelians Epifcopus Landaph. 
 
 feiafllt Auguftine COUlO not tttafee the Britaines be obeirient 
 
 to the £rcbbtu;op of Canterburie, but jet tfjej> onelj fttbmftteb 
 tbemCelueg to the &cchbtu)op of Carleon, in Adelbrights tjme 
 that toag lkin$ of l&ent. 
 
 a mil mod "\T3D\u mutt 31 tourtj, a matter fit to fenotoe, 
 
 notable neere 1^3 5fojt attO ttrenjjth, tljat ttanbss bejonb tbt'0 'Eotone: 
 
 frolhetowTe! 6 ® 11 totJtel) jou (ball, beholb the noblett u)otoe, 
 
 (Hoofee rounb about, ana fo looke riffhtlj botone) 
 l^bat euer jet, 31 fatoe o? man map bfeto : 
 tEJpotx tbat %'ll, there (ball appeare to jou, 
 <2Df feauen »>hiereg, a part anb portion great, 
 afllhere %'U it felfe, fg Cure a tuarlifce »>eate. 
 
 %m thoufanb men, map lobge them there tiufeene, 
 3]n trebble 2Djkeg, tbat garbs! the fojtreu'e toell : 
 Slrib jet amib, tbe jftyt a poblj jreeue, 
 aflihere that a potoer, anb mishtie Campe map btoell: 
 
 3!n 
 
 4 6 
 
of Wales. 
 
 3!n fpptc of toojlti, if »>oulliiour<3 bictuall Ijaue. 
 ttlje %'ll Co tfantigf, if 2Bicti but toing; Doe toaue, 
 «3D? man 01 &eaft, but once (lira tip tlje Ijeati 
 ^ Botoe aboue, toitlj $aft ujall Mkz it tieati, 
 
 'flElje %'ll commauntisi, a maruelss toap antj fcope, 
 3]t feemeg it ffooti, farre off foj loftiness Defence, 
 &ria in tlje toacreg, it toagf Carleons bope : 
 flD^ el# in Dee&e, tlje 2Dufee of Giofter fence 
 CQTljat tu'D tieftrop, botb, <Cotone anti all tberein) 
 ^o ferue bj0 turne, tbte jFo?trette Hit) begin, 
 |Sot farre from tljte, mucb like tmto tlje fame, 
 Tombarlowm ftan&ss, a Sipountaine of fome fame, 
 
 SL ^Eotone nere tbi'0, tbat buplt i& all a length, 
 Cal'D Neawport noto, tljetre isi full fapje to iietoe: 
 afllbjcb »>eate tiotb ftanU, foj pjofite mo?e tben fttengtlj, 
 a n'ffljt ffrong; BjiDje, tjs tljece of tRtnber netoe: 
 a IRmec runneg, full nece tlje Cattle toall: 
 j]2ere Churcb liketoife, a amount beljolD pou fljall, 
 afllljere »>ea anto 3Lan&, to fiffljt fo plaine appeereg, 
 ^at tljere men fee, a part of Sue faj^e »>^eer«0> 
 
 £0 bptoarD bpe, aloft to 9£ountaine top, 
 %W Market totone, 10 buplt in ^ealtljfull fojt: 
 fe>o dotonetoarU loe, 10 man? a ^arcljant0 fljop, 
 jan& man? faple, to Briftowe from tbat 4@ojt + 
 flDf auncient tpme, a Citie batb it bin, 
 SLria in tbofe tiaieg, tbe Caftle bam to tain: 
 aflibiclj ?« ujetoes* fapje, anij iss repass a parte, 
 £<3 tbingtf Decapti, mutt. nee&ess be belpt bp arte, 
 
 <a rjoorjlj? »>eate, a TOoer, a princely pple, 
 Built a0 a toatclj, oj faftie Zai tlje £>ople, 
 IB? Bluer ffanti-s, from Neawport not tfoee mple, 
 Wit boufe toag maUe, toljen man? a blooHie bjogle, 
 
 f 2 In 
 
 A very high 
 Hill of a mar- 
 ueilous ftregth 
 which was a 
 ftrong Fort in 
 Arthurs daies. 
 
 Bellinus Mag- 
 nus made this 
 called Belling- 
 ftocke. 
 
 A wonderfull 
 high moun- 
 taine with the 
 like maner of 
 defence. 
 
 The towne of 
 Neawport. 
 
 On a round 
 hill by the 
 Church there 
 is for Sea and 
 Land the moft 
 princely fight 
 that any man 
 liuing at one 
 inftant may 
 with perfect 
 eye behold. 
 The Towne 
 hath Mar- 
 chants in it. 
 A Caftle is at 
 the end of this 
 Towne, and 
 full by the 
 Bridges and 
 Riuer. 
 Greenefield 
 Caftle that 
 was the Duke 
 of Lancafters. 
 
 47 
 
The worthines 
 
 Eboythis the 3jrt Wales (Poo toot, tieffropti tfjat publicise ffate: 
 Riuers name f^e mzn tuitfj ttoojii, ano fln'elti Din b?aulegf Debate: 
 feere faftie ttooti fo? man? tfjfnffjs m UeeUe, 
 tEljat fougljt fauegaro, anti tiiti route fucker neetie* 
 
 that runneth 
 here. 
 
 W$t name thereof, tlje nature Vetoes a rijjljt, 
 
 For Riuer, Greenefield It 10, full p£ anti pOtll|> fUlT : 
 
 wood, P aftnre & fine ftoeete »>ople, mott pleafant bnto fiffljt, 
 Tir^hif "flEljat foj delist, ana toljolefome apje Co pure, 
 
 JlaceTaffeth' 3* ™ a P &* puttie, 3 plot fOUgljt 0Ut ft toell, 
 
 &0 tbottffb. a lung, ffjoulb fap bere toill 31 titoell: 
 ^Ije pafiucesf peene, tbe toooog, anti toater cleere, 
 feaptl) any pn'nce map buglti a Wallace ljeerc 
 
 £nb in tfjigf place, anti manp part's about, 
 Atrueiudge- 3]$s patte ano Co^ne, ano fertile pounli enoupj : 
 
 mentofthe % nri noto a ^j,^ t0 fp ea k e £ Wales tfoOUpjOUt, 
 
 tawesTfle Mfy*w if men tooulo, take papneg to pipe tfje flouglj: 
 people there M$$z out of tyoffe, tlje treafure of tlje eartb, 
 wouw be la- a no fall to tople, anti labour from tljeir birtt) : 
 tlEljep Jfotilti ass foone, to ttoje of toealtlj attaine, 
 2L& otljer feoplegf, toljote people takegf great paine* 
 
 borous. 
 
 Nychill. 
 
 But mod of Wales, lifce<s better eafe anti reft, 
 (Houejs meate ano mirtb, ano barmeleCCe quiet oaiesS) 
 'JRjan foj to tople, anti trouble bjapne anti fyeff, 
 'Eo bere tbe mpnti, toitlj toojltilp toearie toaiegf* 
 feome ftanij content, toitlj tljat toljicb, dBoo u)all fend, 
 Sim on tljeir lanoss, tljeir ftocfe anti ftoje ootlj fpenti : 
 #nti rubjS out life, cleane bopoe of furttjer care, 
 aSecaufe in toojlo, rigljt toell to liue tljeg are* 
 
 get to ere tbep bent, to pjoule anti purcbace ffill, 
 anti fearcb, out toealtlj, a$s otljer j)2ation0 Doe: 
 C&ep baue a &ople, a Countre? ricb. at toill, 
 a&lbjcb, can tljem mafce, full quicfclp toealtbje too* 
 
 ^Ijep 
 
 4 3 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Cbep fsaue begun, of late to Iftra tTjeir lanD, 
 £nD plotoeg tlje ground, totjere tturDie €>fee0 DiD ffanD: 
 Conuertg tlje mearess anD marriflb euerp toljere, 
 afliljofe barraine eartb, begins gooD fruite to beare. 
 
 ^bep teare top Itaetf, anD tafteg tbe rooted atoap, 
 S$afce0 ftonie fielDe0, fmootb fertile falloto grounD : 
 B?ing0 }9affure0 bare, to beare gooD graffe for ^ap, 
 25p tobiclj at lengtl), in toealtfj tbep toill abound* 
 Wales t'0 tbi0 Dag (beholD tljjotiffTjout tlje »>ljeere0, 
 gjn better ffate, tljan ttoa0 tljeCe bunDjeD peered : 
 sipo^e rich, moje fine, anD further moje to tell, 
 jfetoe men haue fenoVone, the Countrep Ijalfe fo toelU 
 
 dfllTjeceags at firft, thep fought foj Come facte off, 
 
 (Wo helpe tlje toant0, of Wales tohen grapne teas Deere) 
 
 $oto on tlje boo?D, tfjep haue botlj Cheefe anD lofe, 
 
 Wo ftjetoe the VoojlD, in Ijoufe 10 greater cheere* 
 
 W\iz open Paine, that hath lji0 rubfafflj loff, 
 
 »>aitlj plentie t'0, through Wales in euerp coaff: 
 
 W$t toell tojougbt grounD, ttiat thoufanD0 map beholD, 
 
 flfllljere thome0 DiD grotoe, fapth note there CpjingiS tip golD, 
 
 3 meane tofjete toeeDe0, ana thi(tle0 long hath grotone, 
 (Mlflta DjoCfe anD Docfes, anD (tinfeing nettles bile) 
 'QEljere 25arlep Ctoeete, anD gooDlp Ofliheate i0 totone, 
 aaihich mafee0 men riclj, that liu'D in lacfee long tohile, 
 ^]5o gift no? gapne, mo?e great anD gooD to man, 
 Chen that tohich tople, anD boned labour toan: 
 Ofllhat ftoeat of bjotoess, b?ing0 in 10 tttgreD ftoeete, 
 9£a&e0 glaD the mpnD, anD comfo$3 hart anD fpjeete* 
 
 The people of 
 wales in many 
 places thriues 
 by labour day- 
 lie, and gets 
 great gayne 
 through til- 
 
 I haue Icno- 
 wen many 
 places fo bar- 
 raine, that they 
 haue fought 
 for come farre 
 of, who now 
 are able to hue 
 without helpe 
 of any other 
 Countrey. 
 
 F 
 
 Abor- 
 
 49 
 
The worthines 
 <^£ Aborgaynies Towne is walled 
 
 round about, and hath fayre 
 
 R 
 
 Suburbs alfo. 
 
 (ttumz 3i muff, to mp m'CcourCe before, 
 
 . v <2D£Bo?uoto totoneS, anti Cattleg a0 tijep ace: 
 
 It ftands ouer -*- ^- c . » , _ 
 
 two little Ri- Aborgaynie, befjtntl 3 feept tit ttOje, 
 
 uers, called OfliljoCe feeate anti feople, tottlj beft mat; toell compare 
 ceybwe and <£j, e ^ tone Cometoljat, on tteepe attti mounting fjill, 
 Shcr f ^M ^ atto * srourmis, ant) a^tiotoeg gceat at Ml: 
 nie.Abor^ 3Dn euerp {foe, ljuge Sipountamess Ijarti ano tye, 
 uenie tooke janti Come tbjclse toooDss, to pleaCe tlje gajerss epe + 
 
 the name. 
 
 %ty Eiuec Oske, along tbe Hale tJOtfj paOTe, 
 ftoneSuef ^^ *ntomiKtt&, an attncfent BjiUge of (tone: 
 fayre LcheT & ffootilg toojfee, Men ficft ft reaeeti toajs, 
 and a great ' (anti pet tt)e »>l)fei;e, can u)etoe no fuel) a one) 
 bridge of ftoneg^ a ^ e mm tD fenrjto^ ID Builomg* toere not bate, 
 
 to rhaTbrMge 6 ^ m<m ^^ Mu $> $« tt*P* " 0t fCI ftl P laCe > 
 
 ' aaiiti) Curette gooti, ant) fyetoe to Hep on ttage, 
 <3To make netoe M?ID, to tjono^ Cornier age. 
 
 of the hou , ^ C^mec tpme, built 'cEoMe-S anti Caftlejf tctm, 
 tie of e tyme"" ^ a3e 2%foge0 bjaue, anti ftrong Co? tgme to come : 
 paft, and the £nti out: young tiaie0, rt)at Uatt) in gloji'e Ctoim, 
 hardnes of our ^isjg ^d ( n ^arttt, tljat ftnget: Catt ma? rtjome + 
 age - Eoolse toljat tpme paft, matie gallant Cteu) anti Capje, 
 
 <3Epme pjeCent Cpopleg, oj Ml not toell cepapje : 
 
 A fa nd ^ tn ^ ^ 0totle ) a ftatel ? Cattle ^ 0e ^ 
 
 nobifcaftie S21i)fcf) toe to rupe, antj tojetcfjeU tojatfee ft goe& 
 
 belonging to 
 
 the auncient g^gft gDotil? HotDcrtf, ace bace anti na'aeti laft, 
 
 of the hotr 6 ^ 3t WU ' W8 toeCe » toMj tllUll£C fllUl 5° Dtl le3tl : 
 
 rabie^theLord ®je& 'Eotoerg pet Sana, a<3 ffreigbt ag tiotrj a ff;aff, 
 of Aborgaynie. %i)z tDalle-s fttyvz-}?, mfg^t feme to Come goot) fteati. 
 
 ifo? 
 
of Wales. 
 
 fo? founti artf> tljlcfce, ana toon&jous Ijiglj toitljall, 
 Cije? are ftx DeeUe, ana lifeelp not to fall: 
 fflllouUi (Boo t{jerefo?e, tlje otoner of tlse fame, 
 E:'5 ttaw tljem tip, fo? to encreace l)fa fame. 
 
 SiRfjo tjot^ tieli'spt, to Tee a gooDl? paine, 
 
 fafre Kiuerss runne, great toooog ana mountamegi Ijge: 
 
 Het Ijtm a toljile, in anp. Softer remafne, 
 
 anli Ije ffcall fee, tljat map content tlje epe, 
 
 dBreat rut!) to let, fo trim a »>eate goe fcotone, 
 
 'SEije Countries urengtlj, ana beautfe of tlje <3Totone : 
 
 8 %o$}ly place, a pjincelp plot ant) bietoe, 
 
 tEljat laugljiS to fcome, our patent! buftoinffjS netoe, 
 
 <Etje fljell of tljfa, 31 meane tlje toalles toitljout, 
 W$z toojtljie too^lse, tljat fa fo finely tojougijt: 
 ^ie tellers beepe, anti builtim-jjS rottnia about, 
 '(lie firme JFreettone, tljat toa.3 fo Derelp, bougljt, 
 apafeeg men lament, tlje lotte of fuel) a tljing, 
 ■ZOjat toas of late, a Ijoufe fo?. anp. Iking*. 
 $ea toljo fo toapeg, tlje toojtlj of Cattle jet, 
 (Ifllj'tlj leauie mpnti, in mufe ana aump fijall at. 
 
 ^o fee fo ttrong, anti ttatelp, toojfee becap, 
 %\)t fame tuTeafe, Ijatf) Oske in Cattle toall: 
 flfliljicl) on mafne Kocfce, Voa.cf but'Uieti euerp. toap, 
 JStnti noto d5ot toot, fa rea&ie botone to falL 
 Si number moje, in Monmouth ^bjece 1 finbe, 
 l^fjat can not toell, abjbe a blatt of toinbe : 
 "Elje loUe fa tljenfa, tljat fees tljem ouertbjotone, 
 tlTlje gaine toere ourjf, it pet tljeg toere our otone* 
 
 l^ljougl) Cattle Ijere, tlj^ougij tracfet of tpme fa toome, 
 8. Cljurclj remained, tljat too?t|jfe fa of note : • 
 MJljere toojtljie men, tljat Ijatlj bene noblp borne, 
 aflJere lapb in l^mbe, toljicl) efa Ijab bene forgot. 
 
 The bountie 
 of the Caftle 
 and Countrie, 
 
 A goodly and 
 ftately peece of 
 worlce as like 
 to fall as be re- 
 payi-ed againe. 
 
 Stnts 
 
 Any heart in 
 the world 
 would pittie 
 the decay of 
 Caftles in Mo- 
 mouth ihiere. 
 
 In this church 
 was a moft 
 famous worke 
 in maner oi a 
 genealogie of 
 
 Si 
 
Kings, called 
 the roote of 
 Ieffe, which 
 worke is de- 
 faced and pul 
 led downe in 
 peeces. 
 
 On the right 
 hand in a faire 
 Chappell. 
 
 Both the win- 
 dowe and in 
 other parts a- 
 bout him 
 fhewes that he 
 was a ftranger. 
 
 Blewe is. 
 
 The labell 
 whereon are 
 nyne Flower- 
 deluces. 
 
 On the left 
 hand a Lord 
 of Aborgany. 
 
 The worthines 
 
 Sinn burieD cleane, m graue paff mpnti of titan, 
 m tijoufang are, fojgot ante toojlti began: 
 Mlljofe race toa0 great, anti totjo fo? toant of lome, 
 3|n Duff dotl) titoell, tinfcnotone till Dap of 2>otne, 
 
 3Iit Cljurclj tljere lpe0 a noble Bnigljt, 
 
 (fetclofDe tn toall rt'gljt toell: 
 
 CroffeleggeD as it feeme0 to Kgljt, 
 
 (flDj m recojU Dotlj tell) 
 
 %e toa0 of btffl) anD pjtncelp blooD, 
 
 %'0 &rme0 tiotlj u)etoe tlje fame : 
 
 jfo? rtjerebp map be im&ertfoou, 
 
 i^e toa0 a man of fame* 
 
 SI flnelU of blacfee Ije beared on bjeft, 
 
 SI toljite Crotoe plaine rtjereon : 
 
 SI rag:g:eli Oeeue in top anU creff, 
 
 Sill tojougljt in gootilp tfone + 
 
 Sinn bntier feete, a d5repljounl> lj>e0, 
 
 Hjjee golDen %pon0 jap, 
 
 #h'ne flotoertieluce0 tljere Ufcetoife, 
 
 i?f0 jarmejs Dotlj full Dtfplap* 
 
 SL Hojti tljat once emopUe ttjat feeate, 
 
 Hpe0 tljere tn fumptuou0 tojt : 
 
 Hjep Cap a0 loe lji'0 race toa0 great, 
 
 »>o aunct'ent men repojt. 
 
 %'0 fojce to a0 muclj:fo? Ije bp ttrengtfj 
 
 aflJitlj Bull rjfo ttruggle fo, 
 
 % fajofee cleane off ljt0 !>ome0 at lengtjj, 
 
 £nD rtjeretoitlj let Ijfm go* 
 
 1:510 %om a Bull Ijatlj tinDer feete, 
 
 Sinn a0 ft map be tfjougljt, 
 
 Si SDjagon bnDer Ijeati Dotlj Ipe, 
 
 3)n ftone full finelp to?ougl)t + 
 
 llje too?t$e anti tEombe fo aunctent 10, 
 
 {Sim of tlje olDeff ppfe) 
 
 m 
 
 5^ 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Stp? ffrfi bare bieto, full toell map mf0, 
 i;o u)etoe Soto toell Ije lpe&. 
 
 a 'flTombe in Deeoe, of charge ano tyotoe, 
 &mfo the Cfiappell ffantJ0 : 
 
 MJljei'e William Thomas l&night #e fenotoe, 
 
 %}>& long tot'th tfretcheti Ijanoss. 
 
 Si Harbert toa0 |)e Cal'D of tfffljt, 
 
 afllljo from great fctnojeti cam, 
 £n& marrteo to a toojtlji'e toigljt, 
 
 2DaUffljteC tO Dauie Gam, 
 
 (Si linfgljt lifeetoife, of right anti name) 
 
 •Et)t0 Harbert ano lj{0 ifeere, 
 
 3Lpe0 there like one tfiat purcljatt fame, 
 
 Si$ plainly oott) appeere. 
 
 %'0 ^rombe i0 del), ana race to tiietoe, 
 
 QXHell to^ougljt of great tieufce: 
 
 ^Ijouglj it be olD,~ tEombesf maoe but netoe, 
 
 Sive of no greater pjtce. 
 
 %'0 Siztrng th^ee ramping Hj>on0 tohjte, 
 
 Behino hi0 ijeati in (Ijielti : 
 
 Si crotonea 5Lpon blacfee t'0 fjerjS, 
 
 »>et out in mod neb, field : 
 
 25ehmo her heao t'0 lifcetoife there, 
 
 Hoe tohat our elDer0 oio, 
 
 ^o mafee rtjofe famou0 euerp toljere, 
 
 afljbofe tiertue0 are not ljt&* 
 
 31n 'STombe a0 trim a0 that befoje, 
 
 fe»ir Richard Harbert lj>£0 : 
 % to30 at Banbrie fielO Of £0?e, 
 
 Sim though tlje battatle ttotCe: 
 %e pafi toitfj jpolla; in ht0 han&0, 
 Si manlp act in Oeede, 
 %o p?eace among fo man? banU0, 
 #0 pou of bfm ma? reeoe* 
 
 05 
 
 %W 
 
 Sir William 
 Thomas 
 Knight (alias) 
 Harbert 
 
 Sir Dauie 
 Gam Knight 
 father to this 
 Knights wife. 
 
 This Knight 
 was flaine at 
 Edgingcourt 
 field. 
 
 His Tombe is 
 of hard and 
 good Allabla- 
 fter. 
 
 Sir William 
 Thomas was 
 father to the 
 next that fol- 
 lowes, called 
 Sir Richard 
 Harbert of 
 Colbroke 
 Knight. 
 
 In the Chro- 
 nicle this is re- 
 hearfed. 
 
 53 
 
The worthines 
 %W tialfant l&nujbt, at Coibroke &toelt, 
 
 hand of the $"« Aborgaynie tOtDIU : 
 
 chappeiithey MIljo toljen && fatall acftnie felt, 
 Jy«- ana iFojtune flonjy fjim Dotone, 
 
 among fji;S enemies* loil W tKa*>> 
 
 Si rufull tale to tell : 
 
 get burpein toag a$ 3! § m z fai'B, 
 
 3!n fumptuoug %ombz full toell* 
 she was %0 toffe iDatne Si^argrcet bp I) 10 fi&e, 
 
 daughter to ^g flj tu ft fcrtjf ft fog tCOtlj I 
 
 SXSer »* a™«0 a* jjet map be tr ? e&, 
 
 to Sir Rice ap (3fltt IjOUO^ Of tljem 60tt>) 
 
 Thomas fetanog at tljeir IjeatijS, tfoee Hgonti toljtte 
 K^ht. ^ gfue0 ag toell lie mt'gljt : 
 
 Cfoee l&aueng blacfee, in. fyfetti tye puess, 
 
 &$ SDaugljter to a 1&ntg!)t. 
 
 <a ftjeafe of arrotoeg bn&er Ijeati, 
 
 l?e tiatfj a0 Hue to film : 
 
 <WbM tbere tbere toojtbie couple tye, 
 
 31 n '(Eombe full fine an& trim, 
 
 on the right ^ D to in another patting lambe, 
 
 Chf °ell he ® l bemtiZ arl5 0t tljme, 
 
 appe " ^liere lpe0 a Squire (tljat Harbert fngljt) 
 aoiitl) coft fet out at large* 
 ^too SDaugbterg anu fire »>onneg alfo, 
 Site tljere fet noblp fojtlj : 
 Qfllitl) otljer too^eg tljat mafee0 tlje tyotoe, 
 &n& Monument mo^e toojtlj* 
 ^Imfelfe, W fou'fe, anti cbtlojen to, 
 %$zg (i)jouJ3eti in tljat »>eate : 
 ilJoto fometoljat toi tljat Squire 3i &&, 
 Becaufe Ijiss rate toagf great. 
 
 The old Earle ty g ^g ^ f ftt j w f f£ at (Batfe, 
 
 fne^f th° e P e n. *&&« *?eij M fetetoarl. late, 
 
 me covmceii. & man of migljt, of fpjeet mod rare, 
 
 £nti 
 
 54 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Sinn borne to Ijappie fate* 
 
 %'g fatfjer lapH To rtcglp bere, 
 
 feo long ape toitljall, 
 
 »>l)eft>e0 to tlje lookers on full ctee^e, 
 
 (iailjen tljt0 to mmTj tljep call) 
 
 'JOjtjS »>qutre toag of an aunctent race, 
 
 &no borne of noble blooo : 
 
 feitfi tbat Ije tipeti m fuclj a cace, 
 
 Sinn left fuclj toojfclp gooti, 
 
 •3Dj make a 'Eombe fo rfcb, anft bjaue t 
 
 |2ap furtljer noto to Cap, 
 
 'cElje tbjee tofjfte Upong tljat lie jyaue 
 
 3in 8rme0, tiotlj race beto?ap : 
 
 &nti makeg tljem bluu) ano fiolti tiotone b^otoe, 
 
 ^at babble out of fquare* 
 
 Eett tljere ant) to mp matter noto : 
 
 23pon tljt'0 ^ombe tljere are 
 
 'grijjee Upong ana tbjee tobjte 3w& tieati^ : 
 
 Wyt firft tbjee are fjig otone* 
 
 <aC6« toblte Bojesf |eao0 W toife ff>e ffaue, 
 
 &£ toell in Wales i0 fenoVone* 
 
 Si Upon at lji0 feete tiotlj Ipe, 
 
 at Ijeati a SDjasjon greene t 
 
 9t^o?e tljinpf toljo U'ftjs to fearcb, toitl) epe, 
 
 3Dn i:ombe toap toell be feene. 
 
 Slmit) tlje Cljurclj, %n% Haftings lap, 
 
 3Lo?iJ Aborgaynie tljan : 
 
 &no Once big oeat| remou'O atoap, i n t h e win- 
 
 2Bp fine Deutce of man : a°we now he 
 
 &nD lapD toitljtn a tomtiotoe riffljt, l ? es - 
 
 full flat onttome to all: 
 
 aaibere nolo Ije tiotlj in open ag:|)t, 
 
 IRemame to people all, 
 
 W&t toin&otoe ia toell ma&e antj tojougljt, 
 
 Slcottlp toojke to fee: 
 
 <E 2 3|n 
 
 55 
 
The worthines 
 
 3|n tohtch hte now* 8rme0 are thought, 
 flDf purpofe there to bee* 
 a ragged fleeue and fije red Birds*, 
 310 po?trapd in the (Elalle: 
 %ss toife hath there Ijer left arme bare, 
 3|t feemess her fleeue it toag 
 'flP&at hangsS about hig necfee full fine, 
 Eight o^e a pirple toeede : 
 Si robe of that fame colour too, 
 <H%t bailie toeareg in deede, 
 Under hi0 leggeg a Upon red, 
 %'0 arme0 are rare and ritch : 
 Si ^arrolti that could fltjetoe them toell, 
 Can blafe not manj> Gtcfj* 
 fet're Upong tohite, the ground fapje bleto, 
 %ty.zz jflotoerdeluceg gold : 
 %\)Z ground of them i& red of heto, 
 anli goodlp to behold* 
 But note a greater matter noto, 
 23pon hfe %ombt in ttone 
 some fay tins Sfllere fojeteene %o#ig that luteeg did boto, 
 
 great Lord UtltO tf)l'0 HOjd alOUe* 
 
 was called flpf ^jg rare fc,,^ a p^ ,'g ma jjj 
 
 Brace and not ,»•.* „„ . t , , ' 
 
 Hartings.but ^C&* 25arrott0 there rematne 
 
 mo.a doe hold. 3]n good olti ffone, and auncient trade, 
 
 opinion he ffljjj fi^jjg a Jj[ a g e g platne. 
 
 was called Ka- j^ fiomap ^^ t „ HaftingS dUC, 
 
 22j|at honour he taiti tain : 
 
 aflitjat #rme0 he gaue, and fo to bla?e 
 
 aaifjat llojd had Haftings bin* 
 
 a Ladie of a. Eight o\z againft thig toindotoe, loe 
 
 borgaynie. JlX fione a JLtitiiZ tyZ& *. 
 
 £nd in her handg a l^art 31 troe, 
 
 fehe holds before pour epeg : 
 
 and on her bjeaft, a great fapje ffrield, 
 
 rfi 
 
 In 
 
of Wales. 
 
 3|n toljictj tye lieares no mo?e 
 
 But tfoee great tflotoerlieluces lacjyc : 
 
 ano eueti loe, rigfjt o?e 
 
 %r bean another 3laDie tyes 
 
 afllitb ^qufrrell on Ijer imno, 
 
 £na at tier feete, in ffone lifcetoife, 
 
 Si couclu'ng l^ounti botlj ffano : 
 
 13) ep Cap Ijer »>quirrell lept atoap, 
 
 jatm totoarO ft u)e run : 
 
 ano as from fall ffje fougrljt to dap 
 
 •El&e little pjette Bun, 
 
 Kigfit &otone from top of toall u;e fell, 
 
 an5 toofce Ijer Deatlj tljerebp, 
 
 W$\\$ to&at 1 1jearo, 31 ooe pu tell, 
 
 SlnSt toljat is feene toitl) epe* 
 
 A Ladie of 
 fome noble 
 houfe whofe 
 name I knowe 
 not. 
 
 Si frfenti of mpne tolio lately opeti, 
 
 'QD&at 2Dottoj Lewis Ijigljt : 
 
 flfliidjin tljat Cfjujcfo, %i& 'SCombe 1 fppeli, 
 
 afllell tojougfit ana fapje to aglm 
 
 jSD ILo?d (quotl) 3!) toe all mull Upe, 
 
 i^o latoe, no? learnings loje : 
 
 |5o iu&gement tieepe, no? linotoletige l}j>e, 
 
 |2o riches lelle o? moje, 
 
 iRo ofBce, place, no? calling great, 
 
 iJ2o too^lolp pompe at all, 
 
 Can fceepe tig from tfie mojtall tljjeat 
 
 €>f &eatj>, toljen (Boa ootf) call. 
 
 »>itl) none of t&efe gooo gifts on eartlj, 
 
 ifeaue potoje to mafee is liue : 
 
 Slntj no gooft fortune from our birtl), 
 
 $o Ijotoer of breath, can giue* 
 
 ^fu'nfce not on life ana pleafure Ijeere, 
 
 W&Z2 paffe like beames of ^unne: 
 
 3Fo? nought from ijence toe carrie cleere, 
 
 IQifjen man fjt's race fjatfj runnc 
 
 G 3 
 
 Dodlor Lewis 
 lately Iudge in 
 the Amoraltie 
 
 An 
 
 57 
 
The worthines 
 <&£ An Introduction for 
 
 Breaknoke Shiere. 
 
 I& botiie tperti toith trauaile, (Bob foibiB, 
 ^hat toearie bone0, Co Cootie ujoultr Ceelte foj rett: 
 feball Cence0 aeepe, toben Ijeati tn bouCe t'0 fti&, 
 £0 though. Tome cbarme, toere crept tn quiet b^eff. 
 ;3n& Co betoitcl), the toit0 toitb too muclj eafe, 
 'SThat tml0 poi Cpjeete, ano blunts? quicfce ujarpe Oeutte: 
 flfllhicb clime0 the Clotoiie0, anti toaoe0 though tieepett »>ea0, 
 ana pe0 before, ana b?eafce0 tfje frozen Ice, 
 tEo cleece the coatt, ana make tlje paftap free 
 ifoj trau'ler0 all, tljat to til peat Cecret0 fee* 
 
 Cl&ihen quick concept, bp aoutl) t'0 rocfct atteepe, 
 
 Sim Creu) Deufce, peg Caput foj lacke of i>Ce : 
 
 along tlje limme0, Doth lajie humour0 creepe, 
 
 ano tiaplie b?eene0, tn botiie peat abufe* 
 
 3ff mettall fine, be not kept cleane from cult, 
 
 l^he bjiffhteft blatie, tot'll Cure Come cancfcer take : 
 
 anli tohen cleere tf)inp, are ffapnt) toitlj tijoile anti tiuft, 
 
 *aCficj? mutt be Cfcour'ti bj Cfetll, foj p2oft'te0 Cake* 
 
 22iit t0 nought toojtlj, tn p&le bjaine to teff, 
 
 jRo? plo oot| pots, tljat fttll lpe0 locfet tn ctjeft* 
 
 <3The Coft SDotone ben, ano Chamber toarm'ti tott^ fire, 
 flDj thtcfee fura ^\anz, 10 all tljat Oup;arti Ceefce0: 
 But men of Cpjeete, toljofe ljeart0 tio ttill aCpire, 
 2Do labour long, toith leane anti lentten cheefee0, 
 <&o trpe tlje too?l&, anti taffe both Ctoeete anti Cotoer: 
 &2Iho much tiotl) Cee, map much bot|) Cpeafe ano tou'te : 
 Sfliho little fenotoe0, Tjatf) little toit q\ potoer 
 <3Eo totnrte the \aitz, oi dtoell in too?lo0 Delight 
 f eare not to tople, Co? be that foto?0 in paine, 
 &hall reape toitlj tope, Co? ttoje gooo Come againe* 
 
 In 
 
 58 
 
of Wales. 
 
 3|n reacljlelle poutlj, toljileg fancte ftetoe MIj Maae, 
 feete coula not dap, tlje boafe mou'a To fad : 
 jfty ettecp pact, tljeceof Did anftoer mmae, 
 ®ll agea peecegf, fapa toanton oafeg toece pad* 
 3|f rfjat be true, found iuogement u)oula be ftaugljt 
 aaittlj grauer tljougljtg, ano greater tljingss of toeigl)t. 
 »>itt) fober fence, at Ifgljtneu'e novo Ijatb, laugljt, 
 'Ctp. reafon fyoulo, fet ccoofceo mattery dra'gljt: 
 £no netolj? frame, a fojme of fine aem'ce, 
 'Cijat tiertue mag, bjmg: fcnotoleoge mod tn. pjt'ce* 
 
 'Co treate of tpme, ana make oiftoucfe of men, 
 
 &na Ijoto tlje toojla, ootlj cljop ano cljaunge edate, 
 
 2Dort) toell become, an auncient tojt'terg pen : 
 
 3jf flu'll Ml fecue, fuclj feccetesf to Debate* 
 
 3(f no, Ijolo on tlje coucfe t&ou l)ad begun, 
 
 "Co talfce of 'Cotoneg, ana Caftlesf a# tfjep are: 
 
 £nb loofce tljou coe, no tople noj trauaile tyun, 
 
 'Co fet foojtlj tl)tng0, tljat be botlj draunge ana rare* 
 
 3|c age aoe ojoope, ana can abiae no tople, 
 
 (LSUljen tljou corned Ijome, jet fet out fome ftoeete »>ojle* 
 
 <Cl)ougl) fopntg toare fft'ffe, ana boate Ijeauie grotoeg, 
 £na bacfee benoss aofcme, to eartlj toljere cojpg mud Ige: 
 £na leggeg be lame, ana gotote creeper in tlje toe0, 
 Cola crampe, ana couglj, makes* grontng goad to ccge* 
 afliljen fit0 are pad, tf an? red be founo, 
 P?e pen agame, foi tljat ujall purcljafe pjatfe: 
 $ea tfjougb. tljou cand, not rtoe fo peat a gcouna, 
 &$ all o?e Wales, in tbjne ola agea aaiess : 
 fojget no place, no? £>ople toljece tljou Ijad but, 
 afllitlj Breaknocke S>Ij.ere, tljan noto tljte boofee begin* 
 
 £>fjetoe toljat tljpne egesf, are tottneCCe of foj trotlj, 
 £no leaue tlje red, to tljem tljat after Uueg : 
 
 flfttljen 
 
 59 
 
The worthines 
 
 afllTjen man te cal'O, atoap to graue be goetlj, 
 SDeatb tteale0 tbe life, tijat (Bob anb nature giueg* 
 ^hou baft no ftate, no? pattent \\m on eartj), 
 But bo^rotoeb bjeatlj, tfje bobie beare0 about: 
 SDeatb Daplie toapt0, on life from botoer of birtb, 
 <anb tofcen tje litt0, tie blotoe0 tbp cantile out. 
 tCben leaue Come toojfee, in toojlb before ttiou paffe, 
 tciw frienb0 map Cap, loe bcre a tenter toa& 
 
 St£p g^ufe tbu0 Cap&, anti Co 16e fl[)?anfee aQbe, 
 2L8 tbcugb Come S>p?eet, a Cpace bab Cpofce to mee: 
 aaiitt) tijat 31 bab, a frienb of mpne efppbe, 
 'aCfjat ftooti farce of, bebinb a Hato^eU tree, 
 foj tobom 31 cal'b, ana tola lim in W tan 
 app SJpuCe0 tale: but tbecetoitball bj0 epe0 
 Bebeato'b lji0 c^eekes, \Ditt» manp a bitter teare, 
 for fojrotoe great, tbat from tjis Ijeart tiiti rife, 
 £Db frienb (qttotlj bee) tbp race 31 fee fo fbojt, 
 Ctjou canft not liue, to make of Wales report, 
 
 5Foj ft'rtt bebolb, boto age anb tfip mifbap, 
 
 J3greeb in one to treab tijee bnber foote: 
 
 Cljou toaft long ance, ftong out of jFo?tune0 lap, 
 
 ftOlljen pourt)0 gap blotome0,fou~ooke faott) bjauncb anti roote, 
 
 £nb left toeafee age, a0 bare a0 barraine ttocfee, 
 
 <3Lbat neitber fruite, no? leaueg Ml gcotoe bpon : 
 
 Can feeble bone0, abibe tbe tturbie CfiocUe 
 
 €>f jFojtuneg fo?ce, toljen poutbfull ttrengtb i0 gon : 
 
 SLrib if goob cbaunce, in pourt) batb flea from t|iee, 
 
 Be fure in age, ttjou canft not bappie bee* 
 
 %\$ bap tbat mutt, maintaine t|jj» coff anti cbarge, 
 Bp fome fucb meane, a0 great goob turner are gote : 
 €10 toalfee oi ribe, atyoabe tbe toojlb at large, 
 SLixa pet great mpnb, but mal$e0 olb age to bote. 
 
 Clip 
 
 60 
 
of Wales. 
 
 %ty trauaile paff, fijetoeg toljat map after fall, 
 %tms iournepg fyee&eg, tuTtafe anti acfeneffe oft: 
 •actioa baft not Ijealtfj, no? toifyeti toealtb. at call, 
 tDjat fflai)0 tlje Ijeart, ana mates mzn loofce aloft, 
 j|5o fojer fnib, noj nothing nipss fo neere, 
 j30 feele mucb, to ant, pet fyetoe a merrie cljeere* 
 
 $®V netofounti frienb, no fooner rtjte tiaU fapti, 
 (afllljicb trpall Imotoeg, botlj true ana toojtijs of toeigbt) 
 JBut tljat mp mpnli, from trauaile long; toagf ttapD, 
 »>aue tljat 3j toofee, in banti a iournep ftreigljt, 
 'QEo Breakenoke Intone, tobofe »>eate once tb^ougljlp penti, 
 (afllttl) fome fuel) notegf, ag feafon terueg tljerefoje) 
 <W$zu all tlje reft, of tople ffjoulti mafee an enD, 
 feidj ageii limmeg, migbt trauafle Wales no mo?e, 
 IfiU'gbt fo?ie fure, 31 can no further go, 
 Content perforce, Gtb Ijap toill Ijaue it fo, 
 
 »>ome men begin, to bulla a gooalp »>eate, 
 #na frames a toojfce, of Cimber bigge ana large: 
 get long; before, tlje too^ltmanfyip be greate, 
 another cornet, ana tafceg tljat plot in cbarge* 
 9£en map not Doe no moje tljen (ton permits, 
 W&i troma it tfjinfeesS, great tbingtf to tying to paffe: 
 But common courfe, fo foone o^ecomess tlje tottjs, 
 31 n peeceg Ipeg, mans ftate lifee broken glafte* 
 (L&ie purpofe mucfj, but little potoer toe finae, 
 MLitlj gooa fuccette, to anftoer migbtie minae* 
 
 (LQlell, tfiat aifcourfe, let goe as matter paft, 
 %o Breakenoke noto, mp pen ana mufe are pjeft : 
 £na fttb tfjat &ople, ana totone tyalbe tlje laft, 
 i;ijat Ijere 31 meane, to touclj of all tlje reft, 
 3In bn'efeft fo?t, it jsljalbe ton'tten out: 
 get toitlj fuel) toojas, as caries ceeait (till, 
 
 6i 
 
The worthines 
 
 &S ottjetr too^fes, in toojlb can bjeeoe no bout : 
 
 60 tbis Cmall peece, fltjall fhetoe mp gteat goob toill, 
 i:ijat fo? facetoell, to toojtfife Wales g make, 
 ^gat follotoes pete, befoje mp leaue 3i tA ^ 
 
 0%ippie Pitacel? &ople, mp pen is facte to bate, 
 w fl$? mufe but recites* fa tteb of fople, to giue a 3|etoell gcace: 
 9$p bate inuention colb, anb baccatne becteS baine, 
 Ofliljen fbep tbp glojp tboulb bnfolb, tljep bo t{jp Coiitcie ffaine* 
 <S;ij2 toojtij Tome toojtljte map, fet out in golben lines, 
 #nb blaje f Came, to 1 colons ga^tobofe gliftcing beautfe ipines* 
 SIpp bolbneffe toas to gceat, to take tlje cfjatge in tjanb, 
 aflli'tlj toatteb toits t|>e bjaines to beat, to ton'te on fuel) a %anb: 
 flfllljofe people map compace, tn Ijtgb'ff begcee of pjat'fe, 
 ftfllitb anp noto aliue tljat ace, 01 toete tn elbecs baies* 
 ■2E&P 'Eotones anb CatfleS fap?e,ib bjauelp ffanbS tn tztUZy 
 lljep fboulb tijeitbonouc mttc^ apapje,if tljep mp becfes neebe* 
 & tojttecs cucall time, bort) limbec tbp 500b name: 
 5f oj becfe but entettaines the tpme,toitb topes ptfancies frame* 
 aoittlj Tuiiies fugteb tongue, ojVirgils tbacpe engine, 
 %§1> cace cenotone ItioulO ffill be cong,oj funs in becfe beuine* 
 SI ample $oets pen, but blots tobite papec {till, 
 anb blutces tlje b?ute$p?aife of men,foj toantof cunning quill* 
 
 3|f Ouids Cfetll 3 bab, Ol COUlb It'fee Homer toHte, 
 
 flDj Dant tooulb mafee mp mutes glab,to pleafe p e too?lbS belite, 
 
 61 Chawfer lent me in tijefe bates, fome of bis leacneb tales, 
 
 SL8 Petrarke btb bt'S Lawra p^atTe,fo toOUlb 3 fpeafce Of Wales. 
 
 But all to late 3] ccaue, foj fenotolebge toit anb fence: 
 foj loofee tofiat gifts p e d5obS tlje gaue,tbep toofee the" al fco §ece, 
 ^nb left i$i nougijt but boofces, to fface anb po?e bpon, 
 <©n toljicij peccljauce blinb bapacb loofees,tolje ffeii $ Ogljt is go. 
 <3Duc fojmec age m ftoe, toitb gcace anb leacneb lo^e, 
 %tyn facce beljinb tljep come % tcoe,tbat ttciue to cun befoje* 
 aaie mud goe lagging on, as legges anb limmes toece lame, 
 anb tljougp long Once p'goletoas gon,| toit patp toon p« game, 
 
 62 
 
of Wales. 
 
 flflle u)alt Ijaue roume to plap, anli tpme anfc place tottljall, 
 la loofee, to reaoe,to to#e ano fap,toljat u)all in fancie ML 
 But tooe t'0 nte tlje tobile, ttiat ouectoeeneg in toant, 
 WLbm toojlti ma? at mp bolones Cmt'le, to Tee nip Cfeill Co ftann 
 get tojite in Countries pjaife, tljat 31 cannot fet out, 
 ano ttanog trifcourag'a manp toaieg, to trauile Wales about 
 get take noto toell in toojtl), tlje toojftss 91 Ijaue begun, 
 31 can no further tljing fet foojtlj, mp bat'eg ace almoit turn: 
 #0 cantile cleece Gotti burne, to rocket in Cmall tpme, (p$me* 
 feo age to eactlj mutt neefceg returne, toljen poutlj ijatfj patt ljt'0 
 
 #loto Breakenoke fyiece, as falletf) to t|)j lot, 
 3[n place a peere, tjjou art not Cure forgot : 
 0oi tojitten of Co mucb as 3j &eu L *e : 
 jfor ttckneffe long matse boiJie Coone ret??e 
 (Knto tlje 'Cotone toljere it toas borne ano b?e&, 
 &n& toijere perhaps, on turffe mutt Ipe mp ijeia* 
 flQiljen labojgf all, ftjall reape a graue foj rett, 
 £no Olent Deatlj, ujall quiet troubled bjett: 
 ^fien as 31 n "rt°> Ijaue fometofjat fap& on tbee, 
 £>o ft)all fome ftien&, Ijaue tpme to tojite on mee* 
 afllfjofe rettlefle mufe, ano toearie toafemg minoe, 
 <3ro pleafure toojlo, trio oft gjeat leafure finoe: 
 anli toljo reioptt, ano toofce a great tieligljt, 
 jfo? lutotoleoge fafee, to ttubie reatie and tonte* 
 
 <^£The Towne and Church 
 
 of Breakenoke. 
 
 'T%<& "flCotone is built, as in a pit it toere, 
 1 Bp toater fiDe, all lapt about toitf) fjfll: 
 gou map behold a ruinous Cattle tljere, 
 £>ometol)at oefatte, tlje toalles pet ttan&etlj ttilL 
 £>mall narrotoe ttreates, tbjougg all tgCEotone ?e fjatte, Matter Gams 
 get in tlje fame, are fonojie Ijoufes b^aue : awdies here. 
 
 ^2 aflirtl 
 
 63 
 
The worthines 
 
 Dofor aw- &MI built tottljout, pea trim anti fa^e tDitbJn, 
 bene hath a afllft|» ftoeete pjofpect, t|)at fiball pour fauour toim 
 
 houfe here. 
 
 W$z lEtfuer Oske, ana Hondie runne0 tfierebp, 
 iFotoer 3Bn'tige0 gooti, of ttone ftanti0 oje eac| ttreame: 
 ^e greateft TBji'&gre, tiottj to t&e Collebge Ipe, 
 a free Ijoufe once, fcoljere manp a rotten beame 
 l?atb bene of late, tbjougb age ana trackt of tpme t 
 Ofllljicf) IBityop noto, refourme0 toitf) ttone anti Ipme* 
 =^aU it not bene, toitf) rfjarge repa^D in fiaffe, 
 ^at ijoufe anti -seate, tjaU furelp gon to toatte* 
 
 'Etoo Ctjurdjejs tiotlj, belong tmto tf)i0 tlotone, 
 <3Dne ttan&0 on Ijill, toljere once a ^n'ojie toas : 
 (12lljicl) cljaung'ti tlje name,tob,en £Lbbi>z& toere put tiotone, 
 ©ttt noto rije fame, to? f^ara'ty Cljurcl) tiotlj paJTe* 
 anotljer place, for Scorning; pjaper 10, 
 apa&e long agoe, tljat ttan&ettj Ijacti bp tfiftf* 
 Built in tf)i0 Cljurcl), a <3Eombe o? ttoo % fintie, 
 djat ioojtljie t'0, in bjiete to bn'ng to mintie* 
 
 The aundent W&tz couple lpe0, one ojc tlje otljerg Ijeati, 
 we of along in tEombe, anD all one race anti Ipne: 
 £nti to be plaine, ttoo couple Ipert) tieati, 
 %& tbjrli lifeetoife, a0 tiettnie (fall allpne, 
 fefeall Ipe on top, rigljt o?e tlje ottjec rtoainet 
 tKjeir ptttucegf noto, all reaUie tljere remaine, 
 3jn Ogne toljen CBoti appopnt0 tlje terme anti tiate, 
 ail fleft) anti blooti muH peelo to mojtall fate* 
 
 "Srijefe are in tieetie, tlje auncient race of Gams, 
 a Ijoufe ant) blood, tljat long ricp arme0 Hotl) giue t 
 anti noto in Wales, are manp of tljeir name0, 
 'SCbat fteepe0 great trapne, anti lioti) full fyauelp liue* 
 %$z eltsett »>onne, anD cljiefett of ttiat race, 
 2Dotb, beare in arme0, a ramping Upon crotonu, 
 
 ana 
 
 64 
 
 Gams. 
 
of Wales. 
 
 anti tljjee fepeare fteatis, anti tftjee reti CocftS in place, 
 a 2D?agons Ijeao, all gceene therein is founD : 
 anti in ljt0 moutlj, a reo anti blootiie hanti, 
 ail this ana moje, fcpon tlje 'Combe tioth ttana* 
 
 ^bjee fapje hopes* heaas, ano euerp one of ttjoCe 
 
 a Serpent hath clofe lapt about his netfee : 
 
 a great tohtte Bucfce, anti ass pott map fttppofe, 
 
 Hight oje tlje fame, (tohich aoth it trimlp aecfce) 
 
 a crotone there is, tljat makes a gooolp fi)oe, 
 
 a Upon blacfee, anti thjee Bulled heaas 3) troe : 
 
 ®j2ee jfloVoeraeluce, all freffo anti tohite tljep toere, 
 
 ®bo »foo?os, ttoo Crotones, toith fap?e long ccolle is there, 
 
 i;ij?ee Bats, tohofe toings toere fpjeatiea all at large, 
 anti thjee tohite barrel toere t'n t^cCe armes lifcetoite: 
 %et 1i?arrolas noto, to tohom belongs that charge, 
 2DeCcuftie tljeCe things, foj me this map fuffife, 
 get further noto, 3i fojceU am to goe, 
 flDf feuerall men, Tome other acmes to u)oe, 
 aaiitbin that Cljucclj, there Ipes beneath tlje 3Duere, 
 '(Xhefe perfons ttoo, tohofe names noto u)all pe heace. 
 
 3!n i:ombe of (lone, full fapje anti finelp tojought, 
 3Dne Waters Ipes, toith totfe fait bp his ttoe: 
 flDf fome great ftocfce, thefe couple map be thought, 
 as b^ their acmes, on i;ombe map toell be trioe* 
 full at his feete, a gooolp (0rephouno Ipes, 
 ana at his Ijeati there is befoje pour epes 
 Cbjee %ibbarts heaos, thjee cups, ttoo Ragles fplapti, 
 a fapje reo CrotTetano further to be fapti, 
 
 a Epon blacfce, a feerpent ftrcelp matie, 
 aaittB taple toouno i>p:thefe armes thus entietlj fo t 
 CroCCe legg'O bp Ijim, as toas the auncient tcatie, 
 Debreos Ipes, in picture as 31 tcoe » 
 
 |3 ADf' 
 
 The Armes of 
 the Gams. 
 
 The Armes of 
 one Waters. 
 
 His name was 
 Reynold De- 
 breos. 
 
 65 
 
The worthines 
 
 flDf moff harb toootittoljicf) tooob a0 biuer0 fap 
 $Lo toomie can eate, noj tpme can toeare atoat?: 
 a couching ^ounO, a0 %acrolb0 thought full meete, 
 31n tooob lifcetoife, lpe0 bnberaeari) fctg feete. 
 
 3JUff bp the fame, Meredith Thomas tye0, 
 
 22Jho hab great grace, great toft anti toajflfjfp both, 
 &nb toojlb him thought, both happle bled anb toife, 
 # man that lou'b, goob Suffice faith anb troth* 
 Eight o?e thf0 i:ombe, of ttone, to hi0 great fame, 
 (BooD fto?e in tseebe of 3lattn iierfe0 are, 
 &nb euerp beefe, Cet foo^th tit fuch ffooU frame, 
 'JXhat truelg both hi0 life anU beatlj Declare* 
 %ty$ man toa0 lifct, fo? manp grace? goob 
 %W he poffeft, beGde? hi0 birth anti hloob* 
 
 *~? Somewhat of fome Ri- 
 
 uers and Waters. 
 
 GiaDeberies (~\§ otljec thtng0, a? farre a? fenotolebge gOf0, 
 Bridge is with- \^j jfcfa mu g gj ^liu, to furnift) foojth tlji0 boofee: 
 r£Z^? feotm &#«** boe part at fifllateciS, trpall u)otoe0 
 ' ^Eljere, toho fo lift bpon the fame to loofee. 
 Dulace both runne, along bnto the Hay, 
 
 Maifter Ro- *&* Hartford fhiere, from Breakenoke parteth there. 
 bert Knowles Brennick Deelyes Thlauenny 80 thej> fap 
 
 thatmaned % t Tawllgath tmete0, fo into Wye the? beare : 
 
 Ws of the $ mn Arthurs Uffl, Tytarell mimtfS apate, 
 Vaughhans &MS into Oske anb Breakenoke runne0 lji0 rate* 
 
 hath a fayre 
 
 parfe af Port- ® m Breakenoke ^otone, there i0 a 9£ountaine hpe, 
 thamweii. <£»hich u)etoe0 fo huge, it t'0 full garb to clime : 
 W&i 9£ountaine feeme0 fo monftrou0 to the epe, 
 get thoufant>0 boe cepapje to that fometime. 
 
 anb 
 
 66 
 
of Wales. 
 
 SLnn ttjep tljat ttanti, rigljt on tlje top lijal fee 
 
 & toonaer great, ajs people Doe repojt: 
 
 afllbiclj common bjute, ant) Casing: mie map bee, 
 
 But Gnce in oeeoe, 3 oio not tfjere refo& 
 
 31 Vojtte no moje, tljen toojlo toill toitneffe toell: 
 
 %et tljem tljat pleafe, of tljofe ffraunge toonoerg telL 
 
 afliljat ijs fet ootone, 31 Ijaue it furelp feene, 
 &0 one tljat topic ana tcauapla fo? tlje trotlj : 
 31 toill not fap, fuel) tijinga ace ass 3 toeene, 
 #no frame a tierf?, a0 common iiopces goetij,. 
 jRo? pet to pleafe tlje tjumo$ of fome men, 
 31 lift not ttretclj, no? racfce mp termer atojp : 
 9Sj3p mufe toill not fo farre abufe tlje pen, 
 CJjat totter fljall gapne anp blot ttjecebp : 
 feo tie Ijaue tfjanfee in Mng pole quill, 
 lie sseefceg no moje foj paineg ana great gooo toill, 
 
 ^"Ludloe Towne, Church 
 
 and Cajlle. 
 
 r T%<fc Ootone ootlj ffana mott part tipoii an %ll, The names of 
 1 Built toell ana fapje, toittj ttreates botlj large ana toiae: ftrea tes there. 
 
 'QElje Ijoufeg fuel), toljere ftraungerg looge at toill, came itreate. 
 
 <a0 long a0 tljere tlje Councell lifts aluoe, omi.^T' 
 
 Bottj fine ana cleane tlje ffreateg are all tfoougljout, And ^ 
 
 a&iitfj Conoitg cleere, and toijolefome toater fpu'ng0 : ftreate. 
 
 ^na to&o tljat lifts to toalfee tlje Ootone about, A % re houfe 
 
 fe&all finae ttjerein fome rare ana pleafant tfjingg : J e S"i 
 
 But ctjieflp tljere tlje apje fo ftoeete pou ijaue, lattice waiter 
 $1$ in no place, pe can no better craue* 
 
 W^t Market tjoufe toljere Com ana Categ are fola, 
 3J0 couerea o?e, ana kept in fineft fo?t: 
 
 jfrom 
 
 67 
 
The worthines 
 
 Nerethis is a ifrom tofjitf) pe fyall, tlje Cattle toell befjolti, 
 fayrehoureof gnti to tobjcl) toalfce, lioe manp men refojt* 
 
 forlfwhtf" ® n mr ? Clie *6« wof fa ^ e 5ouCe0 are, 
 hedidbuyia, ^6 at wake0 a tyetoe, to pleafe botlj mvm anti epe: 
 and a fayre ' %ty Cfjurcb, nere tljat, toljere monument!* full rare 
 houfe that %\)zu ijs, (toljerein ootlj fonD?i'e people Ipe) 
 t^eFoxedld ^ P™ <*«" toucft, becaufe tlje note0 1 fiitUe 
 beftowe great ^Ijerein, beferue to be toell borne m mtntie* 
 
 charges on, & 
 
 dweiies in!™ 3i n 'itombe molt rfclj, tlje top of fa^e 'fltoucljftone: 
 m. Townes- 'fltfjere toags beffoto'ti in honour of tljig maj>&, 
 end hath a (Buat tott anti cljarge, tjje truetb, map toell be fenotone. 
 Sm Autet ^ a ^ *&* ^"mbe, t'0 built in fumptuoug ffuife, 
 
 once a Frierie. ^>0 tO tlje fame, a tlofet £&.])& 10 tojouiyljt, 
 
 The Lord pre- flfliljere %o?li0 map at in ftatelp folemne toife, 
 rifsidne^"' ^ ^"S^ it toere a fine tieutce of tljougljt, 
 DaughteTcai- ^° beauti'ffe botlj ^ombe an& euerp part 
 ledAmbr'ofia, 3Df tljat fa^e toojlte, tljat tljere & maoe bp arte. 
 
 is entombed 
 
 orTueft mater #S a! ' ntt rt> at ^ombe, full on tlje otijec fine, 
 
 and great & j&nfffl)t Dot!) lj?e, tljat ^uRitZ Townefend Ijl'gljt '. 
 
 chargeable %'g \rjtfe lifcetotfe, fo foone ags tljat u)e fcpeti, 
 
 rSrigh! 1 ' 3in tbt'0 neb ^ombe, toas burden by tljig l&ntffljt: 
 
 hand of the #n& truetb, to tell, 2Dame Alice toaef Ijer name, 
 
 Auiter. Sin ^eire in fceetie, tljat bjougbt botlj toealtlj anti lanO, 
 
 on therame i^j, ag( to0 j{j, fe?t ^ a too?t ijf e t, e rtuou£ 2Dame, 
 
 wTmicks ° ^l&ofe auncient jarmess, m colours tljere fcotjj ttanH : 
 Armes excel- Siitb man? mo?e, toljofe &rmeg 31 tioe not fenoVoe, 
 letiywrought, Winta tljiss lintffljt, are topneti all a roe. 
 
 and my Lord 
 
 Armes e and o- & m to tf>* Cburclj, a Cbantrte Cljappell ffan&0, 
 thers, are in ciailjere Hozier Ipcgf, a man tljat tiiD muclj good : 
 like to there ^eftoto'ti peat toealtlj, anti gaue tljereto tome lano^, 
 7 outl Sinn Jjelpt pooje fouler tljat in neceOitie ftooo. 
 
 Sig 
 
 68 
 
of Wales. 
 
 J30 manp men, are bent to torn gooti to ill 
 Bp fome ffooti turne, tljat tljep map freelp fyotoe: 
 fe>o Hoziers ljanb0, ano Ijeati toere tooling dill: 
 Jfoj tljofe Ije Mb, in &et o? oaunger fcnotoe, 
 ^ fmptti to fee, a begger at lji0 ooo^e : 
 $01 all ljt0 tope, toasS to releeue tlje pooje* 
 
 8notljer man, tofjofe name toa0 Cookes fo? trotlj, 
 3Lifee Hozier toagf, in all gooi) ffiftg of grace: 
 ^10 Cookes Diti giue, great lano0 anti liuing0 botij, 
 $oi to mamtame, a Cljauntrie m tljat place. 
 Si peerelp oole, ano montljlp almeg liketotTe 
 ^e ojtiapno tljere, toljic!) noto tlje pooje Doe mi'0 : 
 %'0 toife ano Ije, tottljin tljat Cljappell Igegf, 
 flMjere pet full plafne, tlje Cljattntiie ttanoing i0: 
 »>ome otjjer tljings, of note tbere map pou fee 
 afliitljm tljat Cljurclj, not toucljefc noto bp mee* 
 
 get Beawpy mutt, be nam'o poo reafon toljp, 
 $oi be beftoto'o, great cljarge before Ije optie, 
 %o Ijelpe pooje men, ano noto fjiss bone0 tiot^ Ipe 
 iFull nere tlje font, bpon tlje fojmoft fine. 
 %$u$ in tbofe 6aie0, tlje poo?e toag lookt bnto, 
 'cElje ricb toa0 glati, to bins great toealtlj atoap : 
 feo tljat tljei'r alme0, tlje pooje fome gooti migljt tio* 
 3|n pooje meitg boje, toljo ootlj ljt'0 treafure lap, 
 »>ljall finoe agat'ne, ten folti toi one Ije leaue0 : 
 &>l el0 mp Ijope, anti fcnotoleoge me oecei'ue^* 
 
 Sir Robert 
 Townes-end 
 Knight lyes 
 in a maruelos 
 fayre Tombe 
 in the Queere 
 here, and his 
 wife by him, 
 at his feete is a 
 red Rowbuck, 
 and a word 
 tout en dieu. 
 On the left 
 hand Hozier 
 lyes in the bo- 
 die of the 
 Church. 
 On the right 
 hand Cookes 
 lyes. 
 
 This man was 
 my mothers 
 father. 
 
 Beawpy was a 
 great ritch and 
 verteous man, 
 he made ano- 
 ther Chantrie. 
 
 r T%<fc Cattle noto, 31 mpnb bete to fet out, 
 1 3|t ttano0 rigbt toell, ano pleafant to tbe betoe, 
 aaiitb ftoeete pjofpert, pea all tbe fielo about* 
 Sin auncient »»eate, pet manp bui'loing0 netoe 
 3Lo?b ^jefoent mabe, to giue it greater fame: 
 25ut it 3 mutt, tuTtourfe of tljing0 a0 true, 
 
 31 tljere 
 
 The Caftle of 
 Ludloe. 
 
 Sir Harry Sid- 
 ney built ma- 
 ny things here 
 worthie praife 
 and memorie. 
 
 69 
 
Ouer a Chim- 
 ney excellently 
 wrought in 
 the bed cham- 
 ber, is S. An- 
 drowes Crofle 
 ioyned to 
 Prince Arthurs 
 Armes in the 
 hallwindowe. 
 
 AE that fol- 
 lowes are 
 Armes of 
 Princes and 
 Noblemen. 
 
 The worthines 
 
 C&ere are great toojfess, tljat noto dotft, heave no name, 
 afllljtrf) toere of old, and pet map pleafure pou 
 %o fee tlje fame:fo? loe in elders* daiegf 
 <I2Ja;s mucb, bettoto'd, tfjat noto isf mucf) to pjaifo 
 
 |%ince Arthurs grmeg, i& tfiere toell to^ourcljt m ttone, 
 
 (Si toojdjie toojlie, tl)at fetoe o? none map mend) 
 
 %h.i$ too?fce not fuel), tljat it map paCTe alone: 
 
 foj asf tlje tpme, Dili altoaieg people fend 
 
 Co toojld, tljat migfjt ejcee&e in toit and fp^eete: 
 
 »>o fondn'e fo^tg of too?fe«s are m tljat »>eate,' 
 
 djat foj fo Ijpe a ttatelp place i0 meete : 
 
 l&lljicl) fyetoejj tfjt'0 dap, tlje too^manfijtp i0 greate* 
 
 ILoofee on mp 3Lojd0, and rpeafe pour fancies tlj^oto, 
 
 Sin's pou toill pjaife, fapje Ludloe Cattle noftu 
 
 3fln it beO"de0, (tlje too?&0 are Ijere imnam'd) 
 Si Cljappell is$, mott trim and cottlp fure, 
 »>o b^auelp tojoutrljt, fo fapje and finelp fram'd, 
 Cljat to too?ld0 end, tlje beautie map endure* 
 about tlje fame, are armes* in colour^ Qtclj, 
 Sl$ fetoe can u)etoe, in anp feiople 01 place: 
 Si peat deuice, a toojfee mott rare and ritclj : 
 flflljjicl) truelp 0)etoe<5, tlje arme0, t^e blood and race 
 5Dt fondue Mn$&, but cljieftp j^obie men, 
 Cljat |jere in pjofe, 31 toill fet out toitlj pern 
 
 a)ira2JalterHacietoa0firttotonerofLudloeCattle,tol)ofe 
 £rme0 are tfjere,and Cofollotoe^tljerea b^ o^dera^pou map 
 reade* 
 
 3ieftrep OSenpuile, did matclj toitlj Eacie* 
 
 laoger g^ojtpmer tlje firtt (Carle of ^artcljp an (Carle of a 
 great Ijoufe matc|)t toitlj (Benpuile* 
 
 3Leonell 
 
 70 
 
of Wales. 
 Heonell 2Dufte of Clarence fopneH toCtlj filter In &rme& 
 
 (tamonti (Earle of S^arcljp mattljeii tnitl) Clarence 
 
 l&fcljatti dftarle of Camfyinge matcljt tottlj tlje (Carle of 
 Q£aiTl}p. 
 
 Efc^art! SDufce of $o?fce matcljt toftlj &SietfmerIanti. 
 
 dEttoara tlje fourtlj matcljt tottlj afllooufle of Ktuer& 
 
 l^enrp tlje feuentt) matcljt tot'tl) (Clfjatsetl) n'gfjt fsefre of <tn-- 
 glano* 
 
 ^enrp tlje e&ljt matcljt tottlj tlje St^arquefe of ^enbpfce* 
 
 ^fjefe are tlje greeted ffrft to lie names tljat are tljere fet out 
 toojtljelt? as tl)et> toere of nignftie ana Ibirtj}. 
 
 Now followes the reft of thofe that were Lord Prefidents, 
 and others whofe Armes are in the fame Chappell. 
 
 flfllilltam »>mftlj Buljop of Hfncolne toasf tlje firtt Hojti ^\z- 
 GOent of a2Iale«s m ^jfnce jatt&urii bates* 
 
 3[earep OBlgtljc 25tu)oppe of Couentrte anti HitcljfieliJ ILojH 
 l&eKtient* 
 
 l&otolanto %tt Bttyoppe of Couentrte anti 3Utcl)ffelti 3lort> 
 patient, 
 
 3Itjon 33eflte Mop of (fcreter ILojti ^eflfoent* 
 
 l&icljarti ^ampfon 25m)op of Couentrte an* HftcijfteHi £o# 
 ^ea&ent, 
 
 3) 2 go&n 
 
 71 
 
The worthines 
 
 3Iolm jaDtiUlep (Bade of MJactotcfe (after 2Dufce of jRo?tl)um= 
 fcerlanb) 3Lo?ti fjeCfoent* 
 
 fetr aaii'Iltam Herbert (after Carle of }&enI)?o&e) %o$> i$\z-- 
 (t&ent. 
 
 iRicl)ola0 t?«at& OBi'ltjop of Mlojcettec 3Lo# #> jeKUent* 
 
 fetr aflitlliam l?arbert once againe Hop ^eG&ent. 
 
 (Btlbert Bjotone Bt'fyop of JBatlje anD Mlesf ?Lojti pjefc 
 lient, 
 
 iLojti WMttiaw of ^ame ?Lo?U ^jeOtient 
 
 feir ^accp feiDney HojD ^eOoent 
 
 fetr #n&jeto Cojbjet l&nt'gljt, Ufcepjedtienk 
 
 'flTtjece are ttoo blancfeg left totrtjout Slvmt&. 
 
 fetr tOjomasf 2Dpnam Imfgljt, tjs ntentioneti rtjere to Doe 
 fome great goofc act* 
 
 3|of)n feco# Bt'tyop of %awfo?5. 
 
 jRlcbolagf Bullfngfiant, Bityop of (LQlojceften 
 
 ^fc&ola* Bobmfon, Bttyop of Bangor 
 
 Ktrtjarti SDatttess, Bt'tyop of featnt 2Daute& 
 
 'ftfjomatf 2Daute0, 25ityop of feai'txt £fraplj. 
 
 fetr 3[ame0 Croft* finfgljt, Controller* 
 
 fetr 
 
 72 
 
of Wales. 
 
 feir loljn 'ft&jogmojtoit itnigl)t,3iuatce of C&etfer anti tlje 
 ti)?ee feljteress of (£aatoale&. 
 
 fefc %tglj Cljolmlep linfgfjn 
 
 fefc ifl^icfjolagf amoto Imfgljk 
 
 &fr (Beojge Bjomle? Bnigtit, an* guttta of t&e t&ee tyieres; 
 m aaiale& 
 
 aaflUam (Berrarti, 3lo?& Cbauncelloj of gjrelantr, anti 3u« 
 dice of tlje tb?ee feljterejs m &outl)toale& 
 
 Cljacle0 foje flBfqtu'er antr £>ecreton'e, 
 Qfcllfce fjfce 2Docto? of tbe Hatoe* 
 a&Jtoam ltfgl)ton (Cfquier* 
 IRicljam »>ebojne (Cfqufer* 
 Efcfiam pates (Etqufer* 
 Eate Barton Qftquier* 
 (Eeojge Pjetpplace (iBfqufer, 
 aaitllfam Eefgtiton (tfqtner* 
 apples* bating (Cfquiec. 
 
 ^be £rme0 of altbefe afo?e fpofcen of are gallantly anD ctm= 2^^ 
 nfngty fet out m tbe CbappelL comes 17. mlie 
 
 fro a place cal- 
 
 $oft> & to be re&earieo, tbat &fc l?arrp Sflmeg being Hojti {«{ the White - 
 ^ea&ent, buglt rtoelue roumeg tn tlje raj* Cattle, tobjcl) gooti= b^ 6 v,,l ° 
 
 die in 
 
 Ip btu'ltiingss botl) flfjetoe a great beautte to tlje fame* the county of 
 
 "3i 3 =|^e Radnor. 
 
 73 
 
The worthines 
 
 % maOe alCo a goo&lp Sfllartiiope im&erneartj tlje neto ^ac= 
 
 loj, ana repapjea an old Ixitoer, calleo 9l£o?tpmer0 <?Eotoer, to 
 
 fteepe tlje atmctent&ecojtig m tlje fame: ana Ije uepap?c& a fap?e 
 
 The Fon-eft of roum * & ntl££: *&* Court Ijoufe, to tlje Came entent ana purpote, 
 
 Brenwood is atiti maDe a great toall a&aut tlje toooapara,$ built a moff bjaue 
 
 weft from the Conatt tottljin tf)e inner Ccurt:ana all tlje netoe builtiingrgf otter 
 
 MocktrkLd tW) ma & E ant > ftt out t0 *!)* honour of tlje jantteene,atia glojt'e 
 
 Ockley Parkes Of tt)« Cattle* 
 
 ftads not farre 
 
 from thence. ^ m m ^ & ^^ ^ (j^ ^ m fa m ^ y^ fc^ 
 
 of (kQIartofcfeg #rmes, tlje (£arle of 2Darlue, tlje d£acle of JUEo?= 
 cetter, tlje €arle of }§enb?ofee, anti »>ir f arrp ~>t'anep0 &rmess 
 in Ufee maner:al tljefe ttanU ontljelefttjana of tljeCljamber* !©n 
 tlje otljer ttae are tlje &rmeg of jl2o?tljtoale# anti »>outljtoale0, 
 tfso red %yon$ anti rtoo golaen %v<m#, pjince J3rtljui%. 
 
 a deuice of Sit tlje ena of tlje tt^ntng: Chamber, tljere t'0 a p?ett'e tseafce 
 the Lord Pre- ijoft) tlje f eageljog bjake tlje cljapne, ana came from Ireland to 
 
 fidents. Ludloe _ 
 
 He gaue great 
 poffeffions, 
 large liberties, 
 and did incor- 
 porate them 
 with many 
 goodly free- 
 domes. 
 
 tljere & m tlje fall a great grate of 3Jron of a l-ugeljefgfjt: 
 fo muclj $ tojttten only of tlje Cattle* 
 
 ^£The Towne of Ludloe, and many 
 
 good gifts graunted to the fame. 
 
 KHM Qftfcara fourth, U\ ferutce truety Cone, 
 afliljen i^enri? art, an3 lje Ijaa mojtall tearre: 
 $to fooner Ije, bp fojce tl^e bittojle toone, 
 But tottfj great tijingg, tlje ^Totone Ije aia pjefarre. 
 «aue lana? thereto, ana Ubertie full large, 
 afllljiclj ropall gifts, ijis bountie aia declare, 
 £na Daplp aotb, maintepne tlje Atones* great eljarge: 
 aailjofe people noto, in asf great freeaome are, 
 
 £10 
 
 74 
 
of Wales. 
 
 8l& anp men, tm&ec tijte rule anti Crotone, 
 ^yat Uuejs ana titoelgf, in Citie o? in ^otone. 
 
 Ctoa Bapliefeg ruleg, one peere tlje 'Eotone tlj^ougljout, 
 tPnelue iiloei'men, t^ep fjaue tljerem IffeetxiiCe : 
 Sflttjo Qotij beare ttoap, ag turne tiotf) come about, 
 (LQlfjo cljofen ace, bt> otl) ana auncient gutTe, 
 <0ooD lateen tljep yaue, ana open place to pleatie, 
 3ln ample fojt, foj rigtit anti 3|utf(ce fake: 
 SI Pjeacljec too, tljat tiaplp tljere Dotb, reaise, 
 Si ~ctjoolema{ter, tljat rjotlj gooti Celjolleitf make. 
 Sinti foj tlje 3Dueere, are boj>e£ bjoug'yt tip to Tina;, 
 ana Co feme (Bob, ano Doe none otljer tying. 
 
 I^ee tpmes a Gap, in Ctjurclj gooa fearuice &, 
 
 at (tjre a clocks, at nine, ana tyen at tljjee : 
 
 3in totjfctj one liotoerg, a ffraunger fljall not miss, 
 
 But fonojfe Cojt-S, of people tfjere to fee* 
 
 anc tljictie tyjee, poo?e perfonss tfjej) maintatne, 
 
 aflifjo toeefeelp Ijaue, botlj money, almeg ano aptie: 
 
 'SEfjeir lo&ging free, ana further to be platne, 
 
 fetill once a toeefce, tlje pooje are truelp paptie: 
 
 SMjiclj fljetoeg great grace, anfl gootmelte in tljat »>eate, 
 
 (ffllljere rich, tiotg fee, tlje pooje tijall toant no meate. 
 
 Sin ^ofpitall, tljere fjat^ bene long of olO, 
 
 £n& many tljingtf, pertaping to tlje fame: 
 
 SL gootilp Guyld, tlje 'Eotonffjip tiiO SptjolD, 
 
 3$ cButoacUgf gift, a Bing of toojtljie fame. 
 
 %W Cotone Doth cljoofe, rtoo 2BurgeCCe0 altoateg 
 
 fo? parliament, tlje cuftome ftill i& fo: 
 
 •aCtoo 5Fa??e0 a yeere, ttjep haue on feuerall Daiess, 
 
 1ll)iu 9^arlset0 feept, but monUap cljfefe % troe: 
 
 Sim ttoo great jBatfcejs, tljere are full neere tlje ^otone, 
 
 3Sut thofe of right, pertaine tmto tlje Crotone. 
 
 That Towne 
 hath bin well 
 gouerned a 
 log while with 
 two Bayliefes, 
 twelue Alder- 
 men, and flue 
 and thirtie 
 Commoners, 
 a Recorder & 
 a Townclarke 
 affiftant to the 
 fayd Bayliefes 
 by iudiciall 
 courfeoflawe 
 weekely, in as 
 large and am- 
 ple maner for 
 their triall be- 
 tweene partie 
 and partie, as 
 any Cittie or 
 Borrowe of 
 England hath. 
 
 The poore 
 haue fweete 
 lodgings each 
 one a part to 
 himfelfe. 
 An Hofpitall 
 called S. Iones. 
 A Guyld that 
 King Edward 
 (by Letters 
 Pattents) gaue 
 to the Bayliefs 
 and Burgeffes 
 of the towne. 
 The Alderme 
 are Iuftices of 
 the Peace for 
 the time being 
 
 ^hefe 
 
 75 
 
The worthines 
 
 W^tiz rijfngg reDearff, mafeeg Ludioe fjono^ti mttclj, 
 <an& toojlii to tbjn&e, it f0 an atmctent feeate: 
 flfliljere man? men, botlj toojttjt'e totTe anti ritcl) 
 atEere borne ana b?eO, anO came to cretiit great, 
 «3Dur auncient la'ngg, anti ^jmceg tfiece trio reff, 
 afllftere noto full oft, tfce f>?ettient titoete a fpace: 
 3[t (tantig foj Wales, moft apt, molt fit anti bed, 
 anti neerett to, at Ijanti of an? place : 
 flfllljerefoje 31 djougljt, ft goob before 91 enO, 
 asit'tljtn tljtg boofee, tljfgf matter fyoulD be peniu 
 
 %%t red of "(Xotoneg, tljat in »>^op(i)tere pott Ijaue, 
 31 neetie not touclj, tijep are fo tljjouffllp fcnotone : 
 SLrib further moje, 31 knotoe tfiep cannot craue 
 '3Eo be of Wales, tjoto etter bjute be blotone, 
 »»o toifymg toell, a0 ouett'e tiortj me bmbe, 
 •ato one anli all, ag farre ag potoer map goe, 
 31 fenit bp Ijere, a0 one tljat both not mintie 
 flDf natiue £>opIe, no furtljer noto to fljotoe* 
 »>o ceafe mp mufe, let pen anti paper paufe, 
 'QEill tijou art caloe, to tou'te of otljer caufe. 
 
 *jfAn Introdu6lion to re- 
 
 member Shropjkiere. 
 
 flDto fiat!) ti)p mufe fo longjene lulti a fieepe: 
 (Lfllljat beablp tijmfec, Tjat^ fence tn dumber bjougljt: 
 2Dotl) popfon coin, tljjougl) blooD anti bofome cceepe: 
 a deuice of ^ i0 of fptte, fome rfjacme bp tottcljccaft to ^ougftt, 
 
 Sled Sb« ^ at *" taU f ?*****» ^ l ° ft *&*& feeUn 5 P to: 
 
 threatning. " 3 ^ & tlje l)ana, fo toeafce it cannot totfte: 
 
 Come pble man, anti fljetoe fome Ijoned caufe, 
 aajljp tou'terg pen, mafeeg noto fo great a paufe. 
 
 H: 
 
 Can 
 
 7 6 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Can Wales be nam'oe, ano Shropfhiere be fojgote, 
 
 <Wbt marfheg mutt, make mutter toitlj tlje red : 
 
 S>ijall Sallop Tap, tljeir countrepman tiotlj aote, 
 
 Uo treate of things, ano tojfte tohat tljinfegf him belt 
 
 i|3o fure fuclj fault, toere oubble erroj plaine, 
 
 3)f in tf)p pen, be an? p>et# bapne, 
 
 3D? gifts? of grace, from fefepegf dfl> 0?op en rtjee, 
 
 <El)an Shrewfebne 'QEotone, thereof firtt caufe muft bee. 
 
 Both, borne ano b?eO, in tljat fame feeate tjjou toatt, 
 
 (SBt race rigljt gooo, oj el£ Becojotf Do Ige) 
 
 JFrom toljence to ftljoole, tohere euer Churchyard patt, 
 
 <?lo natiue feople, Ije ought to haue an epe, 
 
 fepeafce toell of all, ana tojite toljat toojla ma? pjoue, 
 
 5Let nothing goe, beponO tljp Countries* lotte: 
 
 Wales once it toa& ano jet to menu tfjp tale, 
 
 Sl^afee Wales the parfee, ano plaine Shropfhiere the pale* 
 
 3f pale be not, a fpeciall peece of pirke, 
 feit Qlent note, ana neither fc^ite noj fpeafce: 
 But leaue out pale, ano thou majtt miffe tlje marfce, 
 Wn mufe tooulo fjit, oj elss thy ft)aft map bjeafce 
 jagaintt a ftone, thou thjnlstt to glance bpon, 
 $>oto toeigh tljefe toojoss, mp cljo?lifl) check j'g gon, 
 apo?e gentle fpeeel), tjereafter map 31 fpeno, 
 MJben that in toerfe, 3 fee thy Countrie pentu 
 
 flfllhen Keafong rtjjeat, Sao rapt me on tlje pate, 
 (aaiitlj pjiuie blotoeg, tfiat neuer Ojatoeg no blooo) 
 %a ttuoie ttreight, toitlj pen ana jnfce 3 gate, 
 ana faalp there, bethought me toljat toag gooo. 
 But ere tlje locke, ana aooje toag! bolteo faft, 
 %zn thoufano to?e0, in heao tljjouglj fancie paft, 
 ana ttoentie mo?e, conceptg came routing on, 
 <3rijat toere too long, to talfce ana treat topon. 
 
 The Author 
 borne in 
 Shrewfeburie. 
 
 Shrewfeburie 
 the marfhes of 
 Wales. 
 
 Reafons 
 threatning is 
 done. 
 
 The priuie 
 blowes that 
 Reafon giues. 
 
 % 
 
 aai!jere= 
 
 77 
 
For feare of 
 ftiame flouth- 
 full men are 
 well occupied. 
 
 Newe buil- 
 dings makes 
 old deuice 
 blufti. 
 
 The worthines 
 
 (Elfjertfoje in b?iefe, 31 Cettleti pen to too$e, 
 
 jfo? feare leaft toojld, found fault toitl) floatljfull mufe: 
 
 £nd calling bp, ttje fpjeeteg tljat clofe did lutfee 
 
 ^n clofee of eafe, tljat toould good toitg abufe, 
 
 3i tjelti on toap, to auncient Shrewfebrie Cotone, 
 
 8nd fo from ijojfe, at lotting; lighting dotone, 
 
 31 toalfet tfje flceateg, and marfet totiat came to toetoe, 
 
 found old ttjingg dead, ag toould toere made a netoe* 
 
 jFo? butldmgsS gap, ana gallant finely tojougfit, 
 liad old deuice, tlijougfo, tpme ftipplanted tleane: 
 »>ome Ijoufeg bare, tljat feem'd to be toojtb, nought, 
 Mtere fat tott^m, tljat outtoacd looked leane: 
 aaitt Ijad toon toealtlj, to ffuffe each, emptie place, 
 1#e cunning Ijead, and labouring tand Ijad grace 
 Ho gapne and feeepe, and lap tip dill in tto?e, 
 #0 man migljt fap, ttje Ijeact could toift; no moje* 
 
 Labour reapes SL number fure, toere ritcti become of late, 
 reward. %y toojldlp meaner, bp Ijap o? toifedomegf arte: 
 %z Ijad no pjatfe, tljat did apapje fjiss ttate, 
 £nd Ije molt latode, tljat plapd ttje toifefl: parte* 
 1Eo come ty goods?, toell toon toirtj Ijoneft trade, 
 and toarelp loobe, tljere toece no Ijauocfe made: 
 »>ucl) tljjiftie men, doe dtoell in Shrewfebrie noto, 
 'QT^at all tfje Cotone, fef full of S^arcljantsi tbjoto. 
 
 Many weii #nd fondle borne, of rigljt good race and blood, 
 i^swebu^ ^p fr« l P u '«^, from bondage euerp toap: 
 
 aailjofe rent and lands, toljofe toealtb and toojldlp good, 
 Diuers Aimes (flfllfieti otljer too?l$;S, giuess tljem free leaue to plap) 
 houfesin ^off part are ritcb, oj els rigljt toell to Hue, 
 anthth S' *?* t0 «-> e P°°? e » *** ff^dlp people giue: 
 there maintey- < 3w pjeacljing tti'll, tepa^egi botlj poung and old, 
 ned in old St^alseg moje tljereof, tljen of ritclj pearle oj gold. 
 
 time. 
 
 #>oto 
 
 73 
 
of Wales. 
 
 |3oto cometo pojmtg, anti rule** of ciuill men, 
 (Boon maner cal&e, that fljetoeg g-ooti nature (till : 
 £nti To toitlj Wales, pe map compare tljem tljen, 
 die meaneff fojt, 31 meane of denied ffeilL 
 jFoj as fome toljelpess, tljat are of gentle (untie, 
 <£rceetie$ were Hog-g-eg, tljat bearer a nofffffty mintie: 
 »>o tljefe meeke folke, tljat meete0 you in tlje (treete, 
 (laiai curctjfe make, o? (ijetoe an ljumble fpjeete* 
 
 %\){$ argues Cure, tljep fjaue in Wales bin fyeti, 
 
 <3Dj toell bjottfjljt ip, ant) tauffljt toljere noto tljep trt»ell: 
 
 3jv Jsaugytie ijeart, he fpptie bp loftie Ijeti, 
 
 £nti carteottjS foikeg, bp loofee-s are fenoteine full tesell: 
 
 S^e tljinkeg tlje mplD, feiinss all potitoill atoap, 
 
 <ZKje iiur&ie ttantigf, like fetag-ffe oj Bucfee at bap : 
 
 tRje tame toljite 2Doue, anti jfaulfcon foj tielpteg, 
 
 SLxz better farre, tljen fifteene ljunlijeti Jkvtzg. 
 
 $£p tljeame i0 Wales, anti to tljat tljeame % [joe, 
 Perhaps Come feeUe, of tljat fame feople ig Ijere : 
 »otone in fuel) fojt, tljat tiajnp it tiotlj grotoe 
 3in fapzeft fourme, to furnity fo?t^ tljigf ftjietre, 
 &tmtit tlje fame, tlje fequell jyraum# it toell, 
 pau"e tljat tiifcourfe, anti fftue me leaue to tell 
 %otei Shrewfebrie (tandss, anti of tlje Ca(fle0 feate, 
 %ty Eiuer large, anO (tonie bjioge fo greate* 
 
 %\}t ^otone tljjee partjs, ttantis In a iiallep loe, 
 ^yiee gates! tljere are, tljiouglj tefjiclj pu nee&eg muft paste, 
 Slg to tlje ieigljt, of Cotane the people pe : 
 &o Cattle feemeg, a£ ttoere a looking: ffla-Ie, 
 *QCo loofce tljjoufflj all, anti Ijolti them all in atoe, 
 ^reangle toife, tbe gates* and tlotone tiotlj tijatee: 
 But Cafile Ijill, fppe? out each (treate fo plaine, 
 $1$ though an epe, on them UiO (till remaine. 
 
 E 2 3In 
 
 Shrewfeburie 
 and Wales are 
 like in courte- 
 fie. 
 
 Fayre wordes 
 and reuerence 
 is a common 
 thing there. 
 
 Good nature 
 and good ma- 
 ners ihewes 
 good mynds. 
 
 Stout beha- 
 uiour is rather 
 abhorred then 
 embraced. 
 
 Many of wales 
 wealthie men 
 in Shrewfebu- 
 rie. 
 
 A deepe de- 
 uice the foun- 
 dation of 
 Shrewfeburie. 
 The Caftle 
 built in fuch a 
 braue plot, 
 that it could 
 haue efpyed a 
 byrd flying in 
 euery ftreate. 
 
 79 
 
The worthines 
 
 A matter to ^ mttlff ° f ^° tolte » f ° toet ' P^H'ty Cf)UrCl)e0 EUC, 
 
 be Tarkei iFull nere anti clofe, together note rfjat rfgrftt : 
 
 'QP&e ietoe farre of, 10 toon&?ou0 ttraunge ana rare, 
 jFoj riie? tioe feeme, a true loue fmot to figtjt : 
 
 a Knight lyes %tyy (tanti on Ijill, a0 jJJature tojougljt a »>eate, 
 
 Ts^Maries ^ plac£ ^ £m fotoa *> in ftatxl ? beautfe greate : 
 his nameT' && ntflt tieuout, to buplti tlj^re too?tigi toofee care, 
 Leybome. fe»o in tiiefe &aie0, tfjefe ^emplesJ famous are* 
 
 Of the fame 
 of Churches. 
 
 Of the Riuer 
 of Seuarne. 
 
 jfirtt fo? ttje caufe, toljereon tljep Co toere maue, 
 'Eljen foi ttjeir fourme, ano faction frameti fine : 
 &txt foi ttje cott, ttje ttone0 anti auncient traoe, 
 Sin's ctjiefe of all, foj man0 intent tieume* 
 W$ eic plating tlju0, ttje plot0 toljereon ttjep ffanti, 
 'QTtje too^lmtanfljip, toi'ttj cunning Sipafon0 Ijani) : 
 l^eir tjeigljt anti bjeatittj, ttjeir lengttj ano ttjicfenelle botlj, 
 J3rgue0 in oeeoe, a toonti?ou0 toojfee of trotlj. 
 
 /Rot farce from ttjem, tiotlj gooolp feeuarne run, 
 Sin arme of »>ea, a toatec large anti tieepe: 
 CLQitjofe tjeabttcong firearm, ttje $ iujer can not fljun, 
 (fcrcept bp banfee, boil) bote ano tje ootfj cceepe. 
 'SEijfe Etuer run0, to manp a noble Cotone, 
 SL0 Wyfter one, ano Brisftowe of renotone: 
 afllttl) moe beatie0, torjicrj Sere 3| neeoe not name, 
 %lt Cacti can fljetoe, bottj tijem anti all ttjeir fame. 
 
 a notable Ri- &bout tlje toalle0, trim tintier gootilp ban&0 
 uer, called Se- j&ottj »>euarne pafie, anti come0 bp Cotten Iji'll: 
 vnteTwc^ Sputb pjaife ttjcp tjati, anti purcljaft man? ttjan&0, 
 faire bridges ^ at at »>tonebjitige, maoe place fo? mam> a S^fli; 
 of ftone. about ttje ^otone, ttji0 toater map be bjougtjt, 
 3[f tljat a toap, toere nere ttje Cattle tojougtjt: 
 »>o Cattle fljoulti, ttanti like a peecele0 mount, 
 #nti Shrewfebrie Intone, be b,ati in great account. 
 
 full 
 
 80 
 
of Wales. 
 
 full from aaielft)b?idge, along bj> meddotoes greene, 
 
 tEbe Eiuer runs, mott fapje and fine to betoe: 
 
 &ucb fruitfull ground, as tljis is feldome feme 
 
 In man? parts, if tfjat 3] beare be true* 
 
 get eacf) man knotoes, tfjat gratte is in 1)10 p?ide, 
 
 and apje 10 freft), bp euerp Iftiuers Ode: 
 
 But Cure tljis plot, dotlj farre CurpafCe tlje reft, 
 
 'flEbat bp good lot, 10 not toitb, graces bleft* 
 
 Mlbo batlj defire, to betoe botb, Ijill ana bale, 
 aaialfce bp old toall, of Cattle rutie and bare, 
 and be ujall fee, fuel) pleafure fet to Tale, 
 3!n lu'nblp fo?t, as tljouglj fome 98j*arcljants toare 
 atUere fet t'n fljop, to pleafe tbe patter bp: 
 flDj els bp fftetoe, begupld tlje gajers epe: 
 iFoj loofce but dotone, along tlje pleafant coaft, 
 and lie (ijall tbinfce, bJS labour is not loft* 
 
 flDne toap appeares, »>tonebjtdge and »>ubbarbs tljere, 
 aoibtdj called is, tlje abbep jFojeljed pet: 
 a long great (create, toell builded large and fatre, 
 91n as good apje, as map be toiujt toitt) toit: 
 {[Qiljere abbep ftands, and is fuel) ring of Belles, 
 
 ^IS t'S not found, from London bntO Welles : 
 
 W&t Steeple pet, a gracious pardon findes, 
 
 %o bide all blafts, all toetljers ffomtes and toindes* 
 
 anotber toap, full o\z SZHelAjb^'dge tljere is, 
 
 an auncient ftreate, cal'd jfranclttoell manp a dap: 
 
 %a Ozeftri, tlje people paffe tijjouglj tfjiS, 
 
 and into Wales, it is tlje reddie toap* 
 
 3fln £>ubbarbs to, is Cattle tfojebed botlj, 
 
 a Create toell pau'd, ttoo feuerall toaies tbat goetlj: 
 
 ail tbis toitbout, and all tlje ^otone toitljin, 
 
 aaiben Cattle ttood, to betoe Ijatlj fubiert bin* 
 
 There is a 
 bridge called 
 Welftibridge, 
 which fhewes 
 Shrewfeburie 
 to be of Wales 
 
 The Caftle 
 though old 
 and ruynate 
 ftands moft 
 braue and gal- 
 lantly. 
 
 Maifter Prince 
 his houfe ftads 
 fo trim and 
 finely, that it 
 graceth all the 
 Soyle it is in. 
 
 Here is the 
 wayto Meluer- 
 ley, to Wattels 
 Borrow where 
 Ma. Leighton 
 dwelles, to 
 Cawx Caftle 
 Lord Staf- 
 fords, and to 
 Maifter Wil- 
 liams houfe. 
 
 %3 
 
 But 
 
The worthines 
 
 Aldermen in ^ Ut nC, *° ""^ ^°^' ^^ ^^ 0me ° f *!>* W*M) 
 ScarieTorderiy &*& &$ & fOUlltl, IU lK,CC0j6iS tl*U0 tHlfaPtl!3, 
 
 insiirewfebu- CljfS trim ftjiere totone, toas buplt a great toljile Once: 
 
 ne, and two ^oft p^'uilelige, ftp lopaltie toas gajntu 
 
 Stylet out ^° Bajlfe&js tljere, Hotlj rule a^ courfe Hot?) fall, 
 
 as any Mayor Jtl ftatg Ukt S^aiO?, ailD OjDet'0 gOOll tettljallt 
 
 of fome great ^arfj oSSeer Due, tljat fits fo? ttatelp. plate, 
 
 Cities - (tul peere ttjep fjaue, to peelfc tlje roume mo?e pate. 
 
 3Dn follemne tiaies, in Scarlet gotones tljep joe, 
 (Boob Ijoufe tljep lieepe, as caufe ootlj feme tljerefoje: 
 Great & coftiy jBut Cljjiftmas featts, compares fcoitlj all 3 fenotoe 
 fnchriftmfs feaue London &*'«> toljofe ftate is farre muclj mo?e» 
 and at an Sef- C&at Cities cljarge, makes ffraungei'S blufi) to fee, 
 fions& sizes, fso pn'ncelp (till, it is in eaelj degree: 
 
 But tljouglj it tieare, a Cojclj beponU tlje beff, 
 CljiS Hanterne ligtjt, map (pine among tlje reft* 
 
 a matter of ^ljt'0 Cotone toitlj mo?e, fit members fo? tije Ijeati, 
 tramcke to be g£ a fo g London ritclj, pet reapes great gapne from ttjence: 
 
 noted and co- rr. _- ^ i*I & .«-» * r *• ■, \. 
 
 Meredof. 3* ffiuesf ffonii ff°to> &J Clotljes anti marker of leati, 
 
 &nD fo? aaielfif? to are, ejcljaungetlj cBnglift) pence* 
 London com- a fowntaine Ijeati, tljat man? ConUitS feme, 
 pared to the Beepes moptt tijpe »>p?ings, anti Ootlj it felfe p^eferue: 
 flowing sea. cije flowing £>ea, to tofjictj all Kiuers run, 
 
 Sl^ap fpare fome ujetojes, to quentlj tlje Ijeate of &um 
 
 &o London muft, like motljer to tlje Eealme, 
 ™!^ eat Co all Ijer babes, giue milfee, giue fuefee anti pap: 
 
 mult main- *. «* .* t JL ■** , / « * rr 
 
 taine the final ^ maU Bootes* fiwelles bp, by fojce of migljtie ftreame, 
 as little tljings, from greateft gapnes gooD tjap* 
 3[f Shrewfebrie ttj^iue, anli laft in tljis gooti lucfee, 
 3t is not lifee, to lacfce of toojltilp. mucfce: 
 Clje tratse is great, tlje tCotone anti S>eate (tanas toell, 
 (great Ijealtlj tlje? Ijaue, in fuctj ftoeete feoples tljat titoelL 
 
 <CtjuS 
 
of Wales. 
 
 tDms farre 31 goe, to pjoue tljte Wales in deede, 
 <2Dj els at leaff, tije martcljeg of tlje fame: 
 TB'dt further fpeafee, of fefiiere it ig no neede, 
 <fe>aue Ludloe noto, a 'Eotone of noble fame: 
 SL goodl? State, toljere oft tlje Councell lyeg, 
 Mtfjere 9£onutront<3, are founti in auncient ffupfe: 
 (LOiijere 3^ins:0 and gDueenes, in pompe did long: ab^de, 
 and toljere (Bod pleafde, tfjat good ^u'nce artljur dpde, 
 
 %W 'flTotone tiotlj front, on Wales ag rigljt as Ipne, 
 &o fondjie 'flEotones, m Shropfliiere Doe fo? trotlj: 
 && Ozeftry, a p?etie hotline full fine, 
 2Mjiclj ma? be lou'd, be lifete and pjapfed botlj,. 
 3jt ffands fo trim, and is maintapnd fo cleane, 
 £nd peepled 10, toitlj folfee tljat toell doe meane: 
 ^at it defente, to be enrould ano u)$nd 
 3]n eacb, good bjeaft, ana cuerp manlp mpnd> 
 
 %$z S^arfcet tljere, fo farre erceedes toftljall, 
 #S no one Intone, comes neere it in fome fo?t: 
 ifo? loofee toljat map, be toiu;t 0? fjad at call, 
 3ft i0 tljere founti, as marltet mzn repojt* 
 jfo? Moultrie, ifoule, of euerp fund fometofjat, 
 Mo place can u)etoe, fo muclj mo?e cljeape tfjen ttjat: 
 all feind of Cates, tljat Countrie can attojtt, 
 fo? monep tljere, is bougljt toitlj one bare toojd, 
 
 Cljep patfee not long, about tlje tljing tljep fell, 
 if o? pn'ce is fenotone, of eatlj tljing tljat is b?ougljt: 
 pjo?e folfee (Bod toot, in ^otone no longer dtoell, 
 "ZOjen money Ijad, perhaps a tiling of nought: 
 •so trudge tljep Ijome, botlj bacelegp and fontyod, 
 Qfllitb fong in klelu), 0? els in pjapang (Bob: 
 flD ftoeete content, €> merrie mj>nd and mood, 
 afllith ftoeat of fyotoes, tljou lou'tt to set tbp food* 
 
 Ludloe is fet 
 out after. 
 
 Ozeftrie and 
 Bifhops Ca- 
 ttle doth front 
 in Wales. 
 
 Of a notable 
 market a mer- 
 uelous matter. 
 
 Poore folkcs 
 makes fewe 
 words in bar- 
 gayning. 
 
 flD 
 
 83 
 
The worthines 
 
 The bleffed- 
 neffeof plaine 
 people. 
 
 A rare report 
 yet truely gi- 
 uen of Wales. 
 
 You muft 
 reade further 
 before you 
 finde Ludloe 
 defcribed. 
 
 flD plaine good folfce, tljat fiaue no craftie b?aine#, 
 )3D Confcience cleere, tbou fenotoft no cunning fenacfcjj: 
 £D Ijarmleffe fjeartjs, to|ere feare of C3oti remained, 
 flD ample »>oulegf, ag ftoeete agf Mv$in toare, 
 flD bappie Ijeatijs, and labouring boDtesS blett, 
 
 3D Cllte 2DOUe0, Of IjOlg Abrahams fyetf: 
 
 gou fleepe fn peace, anD rife in iope anu bliflr, 
 JFoj ^eauen tjence, foi pou prepared ig, 
 
 ft&ifjere fljall toe finde, fuel) tiealtnar noto adaieg: 
 flfllljere ig fucb, cljeere, fo cheape and cljaunge of fare: 
 Eide ^12ojt!) and »>outl), and fearcb, all beaten toaieg, 
 ifrom Barwick bounds, to Venice if pou Dare, 
 £nd finde tlje lifte, tljat 3! in Wales fjaue found, 
 &nd gj fl)all be, pour Oaue and bondman bound, 
 31f Wales be tl)U0, agi trpall toell u)all p?oue, 
 %akz Wales goodtoill, and $m tljem neighbours* loue, 
 
 Ito Ludloe noto, mp mufe mul! needed returne, 
 
 2i feafon ft)o?t, no long; difcourfe dotlj craue: 
 
 llgme rouletb on, 3 doe but daylight burne, 
 
 &nd man? tbingg, in deede to doe 31 baue* 
 
 Soofee toljat great 'QEotone, dotlj front on Wales tljiss Ijotoer, 
 
 3i minde to toucb, (Bod fparing life and potoer: 
 
 Mot Ijperd thereto, but Ijal'de b? Ijartg defire 
 
 ilf} sine tljem pjaife, toljofe'deedeg doe fame require, 
 
 Verte folium. 
 
 The Authors 
 forgetfulneffe 
 efcufed. 
 
 Of Shrewfebury Churches and the Monuments 
 
 therein, with a Bridge of ftone two bowfhot long, and 
 
 a ftreate called Colam, being in the Subbarbs, 
 
 and a fayre Bridge there in like manenall 
 
 this was forgotten in the firft copie. 
 
 [ bad fuclj bafte, in tjope to be but b^iefe, 
 'SEfiat 92onument& in Cburcljeg toere fo?got: 
 
 And 
 
 S4 
 
of Wales. 
 
 #nD fometohat moje, behfnD the toallegf ass chiefe, 
 aflihere papeg haue Inn, tohich 10 mod toojthie note* 
 tOjere t'ss a grounD, netoe maDe <?Ojeato2 totfe, 
 Both Deepe anti hpe, m gooDlp auncient guife: 
 aflihere toell map Ct, ten thoufanD mzn at eafe, 
 &nD jet the one, the other not Difpleafe* 
 
 Si fpace belotoe, to bapt both Bull anD Beare, 
 ifoj papers* too, great roume anU place at toilU 
 £nD in tlje Tame, a Cocke pit toonDjoug feare, 
 25efiUe0 tohere men, map lojatfle in their filU 
 Si grounD moff apt, and the? tljat fltjs abotte, 
 Sit once in ietoe, all tbi'0 map fee fo? loue: 
 Sit Aftons pap, toho haD hereto this* then, 
 Slight toell haue feene, there ttoentie thoufanD men* 
 
 jFapje »>euarne ffreatne, rungs ramti about thig grounD, 
 
 »>aue tljat one QDe, isi clofDe tout Shrewfebrie toall: 
 
 Sim ^euarne banfeegf, tohofe beautie Doth abounD, 
 
 3ln tljat Came »>ople, beholD at Ml pe fljall* 
 
 flfllho comes* to marfee, anD note tohat map be feene, 
 
 »>ball furelp fee, great pleasures* on this* gceene: 
 
 (Ifliho toalftcgf the banfeeg, anD thinfcei* hi0 papne not greate, 
 
 ~>ljall fap tlje tlotone, 10 mre a pjincelp §>eate. 
 
 JLQlithout the toalle0, a0 »>ubbarb0 buplDeD bee, 
 feo Doe thep ffanD, a0 arme0 anD legged to Cotonet 
 (fort) one a ffreate, Dot!) anftoer in Degree, 
 Sirib bp fome part, corned »>euarne running Dotone: 
 J30 though that ffceame, haD mpnD to garDe them all, 
 £nD a0 though bjt'Dge, thi0 aooD Doth Daplp fall, 
 fe>o of freettone, th^ee 25u'Dge0 bigge there are, 
 Sill ftatelp built, a ttjing full tiraunge anD race. 
 
 tCben iuDge bp thi'0, anD other things* a heape, 
 llep IjaD Deepe flu'll, tljat firtt the founder^ toere: 
 
 % 
 
 A pleafant 
 
 and art ihciall 
 peece of groud 
 
 Maifter Afton 
 was a good 
 and godly 
 Preacher. 
 
 A Friery houfe 
 flood by this 
 ground called 
 the Welfh 
 Fryers. 
 
 In Shrewfebu- 
 rie were three 
 Fryer hou r es. 
 
 (BooD 
 
 85 
 
A briefe dif- 
 courfe of aun- 
 cient tyme. 
 
 The worthines 
 
 dSooO rigljt tljep fbould, tlje fruite of labour reape, 
 SjcUfjoCe toft anli toealtlj, did all tlje charges beare, 
 3D fatbers toiTe, anti tofts bepond tbe m'clse, 
 13)at bad ttje bead, tlje Cpjeeresf and fence fo qufc&e: 
 <3D golden age, tfjat cac'de not tobat toas tpent, 
 »>o leaden daie& did ffand rtjeretoitlj content, 
 
 (Bold toere tljofe peeress, tfiat tparde Curt) Sluer pence, 
 and bjajen toojld, toas tijat tegicb Ijooj&eti all: 
 ^Ije leaden dates, tljat toe baue Cauerd Knee, 
 Bptes to tlje bones, and tatfetb, toojfe tljen gall, 
 flfllijat netoe tbfngs noto, toitlj franfeneffe toell bepn, 
 Can ffaine tbofe deedes, our fathers old baue Gone: 
 (Breat 'QTotones tlje? buplt, great Cburcljes reard U'feetoife, 
 aailjtclj makes our fame, to fall and theirs to rife. 
 
 Loofee on tbe toojfes, anti tofts of former age, 
 anti our tpme ujall, come bragging farre bebmb: 
 3Jf botb tpmes mfgbt, be plainly plapd on ttage, 
 &nd olb tpme paft, be truelp calbe tomind, 
 jfoj all our bjaue, fine globus bupldings gap, 
 %l>me pad toould run, toitlj all tlje fame atoap. 
 Slffee Oxford tljat, and Cambridge if ft pleafe, 
 3|n tbiS one popnt, ujall pou refolue at eafe. 
 
 5|n auncfent tpme, our elders Ijab defire, 
 Wa buplb tfjetr ^otones, on tteepe anb ffatelg bill: 
 tCo fbetoe t|at as, rtjefr Ijearts did Ml afppje, 
 »>o ujvUlb tijefr toojfcs, declare tljefr toojtbfe tefll. 
 Snd foj ttjat tljen, t r ne toojld toas full of ftrffe, 
 and fetoe men flood, attur'd of land oj life: 
 »>uclj quarrels rofe, about great rule and date, 
 <(Ebat no one feojle, toas free from foule debate. 
 
 ofbuyidij" M W$ ibarpe caufe, rtjat daplp b?ed dilcojd, 
 flrong Holds. %W »»abe ftcoitff liolds, and Cafiles of defence: 
 
 and 
 
 86 
 
of Wales. 
 
 anti fuel) as toeare, tlje l&ingtf fge fjince anD %o$} 
 
 &>i anp place, tooulo fpare foi no ejpence, 
 
 <3Co fee tljat fafe, tljat tljep Ijati Ijartilp toon: 
 
 JFo| toijfcij fare popnt, toere tfojtg anti ^otoneg begun: 
 
 ana fuctljec loe, if people teamed toplti, 
 
 tCfjep bjougljt in feaje, lip tlj& botlj man an cljilti* 
 
 anti it men map, iutige ftujo Ijati moft atso 
 
 flD? pile bp jfo?tjs, anti ^oltis toljat Hanti toa£ bett: 
 
 3D? loofce ijpon, our common quarrels to: 
 
 £D? feartl) toljat matie, men feefce fo? peace anti rett, 
 
 2Beijola but Wales, anti note tlje Catties tljere, 
 
 anD pou fi)all flntie, no fuclj too?fes anp toljere: 
 
 »>o olti fo ftrong, Co cottlp anti Co fjpe, 
 
 $>ot fcnfcer feunne, tss to be feme toitlj epe* 
 
 anti to be plaine, Co manp Mollis tfjep Ijaue, 
 as Cure it is, a toojlti to marke tljem toell: 
 paufe tljere a toljile, mp mufe mutt paction craue, 
 Pen map not long:, ijpon fuel) matter titoelU 
 iJJoto Denbigh comes, to be fet foo?tb in fcerfe, 
 (HUbicl) u)all both 'Eotone, anti Cattle Ijere re&eacfe: 
 a»o tljat tlje tierfe, fuel) cretiit map attapne, 
 as tojiter u)all, not lofe no peece of papne. 
 
 Wales hath a 
 wonderfull 
 number of 
 Caftles. 
 
 A description 
 of Denbigh- 
 mi ere. 
 
 <^/An Introduction to bring 
 
 in Denbighjhiere. 
 
 Hart) floutl) anti Heepe, betoitcljt m^ fences fo, 
 'flTljat Ijeati cannot, atoake tlje ptile IjanQ: 
 310 frentilp mufe, become fo great a foe, 
 tOjat lading pen, in penno? (till u)all ttanti* 
 Qfllljat tripling tope, tiotl) trouble tojiteu0 bjapne, 
 Wbtt earned loue, fojgets ftoeete pets iapne: 
 
 % 2 
 
 A conceyted 
 toy to fet a 
 broach an ear- 
 neft matter. 
 
 BiD 
 
 37 
 
The worthines 
 
 Bfo toelcome mfrtf), ana fan concepte0 aatte, 
 #na fall apine, to tojite Come matter netoe* 
 
 Het ola tieuice, a Eanterne be to tftj0, 
 ^o ffi'ue fktll ligbt, anU make founa iuagement fee: 
 »>ince pjing epe0, ijatlj feene toljat eatlj tfjing i0, 
 ana ttjat no 'Eotone, no? £>ople 10 fcia from tbee: 
 &et foojth. in fcerfe, as toell tlji0 Countrep bere, 
 
 £0 tljOU at large, baft fet OUt Monmouthfhiere: 
 
 Pjaife one alone, tlje reft totll tljee aifaaine, 
 SL aap map tome, at length, to quite tljp pat'ne. 
 
 though, fomier topleg, be loft in »>ommer laft, 
 Ser M of er " SMfpa??e not noto, to? Wales i0 t&anfcfiill ftfll: 
 Kent more l^jou tall gon farre, tl>c greateft bjunt 10 paft, 
 chargeable ^eti fo?toara paffe, ana plucfee not baclse gooatoill, 
 
 Jered'ofthere ^ Ut ^ t0 f lm $>> likt mm $ 0Z $&*& toitlj all, 
 
 e * %hp grouna 10 gooa, run on tbou tanft not fall: 
 afllhen feeae ig fotone, ana tpme heftotoe0 fome pai'ne, 
 Chou ihalt be fenotone, a reaper of 5000 graine, 
 
 ??oia on tty courfe, ana trauaile Wales all o?e, 
 #na tohet tbp toit0, to marfee ant note it toell: 
 SLtiJj tljou fibalt fee, tbou neuer fato'ft before, 
 l&ight gooalp thing0, in aeeae tbat aotb cjcell: 
 Sl^oje auncient l^otoneg, mo?e famou0 Caftle0 ola, 
 W$m toell farre of, toitlj eafe tbou maptt betjola: 
 Sfllitij Denbighihiere, thp fecona toojfee begin, 
 Slito thou (halt fee, toljat glon'e ttjou (halt toim 
 
 »>o 31 toofee hojfe, ana mountea fcp in hatte, 
 jfrom Monmouthfhiere, a long tlje coaft0 1 rj>ae: 
 Qfllhen froft ana fnotoe, ana toaptoara tointer0 toafte, 
 cwrke came 2Di'D beate from tree, botlj leaue0 ana »>ommer0 pjpae, 
 a goodly and g entcel) flrtt) at chirke, right oje a Bjoofee, 
 
 princely houfe ^^ ^^ ^ ^ €mm ^ ^jj ^ j^ 
 
 a 
 
 88 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Si Cattle fapje, appeertie to figljt of eye, 
 
 fcaHjofe toallesf toere great, anti totoerss botlj large anti fjpe, 
 
 full tmoenieatl), tlje fame Uotl) l&eerpocfe run, 
 Si raging; Bjoofce, toljen rapne o? fnotoe fjs greate: 
 It toa$ Come ^u'nce, tljat firft tljigf Ijoute begun, 
 3It ujetoetf farre of, to be fo bjaue a feeate* 
 <3Dn tttie of Ijt'U, ft ttantig molt trim to tetoe, 
 Sin olo ftrong place, a Cattle notrjing netoe» 
 SL gooolp tljmg, a pjincclp Wallace per, 
 3|f all toitljin, toere tljjougjjlp furniujt fin 
 
 JBepond tlje fame, tljere ig a B?ioge of ttone, 
 'flEijat ttantisf on SDee, a l&iuer tieepe anO ftoift: 
 3it feemeg a? it, tooulti riue tlje B,ocfc0 alone, 
 SDl bntiermjme, Voitfj fojce tlje craggie diet. 
 <3Eo Chefter rung, fljijs Ewer all along, 
 Miitlj gufljing ttreame, anD rojing toater ttuong: 
 £Dn botlj tlje fiUeiS, are banfceg anO Ijilles gooti ftoje, 
 SLnti migfjtie ttoneg, tljat mafeeg tlje Et'tter roje* 
 
 3it flotoesf toitlj toin&e, altljouglj no rajme tljere bee, 
 
 #n& ftoelleg like »>ea, toftfj toauesf anti form'ng flooD: 
 
 SL toontier Cure, to fee tljt'ss Efuer 2Dee, 
 
 CJEHitlj tomDe alone, to toaje fo toplti anD toooD, 
 
 fl^afee fuel) a fturre, ag toater tooulo be mati, 
 
 Sim fyetoe Tutlj life, a0 tijottglj fome fp?eete it Ijatu 
 
 Si taufe tljere 10, a nature foj tlje fame, 
 
 *QCo bjtng tljt'0 flooD, in fuel) ttraunge cafe anti frame* 
 
 jI2ot farre from tfjtjS, tljere ttantigf on little mount, 
 Si rigljt faj^e Cljurclj, toitlj pillars large anti toitie: 
 a monument, tljeretn of gooD account, 
 full finely tojotigljt, amia tlje 3Rueere 31 fpptie, 
 Si tEombe tljere ig, rigljt ricjj anti ttatelp ma&e, 
 afllljere tVoo tiotlj Ipe, in ttone anti auncient tratie* 
 
 %3 <m* 
 
 Keeryock a 
 wondrous vio- 
 lent water. 
 
 Maifter Iohn 
 Edwards hath 
 a fayre houfe 
 nere this. 
 
 Newe Bridge 
 on the Riuer 
 Dee. 
 
 A ftrauge na- 
 ture of a water 
 
 There is a 
 poole in Me- 
 ryonethfhiere 
 of three myle 
 long rageth fo 
 by ftorme that 
 it makes this 
 Riuer flowe. 
 
 Ruabon 
 Church is a 
 fayre peece of 
 worke. 
 
 89 
 
This Gentle- 
 man was cal- 
 led Iohn Bel- 
 lis Eytton. 
 
 The worthines 
 
 die man anti toife, toitb, fumpmous follemne gupfe, 
 3|n tljis ritcb, fojt, befoje tlje SLulm Ipes. 
 
 %'S lieati on creff, anU toarlifee pelmet (lapes, 
 a Upon bleto, on top thereof comes! out: 
 «3Dn ICpons necfee, along tit's legged lie lapes, 
 Wwo (Bauntletgf tofjite, ace tying ttjere about. 
 Stn auncient »>quire, lie toas anti of ffooU rate, 
 as bp fjt's #rmes, appeeres in man? a place: 
 %'S boufe ano lanos, not farce from tljence tooth, tyoe, 
 %'S birtb. ana blooH, toas great rigljt long agoe* 
 
 %ty trimmed glatte, tljat map in tointioto bee, 
 (herein tbe roote, of 3jeu"e toell is tojougljt) 
 at Suiter tieaD, of Cfjucct) noto itjall pou fee, 
 $ea all the glatfe, of Cfjurclj toas tieecelp bought. 
 
 Offaes Dyke. 
 
 Wats Dyke. 
 
 aaittfjfn ttoo mples, tljece is a famous tljing, 
 Cal'oe Offaes Dyke, tljat teacher!) farre in length: 
 Sill feino of toate, tlje Danes might tljetbec bung, 
 31t toas free gcounij, anti cal'De ttie Britaines ttrengtlj, 
 Wats Dyke lifcetoife, about tbe fame toas fet, 
 Bettoeene tobicb ttoo, borb Danes anti Britaines met, 
 Sitia trafficfee (till, but pairing bounty bp Height, 
 de one ofo ta&e, tlje other pjifner (treigljt* 
 
 r 3T|)U0 foes coulo meete, (ajs manp tpmes thej> map) 
 
 £nU Doe no harme, tohen pjofi'te ment tbep botlj: 
 
 (10000 rule ano latoe, makes baooeft things to (tap, 
 
 dat els bp rage, to tojetcheti reuell goeth. 
 
 %^z bjuteft beatts, tljat fauage ace of fymti, 
 
 together comes, as feafon is affpnDe: 
 
 %l)t angcpelt men, tljat can no fcienofyip bp&e, 
 
 apuft ceace fcom toacre, totjen peace appalles their pjiDe. 
 
 |2oto 
 
 90 
 
of Wales. 
 $oto let tfiiss goe, anti tall in baffe to tnfntie, 
 
 ilmn Wrickfam ^Otone, a pearle Of Denbighfhiere: Robert Ho- 
 
 31n tobofe fapje Cfiurcfi, a -ftombe of ttone 91 ftnbe, w ' u ly . es there 
 
 flintier a to all, rigfit fian& on fine of flBuww* 
 
 flDn tfi'otfier fide, one Pilfon Ipe0 in graue, 
 
 aailjofe bearfe of blacfce, faptb fie a ^ombe fyall fiatte: 
 
 9)n £iueei*e tyegs Hope, bp £cme0 of gentle race, 
 
 £>f function once, a recto? in tfiat place* 
 
 But fpeafee of (Cfiurcfi, ana ffeeple ags 31 ougfit, 
 $$? pen to bafe, fo fa^e a toojfee to toucfi: 
 flMtfiin anti out, tfiep are fo finely tojougfit, 
 31 cannot p^atfe, tlje too^manlJjtp too muclj, 
 But buplt of late, not eigfit Ccojc peered ago, 
 $ot of long tpme, tlje Date tfiereof Ooth u)oe: 
 0o common toojke, but fure a toojke mott fine, 
 St0 tfiougfi tfiep ijati, bin to^ougfit bp potoer tieuine,. 
 
 C&e fieeple tbere, in fojme iss full foure fquare, 
 get euerp toap, fi'ue pinnackleg appeere: 
 %vim pctttreg fapje, m done on outfitie are, 
 Static all like toare, ag ttone toere notfiing Ueere. 
 i:ije fieigbt fo great, tfie bjeatitfi fo bigge toitfiall, 
 $Lo peece tbereof, fa lifeelp long to fall, 
 # Voojfee tljat ftan&0, to ttapne a number moje, 
 3in an? age, tfiat fiatfi Un buplt befoje. 
 
 *B£ A generall Commenda- 
 
 tion of Gentilitie. 
 
 T\T dBre Wrickfam titoete, of (Eentlemen gooti ftoje, 
 x ^ flDf calling fucfi, ag are rigfit toell to Hue: 
 Bp Slpar&et totone, 31 fiaue not feme no mo?e, 
 (31n fucfi fmall roume) tfiat auncient jarmeg ooe giue* 
 
 tOjep 
 
 91 
 
The worthines 
 
 InMaylor, are %\)ty MZ tl)Z tO£e, atltl fflaUtiefiCe Of tlje pOO?0, 
 
 aii thefeGen- ^ at Da pty tzztsz^ tlje ljunpie at tfieir Hoojei 
 mite: Roger l n an ? &o?le, tofiere Gentlemen are found, 
 piifonshoufe &ome fjouCe i0 fcept, ano bounty Hot!) abountr, 
 
 at Itchlay. 
 
 MaiMer Aim- ^^ foauttft'e, botft <3Eotone ant! Countrep too, 
 yTkia ant " #»& turnityt arc, to ferue at neeoe in told: 
 Maifteriohn jang euerp tljina;, in rule ano ojoer do, 
 pufonofBer- g^ jj nt0 (g 0D) an jj man g U j honour peettu 
 
 Maker Ed ^P are *%* ^enfftl), anO ruretie oi tlje 3Lano, 
 wardionesof 3!n tobofe true fjeartsf, ooth truft ano creott ffano, 
 cadoogan. ftp <w\)otz \aitz IjeaOsf, tlje neighbours* ruleo are, 
 Storf&T^ 11 *° T J° m tl J £ ^ nce > repofetlj peatett tare* 
 
 ton. 
 
 Mdfter Ed- Cfjep are tbz flotoersi, of etterp ptitien pound, 
 
 ward Eaton ^ toljere tljep ftiant, tljere poVoes* bat toic&ett toeeoeg: 
 
 Brueton of 'flE&efr noble mpndg, to ill bjing- foojtlj faitljfull tieeises> : 
 Borras. ^eir g-lon'e reff0, t'n Countries* toealtfj ano fame, 
 
 Kifo^fm ^ e 2 ^ aue u ^P ett > *° I)lci0tl atttl aanciem: name: 
 berd ewerne!" ^Iw toeifflj nothing, Co muclj a?; lopall Ijart, 
 Maifter Tho- 2£[iffict> is< moft pure, ano tleane in euerp part* 
 
 mas Powell of 
 
 Eeriohn ^ e ? 0De HU% all ctufll maners* mplft, 
 Treuar of #U manlp acts*, all toife ano toojtljie toaieg: 
 Treuoiin. 3!f tljep toere not, tlje Countrep tooulo poto topttr, 
 ^alfeoTaii ^ nl1 to£ ^ 0U ^ foone, fojpt our elders* daies*: 
 Gentlemen in- S&are blunt of toit, in fpeectj potoe rase and rouglj, 
 habitingof a- (Slant bertue (till, ano Ijaue of Sice enough 
 nycountrey. ^z\x>z feeble fpjeete, laelie courage euei'u to'gere, 
 SDout manv a ttjing-, ana our etone fJjadotoes* feare. 
 
 'flE&ep dare attempt, fo? fame ano Ijpe renotone, 
 <Wo Ccale tlje Clotodes*, if men migfyt clpme tlje a??e: 
 affault tlje &tarreg, ano plucke tlje planets ootone, 
 dBfue cljarge on ^oone, ano %unnz t^at tfjine^ fo fa^e* 
 
 3! 
 
of Wales. 
 
 31 meant tfjep bare, attempt tlje greatett things*, 
 jFtye ftoiftlp oje, Ijtglj lilies* if tljep Ijati tottig:^: 
 25eate bac&e tlje »>eas, anO ware tlje 9lpountaine<s too, 
 gea toljat tiaje not, a man of courage &oo* 
 
 i!2oto mutt 31 tucne, to mp titTcoucfe agapne, 
 31 Wrickfam leau?, ana pen out further plate: 
 a>o if mp mufe, toere noto in pleafant bapne, 
 Holt Cattle u)oult>, from fcerfe recetue Come grace: 
 Cfje feeate (0 fine, anti trimlp buplt about, 
 flfllitl) loggings fapje, anti goo&lp roumes tfjjougbout, 
 »)trong (Kaultjs anti Caueg, anti manp an olD tieuice, 
 Cljat in our fcaieg, ace tjelo of toojtljie pjfee* 
 
 Cljat place muff pau"e, txtftfj pjaife ana fo aSue, 
 gap mufe i'0 bent (anti pen i& reaiite pjett) 
 Co feeSe pour eaceg, toirtj otfjer matters netoe, 
 CJjat pet remained, in IjeaD auD labouring bieft 
 £ St^ountaine totone, tfjat i& Thlangothlan calse, 
 Si p?etie »eate, but not toell buplt noj toaltie, 
 fctanttf in tlje toap, to Yale anti Writhen both, 
 Mlljere ace great Ikilleg, ana painejs but fetoe foj tcotfj* 
 
 flDf Sl^ountafneg nolo, in beebe mp mufe mutt runne, 
 Clje ^oet?s frjere, tiiti tfoell as? fables* fapne: 
 Becaufe fome fap, tljep toouft be neece tlje »>unne, 
 #nti tatte fometpmeg, tlje froft, tlje cola, anti rapne, 
 Co iutige of bottj, tobiclj t8 tlje cljiefe anti belt 
 2211)0 fmofciea no tople, can neuer ffetll of rett, 
 (ailjo altoaiegs toalfeeg, on carpet foft anti gap, 
 Itnotoeg not fjacti ^tlleg, noj \iW tlje Si^ountaine toap* 
 
 Holt Caftle 
 an excellent 
 fine place, the 
 Riuer of Dee 
 running by it. 
 
 Maifter Hues 
 d welles there. 
 Maifter Euan 
 Flud dwelles 
 in Yale, in a 
 fayre houfe. 
 
 Caftle Dy- 
 nofebraen on 
 a wooddie hill 
 on the one 
 fide, & Greene 
 Caftle on the 
 other. 
 
 A Bridge of 
 ftone very faire 
 there ftands 
 ouer Dee. 
 
 A Difcourfe of Mouniaynes. 
 
 Maifter La- 
 
 ryame Mature tyeto, tbefe apountapneg in fuel) Cojt, j£- Thlude 
 LJ Sl?i t{jouglj tfje one, fyouUi peelti tlje otljer grace: f Yaie. 
 
 9? £>? 
 
 93 
 
The worthines 
 
 &>l ag eaclj %'ll, it telfe toere fuel) a jfo& 
 ^Ijep Ccojntie to ffoope, to giue ttje Cannon place* 
 3|f all toe re plapne, anti fmootl) like gartien grounti, 
 OQlljere fyoulii Ijpe toootig, anti gootilp groueg tie founti: 
 W$z epeg tieligljt, tljat looked on euerp coaff, 
 afllttl) pleafuregs great, anti fapje pjofpect toere lott 
 
 ;3Dn ^ill toe tietoe, farre of botlj feelti anti flooti, 
 ifeele Ijeate 01 colti, anti Co fucfee tip ftoeete a^e: 
 25ei)olti beneatl), great toealtb. anti tooji&lp goofi, 
 »>ee toalleti <3D)tone0, anti loofee on Countries fapje. 
 &n& to&o Co Ot0, o? ftantiss on 9£ountapne Ijpe, 
 Ikatb, Ijalfe a toojlti, in compade of bj'0 epe: 
 Si platfojme matie, of jlJature fo? tlje nonce, 
 (LOlljere man map loolse, on all tfje eartl) at once. 
 
 •flHJeCe raggeti Kocftg, bjingg planned people foojtlj, 
 flDn S^ountatne toplti, tlje Ijartieft tiojte fe bjeti: 
 'flEfjougb, grade tljereon, be grade anti little too$), 
 fetoeete i& tlje footie, toljere ljunger Co isS feti. 
 3Dn rooted ana Ijearbgf, our fartjerg long titti feetie, 
 anti neere tfje fefepe, grotoeg Ctoeetett fruit in tieetie: 
 <3Dn marrifl) meareg, anti toatrie modie grounti, 
 are rotten toeetieg, anti rubbifib ti^ffe fonfounti. 
 
 "flC&e foggejs anti miifa, tljat rife from Sale belotoe, 
 a reafon mafeeg, tljat jjigijett ^illeg are belt: 
 anti toljen fuclj fogged, Uotb o?e tlje apountapne goe, 
 3|n fouleft tiaieg, fapje toeatljec ma? be gelt 
 SL& bitter blattg, on S^ountapneg btgge Uotlj blotoe, 
 fe>o nopfome fntelg, anti fauourgs bjeetie belotoe: 
 W$z lifill ftantijS cleere, anti cleane from ftltbie fmell, 
 Ww finiie not fo, tljat tiot'9 in fflallep DtoelL 
 
 ISfot apountape men, liue longer man? a peere, 
 tlfyn tfcofe in QUale, in plape o\ marrifl) fople: 
 
 94 
 
 a 
 
of Wales. 
 
 Si luftie Ijart, a dearie completion cleere 
 
 %lM Ijaue on i?ill, ttjat fo? IjauH liuinff tople* 
 
 flfllftlj €toe anti 3lambe, toitlj (Boated anti J&m tfje^ plap, 
 
 3|n greatett topleg, to rub out toeacie Dap: 
 
 £nti toljen to tjoufe, anti liome gooa feilotoegs Djatoe, 
 
 Clje latig can lattgij, at turning of a (tcatoe,. 
 
 |2o ap?e Co puce, anti toljolefome a£ tlje %'ll, 
 Both, man ana beatt, aeligijtss to be tljeceon: 
 91n jjeate o? coin, it keeper one nature (till, 
 Crim neate ana a?j>e, ana gap to go tpon* 
 8 place moft fit, fo? pattime anti poo fpojt, 
 Co toljiclj toplH £>tagje, anti Bucfee ootlj (till refojt: 
 Co cupe of ^ountisS, tlje a^ountapne ecco peelDtf, 
 Si grace to flHale, a beautie to tlje feeias* 
 
 3|t (tanag foj toojia, as? tfjougtj a toatcl) it toere, 
 SI (tatelp gara, to feeepe greene metiDotoe mjlD: 
 Clje ^oetg fapne, on ftjoultierg it aotf) beare 
 die %eauen0 Ijje, but tijece tljej? are begupttu 
 Clje maker firtt, of a^ountapne anti of (Hale, 
 9patie %'U a toall, to clip about tlje 2Dale: 
 Si (tcong Defence, toi neeofull fruit ana Come, 
 Cijat elgf bj> blaff, migljt quicfelp be fojlojne* 
 
 3if boptfcoug topbg, toere not toittjftooo bj> (trengtl), 
 1&epul(t bp fojce, anti a^iuen bacfetoaco too, 
 Cljep toouia aettcop, our eactljlp iopeg at lengtlj, 
 J3n& tljjougb, tljeir rage, tliep Vooula much, mifcljiefe aao„ 
 d5oa fatoe toljat fmart, ana griefe tlje eartlj Vooulo. bpfte 
 Bp (turaie ttomtegf, ana pearcing tempe(t0 pjpae: 
 »>o Slpountapness maae, to faue tlje lotoet* fople, 
 f a\ feare tlje eartf), fiboula fuffer tyamefull Cpople, 
 
 ^oto coula toeafce leaueg, ana blollomeg ijang on tree, 
 3|f bopftring topnag, ftjoulti fyatmcljeg fcaplj? beate: 
 
 S^ 2 %oto 
 
 95 
 
The worthines 
 
 ^oto couia pooje CoulejS, in Cottage qufet bee, 
 3lf bjgljer grounass, DfU not aefena tljeir Ceate. 
 aailjo 6uplD0 f)t'0 botoer, rigljt bnaer foote of ijfll, 
 i?atl) little cola, ana toeatljer toarme at toi'll: 
 ^fms* P?oue 31 tjece, tlje Stpountatne frcnactij all, 
 »>tanUsf ttitte gajmtt ffomteg, like tteele 01 bjajen toalL 
 
 $ou map compare, a Iking to Slpountape fjpe, 
 JlfllljoCe pn'ncelp potoer, can bpae botlj bjont and Qjocfee 
 flDf bitter Matt, o\ tlTljunaerbolt from fefepe, 
 %'g jfojtrede ffana<s, fepon To firme a Iftocfce, 
 £ p?ince tjelpsf all, and liotft Co ttconglp Gt, 
 C&at none can fcarme, bp ftauae, bj ft^ce no? toit 
 tRje toeafee mutt leane, toljere ffrengtlj aotf) mott remajme, 
 W-it S^ountagne great, commaunag t|e little papne* 
 
 SL& apountapne tg, a noble ttarelp tljing, 
 %^\v& full of ttoneg, ana Eocfcgf ag Ijara ag tteele: 
 Si peerelejs peece, comparae imto a Iting, 
 S£ato Otss full fatt, on top of jFojtuneg toljeele: 
 feo i& tlje SDale, a place of Cuttle aj?e, 
 Si den of o?o(Te, oft tpmeg mo?e foule tljen fapje: 
 Si aurtie »>ople, toljere toater long aotb, bpbe, 
 get ritcl) tottljall, it cannot be aenpae* 
 
 But toealtb, marg tot't, ana toeajegf out iertue cleane, 
 Sin eating toojme, a Cancfeer patt recure: 
 Si trebble louae, but not a merrie meane, 
 tEljat Sl^uacfe mafee0, but ratljer iarreg procure: 
 Si ttirrer top, of ftrife ana leatta aebate, 
 W$z grouna of toarre, tljat ttajmetb, euerp Cate 
 WiitX) gifte0 ana fytbeg, tljat greeaie glutton feeder 
 ana filleg tlje gut, tofjereon great treaCon bjeeaeg* 
 
 aaiealtlj fottersf pu'ae, ana Ijeaueg top Ijaugljtie tart, 
 Sipa&eg toit ojetoeene, an man beleeue to farre: 
 
 <tntem 
 
 9 6 
 
of Wales. 
 
 dEnfectS tfje tnptU, tottfj tiicc in euecg pact, 
 <&bat qufcUj fetgi, rije fences all at toacce* 
 31 a Ilallep citcb, tfjefe miftbiefegf nouciu)t are, 
 (000 planted peace, on 9£ountapne pooje anti bare: 
 3B? ftoeat of bjotoeg, tlje people liuess on %'ll, 
 ii^ot aefffijt of bjapne, ne craft noj cunning ffeilU 
 
 aflltjete btoelg DiCbapne, biftojb 01 bubble toaieg, 
 25ut tobere ritclj €ub&, ano cucciu) l&acleg ace founti: 
 i&itjece i£ mo?e loue, toljo batlj moje bappie baieg, 
 'EbentboCepoo?eb?>nb0,tbatbi8 - g;eg< anb beluegtbepounb* 
 Pecljap0 pou Tap, Co barb rtje KocfcsS map bee, 
 fez Cojne n$i patte, no? ploup; tijeceon yau fee: 
 get loe tlje ILo^ti, fuclj Meflmg tljece Uot^ pue, 
 'C&at ftoeet content, toitb £Dten Cafeess can liue* 
 
 »>oto?e flfllljep ana Cucbtf, can peelb a fupeb taff, 
 l&ibece ftoeete 9£artcljpane, ag pet toag neuec fenotone: 
 allien emptie p?p, batb bole of 9^il^emb?att, 
 SLtib Ctjeefe anti bjeab, ijatlj bapty of gig otone, 
 % craueg no featf, no? feefcess no banquets fine, 
 ^e can tiifgett, tjiss binner toitljout taint: 
 &o topleg out life, anb lifcess full toell tljig tcabe, 
 jRot fearing: bead), becaufe bte count te mabe,. 
 
 flfllbo Oeepe0 fo founti, a£ be tljat Ijatlj no £>tjeepe, 
 $o? beacb of 25eaff<3, to pafto? anti to feebe: 
 aaitjo fearer tfje Oflloolfe, but be toljo Hambeg botfj keepe, 
 £nb man? an botoec, i& focft to toatcb in beetle, 
 ^bouffb pin be gap, anb co^bpall in big fepnH, 
 ^fje lou"e of toealtb, pppeg long a greebie mj?nO. 
 pjo^e S^ountapne folfce, poCCelTe not fucb peat tto?e, 
 But tobm n# pn, tfjep cace not muclj tbecefoje. 
 
 M 3 Of 
 
 97 
 
The worth ines 
 &$ Of Yale a little to 
 
 befpoken of. 
 
 The names of Tpfc<fc Countrie Yale, Ijatb %'Ue0 anD 9pountapne0 bje, 
 the Riuers of - 1 Entail 5Uallep0 tljere, faue tobere tlje 15joofee0 Do ron: 
 
 KeeriSfarts fe ° matl P &Ptf n B#> *& at a * l& ^ ^P 1 * # b $ 0: 
 
 shropaereV d5oo& <3Eurffe ati& ^eate, on mofiGte g-trountj & toon, 
 Debighfhere, &2ilj er eto itlj gooti fire0, 10 maDe fo? man moft meete, 
 before chirk. ^f, at bucnet^ cleere, anD peelD0 a fauour ftoeete 
 Bridge ^ ^ tfioft tobicb baue, no nofe foj Dapntie fmell, 
 Thiangoth- Cbe finer fojt, toere bett in Court to Dtoell. 
 
 len. 
 
 vanfof Yale ^ t& ^°^ lt l0 C ° l11 ' ^ to6felt Sllt ° tomlie > 
 
 cianweddock %t& Duriue Eocltf, all couereD o?e full Dim: 
 in the fayre akfjere if toinDe blotoe, pe iljall foule toeatljer finDe, 
 vaieof Dufnn % nt} t T)infee pit feele, tbe bitter blatt0 full b?im: 
 a °y d ' receiues But tpurt cola bpte0, tlje fate anD outtoarD ftun, 
 cianweddock %$z ttomaclie loe, i& tljerebp toarm'D toitfn'm 
 andEiwyeby jfoj atll moje meate, tlje Sl^ountajne men DiTjett, 
 
 iftradfb 6 ' ^ en m rtje P la ? ne ' £° u fin!5e awong tlje belt 
 
 Denbigh. 
 
 Raihad comes %re t'0 IjarD toaie0, a0 eartb, anD 2£ounta£ne peelD0, 
 to the vom- ^, ome foftneffe too, a0 trait of foote Ijatlj maDe: 
 Ke^nthieth ® ut t0 $* &>ante0, fo? toalfce no pleafant feelD0, 
 comes into |2o? no great toooD0, to fyjouD tljem in tlje u)aDe. 
 Rayhad. get »>ljeepe anD (Boate0, are plentie Ijere in plate, 
 £nD gooD toelu) jl2ag;!je0, t^at are of tu'nDett race: 
 Sfliitlj poDlp notot, botl) fat anD bigge toitlj bone, 
 'flEljat on IjarD Eocfe0, anD Slpountapne feeDe0 alone* 
 
 flDf Wrythen noto, 31 treate a0 reaCon i0, 
 But lifente traue, to talfee on fuel) a feeate: 
 (Crcufe mp ffeill, toljere pen oj mufe Dotlj mi0, 
 iffllljere ImotoleDge faple0, tlje cunning i0 not great. 
 
 But 
 
 9 s 
 
of Wales. 
 
 But ere 91 ton'te, a berfe bpon tljat £>ogle, 
 31 toill ctpe out, of qcgme tljat all Oott) fpople: 
 ag age toeareg poutlj, and poutlj giueg age tlje place, 
 fe>o 'QEpte loeareg toojld, and dotl) olti toojfcss difgrace,. 
 
 A difcourfe of Tyme. 
 
 O^ratt of ^pme, tljat all confumeg to duft, 
 aflle fcold tljee not, fo? tljou art lialti beljinde: 
 W$z fapjeft »too?d, o? mettall tljou toilt rufl, 
 and bu'gljtett things?, b?ing qtu'cfel? out of minde. 
 W&t trimmed 'flDrtoerjS, and Catfleg great anti gap, 
 3|n pjoceffe long, at lengtlj tljou doeff decap: 
 %ift bluett Ijoufe, anti pu'ncelj> buildings rare, 
 'Qtfjou toatt0 and toearess, anti leaueg tlje toalleg but bare. 
 
 <3D Cancfeer tjple, tfjat creepegf in Ijardeft mold, 
 %ty garble (tone, o? jflint tljp fo?ce fljall feele: 
 ^fjou fjatt a potoer, to pearce anti eate tlje gold, 
 fling dotone tlje ffrong, and mafee tlje ttout to reele, 
 <3D toafting toojme, tljat eatess Ctoeete fcernelg all, 
 and mafeegf tlje j]2ut, to duft and potoder fall: 
 3D glutton great, tljat feedeg on eaclj mang ttoje, 
 and pet tljg felfe, no better art tljerefoje, 
 
 %1>mz all confumeg, and Ijelpg it felfe no toljit, 
 SL& fire b? flame, burned coaleg to flnderg fmall: 
 %1>xt\z ttealeg in man, muclj U'fee an ageto fit, 
 ^at toeareg tlje face, tlje fleuj tlje flu'nne and all. 
 flD tojetcljed rutf, tljat toflt not fcoured bee, 
 3D djeadfull 'QCjme, tlje toojld i£ feard of tljee: 
 'flEljou Singed flat, tlje Ijigljeff %uz tljat grotoeg, 
 and trpumplj makes, on pompe and painted u)otoe& 
 
 But mofl of all, mp mufe dotfj blame tljee noto, 
 for tljjotoing dotone, a rare and goodlp »»eate: 
 
 Bp 
 
 99 
 
The worthines 
 
 2Bp Wrythen ^otone, a nobje Cattle tljjotoe, 
 tEfiat in tpme patt, fjab man? a loogtno; greate, 
 8n& tlTotoerg mott fa^e, tfiat long; a bupUung; toag, 
 Sfliljere note (Bod toot, tljere grotoegf noting; but gcaOTet 
 fQClie ttonc0 Ipe toatte, tlje toalleg feeme-s but a u)ell 
 SDf Ifttle tooftf), to&ere once a jBn'nce mlgijt titoelU 
 
 Of Wrythen, both the Caftle 
 
 and the Towne. 
 
 The came of T%'0 Cattle ttantig, on Kocfee much, Kfee reo Bjt'cfce, 
 wrythen is x %ty 2Dpfee0 ace cut, tottb toole ttjjouffg ft onfe Cragge : 
 
 a marueUou? ^ ^^^ «* &!»«> $« ^alleg MZ IflCffe 3110 ttjtCfee, 
 
 faire and latge ^V toffee it felfe, toould ffjafce a »>ub!'ect0 basse, 
 princely place. 3|f fje toere bent, to bupUi the lute appne: 
 
 3|t rettg on mount, an& loofeegf o?e toooti ana pinmz: 
 It Sad great ttoje, of Ctjamberg finely to?ougljt," 
 "ttljat tpme alone, to great Decay Ijatlj bjougljt, 
 
 3ft ujetoesS toithsn, by Hubble toalle<5 ana toaie£, 
 
 Si aeepe oeuice, DID Rett erect tlje fame: 
 
 %t mafeeg our toojlo, to tljinfee on el&ersf oafegf, 
 
 25ecaufe ttje toojfee, toag fomioe in fuel) a frame. 
 
 flDne totoer o? toall, the ortier anftoerg right, 
 
 &8 tbouglj at call, eacb thing fljould pleafe t&e fight: 
 
 tiEbe l&ocfee fought rouno, tofjere euerp totoer fcotlj ttano, 
 
 &«: foo:th full fine, by Ijeao by tart ano hano. 
 
 There is a g^ fotf faft J, ?> rurm ^ £^5 & ^^ ^^ 
 
 ws'tiT a ' 3in Winter tyme, that ttoelle* anU Cpieatigf the feelD: 
 hath in it a 'flThat toater fure, hath ttirh a fecret gift, 
 kynd of fifli #no fitch rare jf iu), in feafon Due tooth peelti, 
 
 &$ i$ mott ttraunge: let men of fenotoleoge noto 
 
 that no other 
 water can 
 
 ihewe. ®Z Cwcti hi'o caufe, fearch out tlje nature tiptoe: 
 
 29? 
 
of Wales. 
 
 a poole tfcere ia, though, toljiclj tljis Clopd dotlj paife, 
 OOlijece i0 a jfiftj, tljat tome a QjQlijiting call: 
 flMjece neuec pet, no Gammon taken toa0, 
 get fjatlj good ttoje, of otljec jfiu)e0 all 
 Sivmz tljat Poole, and fo beneath tljat flood 
 ace »>ammon0 caugljt, and manp a 5fiit» Ml good: 
 25ut in tlje lame, tljece Ml no Gammon bee, 
 Sim neece tftat pole, pou fljall no Siting fee. 
 
 31 Ijatte left ottt, a Iftiuec and a flHale, a Rmer called 
 
 ana botlj of tljem, ace fapce anti toojrtjfe note: Me y ja > in the 
 
 flfliljo toill tljem feelse, fljall find tfjem (till m Yale, valley of Yale - 
 
 Wcjtf) beac? fuel) fame, tljep map not be forgot, 
 ^Ije Hjtfuec runnel, a mple rigtjt bnder ground, 
 Sinn toljece it fp?inp0, tlje iffue dotlj abound: 
 an& into 2Dee, ttji0 toatec dotlj dt'ffend, 
 •o>o lofetlj name, and tljecein make0 an end. 
 
 (0ooa gcound li&efouTe, tijt0 Mallep feeme0 to bee, The valI of 
 
 and manp aman, of toealtD i0dtoelu'ngtljece: Yaie. v 
 
 «3Dn Q^ountapne top, tlje fllMlep fljall pott fee 
 ail ouer greene, toi'tlj goodlp 9$eddotoe0 feace* 
 %W Halle? Ijatf), a noble neighbour neece, 
 Qfllljemn tlje ^totone, of Wrythen dotlj appeere: 
 afllljiclj ^otone ttand0 toell, ano toant0 no pleafant apje, 
 %ty noble »ople, ano Countcep 10 fo fapje. 
 
 a CljUCCl) tljece 10, in Wrythen at tbi0 dap, 
 
 aaitjecein Hojd Gray, tljat once toa0 (Earle of Ifcent, itm lyesLre. 
 
 3jn <3£ombe of ttone, amid tlje Cljauncell lap: 
 
 But Qnce cemou'd, a0 toojldlp mattec0 Voent, 
 
 and in a toall, fo lapd a0 noto Ije lpe0 
 
 ftigljt Ijand of £&ueece, full plapne before pour epe0: An Anckres 
 
 an Anckres too, tljat nece tljat toall did dtoell, in King H en - 
 
 afllitl) trim to^ougljt toojfee, m toall 10 bucped toelL rie * e foar ^ 
 
 & ifroto 
 
 he 
 
 re. 
 
The worthines 
 
 j]20to tO tlje Hale, Of toOJtljte Dyfifrin Cloyd, 
 
 S®» mufe mutt palle, a »>ople mott vitti) anD gap: 
 'flEljte noble »>eate, tljat neuer none anopo, 
 The pieafant %%&t fatoe t&e fame, anU tooe n\ toent tljat toap: 
 ciod fDiffrin *^ e ^^ thereof, To mucl) contents the mpnD, 
 'flTlje apje therein, Co toljolefome ana Co fepnti: 
 W$z beautie fuel), tlje bjeafctlj an& lengtlj lifeetoife, 
 9$afce0 glad tlje I) art, anti pleafetlj eaclj man0 epe0, 
 
 djt'0 ©ale ootl) reaclj, fo farre in tetoe of man, 
 £0 lje farre of, ma? fee tlje fe>ea0 in oeeoe: 
 ano toljo a toljile, fo? pleasure trauaple can 
 'SEljjouffljout tiji0 ©ale, anti thereof take gootr Ijeetie, 
 %t fyall Delist, to fee a »>oi?le fo fine, 
 ifo? ffrounu ano graffe, a paflmg; plot oeuine. 
 #n& if tlje trotlj, thereof a man map tell, 
 %W ©ale alone, ootl) all tlje reff e^celU 
 
 The vaie #0 it belotoe, a toonUjou0 beautie fl&otoeg, 
 
 throughly de- ^ ^^ aj)m ^ ^ p acr j t m bUZ fOltU 
 
 cn e " *2Dn euerp floe, a<s farre a0 ©alley eroegf, 
 SI bo^er bt'ffffe, of I?tlle0 je fyall beljolti: 
 %fal> feeepe tlje ©ale, in fuel) a qufet fojt, 
 '(Efiat biro0 anti beattgf, foj fuccour tljere refojt: 
 gea fioc&0 of foule, ano t)earo0 of beatt0 fometpme, 
 2D?atoe0 tljere from tto?me, tolien tempett0 are in pjpme. 
 
 Three Riuers ^?« B,iuer0 run, amio tlje bottome Ijeere, 
 
 in this Vale. Iftrade, aMl Cloyd, Clanweddock (loe) t\)Z t\)iVt) I 
 
 a naturaii fe- ^> e no Pfe ot " ttreame0, in £»ommer morning tleere, 
 cret touched, ^fie cljirp ano cljarme, ano tljaunt of euerp biro 
 'Eljat patted) tfjere, a fecono ^eauen i0: 
 Mo liellifi!) founU, moje lifee an eartfjlp bli0: 
 Si apuQcfc ftseete, tijat tljjouff^ our eare0 fyall creepe, 
 Bp fecret arte, ano lull a man a Ueepe* 
 
 The 
 
of Wales. 
 The Caftle of Cargoorley 
 
 in DenbighJJiiere, 
 
 CArgoorley COttteg, ttff|)t noto tO patTe ttt£ pett, 
 aflltt!) raggeti toalleg, pea all to rent anti tojne: 
 £0 tljougl) it foati, bin neuer fcnotone to men, 
 <D? carelette left, a<s tojetcljeti tijing: fojlojne: 
 Hifce begpr bare, a# nafeeti ajS mp naple, 
 31t lpe0 along, toijofe tojacfce Uotb, none betoaple, 
 But it u)e fenetoe, to toljom it tiotf) pertapne, 
 (ffllljat royalties, anti Ijono^ tiotf) remapne 
 Unto tljat »>eate, it fifjoulU tepa^eti bee, 
 jFo? furtljer cauCe, tljen common people fee* 
 
 But Conti^'e tljinp, tljat are full farce from figljt, 
 £re out of mjmti, anti cleane fojpt in fine: 
 feo fuclj ass baue, tljereto but little rirjljt, 
 ^offeffe tlje fame, bp leauell anti bp line, 
 k)i el0 bp fjap, oj fuite ag often fallen: 
 But toljat of tljat, Cargoorleys rotten toalless 
 Can neuer tying, Ijig betters in tiifpute, 
 'QCljat batfj percljaunce, iin got bp Ijap oj fute: 
 £>o reft poll mure, anti fpeake no furtljer Ijeere, 
 Heatt bp tljeCe toojtigf, fome Ijititien tljougljtjS appeere. 
 
 %in$$ siut anti take, fo tpme ftill rouletlj on, 
 (Boon »>ubie(t0 ferue, fo? fometoljat moje o? leffe: 
 £n& toljen toe fee, our fatljerg olti are pn, 
 3Pf tpme to come, toe Ijatte a greater pu"e* 
 firft Soto to gajne, bp pjefent tpme and date, 
 'flTljen toljat map fall, bp futer tyme anti Hate: 
 'QEpme patt grotoeg coin, anti fo tlje toojlti lufeetoarme 
 2Dotj) Ijelpe it felfe, by Caftle, Ijoufe o? farme: 
 'flRiat read) ig( poti, tbat rule mp frentis (Bon fenti, 
 Mlljicj) toell bz$in, anti mafeejs a bertuoug enlu 
 
 |5 2 flD 
 
 Thomas Sa- 
 lef burie of 
 Lleweni. 
 Robert Salef- 
 burie of Ba- 
 chenbid. 
 Foulk Lloyd 
 of Houllan. 
 Piers Holland 
 of Kynmel. 
 Piers Owen of 
 Abergele. 
 Edward The- 
 Icall of Beren. 
 William Wyn 
 of Llamuaire. 
 Elis Price of 
 Spitty. 
 
 Iohn Middle- 
 ton. 
 
The worthines 
 
 /^Denbigh noto, appeare rt)? turne 10 nejct, 
 ^31 neede no gloft, no? tyade to fet tljee out: 
 ifoj ft m? pen, toe follotoe pla?nett tejt, 
 £nd paffe nejt toa?, and goe notljing about, 
 ^Ijou fyalt be fenotone, a0 toojtljfe toell tljou art, 
 'GClje noblett »>oj?le, tljat fjs m an? part: 
 £nd fo? tljp feeate, and Cattle Doe compare, 
 clfliftfj an? one, of Wales toljat ere tlje? ace* 
 
 %\)i$ Cattle ttand0, on top of Iftocfee mott |i?e, 
 The ftrongeft £ m j g jj t fe cragge, a0 Ijard a0 flint o? fteele: 
 
 lhateuerttn % matRE rn0Unt > toI J 0ft a ° n ^ f ° *»P e ° ri J ^ 
 
 beheld. 'QEijat no deuice, map toell tye bottom feele, 
 
 <3Tlje Eocfee difcend0, beneatb, rtje auncfent Intone, 
 about tlje toljicl), a ttatel? toall 5000 dotone, 
 &21ittj buglOingsf great, and potterne0 to ttje fame, 
 l^ljat goe0 tljjouffl) Kocfce, to pie it greater fame, 
 
 31 toant poti too?d0, and reaCon0 apt tfjerefoje, 
 3Jt felfe Ctjall ffjetoe, tlje fubttance of m? tale: 
 But ?et mj> pen, mutt tell fjere fometotjat moje, 
 flDf Cattle0 pjatfe, a0 3| fjaue rpofie of Hale, 
 Markewei the si ttrengtlj of ttate, ten t?me0 a0 ttrong a0 fa??e, 
 
 taS 1 of ^ et tme aiti3 fine ' to *^ aub6l€ toalle!S ful1 ^ feke » 
 thYfamf. 3U fee tam# trim, to tafee tfje open a??e, 
 
 St^aUe of JFceettone, and not of burned ©jt'cfee: 
 
 Mo bu?ldmg tljere, but fuel) a0 man mi'pt fa?, 
 
 'flElje toojfee thereof, tooutii latt till Judgement dap, 
 
 <Wbt feeate fo fure, not fubiect to a Ifeill, 
 |2o? ?et to 3l£?ne, no? fo?ce of Cannon blatt: 
 aflJmjin tljat Ijoufe, ma? people toalfe at tofll, 
 and ttand full fafe, till daunger all be patt. 
 3|f Cannon rojde, 0? barfct againtt tlje toall, 
 f rend0 tljere ma? fa?, a figge fo? enemie0 all: 
 fine men tonkin, ma? feeepe out number0 greate, 
 (3fn furiou0 Cojt) tljat u)all appjoari) tfjat £>eate. 
 
 104 
 
 ftftlijo 
 
of Wales. 
 
 afllljo ttanag on Hotfee, ana loofceg rigljt aotone alone, 
 
 artjatt rtjinfee ftelotoe, a man i& but a ejjila: 
 
 31 fougbt mp felfe, fcom top to fling a (lone 
 
 flj&lmj Ml mapne fojee, ana get 31 toag begupia* a P »aife b y 
 
 3f fuel) a fjeigljt, tlje migljtie l&ocfee be tljan, the A " thor 
 
 iRe fojee noi Height, no? ttout attentpt of man, proue ' 
 
 Can toin the jfo?t, if tjoufe be furnififjt tljjoto, 
 
 Cije troth tobereof, let toojla be toitnetCe note* 
 
 3It 10 great papne, from foote of l&otfee to tip me 
 
 Co Cattle to aft, ana it & gceatec tople 
 
 flDn Eotfce to goe, pea anp ttep fometpme 
 
 flHpjightlp pet, toittjout a faule oj fople* 
 
 £na as tW »>eate, ana Cattle ttconglp ffanosf, 
 
 ^aft toinning fuce, toitlj engin ftooja o? tjanogf: 
 
 »>o lootes ft o?e, tlje Countcep facte oi neece, 
 
 #na »>5tne0 like Cojtlj, ana Hantecne of tlje »>Ijeece» 
 
 A great glorie 
 
 flfliberefo^e Denbigh, thou beactt atoap tlje pjaife, gmen to Den- 
 
 Denbigh bath got, tie gaclana of out DaiejS: bi s h - 
 
 Denbigh reaped fame, ana latofce a tboufano toaieg, 
 Denbigh mp pen, tmto the Clotoaeg lt»all raife* 
 %ty Cattle tljete, couia i in o^ec fcjatoe, 
 3ft ihoula Curatount, noto all ttjat ece 31 fatoe* 
 
 ^ Of Valey Cruets Thlangothlan, and 
 the Caftle Dynofebrane. 
 
 T^t great oeCre, to fee Denbigh at full, 
 1 2Dia ajatoe mp mufe,ftom otljec mattec true: 
 But a0 tfjat Gght, mp mpna atoap m'D pull 
 jfcom fonnec tbingg, 31 fhoula p^efent to pou* 
 feo ouetie bifcjS, a tojitec to be plapne, 
 &na tbing0 left out, to tall to mpna agapne: 
 Thlangothlan then, mutt pet tome onte in plate, 
 jfoj Diuerg note& tfjat giueg tbigf booke fome gcate* 
 
 ^ 3 &n 
 
 105 
 
The worthines 
 
 The Abbey of && &hbty nere, tljat S^ountapne totone tljere is, 
 vaiey Crucis. flfllljofe toalles pet ffanO, anti lleeple too lifcetoife: 
 But toljo tljat ri&es, to fee tlje trotlj of tfjis, 
 »>t)all tbjnke Ije mounts, on tilled into tlje »>&i?es. 
 iFoj toljen one Ijill, beljino pour bacfce pou fee, 
 £notljer corner, ttoo tpmes as Ijpe as tee: 
 Sinn in one place, tlje S^otmtapnegf ftanD fo tljere, 
 31n rountmetfe fuel), as ft a Cockpit toere, 
 
 ^ijeir Ijfgljt is great, anti full of narrotoe toaies, 
 #n& fteepe Uotone rigfjt, of fojee pe muft tiefcenii: 
 feome Ijoufes are, buplt tfjetre but of late bales, 
 jfull bnDerneatlj, tlje monttrous apountapnes en&: 
 amia tljem all, ana tljofe as man ma? gelfe, 
 Sflltjen rapne aotl) fall, aotlj ttanli in foje fciftrrtTe: 
 5fo? migljtie firearms, runnes o?e bottj tjoufe ana trjatclj, 
 aailjen foj ttjeic Hues, pooje men on liilles mud toatctj, 
 
 came Dy- 25*2>ana tlje fame, antj jet on %'ll full tjpe, 
 nofebraen. £ Cattle lianas, an ola anti rupnous ttjing: 
 
 "STljat tjaugljtie tjoufe, toas buplt in toeattjers epe, 
 a pjetie pple, ana pleafure toi a Iking, 
 a Jfojt, a »>trengtl), a ttrong ana ttatelp !?oia 
 3jt toas at firft, ttjougtj noto it is full olb: 
 ®n l&ocfee alone, full farre from ottjer amount 
 3jt ffanas, toljtclj ujetoes, it toas of great account 
 
 a goodly Sertoeene tlje Intone, ana £&bep built it teas, 
 
 The Towne l^jat tmaecneatlj, a Bjiage of ftone aotlj paile, 
 and the bridge &na Hill on Koc&e, tlje toater runnes pou fee 
 w ;th the vyo- # toonajouS toap, a tiling full rare ana ff raunge, 
 forefhT' 56 ' ^& at ^^ z ^not, tlje coucfe of toater cljaunge: 
 Towne. JFor in tlje ffreame, tjuge Hones ana IRocfes remapne, 
 ^Ijat baefctoara migtjt, tlje ftooa of fojee conttrarme. 
 
 from 
 1 06 
 
of Wales. 
 
 fcom tljence to Cftic&e, ace Sl^ountapncjS all a cotoe, 
 &$ tljougft iit tanfee, anO battaile S^ountajmejS ffooO : 
 &nO ouec tljem, tfie bittec tomta Ootlj blotoe, 
 anu tofjicless bettoftt, tfie balleg anO tfje tooolu 
 Cljic&e 10 a place, tbat pacts anotbec £>f)eece, 
 Sim a0 bj? Itancl), anO amount Hurt) toell appeece: 
 3|t kept tJjofe bounty, fcom fojcatme foyre anO potoec, 
 ^t)at men migljt fleepe, in fucetie euecp botoec. 
 
 %Ce Denbighfhiere, Oepactg fCOttt tojiteCjS pen, 
 
 £nO Flintfhiere noto, comeg fyauelj? maccljing in, 
 QZUitf) Caffles fine, toitfj pjopec tlTotoneg anO men, 
 ffiOiljeceof in fcecfe, mp mattec mud begin: 
 $ot to? to t*apne, anO pleaCe tbe tenOec eacess, 
 25ut to be plapne, ag too^log epe toitnette beaceg: 
 j£ot by ^eueCap, as fables ace fet out, 
 2Sut bp poo pjoofe, of ietoe to bojjti a Oout* 
 
 Yy^en »>ommec ftoeete, fjatf) blotone oje aaiintecs blaft, 
 
 v £nD toaies toaje bacO, tbat noto ace foft anO foule: 
 afllljen calmie &fcpes, faptb bittec ffojmes ace paff, 
 £nli ClotoOes toaje cleece, tljat noto tiotf) lotoje anti ffeoule, 
 2£p mufe 31 tjope, ffjall be reuiu'Oe againe, 
 ^jjat noto Ipeg OeaO, o? rocfct a Ceepe toitfj paine* 
 jfoj labouc long, batlj toeacieO fo tbe toit, 
 ttljat OWous Ijeati, a toljile in ceil mutt &t: 
 But toljen tlje £>pjing, comes on toitlj netoe Uelite, 
 gou fijall fcom me, beace toljat mp mufe Oottj tojite* 
 
 %ce en&etf) mp tt'ctt bOO&e Oftlje worthines of Wales : toljfcl) 
 
 being toel tafeen,toil encoucageme to fet fo?tb anotbenintoljiclj 
 too& not onlg tlje cett of tbe pieces (tljat noto ace not tojitten 
 of)u)albe oj&eclgput in p?int,but lifeetoife all g'auncient&cmes 
 of (Gentlemen tljece in genecal u)albe plainly tiefccibeUi fet out, 
 to the open tietoe of tlje too?lO, if (000 pecmit me life anO bealtb, 
 totoac&s the finiu)ing of fo gceat a labouc, 
 
 FINIS. Thomas Churchyard. 
 
 A little fpuke 
 of Flintfhiere. 
 
 The Author 
 fell ficke here. 
 
 The writer 
 takes here 
 breath till a 
 better feafon 
 femes. 
 
 107 
 
ChirrcWds 
 
§>pett0et ^ocietp. 
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS, 1875-76. 
 
 A DAMS, Dr. Ernest, Anson road, Victoria 
 
 ■"• park, Manchester 
 
 Adamson, Edward, Rye, Sussex 
 
 Adnitt, H. W., Lystonville, Shrewsbury. 
 
 Ainsworth, R. F., M.D., Lower Broughton, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Aitchison, William John, II, Buckingham terrace, 
 Edinburgh 
 
 Akroyd, Colonel Edward, M.P., Halifax, York- 
 shire 
 
 Alexander, John, 79, Regent street West, Glasgow 
 
 Alexander, Walter, 29, St. Vincent place, Glasgow 
 
 BAIN, James, 1, Haymarket, London, 
 S.W. 
 Baker, Charles, F.S.A., 11, Sackville street, 
 
 London, W. 
 Baltimore, Peabody Institute at (per Mr. E. G. 
 
 Allen, 12, Tavistock row, Covent Garden, 
 
 London, W. C.) 
 Birmingham Central Free Library 
 Birmingham Library (per Mr. A. Dudley, librarian) 
 Blackman, Frederick, 4, York road, London, S.E. 
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 Son and Co.) 
 Bremner, John A., Albert street, Manchester, 
 
 Hon. Sec. 
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 Buckley, Rev. Joseph, Sopworth rectory, Chip- 
 penham 
 Buckley, Rev. William Edward, M.A., Rectory, 
 
 Middleton Cheney, Banbury 
 
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 ^-' club, London, S.W. 
 
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 mingham 
 
 Chamberlain, John Henry, Christ church build- 
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 Manchester 
 
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 holm, Glasgow 
 
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 marnock, N.B. 
 
 Coleridge, Lord, 1, Sussex square, London, W. 
 
 Cook, Jas. W., 34, Eastcheap, London, E.C. 
 
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 Stand, near Manchester 
 
 Cosens, F. W., 27, Queen's gate, London, W, 
 
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 vendish street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Man- 
 chester, President 
 
 "T\ARBYSHIRE, Thomas, Manchester 
 
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 Prescot 
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 Chesterfield 
 
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 -*— ' London, N. 
 
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 W. 
 Glasgow University Library (per Mr. James Macle- 
 
 hose, Glasgow) 
 Gottingen, University Library per Messrs. Triibner 
 
 and Co., London 
 Gratrix, Samuel, 25, Alport town, Deansgate, 
 
 Manchester 
 
 LJAILSTONE, Edward, F.S.A., Walton hall, 
 -*■ Wakefield, Yorkshire 
 Harrison, William, F.S.A., Samlesbury hall, near 
 Preston 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS FOR 1 875-76. 
 
 Hardcastle, Edward, M.P., Manchester. 
 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S., Watkinson Library 
 
 at (per Mr. E. G. Allen) 
 Hatton, James, Richmond house, Higher Brough- 
 
 ton, Manchester 
 Hewitt, William, Hill side, Fallowfield 
 Houldsworth, C. J. , Barclay house, Eccles 
 
 TRELAND, Alexander, Manchester 
 
 JACKSON, H. B., Basford house, Whalley 
 
 J Range, Manchester 
 
 Jackson, R.D., 4, Stanhope street, Hyde park 
 
 gardens, London 
 Jenner, C, Easter Duddington lodge, Edinburgh - 
 Johnson, Richard, Langton oaks, Fallowfield, 
 
 Manchester, Treasurer 
 Jones, Herbert, 1, Church court, Clement's lane, 
 
 London, E.C. 
 Jones, Joseph, Abberley hall, Stourport 
 Jordan, Peter A., Philadelphia, U.S. (per Triib- 
 
 ner and Co. , Paternoster row, London, E. C. ) 
 
 TZ'ERSHAW, James, Holly house, Bury Old 
 ■*•*■ road, Manchester 
 
 Kershaw, John, Audenshaw, near Manchester 
 Kershaw, John, Park house, Willesden lane, 
 
 London, N.W. 
 King, James, 12, Claremont terrace, Glasgow 
 King's inns library, Henrietta street, Dublin 
 Knight, Joseph, 27, Camden square, London, 
 
 N.W. 
 
 T EECH, Dr., Elm house, Whalley Range, 
 
 - L ' Manchester 
 
 Lees, Samuel, junr., Parkbridge, Ashton-under- 
 Lyne 
 
 Leigh, Colonel Egerton, M. P. , Jodrell hall, near 
 Congleton, Cheshire 
 
 Leigh, John, Whalley Range, Manchester 
 
 Lingard, J. R., 12, Booth street, Piccadilly, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Lingard, R. B. M., 12, Booth street, Piccadilly, 
 Manchester 
 
 Lockwood and Co. , 7, Stationers' hall court, Lon- 
 don, E.C. 
 
 lY/TcCOWAN, David, 7, Lynedoch crescent, 
 
 ivl Glasgow 
 
 Mackenzie, John Whitefoord, 16, Royal circus, 
 
 Edinburgh 
 Maclure, John William, Cross street, Manchester 
 Manchester Free Library, Campfield 
 Marsden, Rev. Canon, B.D., F.R.S.L., Great 
 
 Oakley, near Harwich, Essex 
 
 Moody, John, 353, Bath street, Glasgow. 
 Mounsey, R. N., 3, Castle street, Carlisle 
 Muntz, George H. M., Church hill house, Hands- 
 worth, Birmingham 
 
 NAPIER, George W., Merchistoun, Alderley 
 Edge 
 Neill, Robert, Northumberland street, Higher 
 
 Broughton, Manchester 
 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Literary and Philosophical 
 
 Society (per Mr. Lyall, librarian) 
 Newhaven, Yale College, Connecticut, U.S. (per 
 
 Mr. E. G. Allen) 
 New York, Clinton Hall Library at (per Sampson 
 
 Low, Son and Marston, 188, Fleet street, 
 
 London, E.C.) 
 New York Mercantile Library (per Mr. E. G. 
 
 Allen) 
 Nicholl, George W., The Ham, Cowbridge, 
 
 Glamorganshire 
 Nichols, George W., Augusta house, Rotherhithe, 
 
 London, S.E. 
 
 (~\AKEY, John, jun., Westminster Bridge road, 
 
 ^-^ London, S.E. 
 
 Owens College Library, Oxford street, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Oxford Union Society (per Mr. Thomas Harris, 
 steward) 
 
 DAINE, Cornelius, 9, Lewes crescent, Kemp 
 
 Town, Brighton 
 Palin, Captain, Police office, Manchester 
 Panton, G. A., 25, North bridge, Edinburgh 
 Pattinson, Thomas, Moss grange, Whalley Range, 
 
 Manchester 
 Peace, Maskell W., Green hill, Wigan 
 Peel, George, Soho foundry, Manchester 
 Phillipps, J. O. Halliwell, 11, Tregunter road, 
 
 London, S.W. 
 Portico Library, Mosley street, Manchester 
 Priaulx, O. de Beauvoir, 8, Cavendish square, 
 
 London, W. 
 
 QUARITCH, Bernard, 15, Piccadilly, Lon- 
 don, W. 
 
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 chester 
 
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 Piccadilly) 
 
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 tham Hill, Manchester 
 
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LIST OF MEMBERS FOR 1 875-76. 
 
 Robinson, Samuel, Black Brook cottage, Wilmslow 
 Russell, Thomas, 14, India street, Glasgow 
 Rylands, Fred., Noel road, Edgbaston, Birming- 
 ham 
 
 CCHOFIELD, Thomas, Thornfield, Old Traf- 
 
 v -' ford, Manchester 
 
 Sewell, John C, 27, Brown street, Manchester 
 
 Simms, Charles E., King street, Manchester 
 
 Simpson, Joseph, Manchester 
 
 Slingluff, C. B., Baltimore (per Mr. B. F. Stevens, 
 
 London) 
 Smith, Charles, Faversham, Kent 
 Snelgrove, A. G. , London Hospital, London, E. 
 Sotheran, Henry, 136, Strand, London, W.C. 
 Stevens, B. F., 4, Trafalgar square, London, W.C. 
 Stewart, A. B., 5, Buchanan street, Glasgow 
 Sullivan, Right Hon. Edward, 32, Fitzwilliam 
 
 place, Dublin 
 Swindells, George H., Oak villa, Heaton Chapel, 
 
 near Stockport 
 
 "TAYLOR, Edward, Sunny bank, Rochdale 
 -*■ Thorpe, Rev. J. F., Heme hill vicars 
 Faversham, Kent 
 
 vicarage, 
 
 Turner, Robert S., I, Park square, Regent's park, 
 London, N.W. 
 
 ATEITCH, George Seton, 2, Oswald road, Ediu- 
 
 burgh 
 Vienna, Imperial Library at (per Asher and Co., 
 
 13, Bedford street, Covent Garden, London, 
 
 W.C.) 
 
 WASHINGTON, U.S., Library of Congress at 
 vv (per Mr. E. G. Allen) 
 
 Watson, Robert S., 101, Pilgrim street, Newcastle- 
 on-Tyne 
 
 Weston, George, 9, Gray's Inn square, London, 
 W.C. 
 
 Whitaker, W.Wilkinson, Cornbrook house, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Wilbraham, Henry, Chancery office, Manchester 
 
 Williams and Norgate, 14, Henrietta street, Cov- 
 ent Garden, London, W. C. 
 
 Wood, Richard, Whalley Range, Manchester 
 
 Wood, Richard Henry, F. S.A., Penrhos house, 
 Rugby 
 
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 London, W. 
 
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 ^COUNCIL. 
 
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 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 /„„, For the First Year 1867-8. 
 
 1. The Proverbs and Epigrams of John Hey wood, Reprinted from the Original 
 
 Edition of 1362. t , ,' ■ 
 
 2. The Works of John Taylor the Water Poet. Reprinted from the Folio Edition 
 
 of 1630. Part I. f 
 
 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 I) 
 
 3 Zepheria. Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1594. 
 
 For the- Third Year 1869-70. 
 
 6. The 'EKATOMnAeiA or PassiiOnfte" Centuri'e ; of Love, by Thomas Watson. 
 
 Reprinted from the Original Edition of (circa) 1581. 
 
 7. Works of John Taylor the Water4^jD|ifeno't included in the Folio Volume of 
 
 1630. Reprinted from the OiMnal:* Editions.: First Collection. 
 
 For the Fourth Year 187071.* 
 
 8. A Haftdefull of Pleasant, Delites, by -Clement Robinson, and divers oth.eis. 
 
 Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1584. 
 9.. Juvenilia : Poems by George Wither,, .contained in the collections of his 
 
 Jwuenilia which appeared in 1626 and 1633. Part I. , v' 
 10. Juvenilia : Poems by George Wither. Part. II. 
 
1 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 issue 'For the Fifth ; Year .18 f 1-2 J 
 
 ii. Juveii;i|a, ; ;: .Poem^ r by,>-Qeorge Wither, contained in the collections of his 
 \'' i ^yj^«^»jWnrck^peared!ini6ilSa^ir6|'3/' Pari III, 
 
 12. Misc^H^ebus Works of George Wither. 4 Reprinted &6to the Original Editions. 
 
 First Collection. ■- —» • * K >■ 
 
 ' For the Sixth Year 1872-3. 
 
 13. Miscellaneous Works of George Wither. .Reprinted from the Original Editions. 
 • ^Second Collection. '■"-•.. .v f: », ■" 
 
 14.'. Works; Of John Taylor the W^terPget^not^inbluded in the Folic- Volume of 
 ': 1630. Reprinted. from the Origihal ''Editions! t Second Collection. 
 
 "v For dhe , Seventh Year - 185 r $-*4? '>- , 
 
 15. Flovyers of Ep.igrammes, oyt'of stindrie 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 .18.74-5. ' 
 
 17. Belvedere; or,: The Garden iof -the J'Muses. By John Bodenham. Reprinted 
 
 > ;, frorn.the prigj^al Edition of 1600. , , . v 
 
 AfisceTlaneous Works' of George Wither. Reprinted fi 
 
 18. Afiscellaneous Works' of George Wither. Reprinted from the Original Editions. 
 ■Fqwjth Collection. „ . . . 
 
 . , , For the Ninth Year ,187^-6. 
 
 19.' Works of 'John TayJ^r'thelWater^oest,;. not ^nejuded ifa the Folio Volume of 
 
 1630..,' Repjin^ed'from .the Original Editions. Third Collection. 
 20. The" Wofthines of Wales. By' Thomas 'Churchyard. Reprinted from the 
 ■, % original edition of 1587. 
 
 diaries Simuts &* £<>., /fruiters, {}, . A'ing Street. Munchester. 
 
#ublicatton£ of tfje Spenser 3>octetp 
 
 Issue No. 2$ 
 
 THULE, 
 
 OR 
 
 VERTUES HISTORIE 
 
 BY FRANCIS ROUS. 
 
 One hundred and fifty copies only. 
 
 :**->' :• 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY. 
 
 1878 > , 
 
THULE, 
 
 OR 
 
 VERTUES HISTORIE 
 
 BY FRANCIS ROUS. 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY, 
 M.DCCC.LXXVIII. 
 
 3 
 
 /£>Vvs, 
 
Printed by Charles E. Simms. 
 Manchester. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 FRANCIS ROUS, whose Thule was written in his 
 1 6th and published in his 19th year, was one of the 
 earliest of the imitators of Spenser. Only two years 
 elapsed between the appearance of the second quarto of 
 the Fairy Queen and that of the Poem of which a reprint 
 follows. Its rarity probably caused it to be unknown to 
 Anthony Wood, and, with the exception of Thomas Park, 
 who has given extracts from it in the Restituta}- and styles 
 it a Poem of considerable merit, it has received little 
 notice from Critics or Bibliographers. Yet it is undoubt- 
 edly, with all its imperfections — which are pardonable 
 enough from the early age of the Author — a work of pro- 
 mise, and, as the production of one whose subsequent 
 career placed him amongst the conspicuous characters of 
 a memorable period of our history, cannot but be deserv- 
 ing of attentive examination. 
 
 Of the life of the writer a volume might be written, so 
 various and entensive are the materials for his Bio- 
 graphy, 2 but for the purposes of this brief introduction the 
 exhaustive labours of Messrs. Boase and Courtney, in the 
 very valuable second volume of their Bibliotheca Cornu- 
 
 1 Restituta, vol. iv, pp. 7-458. 
 
 2 I have to thank my friend Mr. J. E. Bailey, F.S.A., for several useful 
 communications regarding Rous, but which the limits of this notice pre- 
 clude my turning to account as much as I could have wished. 
 
iv Introduction. 
 
 biensis (1878), under the head of Francis Rous to which 
 reference must be made, simply render it necessary to 
 state that he was the son of Sir Anthony Rous of Halton, 
 Cornwall, knight, by his first wife Elizabeth Southcote, 
 and was born at Dittisham, Devon, in the year 3 1579,* 
 and that he died, being then Provost of Eton, at Acton, 
 near London, 7 January, 1658-9, and was buried in Pro- 
 vost Lupton's Chapel, Eton College Church, on the 25th 
 of the same month. 5 
 
 His first appearance in print was as the author of the 
 following Sonnet, prefixed to " Sir Francis Drake his 
 honourable life's commendation," &c. (Oxford, 1596, 8vo). 
 Sir Anthony was the circumnavigator's executor, and this 
 Life was written by the Divine and Poet Charles Fitz 
 Geoffrey, who appears to have been the clerical friend 
 of the Rous Family. 
 
 To C. F. 
 
 When to the bankes of fweete Elyftum 
 
 Came worthy Drake, to get his paffage there, 
 
 The ferriman denied his ghoft to come, 
 
 Before his exequies folemniz'd were : 
 
 3 The Registers of this Parish do not begin till 1650, and therefore 
 do not afford any assistance in ascertaining the exact day or month of 
 his birth. 
 
 4 There is a Note in Camden's Visitation of Cornwall (Harl. Soc. p. 
 495) to say that Francis Rous married Ebbot Greynville, daughter of 
 George Greynville. Esq., of Penheale, on the 2nd April, 161 2, but if the 
 date is correct how came it to be omitted by Camden ? 
 
 5 His very interesting Will is given in Notes and Queries, 1st Series 9, 
 440, and should be consulted by everyone who wishes to form an esti- 
 mate of his character. 
 
Introduction. v 
 
 But none t'adome his funerall hearfe did prove ; 
 And long he fate vpon the hapleffe fhoare, 
 Vntill thy Mufe (whome pittie ftill did move) 
 Helpt thee to rife, and him to reft no more : 
 And fent her mournefull teares unto his ghoft, 
 
 And fweete (though fad) complaintes, as exequies, 
 Paffing him to thofe fields which long he loft, 
 And won his foule the ioy, thy pen the prife : 
 So ftill thy funeralles fhall adorne his name, 
 And ftill his funeralles fhall enlarge thy fame. 
 
 Francis Rous. 
 
 In 1598 Thule came out, 6 but, contrary to the usual 
 custom at the time, where Poets, particularly young Poets, 
 were concerned, without any encomiastic verses from the 
 Author's admirers and friends. No doubt 7 Fitz Geoffrey's 
 
 6 The title page to the first book in its first state had only his initials 
 "F. R." as they stand in the title page to the second book, but in its 
 second state, as in Malone's copy in the Bodleian, from which that of 
 the reprint is taken, it has his name Rous in full. 
 
 7 The following lines noticing Thule were afterwards printed by Fitz 
 Geoffrey in his Affanice (1601, i2mo). 
 
 Ad Francifcum Rovsoevm. 
 
 Ecquid, vt in patria Thamarini fluminis vndce 
 
 Nuda fuperfufis corpora tingis aquis, 
 Marmoreifq ; fecas fluctus, cohibefq ; lacertis 
 
 Atq. ; agili falias per freta fumma pede ; 
 Dum pectus candore nivis mirantur, et artus 
 
 Nou credam Paphios obftupuiffe cycnos ? 
 At dum lacteoloe ftupeant Modulamina vocis, 
 
 Crediderim viftos erubuiffe magis. 
 Quorum aliquis quem diva Venus volucerq ; Cupido 
 
 Delicias inter geftit habere fuas, 
 Vnde novus noftris acceffit fluctibus, inquit, 
 
 Sive Cayftrinus feu Thamifmus Olor? 
 Cui contra blandum ridens tenet ore Cupido 
 
 Hie venit e Thvles littore eyenus, ait. 
 
vi Introduction. 
 
 pen would have been ready, but judging from Rous's 
 
 rather defiant address "To the Reader" he seems to 
 
 have rejected all such assistance with some degree of 
 
 scorn. He thus refers to the early age at which the 
 
 poem was composed : 
 
 The fixteenth fpring had with her flowrie vaile 
 
 Wrapt all the earth, warm'd with the approaching Sunne, 
 
 And did gainft winter's ragged force prevaile ; 
 
 Who ftreight to cold Cocitus ftreams did runne : 
 
 Where in congealed froft for deepe difgrace, 
 
 He wilful hides his blulhing hoary face. 
 
 When I too young doe drive this chariot, 
 Plowd up the furrowes of my fruitlefs wit 
 And in this fpring this timely child begot, 
 And to men's favours now adventure it : 
 
 What reception the poem met with from his con- 
 temporaries we have not much data for ascertaining. 
 Whether the legal * studies and business pursuits in 
 which he engaged on leaving college gave a different 
 direction to his thoughts, or the Puritanism which he 
 imbibed from his tutors, or his connections 
 
 Repreft his noble rage 
 And froze the genial current of his foul 
 
 yet certain it is, as far as we can judge from his published 
 works, that he appears to have abandoned the cultivation 
 of poetry till he set himself in his old age, 8 either from his 
 own aspirings or the promptings of others, to compose 
 
 8 The first edition was entitled " The Booke of Psalmes in English 
 meeter, by Fr. Rous. London, printed by R. Y. for Ph. Nevil at the 
 Signe of the Gun in Ivie-lane 1641." i8mo. 
 
Introduction. vii 
 
 that poetical version of the Psalms, which, after under- 
 going various corrections by the Committee of the 
 Assembly of Divines, was adopted by the Commons in 
 Parliament in 1645, and subsequently became, after some 
 revision, the established version of the Kirk of Scotland. 9 
 Whatever may be thought of its merit, and it has been as 
 extravagantly praised as it has been unjustly depreciated, 
 it is scarcely such a production, from the veteran of sixty, 
 as might have been expected from the poet who had 
 written Thule when sixteen. 
 
 In the fac-simile reprint which follows, there are 
 obscurities that induce a suspicion that the text has 
 suffered from the original printer's want of care. It has 
 been thought unnecessary to append a verbal Glossary 
 as there is no word which can create a difficulty to any 
 one who is conversant in the poetry of the time. 
 
 There have been Provosts of Eton of more elegant 
 minds, of greater administrative powers, of higher classical 
 learning, of more exact and recondite erudition, but none 
 who cherished a stronger affection for that noble founda- 
 tion, those 
 
 Spires and antique towers 
 That crown the watery glade 
 
 than Francis Rous, — and " this it is," as an accomplished 10 
 successor observed to me in pointing out the fine portrait 
 
 9 " That metrical version of the Psalms which was one day to be the 
 cherished treasure in joy or in affliction of every Scottish household." 
 Gardiner's Charles I, 1628-37, vol. i, p. 52. 
 
 10 The late Dr. Hawtrey. 
 
viii Introduction. 
 
 of him yet preserved in the Master's Lodge, " which, in 
 " spite of his 11 Mella Patrum, and Anthony Wood's 
 " disparaging character, still makes one look at the 
 " Speaker of Barebone's Parliament with a feeling of 
 " profound respect." 
 
 J. CROSSLEY, 
 
 PRESIDENT. 
 
 11 A compilation by Rous from the fathers, published at his expence, 
 with this title, in 1650, in a volume of nearly 1000 pages, but in which 
 the Greek fathers are given in the Latin translations, and the texts are 
 exceedingly inaccurate. 
 
THVLE, 
 
 Or 
 
 Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 To the Honorable and vertuous Miftris 
 Amy Avdely. 
 
 By Francis Rous. 
 The firft Booke. 
 
 At London 
 
 Printed by Felix Kingfton, for 
 
 Humfrey Lownes. 
 
 1598. 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 NOr lift I craue the gentle Readers prayfe, 
 Nor make bafe prayers to the Critick eares, 
 Nor humbly beg for vndeferued bayes, 
 My bolder Mufe no cruell cenfure feares : 
 Let ftarueling Poets and that bafer fort, 
 To wrefted fauour witles heads exhort. 
 
 Nor doe I feare thofe Scyllaes dogged heades, 
 Which ftill are barking at the paffingers ; 
 And fate their thirftie iawes on worthier deedes, 
 Scorning the bones of threedbare carrion verfe : 
 My Mufe fhall flie thofe Bafilisks afpecl:, 
 Which with their poyfned rayes all things infeft. 
 
 The fixteenth fpring had with her flowrie vaile 
 Wrapt all the earth, warm'd with th'approching Sunne, 
 And did gainft winters ragged force preuaile ; 
 Who ftreight to cold Cocitus ftreames did runne : 
 Where in congealed froft for deepe difgrace, 
 He wilfull hides his blufhing hoary face. 
 
 When I too yong doe driue this chariot, 
 Plowd vp the furrowes of my fruitles wit, 
 And in this fpring this timely child begot, 
 And to mens fauours now aduenture it: 
 
 Where let it hazard for more lucky chance, 
 And with his worth his humble name aduance. 
 
 A 2 Where 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 Where infant flie the lowring browes of age, 
 
 Auoyd the wrinkles of his furrowed face, 
 
 Thy ftate fits not their grauer carriage, 
 
 But to the yonger fort direct thy pace : 
 
 Where while thou fitft thy loued peeres among, 
 Bid them or not corre6t or mend thy fong. 
 
 And fly the earthly poets feruile foule, 
 That fels the Mufes for each peafants braffe ; 
 Thofe mercenaries faults thou maift controule, 
 VVhofe deeds fayre Helicons fweet ftreames debafe: 
 
 And thou more glorying in immunitie, 
 
 Fly farre the name of prentife-poetrie. 
 
 Next fcorne the fcorner of a Poets pen, 
 That counts it bafe in tuned lines to fing, 
 And leaues it for the poore and needy men 
 That hope to gaine by rimed flattering : 
 Tell him not all Parnaffus yet is fold, 
 But yet one head the louely Mufes hold. 
 
 Which heau'nly Sydney liuing did adorne, 
 And Scottifh lames bedeckt with princely writ, 
 Whofe names black enuy and deaths force doe fcorne, 
 Eterniz'd with the glorie of their wit : 
 
 Whofe hallowed fteps not to be troden more, 
 
 Following a farre full humbly I adore. 
 
 Th( 
 
The Prologue vnto the 
 firft Booke. 
 
 THefe haue I careleffe writ with running hand, 
 Whom art not Jhadoweth, but as cleareji light, 
 Wanting none Oedipus all open Jland, 
 Fit for the dimmer eyes and weaker fight. 
 
 But they wJtofe Eagle-eyes can dare the Sunne, 
 And loue high f oaring from the lowly ground, 
 Let them not blame what I haue wilfull done, 
 Some better like the Oaten rurall found. 
 
 And let thofe curious eyes a while await, 
 
 Vntill tlte fecond feruice fhall begin, 
 
 Where we will feeke for fome more dainty meate, 
 
 And fir anger fruites then on this table been: 
 
 Where if they lift tliey may their thirft appeafe, 
 Which fongs my Mufe to higher tunes fhall raife. 
 
 A 
 
 Tht 
 
The Argument. 
 
 OF that fame He which darknes long hath chaind 
 In gloomy prifon of obfcurity ; 
 Iflandia I meane, fo long retaind 
 From humane view by times impiety ; 
 Olde flories newly fhall be intertaind. 
 Freed from the Jilent graues impurity, 
 
 To tell the vertuous though their dayes doe end, 
 Yet on their fall their glory doth afcend. 
 
 Iflandia that Artick-feated He, 
 
 Of which th' Italian fwanfung long agoe, 
 
 Whofe Queene the lothed wooers did beguile, 
 
 And caufde them for afhield to Paris goe, 
 
 And for her fake to fujfer Loues exile, 
 
 Exagitate by dangers to and fro : 
 
 From thence my pen mufl fetch her forraine taske, 
 And thence tranfport my hidden flories maske. 
 
 Onely (fweete you) to whom this fhew fhall come, 
 Harken attenliue to the flrangers tale 
 Summond thus lately front Obliuions tombe, 
 Expecling for your fauours gentle gale: 
 Elfe fhall he wifh that he Itadflill beene dombe, 
 Nor rayfde his pitch from out that lowly vale: 
 Where loue enioynd him for a while to dwell, 
 To paint the torments of that burning hell. 
 
 Cant. 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Cant. i. 
 Aged Sobrinus and his wife 
 
 Are tane ajleepe, their daughter flyes : 
 J lie Captaine riddes his mates of life, 
 
 Becaufe tliey quarrels doe deuife. 
 At lafl the flately fort they burnd; 
 
 And with Erona thence he turnd. 
 
 Owne in a valley lies a bufhy woode, 
 Of mighty trees in order faire compofde, 
 Within whofe center Irately buildings ftoode, 
 In this aire-climing Siluan wall enclofde, 
 And feemde their equall tops each other woo'd, 
 That Arte to Nature all her ftrength oppofde: 
 And Nature fcorning at her feruants pride, 
 With a dimme fhadow did her beautie hide. 
 
 Within this Caftle dwelt an aged Sire, 
 Who with his yeares had learnd experience, 
 And though he wanted youths now-quenched fire, 
 Yet had a holy flame, fweete refidence, 
 And kindled in his heart a pure defire, 
 To doe good workes and farre from all offence : 
 Sobrinus was his name,his nature fuch, 
 He thought his almes too few,his wealth too much. 
 
 And yet he gaue to poore continuall plenty, 
 Filling the bellies which were long vnfed ; 
 And quickly made his treafure coffers empty, 
 Sparing himfelfe to giue the needy bread ; 
 Such was his goodnes, fuch his liberall bounty, 
 As ftill he payd though ftill he borrowed ; 
 Their port was fmall he and his wife alone, 
 A daughter and a maide but feruants none. 
 
 Thus 
 
 7 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Thus had they fpent the tenor of their dayes 
 In mirth, with reafon,and in ioy with meane ; 
 He neuer felt fad ficknes fharpe difeafe, 
 And flie from any griefe was euer cleane, 
 Both poft the troubles of lifes wearie wayes, 
 And fcap't thofe dangers which doe others paine, 
 Sleeping fecurely each in others breft, 
 No feare their careles mindes had ere oppreft. 
 
 Vntill when Night the counfeller of ill, 
 Had lift her clowdy head from pitchy deepes, 
 And did with darknes all th'Horizon fill, 
 Mifchiefe the hellifh witch that neuer fleepes, 
 When euery thing befides is calme and ftill, 
 From out her fnaky cabin vgly creepes ; 
 And tooke with her a box of diuelifh drugs, 
 Which iffue from her venome-nourifht dugs. 
 
 Sifter fhe is of hell begotten Night, 
 Her eyes by day are dimme,and ftill fhe lyes 
 Within her cell,remoued from the light : 
 But when the tyred Sunne to bedward hyes, 
 Then doth fhe briftle vp her wings for flight, 
 As foone as fhe her filler once efpyes : 
 
 And going thence fhe flyes with double hafte, 
 And comes back mourning that her ioy doth wafte. 
 
 And now this hag of HelLfoule loathfome fpright, 
 Crawling from out her gore-bedewed neft ; 
 And hauing fet her skalie pineons right, 
 Trauailes when other things from labour ceaft, 
 And to a groue adioyning takes her flight, 
 Where after boles of wine and riotous feaft, 
 Buried in fleepe the theeues and robbers lay, 
 Forgetting that the night had brought their day. 
 
 She 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 She hauing entred to this cell of finne, 
 
 Her felf more finfull then fins loathfome cell, 
 
 To fprinkle all their bodies doth beginne, 
 
 And charme them with this foule-peruerting fpell. 
 
 Which done fhe lifts her on her double finne, 
 
 And flowly flyes vnto her vices Hell : 
 
 Which done fhe weepes vpon her pitchie dore, 
 That fhe fhould in ere fhe had mifchief'd more. 
 
 The while that rout of mifchief-tainted theeues, 
 Rouzing each other from their cabinets, 
 One puis the other by their venom'd fleeues, 
 And with more poyfon all his hand bewets, 
 Which with more ftings his egged confcience greeues, 
 That this their ftay fhould interpofe more lets: 
 At laft all wak't,all into counfell fall, 
 And which hurteth moft,that pleafeth all. 
 
 At length their Captaine Bonauallant hight, 
 Rifeth from out their hellifh counfell-houfe, 
 And takes a golden cup with pearles bedight, 
 And drinking to his mates a full carroufe, 
 Tels them, let neuer danger you affright, 
 Nor let your harts great hils bring foorth a moufe ; 
 But follow me that ftill haue happie beene, 
 (The worfer hap for fome fuch hap was feene.) 
 
 Then all arifing like the ftudious Bees, 
 That for the golden hony follow faft : 
 Each hopes to gaine his ferious labours fees, 
 And euery one doth fcorne to follow laft, 
 Leaft he his hoped fruits perhaps might leefe, 
 Therefore each ftriues to make more fpeedie haft : 
 At length they come vnto this ftately fort, 
 And each to mifchief doth his friend exhort. 
 
 B Eu'n 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Eu'n as when good jflineas croft the feas, 
 And ALolus fent his whirling feruants out ; 
 Neptune awaked from his nightly eafe, 
 Calde all his Tritons and his guard about, 
 And counfeld all the tumults to appeafe, 
 And be reueng'd on that vnruly rout : 
 
 So doe thefe rau'n-tongd birds of Plutoes quier, 
 Complot to fpoyle that holy fleeping fier. 
 
 At laft with violence and open force, 
 They brake the pofternes of the Caftle gate, 
 And entred fpoyling all without remorce, 
 Nor could old Sobrin now refift his fate, 
 But ftiffe with feare eu'n like a fenceles corfe, 
 Whom grifly terror doth fo much amate, 
 
 He lyes fupine vpon his fatall bed, 
 
 Expecting eu'ry minute to be dead. 
 
 While as Deuota his religious wife, 
 Sent prayers the fweet ambaffadors to God, 
 The heralds to prepare a better life : 
 For now approacheth deaths deuafting rod, 
 Sharper then fharpeft edge of keenefh knife, 
 That with his ftroke denyes lifes long aboad : 
 Which now is fetled in thefe butchers hands, 
 That bound in chaines of finne paffe confcience bands. 
 
 Vp rufhing now vnto the lodge they runne, 
 Striuing who nrft fhould worke this cruell deed : 
 Nor could their prayers ftay what was begunne, 
 But ftill they profecute with greater fpeed, 
 And long it feem'd before their fact was done, 
 So much did blood their hellifh hunger feed, 
 That to inuent fome kind of cruell death, 
 They added loathed refpite to their breath. 
 
 At 
 
Verities Hijiorie. 
 
 At laft one bellowed from his woluifh throat, 
 This bloody doome the brat of fauage minde, 
 Quoth he, Then let this old gray-haired goat 
 Be fet in graue aliue,and there be pinde, 
 And to this varlet,which for age doth dote, 
 To be beheaded only is affignde : 
 
 So he is buried ere his corps be dead, 
 
 And fhe with cruell blow parts from her head. 
 
 So haue I feene the chafte and pureft doue, 
 Striken by cruell fowlers fhiuering fhot, 
 Diffeuerd from her nere-forfaken loue, 
 Fall on the ground ere fhe her felfe had wot, 
 And with one fpraule for fweeteft liuing ftroue, 
 But all her piteous ftrugling helpt her not : 
 So haue I feene that pureft bird to dye, 
 As here doth this fweet carkaffe mangled lye. 
 
 Now whiles this wicked pageant thus is playd, 
 Viceina daughter to this reuerend man, 
 Viewing thefe facls and of the like afrayd, 
 As fafh as tender thighes tranfport her can, 
 Flyes comfortles,and poore forfaken mayd, 
 Her looke with former terror pale and wan : 
 
 But her mif-haps when thefe black deeds are told, 
 
 In fequent lines more fit I will vnfold. 
 
 The houfe all ranfackt,and the coffers torne, 
 They found Sobrinus mayd Erona calde, 
 Whom Bonauallant thence would ftreight haue borne, 
 For fhe was fayre and then with feare appalde, 
 She added double grace to that beforne, 
 Which with fharp ftings his burning ftomack galde, 
 That with this ouerfcorching paffion fir'd, 
 To carry her clofely thence he ftreight confpir'd. 
 
 B 2 But 
 
 ii 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 But they whofe eyes foule lawles luft had taught 
 Moued with enuie at fo faire a pray, 
 Told him that he falfe treacherie had wrought, 
 In feeking thus to fteale the prize away, 
 Since it was common,and in common caught, 
 He fhould vnto the common lawes obay, 
 Which is,that what fo ere by force was gaind, 
 Should to their common vfe ftill be retaind. 
 
 But he whom beautie,and thefe words commou'd, 
 Drew out his often-blood-embrewed fword, 
 And cryes ; here take the fport fo much ye lou'd ; 
 This laffe fhall kiffes to your lips afford, 
 And with that fpeech his mightie valour prou'd ; 
 And cloue ones skull like to a riuen bord : 
 The fecond laying downe the ware he found, 
 Left ware,and crafed head vpon the-ground. 
 
 Their fellowes feeing this their mates- mif-hap, 
 Left all their treafure,and their gaines behinde, 
 And fearing fome enfuing thunderclap, 
 In coward fwiftnes do their fafetie finde, 
 While he triumphing in this lucky hap, 
 Taught by the maid two courfers doth vnbind, 
 Which in a roome with mightie cords were tied, 
 And long had there laine ftill vnoccupied. 
 
 Then doth he fet much fewell all about, 
 Encompaffing the walls of all the towers : 
 And that no flame might quench the fier out, 
 He lightens all the wood-ingraued bowers, 
 Which ioyned to the wall full faire and ftout, 
 And perifht quickly built in many howers ; 
 While he and fhe in dawning of the day, 
 Mounted aloft and parted thence away. 
 
 The 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 The fuming vapors mount vnto the side, 
 
 Where turned into teare-diftilling raine, 
 
 They mourne their mafters helples miferie, 
 
 Returning to the former feat againe : 
 
 But viewing there the fpoyles of iniurie, 
 
 In trickling ftreames they mourne his torturing paine, 
 While raging Phcebus wrapt in duskie clowdes, 
 Angrie with fates his mantled vifage fhrowdes. 
 
 Cant. 2. 
 
 Viceina wanders all forlorne, 
 In middeft darknes of the night: 
 
 But at the rifing of tlie morne, 
 
 She meetes the wicked hijlfull knight ; 
 Whom once well know en file defies, 
 Hating thofe fenfuall vanities. 
 
 If^Hus raignes deepe facriledge and wicked armes, 
 I Yfpent in perfecuting vertuous foules : 
 
 The fire is quencht, which with his vigour warmes 
 Diftreffed hearts,now truth doth hide in hoales, 
 Afraid of falfhoods terrifying alarmes, 
 Whofe enuious force her fweeteft reft controules : 
 Iuftice from out the goared earth is flowne, 
 And left her vertues offpring all alone. 
 
 From which poore ftock this fweet Viceina bred, 
 Wanders vnhappie virgin all forlorn, 
 Foule cares doe deadly wrack that bleffed head, 
 Whofe braine in ftreaming teares is much forworne, 
 For pitie that her fteps are fo mif-led 
 In blackeft night, and cannot fee the morne: 
 Yet ftill fhe hopes on that fweet Sunne oflight, 
 Which leades her foule in all this earthly night. 
 
 B3 At 
 
 13 
 
Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 At length the Mornings chariot climbd aloft, 
 Bringing fweet comfort to this pilgrim mayd, 
 The gratefull light which fhe fo long had fought, 
 To guide her errant footfteps farre aftrayd, 
 When viewing whither now her feete were brought, 
 Her fighing 'heart was drerily difmayd, 
 And forrow furrow'd her fweet countenance, 
 With black remembrance of her fad mifchance. 
 
 Yet ftill fhe moues in vnaccuftom'd pace, 
 And meanes to try fatall miffortunes worft, 
 Plunged in various thoughts diftorting cafe, 
 And tortur'd thus by enuy moft accurft, 
 At laft fhe fpide a Deere that fled apace, 
 Whofe bleeding fide a piercing dart had burft, 
 And fled and ranne, and as he ranne and fled, 
 Moued with griefe downe trickling teares he fhed. 
 
 When followes on a lufty courfer fet, 
 A goodly knight (as feem'd) and faire of looke, 
 That ftriues in fwifteft courfe his game to get : 
 But quickly all his game and courfe forfooke, 
 When once he faw,then deare a dearer let, 
 And to this Pilgrim back his iourney tooke, 
 And from his horfe difmounted to the ground, 
 Comforts her with his words alluring found. 
 
 And then her ftate he curious doth enquire, 
 Asking the caufe of her diftreffed plight, 
 When fhe Sir knight replide,let me defire, 
 Not to torment an ouer-tired wight, 
 With new memoriall of her fates fo dire, 
 Rubbing my foule with a frefh tragick fight, 
 
 Only (faire firj helpe this my poore eftate, 
 
 And I your feruice euer will awaite. 
 
 Moued 
 
 14 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Moued with pitie much,but more with luft, 
 He dar'd not countermand her fad demaunds, 
 But from his heart with pleafures flames combuft, 
 Vollied thefe words fcarfe fhut in vertues bands : 
 Come ffayrej and to my gentle mercie truft, 
 And yeeld thy bodie to my embracing hands, 
 He leade thee where in pleafure thou fhalt dwell, 
 Remoued from black melancholies hell. 
 
 Viceina whofe moft pure milk-waihed hart 
 Neuer fuppofde what fraud before did plot, 
 Told him to eafe her foules tormenting fmart, 
 And that fhe thought fuch looke maintained not 
 Foule knighthoods fhame,to work her forrowes part, 
 Agreed to take her offerd fortunes lot: 
 
 Then hand in hand conioynd they forward went, 
 And in fweete talke their tedious wayes they fpent. 
 
 Foule euill on his curfed heart alight, 
 For thus feducing thence the virgins feete, 
 For this fame knight Philedonus is hight, 
 And he to pleafure giu'n for men vnmeete : 
 Yet faire he feemeth at the sudden fight, 
 Yet foule he is at laft when men him weete ; 
 Vnder a pleafing hew and ciuill hood, 
 He carries poyfon'd baytes and venom'd food. 
 
 With which flie crafts and flatteries deceiu'd, 
 Vnto his caftel fhe agrees to goe ; 
 Where comming they full fairely were receiu'd 
 Of one Makerus,vjho downe binding low, 
 Told her that happily fhe was arriu'd, 
 And many gratefull fpeeches did beftow : 
 At laft vnto a ftately hall he brought her, 
 Glad that within his limits he had caught her. 
 
 Foule 
 
 r 5 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Foule wight he was that at his mafters gate, 
 Which open ftood vpon a beaten way, 
 All commers paffage carefull did awaite, 
 And when he fpide them like a cock at day, 
 He lifting vp his vgly carrion pate, 
 To trap them with fweet mufick doth affay : 
 For he an Eunuch is, and fweetly fings, 
 And to their eares deepe rauifhment he brings. 
 
 But hoping now that this new gueft is fure, 
 Prepares no prologue for his Comedie, 
 And as alreadie taught to know the lure, 
 He leades her to a lodging by and by : 
 But as they part, fights did her eyes allure, 
 Her eyes,but not her heart to vanitie : 
 
 For fhe full warie was what ere fhe did, 
 
 Refifting ftill to what delight did bid. 
 
 But this that now her careles eyes did view, 
 Was how within the fpacious builded hall, 
 She faw faire youths and maydens in a rew, 
 Treading fweet meafures at the muficks call, 
 And then anon as fetching forces new, 
 Into each others armes they kiffing fall : 
 
 Where quenching pleafures thirft with beauties dew, 
 Their wonted dancing they againe renew. 
 
 But turning quickly thence her lothing eyes, 
 She followes where her wicked captaine guides, 
 Who nimbly mou'd with hellifh pleafure flyes, 
 And at the laft into a lodging Aides, 
 Whofe fairer richeft art cannot deuife, 
 Nor euer can be found in earth befides : 
 Where placed for a while Makerus left her, 
 While ioyfull thoughts by forrow are bereft her. 
 
 And 
 
 x6 
 
Vertues Hijiorie. 
 
 And fhe detefting this vnfeemly place, 
 Wifheth that rather (he had dyed abroad, 
 Then euer feene this knights decerning face, 
 And thinks how fhe might fhorten her aboad ; 
 But here of force fhe muft abide a fpace, 
 So quickly fhe can neuer rid her load : 
 
 Which keeps her bleffed heart in languor pinde, 
 Becaufe no way to fcape her foule can finde. 
 
 And in that fit the night approaching nye, 
 Vnto her bed which there was faire prepar'd, 
 As wanting reft fhe prefently doth hye, 
 But following cares her fweeteft reft debar'd, 
 That fhe in thefe great woes was neere to dye: 
 And certes like it was fhe ill had far'd, 
 
 Had not the heau'ns forefeene and fent their ayd, 
 To comfort weakned heart well-nigh difmayd. 
 
 For when her fathers houfe in pleafure ftood, 
 And in the pleafant fields adioynd fhe went, 
 There came a holy Hermite from the wood, 
 That all his time in godly precepts fpent, 
 Who as he told of words and doings good, 
 His chaine of beades about his arme vnbent, 
 And fayd : this ftone doth cares and griefe expell, 
 And gaue it to her and then bad fare-well. 
 
 This ftone is Elpine calde,whofe vertue is, 
 To driue away great grieuings and difpayre : 
 Or what-foere doth leade the heart arniffe, 
 With fweeteft influence it doth repayre, 
 Which now appli'd reduc'th her former bliffe, 
 And much diminifheth her cruell care : 
 
 Bleft be the heauens which did thus prouide, 
 To eafe thofe tortures which fhe did abide. 
 
 C Thus 
 
 17 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Thus fomewhat freede from thefe tormenting woes, 
 To fleepe her fences all fhe doth addreffe, 
 But ere her wearied members tooke repofe, 
 She was difturbed from her quietneffe : 
 For to her chamber vp a confort goes, 
 That thought to comfort her all comfortleffe, 
 And rather to enchant then to delight, 
 They thought,but now they want their wonted might. 
 
 And yet well neere thefe fiends had luld afleepe, 
 With charming Mufick that diuineft wight, 
 But that ftrong vertue ftill fure watch did keepe, 
 And put fond pleafures yeelding thoughts to flight : 
 For fhe ftill marking how delight did creepe, 
 And by allurements,not by force did fight, 
 Stopt with her fingers her imprifond eares, 
 And with ftout courage all temptations beares. 
 
 At length thefe Crocodiles their harping ended, 
 And fhe is left to profecute her griefe : 
 For reft is banifht thence by thoughts offended, 
 Which doe accufe her for this nights reliefe, 
 And cruciate themfelues that condifcended, 
 To fained words without fome further priefe ; 
 
 That twixt herthoughts and guilts fierce perturbation, 
 
 Her foule is caft into a reftles paflion. 
 
 That little fleepe fhe tooke,but when fhe flept, 
 Dreames of her fault and fained phantafies, 
 Into the clofet of her fweet foule crept : 
 And thus the night deludes her watching eyes, 
 Care all the gates of troubled fences kept, 
 Which made her thinke it long ere day did rife : 
 
 So vice and vertue ftriue together met, 
 
 They cannot reft within one cabinet. 
 
 At 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 At length though long this length the morning ftarre, 
 Told that the night was fled from out the ayre, 
 When fhe more glad then trauailers that farre, 
 Spying fome tower their fainting courfe repayre, 
 Thinking that there their longed dwellings are : 
 But when they neerer come againe difpayre, 
 And feeing they mif-tooke that happy place, 
 Stumble againe in their fore-wonted place. 
 
 So was fhe caught with hopes difguifde attire, 
 When black defpayre went masking all within : 
 For now fhe faw no hope of her defire, 
 Nor could fhe free her felfe once clofed in: 
 So many eyes hath luft,fo hot the fire, 
 Which kindles burning flames in fcorched skin: 
 Though Argus hundred eyes in watch doth keepe, 
 Yet luft at length will lull them all afleepe. 
 
 So is fhe watcht with neuer refting eyes : 
 
 The former hope oflibertie is gone, 
 
 And now Philedonus doth all deuife, 
 
 For to entangle her thus left alone; 
 
 Foule luft within his breaft gins to arife, 
 
 And from his heart faire blufhing fhame is flowne: 
 
 And he begins with words fole-tempting found, 
 
 To caft her chaftitie vnto the ground. 
 
 But by the happie fortune which befell, 
 At laft her foule was fet at libertie : 
 But how it chanced yet I may not tell, 
 Though I am loth fo long to let thee lie, 
 ('Sweet mayd) within the torments of this hell : 
 But that fame theefe fo faft away doth flie, 
 That I fhall neuer fee Erona more, 
 Vnles I goe and fetch her back before. 
 
 C 2 Cant. 
 
 '9 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Cant. 3. 
 
 Erona and her new found loue, 
 Come to the bower of fond delight : 
 
 But thence by warning they remoue, 
 And in a Cafilefpent the night: 
 
 Jn morne fhe faines diffembled paine, 
 He leaues her and goes back againe. 
 
 WHat ere thou be that to a womans care, 
 Commitft affayres or matters of import, 
 Too rafhly to aduenture doe not dare, 
 Vnles vpon fome certaine truths report : 
 For conftancie in moll is found but rare, 
 And they will change their thoughts for wanton fport : 
 But fome there be(bleft he that fome can finde) 
 To whom fayre graces vertue hath affignde. 
 
 Amongft which thou rare virgin of thefe dayes, 
 ('Whom only this my wandring mufe hath found,) 
 Meritft eternall volumes of thy prayfe, 
 For louing Mufes and their fweeteft found, 
 Accepting kindly rude mif-tuned layes, 
 Which els had laine long buried vnder ground : 
 Be not (kind) angrie at this mayds difgrace, 
 That Mufe thy gifts fhal praife.that doth her faults deface. 
 
 For fhe is worthie of perpetuall blame, 
 For condifcending to this theeues requeft : 
 For now fhe curfeth ftill her mafters name, 
 Swearing fhe neuer could obtaine her reft, 
 Vntill this happie newes vnto her came : 
 And now fhe fayes fhe'le follow his beheft, 
 
 Goe where he will, and ftay where he commands, 
 And lay her opend foule before his hands. 
 
 And 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 And he feduced by her flatterie, 
 
 And blinded quite with luft and lewd defire, 
 
 His loue is bounded by no meane degree, 
 
 He fweares through freezing cold and burning fire, 
 
 To be her champion for her beauties fee, 
 
 She fayes fhe readie is when he wil try her : 
 
 Thus in fond pleafure they confume their dayes, 
 And after fport ftill walke their wonted wayes. 
 
 But as they climbd the hils afcending fide, 
 The fcortching Sunne fent downe fire-darting rayes, 
 That they vnneath this feruence could abide, 
 Therefore they feeke fome cooler fhadowed wayes : 
 At laft downe in the vale a lake they fpide, 
 By which there was a bower of thorne and bayes, 
 A bower whofe ground was fet with Cammomill, 
 Whofe bankes the fweeteft rofe and flowers did fill. 
 
 Where entred there they fee a grauen ftone, 
 
 In which a hiftorie was fairely writ : 
 
 The picture of a Lady was vpon, 
 
 And verfes which were written vnder it. 
 
 Here lyes the fair ejl Lady of the He, „ 
 
 Whom from fweet reft fond pleafure did exile, „ 
 
 To warne the reft,who yet are kept vnflaind, „ 
 
 To file that plague,which keepes thefoule enchaind. „ 
 
 The theefe enamor'd on that louely hew, 
 Which niggard arts weake force had much defac'd, 
 Would needs the fubftance of that fhadow view, 
 And would the curious tombftone haue difplac'd : 
 But from this deed a noyfe his fancie drew, 
 And rufhing of the lake as with a blaft : 
 
 Where looking there they faw the fayreft face, 
 Whofe louely feature did the Swannes difgrace. 
 
 C 3 But 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 But by the piftures likenes ftreight they knew, 
 This was the Ghoft of that entombed mayd, 
 When fhe : O caufe not wretch more griefe to rew, 
 And trouble not the bones for reft vp layd, 
 But fly this place leaft it procure to you, 
 For which my foule deere punifhment hath payd. 
 When feem'd her head to droupe as in a fowne, 
 And with new racking griefe to finke adowne. 
 
 But ftreight he cried : O tell (fweete Lady) tell, 
 What danger doth attend this fearefull place, 
 And how to thee this wicked hap befell, 
 And how thou cam'ft into this wofull cafe ? 
 Then fhe : as long as meffengers of hell, 
 Which ftill attending ftand before my face, 
 Shall fuffer me to ftay with you aboue, 
 He fhew you what with griefe my felfe did proue. 
 
 Heere by this riuer is a gaping pit, 
 Which leades vnto the floods of Acheron : 
 And on the mouth thereof a witch doth fit, 
 That dwelleth in a rpome there built vpon ; 
 Getica fhe is calde, who by her wit, 
 Hath damn'd to reftles dolours many one : 
 And fhe(before Perfephone was Queene) 
 Had Pluloes Concubine long feafon beene. 
 
 But now to her this dwelling is affignde, 
 Where fhe hath leaue to charme each trueft hart, 
 And in eternall torturing to binde, 
 The foules fhe hath entrapped by her art ; 
 And fhe enrag'd, that men fweet ioy fhould finde, 
 Not bearing any of her torments part, 
 Affayes by all the meanes fhe can inuent, 
 To make them fellowes in her punifhment. 
 
 And 
 
Verities Hijlorie. 
 
 And euery yeare once fhe a feaft doth make, 
 Within that bower, where you now doe lye : 
 Whither full many a knight his way doth take, 
 And many a Lady thitherward doth hye : 
 When fhe her loathed houfe doth foone forfake, 
 Attir'd in robes and portly maieftye, 
 
 And to the banquet houfe doth solemne come, 
 Welcomming all with voyce,and kiffing fome. 
 
 And after meat a feruice all of wine, 
 
 Is brought before the guefts,when thus fhe fayes ; 
 
 My wifh (fweete friends) is you fhould better dine, 
 
 And haue fome cheere that were more worthie prayfe : 
 
 But this I hope fhal reft as loues fure figne, 
 
 The reft fhall be fupplyed in other waies : 
 
 Onely the while take this in gentle part, 
 
 From one defiring to get more defart. 
 
 Heere are as many cups as you are heere, 
 Fild with fome liquor of fo forciue might, 
 That what-foere you loue or holde moft deere, 
 As beauty,magick,riches,pleafing fight, 
 Or lengthned youth, vn til full forty yeare, 
 Whither it good fhall be,or things vnright, 
 It fhall be giuen you without delay, 
 Ere fecond night driue hence the darkned day. 
 
 On this condition that when all the date, 
 (Which is the fpace of forty yeares orepaft) 
 Shall be expirde,then fhall you pay the rate 
 Of all th'accounts, which I this while fhall caft ; 
 Nor may ye then refift the common fate, 
 For ioy long may endure,not euer laft : 
 This fayd,all thofe that wifh for any good, 
 Drinke vp that Philter poyfoning all their blood. 
 
 Amongft 
 
 2 3 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Amongft thofe birds was I caught in the net, 
 Layd to entrap the frayiltie of youth, 
 And at a little price my foule did fet, 
 Now all bedewd into late comming ruth, 
 And I admonifh you vnchaind as yet, 
 To credit what my foule doth finde for truth : 
 Make fpeedie hafte to get your felues away, 
 To morrow comes that helliih banquet day. 
 
 This fayd, fhe funke into the drowning waues, 
 Drowned almoft with flowing teares before, 
 Like Pkaetufa,wbile fhe madly raues, 
 Playning that fhe could fee the boy*no more : 
 And while his fweeteft companie fhe craues, 
 A fpreading roote her feeble feete vpbore, 
 A furrow'd rinde encompaft all her skin, 
 A tree fhe was without,a mayd within. 
 
 So doth fhe feeme to melt in liquid teares, 
 For where before that fayreft fubftance flood, 
 Nothing but bubling water now appeares : 
 And while they looke vpon the billowing flood, 
 Wonder their eyes poffefs'th, their hearts deepe feares, 
 That in their face appeares no liuelihood : 
 At laft each plucking by the others arme, 
 Giue warning both of that enfuing harme. 
 
 And mounted thence,they affay to climb the hill, 
 Whofe bended fteepnes caufde them take much paine, 
 And though they mainly ftriue with labour ftill, 
 Yet in much ftriuing they doe little gaine ; 
 The nature of the place refills their will : 
 For fo it is where pleafure doth remaine, 
 That with a current in his armes we fall, 
 But back full few can creepe,or none at all. 
 
 Nor 
 
 24 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Nor can thefe now attaine their mindes defier, 
 But forc'd they turne their Palfreyes heads afide, 
 And fory they can climbe the hill no higher, 
 Vpon the conuex,all along they ride, 
 At laft by fmokie fparkles of a fire, 
 A chimney top far off they haue efpyde : 
 And now the Sunne was driuing to the weft, 
 And they were glad they found fome hope of reft. 
 
 Forward they prickt,and fhortly there they came, 
 For all the way was playne as eye might fee, 
 And lighting downe he and his wanton dame, 
 Goe in to know if they might lodged be, 
 And he no fooner had difcried his name, 
 But all the knights falute him by degree : 
 
 For all the houfe with knights and dames was fraught, 
 Which ment to trauell for their mornings draught. 
 
 Reioycing thus that they fo fit were met, 
 And ftriuing who fliould fhew moft curtefy, 
 They fpend the time till on the bord was fet, 
 The daintyeft feaft that euer curious eye 
 Could view,or wealth, or all the He could get, 
 Such was this feaft of filthie luxury, 
 
 And they as prompt to take as that to bring, 
 Sitdowne:fomeeate,fome drinke.fome play,fomefing. 
 
 Their heads perfwaded by the fuming wine, 
 After the empty dimes all were fackt, 
 Doe condifcend their places to refigne, 
 And yeelde to fleepe, which as it feem'd they lackt ; 
 For fo the fume their ey-lids doth combine, 
 That they vnneath can keepe themfelues awakt, 
 And ftill the ground as profring them a bed, 
 With a kinde knocking kiffe falutes their head. 
 
 D At 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 At laft fome by the little remnant of their fight, 
 And fome by others helpe to bed are got, 
 Where drownd in fleepe they fpend the Aiding night, 
 And had almoft in morne their care forgot : 
 But wickednes that euer-haunting fpright, 
 Rung in their eares and warn'd them of their lot : 
 And they afrayd their happy chance to lofe, 
 Shooke fluggard fleepe away and ftraight arofe. 
 
 But falfe Erona fearing of her mate, 
 That if he fhould vnto the banquet goe, 
 He would forfake his choyfe,and change his fate, 
 And leaue her quite,and fo procure her woe, 
 Faines that a fudden griefe doth her amate, 
 Wounded with piercing ficknes Ebon bow, 
 And fayes (he cannot moue from out her bed, 
 And prayes him not to leaue her almoft dead. 
 
 Sweet loue(quoth fhejwhom in my tender armes, 
 So oft I haue embrac'd and euer lou'd, 
 O leaue me not alone to following harmes, 
 But if that ere thy minde fayre Meny mou'd, 
 Or yeelded to delights,or fancies charmes, 
 Or if my foule doth loue thee euer prou'd, 
 Then doe : and with that word fo deeply figh't, 
 As though death on her broken heart did light. 
 
 He thinking that her griefes extremitie 
 Did interrupt the office of her tung, 
 And moued with her words did feeme to pitie, 
 When falling downe vpon her neck he hung, 
 And fayes,if my delaying could acquite ye 
 From this fharpe grieuance, that your heart hath ftung, 
 I would not leaue you for the worlds wealth, 
 Nor worke difparagement vnto your health. 
 
 But 
 
 26 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 But this delay can worke you no redreffe, 
 But hurt me with the fight of this your payne, 
 And all the other knights themfelues addreffe, 
 To goe vnto the feaft where T would fayne 
 Accompany them,as my oth expreffe 
 Doth binde me,but I will returne againe, 
 Before the funne remoue his fierie wheeles, 
 Turning vnto our view his panting Palfreyes heeles. 
 
 This fayd,he went from out her burning fight, 
 Stopping his eares vnto her playning cryes, 
 And fhe frill prayes to pitie wofull wight, 
 But like the faithles Troian Knight he flyes, 
 Leauing fweete Dido fwelling in defpight, 
 Who powring raging playnts felf-wounded dyes. 
 So is this Knight from out her hearing gone, 
 And fhe can onely hope he comes anone. 
 
 But how he fped,and fhe was left alone, 
 The fequence of the ftory fhall declare, 
 But fweet Viceina doth fo deepely grone, 
 Burdened with ouerprefling load of care, 
 That fure my heart relents to heare her mone, 
 And He affay to caufe her better fare, 
 
 For what hard heart would not all feruice doo, 
 To helpe a fayre,a chafl,a woman too ? 
 
 D 2 Cant. 
 
 27 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Cant. 4. 
 A Jit -anger knight the mayde doth free, 
 
 Which long had layne in pleafures bands : 
 While Jhe her foemans death doth fee, 
 
 Loofde by good fate from curfed hands, 
 And with that knight her way doth take, 
 
 Glad that foule prif on to forfake. 
 
 T Hough deepe diftrefie ftill threaten heauy fall, 
 And ftormy cloudes thy fortunes wrack prefage, 
 Let not white-liuer'd feare thy thoughts appall, 
 A power there is that can all ftormes affwage, 
 That makes the thunder bellow at his call, 
 And parbreake fulphur vapours in his rage : 
 This power is prefent ftill to ayde the iuft, 
 Though hembde in hoftes they be of hellilh luft. 
 
 So is the virgin heere preferu'd from fhame, 
 Which like a blood-hound haunts her hallowed feete, 
 For fince vnto this fhameles knight fhe came ; 
 She cannot turne but ftill he doth her meete, 
 Tempting her foule to yeeld to fouleft ftiame, 
 With fayreft words that Pandors art did weete ; 
 But ftill fhe keepes her bulwark of defence, 
 Hoping fome happy day will rid her hence. 
 
 But long (he watch't to fee that happy day, 
 Before miffortune left her tyranny, 
 The Hiding glaffe of time doth fpend away, 
 And therewithall her wafting hope doth fly, 
 But he that in iuft weights doth all things way ; 
 Viewing the poore oppreft with cruelty, 
 
 Sent meanes whofe thought difpayring thoughts did pas, 
 To helpe that dying Saint : And thus it was. 
 
 Sobrinus 
 
 28 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Sobrinus fame through all the He was blowne, 
 
 (For he was borne of royall pedegree) 
 
 And his fayre daughters name to all was knowne, 
 
 That holy were and hated vanitie, 
 
 Amongft the reft her vertuous praife was flowne, 
 
 Vnto a Lady of no meane degree, 
 
 Whofe fpotles heart was purenes pureft pure, 
 Whofe foule no fenfuall thoughts could ere allure. 
 
 Aguria was this holy widowes name, 
 For fhe had layd her husband in the graue, 
 And fince like Ancres, or a Veftal dame, 
 To heauenly thoughts her minde fhe wholy gaue : 
 But her fweet fonne a iolly knight became, 
 Great thoughts to try his valiance him draue, 
 And he was meeke to thofe that hated ill, 
 But to the wicked he was fearefull ftill. 
 
 This knight was moued by this damfels fame, 
 And with his mothers leaue departed thence, 
 Vowing by heauens-makers fearfull name, 
 As long as life fhould ftay,or liuely fence, 
 Not euer to returne from whence he came, 
 Before (as figne of his beneuolencej 
 
 He fhall falute this Lady face to face, 
 
 And with his armes that Saint-like Nymph embrace. 
 
 Thus purpofde foorth he goes.as errant knight, 
 In gliftring armes yclad and mightie lance, 
 While vnder him in trappings gorgeous dight, 
 A fturdie courfer all the way doth dance, 
 And as compacted of a liuely fpright, 
 His trampling hoofes aloft he doth aduance, 
 And for aduentures armd in warlike wife, 
 He pricks his palfreys fides and forward tries. 
 
 D 3 But 
 
 29 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 But what great dangers in his weary way, 
 Or what he faw or did, my Mufe muft paffe, 
 For they would much my ftories courfe delay : 
 Befides they are ingrau'd in during braffe, 
 By one who doth antiquitie bewray, 
 Writing what euer in that Hand was : 
 
 Let this fuffice that he now iourneyes nye, 
 Vnto that place whereas this Dame doth lye. 
 
 But Night had fpread her gloomy wings abroad, 
 Which forced thoughts of eafe into his breaft : 
 Therefore with fwifter pace he fafter road, 
 Hoping to get fome place of gentle reft : 
 But while an eafie gale vnto him blowd, 
 The fweeteft found that euer eare poffeft, 
 
 Which made him turne his horfe toward the noyfe, 
 At laft he came where he had heard the voyce. 
 
 And askt if lodging for a Knight there were, 
 Quoth he that fung,ftraight leaping from his feate, 
 None can approach (fayre Sir) more welcome here, 
 Then thofe that errant are, whom knightly heate 
 Enforc'th to feeke aduentures farre and neere : 
 And with this filed fpeech did worke deceit, 
 The Knight full glad he had a harbour found, 
 Difmounted ftraight and lighted to the ground. 
 
 But little did he thinke that fayreft mayd, 
 
 Was prifoner in this cell of riotife : 
 
 For this fame caftle where he now is ftayd, 
 
 Is that where poore Viceina captiue lyes, 
 
 And fure they thought to haue this Knight betrayd, 
 
 But his fweet thought did fruftrate their furmife : 
 
 Yet in this foolifh hope vp was he led, 
 
 Into a chamber fairely Arrafed. 
 
 Where 
 
 30 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Where after delicates and curious feaft, 
 Full weary of his way and toylfome watch, 
 To pleafing fleepe his body he addreft, 
 Leaft during labour fhould him ouermatch : 
 When he no fooner fetled him to reft, 
 But flumber in his fences feate did hatch, 
 Partly by toyle wherewith he now was fore, 
 Partly by Mufick founding at his dore. 
 
 Thus halfe her light fayre Cynthia had fpent, 
 And he in fleepe had fpent halfe Cynthias light, 
 Vntill a cry vnto his eare was fent, 
 Which did his tumbling fences all affright, 
 It feem'd to come from heart in peecesrent, 
 The wofull offpring of a wretched wight : 
 
 But thus the plaint was form'd in dolefull fort, 
 
 Carrying vnto his eares a fad report. 
 
 Haples Viceina,wh.om thy father loft, 
 Ynough tormented not,though dearly lou'd, 
 Nor fad remembrance of thy mothers ghoft, 
 Though fhe to teares mine eyes hath often mou'd, 
 Nor thine owne harme which grieueth others moil, 
 Ynough thy hearts great patience hath prou'd : 
 But here difpoyld of fweet virginitie, 
 Thy fpotted foule in vgly finne fhall dye. 
 
 But rather let the confort of dread Night, 
 (Which fing fad notes before her chariot, 
 When fhe in progreffe rides to chafe the light) 
 Feare me before I take Sinnes filthy blot, 
 The fcriching Owle race out my loathed fight, 
 Before it fee that fight of wretched lot, 
 
 The rauens of darknes take my corfe for pray, 
 That they may hide it from the blufhing day. 
 
 And 
 
 3 1 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 And to thofe ghaftly fhades which haunt my foule, 
 
 And to the Night confenting to this ill, 
 
 My lateft teftament I will vnroule, 
 
 The dreery fumme of my death-grauen will, 
 
 They fhall my feruants be my bell to toule, 
 
 To ring the dolefull accents of my knill, 
 
 Death be the head, and Shame fhall be the next, 
 Then Night, and Guilt which holds my heart perplext. 
 
 Thefe on their damned backs fhal beare my corfe, 
 Vnto the funerall which is prepar'd, 
 My foule prouide thy felfe againft remorfe, 
 From hope of better death thou art debar'd ; 
 For Sinne ftill threatens his vngentle force, 
 To wound thee deeply which had els been fpar'd : 
 But till death come take folace in the Night, 
 For darkned foule there fits no better light. 
 
 This fayd,a bitter figh euapour'd out 
 The fad conclufion of a fadder tale, 
 When gan the Knight his thoughts to ftir about, 
 Pondring what wight thus lay in forry bale : 
 But while he wauered in vncertaine doubt, 
 He foone vnto his troubled minde did call, 
 How that mayd had her felfe Viceina hight, 
 Wherewith he gan to burft with raging fpight. 
 
 As Tereus in the banquet of his fonne, 
 When he a while his hungrie wombe had fed, 
 Knowing the bloodie mifchiefe that was done, 
 And that he ate him whom before he bred, 
 Into a headlong rage along did runne, 
 And curf'th the liuing execrates the dead, 
 In fuch a furie was this knight diftraught, 
 With thoughts of blood and vengeance fully fraught. 
 
 But 
 
 3 2 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 But well he could his raging fences tame, 
 And thought this time was not fo fit to get 
 The freedome of this foule-difeafed dame ; 
 The night and fudden noyfe his deede would let, 
 Therefore he refted till the morning came, 
 When to this aft himfelfe he ready fet, 
 And watcht to fee the Lady of his loue, 
 That from this feare he might her foule remoue. 
 
 But he not long had fought the Lady fayre, 
 Ere he had fpide where as that lozell mate 
 Walkt with her in the garden for the ayre; 
 And he of luft and filthie finne did prate, 
 The Knight went ftraight vnto that louing payre, 
 Not able longer to refraine his hate, 
 
 When fhe ftraight blufht to fee her felfe alone, 
 Except this villaine compani'd of none. 
 
 Then lightned with reuenge thus gan the Knight; 
 Thou fouleft fhame of all that breath this ayre, 
 How dar'ft thou to abufe this facred wight, 
 Inclofing her in den of black difpayre? 
 Either defend thy deede in martiall fight, 
 Or els here dye,my minde can like no prayer: 
 Her champion I,and Aidon is my name, 
 Thou or thy kind that dare defend the fame. 
 
 But ftreight he quailing funke vnto the ground, 
 For he of warre before had neuer heard, 
 The name of death ftraight caft him in a fwound, 
 His heart did pant, he was fo much afeard, 
 The while Sir A idon gaue a deadly wound 
 Vnto his heart,that all the ground befmeard 
 
 With filthie blood,his fouleft pleafures price, 
 
 The nourifhment of his vngodly vice. 
 
 E ' His 
 
 33 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 His foule funke downe gnafhing for furious mad, 
 That fhe fhould lofe the pleafures of her bower, 
 Repining at the curfed fate fhe had, 
 Thus to be banifht in vnlookt for hower: 
 This while the Knight vnto that Lady fad, 
 Told why and whence he came, who thankt that power, 
 Whofe prouidence preuented her mii-hap, 
 Shedding her foule from deaths fierce thunderclap. 
 
 But thence departing to the hall they went, 
 Where mingled wanton troopes of either kinde, 
 Dallied together in their merriment, 
 He that moft filthie is,he feemes moft kinde : 
 The Knight could not refraine his difcontent, 
 But drawing forth his fword,doth bid them finde 
 Some fitter kinde of mirth,or fitter place: 
 When all affrighted foorth they fled apace. 
 
 All fled,he fets on fire thofe walls of luft, 
 Whofe ayre infefted was with filthie fent, 
 Downe fall the walls confum'd to fruitles duft, 
 With eating flames of firy force yfpent, 
 While Venus wept to fee her fort combuft, 
 And thofe foundations from the bottome rent: 
 But that fayre virgin with the errant Knight, 
 Left thofe foule dwellings,glad they met fo right. 
 
 But looke the Captaine now had chang'd his face, 
 And out of knowledge he will fhortly grow, 
 If that I doe not follow him apace, 
 A gowne he now hath got full hanging low : 
 But wonder not at this his changed cafe, 
 The hap which did befall, you ftraight fhall know : 
 But let me breath awhile,it needs no hafte, 
 For yet I pant with chafing him fo faft. 
 
 Cant. 
 
 34 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Cant. 5. 
 THinchanter on a plaine doth ly, 
 
 And while he looketh all abrode, 
 He fees a Lady paf sing by, 
 
 To whom enforjl with lujl he rode, 
 Fidamours loue and Philarets charge, 
 
 Phucerus crueltie is told at large. 
 
 DEare foule, what euer wandrefh here below, 
 Chaind in the finfull bodies fenfuall bands, 
 Yeeld not thy felfe to what doth fayreft fhow, 
 Nor walking in thefe worldly Nilus fands, 
 Giue liftning to the tunes that fweet doe blow : 
 Tis eafie falling into pleafures hands, 
 But at deare rate he felleth all his ware, 
 The entrance pleafeth,but the end is care. 
 
 This haft thou found thou euer-damned ghoft, 
 And payeft dearly for thy marchandife, 
 Gnafhing thy teeth in that infernall coaft, 
 Rowling to banifht heauen thy glowing eyes : 
 Now doth he curfe what once did pleafe him moft, 
 Seeing his accounts to fuch a fumme to rife, 
 
 And in deepe horror from his bowels cryes, 
 
 To learne iuftice,nor the Gods defpife. 
 
 But all too late he moanes his wicked deede, 
 
 Now was it time all euill to preuent, 
 
 Before foule finne had hatcht his curfed feede, 
 
 Better he had his guts in famine fpent, 
 
 Then with this feaft his poyfoned flefh to feede, 
 
 But what to doe himfelfe did not repent, 
 
 Shall not much grieue my warned minde to tell, 
 Better to heare then doe what is not well. 
 
 E 2 After 
 
 35 
 
Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 After his faithles heart had her forfooke, 
 
 That ftill ingeminates his hated name, 
 
 With th'other knights he foorth his iourney tooke, 
 
 And to Geticas bower at length they came, 
 
 Where they infcrib'd their names in curfed booke, 
 
 Incorporated in the citie of defame, 
 
 The citie which foule fhame on earth hath built, 
 To trap mens foulesin finnes accufing guilt. 
 
 And euery one his fundrie choife had gaind, 
 As each mans liking doth him moft direft, 
 But wicked Bonauallanl hath obtaind, 
 To be of Hecates accurfed feci:, 
 Taught now to hold grim Dis and Spirits chaind, 
 And plague the furies for his words negleft, 
 And foule Megera at his kindled breft, 
 Will rack mens tortur'd foules in fad vnreft. 
 
 No fooner doth he moue his charmed wan, 
 But hell erufts foule Spirits which attend, 
 To worke the will of this accurfed man, 
 He can with deadly charmes earths belly rend, 
 And with fwift wings the Hiding ayer fan, 
 Making fterne Pluto at his words to bend, 
 
 One houre this Pole fhall fee his charmed wings, 
 And in the fame he to thAntartique flings. 
 
 But now vpon a fayre plaine he doth lye, 
 Harbourd within his charme-enchanted wall, 
 Where on a tower he fees who paffeth by, 
 Hoping at length fome purchafe will befall, 
 On whom to worke his curfed witchery, 
 To which a fudden fight his fence doth call, 
 For a farre off he fees a Lady bright, 
 That armed was and all arayd for fight. 
 
 Her 
 
 36 
 
Verities Hijlorie. 
 
 Her face like Phoebus at the fudden rife, 
 Gaue fuch a glifter in her beauties morne, 
 As made him hope fome vnaccuftom'd price, 
 And richer treafure then he faw beforne, 
 Therefore his curfed art he now applies, 
 Hoping he fhould this game away haue borne ; 
 And armed with infernall fpirits might, 
 Thus he affayd to clofe this bleffed wight. 
 
 Out from his cell he flyes with greateft hafte, 
 
 Like ftormie Notus on his dewy plumes, 
 
 And from his caftles fight he quite is paft, 
 
 Where hid in charming fogges and chaunted fumes, 
 
 Like to a Snake his skin he off doth caft, 
 
 And fained fhape and forme he now affumes, 
 
 Vpon a hackney he is fairly fet, 
 
 Whofe fides his feete not ftirropt flaggring beat. 
 
 His hoary beard downe fnowing on his breaft, 
 And fwanny locks the chronicles of age, 
 Witneffe that elder yeares haue him oppreft, 
 But that his fword doth tell that youthfull rage, 
 Within his haughty heart is not deceaft": 
 Thus doth he goe as in a pilgrimage, 
 Euen like Silenus now he doth appeare, 
 But he a tankard,this a fword doth beare. 
 
 Thus doth he march toward that fayreft dame, 
 His horfe fcarfe mouing his vntoward feete, 
 When as the Sunne vnto his lodging came, 
 And did no fooner his faire Thetis greete, 
 But this Titkonus fetled for his gaine, 
 Did fayrer farre then fayre Aurora meete, 
 
 And careles feemed he to paffe afide, 
 
 But though his horfe go'th forth,his hart doth back abide. 
 
 E 3 When 
 
 37 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 When fhe back turning her celeftiall fpheares, 
 (In one of which fweet Venus darts her rayes, 
 In th'other Mars and warlike loue appeares,) 
 Father (quoth fhejknow you how farre awayes 
 Is fayre Doledra,where Phucerus beares 
 The Diadem in thefe vnhappy dayes ? 
 
 Well doe I know(quoth he)but tis fo farre, 
 You cannot there come by the light of ftarre. 
 
 Then poynting to this witches charmed place, 
 ('Quoth fhe)what Knight dwels in thofe goodly walls, 
 Or will he offer Lady this one grace, 
 (Becaufe the night me fo vntimely calls) 
 To entertaine me for this little fpace? 
 And if at any time the like befalls, 
 
 Which may requite his gentle curtefie, 
 
 He try to quite his great humanitie. 
 
 Euen like to Jupiter when once he brought, 
 
 That fayre Europa on his back did fit 
 
 Daunc'd through the flowry fields,glad he had caught 
 
 His game,applauding his fuccefliue wit : 
 
 So doth this carle at this good newes,he fought, 
 
 And to the Lady thus his fpeech doth fit: 
 
 Well may you goe, none are more welcome there, 
 Then thofe that for true caufe doe armour beare. 
 
 And to affure you here my felfe will lead, 
 Vnworthie loadftarre of fo fayre a Sunne, 
 Vnto that caftle where I fure aread, 
 Not common kindnes to you will be done: 
 She harkning to his fpeech the path doth tread, 
 Which to this labyrinth of fhame doth runne, 
 
 Where pleafing doubt doth lead her to the center, 
 But there foule Minotaurs will her incounter. 
 
 But 
 
 38 
 
Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 But leaft long wonder might your thoughts poffeffe, 
 Who was this Lady,and from whence fhe came, 
 And why here fhe her iourney did addreffe, 
 I will vnfold the ftorie of this Dame ; 
 Strong loue her bounden heart doth much oppreffe, 
 Which any thought of danger ouercame: 
 Not many fights and perils doe her moue, 
 She counts them all but pleafures for her loue. 
 
 Vpon Eumorphos plaines a caftle ftands, 
 Where dwelt an ancient and a comely Knight, 
 Which all the country bordering commaunds : 
 But that which greateft raifde his glories hight, 
 Was not his treafure,nor farre ftretched lands : 
 But three fayre daughters,lights moft brighter!: light, 
 Whofe wondrous beautie lookers did amaze, 
 That in one heauen fo many Sunnes did blaze. 
 
 Amongft thefe lookers, one there did furprize 
 An vncouth heate of vndermining loue, 
 Who knowing that ftopt fire more hotly fryes, 
 And with his owne light doth his cloake remoue, 
 Made knowne the Comet which withdrew his eyes, 
 And to his Lady did his paffions proue: 
 She Philaret was calde,the eldeft mayd, 
 The Knight Sir Fid-amour thus ill apayd. 
 
 With earneft fute an anfwere he hath gaind, 
 
 The golden fhaft (hot foorth from Cupids bow, 
 
 That if the viflorie he haue obtaind, 
 
 In that aduenture which this mayd fhall fhow, 
 
 His gentle proffers fhall be entertaind, 
 
 And happy match betweene thefe loues fhall grow : 
 
 But if he doe not,then all former band 
 
 Came back as free into the makers hand. 
 
 Downe 
 
 39 
 
Vertues Hijiorie. 
 
 Downe in the wefterne coaft there dwelt a king, 
 Phucerus he is hight,his goodly feate, 
 Is calde Doledra,whofe high towers doe fing 
 Soft murmuring tunes, when windes then gently beat, 
 And loftie turrets mighty tops doe bring, 
 Vnto the fkye which neuer faw fo great, 
 That dar'd to looke vpon the ftarry fkye, 
 And lift their maffes in the ayre fo hye. 
 
 Within this towne a prophefie did paffe, 
 That from Eumorphos mould a mayden come, 
 Whofe hand mould change the kingdome whence it was, 
 Which made the king in priuate charge to fome, 
 That whofoere could bring that countries laffe, 
 Vnto th'appoynted Eumorphean tombe, 
 
 He mould be recompenc'd with liberall fee, 
 Befide the grace in which he ftill mould bee. 
 
 Thus had he flaine and tombde in bloody pit, 
 Many that guiltles came with no pretence, 
 And Philaret glad to be reuengde of it, 
 Enioynd the knight thefe deedes to recompence, 
 And to prouoke them more he mould him fit, 
 Womans apparell which breed es more offence. 
 
 And thus with fpeare and targe he forth fhould goe, 
 
 To be reuenged on his wicked foe. 
 
 Forth he is gone (the gods him profper fayre) 
 And to this caftle is this iourney fpent, 
 Where I muft leaue him to his fortunes fare, 
 But ftill imagine that he forward went, 
 For ftrongeft loue imprints a deepeft care, 
 That nothing can withdraw his hearts intent ; 
 
 But let him goe as faft as loue him driues, 
 
 He ouertake him ere he home ariues. 
 
 Cant. 
 
 4 o 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Cant. 6. 
 Eronaes craft and filed tung, 
 
 And pleafing looke and fiattring face, 
 Deogines his heart hath flung ; 
 
 Aidon doth finde in wofull cafe, 
 His mother kept in bondage chaine, 
 
 In whofe defence himfelfe isflaine. 
 
 T 
 
 ^ Hou facred Mufe which with thy filuer fpring, 
 A little fprinkleft my fcarfe-moyftned brow, 
 Helpe me in ampler field my verfe to bring; 
 
 Thefe deedes doe grow to larger number now, 
 Nor can this little pipe them fully fing, 
 Therefore my limits with my fong muft grow : 
 The diuers webs are now fo diuers fpunne, 
 They cannot end fo neere as they begunne. 
 
 Whither defiled foules thus runne ye mad ? 
 
 Wallowing in filthy fhames finck mod obfcene : 
 
 What ? fee you not how Adraflea fad, 
 
 With iron whips inflifting hellifh peine, 
 
 Still houereth ouer,marking what is bad, 
 
 And like Celceno clafps her wings vncleane, 
 For ioy that fhe a fubiecl: fit hath found, 
 On whom reuengement deeply may rebound. 
 
 This if Erona had confidered than, 
 When fhe firft yeelded her to finnes delight, 
 And drawne her feete againe when fhe began, 
 This forrow had not vext her troubled fpright, 
 Now defolate left off that curfed man : 
 But fince none other way is found in fight, 
 Vnto her wonted arte fhe runnes againe, 
 And modeftie in poyfoned heart doth faine. 
 
 F After 
 
 / 4i 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 After the caftle was left defolate, 
 And all betooke them to that wicked way, 
 Faine would fhe after goe but tis too late, 
 So fhall her Heights appeare as bright as day, 
 Therefore fhe doth inuent all defperate, 
 This path or none for helping to affay, 
 
 All clad in black like mourning for the dead, 
 
 Or Pilgrim that is all difquieted. 
 
 A hood of black vpon her head fhe wore, 
 Which fought againft the Sunne her forme to fhield, 
 And on her backe a mourning gowne fhe bore, 
 Which loofely flagging fwept the verdant field, 
 And at her breft a booke there hung before, 
 Whofe backe nor painting clad nor golde did guild ; 
 But black it was without and fo within, 
 Onely the letters white in all were feen. 
 
 Thus is the Ancres gone to feeke her fate, 
 Clad in the cloudes of forrow and defpayre, 
 Which to eclipfe thefe rayes which fhinde of late ; 
 Yet in this battell of her bewties fayre, 
 Oppofde to blacke this white fupports more ftate, 
 Which litle teary dimples doe repayre ; 
 So that or now,or neuer fo diuine, 
 Doth this fayre Cynthia at her fulleft fhine. 
 
 So long fhe had the playnes and valleys tras't, 
 That Plicebus gallopt downe the wefterne hill, 
 Seeing his fierie torches fo to waft, 
 And fhe then hoping for no leffer ill, 
 Then in fome outcaft harbour farre difplas't, 
 To lye.while night keepes all in filent ftill; 
 Goes forward feeking for fome fhady place, 
 
 To hide her from the view of mens difgrace. 
 
 42 
 
 But 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 But fee an aged man this way doth ride, 
 Vpon a lufty Palfrey fayrely fet, 
 Who though his hayres in ages graine are dyde, 
 Proues that his heart the maftery doth get, 
 And that fome heate within his breaft doth bide, 
 Not full remou'd from out his wonted feat, 
 Euen to this damfell is he come at laft 
 Whence fiery dartes into his eyes are caft. 
 
 Sometimes he lookes,yet ftraight lookes back againe, 
 Sorry his heart fhould be captiu'd with loue, 
 Sometimes he viewes yet not to view doth fayne, 
 He fix'th his eyes,yet ftreight he doth remoue, 
 His thoughts be gone.yet thoughts he would reftraine, 
 Which battle in his flaming breft doth proue : 
 That though he fight and ftriue with his defire, 
 Dry flicks muft needes confume once put to fire. 
 
 Faine would he paffe,but burning loue denyes, 
 And makes him fee he ftriues againft his heart, 
 Therefore this medicine he now applyes, 
 And hopes to win his loue by loues defart, 
 He doth enquire which way her iourney lyes, 
 And if her bufines binds not to depart : 
 
 Euen neere (quoth he)my caftle fayre doth ftand, 
 Which fhall be ready at thy fweet command. 
 
 She then replyes a pilgrim mayde I am, 
 
 And finnes deepe fpot farre buried in my breft, 
 
 Tells me I neuer can cleane purge the fame, 
 
 Except I banifh quite the bodies reft, 
 
 Which ftill prouokes the foule to endleffe fhame, 
 
 But for this profer and your kinde requeft, 
 
 One night with you fayre friend I may remaine, 
 So in the morne I fhall returne againe. 
 
 F 2 Euen 
 
 43 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Euen as the baited hooke in Thamis waues, 
 
 Floteth along and fwimmeth faft away, 
 
 As if no gainfull hinderance he craues, 
 
 And when the fifh his guilefull courfe doth ftay, 
 
 Playing a while his tangled life he faues, 
 
 But at the laft he takes him for a pray: 
 
 So doth this mayde feeme careles for her gaine, 
 But he fhall feele her craft to greater paine. 
 
 This Knight now widow'd had a comely wife, 
 Whofe fayrenes with his fiercenes badly met, 
 The chafteft Veftall liu'd no charter life 
 Then did this Lady,yet he ftill did fret, 
 A ftrangers looke would fet them both at ftrife, 
 He thinks fhe doth her vowed ,loue forget, 
 Which made her weary of her prifon'd breath, 
 And with a fword her foule vnburdeneth. 
 
 Her ghoft embrued in that crimfon gore, 
 Still plaines to Rhadamant with ceafeles cry, 
 For fierce reuenge to make him once deplore, 
 That wrought her that accurfed mifery, 
 Who deeply moued,wild her weepe no more, 
 And bad reuenge vnto the earth to fly : 
 Where he fhould get him ftill defired food, 
 Of cruell torments and new iffuing blood. 
 
 Now hath he got this fained penitent, 
 To play the pageant of his plotted ill, 
 Who though fhe feemeth inly to repent, 
 Yet finnes abyjfus there remaineth ftill, 
 The filthy dregges of fhame whofe noyfome fent, 
 With poyfened humors fhall her louer fill : 
 But fince his heart a woing needes muft goe, 
 He leaue him to his woing and his woe. 
 
 Now 
 
 44 
 
Vertices Hiflorie. 
 
 Now change thy Myrtle for a Cypreffe bow, 
 Put on thy mourning weedes,come mourn my Mufe, 
 With Ebon dye vailing thy fmiling brow, 
 Loth would I tell it,yet I cannot chufe, 
 And tis too late to helpe thy loffes now, 
 Floods of my teares cannot thy ioy reduce : 
 Ah good Sir Aidon whofe vntimely fate, 
 Makes me to mourne euen faft by pleafures gate. 
 
 After this Knight returnde with victorie, 
 Into the country where he firft was borne, 
 It chanced as he did arriue full nie 
 His caftle.day was fled,and double home 
 Of Cynthia gan aduance their tops full hie, 
 When wearines their limmes had much forworne, 
 And the Sunnes fcorchingfnow ore-paffed heate) 
 With labour made their panting hearts to beate. 
 
 But now a Chriftal well they haue efpide, 
 In whofe cleere ftreames beauties fayre looking glaffe, 
 P/tcei>e,when in her circuit fhe did ride, 
 Would ioy to fee the glorie of her face, 
 Where they alight,and by the fountaine fide 
 Doe lay them downe vpon the pleafant graffe : 
 And while they harke how Zefhire foft doth fing, 
 A murmur to their eares thefe words doth bring. 
 
 You goodly boughs of youth which proudly beare 
 Your climing tops vnto the fmiling ayre, 
 Thinke how fierce winter fhall your garments teare, 
 And with his ftormes ore-fhadow all your fayre, 
 The goodlieft vefture which you ere fhall weare, 
 Times aged feathers bafely fhall impayre, 
 Your ioy the mornings fmile,but fable night 
 Shall drowne in forrowes floods your moft delight. 
 
 F 3 The 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 The worlds great pride fhall haue a greater fall, 
 
 Vncertaine men haue no poffeffion fure, 
 
 He that is neereft death is beft of all, 
 
 The leffer troubles hath he to endure, 
 
 He that doth fit attirde in princely pall, 
 
 Cannot the purchafe of one day procure ; 
 
 When our ioyes Sunne from Tethis waues doth wade, 
 Tis figne there was,and fhall againe be fhade. 
 
 Therefore thou body which doft pine away, 
 Which age hath furrow'd with his iron plow, 
 Reioyce that thou fhalt fee that glorions day, 
 Whofe bright Sunnes Chariot fhall not downward bow, 
 But lighten beames which black night doth obay, 
 So chainde fhe neuer can from darkenes glow; 
 And while thou draweft this thy fainting breath, 
 VVeepe for to wafh thy finnes,not for thy death. 
 
 This mournfull voyce with hoarce and hollow found, 
 Sayled full gently to their liftning eares, 
 Whofe noyfe that did from out the caue rebound, 
 Brought to their ftonied hearts affrighting feares, 
 At laft by earned thought the Knight hath found, 
 What wracked wight this dolefull mufick beares ; 
 And knew that this his mother deare had beene, 
 Grieuing her woe,and not her felfe is feene. 
 
 Diftrafted quight about the place he goes, 
 Like Bacchus priefts whom holy Thyrfe had raught, 
 But now the found with crying he doth lofe, 
 And with the found the place fo much he faught, 
 But then he thinks fome wicked forraine foes, 
 His caftle haue and her both captiue caught : 
 
 Therefore vnto the Caftle he doth flie, 
 
 As one intranced in an extafie. 
 
 He 
 
 46 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 He fiercely knocks againft the caftle gate, 
 He knocks againe as fury doth him driue, 
 At laft one comes,and cryes who dares thus late 
 With troubling noyfe hither to ariue : 
 No fooner faw he him,but vrgde with hate, 
 (With which his paffions doe all vainely ftriue) 
 He with a mighty blow ftroke at his head, 
 Thinking euen then t'haue fent his foule to bed. 
 
 The other voyding drew his fiery blade, 
 
 And here (quoth he) goe to thy mothers ghoft, 
 
 His mothers loued name fuch entry made, 
 
 As he for thought thereof gan faint almoft, 
 
 In which deepe traunce he doth the Knight inuade, 
 
 And ftroke him deepely to the vtmoft coft : 
 
 Downe falls the Knight as if he dead had bin, 
 
 The other left him fo and entred in. 
 
 After Viceina foftly followeth, 
 
 At laft fhe comes, where fhe doth weeping view 
 
 The mournfull picture of vngentle death : 
 
 Nor doth (he looke vpon his plight to rue, 
 
 But with a linnen clofely couereth 
 
 The wound,and doth a litle life renew ; 
 
 Where helped by the flopping of his blood, 
 He went with her vnto a ioyning wood. 
 
 Yet knowes he not how this vngentle deede 
 Was wrought,nor who abufde his mothers right ; 
 It was a bloody man that did exceede 
 In furious wrath.each word would make him fight: 
 Yet mighty was he, and his happy fpeede 
 Caufde him of any foes to make but light: 
 And ftill his iawes like fmoaky Orcus caue, 
 Would reeke forth othes when he did curfe and raue. 
 
 This 
 
 47 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 This furious A iax when the drowfie night 
 Had couerd all things with her pitchy vaile, 
 Comes to this caftle where he doth alight, 
 And cries for entry,but his cry doth faile: 
 Then fwelling deepe with rage and great defpight, 
 The gates with violence he doth affaile : 
 
 Which broken downe,he takes the fleeping Nun, 
 And fhuts her in a caue,and roules a ftone vpon. 
 
 But now good Aidon like the dying fwan, 
 Knew that the time of death approached neere : 
 Therefore to fing fweet tunes he now began, 
 The tunes which pleafe the great Creators eare, 
 The cruell fates haue burnt the liuely bran, 
 With whofe confuming breath and life doth weare 
 
 Cruell Alikea,death reft of vnreft, 
 
 Leauing the earth-wormes carrying hence the belt. 
 
 But as his eyes had almoft rolde the laft, 
 To him his mothers fhadow doth appeare, 
 Quoth fhe; reioyce thou foule worlds woe is paft, 
 This burden now no longer fhalt thou beare, 
 Our Hues account in heauens booke is caft, 
 Throw hence earths cloake,and follow me my deare: 
 This heard,he fix'th his ftanding eyes on hye, 
 His winged ghoft to heauens bower doth flye. 
 
 As fayre Creufa in confumed Troy, 
 Fled from JEneas lifted in the ayre, 
 Rauifht with heauens ouer-pleafing ioy, 
 And left him crying in his loues defpayre, 
 Freed from thefe troubles and the worlds annoy, 
 So hath this ghoft now fet in ftarry chayre, 
 Left her that with the fhrilnes of her cry, 
 Pierced refilling ayre and ftroake the sky. 
 
 The 
 
 48 
 
Verities Hi/iorie. 
 
 The greateft woe that heart did euer beare, 
 With grifly tallants gripeth on her foule, 
 Sorrow her inward parts doth fiercely teare, 
 And in griefes couer doth her heart enroule, 
 And when the leaft relenting doth appeare, 
 Then doth deaths vifnomie her peace controule : 
 
 The Sunne of loue hath fet her heart on fire, 
 
 The fmoake is fighs,the flame is her defire. 
 
 As when in open field a mounting flame, 
 Halfe-quenched with the clowdes diftilling raine, 
 Doubles anon his height,and v/ith the fame 
 Yeelds foorth frefh vapours to the clowdes againe, 
 Till they ore-burdned fend them whence they came, 
 Rebating fo th'afpiring fire amaine : 
 
 So fighs and teares runne ftill this weeping fourfe, 
 And end themfelues,but neuer end their courfe. 
 
 Strike rocky foule (quoth fliej a teary fhowre, 
 
 From out the hollow of my ftony breaft, 
 
 And all thy moyfture into riuers powre, 
 
 For him that did procure thy fweeteft reft, 
 
 And melt in teares vntill thy lateft howre, 
 
 Becaufe thy deareft Deare is now deceaft : 
 
 Then to a Cypreffe tree thy fhadow turne, Alluding io 
 
 And on his tombe fhew that thou ftill doeft mourne. Cyparijfus. 
 
 While thou thrice-bleffed foule in happy peace, 
 Shalt fing fweet accents rauifhing concent, 
 In tunes whofe harmony fhall neuer ceafe, 
 But ftill endure with thy ftill-during feate, 
 While nothing fhall my heart from griefe releafe, 
 Till with my woe my life fhall be expleate : 
 
 Fayre dayes fhall tell me of thy fayreft hue, 
 
 And clowdy gloome fhall bid me euer rue. 
 
 G This 
 
 g 49 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 This fayd, a fhade encompaft all the wood, 
 Her darkned fight abroad can nothing fee : 
 So by Lyrccean groue fayre Jo flood, 
 Enuellop'd with a fhadie Canopee, 
 While fhe thus masked in this pitchie hood, 
 Was forft the great gods concubine to bee : 
 But at the laft at once this clowdy night 
 Is chafed by the Sunnes new rifing light. 
 
 But where before that Sainted Temple lay, 
 Nothing appeares, and where the blood did ftaine, 
 The dyed graffe,there now fayre Rofes flay, 
 The damaske colourd in a ruddie graine, 
 That blufheth at the rifing of the day, 
 To fee her beautie naked all remaine : 
 And purple violets ne'er growing right, 
 But feeke to hide their forme from common fight, 
 
 Thus is the Mother and her holy Sonne, 
 The trueft types of chaftitie and fhame, 
 Dead ere new offpring from their loynes begunne, 
 To propagate fayre vertues facred name : 
 Which is the reafon that th'all-feeing Sunne, 
 Seldome hath feene a chaft and fpotles Dame : 
 Except Eliza that celeftiall wight, 
 And you whofe tapers burne pure virgin-light. 
 
 But fayre Viceina now doth walke alone, 
 Faine would I bring thee to fome lodging place, 
 For curtefie denies to heare thee moane, 
 And thus to leaue thee in this wofull cafe, 
 Forfaken and accompanide of none : 
 But take it not I pray thee for difgrace, 
 
 I fee fome riding here with might and maine, 
 He but examine them and come againe. 
 
 Cant. 
 
 5° 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Cant. 7. 
 Adonia goes fauenge her Knight, 
 
 After her charming nought preuailes : 
 Deogin feeing Erona light, 
 
 Amidft the wanes his chance bewailes : 
 Erona on thefea doth float, 
 
 Chang 'd by a charme into a boat. 
 
 WHen in th! j&gezum of thy wandring dayes, 
 Fortune full foftly fils thy fwelling faile, 
 Let no Circceas hinder quite thy wayes, 
 Nor let her cups againft thy heart preuaile, 
 Then vertue of thy fpotted foule decayes, 
 Blinded in worldly pleafures clowdy vaile: 
 
 This pleafing draught fhall fo bewitch thy will, 
 Well mayft thou fee the good,but doe the ill. 
 
 Which doth appeare in this moft wretched wight, 
 Who after Aidon had their Captaine flaine, 
 Returneth to the dregges of fond delight, 
 Hoping t'haue found their carpet knight againe, 
 And bring her ancient cuftomes new to light : 
 But as fhe fought him with inceffant paine, 
 
 At laft a mangled carcaffe fhe had fpide, 
 
 With skarlet blood and filthie gore bedide. 
 
 As Peleus daughters, when they faw their fire 
 Vanifht from earth into a gaftly fhade, 
 Their raging thoughts rapt vp in furies gire, 
 Curft heauen and earth,and that life-loofmg blade, 
 Damning that vgly witch to Orcus fire, Medea. 
 
 And then themfelues which firft the motion made: 
 So doth this furnace burning hellifh flame, 
 Breath curfes gainft great heau'ns fate-ruling name. 
 
 G 2 Foule 
 
 S 1 
 
Verities Hijlorie. 
 
 Foule fiends(quoth fhejwhich gnafh your fretting iawes, 
 
 Enuying at mens dying felicitie, 
 
 Goe,heeres a fubieft for your rending clawes, 
 
 Afcend to heauen and raze his hatefull eye, 
 
 That bloody Sunne which with his influence drawes 
 
 The toffed fhip of life to miferie : 
 
 With fulphure fmoake darken each quenched ftarre, 
 Which could behold this bloody a£t fo farre. 
 
 And on your Dragon backs lift Neptune hye, 
 Into the heauens with his watrie traine, 
 That downe perpetuall mowers ftill may flye, 
 The fates vngentle power to complaine : 
 Let earth decay,let all things earthly dye, 
 Till with their moanes my loue returne againe: 
 Inueft thee here ayr-ouerfpreading Night, 
 Now he is dead, all is none other light. 
 
 And take you veftures which black Stixes waue, 
 Seuen times hath dyed in his fable flood, 
 And let each ftarre a pitchy garment haue, 
 And let thefe fuits attire all heauens brood, 
 Where in a progreffe they fhall mourning craue, 
 The deare renewing of this bleffed blood, 
 
 And breake the diftaffe of death-guiding fate, 
 Loofing the foules from out hell prifon gate. 
 
 But looke,the Sunne fends downe his fmiling rayes, 
 Laughing to fcorne the forrow of my heart, 
 Words cannot bring him to his fweeteft dayes, 
 No power pities my tormenting fmart : 
 Therefore He try fome foule-inchanting wayes, 
 Whofe might fhall make the fates their doome reuart : 
 And fince they moue not with my mourning teares, 
 With deadly charmes He pearce their glowing eares. 
 
 Seuen 
 
 52 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Seuen dayes fhe mournd about her deareft loue, 
 The feuenth night fhe wandred farre away, 
 And all the forts of liuely herbes did proue, 
 Gathering the dew from leaues of fpringing bay, 
 And all the fpices which might calour moue, 
 And Serpents skin which fummer laft did lay : 
 Only fhe could not get a Deeres warme hart, 
 Whofe want confounded all her charming art. 
 
 Now back fhe goes, when as the wakened Sunne 
 Gathred his horfes from the Wefterne plaine, 
 And foftly vp the Eafterne mount did runne, 
 When fhe vnto her Knight returnde againe, 
 Where, when in order all her charme was done, 
 She loof 'th about her head her treffie traine : 
 And laying in his mouth,and in his wound, 
 Her charme fhe runneth feuen times around. 
 
 Then feuen times thefe words fhe doth repeate, 
 By the great fecrets which in Memphis lie, 
 And by the bloody waues which Pharus beate, 
 By three-formd Hecates great Deitie, 
 By pitchy Stixes heauen-feared feate, 
 And by the labours of thy Lunacie: 
 Phcebe recur'd by Temefczan braffe, 
 I charge this foule to come where firft it was. 
 
 This fayd,a Chriftall glaffe fhe foorth doth take, 
 Holding it right againft the fhining Sunne, 
 That beames contracted might a fire make, 
 Whofe fmoake into a liuely foule might runne : 
 The charme is kindled and he feemes to wake, 
 But wanting force the charme is ftraight vndone : 
 She did but trouble his affrighted ghoft, 
 Lacking the thing which helpe Medea moft.. 
 
 G 3 Now 
 
 53 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Now fits fhe downe,all helpe and hope is gone, 
 Reuenge can only now his foule acquite : 
 Therefore on vengeance fhe doth thinke alone, 
 To be reuenged on that holy Knight: 
 And as fhe plots fhe fpies an armed one, 
 Ready prepar'd as feem'd for bloody fight ; 
 His loftie fpeare he doth aduance on hie, 
 As though he menac'd warre vnto the skie. 
 
 This pecocke irond thus of euery fide, 
 A coward is vnfit of manly fpeare, 
 Neuer in ought he hath his valour tride, 
 Bet is fo faint and humble flaue to feare, 
 That when the fhadow of his lance he fpide, 
 His fainting carcaffe downward gan to beare : 
 And if deaths thought had not him roufde away, 
 No doubt for famine he mould there decay. 
 
 And now he went into this filthie land, 
 Where Knights but feldome vfde their proweffe trie, 
 And now the mayd of him doth this demaund, 
 That fharpe reuenge might quite this iniurie : 
 Then lifting out his vow confirming hand, 
 Ladyfif this fame caitife hidden lie 
 
 Vnder the cpmpaffe of this emptie ayrej 
 This hand thy loffes fully fhall repayre. 
 
 Out in Tartaria when a mightie hoaft 
 Encompaft me : but then befpoke the mayd, 
 No further of thy deedes I pray thee boaft, 
 Well doe I truft thee for thy gentle ayd, 
 Though he had neuer been in any coaft, 
 Which in a new Meridian is layd : 
 
 But trauerfing the Hand vp and downe, 
 Neuer did worthie deed in field nor towne. 
 
 The 
 
 54 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 The mayd vp mounted led him in the way, 
 Which to Sir Aidons fort direftly brought: 
 Where come by breaking of the blufhing day, 
 He bid the mayd ftay back till he had fought, 
 The battell which her foes in duft mould lay: 
 Which done,he very ftudious bethought, 
 How he the battell any way might flie, 
 Or if he fought,fome place of flight efpie. 
 
 Thus mufing ftraight he fees the portall fhut, 
 And hoping none were remanent within, 
 With fpeare he gaue the gates a mightie butt, 
 And cryes,what are you fled for feare your finne, 
 Reueng'd with death my hungry fpheare fhould glut ? 
 Or of my comming haue forewarned bin ? 
 
 Then foorth Tigranes comes that furious Knight, 
 And cryes,what peafant troubles my delight. 
 
 No harme(quoth he)forfooth an humble friend, 
 
 Come to congratulate your viftorie, 
 
 And here this captiue mayd a pledge doe fend, 
 
 Yeelding her to you with humilitie : 
 
 Let not I pray my boldnes you offend, 
 
 But take this mayd a pledge of fealtie. 
 
 The Knight appeafde,them gently entertaind, 
 And they a place of reft haue now obtaind. 
 
 Now had Viceina paft this bloody feat, 
 And wandred thorow way-leffe woods and dales, 
 When in a vale a cottage fhe hath met, 
 Wherein a Hermite ftill in prayer calles, 
 To clenfe his foule and wickedneffe forget, 
 Whofethought the thoughts of his fweetconfcience galls: 
 Thus did he fpend the day and watch the night, 
 Still lifting- vp for grace his troubled fpright. 
 
 Who 
 
 55 
 
Verhies Hiftorie. 
 
 Who feeing fuch a modeft Lady by, 
 Told her if cottage might not be difdaind, 
 Nor herball fare which in his houfe doth ly, 
 Of him flie gladly fhould be entertaind : 
 Who finding comfort of extremity, 
 Told him fhe gladly hath his lodging gaind : 
 
 Where we will leaue them to their hearty prayer, 
 And old mindes griefes with ioy new to repayre. 
 
 But fee how fayre Erona chang'th her coat, 
 And taught the feigniour with a cleerer breaft, 
 To fing his tunes vnto a higher note : 
 She that but one night in his houfe would reft, 
 Leaft wicked finne her holy foule fhould blot, 
 She thinks to tarie here is farre the belt : 
 
 And Deogin enamourd on her face, 
 
 With many fports hath made her like the place. 
 
 But he is come vnto his wonted rate, 
 
 His eyes are euer gliftering with fire, 
 
 He euer thinks fhe hath another mate, 
 
 And other loues doe kindle her defire, 
 
 Which often caufeth ftrife and great debate, 
 
 But fhe will gently quite her ielous fire : 
 And fince he ftumbles thus without a ftone, 
 She meanes to giue him rocks to fall one. 
 
 Euen by this Caftle Neptune once in loue 
 Of a wood Nymph,did follow faft his game : 
 But fhe to fly his kiffes mainly ftroue, 
 And to her woods of harbour flying came : 
 Neptune enrag'd, his trident mace vphoue, 
 And mainly ftroake the harbour of the Dame: 
 The earth gan melt,and trees confum'd away, 
 Neptune rufht in and caught the fwimming lay. 
 
 So 
 
 5& 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 So now a lake it is,once firmeft land, 
 
 And Knights much vfde to croffe this watry way : 
 
 But once arriu'd a Knight vnto the ftrand, 
 
 About the darkning of the conquerd day, 
 
 And at this caftle lodging did demand : 
 
 The carle was loth,but threatnings did affray, 
 
 That in he goes into that burning gate, 
 
 The tragick aftor of the churles fate. 
 
 When fupper comes all doe themfelues addreffe, 
 To faciate with foode their natures neede: 
 But this grim fir doth fit all fupperleffe, 
 And on his gnawed guts apace doth feede, 
 And when he eates.he mindeth nothing leffe : 
 For on the Knight his eyes kept carefull heede, 
 That fometimes when his meate he (hould deuide, 
 The knife awry into his flefh doth Hide. 
 
 Thus paffeth foorth the prologue of his woe, 
 But the next morne brings foorth his tragedie : 
 For that fame Knight his wife had handled fo, 
 That in a chamber now they both doe lie : 
 But ftill Deogines goes to and fro, 
 To fee if he his louing mates can fpie : 
 
 At laft he fees the flame whofe firy dart 
 
 Kindles the fulphure of his fueld hart. 
 
 About he runnes and cryes I burne I burne, 
 And in black famine all his bones doth fpend : 
 At laft vnto the riuer he doth turne, 
 Thinking to giue this flame a watry end : 
 But he fo light is growne.each waue doth fpurne, 
 And any way his Aiding courfe doth bend : 
 At laft fayre fayling with a Northerne blaft, 
 This barebond feend on Britains fands was caft. 
 
 H But 
 
 h 57 
 
Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 But now Erona will her courfe betake, 
 As fhe was wont to lull and filthie fhame ; 
 A whirry on that riuer fhe doth make, 
 And fhe her felfe the paffenger became, 
 Ferrying each knight vpon that gulfie lake, 
 That condifends vnto her damned game: 
 The reft by cunning of her ioynted boat, 
 She layes in waues and makes ore bord to float. 
 
 For in two parts her boat fhe doth deuide, 
 She in the firft doth row,and that behinde 
 With a fleight vife vnto the firft is tide, 
 Which with a pin fhe can both loofe and binde: 
 Now while vpon the waues they rowing flide, 
 If any Knight refift her filthie minde, 
 
 Then doth fhe loofe her pin.he falleth downe, 
 And drenching waues his haples carkaffe drowne. 
 
 If he vnto her dalliance doe yeeld, 
 Then doth fhe paffe him fafely to the land, 
 And gently fets him on the other field : 
 And thus her dayes confum'd like duftie fand, 
 Which Boreas to and fro with blafts doth wield, 
 And is not feene where it before did ftand : 
 So doth her body fo her foule confume, 
 Dide vgly black in finnes ftill-reaking fume. 
 
 Nor doth her guilt efcape vnpunifht quite ; 
 For as it fell this way her Captaine came, 
 Old Banauallant,onc& her deare delight, 
 But now new-changed in another frame : 
 Who when fhe ferried,and with pleafing fight 
 Woo'd to agree to deeds of black defame : 
 He harkned not to her vntam'd defire, 
 Which kindled in her breaft reuenges fire. 
 
 But 
 
 58 
 
Vertues Hijiorie. 
 
 But he had fpide how (he with turning vice 
 Was loofing downe the dead-fall of her hate, 
 And with a charme did croffe her firft deuice, 
 Giuing her punifht foule a new-found fate; 
 Into a boat her breaft,her legs.her thighs 
 Are chang'd,and bound by charme for endles date: 
 That fince fhe had delighted ftill to carrie, 
 Here in eternall carriage fhe doth tarrie. 
 
 Her armes the oares do cut the fleeting fea, 
 And paffe each traueller to the furtherd fide : 
 Her face in which fweet beautie once did play, 
 The plowed waues in furrowes doth deuide : 
 So the Propsetides that common lay, 
 And paffers violence did ftill abide, 
 
 Becaufe their face no ruddie fhame could print, 
 Were turned to a neuer blufhing flint. 
 
 But let me quickly to Doledra flie, 
 Vnles I thither make the greater haft, 
 Fidamour homeward doth fo hafty hie, 
 That all the mariage will be ouer-paft, 
 The feaft and triumphs of his viftorie, 
 And tilts vnto their lateft day will waft : 
 But I will after on my thoughts fwift wing, 
 And in triumphing tunes his trophees fing. 
 
 H 2 Cant 
 
 59 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 Cant. 8. 
 Fidamour from tK Inchanter fled, 
 
 Withfayre Doledraes King doth fight : 
 She viclor doth her foe behead, 
 
 And to Eumorphos takes her flight, 
 Where at the mariage fuddenly, 
 Th 'Inchanter downe to hell doth fly. 
 
 A 
 
 S when loues lightning on a towre doth fall, 
 No humour can allay his firy might, 
 But with his hungrie iawes confumeth all, 
 
 On which his rending tallands can alight : 
 So doth this filthie flame vnnaturall, 
 Burne in this witches heart in hearts defpight : 
 His thoughts like water in Pyracmons forge, 
 Make his fire-breathing throte more flames difgorge. 
 
 When in the caftle all the night was fpent, 
 In morne they hafted to depart away, 
 Which deeply wrought th'inchanters difcontent, 
 And by thefe meanes doth feeke their courfe delay : 
 He takes a potion from Cocitus fent, 
 Whofe force in weakned heart deepe loue will lay : 
 This had he mingled in fome fatall wine, 
 Hoping to make her heart in furie pine. 
 
 But Epimel her carefull watching page, 
 (Which ftill about his miftris did attend) 
 Had fpide the witches faithles cariage, 
 And quickly bad her on her fteed afcend : 
 She kindled with difdaine and mightie rage, 
 Vnto Doledra now her courfe doth bend : 
 
 Where come, without in fuburbs fhe doth ftay, 
 And to Phucerus thence fends mortall fray. 
 
 The 
 
 60 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 The king that neuer thought in open fight, 
 
 He and his kingdome fhould be ouerthrowne: 
 
 But that fome mayd would by her fubtile flight, 
 
 Or other policie vndermine his throne, 
 
 Went foorth full fraught with rage and high defpight: 
 
 And though his loues about him ftill did mone, 
 
 And curtizans about him euer cry, 
 
 The fad euent of wofull flight to fly. 
 
 Yet he refpefted not their vaine requeft, 
 
 But marched foorth to meete this warlike Dame: 
 
 And at his fight fhe kindling in her breaft, 
 
 The Pyramis of an afcending flame, 
 
 Straight open enmitie to him profeft, 
 
 And with well couched lance toward her came : 
 
 Their flafhing fpeares that from their breafts rebound, 
 Made eccho tell the horror of the found. 
 
 The flintie flakes drop from the riuen plate, 
 And make the hollow earth from deepe to grone, 
 Whofe noyfe the trembling fpirits dide amate, 
 Fearing their couering would haue falne vpon : 
 So angry Ioue inflam'd with ruthles hate, 
 Darts from the heau'ns a mightie thunderftone, 
 And in his rage from out a clowd doth rore, 
 That Atlas limmes doe quake which heau'n vpbore. 
 
 But at the firft encounter deeply fell 
 On Fidamours left fide a heauy blow, 
 Which wofull newes vnto her heart did tell : 
 But at the next fhe him requited fo, 
 His foule was wafted halfe the way to hell, 
 And made his conquerd corps her valour know : 
 Whom from his palfrey fayrely fhe vpheau'd, 
 And of the greeting earth a kiffe receiu'd. 
 
 H 3 The 
 
 6 1 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 The feeble foule from out his breaft was fled, 
 Wandring through gloomy wayes of hellifh fhade, 
 While with her fword fhe martyreth his head : 
 The enfigne which her viftorie difplaide, 
 And with her louing page fhe homewards fped. 
 But what great ioy this ouerthrow hath made, 
 Let them declare who doe their loue obtaine, 
 This pleafure in my heart did neare remaine. 
 
 Go whiftling winds with eafie murmuring bring 
 This happy Lady to her hearts defire, 
 And all the way let fweeteft mufick fing, 
 Melodious concert in loue-carols by her, 
 And goe my thoughts thorow Aiding ayre fling, 
 And view the heat of her deepe printed fire : 
 
 Burne not your felues, nor come the flame too nie, 
 Icarus once drown'd can teach you how to flie. 
 
 Thus in triumphing to Eumorphos brought, 
 All doe applaud the fortune of his fight .• 
 The ranfome which they ftill before had fought, 
 To free them from Phucerus foule defpight : 
 But fudden ioy fo much his Lady raught, 
 Her heart drew exhalations of delight, 
 
 Which kindled by her loue enkindled flame 
 Vnto her Knight, as darted Sunbeames came. 
 
 She giues him kiffes, pledges of her heart, 
 Sweeter than loue receiues of Ganymed, 
 While them betweene fweet Neftar downe doth moue, 
 The hony dew with which fayre loue is fed : 
 Such is the billing of the Cyprian doue, 
 Their mouths in others mouth emprifoned : 
 But fhe with talke loofing that rofial binde, 
 Drew back her lips, but left her heart behinde. 
 
 Now 
 
 62 
 
Vertices Hiftorie. 
 
 Now all things for the Mariage are prepar'd, 
 As when great Perfeus maried Andromede, 
 No coft nor any ornament is fpar'd, 
 With which the mariage may be beautifide : 
 No Knight nor commer is from hence debard, 
 To fee the band which fhall thefe louers wed : 
 
 Shine bright fweet Sunne, now comes that happy day, 
 That in the port thefe gladfull loues fhall lay. 
 
 Now for that holy Hermite haue they fent, 
 With whom Viceina all this while hath ftayd, 
 Who both inuited to Eumorphos went, 
 Where ftands the Knight and that diuineft mayd, 
 Ready to be conioyned with one confent : 
 The Hermite many holy prayers fayd, 
 
 While fayre Viceina by the payre doth ftand, 
 And holds a torch in her ambrofiall hand. 
 
 But Bonauallant, whom ny fortie yeares 
 With foule Geticas date had neere oppreft, 
 Thought ere he went to hurt thefe faithfull pheares, 
 And with his charmes to trouble holy reft : 
 But when this Hermites godly fpeech he heares, 
 His charmes are fruftrate and enchaunting ceaft, 
 Thus in defpight of enuies ftormy wrath, 
 Thefe loues are fetled in their quiets path. 
 
 Now all things for the tilting ready are, 
 And many Knights are gatherd from about, 
 And fierce Tigranes hitherward doth fare : 
 But poore Anander wraps a filthie clout 
 About his hand, and fayes this cloth he ware, 
 Becaufe a wound hath pearc'd his hand throughout : 
 
 But he receiu'd no wound in field nor fight, 
 
 This is his cowardife accuftom'd flight. 
 
 He 
 
 63 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 He with Tigranes comes vnto the feaft, 
 
 But faies he cannot runne for grieuous paine : 
 
 Tigranes doth beleeue the cowards ieft, 
 
 And with him comes vnto the tilting plaine, 
 
 Where ftood two Knights with ready fpeares in reft 
 
 To try who could moft valours glorie gaine : 
 
 They runne and fairely breake each others fpeare, 
 And throughly paffe as if no let there were. 
 
 After runne many whofe part youthfull heat, 
 Drew to expreffe the fire of their heart : 
 Others whom loue taught in this warlike feat, 
 To proue before their Ladies loues defart : 
 As if in telling how their loue was great, 
 They begd fome eafing of impatient fmart, 
 Which with emprezaes they doe fairely fhew, 
 Fitting their outward to their inward hew. 
 
 One hath a Salamander in the fire, 
 
 The word vpon fayre beautie is the flame : 
 
 The next a Linnet in a cage of wire, 
 
 The mot my prifond thoughts ftill fing the fame, 
 
 To fhew the firmnes of his chaft defire : 
 
 The third, fmall birds that to the fire came, 
 
 The faying there conioynd : my light my night, 
 To fhew he pines confum'd with beauties light. 
 
 Thus moft had tride their valour and their might, 
 And to Anander all are come anon, 
 Defiring him to doe the Mariage right, 
 And that his fame and credit ftood thereon, 
 To proue himfelfe a flout and valiant knight, 
 And not in looking let the time be gone : 
 For they perceiu'd not yet his cowardife, 
 Thoughts are not knowen certaine by the eyes. 
 
 Anander 
 
 64 
 
Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 Anatider thus befet as bird of night, 
 Compaft with fmaller foule in time of day, 
 Began to rub his pulfe and pluck his fpright, 
 And clofely puis his winding cloth away, 
 ('Quoth he) I flay not for I feare their fight, 
 For thoufands by this right hand conquered lay. 
 But with my valiance to conclude the iuft, 
 A thing not ending welLis laide in duft. 
 
 Now is he on a gallant Palfrey plafte, 
 And ready to encounter with his foe: 
 The other Knight (good Knight too much debaft 
 With coward braggart to encounter fo) 
 Spurring with fpeare in reft toward him paft, 
 But forth he empty to the ende doth go, 
 For good Anander meaneth harme to none, 
 But forth another way in hafte is gone. 
 
 When firft the Courfer gan to lift his feete, 
 He fhuts his locked eyes with all his might ; 
 And with his fpurres- amaine the horfe doth greete: 
 The Palfray blindly driuen and vnright, 
 Makes him vnwares,with fpeare a wall to meete, 
 With whofe rebut ftands vp the horfe on hight, 
 Downe on the earth his carcaffe doth rebound, 
 And layde his crauen combe along the ground. 
 
 The Knight enraged with his foule difgrace, 
 Tolde to Tigranes t'was no knightly part, 
 To bring fuch cowards and the iufts deface ; 
 Who rending open earths diffeuerd hart, 
 Catching pale Stix by her infefted face, 
 (Quoth he) by Erebs wife no Knight thou art, 
 That doeft impute his cowardife to mee, 
 Which ne're before few dayes his face did fee. 
 
 I Then 
 
 i 65 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Then drawing out his not returning blade, 
 He thought at firft his heart to deerely pay : 
 But well defended it no entry made ; 
 The other with like load on him doth lay, 
 That each began to reele as ill apayde, 
 And each againe doth ftreight renew the fray : 
 
 Their fwordes true fchollers in this martiall fight, 
 
 Anfwer each others arguments aright. 
 
 As Vulcanes feruants in the Lemnian caue, 
 With reftles blowes doe frame a thunderbolt, 
 Or hammering for Ioue an iron claue, 
 With mightie terror make their groaning holt, 
 So thefe fierce Knights,one at another draue, 
 Nor from their kindled fury will reuolt: 
 But thundring each vpon the others crefts, 
 Write with their fwords the raging of their brefts. 
 
 But loe a trumpet roares with hollow found, 
 And deadly skreeches breath from out below: 
 Which doe their cooled foules with feare aftownd 
 To heare fuch dumpifh notes fo gaftly blow : 
 But now the caufe thereof they trembling found, 
 Twere winged fpirits which from Orcus flow, 
 Sent by the king of hell to apprehend 
 That charming thiefe,and cite him to his end. 
 
 Full fortie yeares are paft, while here he lookes, 
 And careles viewes thefe warriors martiall deedes, 
 But Pluto fees his name within his bookes, 
 And to the fiends his doome and iudgement reedes, 
 Who breaking from the cloudy fmoaking nookes, 
 Whofe breath the foule with during torment feedes, 
 Ceaze on his backe,and gripe him with their clawes, 
 And teares him with their iron-rancked iawes. 
 
 Out 
 
 66 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Out breathes he curfes gainft the ftarry sky, 
 Tearing high Ioue with his ftill-gnafhing teeth, 
 And execrates all mens felicity : 
 Hating the light, and curfing all he feeth: 
 Thus banning in this furious extafy, 
 Vnto the feate of damned foules he fleeth: 
 
 The wounded earth hells entrails doth vnfhroude, 
 Downe finkes his foule,maskt in a fmoaky cloude. 
 
 The ende of thefirjl Booke. 
 
 6/ 
 
THVLE, 
 
 Or 
 
 Vertues Hifiorie. 
 
 To the Honorable and vertuous Miftris 
 
 Amy Avdely. 
 
 By F. R. 
 
 Thefecond Booke. 
 
 At London 
 
 Printed by Felix Kingfton, for 
 
 Humfrey Lownes. 
 
 1598. 
 
The Prologue vnto the 
 fecond Booke. 
 
 r ~T~' Hus farre my lowly Mufe in courfe aray, 
 
 -*- Shewes the leajl riches of her treafury ; 
 And in the plainer tearmesfhe doth afifay, 
 To pleafe the eares of popularity. 
 
 Nowfhallfhe tread one litleflep aboue, 
 For thofe whofe itching eares are neuer fild: 
 But with the thunder of almighty Ioue, 
 And tales how Giants daring armes did wield. 
 
 Yet not fo high,though higher then the re/l, 
 Contents me in the Sea beare lowly fay le, 
 With title barke,leajl canuas fittefi befl, 
 That can with lejfer might gainft tide preuayle. 
 
 But when to greater feats fhe fhall afpire ; 
 
 Then may fhe boldly fing great Phlegraes fire. 
 
 Cant. 
 
 70 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Cant. i. 
 The tyrant Aimaran oppres'th the iujl, 
 
 Whofe miferies reuengi dothfoone acquite, 
 That bafely layes his honour in the diift: 
 
 A nd curtains vp his names obfcured light, 
 While Bdellaes walls downe to the earth are borne, 
 
 Whofe haughty tops did kiffe the skie befome. 
 
 OF bloody gufts,and thofe vermilion fwordes, 
 Which didethemfelues in Brothers broken hearts, 
 Howfwimmingblood in ftreets made flowing fords, 
 And ruthfull turmoyles rofe in diuers parts 
 I meane to fing : That fury which affords 
 Sighs to the fad,and pearc'th with Ebon darts : 
 Come with thy fnaky head engorde in blood, 
 Which while thefe things were done fpectator ftoode : 
 
 Lift vp blacke Nemefis thy glowing eyes, 
 With Orcus vapours ouerfpread the light, 
 Let not the Sunne from out his couch arife : 
 But let me write in darke thefe deedes of night, 
 Only that burning torch fhall here fuffife, 
 Whofe waxe is thickned blood around bedight : 
 About the finew of a conquerd foe, 
 This gloomy light about my eyes fhall gloe. 
 
 And roare thou from thy earth appaling iaw, 
 Put me in minde of dread and defolations, 
 Let vncouth fights keepe downe my thoughts in aw : 
 As burning blood in fiery exhalations, 
 And Rauens which a dying carkaffe draw, 
 While deadly fcreeches helpe to paint their paffions, 
 While harpyes,Owles,and Night-crowes all around, 
 Fluttring about me breath a gaftly found. 
 
 And 
 
 7i 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 And thou death-boding Mufe whofe Tragick quill 
 Painteth each ruthfull ftratagem aright, 
 My pen with that fame dreery water fill, 
 Whofe dropping letters readers doe afright, 
 Whither from Stixes ftreames it doth diftill, 
 Or Mare Rubrums floods oreuaylde with night : 
 That this my Cronicle of woe and death, 
 May feeme a dying foules laft powred breath. 
 
 And thou Sedition ftill thyfelf prefent, 
 That euery member right I may difplay, 
 And whifper words of woe and dreerement, 
 Sad notes of ruine and of black decay, 
 Helpe hatreds praife,and enuies to inuent, 
 And farre expell the thought of loue away, 
 While cruell difcord thundring in mine eares, 
 Deepe drownes my heart in high-aftounding feares. 
 
 Towards the North a goodly Citie lyes, 
 Whofe ftately bowers wrought by Dcedale hand : 
 Lay forth their curious riches to the eyes, 
 And make the paffers to admire the land, 
 Arts chiefeft beautie hence doth fayre arife, 
 And once both fayre and happie was this ftrand. 
 But now the renting earthquakes of debate, 
 Shake Atlas pillars which vpholde the ftate. 
 
 This City Bdella calde.and he that raines, 
 
 Is Azmaran,the cruelft wight aliue, 
 
 His foule doth leape to view his fubiefts paynes: 
 
 And when his Taxers doe great heapes contriue, 
 
 Of fubiedls riches and extorted gaines, 
 
 Then doth his foule into his port ariue, 
 Like rauens that on carcaffes doe feede, 
 And glut their corps full glad while others bleede. 
 
 But 
 
 72 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 But furious hate had with his egging fting, 
 Commou'd them to the feeling of their woe, 
 And ftraight the Commons fall a counfailing, 
 How they their heavy yoke might from them throw, 
 And in fome bounds this bloody deluge bring, 
 Leaft it mould ftiortly make an ouer-flow, 
 
 And driue this Wafpe from out their hony-neft, 
 
 Before his tyrannie confume the reft. 
 
 Thefe murmuring conuents came to Midas eares, 
 ('For what from Kings and Potentates are hid 1) 
 But difmall horror in his heart appeares, 
 An hundred gardians he about doth bid, 
 And parafites whofe troope the State downe teares, 
 Foule wormes which neuer yet a crowne could rid; 
 While he at rufhing of each moued draw, 
 Thinks he an hoft of armed foemen faw. 
 
 The guilt of confcience doth his thoughts torment, 
 Feare is immured in his rented skin, 
 It feemes here doth a ghoft it felfe prefent, 
 And houering aske where all his kinsfolks bin, 
 There one who cryes out blood and dreeriment, 
 And Tifiphon to plague him for his fin ; 
 
 While horror in his eares deaths knill doth toule, 
 And deadly trembling grafpeth on his foule. 
 
 It chanc'd this time that Phoebus wending downe, 
 And breathles driuing to his loued weft, 
 Saw where in Thetis breafts fofts-fofteft downe, 
 Neptune was taking his vnlawfull reft: 
 Phoebus thereat was wroth and gan to frowne. 
 And ftraight forfwore his loues now lothed weft, 
 Vowing with Tellus now fhould be his feate, 
 And fhe fhould feele the comfort of his heate. 
 
 K Phcebus 
 
 73 
 
Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 Phcebus then timely rofe,and did embrace 
 Fayre Tellus with the vigour of his rayes, 
 Who ftraight begun to fpring and grow apace : 
 And hence it came that in thefe later dayes 
 We haue our fpring, when Phoebus glorious face 
 Begins to lengthen his protrac~led wayes : 
 And ftill this time remembring her offence, 
 He makes on earth his greater refidence. 
 
 Thefe dayes were come.and Phoebus with his fhine 
 Doth make the folac't earth her fruits to bring, 
 Whofe fight refrefheth mens foredaunted eyne, 
 While tuning birds their fweeteft carrols fing, 
 And naked trees their veftures doe refine, 
 Mou'd with this fight goes foorth a folacing ; 
 The luftie youth,and to his bonibell, 
 Each doth a leffon of the Summer tell. 
 
 Amongft the reft walks foorth a forlorne wight, 
 Euen like Heraclitus, from whofe moyft eyes, 
 Still-flowing teares notes of a grieued fpright, 
 As welling fountaines fruitfully arife, 
 His head as fcorning heauens moft delight, 
 Looking ftill downward on his fhoulder lyes, 
 
 As though his heart and troubled fpirits haue, 
 
 His ioy intumulated in the graue. 
 
 Sometimes to heau'n he lookes,and then he weepes 
 For her fweet foule that to her reft is fled ; 
 Vpon the ayre,and then his eyes he fteepes 
 In flowing Oceans which by griefe are bred ; 
 Vpon the earth,then in a trance he fleepes, 
 And flumbring finketh done as carkaffe dead : 
 But then fome fence doth him "recall againe, 
 In life to dye and liue in deadly paine. 
 
 But 
 
 74 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 But now a groane doth beate his hearkning eare, 
 And many tumblings iffuing from below r 
 When ftraight he cryes,0 death thrice-welcome heare, 
 My yeares are ripe,come,downe them gently mow, 
 Giue end vnto the woe my heart doth teare, 
 And fweeteft eafe vpon my foule beftow : 
 With that he falls vnto the loued ground, 
 While ioyes his drowned heart doe deepe aftound. 
 
 But then the ghoft replies,awake deare loue, 
 No death,thy life and deareft wife I am, 
 Whom tyrants hand from thee did once remoue, 
 Now doe I come for to reuenge the fame, 
 Strike vp thy fences (deare) thy valour proue : 
 And when to him the Lady neerer came, 
 She gaue him armour which Achilles wore, 
 When Heclors fide with hideous ftroke he tore. 
 
 And fayes,here be the ranfomes of my life, 
 That mail plead vengeance of the tyrants foule : 
 He at the name of his beloued wife, 
 Thrice 'ffayd within his armes her to enroule, 
 But thrice her flying ghoft doth end the ftrife, 
 And doth his warring fences ftreight controule : 
 Farre Ayes her foule efcaping human fight, 
 Like louring Falcon in her ayrie flight. 
 
 This was his loued fpoufe.whom A imaran, 
 Not yeelding to his luft,caufde to be Maine, 
 Diccea was her name, whom wicked man 
 In fepulcher too timely doth detaine, 
 When firft her wofull husband hopeles ran 
 Into defpayre.not daring to complaine : 
 
 And ftill lamenting all his dayes outweares, 
 Vpon her graue greene growing with his teares. 
 
 K 2 As 
 
 75 
 
Verfotes Hijlorie. 
 
 As one whom railing Hecuba hath bit, 
 Whofe blood corrupted with her venom'd tung, 
 Confounds his fences and amaz'th his wit, 
 And vncouth noyfe that in his eare ftill rung, 
 Cafteth him downe in fome outragious fit, 
 With fuch a fury was this mourner flung : 
 Defpayre ftill howleth in his flagging eare, 
 Haunting his heart like ouer-hungry beare. 
 
 But now hath hope that fweet phifition, 
 Lifted the fpirits which were farre depreft, 
 Infufing in a cordiall potion, 
 Solacing drops which worke eternall reft, 
 And driuing thence this mourning paflion, 
 Inthroniz'th thoughts of Ire within his breaft : 
 Whofe fulphure kindled with a mounting fire, 
 Blow vengeance in his hearts contorted gire. 
 
 Foorth doth he march to the feditious campe, 
 
 Who only did expecl: fome worthy head, 
 
 That might conduct them as their lights bright lampe F 
 
 Amidft warres darknes which are menaced : 
 
 Who when they faw him,like a clowdy dampe 
 
 That doth the vayled fields all ouer-fpred : 
 
 So doe their troopes concurre from euery part, 
 
 As veniall blood vnto the liuely hart. 
 
 They haue agreed of placing euery wing, 
 Themijlos is the Generall of the field : 
 They pitch their tents with ioy and reuelling, 
 And warlike bowers now apace they build, 
 And now black night her rufty coach doth bring, 
 Furthering with filence all euents they wild : 
 All things for battell readie are prepar'd, 
 The townfmen fleepe as they that nothing car'd. 
 
 The 
 
 76 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 The morne no fooner op'd her ruddy gate, 
 But ftraight a peale of Trumpetters doe found, 
 To ftirre their hearts with thoughts of hie debate, 
 Whofe hate againft their king might deepe rebound, 
 As Mandrakes cry a paffer doth amate, 
 Striking his foule with irrecured wound : 
 
 So doth this noyfe affright great Bdellaes peeres, 
 To heare fuch muficke rattle in their eares. 
 
 Hark Aimaran how death with gaftly cry, 
 Doth found the knill of thy deferued fate : 
 Heare how the trumpet of thy deftinie, 
 Loofeth the bands of blood ennurtur'd hate, 
 That tingles in thine eares and bids thee die : 
 Yet ftops deaths doores and fhuts that loued gate, 
 Bellona howling from her bellowing caue, 
 Bids thee torment thy felfe and curfe and raue. 
 
 Where fhall thy haunted foule finde place of reft? 
 The heau'ns are darkned with the bloody fmoke 
 Of harmles Saints, whofe hues thy hands oppreft, 
 Hell vapours ready are thy foule to choke : 
 In earth the fhrikes of ghofts thy thoughts moleft, 
 And furies which the doores of bondage broke, 
 Come vp to banquet on thy powerd blood, 
 And make their damned felues this damned food. 
 
 As A thamas whom furie doth enfiame, 
 Teares poor Learchus with his bloodie hands, 
 And madly runs whom no reftraint can tame, 
 But furious wanders through vnknowne lands : 
 So doth this tyrant burne in quenchles flames, 
 Breaking with violence all natures bands, 
 Like one that drunke the ^Ethiopian lake, 
 Into whofe foule thoufands of furies brake. 
 
 K3 But 
 
 77 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 But now in counfell houfe they doe all fit, 
 To trie if policie can better fight, 
 And make their battels with the armes of wit : 
 But troubled fences cannot iudge aright, 
 And they rapt in the trance of fudden fit, 
 With flaring gazes each their mates affright, 
 That now they are but like a flock of owles, 
 VVondring to fee themfelues fuch fhapeles fowles. 
 
 At laft a Nejior bolder doth arife, 
 
 And tels no time it was thus {taring fit, 
 
 But fend fome Legate to the enemies, 
 
 To tell if their requefts with reafon fit, 
 
 They fhould be granted all in ample wife : 
 
 Another as reprouing former wit, 
 
 Thinks it is beft with fierce and open warre, 
 To driue thefe rebels thence remoued farre. 
 
 But now ftands vp VlyJJes : certes (quoth he) 
 All that you fay is but confumed winde : 
 But rather let our Kings great maieftie, 
 Himfelfe with folemne oth in letters binde, 
 That whatfoeuer rebels armed be, 
 If they returne they fhall great fauour finde, 
 And haue rewarded them incontinent, 
 What wrong foeuer caufde their difcontent. 
 
 But when they come well fhall we then prouide, 
 To quite their curtefie with cutting fare, 
 The fword of vengeance fhall the caufe decide, 
 Each rebell that tumultuous armour bare, 
 Shall his rebellion with great fmart abide: 
 And for the peoples voyce let no man care, 
 The Lion roring in his princely den, 
 Shall with his noyfe aftonifh leffer men. 
 
 Foule 
 
Verities Hiflorie. 
 
 Foule ferpent-head within whofe poyf'ned braine, 
 A thoufand diuels keepe a cabinet, 
 Which mightie I one hath damn'd to during paine, 
 When for this deed thou fhalt for anguifh fret, 
 Thy cankerd foule who fhall no reft obtaine, 
 But feed thy wombe with woe and deepe regret, 
 Millions of furies yawning with their iawes, 
 Shall combe thy carkaffe with their renting clawes. 
 
 Horror within thy foule fhall thee affright, 
 Which mak'ft of nought the truth defpifing good, 
 Damnation doth awayt: But O dread fight! 
 Loe many I doe fee in raging mood, 
 Which bid me filent be,and in defpight 
 Bid me leaue preaching,or the'ile haue my blood: 
 Well I recant this counf 'ler was not bad, 
 But worft,and what degree 111 greater had. 
 
 Now while this mate was telling on his text, 
 In breakes Themiftos with a mightie hoft, 
 The gates are broken and the towne perplext, 
 It hapt this counfell which they counted moft, 
 Hath loft his end,come come deuife the next, 
 Or worfe then this,and then thy haunted ghoft 
 
 With the next furie that to Orcus went, 
 
 May for a token to great Dis be fent. 
 
 But tis too late, looke where the winters froft 
 Fals, that fhall kill thy boughs with pinching cold : 
 Looke Apnaran,ke thy heapes which now are loft, 
 Thofe heapes which thou from fubiefts didft withhold, 
 See how thy fouldiers dying ban thy ghoft, 
 And ding it downe to hell a thoufand fold : 
 Goe curfe and dye,accompany their foules, 
 Carroufe with Pluto black Cocitus boles. 
 
 Behind 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Behind thee doth a hagge awayt thy end, 
 To carrie hence that blood-defiled maffe : 
 At hell doe all the ghofts in rancks attend, 
 For to falute thee when thou foorth doeft paffe : 
 Yonder thy deaths-man ftands,whofe hand fhall fend 
 Thy fpirit to his well deferued place, 
 While infants wallowing in their mothers gore, 
 Shall paffe thee downward with a gaftly rore. 
 
 Looke how thy fubiects lye all martyred ; 
 There fits a matron dying on her child ; 
 Their mangled carcaffes but tortured, 
 By neuer dying paine from death beguiled ; 
 The rebell-fonnes runne where their fathers bled, 
 And in vnhumane blood their feete defilde : 
 
 The heapes of corfes like a Pharus ly, 
 
 And bloody riuers like the red-fea by. 
 
 Nothing but skarlet doth inueft the ftreete, 
 Which like a iudge doth frowne vpon the sky, 
 A great Agceum all along doth fleete, 
 In which dead heapes of men ore-whelmed ly ; 
 Here a big rock of armour you fhall meete, 
 There a great He of men you fhall paffe by, 
 While fanguine obiedl with his ftrong reflexe, 
 Staines heau'nsfayre face with purple fcattered ftrekes. 
 
 Howie foule Megcera from thy gulfie throat, 
 And ring thy knill for Aimaranes ghoft; 
 Charon prouide thy neuer emptie boat, 
 He meanes anon to trauell yonder coaft ; 
 AleSlo now put on thy crimfon coat, 
 Leaft he in bloody fayrenes thee out-boaft ; 
 
 Combe downe thy fnaky locks,dreffe right thy head, 
 He louing meanes with thee to take his bed. 
 
 Like 
 
 80 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 Like Margiates in Weft Indyes land, 
 When Ioues great thunder bellowes in their eares, 
 Quauering and fhaking they afrighted ftand, 
 To heare that heauen a bafe fo hollow beares, 
 So doth this monfter at his foemens band, 
 Faint feare vp lifts his bloody clotted heares, 
 For feare (which doth his heart fubdued take) 
 His paralitike members ftill doe quake. 
 
 When comes Themiftos and with gliding fword, 
 No fooner pearceth his diffeuerd fkin, 
 But thoufand Diuells on his corfe doe bord, 
 And greedie thruft their bloody muzzels in. 
 After they heaue him to the Stygian ford, 
 Where for the guilt of deepe inured fin, 
 With wiery whips he fuffers grifly wounds, 
 And with his rauing, hells vaft vault rebounds. 
 
 But where that wicked counfailer was gone, 
 Each man doth doubt,fome fay that downe to hell 
 Alive he was diftraught,and many a one 
 That by the fwords well worthy edge he fell ; 
 But howfoeuer let him lye alone, 
 No man fhall grudge the chance that him befell : 
 The heauen fhall melt,the Sunne fhall baite in South, 
 Before he fhall efcape hells yawning mouth. 
 
 Cant. 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Cant 2. 
 
 Themiftos with Encrata takes his way, 
 AJloniJht with a hideous yelling cry : 
 
 And Erophel is flying f aft away 
 
 From her fweete hue that for her wrong will dye ; 
 
 Who now affrighted with a rareft chance, 
 Againft his life his owne hand doth aduaunce. 
 
 T 
 
 > HE comet fumes which from the earth afcend, 
 Vnto great Cinthias concaue circulation, 
 May long defer their doome-denouncing end, 
 Before they be compact in conglobation, 
 But at the laft their fury they protend, 
 Kindled with fome celeftiall inflamation, 
 
 No cloude their eating flames with moyfture flops, 
 But downe they poure their ruddy-burning drops. 
 
 So may the fmoaky fighs of innocents, 
 Which by great Ioue ftill make their fad complaint, 
 Long volley forth,before reuenge affents, 
 The guiltie damned foules for to attaint, 
 But when deepe vengeance once her clawes indents, 
 The comet of their plague fhall neuer faint, 
 But with new brimftone frefhly ftill relieu'd, 
 Shall keepe them in ftill-during torments grieu'd. 
 
 Which Bdellaes towers, wel-worthy towres haue feene, 
 And felt the ftroake which long hath been deferd, 
 Iuftice long houerd heauen and them betweene, 
 And with repining eares their follies heard, 
 At laft inflamde with wrath and ragefull teene, 
 Maskt in a bloody fire fhe ftreight appeerd, 
 
 Whofe flakie flame pitching on Bdella walls, 
 
 With them in euerlafting ruin falls. 
 
 So 
 
 %2 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 So is it left all defolate forgone, 
 No call of Mufick nor of man doth found, 
 The fhady Owle in deadly notes doth groane, 
 And luckles Wezells neftle in the ground, 
 While goary blood befprinkled all vpon, 
 Reflecleth in the ayre a circle round, 
 
 Whofe gloomie fight vntill thefe lateft day, 
 Driues fearefull paffengers another way. 
 
 Sometimes the ghofts walke in thofe paths of wo, 
 And with their skreeching fright the neighbour land, 
 Sometime a fier doth feeme alone to go, 
 A thoufand torches as in battell band, 
 And brandifh in the darknes to and fro, 
 At which the inhabitants appalled ftand, 
 
 It feemes blacke hell hath ript her prifon wombe, 
 And meanes in. maske vnto the earth to come. 
 
 Now hath Tltemiftos left this fearefull place, 
 And he alone is gone to feeke his chaunce, 
 Minded not euer back to turne his face, 
 But armed with that fword of piercing Lance, 
 Which flew great Aimaran,he forth doth paffe, 
 And gainft each foe his weapon doth aduaunce : 
 
 Now hath he croft full many a wood and hill, 
 
 To vertue no way euer happens ill. 
 
 This time it chaunft that Ereb had debate, 
 Wroth with his wife,rapt forth a fire brand, 
 Who lothing light, and kindled ftraight with hate, 
 Lifts vp from fable hell her pitchy band, 
 And with her gloomy troupe at Phoebus gate, 
 To keepe the light from earth enragde did ftand: 
 So was Themiftos ere he was aware, 
 Left in black fhadow and to nightly care. 
 
 L 2 But 
 
 «3 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 But on the plaine he fpies a mightie tree, 
 Whofe greene attire did fhield the falling raine, 
 And oft in vnder Floraes Nimphs with glee, 
 Would dauncing leade their fayre Napean traine, 
 That with foft downe his rootes inuefted bee, 
 Where Faunus with this Nimph hath often laine : 
 Here doth he meane to paffe the filent night, 
 Till with his eyes he fhall falute the light. 
 
 The Starres all ready as their watch doe lye, 
 And filent murmur whiftles through the greene, 
 Which rockes his fenfes with a Lullaby, 
 That in deepe (lumber now they buried beene, 
 Delighted with this dumpifh harmony : 
 But now fayre Phosbe halfe her way hath feene, 
 
 And his deepe dreaming is fo violent, 
 
 It cannot longer time be permanent. 
 
 Morpheus hath left his blacke pauillion, 
 And hath vnlockt the portals of his eyes, 
 When ftreight he lookes the continent vpon. 
 Whither the Mornings chariot yet did rife, 
 But fhe with Tithon kept her manfion, 
 And in his colde embraces chayned lies : 
 
 This while the Knight doth fmile vpon the aire, 
 
 To fee it mining fuch a duskie faire. 
 
 But as he viewes, the moft celeftiall face, 
 That euer nature made to fhew her power, 
 Sends to his eyes the beames of fuch a grace, 
 As beauties faireft rayes they forth did powre, 
 Naked lhe was, and fpotles from deface, 
 Beautie fhe feemde it felfe, or beauties bower : 
 That if fayre heauen on earth did euer dwell, 
 Then this was heauen,on whom all graces fell. 
 
 Her 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Her skinne the linnen where with cunning ftart, 
 Beauty had wrought the fumme of all her skill, 
 While with her needle heere and there apart, 
 With azure worke her fampler fhe doth fill, 
 And turning to the breftplate of her heart, 
 She worketh fairely there a double hill, 
 
 Where on her double ruddy ftewards doe ftand, 
 Which keepe the harueft of fayre beauties land. 
 
 Thefe lightning darts his heart had almoft brent, 
 Though not in luft but in diuineft loue, 
 Therefore his eyes as meffengers he fent, 
 Vnto that mayde her curtefie to proue, 
 Who with thefe words her treafure doores vnbent, 
 Let not the thought of me your paffions moue, 
 For from the heauens I come to guide your feete, 
 In pureft paths from deedes and waies vnmeete. 
 
 He gently proferd her a Neftar-kiffe, 
 She met him yet did blufh as halfe with fhame : 
 He now is hers,and fhe is wholy his, 
 But not as loofer wantons them doe name, 
 This thoughts diuine harmoniall confort is, 
 Farre from the deedes of night thofe worthy blame, 
 Whofe noyfome poyfon cankering within, 
 Confumes the flefh with paine,the foule with fin. 
 
 But while within their foules this melody 
 Sounds pleafing tunes all rauifhing the heart, 
 They are affrayghted with a hideous cry, 
 Like to an hoft conioynd in bloody Mart : 
 And bellow forth a note when downe they dye, 
 Which doth perfwade thefe louers to depart : 
 
 Where let them take the chance to them afsignd, 
 Ere long time paffe.I fhall their iourney finde. 
 
 L 3 This 
 
Vertues Hi/lorie. 
 
 This noyfe which tumbled in fuch fearefull wife, 
 Came from two brethren twixt whom deadly hate, 
 Still caufes of new difcord doth deuife, 
 For when the watrie Queene faire Thetis late, 
 In Lemnos walke, Vulcan did her furprife ; 
 And on that Lady thefe two fonnes begate ; 
 
 Who of two difagreeing Natures brought, 
 
 In paffions difagreeing euer fought. 
 
 But Vulcan wrought them armour with a charme, 
 And mighty fwords which incantation bound, 
 That neuer could they worke each others harem, 
 But in their foes would dint a griefly wound, 
 After he did his Sonnes thus fhrongly arme, 
 He fet them in a ship, when firft this ground 
 Receaude thefe warriors,that each little houre, 
 Their blades into each others brefts they poure. 
 
 This Diaphon that Pyrhydor is hight, 
 Who fince they came into this litle He, 
 Haue ouercome in doughty ftrokes of fight, 
 All Knights within the fpace of forty mile ; 
 But fhe on which thefe brethren now alight, 
 A Lady is that did her felfe exile : 
 
 From thofe which loue her as their deare delight, 
 And doth bewayle this her vngentle flight. 
 
 Whom feeing ftraight they ran to captiuate, 
 Firft DtaJ>hon,then Pyrhydor doth flie, 
 But cruell Pyrhydor imflamde with hate, 
 That he before him to the game fhould hie, 
 With a huge blow downe cloue his riuen pate, 
 The othe/ fairely quites his furquedry, 
 The Lady flying, piteoufly doth crye, 
 On ground they wounded,bellowing doe lye. 
 
 Where 
 
 86 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Where lye they may this dame I'le follow faft, 
 And by enqueft fearch out her caufe of flight, 
 She was a vertuous (but that time is paft) 
 A vertuous Lady lou'd of each mans fight, 
 But now her faithles deedes haue quite defaft, 
 And darkned all her glories fhining light : 
 
 Blacke cloudes of finne,and neuer blufhing fhame, 
 Doe wrap thofe filuer wings of former fame. 
 
 As when the bloffomes of a fpringing tree, 
 
 Promife the owner haruefts chiefeft pride, 
 
 And Ver yclad in gorgeous iollity, 
 
 Though Floraes kingdome in her pompe doth ride, 
 
 Great hope there is that there great ftore will be: 
 
 But when the lightning from the heauen doth Aide, 
 
 Then are they choaked in the fweeteft prime, 
 
 And all forget it was fo good a time. 
 
 So did the bloome of her fayre fpringing youth, 
 
 Clad in the robes of fnow-white chaftity, 
 
 Perfwade the world a fruitfull time enfueth, 
 
 And largeft riuers of fertility, 
 
 But all this hope is turned into ruth, 
 
 When filthy flame of infidelity, 
 
 Scorcheth the wings on which pure faith doth flye, 
 And makes her in her verdant blooming dye. 
 
 She Erofel is calde,whom long there lou'd, 
 Good Erophil well tride at fword and fpeare, 
 And to her match,her ftill her parents mou'd, 
 While fhe great kindnes in her front did weare, 
 And feemde to loue him as it her behou'd, 
 But in went masking heart of cruell beare ; 
 Which Loue doth hate, and takes his deepefh ioy, 
 With treacherous words to worke her loues annoy. 
 
 Mifchiefs 
 
 87 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Mifchiefes foule venome bloweth up her wombe, 
 
 Worfe then Calipfoes toxicating draught: 
 
 Her wicked heart is his funereall tombe, 
 
 From whence the fource of his fad death he raught, 
 
 Hence doe his foules corrofiue drenches come, 
 
 Which in deepe forrow his deare foule indraught ; 
 
 While the like Iuno at her husbands thunder,. 
 
 Laugheth to fee fayre Semele torne afunder. 
 
 For when in gentle forte fhe feemde to quite 
 Faire glaunces to his euerdarting eyes, 
 He would in mariage bands confirme delight, 
 What ere he askes.ihe feeming not denyes ; 
 And doth auow to doe her Virgin-right, 
 The day is come whereon his hope relyes: 
 They are conioyned in a holy band, 
 He with his heart,fhe only with her hand. 
 
 Now doth he pray the Sunne to flie apace, 
 And lafh great Pirois on his lightning fide, 
 Then Cynthia he defires to fhew her face, 
 And bids her nightly chariot vpward Aide, 
 Then doth he pray the cloudes for to difgrace 
 The darkned night, and with their vailes to hide 
 The loathed beames of Phcebus lingring light, 
 And make the Sunne arife of his delight. 
 
 O foolifh man how are thy wits yblent, 
 Why doft thou runne into thy lateft path, 
 Stay yet fweete Knight before thou doe repent, 
 To late then will it be to heale thy skath, 
 And quench the fire when as thy bones are brent, 
 But fo dire fate our deedes directed hath, 
 
 That like blinde Moles into our bane we goe, 
 But then fhe giues vs eyes to fee our woe. 
 
 Night 
 
 88 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Night vp doth rife the marke of all his thought, 
 But fure his dart will miffe the prick anon: 
 For Erofel hath an Aithiop hath fought, 
 Whom with rewards and mony fhe hath won, 
 That to the genial bed this hagge is brought : 
 For Erofel to bed would goe alone, 
 
 Refufing offred helpe,but fhe hath fet 
 
 Another Pigeon in her cabinet. 
 
 And as the cuftome was fhe fet a vaile, 
 Which hid the worfer face.and fhewd the fayre: 
 Thus doth fhe fet her rotten fhip to faile, 
 And to a priuate chamber doth repayre : 
 But Erophil his hower doth not faile, 
 At her due time he meanes all debts to pay her : 
 He off doth caft the clowdes,whofe euious darke 
 Hinders his fayling to the goodly barke. 
 
 The torches quenched he is left to reft, 
 
 And fets on foote vpon his fatall bed : 
 
 O foote ftep back before thou be vnbleft, 
 
 And be not guided with fo rafh a head : 
 
 O head feduced with fo foule a gueft, 
 
 With fuch alluring bayt O be not fed : 
 
 And O fweet Knight before thou griefe do reape, 
 Fall not fo foone,but looke before thou leape. 
 
 But all in vaine,downe he his bones doth lay; 
 O haples bones that neuer thence fhall rife, 
 He hopes to driue the chariot of the day, 
 Whofe beames did daze a while his ftaring eyes : 
 But Erofel doth giue his wifhes nay ; 
 Straight to her breaft embraces he applies, 
 Then fugred-bitter kiffes,and anon : 
 But fhame and griefe now bid me to be gon. 
 
 M The 
 
 m 89 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 The Moone downe wept a dewy dropping raine, 
 Wayling the fate of fweeteft Erophill, 
 And feemed to fayre Tellus to complaine, 
 That twas great griefe that loue fuch foule fhould kill, 
 Her darkfome fteedes fhe would haue fetled faine, 
 And made black night aboue remaining ftill, 
 That day might neuer bring that funny ray, 
 Whofe fight might bring this wofull Knights decay. 
 
 But Phcebus rofe,forbidding longer night, 
 And faine the JEthiop would betime depart : 
 O no(quoth he)my chiefeft loued light, 
 Then fhalt thou take away my deareft hart, 
 And with eclipfing this thy cleereft bright, 
 Thou fhalt eclipfe my foules effentiall part : 
 
 And then with an embrace he caught her head, 
 
 Therewith her beautie was vncouered. 
 
 Out leapes a face like to the Lician men, 
 That fuddenly were turned into frogs : 
 Or when that Cerberus raifed from his den, 
 Gaftly prefents three vgly barking dogs : 
 Or to the pitchy Queene of darknes then, 
 When fhe goes mafking all in dampifh fogs, 
 Fearing to put her beauties vaile away, 
 Leaft to the wind fhe fhould her forme difplay. 
 
 The Knight aftounded, rapt his mighty fword, 
 And prefent die thou Jncubus (quoth he) 
 Which with a fiend haft wrought thefe deedes abhord : 
 Farewell thou falfed loue where ere thou bee, 
 This edge fhall end to griefe and life afford: 
 With that his troubled ghoft he foone doth free, 
 Who to thofe mirtle groues doth pearcing flie, 
 Where he with Dido mournes his miferie. 
 
 Now 
 
 90 
 
Verities FHJlorie. 
 
 Now Erofell is gone in triumph fled, 
 And laugheth at her Tragick-plotting wit ; 
 Where ftill with feare be thou difquieted, 
 Let gaftly thoughts thy gnawed confcience bite; 
 And let thofe wormes within thy foule be bred, 
 That neuer may furceafe tormenting it : 
 
 While with all plots of mifchiefe that I may, 
 He compaffe thee,not refting night or day. 
 
 Cant. 3. 
 
 Themiftos heares a wofull wight complaine, 
 And fights againfi the fearfull Giants twins, 
 
 While Erofel doth heare Pirinoes paine, 
 And to torment him frejhly Jhe begins : 
 
 Still he repeats his loue and loues dejire, 
 Still Jhe doth f cor ch him in a greater fire. 
 
 T Hough fortune feed thee with her delicates, 
 And ftarres doe feeme t'afpire vnto thy bliffe, 
 Truft not the fickle reeling of the fates, 
 Nor in fond pleafures lap doe lie remiffe, 
 Hell ftill in op'ning her black ruftie gates, 
 And fends foorth fiends that tempt vs to amiffe : 
 Therefore about thy foule keepe fureft watch, 
 Leaft that temptation mould thee ouer-match. 
 
 Though good Themiftos had from heauen fent 
 A bleffed gardian to direcl his feete, 
 Yet cleere he was not,for incontinent 
 A wicked Lady doth his iourney meete, 
 And arm'd fhe was as one for iuftice bent: 
 But fhe was wanton and for pleafure meete : 
 At her birth-day fierce warriours angry king, 
 With the fayre Queene of loue was reuelling. 
 
 M 2 And 
 
 91 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 And Cipribel her name, who now in loue 
 With good Tkemiftosftill did tempt to fhame, 
 And with vaine queftions did his fancie moue : 
 But fayre Encrata would her fharply blame, 
 And with fome holy tale her talke remoue, 
 That fhe enraged with this Angell dame, 
 
 Swelleth with wrath that neuer can be quencht, 
 So deepe in poyfond heart it is indrencht. 
 
 She would haue rackt her lims ten thoufand wayes, 
 And fpred her like the duft vpon the ground : 
 But loue enforcing,fhe much other fayes, 
 When foone Themiftos had her purpofe found, 
 And feemes to yeeld to her : but with delayes, 
 Lead he mould quite enforce a cureles wound : 
 
 And ftill he feekes to turne her path awry, 
 
 Into fome other iourney lying by. 
 
 Now while they paffe.loe yond they fee a wight, 
 Beating his breaft with huge and ruthles blowes: 
 Sometimes he ftaring lookes on heauens light, 
 And streight himfelfe vpon the earth he throwes : 
 Then on his haire his fingers doe alight, 
 And fiyes as if he were purfu'd with foes, 
 And then as burden of his deadly fong, 
 He fcricheth that the woods refound along. 
 
 His face fo pale and skin tranfparent was, 
 It feem'd Deaths ghaftly looking glaffe to be, 
 And then he cryes,loe yond he comes alas ! 
 The Giant / O now whither fhall I flie ? 
 But foone toward him doth Themiftos paffe, 
 And bids him cheare his wofull heart : but he 
 Refufeth any fparke of leaft delight, 
 And with his foule gainft comfort ftrong doth fight. 
 
 O 
 
 9- 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 what haue you to doe in dead mens graues ? 
 (Quoth he) why trouble you what longs to death ? 
 And hinder my repaft,as curfes,raues, 
 
 And fighs and teares, which feede my lingring breath, 
 Sorrow within my breaft round-vaulted caues 
 Sings tunes, which moft my eares fweet rauifheth : 
 Go fondlings to your haples wanton end, 
 I will on Griefe and bleffed Death attend. 
 
 Then with a griping gnafh he ends his tale, 
 As though an earthquake all his bow'ls did teare : 
 But him the Knight befpoke to tell his bale, 
 And who the authors of his forrow were. 
 But he : fo fhall I caufe thee to bewaile, 
 And I grow worfe : for curfed hope may nere 
 Take me from out my loued forrowes bands, 
 For all my foule I yeeld into thy hands. 
 
 But fince thou needs wilt draw my curfed chance, 
 
 1 Algiger am calde,that happie of yore, 
 
 Till fortune frownd with crabbed countenance, 
 But now ill luck downe all my triumphs bore : 
 Yonder two monfters did their ftrength aduance 
 Againft rny houfe, which fearfull ruin tore, 
 My friends are flaine,and I am left alone 
 To be : and there he breathd a deadly grone. 
 
 Faine would the Knight more of his tale expreffe, 
 
 But he to any earthly ioy was dead ; 
 
 His foule entombed in deepe heauineffe, 
 
 Into a pleafing fenfles dreame was led. 
 
 The Knight full greatly mou'd with his diftreffe, 
 
 Awakt him from his cares moft vncouth bed : 
 But for no treafure that on earth doth lie, 
 Would he this Knight in way accompanie. 
 
 M 3 Where 
 
 93 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Where leauiug him,the Knight doth forward goe, 
 Seeking by any meanes the way to finde : 
 But foone he found it,for all paffers know, 
 With fad experience all that monftrous kinde, 
 For ftill they worke the countrie fcath and woe, 
 Leauing each where fad notes of ruth behinde : 
 And now the Knight arriues vnto the place, 
 Where his great valour fhall their force deface. 
 
 He knocks againft the pofternes of the gate, 
 When ftreight foorth fteps a beldam dry with age, 
 When fhe the Knight efpies,then plung'd in hate, 
 Vnto her fonnes fhe runnes,who all in rage 
 Come foorth embrued with the fpoyle, which late 
 They made,for fafely paffe no carriage : 
 This find hath Policlopon to his name, 
 That Pantarpazon children of one dame. 
 
 Huge mighty corps they haue, which like a tree 
 
 March to and fro full gaftly to behold : 
 
 Their heads with rau'nifh iawes foule woluifh bee : 
 
 Some fay a diuell did their dame infold, 
 
 Other that with a wolfe lay vgly fhee : 
 
 But how-foere, all filthie is her mold, 
 Harpyia fhe, well worthie fuch a brood, 
 At whole birth-time fome hagge as midwife flood. 
 
 Now with the Knight the elder boy doth fight, 
 Yawning like Orcus iawes and gaping wide : 
 But at the firft downe in his throte there pight 
 The fpeares fharpe poynt which doth full deeply flide, 
 When ftreight he parbreakes forth (O lothfome fight,) 
 Great filthie gobbets which doe vpward glide, 
 And rawifh meate and flefh that yet did bleede, 
 The nourifhment on which his vice did feede. 
 
 But 
 
 94 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 But then Harpya foule doth curfe amaine, 
 When as fhe fees him groueling on the ground, 
 And howles and raues,and bids his brother gaine 
 The full reuengement of that deadly wound : 
 He thought with meeting blow at firft t'haue Maine, 
 The Knight auoyding.downe it doth rebound : 
 
 The hideous beame wherewith this monfter fought, 
 Into the groning earth full deepe is wrought. 
 
 When nimbly he diuides his conduit-pipe, 
 Through which the Lerna of his finne did flow, 
 It feem'd for Pluto now his foule was ripe, 
 With fuch a trice off doth his forhead goe : 
 The whining dame doth with her apron wipe 
 His brothers throte.thinking his life to flow : 
 But all the furies of infernall hell, 
 Long fince within his damned corps doe dwell. 
 
 They thus captiu'd,he takes that foggie fiend, 
 And ftrips her naked from her antique hew, 
 And to a fpreader both her feete doth binde, 
 That fhe might neuer him nor his purfew, 
 And with a cord doth tye her hands behinde : 
 Thus is this haggard placed in her mew, 
 
 And to the fcorching Sunne her face doth turne, 
 Who with his beames doth her moft feruent burne. 
 
 She with her curfes gripes heau'ns higheft feat, 
 Accufing them of her deferued paine, 
 And execrates the Sunne for fending heat, 
 Bidding him drench his fteeds within the maine, 
 Then gainft the fearfull throane fhe foule doth bleat : 
 But all her plaints and curfes are in vaine, 
 Her tortur'd foule to bloomy Ereb fell, 
 While on her carkaffe crowes and rauens dwell. 
 
 Here 
 
 95 
 
Vertues Hi/lorie. 
 
 Here to his fpoyles we'le leaue this worthie Knight, 
 And follow Erofel that flies amaine, 
 Whom thofe two brethren did but now affright, 
 She to her former tricks returnes againe, 
 Seeking to worke fayre loue her foule defpight ; 
 And that fhe fooner might her end attaine, 
 In mans apparell fhe is fairly clad, 
 While womans skin and woluifh heart fhe had. 
 
 Thus foorth fhe marched in her way alone, 
 But that conforted with deceit and guile, 
 And fhe in many Sunnes hath painfull gone, 
 But none fhe meets whom may her art beguile : 
 Further fhe trauailes ftill,but now anon 
 A voyce fhe heard that fits her plotted wile, 
 And thus it faintly beates the yeelding ayre, 
 Iffuing from pangs of woe and deepe defpayre. 
 
 Heart leaue to pine.fince pining cannot faue, 
 Soule loue not her,that doth not loue thy loue, 
 Minde be no longer to that force a flaue, 
 That can deepe paffions,but no mercie moue, 
 You clowdes of forrow no more iffue haue, 
 This tree for all your watring will not proue : 
 
 For that fayre plant bout which your waters flow, 
 In midft of them all barren will not grow. 
 
 O fhe is fick with vnrecur'd difeafe, 
 That ferpent foule difdaine her fharp doth fting, 
 And to the cure I proued many wayes ; 
 Of my heart-blood I did a plaifter bring, 
 And kept it warme with fighs,and ftroue to pleafe, 
 And wafht it with the wels of forrowing : 
 My foules deare garden-plots I did reueale, 
 Yet by the chiefeft herbs fhe will not heale. 
 
 But 
 
 96 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 But no, I am difeafd.here lyes the wound ; 
 For when her beautie had the harts in chace, 
 Which in the pale of loue were feruants bound, 
 Then I not able to withdraw my pace, 
 My felfe by thofe her arrowes gored found, 
 Which fly from that fayre bow of her fweet face : 
 Yet though I feele the arrow in my hart, 
 It doth deny me leaue to breake the dart. 
 
 Therefore thus feftring deepe in venom'd skin, 
 Since my Hues Surgeon doth her helpe deny, 
 And all my finewes are confum'd within, 
 No hope remaines on which I may rely, 
 After this death my foule no life fhall win, 
 But in a fecond griefe fhall ending dy: 
 So fhall her cruell heart be fully pleafde, 
 My wounds embalmed, and my paffions eafde. 
 
 Thefe and more mournfull words ftill fighing deepe, 
 
 He breathed vainly to the fenfles sky, 
 
 Which might haue brought a ftony heart afleepe : 
 
 But Erofel arm'd with black crueltie, 
 
 Shutteth the gates which pitie vfde to keepe, 
 
 And barring foorth the plaints of miferie : 
 
 Thus doth fhe boord the Knight with words of guile? 
 
 Which craft and fained forrow did compile. 
 
 O doe not clowd the heauen of your face, 
 With miftie vapours which black woe did fpread, 
 Nor thofe bright lineaments fo much difgrace, 
 That in their chiefeft fpring they fhould be dead : 
 Sorrow with fwifteft wings ftill flyes apace, 
 And ioy goes flagging on the plumes of lead : 
 
 Driue that away which of it felfe will flie, 
 
 You need not open gates to miferie. 
 
 N What 
 
 97 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 What is it loue ? I know that poyfon ftrong, 
 
 Yet to refift againft his powers affay : 
 
 If then you be too weake to daunt his wrong, 
 
 Open (\i fafelyj all your ftorie lay : 
 
 And if my helpe you will accept among, 
 
 And to my precepts will eftfoones obay, 
 My greateft ayd to you I will auow, 
 Within this breaft hath loue been cur'd ere now. 
 
 neuer mayf'quoth he)my wound feele eafe, 
 
 1 turne with Sijiphus a reftles ftone : 
 The flames of hell the furies may appeafe, 
 
 But thefe heart-burning coales will nere be gone : 
 Gods may Prometheus from his chaines releafe, 
 This vultur euer feedes my heart vpon : 
 Thefe euerlafting pangs and weary breath, 
 Vnto my woes giue life, to life a death. 
 
 But fince her name thus founded by my words, 
 Doth fo much rauifh my euen-fleeping foule, 
 And then Difdaine like many thoufand fwords, 
 Rips vp the clofed wound which erft was whole, 
 And neerer end to fainting thought affords, 
 This Tragick ftorie here I will vnrole, 
 The Chronicle of many a wofull thing, 
 Which in thofe dayes were done when loue was king. 
 
 Within a ftately pallace happie dwels 
 A mightie Lord, whofe now-extolled height, 
 By fortunes ayd the ftate by much excels, 
 Of any neighbour Prince or forren Knight 
 Bleft now he is,but not fo bleffed els, 
 Had not fayre Nature lent thofe torches light, 
 Which guide the fortune of each mightie peere, 
 Without whofe helpe their fame will nere be cleere. 
 
 The 
 
 98 
 
Vertices Hiftorie. 
 
 The fayreft offpring from his loynes proceed, 
 That euer heau'ns coniur'd fhould rauifh eye, 
 VVhofe very thought my dying foule doth feed, 
 With fainting fight of fuch felicitie : 
 Sure fome diuine fhe is,no earthly feed, 
 No man can found fo fweet a harmonie, 
 
 Faireft of faires,burning bright beauties flame, 
 Heauenly her na.t\ire,Belfamy her name. 
 
 O let me fee the mornes fayre blufhing rife, 
 Or let the doue fet forth her fayreft white ; 
 Let heauen vnclofe his treafure to the eyes, 
 And fayreft gemmes prefent them to my fight, 
 Or pleafant'ft fhew that in each colour lyes, 
 With which faind beautie often fhineth bright : 
 Thefe all vnited in one goodly frame, 
 Can fcarfe defcribe the piflure of my dame. 
 
 Sure Ioue was framing a new ftarry light, 
 And feeing heauen full, here made her place : 
 Heart-plunging thoughts doe rauifh with delight, 
 When I but once doe feeme to view her face; 
 Me thinks my fpirit nere fhould fee the night, 
 Rapt deeply with the image of her grace : 
 In vaine I haue her fame and praifes fung, 
 My tongue difgraceth her, fhe grac'th my tung. 
 
 Now doth fhe flourifh in her chiefeft fpring, 
 (O heauenly fpring,though winter to my dayes) 
 And thirtie Knights there lie a reuelling, 
 Seeking by valiant acts and fundrie wayes, 
 Who to her thoughts may fweeteft pleafure bring, 
 And who may win the funfhine of her rayes : 
 
 O rayes which through my heart as thinneft glaffe, 
 With pearcing light and brighteft edge doe paffe. 
 
 N 2 One 
 
 99 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 One time in Iufts a fpe&acle they made, 
 When as my eyes the fad fpeftators were, 
 Still with my growing fight my hope did fade, 
 And ftill my loue did grow though hope did weare. 
 Thus preffed with defpayres moft heauy lade, 
 Her fight all hopeles,heartles I forbeare : 
 For when fo many woo'd one onely dame, 
 I thought too late my fancies fuing came. 
 
 Therefore expofde to forrow and defpayre, 
 Here will I fing the Dirges of my death : 
 Sometimes the Nightingale doth here repaire, 
 Conforting with me in a plaining breath: 
 Sometimes the turtle robbed of her paire, 
 In groaning noyfe my tune accompaneth, 
 
 While pleafant death fweet finging in mine eare, 
 A part in this my plaining fong doth beare. 
 
 Thus farre this Swan fung foorth his mournful! plaint, 
 And much I rue the paine which him doth hold : 
 For well I know the plague which doth attaint, 
 This wofull man doth him moft heauy fold. 
 Now Erofel with words which ioy did paint, 
 Seemed to haue his forrow much controld : 
 
 But what fhe fpoke occafion doth deny 
 
 To tell, till better time fhall bid reply. 
 
 Now fome will thinke that I am much vnkinde, 
 To let this wofull wight thus plunged ly : 
 But little doe they know what I doe finde, 
 That yet remaines more infelicitie, 
 And fhe as women wont will haue her minde, 
 Though for his eafe I many wayes doe trie : 
 And though in his defence I ftrongly ftand, 
 Thefe women needs will haue the vpper hand. 
 
 Cant. 
 
 IOO 
 
Vertues Hijiorie. 
 
 Cant. 4. 
 
 Diaphon and Pirrhydor in endles blowes 
 Batter tJie cajlles of their furious harts, 
 
 Brethren by birth,by deeds rnofl cruell foes, 
 That bloody fiill torment each others parts, 
 
 While Algiger all mortifide infoule, 
 The worlds fhort pleafures deeply doth controule. 
 
 A 
 
 S when a firie brand that fiercely burnes, 
 Taken from Vulcans euer-breathing flame, 
 And in the water layd,each other turnes 
 
 Their force,their angry enemie to tame, 
 And while that either others might doth fpurne, 
 From twixt them both a mightie ratling came : 
 At laft when neither gets the vpper fide, 
 The force of both in might away doth Aide. 
 
 Such is the flame which Difcord doth incenfe, 
 That ftill it fights,and ftill it wafts away, 
 Still fuffering loffe, without a recompence, 
 With her owne fubiecl: ftill fhe doth decay : 
 Still on her face fhe doth prefume defence, 
 When ftill fhe meanes to get a fpoyled pray, 
 The filthie ruft that in our foule doth creepe, 
 And with her griping teeth ftill gnaweth deepe. 
 
 Thus doe thefe brethren waft each others might, 
 Hewing their armour with down-thundring blowes : 
 The burning fire neuer wanteth light, 
 Which difcord with her enuious bellowes blowes ; 
 Her bellowes to her feruants likned right, 
 Whereof one fwels when downe his mate he throwes : 
 Such is the ftate of any enuious minde, 
 That by anothers fall his feat doth finde. 
 
 N 3 But 
 
Vertues Hiftorie, 
 
 But now the mightieft fit that euer mou'd 
 A warring foule to furie and to rage, 
 Their concord with new quarels hath reprou'd, 
 Whofe force no hope there is ere to affwage : 
 If euer leaft degree they faining lou'd, 
 Their loue fhall neuer fee that infant-age, 
 Madnes hath blowen vp their fwelling harts, 
 Whofe tumour neuer from his feate departs. 
 
 For while they trauaild on a pleafant plaine, 
 They faw a little mount, that with his head 
 A profpecl: made vpon the fmiling maine : 
 No bufhie tree his beautie fhadowed, 
 But open his faire flowrie top hath laine : 
 And to this hill a path diredtly led, 
 
 Whither thefe warring brethren take their way, 
 Willing to fee what nouelties there lay. 
 
 Streight to their eares the fweeteft harmonie 
 Doth blow,that euer fweet to eare can blow, 
 Whofe force like fire could melt black crueltie, 
 And make it quickly gentle mercie know : 
 From out that little hill it foft doth flie, 
 As if Apollo all his art would fhow : 
 A little death it is, which vp doth fend 
 Our foules to heauen,before we make our end. 
 
 O ceafe thofe murdring ftrokes what ere thou be, 
 My foule will flie from hence vnto thy cell, 
 And all in loue with this will banifh me ; 
 Sweet hony iffuing from a filuer well, 
 Which giu'ft a furfet,not facietie : 
 O doe no more fuch pleafing murmurs tell, 
 But leaue my virgin thoughts without annoy, 
 Which thou wilt rauiih with too great a ioy. 
 
 When 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 When this enchanting noyfe their eares doth kis, 
 They hating all what harmonie doth make, 
 With madnes almoft burft.all turned is 
 To egging ire.and forth their fwords they take, 
 And like mad bedlams when their wit's amis, 
 Into an open fight moft fierce they brake, 
 
 Where we will leaue them there to learne fome wit, 
 No other fchoole then this can be more fit. 
 
 But now perchance this feemeth truth to paffe, 
 That from the earth fuch heauenly tunes afcend : 
 But thus the Chronicles report it was, 
 That long agoe within this land did wend 
 A Mathematick,that did work with braffe, 
 And other things which to his art did tend, 
 So skilfull that no found on earth deuifde 
 Hath been,but he hath highly equalizde. 
 
 And here within the earth he built a cell, 
 Where he will try the vtmoft of his art, 
 And hath by labour now conioyned well, 
 Each mouing member and each founding part, 
 When with a running ftreame that thither fell, 
 To each he doth a motion impart : 
 
 Which all conioynd do frame a Mufick found, 
 Whofe forciue might can ftony hearts confound. 
 
 Now Death his feruant Sicknes forth hath fent, 
 Who with his dooming mace doth him arreft, 
 And well he knowes his bow fo long ly'ne bent, 
 For euer in his vigour may not leaft: 
 Therefore vnto this vaulted cell he went, 
 Where minding to fet vp his lateft reft, 
 He clofely fhuts the caues faft ceeled dore, 
 Which entrance may forbid to any more. 
 
 And 
 
 103 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 And now his engines he in worke doth fet, 
 Which fent foorth dulcet tunes to chant the eare, 
 While he, to Nature payes his common debt, 
 And to the world did neuer more appeare : 
 Therefore fome thought that in this cabinet, 
 Immortall he all ages did outweare : 
 
 Some fuperftitious thought he was diuine, 
 
 And offred facrifice vnto his fhrine. 
 
 But he is deadfwo that fuch worth fhould die) 
 And darknes triumphs ore his rotten maffe : 
 But his bright fame fhall on her pineons flie, 
 As long as light from Eos doores fhall paffe : 
 Nor euer may that bafe obfcuritie, 
 Blot from mens thoughts that fuch an Artift was : 
 Obliuion all thy teeth may nere deuoure, 
 His famoufde names ftill ouer-liuing powre. 
 
 But here the mufick and thefe fighting mates 
 I now muft leaue, where with vnweldie blowes 
 And mightie thunderclaps each other bates : 
 So angrie Neptune foorth the furges throwes, 
 When u&olus hath loofd his windy gates, 
 And fo againft a rock the billow goes, 
 
 As doe the lightnings of black enuies heat, 
 With flicing dints their rocky armour beat. 
 
 But let me fee where Algiger is gone, 
 That erft was wounded deepe in cureles hart ; 
 Looke yond I fee him where he walks alone, 
 Still yelling with the horror of my fmart : 
 Sometimes to heauen he darts a heauy grone, 
 Then to the earth he doth a figh impart, 
 
 While with the teares downe rouling on his skin, 
 He wafh'th his face without, not wo within. 
 
 Not 
 
 104 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 Not long he trauaild till a moumfull found, 
 Sadly doth beat his fadder feated eare, • 
 When 6 he cryes,and is there on the ground, 
 That can with me fuch part of forrow beare, 
 Thrife happie I that fuch a mate haue found, 
 VVofe foule woes mourning gowne alike doth weare, 
 Sweet forrow which my fainting breaft doft feed, 
 And with new caufe of griefe new ioy doth breed. 
 
 Further he comes, when foone he fees a cell, 
 A little clowdie cell fcarfe taking light, 
 In which one only wofull wight did dwell, 
 That in the mortall world did not delight, 
 But ftill with teares vnto his prayers fell, 
 Mourning full deeply what he did not right, 
 And ftill perfwades his care-encompaft minde, 
 That on the earth it could no pleafure ftnde. 
 
 True, true (quoth A Igiger )no ioy there is, 
 That may delight the burdned foule of man : 
 Sorrow doth ftreighteft leade the minde to bliffe, 
 Whence perfect ioy and happines began. 
 Wherefore good Sire(and if I fpeak not miffe) 
 Since I fo rightly haue this fortune wan, 
 
 Let vs together here vnknowen goe, 
 
 Telling each other of vncured woe. 
 
 Let vs perfwade the wandring paffenger 
 With morall precepts mortifying the minde, 
 In funder all his former ioyes to teare, 
 And bid him mourne for that his foule hath find, 
 Telling him neuer can his faults be cleare, 
 Vnles his former thred he doe vnwinde, 
 Which leades vnto the labyrinth of hell, 
 Where nere returning ghofts downe damned fell. 
 
 O Agreed 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Agreed fquoth he')and thefe clowdes of mine eyes 
 Shall from their vaults in fertill mowers fall, 
 To frudluate the earth that barren lyes, 
 Thofe earthly foules I meane, to grace to call, 
 That life is fulleft farre of miferies, 
 Whom fharpeft miferie doth neuer gall : 
 
 For pleafure feemes fome folace forth to bring, 
 But deadly it doth pearce with Scorpion fting. 
 
 Thus they conioynd begin to ambulate, 
 And when they meet a wandring pilgrim-wight, 
 Then doe they tell mans miferable ftate, 
 How pleafures light is but a blackeft night, 
 How nothing that we doe can quench the hate, 
 Which heauenly powres doe beare,but in defpight 
 Of earth and what the chained hurt may draw, 
 Make to our lawles hearts a new-found law. 
 
 Plunge deepe in teares to wafh thy fpotted skin, 
 In Iordans waters feuen times thee clenfe, 
 To purge the leprofie that lyes within : 
 Let fighs ftill offer vp a fweet incenfe, 
 And where with foule contagion of fin, 
 Thofe filthie fumes haue wrought the foules offence : 
 There let that heauenly facrifice repaire, 
 And make the rinced foule twice brighter faire. 
 
 Contemne the world, where nought but griefe is found, 
 Where fighs the ayre, and forrow is the food, 
 Eternall teares the drinke, and howles the found, 
 Whofe gaftly notes we heare, while dropping blood 
 Makes feas of woe within our heart abound, 
 And difcontent the fire, our felues the wood : 
 From whofe great flames black vapours do arife, 
 Which turnd toclowds doe rainedownefrom our eyes. 
 
 But 
 
 106 
 
Verities Hijlorie. 
 
 But lie below where neuer tempeft blowes, 
 Seeke out fome narrow place where thou maift weepe, 
 Where folitarines inuefted goes : 
 On day remember griefe.in filent fleepe 
 Dreame of thy faults,and thofe deferued woes, 
 Which in a prifon doe thy fad thoughts keepe : 
 No thunder may thy cottage ouerturne, 
 Nor thus bedewd with teares can lightning burne. 
 
 While mightie Cedars feele the tempefts wrack, 
 Each little fhame as winters timeles froft, 
 Makes them all bare,and doth vncloth their back, 
 While they below fmile at their garments loft, 
 Each of their faults and each vnlawfull a6l 
 Is feene to all, and they are learned moft, 
 
 Which in thefe great mens crimes a leffon reede, 
 And tell their fellowes any lawles deede. 
 
 While we in filence paffe our filent dayes, 
 No ill on earth nor forrow after death, 
 We feare not enuious tongues,nor black difprayfe, 
 While they fthough foothed in this liuely breath) 
 After their time are punifht many wayes, 
 Each fwelling heart his hate vnburdeneth, 
 And wifheth that the earth may heauy lie, 
 And preffe them deeply with her grauitie. 
 
 Thus paffing foorth a rufull fight they view, 
 
 Where many hung vpon a croffing tree : 
 
 O thefe (quoth they )no more earths woe fhall rew, 
 
 Thrife happie eafde of mortall miferie : 
 
 We haue a mighty Ocean yet anew, 
 
 Through which our toffed fhips to port muft flie, 
 
 Brought to the fumme of great felicitie. 
 
 O 2 Further 
 
 107 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Further they goe when comes a down-caft wight, 
 Whofe face the Sunne had dide with funnie black : 
 O friends (quoth he)and can you take delight 
 On earth,while heau'ns great pleafures you doe lack f 
 Come,come each man breath vp his ending fpright, 
 Before foule fin it driue to deadly wrack: 
 
 Send vp to heauen a foule, ere fin it get, 
 
 Intangled in his nere-diffolued net. 
 
 O ceafe (quoth they,) to make an ouerflow 
 Ouer the bounds of our ny-drowned mindes : 
 This worlds vncertaintie we well doe know, 
 Who fo feekes ought, nought but defpayre he findes, 
 And thefe our earthly bodies finking low, 
 In mancipate of fhame our foules doe binde : 
 Our Sunne with clowds is darkned in the rife, 
 The noone is black,but brighteft when he dyes. 
 
 Since then the fates our meeting thus ordaind, 
 Let vs not feeke to teach what each doth fee : 
 But let him happieft be moft foules that gaind, 
 Franchifing them to immortalitie: 
 Here will we tell how that the foule is paind, 
 Laden with earthly things,not euer free, 
 Before the bodies feruice they reiecl:, 
 And here we'le counfell them to that effect. 
 
 Agreed,they fram'd full many a wooden croffe, 
 And digd vp pooles and many other wayes, 
 When they perfwade them to this gaining loffe, 
 The worlds loffe gaine, which gaine our foule imbayes 
 In happy reft where neuer tempefts toffe : 
 But fweet content our foules in quiet layes, 
 
 Where AZol dares not foorth his feruants fend, 
 Where ending wo, woes heire doth neuer end. 
 
 Cant 
 
 ioS 
 
Vertues Hijiorie. 
 
 Cant. 5. 
 TJie Hermite tels Afotus Tragedie, 
 
 His wicked deeds andfilthie luparie : 
 And Cipribel there leames felicitie, 
 
 But Erofel JIM plagues with crueltie 
 Pirinoes foule,whofe craft when they had found, 
 
 They Jiript her clothes,and to thejleed her bound. 
 
 H 
 
 Aples that wight within whofe bowels lye 
 The deep-drencht poyfons of vncured vice, 
 Nor any Antidote can helpe apply, 
 
 To whofe foules cure no leach-art will fuffice, 
 But toffed in the waues from any eye, 
 Payes defperate his foules vnmatched price : 
 But happy they awakt from fleepe of night, 
 To fee the bleffed dayes thought-chearing light. 
 
 Which feld feene bliffe new-changed Cipribel, 
 Hath by her gentle-fmiling fortune gaind : 
 So they that in a parfum'd houfe doe dwell, 
 The parfum'd odour after long retaind ; 
 And wicked chaind with thofe that vfe doe well, 
 Haue from their wicked cuftomes foone refraind : 
 The horfe whofe back the tamer oft beftrides, 
 At length with eafie pace full gently rides. 
 
 After the Giant-fight when downe he threw, 
 The filthie fonnes which Aloeus bare, 
 And thofe fame monfters great Themiftos flew, 
 Spoyling thofe woules which all the paffers tare, 
 From their black manfions he is feete withdrew, 
 And with the Ladies in his way doth fare : 
 
 Freeing each wretch from his vnworthie paine, 
 
 Reftoring them vnto their reft againe. 
 
 O 3 At 
 
 109 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 At length they paft where they all wondring fpide 
 
 A little rocky forme, whence did arife 
 
 A fruitfull iffuing ftreame, that ftill did Aide 
 
 From out the hollow ftone in ample wife : 
 
 Faft by a little cabinet they eyde, 
 
 Whither defirous of fome nouelties, 
 
 They goe enquiring what thefe things mought bee, 
 Which they fo ftrange and neuer-heard did fee. 
 
 When by a crany there they filent view, 
 An old age-worne-out father that with beades 
 Praying full deeply, feem'd fome gift to fue 
 Of the great king, when ftill he earneft reades, 
 And letting downe his beades fayes prayer new : 
 Thus he his lifes cold Autumne-yeares doth leade, 
 
 Nor caring for the world nor worldly wealth, 
 
 But his beloued foules beloued health. 
 
 When ftreight Themijlos ; Sir, without offence, 
 
 If tell you may, pray tell the myfterie 
 
 Of yonder ftone, and if oft recompence 
 
 Can quite, I pray my kindnes proue and trie : 
 
 Sir, your requeft (quoth he) doth grieue my fence, 
 
 With new memoriall of this hiftorie : 
 
 Yet though each word doe bring with him a teare, 
 You fhall my ftorie and fad fortune heare. 
 
 Weeping and fpeaking thus the mourner fayes : 
 Where now vaft rudenes fhewes her rugged face, 
 Here on thefe plaines fhone in the former dayes, 
 The ftatelieft walls that ere with glories grace, 
 Send to the world their fayre profpe6tiue rayes, 
 The place to them gaue worth,they to the place, 
 That twixt bothworths farre worthieft they werefeene : 
 O that as once they were they now had beene. 
 
 Here 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Here dwelt (vnworthie farre here for to dwell) 
 My brother(why mould I him brother call ?) 
 Afotus height,that riere-recured,fell 
 Into the fnares of vice (O haples fall !) 
 Nothing but luxurie did pleafe him well, 
 Drinking and feafting and confuming all : 
 His belly was the fhip whereto he fet 
 All marchandize that he could euer get. 
 
 Like to the yawning mouth of vgly Dis, 
 That euer gapes ftill hungry for his pray, 
 Where finking downe into the black AbyJJe, 
 The pained foules their hnnes deare tribute pay : 
 Such was the neuer-fatiat gulfe of his, 
 Wherein ftill foules of beafts he frefh did lay : 
 When to extinguifh his thirfts raging fire, 
 Whole haruefts he of preft-grapes doth require. 
 
 Once when the Sunne began for to releafe 
 His teames,all weary with their daily paine, 
 Came by a godly father, whom he prayes 
 His caftles lodging for a night to daigne, 
 Though loth he were fo much to yeeld to eafe, 
 Yet by requefts here now he will remaine : 
 In is he gone to take his nightly reft, 
 Meaning to lodge within this Pythoes neft. 
 
 Hunger the vulture that on euery maw 
 Bites with her meager teeth her wombe to fill, 
 Bids them to yeeld to common natures law, 
 And fatiffie her not refifted will : 
 The father who before then neuer faw 
 The difh where rawifh blood downe did diftill, 
 But Pythagorean like with gardens fed, 
 Wonders to fee fo many creatures dead. 
 
 Fie 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Fie fhame (quoth he) to kill the harmles beaft, 
 That with his fleece maintaines our veftiment, 
 And with this bloodie meate to make a feaft, 
 Which nature made for a more good intent : 
 What hath the oxe deferu'd,that ftill oppreft 
 With heauie yoke in paine his yeares hath fpent f 
 Or what the fheepe,the fheepe that innocent, 
 Which neuer cryes for flaughter vp ypent ? 
 
 Sauing your tale (quoth he) and taking wine, 
 Afotus in a full caroufe doth fwill : 
 But he whofe grieued heart doth much repine, 
 To fee him with thofe bloodie meates to fill 
 His rau'ning panch,goes forward to diuine ; 
 Telling that for his foule this feaft was ill, 
 Who in deepe hell for penance long fhall faft, 
 Guiltie to thinke vpon his pleafure paft. 
 
 Thus long he fpoke when downe Afotus lyes, 
 Whom deep-fetcht draughts had ouer-nie oppreft, 
 When ftreight the Sire from out the caftles flies : 
 Whence fled, he falls vpon his humbled breaft, 
 And zealous to the king of heauen cryes, 
 Turning his face vnto the darkned Eaft, 
 Praying to fhew fome iudgement on his fin, 
 Before more foules this wicked vice might win. 
 
 No fooner hath he prayd,but vanifht quite 
 The old foundations of the ruinde walls, 
 Like to a bird that flieth from the fight, 
 And in fome farre remoued valley falls, 
 Nothing appeares,but this vngodly wight, 
 Who while for helpe all curfing deeply calls, 
 
 Into this ftone was chang'd, whence ftill arife 
 
 New iffuing ftreames of fuperfluities. 
 
 And 
 
 112 
 
Vertices Hijlorie. 
 
 And here flay I,that to the rifing Sunne, 
 For that his foule full many prayers fay ; 
 Beginning ftill,nor euer will haue done, 
 Vntill to reft his foule tranfport I may : 
 This faid ; down riuolets of teares do run, 
 And ftreight all vehement begins to pray : 
 
 A ruthfull fight it was,for deepeft frnart 
 
 Was fure ingrauen in his grieued hart. 
 
 But now is Cipribel quite fhapte a new, 
 Sorrow within her heart doth tirannize, 
 Her former pleafure fhe doth deepely rew ; 
 And be their Gods which fee our vanities, 
 Quoth fhe; rewarding men their fins great due, 
 Or is there any heauenly paradife, 
 Where euerlafting harueft fhall repay 
 The fruites of good which here on earth we lay ? 
 
 This faid,fhe doth the aged Sire requeft 
 To tell the bleffed newes fhe nere did heare : 
 Who all the rites that holy men profeft, 
 And who vnhappie,and who bleffed were, 
 Which was the way to euiternall reft, 
 Where was the place of horror and of feare : 
 To her in largeft tolde where we will leaue 
 This new made Saint her leffons to receiue. 
 
 Now good Pyrino muft I tell thy wo, 
 The mighty wrack,thy weary barke fuftaines, 
 Whom Erofel thus tumbleth to and fro, 
 With boiftrous winds of her infefted braines ; 
 Needes muft thou to thy haples fortune goe, 
 When defperate rider holds thy guiding raines : 
 Loffe of a loue,in loue is greateft death, 
 But mocking of his loffe twife burdeneth. 
 
 P After 
 
 P TI 3 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 After he had fung forth the hiftorie, 
 Wherein his Tragedies he did reueale : 
 Erofel feemes fome comfort to applie, 
 And where lhe poyfon laies,fhe feemes to heale, 
 Like the Hiena, that will forrieft crie, 
 When fhe in cruelft manner meanes to deale: 
 The Adder in his feeming kiffe doth fting, 
 And mifchiefe lies within moft flattering. 
 
 Now fhe perfwades to lift his wearied feete, 
 And to his Lady turne his dolefull courfe ; 
 Perchance (quoth he) fome ftreames of hope doe fleete, 
 Which may quench out the flame,ere growing worfe ; 
 Who neuer ventures,prize fhall neuer meete, 
 And he his owne vnwillingnes will curfe : 
 That while occafion turnes her hairy face, 
 Staies not her neuer-back returning pace. 
 
 Nor when the darkened euening cals to reft, 
 When Stars all ready in their watch doe ftand, 
 When he doth of his loue remember leaft ; 
 Then comes fhe in, and queftions doth demaund, 
 To ouercharge the wight fo deepe oppreft, 
 To make him dreame of things like furies brand, 
 In the infernall nookes of gaping hell, 
 Torturing the foules which downe condemned fell. 
 
 So lankifh famine gnawing on her breaft, 
 Tires ErifiSlon with a reftles drought, 
 And makes him euer hungring for a feaft ; 
 When yet that fwallowed feaft but grieues his thought, 
 That his luxurious end fo foone hath ceaft, 
 Eu'n fuch loue famine hath this Tiger brought : 
 To this ore burning youth, within whofe foule 
 A thoufand Sijiphus their reftles burdens roule. 
 
 Sometimes 
 
 114 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Sometimes in womans cloathes fhe would appeare, 
 In mightie fhadowes to affright him more, 
 And Bellamies diuineft image beare, 
 And play an Anticke by his chamber dore : 
 When ftraight the louer thinks that fhe was there, 
 And in purfuite out from his bed he tore : 
 She flieSjhe now remaines of all bereft, 
 Like one whom Fayries company hath left. 
 
 One night fhe came to play her wonted game, 
 When he all defp'rate in a mightie rage 
 Drew forth his blade,and brandifhing the fame, 
 Betwixt them made an vncouth mariage, 
 And made her arme giue to her head the blame, 
 That fram'd fuch plaies vpon fo ftrange a ftage : 
 For he deepe ftroke vnto the center-bone, 
 O haples ftroke it had no further gone. 
 
 Like Cadmus Dragon in the Theban caue, 
 When with his fpeare he pierft his writhed tayle, 
 Begins within his den to rage and raue, 
 And fwelling deepely means then to preuaile, 
 When with vnited force at him he draue, 
 Such rancor doth her cancred heart affaile : 
 
 As Ioues great Eagle leffer foule doth rent, 
 
 To maffaker him fo,her heart is bent. 
 
 But now the fates thy whiter threede haue fpun, 
 Foule Erofel,now hath thy fhady loome, 
 All died in pitch her griefly birth begun, 
 Masking miffortunes made and haples bloome: 
 Now hath thy night vailde thy moft orient funne, 
 Blacke chance to worfer fortune doth thee doome : 
 Caft downe Loues Scepter,tirannize no more, 
 The wings are fcorcht which once thy flight vpbore. 
 
 P 2 When 
 
 115 
 
Vertues Hijiorie. 
 
 When chearing Phoebus bad his fiery fteeds 
 Breath forth bright lightning in the rifing morne : 
 Pirino on whofe heart grim forrow feeds, 
 Left his fad couch in which no reft is borne, 
 Now eafier fate his happier chaunce areedes, 
 Loue doth not pricke him as it wont beforne: 
 Whofe prefage drieth vp the ice of fmart, 
 And makes a verdant fpring within his hart. 
 
 Vpon his foaming Palfrey doth he mount, 
 When ftraight his furie hath his heart in chafe : 
 But let the cottages make great account, 
 When Boreas turnes his cloud-in-wrapped face, 
 This Caftell now all ftormes wrath doth furmount, 
 It fcornes to ftooping now his height debafe : 
 Goe Erofel thofe iawes in funder teare, 
 Whofe poyfon to no worth their edge doth reare. 
 
 Foreward they trauell in appoynted way, 
 Driuing the tedioufnes of fhortned miles, 
 She ftill is egged to the Knights decay ; 
 And with new flinging tales his eares defiles, 
 While nothing can her words his minde afray : 
 But now a fudden noyfe doth end her wiles, 
 Like to the humming of great fwarmes of Bees, 
 Which in this forte vnto their hearing flees. 
 
 Goe Afpicke goe, which with thy venomd fting 
 Defirft the puritie which nature gaue, 
 Within thy head a thoufand fiends doe ring, 
 And whifpering counfell doe thy thoughts depraue, 
 Let mifchiefe thee vnto thy buriall bring, 
 Or robbers lay thee in fome vncouth caue : 
 
 Where thou entombed in eternall night, 
 
 Maift not defile the toxicated light. 
 
 While 
 
 Tl6 
 
Verities Hijlorie. 
 
 While thou my foule whom fpots of finne doe ftaine, 
 
 Vanifh from this thy worldly pilgrimage, 
 
 And to the higheft powers of heauen complaine, 
 
 Thou didft vnwilling fpoyle thy heritage, 
 
 While as the funne who knowes my inward paine, 
 
 Viewing the wofull offpring of my rage : 
 
 Shall witnes to blacke Radamant that I, 
 
 A penitentiall finner fainting dye. 
 
 While thou fell hagge,whofe foule corrupted minde 
 Doth glut his thought with fight of others griefe, 
 Maift wander haples neuer helpe maift finde, 
 But driuen from thy hauen of reliefe, 
 Toffe vp and downe with fome vncertaine winde, 
 Not euer trufted neuer get beliefe : 
 
 And I appoynted to a fatall end, 
 
 Will dye that life,whofe death is Hues deare friend. 
 
 Following the found vnto a bufh they came, 
 Whom when he faw : and doeft thou Hue (quoth he) 
 And tooke his fworde and would haue pearft the dame : 
 But ftraight Pirino ; pray Sir patient be, 
 What euer your offended thoughts can blame, 
 I deepely vow fhall be redreft by me : 
 Onely bewray the reafon of your wrath, 
 And who the author is of all your fcath. 
 
 O Sir (quoth he) this is a woman borne, 
 Though falfely hid in feeming mans difguife, 
 Whofe beautie as his badge my heart hath worne : 
 Woe to the time I heard her flatteries, 
 For fince that time my foule was ftill forlorne, 
 Of thAngell hew of my faire infancies : 
 
 I toucht the pitch which in her corps doe lye, 
 By which the veftalls of my heart doe dye. 
 
 P 3 For 
 
 ii7 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 For this was fhe whofe once beloued face 
 Wrought deepe affections in my yeelding minde ; 
 And ouer rulde me with her "pleafing grace, 
 While in this loue,her tractable I finde, 
 And all my words doth feeme glad to imbrace, 
 Which doth in double bands my dutie binde : 
 Her did I worfhip,Idoll of my hart, 
 And my moft deareft foules more dearer part. 
 
 Now are we ioyned each in giuing troth, 
 And haue appoynted cer-taine time to bride, 
 One was the mindc, one was the thought of both, 
 When I was fad, then fhe her light would hide, 
 And feeme as if to ioy her foule was loth, 
 Both in uniting of their loues abide : 
 But this fo high a fea of rifing loue, 
 Soone to a loweft ebbe then ere did proue. 
 
 See feemde like Phaeton in her defire, 
 And needs would driue the chariot of Sunne, 
 Carying her Sunnes to ouercharging fire, 
 When thus to me her dolefull fpeech began: 
 O loue whofe heart the feate where I afpire, 
 Hath with fo deepe a loue my louing wonne : 
 O be not hard which Nature foft hath made, 
 Nor let the fpring of kindnes fcarce borne fade, 
 
 Here is my heart whom thy Sunnes loue doth melt, 
 But it like waxe more melting more doth hang, 
 Which loues comburing zone full deepe hath felt, 
 This heart which in my breafts faire temple rang, 
 Vnto thy feruice ftill ; and ftill hath dealt 
 Faithfull in loue,though thorough many a pang : 
 Eafe it and me from fuch a fweltring zone, 
 Where thirftie ftill ; ftill water we haue none. 
 
 This 
 
 118 
 
Verities Hiflorie. 
 
 This heart all bloodies let it be thy white, 
 And fhoote therewith thy arrowes piercing fteele ; 
 Or if in his confufion thou delite, 
 Then torture it vpon a racking wheele, 
 Or let thy fwordes fharpe edge thine ire acquite, 
 And let it any torment plagued feele : 
 Onely firft pierce it with a dart of loue, 
 Then all the inftruments of anger proue. 
 
 Sweete loue,one onely Ne£lar-drop I craue, 
 Doe not denie me one : one is not much, 
 Though to thy loue thus I am bound a flaue, 
 Yet litle meat to feede me doe not grutch, 
 And with one morfell me from dying faue, 
 O cruelft death of allwhofe death is fuch : 
 O didft thou fee my heart,how it doth beate 
 And pant for hunger,fure it mould haue meate. 
 
 Perchaunce the peoples voyce thou much doeft feare, 
 That's like a winde which neuer man can fee, 
 Whofe idle rumor many things doth beare 
 Which are vntrue,fhe euery where doth flee, 
 The beft doe often her worft colours weare, 
 And on her fable pinfons lifted be : 
 
 Befide our mariage,to be made ere long, 
 
 Will ftrengthen al the breach,& make it twice as ftrong. 
 
 Now in my heart Reafon and Loue did fight, 
 
 Reafon with enfigne red,Loues enfigne pale, 
 
 My face the field where they doe wreake their fpight, 
 
 Sometimes Loues enfigne vanquifhed.downe would fall 
 
 Then Reafons colour plaied moft in fight, 
 
 And in a blufhing red enuellop'd all : 
 
 Straight Loue recouering his former fpright, 
 Kept Reafon downe,and claimde the place for right. 
 
 Then 
 
 119 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Then faid I to my foule,how doft thou kill, 
 The onely childe I have fweete Chaftitie, 
 The Iudge for murther damne to torments will, 
 Thy wicked thoughts ? whither doft thou flye ? 
 O doe not leaue thy goodly fort, vntill 
 With thefe thy holy goods thou needs muft dye : 
 But then my foule that fcornde a woman ftay, 
 Opend the Caftell doore and made her way. 
 
 Mow am I robbing from my fpoyled Saint, 
 Thofe milke white robes wherewith fhe was araide, 
 And with this facriledge my foule doe taint, 
 My goddeffe in her fhrine no longer ftaide : 
 When as fhe faw her feruants faith to faint, 
 And on her turtle wings her felfe fhe laide : 
 When to my thoughts fhe gaue her lateft will, 
 That ftill hereafter fhame her feate mould fill. 
 
 Now is my garden naked of his flower, 
 Whom I before with care did till and dreffe, 
 And gaue it to her for my chiefeft dower, 
 The vtmoft toll of all that I poffeffe: 
 But then her wanton lookes began to lower, 
 And filthie figure of ingratefulneffe: 
 
 Leauing my bower vnto the world fhe fled, 
 Since when with horror all my daies I led. 
 
 And here a Pilgrime haue I fpent my life, 
 My life growne olde with care and guiltie fhame ; 
 Where now blacke melancholy is my wife, 
 Harb'ring my thoughts when they for fuccor came, 
 Scorning the world, whofe forrowes are fo rife, 
 Where one howres ioy doth bring one ages blame: 
 While mufing thoughts which on my wife I bred, 
 Doe finde me meate on which I ftill haue fed. 
 
 Thus 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Thus hath he fayd, while guilty Erofell 
 Did oftentimes affay from thence to flie : 
 But good Pirino that her guiles did fmell, 
 Made her the liftning of the tale aby : 
 Which when he ended,both vpon her fell, 
 And ftript the cloathes of her hypocrifie : 
 When by the frefh apparance of the wound, 
 Pirino all her craft and guile had found. 
 
 Then bound they faft her naked armes behinde, 
 And to the horfe her feete they ftrongly tide, 
 And let her goe where fhe fhall neuer finde 
 Reft nor reliefe,but ftill in horror ride : 
 Like to the Affrick Mares that on the winde 
 Engender,and their kinde haue multiplide : 
 So doth this furie on the emptie ayre 
 Breed guiltie fhame,and ftinging deepe defpayre. 
 
 She fcoures like Aujler on the fandie plaines, 
 And when a farre fhe vieweth any man, 
 She turnes her courfe and flieth thence amaine, 
 While as the Sunne with his ftill fcorching bran, 
 Dies her quaint face in a farre blacker graine, 
 And her deformed haire down ftill doth fan, 
 
 While on her heart fharpe hunger ftill doth feede, 
 Quenching her thrift with teares that euer bleede. 
 
 Now doe Pirino and this Knight confent, 
 To wander through the He as errant Knights, 
 And fweare to keepe their martiall thoughts vnbent 
 From Ladies feruice,or thofe loues delights, 
 Though I ftill bad them from their vow relent, 
 Telling the worth of all thofe femall wights, 
 When they fro me all raging fpurd amaine, 
 Swearing that womans loue I nere fhould gaine. 
 
 Q Cant. 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Cant. 6. 
 
 Faire Cypribel doth proud Orguillo meete, 
 And wins his helmet by her martiall might, 
 
 Who lay low conquer d humbly at her feete, 
 And with a Tiger fiercely Jhe doth fight, 
 
 And her hues tombe and death Jhe now doth fee, 
 Themiftos doth a Knight from bondage free. 
 
 A 
 
 S doth the Elixer with his fecret power, 
 Turne bafer mettals into pureft gold : 
 Or as the comfort of a moyftning fhower, 
 
 Reuiues the flowers which downe their heads did hold, 
 Whofe parched rootes barren drouth did deuoure : 
 So doth the fpeech which he to her hath told, 
 Clenfing the droffe from her defiled minde, 
 As mightie fogges with a North fcouring winde. 
 
 And now Themiftos will depart away, 
 Sundring their diuers wayes vnlike euents : 
 And Cypribel,whok foule in new array, 
 Goes forth to helpe the poore and innocents, 
 Is marching early by the blufh of day, 
 With fpeare in reft and fhield fit for defence: 
 
 Meaning to teach the worfe what fhe doth learne, 
 Or with her fword to make them dearly earne. 
 
 Forth gone, fhe meetes vpon a mountaines head 
 A ftately Knight that proud vpbore his creft, 
 His footcloth all with ftarres befpangled, 
 And on his fhield all azurde was impreft 
 An Eagle,or,aboue a Sunne was leyd, 
 Whereon his faftened eybeames ftill did reft : 
 Sic oculos his word, the world to tell, 
 That fo on high his haughtie minde did dwell. 
 
 Behind 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 Behind him on a lingring affe there rode 
 A fober man.downe by whofe belt was tide 
 An inkhorne pendant,from his neck there yode 
 A thinneft robe not cut of any fide, 
 Whereon his poefie patchingly was fowde, 
 A bird that pickt a Serpents iawes all wide : 
 Dura necejfitas the word,to mow, 
 Hunger and want did make them both doe fo. 
 
 This was a poet whom this loftie Knight, 
 Maintainde to write his verfe ennobled gefts : 
 For he to ground full many foes had dight, 
 Vpheauing them from out their faddle refts, 
 All which in loftie verfe this hand did write, 
 And fure I ftoric was that Mufes hefts, 
 Should thus be prentifes to feruile deede, 
 But rocks cannot refift fharpe pearcing neede. 
 
 Now are they met, when quoth that loftie mate, 
 Giue me thy fword,leaft this my breath confound 
 Thy blafted foule,if once I wreake my hate : 
 When nay,replide fhe,things fo hardly found, 
 May not be giuen to each that big will prate : 
 But fight for it,and firft we will compound, 
 
 That who orecomes fhall this for reward beare, 
 He fhall the helmet haue his foe did weare. 
 
 He is agreed : now are they fet for race, 
 And fiercely runne each againft th'others breaft : 
 So haue I feene when Neptune with his mace, 
 Hath made the raging floods with ftormes oppreft, 
 Two hugie Argoes with moft tumbling pace, 
 Too much with toffing tempefts ouerpreft, 
 Thunder againft his fellowes bellowing fide, 
 While in the gulfe downe fwallowed both they Aide. 
 
 Q 2 Both 
 
 123 
 
Vertices Hiftorie. 
 
 Both tumbled downe,they doe renew with hand 
 The fight, which on their palfraies not preuailes, 
 Each on the other laies his fteely brand, 
 And where they fee defence moft fureft failes, 
 There ftreight their cleauing weapon fixt doth ftand : 
 At laft Orgillo on her helmet nailes 
 With mightie force his plate-intrenching blade, 
 And on her head a skarring wound he made. 
 
 She moued with the rigour of the blow, 
 Plucks in one ftroke the force of all her might, 
 And on his fhoulder downe her blade doth throw, 
 Which Aiding thence his arme doth fharply bite: 
 Which wounded,doth his fencing targe let go, 
 While fhe doth claime her victories due right : 
 He willing,but not able to refift, 
 Doth fuffer her to doe what ere fhe lift. 
 
 Downe doth fhe take his helmet from his head, 
 Whofe loftie plume vp on the higheft fet, 
 Told that his proud heart would to heauen have fled, 
 But that the droffe of his foule corps did let : 
 And ftreight her helmet fhe uncouered, 
 When from her crowne the curled corronet, 
 In which fhe pleated had her tangled haire, 
 Fell from her head downe playing with the aire. 
 
 Orguillo fhaming now to fee a maide 
 That got the conqueft ore his quailed might, 
 Himfelfe vpon his palfrey ftreight he laide, 
 And fpurring mainly vanifht out of fight, 
 His peny poet haftie after made, 
 But neuer was he fince feene by the light : 
 Yet often hath his poet fince been knowne, 
 Nor yet from out the earth his name is flowne. 
 
 Now 
 
 124 
 
Verities Hi/lorie. 
 
 Now Cypribel ftill followeth on her way, 
 Led by a beaten path vpon a plaine, 
 When ftreight fhe fees,as farre as fee fhe may, 
 A Tiger,hunting feem'd for bloodie gaine, 
 Who thinking that fhe hath efpide a pray, 
 With yawning iawes runnes hoping to attaine : 
 And with the Lady ramping fhe doth meete, 
 Who with her fword her grifiy foe doth greete. 
 
 Such in the Ncemczan forrefh was the fight, 
 When ALlcid with the hideous Lion fhraue : 
 Such was the battell when in furious fpight, 
 Iafon the firie breathing monfters draue 
 Vnto their end,by Colchis magicks might: 
 And fuch was The/ens when in writhed caue, 
 
 With puiffant force and deeply graued dint. 
 
 His wrath on Minotaure he did imprint. 
 
 The Tiger bites, fhe cuts,but now at laft 
 With griping teeth he hath vnloofd a plate: 
 Where when his iawes he ment next time to caft, 
 Drawing her bodies fent,he doth abate 
 The dreadfull furie which is ouer-paft, 
 And fawning feem'd that was fo fierce of late : 
 When ftraight he back returnes his wonted way, 
 And feem'd to follow did the Lady pray. 
 
 For when he foftly went,he turnes his eyes 
 Back to the dame, whom nothing feare difmayd, 
 But ftreight fhe followes him,that humble wife 
 Led to a Sepulcher this errant mayd : 
 A Sepulcher it is that couered lyes 
 With helmets and with fhields all ouer layd, 
 Which from the paffing Knights this Tiger tore, 
 And for a couering to his mafter bore. 
 
 Q 3 This 
 
Vertices Hijlorie. 
 
 This is a Knight whofe thoughts like to the skie, 
 Were turnde about this Ladies beauties pole, 
 A vertuous Knight he was, whom wantonlie 
 This Lady in her fond youth did controle : 
 But now his loffe fhe mourneth inwardlie, 
 That fhe hath fent away fo fweet a foule : 
 But when to cindars all confumed are, 
 Too late then fall the watrie teares of care. 
 
 This Knight, when Cypribel was fled away, 
 Wandred through many a dale and weary hill, 
 Seeking his wretched fight on her to lay ; 
 But fhe whom deepe difdaine too much did fill, 
 Flies from his fight,and feekes an vncouth way: 
 When he his labour neuer left,vntill 
 
 All in defpayre he came vnto this plaine, 
 Which by a forreft neerely doth remaine. 
 
 Here when he came, he heard a hollow grone, 
 Which from fome caue did feeme to volley out: 
 When following the found,he now is gone 
 Vnto the wood, where fearching all about, 
 He faw a doore which placed was vpon, 
 To trap the wild beads by fome ruftick lout : 
 Which when he opened forth a Tiger came, 
 That to a flattring looke his face did frame. 
 
 Nor euer would he leaue his deareft Lord, 
 Who ment ere long to leaue himfelfe and all: 
 But ferues him faithfully at bed and bord, 
 Watching by night,by day abroad he ftale 
 Such forreft pray as did the wood afford, 
 Or he could get in great Syluanns hall : 
 But nothing could his former ioy reduce, 
 Whofe only cates are on her forme to mufe. 
 
 126 
 
 He 
 
Verities Hiflorie. 
 
 He powres foorth teares when downe the Tiger lies, 
 And with a wrinched face doth feeme to weepe : 
 Sometimes in hope to flatter fantafies, 
 He with his eyes doth woo fweet banifht fleepe, 
 When foftly wrapt,the beaft doth clofe his eyes, 
 Yet not full clofde,a watch he ftill doth keepe, 
 That rockie heart he hath, whom could not moue 
 This Tigers and this mans fo fruitles loue. 
 
 But now he fees where death with greedie fpade, 
 Meanes vp to dig the minerals of his hart, 
 And his foules treafure dearely to inuade : 
 When readie and prepared to depart, 
 He tooke a ftone,on which he grauing made 
 The wofull ditty of his pinching fmart, 
 And wrote his ftony loue on marble ftone, 
 That to the grauer feem'd for pitty mone. 
 
 Receiue thou ftone the iffues of my woe, 
 Of which blood-iffue now my heart muft die : 
 And you black words fhall forth teftators goe, 
 Of this my will to her that hence doth flie : 
 And if you fee her,for me tell her fo, 
 That in you all my teftament doth lie : 
 Tell that on you I haue ingrau'd by art, 
 That art and nature could not on her hart. 
 
 Tell her how ftill I lou'd her till my night, 
 And then I wrote to you,you fhould her loue : 
 Tell how that teares my eyes did euer fright 
 Till now,and then I bad you fprings to moue : 
 Tell how I mou'd you with my penfils might, 
 When her my penfiue heart in vaine did proue : 
 How on my graue I grau'd thefe things to her, 
 My felfe the grauefman and my felfe the beare. 
 
 Thefe 
 
 127 
 
Vertues Hijiorie. 
 
 Thefe things he writing dide,and dying wrote, 
 And left that ftorie tomb-ftone for his hearfe : 
 When he no fooner part black Stixes bote, 
 But ftreight the Tiger with his clawes did pearce, 
 The trenched earth as deepe as ere he mote, 
 Wherein he put the corfe and heauie verfe, 
 
 And from the Knights their helmets ftill would teare, 
 Which for a couering he would thither beare. 
 
 Now when the Lady came vnto the graue, 
 She rouled thence the armes that on him lay : 
 Whom when fhe faw, from out her eyes fhe draue 
 A gufhing flood that did his face imbay 
 In filuer ftreames, which dying he did craue, 
 Yet could not gaine it in his dying day : 
 But now his face all fprinkled with her dew, 
 Seemes looking frefh againe and liuing new. 
 
 Sweet Nectar teares Elettrus pretious drops, 
 
 Wound faluing balme,whofe fweet infufion 
 
 The bloody feftring or an iffue flops, 
 
 Cczlestis-agua,whofe fweet potion 
 
 Makes winter boughs renew their naked tops : 
 
 jtfifon Medeas incantation, 
 
 Which powred life into the wrinkled eld, 
 
 And plants the tree Deaths woodman downe had feld. 
 
 Then takes fhe vp the grauen marble-ftone, 
 And through her watrie fpectacles fhe reedes, 
 Which makes the letters three which erft were one : 
 O thenfquoth fhe) of you there is no needes, 
 Vnles three hearts I had for all to mone, 
 My heart for one enough alreadie bleedes : 
 
 O cruell heart that in fo fweet a chace, 
 
 Couldeft deny to turne thy flying face. 
 
 This 
 
 128 
 
Vertices Hiftorie. 
 
 This fierceft Tiger feemes to rue his cafe, 
 Thou wroughtft this miferie whom he doth rue : 
 He with the earth hath couered his face, 
 Thou didft vnclafpe his heart, and there imbrue 
 Thy tyrant-thoughts that had too little grace : 
 Thefe armes for fhelter he about him drue, 
 When I denide my armes about him wreath, 
 Which might orecome the furquedrie of death. 
 
 But now fhe leaueth this funereall fong, 
 And caufeth on his graue a ftone be fet, 
 While in the forreft by,the trees among, 
 There fhe hath fram'd a fyluan cabinet, 
 Vowing to make the Knights that paffe along, 
 To pay their fhields to quit her forrowes det : 
 
 But vaine,thy beauties fhield would once haue done, 
 More then the heape of fhields thou now haft wonne. 
 
 Where leaue we her to penance for her loue, 
 And turne our driuing failes another way, 
 Searching Themiftos forth,that now doth roue 
 Towards the maiden towne, where ftreight a fray 
 He hath begun,and with his fauchion droue 
 The quailed citizens to their decay, 
 
 Hewing and Hieing with his gliftring blade, 
 
 Such fpoyle with lambes haue rau'ning Lions made. 
 
 This is a towne whither a wanton dame, 
 That fled an exile through the loathed land, 
 And to thefe parts with her attendants came, 
 Where ftreight this goodly towne they tooke in hand, 
 And in a little fpace vpraifde this frame, 
 Where that fame Ladie Queene did ftill command, 
 And many lawes fhe made.whofe greater part 
 Art quite extinguifht, not without defart. 
 
 R And 
 
 T29 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 And this was one.that euery Lady might 
 Two husbands haue,and he that did refufe 
 To haue a partner in his loues delight, 
 Should bearethat painethatwomens heads fhould chufe. 
 One time it chanft when darkned was the light, 
 The Sunne downe finking low from mortall viewes, 
 When to this towne arriu'd a valiant Knight, 
 Where with his Lady will he fpend the night. 
 
 There had he paft that night and many a day, 
 
 Blinded with pleafure of fo fayre a place, 
 
 And ment a longer time to make delay : 
 
 But while a citizen that faw the face 
 
 Of that fayre dame, where beauties beames doe play, 
 
 So rauifhing and with fo pleafing grace, 
 
 That his burnt heart was fcorcht with too much heat, 
 Feeling no moyfture where the flame was great. 
 
 And feeing no good falue to heale his fore, 
 Where chaftitie the Surgeon fhould bee, 
 Vpon the womens law he trufted more, 
 And vnto that his only hope doth flee : 
 Wherewith he warnes the Knight, who not forbore 
 His lightning wrath.but quickly makes them fee 
 How ill a caufe they had,and with his fword 
 Hundreds of foules on Charons bote doth bord. 
 
 But multitudes his valour much oppreft, 
 
 And tooke him prifoner : fo a Lyoneffe 
 
 Whom from his young a ranger hath fuppreft, 
 
 Caught in the fubtile gins of craftineffe, 
 
 Bound in an iron grate doth quiet reft, 
 
 Helples defpayring and all comfortleffe : 
 But when his libertie he once doth finde, 
 He deeply fhewes the furie of his minde. 
 
 Now 
 
 13° 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Now is this Knight captiude.and ftreight they call 
 A Iurie all of women,that muft fit 
 To iudge this captiue gotten in their thrall : 
 Some hags that meate in ten yeares did not bite, 
 Scarfe able from their ruftie couch to crall : 
 Some whofe downe finking nofe their chin did hit, 
 And fome deepe furrowed fogs with hollow eyes, 
 On whom who lookes ten months he fooner dyes. 
 
 Thefe nod their heads like to a flock of geefe, 
 Confulting what muft in this caufe be done : 
 When forth there fteps an old vnlufty peece, 
 That twentie yeares hath neuer feene the Sunne, 
 On whofe furd chin did hang a budgie fleece, 
 With filthie moffe and droffe all ouerrunne, 
 Whofe gummes the palfie fo to ods did fet, 
 That they their loofed teeth did all out fpet. 
 
 Quoth fhe.euen ftrip the youth that is fo nice, 
 And let him naked there before them ftand, 
 Bound to a poft,that fhall this once fufflce : 
 No fooner fhe this iudgement did command, 
 But all about him runne like to the mice, 
 Whofe troopes conioyned in an endles band, 
 About the Bifhop of great Mentz did runne, 
 And on his corps an vncouth conqueft wonne. 
 
 Now is he led vnto an open place, 
 Where fhameles creatures with his fhame difclofe : 
 But by the way a Knight there comes a pace, 
 Wondring a farre to fee fuch troopes as thofe, 
 And doth enquire why this fo great difgrace 
 Is offred him,and why he chained goes : 
 They ftreight the manner of his ftorie tell, 
 Who to their words replide they did not well. 
 
 R 2 Then 
 
 131 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Then ftreight on him him they rufh,and left alone 
 The prifoner,only one attending ftayes : 
 Whom downe he throwing drew his fauchion, 
 And on his mafters throte it freely layes : 
 This while the other Knight fo much hath done, 
 That many faw the lateft of their dayes : 
 And finking downe to Plutoes fmokie fort, 
 Told him they could not ftay to fee the fport. 
 
 So Perfeus of the Centaures hauock made, 
 Cleauing their hoofie legs with fteely dint, 
 And Stixes banks with damned foules doth lade, 
 As doe their Knights whofe wrath will neuer ftint, 
 Vntill the edge of euer-hungrie blade, 
 Shall with his bloodie feale each foman print, 
 And make his pafport currant downe to hell, 
 Not hindred by the ghofts below that dwell. 
 
 The captiue now is freed, while downe they fall 
 Like to vntimely fruit, whom bluftring winde, 
 Breaking from out his iron-prifon wall, 
 Strooke from the tree,and made new place to finde 
 In loweft ground, that erft on boughes fo tall, 
 All loftily his proudeft ftem did binde : 
 Dying into the duft he downe doth Aide, 
 Neuer to fee his fummer beauties pride. 
 
 Cant. 
 
 132 
 
Vertices Hijlorie. 
 
 Cant. 7. 
 The brethren JIM renew their Jharpe debate, 
 
 Pirino viewes a fayre diftreffed dame, 
 Whom cruell Knight had brought to wofulljlate : 
 
 With whom vnto a cajllefoone he came, 
 After he had reueiigd the bloodie deede, 
 
 Quiting the bloodie man with bloodie meede. 
 
 "Hen as the earths great palfie doth her moue, 
 Shaking her bowels with an ayrie rent, 
 It fhiuers downe the Citadels aboue, 
 And her great burthens all in peeces rent : 
 But not fo much as difcord doth remoue, 
 Whofe quartan fhaking in his continent, 
 Feeds on the intrals of the flinging harts, 
 And teares his bowels in tormented parts. 
 
 Which mightie earthquake now thefe brethren fhooke, 
 That with their fwords each others limbes doe hew, 
 And makes them like the ruddy morning looke, 
 Embrude in fanguine and in purple hew : 
 No time doth Aide but one the other ftrooke, 
 Dying the ftayned earth with gory dew : 
 The mufick ftill in harmonie doth ling, 
 While ftill their fwords to others fides they fling. 
 
 Thus doe they hack and fpoyle with grifly wounds, 
 The vitall fountaines of their welling blood: 
 Like to the Bore whom Meleagers hounds 
 In Calidons forwafted fields withftood, 
 Whofe iron tuske with renting edge confounds 
 The fprings fayre fruits and fummers growing food, 
 Tearing the vine and Bacchus enfigne downe, 
 And in his panch that facred iuyce doth drowne. 
 
 R 3 Thus 
 
 '33 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Thus doe they cruelly their forces wafte, 
 Vntill two princes came vnto the place, 
 Two princes that with loue each one imbrafte, 
 Ioyned in ftrongeft league and mightie grace, 
 That in a louing heart could ere be plafte, 
 No enuie could their plighted loue deface : 
 But like two doues that in the woods doe fly, 
 Starue out themfelves when as his mate doth dy. 
 
 They pitying to fee that fpitefull hate, 
 
 Should thus diftracT; the foules of tortur'd wights, 
 
 Went ftreight to part them from that fharpe debate : 
 
 But they now fwelling with vnbounded fprights, 
 
 No whit the more their furie did abate, 
 
 But exercifing ftill their hatefull fprights, 
 
 Vpon each other wreake their mightie wrath, 
 And in each others gore their fwords imbath. 
 
 Like mightie buls that in a femall flock, 
 Striue who mould be the droues promoted head, 
 With horny engines do their frontiers knock, 
 That from their browes a purple ftreame downe bled, 
 While drumming ftill with mightie blowes they ftroke, 
 And with their fellowes hurt their ire they fed, 
 When ramping fiercely on each others fkull, 
 Downe to the earth their carkaffes they pull. 
 
 But now at length they haue diffeuered 
 Thefe fighting brethren,and their fwords vp lay, 
 And euery prince with him one brother led, 
 And parted thence vnto a diuers way : 
 When home this burden foone they caried, 
 Whofe teeth yet gnafh that this their bloodie fray 
 Was not full tried, and with venome fwell 
 Gainft thofe that parted them,though doing well. 
 
 And 
 
 i34 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 And ftill doe egge thefe fworne friends to fight, 
 Stirring fo long to ftrife their burning mindes, 
 That though no caufe they had of their defpight, 
 Yet enuie ftill fome fecret reafon findes : 
 And they fend challenges to try by might 
 Their ftrife,no longer league their friendlhip bindes : 
 But like two beares that from a keeper fcape, 
 Doe wafte the fields with maffacre and rape. 
 
 Where we will leaue to defolation, 
 Thofe whom fell difcord doth fo much increafe : 
 And to Pirino will againe be gone, 
 Who marched forward ftill in great pretence, 
 That Ladies feruice he would nere haue done : 
 But he his formers finne fhall recompence, 
 And ere I leaue him(fo I loue your kinde) 
 His heart and hands another way fhall finde. 
 
 After the fhameles Erofels defeate, 
 When with the pilgrime Knight he ioynde his way, 
 They for aduentures ftrangeft paths doe beate, 
 Searching out works of valour euery day, 
 Whofe haughtie mindes thinke nothing is fo great, 
 But with their puiffance they'le ouerway : 
 About whofe boldeft hearts encircled was, 
 Strong mightie oke and thrife enfolded braffe. 
 
 Not long they forreind,till on plaine they fpide 
 A wofull fight as euer eye beheld, 
 A Ladie that on ground all wounded lide, 
 Fayrer then her the Sunne hath viewed feld, 
 And more mifhap did neuer dame betide : 
 For fhe to ground with ruthles blow was feld, 
 Like to the fweeteft rofe in harueft time, 
 Is mowen downe in youths moft luftie prime. 
 
 They 
 
 i3S 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 They refted not vntill they to her came, 
 Vpon whofe eyes death feemeth to arreft : 
 And turning vp their Alabafter frame, 
 Made death in loue with them that lou'd death beft: 
 But now thofe Knights did ranfome fayre the dame, 
 Barring her foule from fuch a heauie reft, 
 And vp did binde the life diffoluing wound, 
 Who wept in blood, that it on her was found. 
 
 But now Pirino quite his oth forgate, 
 And moued much with pitie.more with loue, 
 Downe from his horfe as light as winde he gate, 
 And from the ground her quickly doth remoue, 
 Curfing the fword.the hand,and curfed fate, 
 That on this Lady crueltie did proue : 
 O who can tell what vertue hidden lyes, 
 Within the charming of a Ladies eyes. 
 
 Now doth he wifh that he the fword had beene, 
 
 For to haue kift that Ladies downy breft : 
 
 Or he were Balfamum to powre betweene 
 
 The lips of that broad wound : where fweeteft reft 
 
 In beauties harueft yet lookes euer greene, 
 
 And would from ftony hearts haue teares expreft, 
 
 To fee fo fayre a Ladie foully vfde, 
 
 And that fame beautie which fuch wrong abufde. 
 
 Forth doe they goe to finde fome refting place, 
 
 Where they her deepe intrenched wound may dreffe, 
 
 While Mill Pirino mufing on her face, 
 
 Studieth the aftronomie of happineffe, 
 
 Whofe ftarres doe leade vnto the port of grace, 
 
 Where is inuefted perfect bleffedneffe : 
 
 The ftarres of her fweet eyes where beautie plaines, 
 That wrongfull prifon her in bonds detaines. 
 
 Forth 
 
 136 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 Forth doe they cary her their purpofde way, 
 While ftill fhe lieth dumbe,no word doth flowe: 
 From out the Oracle where beautie lay, 
 Silence in darknes all within doth goe, 
 To ke*epe her whom fharpe paine holds for a pray, 
 Subdued to pinching griefe and griefly woe: 
 That filthie dragon keepes the garden gate, 
 Where heauenly Rofes flourifhed of late. 
 
 Now haue they fpied a caftell from a farre, 
 Whether with all their fpeede they forward make, 
 Meaning to make that heauen of this ftarre, 
 That mak es all heau'n where her bright beames doe flake, 
 But ere vnto the fort they arriued are, 
 A new aduenture doth them ouertake: 
 Foure Knights doe meete them with their drawen fwords, 
 Whofe edges on their armes a£l Tragick wordes. 
 
 Now on a banke the Lady downe they fet, 
 And to the battell doe themfelues addreffe, 
 Where with outragious blowes each other beat, 
 And on their foemen doe Reuenge impreffe : 
 At laft one bruftling in a furious heat, 
 Ran through his mate, whom he his foe did geffe: 
 The other quiting him,they downeward fell, 
 Their bodies to the earth,their foules to hell. 
 
 Where we will leaue the other to their fight, 
 
 And of this Ladies wofull ftorie tell: 
 
 And what miffortune brought her to this plight, 
 
 How to this gulfe of miferie fhe fell : 
 
 But thinke the whiles that to the pilgrim Knight, 
 
 Pirino ftill his fight continues well : 
 
 And pray that he the vi&orie may win 
 Here in this fray which they a frefh begin. 
 
 S This 
 
 * i37 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 This Lady hath long time both liu'd and lou'd, 
 
 With a good Knight whofe yeares were tender yong, 
 
 Nor euer from his bofome fhe remou'd, 
 
 But like the Iuy ftill embracing long, 
 
 Who with like care his carefull loue approu'd, 
 
 And in the confort of her muficke fong; 
 
 Clafping her with the twine of compaft armes, 
 While with his kiffes he her fancy charmes. 
 
 Chaft and moft ftrong his loue did ftill remaine, 
 And in her breft his flowring yeares he fpent, 
 No time nor ftrife his fpotles loue could ftaine, 
 But ftill was pleafed when fhe was content, 
 And would begin to mourne when fhe did plaine, 
 Grieuing on woe.ioying on meriment : 
 
 One breath betwixt their kiffing lips doth paffe, 
 One onely foule in two faire bodies was. 
 
 The fight of them could Enuies force abate, 
 And make her Ifie hardnes to relent, 
 Such loue their interchanged thoughts begate, 
 As ftill to mutuall ioy their hearts were bent, 
 Within their breafts Loue in his kingdome fate, 
 Minding to fill them with deepe rauifhment: 
 My thoughts fcarce view.my words their loue difgrace, 
 That for fuch heauenly things are farre too bafe. 
 
 Thus each delighted with the others fight, 
 Would needes a folacing in progreffe ride, 
 Sometimes for fainting heate they would alight, 
 And gentle reft faft by a riuers fide, 
 There cooled with the fhade, while they delight 
 Their pleafed eyes, when in the ftreames they fpide 
 
 The filuer riuer to refleft againe 
 
 Each others looke,and make their loues feeme twaine. 
 
 Sometimes 
 
 138 
 
Vertues Hi/iorie. 
 
 Sometimes downe in a groue they would difcend, 
 And print the graffe with beauties brighteft feale, 
 And with the bowes a round faire garlonds bend : 
 Mingling in pofies which their loue reueale, 
 While to their eares the birds loue-carrolls fent, 
 And ftill among the doue with groning peale, 
 Doth feeme to found a farewell to his loue, 
 Which fowlers hand did cruelly remoue. 
 
 Thus doe they fpend the fummer of their daies, 
 Studying how each might worke them moft delight, 
 Vntill they came to thefe vnluckie waies, 
 Where let blacke darknes ftand and pitchy night, 
 And fearefull Earthquake vp huge mountaines raife, 
 Renting the place that wrought thefe loues defpight : 
 Let ftill fierce winter choke the dying fpring, 
 And none but night-crowes groning fcriches fing. 
 
 For hither when they came,a Knight they met, 
 That without challenge or a caufe of hate, 
 Vpon her Knight downe blowes full fpitefull let, 
 And with his fword infring'd the pretious gate 
 Which keepes the entrance to his fenfes feate, 
 Freeing his foule with this vntimely fate : 
 
 Downe on the luckles earth his bones doe fall, 
 While Saints his foule in heauen doe inftall. 
 
 Which when his Ladie faw twixt rage and wo, 
 His fword fhe takes from out his loued hand ; 
 And to her ruthles enemie doth goe, 
 Offring with force that tirant to withftand, 
 But to her ftrong heart, weake armes anfwere no, 
 Telling they cannot fuch a waight command : 
 This while that curfed man with cruell blade, 
 Into her tender breft a deepe wound made. 
 
 S2 O 
 
 i39 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 O heart fo ftony as the rocky mount, 
 On which fayre Rhodope doth buried lye, 
 Which doth th'Hircanian Tigars far furmount 
 In blood and tirranizing crueltye : 
 That of fweete beautie mak'ft fo fmall account, 
 And couldft with that accurfed flaming eye, 
 Beholde a Lady thus moft louely fayre, 
 Driuen to mightie woe and deepe difpayre. 
 
 But O : he heares me not, for he is fled, 
 And with him caryed her louing Knight, 
 While fhe twixt woe and griefe is almoft dead, 
 The fayreft and the farre moft grieued wight 
 That euer heauenly beautie coloured, 
 In whom terreftriall fhone diuineft light: 
 
 Her wound doth pearce vnto her gored heart, 
 
 Yet then that wound fhe feeles more wounding fmart. 
 
 This cruell Knight was one that ftill did liue 
 By rapine, and did rob each paffenger: 
 Who,as he once with valiant Knight did ftriue, 
 Loft his left hand, when he did deepely fweare, 
 That all the Knights he could to worfer driue, 
 Should fo be martird,thus he vp doth reare 
 Within his fort a heape of ioynted hands, 
 That like a wall now rayfed lofty ftands. 
 
 And this is he that with Pirino fought, 
 Thinking fuch viftory of him to win: 
 But fo the prouidence of heauen wrought, 
 That to repent his deedes he doth begin, 
 For now to conqueft he is fhamefull brought, 
 And he that hath fo proudly cruell been, 
 Lyes at the mercie of the viflors hands, 
 Who leade him prifoner in vnknowen bands. 
 
 After 
 
 140 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 After this battell to the fort they go, 
 While ftill Pirino folaceth the Dame, 
 Hoping to drye the Ocean ofher wo, 
 But now too late all comforts fun-fhine came, 
 Griefe more refifted ftill the more doth grow, 
 And ioy too flow goes euer halting-lame : 
 
 The cloudes which darke the glory of her light, 
 Prefage there ftill fhall be blacke forrowes night. 
 
 Now to their lodging are they come at laft, 
 Which was the caftle where this tirant dwelt: 
 When ftraight his bloody triumphes forth they caft, 
 And now Pirino hath fo carefull delt 
 That fhe is cured,but her forrow paft, 
 Can ne'er be paft which fhe fo deepely felt : 
 While in a tombe fhe layes her loued Knight, 
 Whofe view might banifh thence all ioyes delight. 
 
 Cant. 8. 
 
 Pirino with the Lady doe addres, 
 To fee fayre Bellamyes fad funerall, 
 
 Her lone is told,and how all comfortles, 
 
 For Amians fake in wo her heart doth fall: 
 
 Where blacke eclipfing of his radiant light, 
 Maskt her fweet foule in forrowes drery night. 
 
 OWho could giue me Eagle foaring wings, 
 Or plumes of vapours to afcend on hye : 
 Which Sol exhaled to the heauen brings, 
 That I might fee the true diuinity, 
 Or view the Angel-thoughts, whofe mufick fings 
 Vnto heau'ns maker fweeteft harmony : 
 
 There onely could my thoughts the thought approue 
 Of thought-furpaffing and diuineft loue. 
 
 S 3 Which 
 
 141 
 
Vertues Hiflorie. 
 
 Which like Avion in the floting waues, 
 
 Can chaunt the Dolphins with his charming founds, 
 
 And bindes al bafe affections as flaues, 
 
 Which with celeftiall beautie it confounds, 
 
 Sweet-faluing balme which wounds difpayred faues, 
 
 VVhofe kingdome cannot fuffer earthly bounds : 
 
 The cinofure of all our ioys it is, 
 
 Which leades vs through a world of happy bliffe. 
 
 Which this faire Lady fully doth poffeffe, 
 Raught with the thought of her deceafed Knight, 
 And euer keepes her foule in heauineffe : 
 Like to the Moone that muft obfcure her light, 
 When as the Sunne his beautie doth repreffe, 
 Of whom fhe borrowes beames of all delight : 
 Which buried in the fad Sepulchrall ground, 
 Downe to the earth her captiue thoughts hath bound. 
 
 Which when Pirino faw (whofe words of ioy 
 Still wooed forrow to forfake her breftj 
 Knowing her Knights deare fight wrought this annoy, 
 Did counfell her to leaue this idle reft, 
 Which ftill with mufing thoughts did her accloy, 
 And trauell forth where neuer mould moleft 
 Her quiet thoughts the fpedtacle of death, 
 Whofe faddeft fight the foule difquieteth. 
 
 She loth to leaue that where her treafure lay, 
 Where fhe had buried thoughts of all delight, 
 Determines neuer to depart away: 
 But fo Pirino fues by day and night, 
 That now fhe'le wander till a certaine day, 
 Though forie to remoue from out his fight: 
 
 Whofe tombe containd with him her deareft hart, 
 With whom, in graue fhe left her better part. 
 
 The 
 
 142 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 The Sunne appeareth in his bright aray, 
 Of firy beames and golden-wreathed gowne, 
 Meaning to cheare her with fo fayre a day, 
 Now hauing banifht miftie vapours downe, 
 When forth they ride now fetled in their way, 
 Flying the place whence all her woe was growne : 
 But though vnto the fartheft Indes thou flie, 
 Swifter then winde will forrow after hie. 
 
 They had not gone as farre as Scithian bow 
 Darts forth an arrow with his bended firing, 
 Before they fee where an old man doth goe 
 As faft as dried bones his feete can bring : 
 Who ouertaking him whom age made flow, 
 Enquired whither he was trauailing : 
 
 But deepeft cares that raigned in his thought, 
 Had filence and black melancholy brought. 
 
 At laft they rouzd him from his mufing dreame, 
 
 When of a Ladies death he gan a tale, 
 
 While downe his cheekes doth raine a pearling ftreame, 
 
 From out the clowdes of wrack and weary bale : 
 
 And this is Algiger that doth exclaime 
 
 Againft our life,that ftill in woe doth fall : 
 
 Who like the luckles owle thefe many yeares, 
 
 Neuer but at fome funerall appeares. 
 
 And Bellamy was fhe whom ugly death 
 Hath couerd with the graues vntimely made, 
 Her now in dusky bloome he manteleth, 
 That with her beames the world aftonifht made, 
 And on her corps his colours he difplayeth, 
 Whofe colours in too foone a harueft fade : 
 The weeds doe grow and worfer things furuiue, 
 While as the good are thought too long aliue. 
 
 Pirino 
 
 i43 
 
Vertues Hi/lorie. 
 
 Pirino like to Dcedals winged fonne, 
 That from great heau'n fell to the loweft flood : 
 To finke in forrowes drery gulfe begun, 
 And in his face doth care depaint in blood, 
 The viftorie he ouer him hath wonne, 
 Senceles with too much fence of griefe he ftood: 
 Vntill thus brake the cloudes into a fhowre, 
 Which forth with drery teares he thus did powre. 
 
 O curfed earth goe maske thee from the light, 
 VVhofe light is quenched that did make the day, 
 And let the fpring no more with green bedight, 
 Adorned be with birds or Mufick lay, 
 For fhe in whofe fweete face fpring ftill did write 
 Her chiefeft glory,now in fad decay, 
 
 Hideth the heauenly lampe of louely grace, 
 And fhadoweth from the earth her ftarrie face. 
 
 Her treffes like the flakie beames of morne, 
 Sheueld along vpon her fnowie backe, 
 That did the golden Tagus colour fcorne, 
 And dangling made behinde a goodly tracke, 
 Thofe which haue many harts in triumph borne, 
 And in loues fea haue driuen them to wracke: 
 Thefe lye embraced of the bafeft ground, 
 VVhofe curly traines haue many louers bound. 
 
 Thus forth he driues his paffion with his plaint, 
 
 When they agree to fee her funerall, 
 
 Where we will leaue them wearied and faint: 
 
 Pricking toward her wofull buriall, 
 
 While I full deepely greeud will ftriue to paint, 
 
 The ftory of this ladies wofull fall, 
 
 And when my teares fhall ftop their weeping fpring, 
 I will plaine forth the tale I cannot fing. 
 
 When 
 
 144 
 
Verities Hijlorie. 
 
 When at the Dukes long time thofe thirtie Knights, 
 Lay for to try who could obtaine the prize, 
 Where with continuall fhowes and pleafant fights, 
 They woo'd the deare attention of her eyes : 
 One Knight there was whom fhe aboue all wights 
 Moft dearely lou'd,whofe image deepely lyes, 
 Sealed below vpon her foftened hart, 
 From which his preffure neuer can depart. 
 
 Within the bleffed heauen of her thought, 
 His comely face,the onely ftarre doth fhine, 
 Whofe beautie to her foule amazement brought, 
 That then her felfe a wight was more diuine, 
 Like Cinthia when on Latmus top fhe fpide 
 The fleeping fhepheard lately dreaming ly'ne: 
 
 She is amazed at fo great a grace, 
 
 And with fweete Mel-dewes doth anoint her face. 
 
 No winde but Amian her (hip doth blow, 
 Filling with pleafing breath fayre beauties fayles, 
 In which to happy lies fhe meanes to go ; 
 He beares the rule.and he fo much preuailes, 
 That now fhe doth not fticke to let him know, 
 How his moft gratefull fuite with her auailes : 
 
 Who though with thofe fweete wordes in loue he was, 
 Yet fcarfe for kiffes could he let them paffe. 
 
 She grants the garden where delight doth ly, 
 Which with chafte marriage they will feale anon : 
 And now fhe brings him rofes by and by, 
 From which he wifhed neuer to haue gone, 
 So fweete an ayre vnto his fmell doth fly, 
 That would with pleafure quite haue ouerflowne, 
 Drenching olde aged bones in youthfull dew, 
 And make the hoary man his dayes renew. 
 
 T Like 
 
 145 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 Like Hibla fields, where though Bees ftill doe fuck 
 The hony of delight and rauifhing, 
 Yet in this fertile field remaine to pluck 
 Heauenly pofies,deeply folacing 
 Diftreffed mindes which fharpe miffortune ftrook, 
 And in thoughts winter doth vpreare the fpring, 
 Whofe verdant head fhall neuer languifh downe, 
 But ftand adorned with a flowery crowne. 
 
 Which when the lothed wooers quickly found, 
 They did enuy the happie chance he gate, 
 And ten of them in mightie challenge bound 
 His valiant heart to anfwer their debate, 
 Who now thus fetled on fo fure a ground, 
 Scorned the eafie fhafts of fruitles hate, 
 And fent them anfwer that next rifing day, 
 He would controle what enuy durft to fay. 
 
 But ftill fayre Bellamy doth him intreat, 
 
 To fhun the dangers of the bloody fight, 
 
 And doth his breaft with fighs and gronings beat, 
 
 Enchafing with fayre pearle her clowded fight, 
 
 Which drooping downe her richeft eyes beget, 
 
 And to his louing bofome take their flight, 
 
 When watering the plants that loue doth fow, 
 They quickly made fweet lowly pitty grow. 
 
 But he that had his vowed promife paft, 
 With kiffes ftill her opend lips doth ftay : 
 She opneth ftill, he ftill his lets doth caft, 
 Sweet lets, which let him in where beautie lay, 
 That doubt it was whether fhe fpoke fo faft, 
 Becaufe more kiffes of him gaine fhe may : 
 Or kiffes feeming for to ftop the dore, 
 Still kift.becaufe they would haue kiffes more. 
 
 Thus 
 
 146 
 
Vertices Hiftorie. 
 
 Thus in this golden chaine of pureft loue 
 They paft the euening,when with ruftie coach 
 The Rauen-hud night her dusky train e vphoue, 
 And grifly darknes doth on her encroach, 
 The weary Sunne his wagon doth remoue, 
 Seeing the vgly night fo neere approach, 
 That from the furnace of her footy throte, 
 Forth foggy vapours and black fmoke vpfhote. 
 
 Still Bellamy vnluckie chance doth feare, 
 Warned with fatall noyfe of nightly foule : 
 Now doth fhe feeme fweet Amians voyce to heare, 
 Yeelding the lowly prefent of his foule 
 Vnto his maker, when her heart doth reare 
 A fwelling figh his fortune to condole, 
 The mournfull prefage of fome euill hap, 
 As lightning flames before a thunder-clap. 
 
 Thus in fad thought the filent night is fpent, 
 When Phoebus gan vp reare his firy creft, 
 And had the eafterne heauen with flames ybrent, 
 When ftreight doth A mian leaue his quiet reft, 
 And armed to the place appoynted went, 
 Where nine ftrong Knights that enmitie profeft, 
 He with his fpeare difmounted to the ground, 
 Where with difgrace an humble feate they found. 
 
 Like to a loftie ranke of Cedar trees, 
 When ^Eolus is kindled deepe with rage, 
 And with a whirlwing vp from earth he frees 
 Their riuen rootes,now layd in equipage 
 With bafer fhrubs, while to the heauen flees 
 The roring noyfe.ypent in iron cage 
 
 Of tumbling vapours that doe fcoure the ayre, 
 
 Inuefted highly in a clowdy chayre. 
 
 T 2 Now 
 
 i47 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 Now Bellamies good heart for ioy doth dance, 
 Driuing forth ftormes of forrow and of care, 
 When the tenth Knight his fpeare did high aduance, 
 That ouer al his armour Cypres ware, 
 Shadowing with clowdes of griefe his countenance, 
 Who now towards the Knight his palfrey bare : 
 Where meeting with a hideous fhiuering ftroke, 
 Their yelding fpeares in fprinkled duft they broke. 
 
 On foote they try what thus on horfe doth faile, 
 
 Each other driuing with a deadly blow, 
 
 And with their weapons kiffe the fplitted maile, 
 
 Which riuen,gufhing blood in ftreames doth throw, 
 
 While now or never meaning to preuaile, 
 
 Sir A mian droue vnto his riuall foe, 
 
 And with his fword his intrals doth vnclofe, 
 Whofe foule vp fled his earthly bowels doth lofe. 
 
 Viewing the fword wherewith his riuall fought, 
 
 That on it written had his fathers name, 
 
 Whom with a charme from vnknowne land he brought, 
 
 He curft himfelfe with much vnworthie blame, 
 
 That he this wofull Tragedie had wrought : 
 
 For well he knew his brother was the fame, 
 
 Whom with his wretched might he thus had flaine, 
 To whom his father gaue that hurtfull gaine. 
 
 Now horror ringeth in his grieued foule, 
 And guilt of thought that he his brother flew, 
 Where fearfull fight his reft doth deepe controle : 
 Wherefore vnto his palfrey he withdrew, 
 And doth to none his inward griefe vnrole, 
 But to the woods all folitarie flew, 
 
 Banifhing any thought of pleafing mirth, 
 Or any ioy which lighteth on the earth. 
 
 In 
 
 i 4 8 
 
Verities Hiftorie. 
 
 In leauy fhadowes and in bufhie brakes, 
 He with the wood-doue grones for pinching woe: 
 Sometimes in hand his curfed fword he takes, 
 But ftreight his fword he from his hand doth throw, 
 Now in a bufh a hollow neft he makes, 
 From whence he fwares his feete fhall neuer goe : 
 Each little glimfe of light his foule doth fhun, 
 And in defpayre to headlong death doth run. 
 
 But how fayre Bellamy doth rue his cafe, 
 Plaining and feeking him that her forgat, 
 Is deeply grauen in her parched face, 
 Which doth not lighten as it did of late, 
 Earth-brightning beames of neuer-matched grace: 
 But frowning with the force of angrie fate, 
 
 Downe drooping doth fhe clofe her folded eyes, 
 Drowning themfelues in their owne Neflaries. 
 
 And euery where to feeke him out fhe fends, 
 Whom neuer fhall againe her eyes behold : 
 Wherefore defpayring now her thoughts fhe bends, 
 Fixt on th'Idea of his heauenly mold, 
 And to her minde that only food fhe lends, 
 While from her body reft fhe doth withhold, 
 And ftill her beautie doth confuming pine, 
 Wafting thofe torches which are fo diuine. 
 
 Like as the fweeteft Querifter of Night, 
 When rau'ning fowle bereft her of her young, 
 While Phcebe fends from high her clowdy light, 
 Vnto the Moone in chanting tunes fhe fung, 
 That rauifhing the trauailer with delight, 
 Made him bewale the birds difproferd wrong: 
 So doth each eye lament this wofull plaint, 
 Which beautie makes while fhe in woe doth faint. 
 
 T 3 But 
 
 149 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 But O my pen tranfforme thy fwanny face, 
 And in eternall ftreames my inck fhall weepe : 
 Driue madly downe thy coach in tumbly pace, 
 O thou which heauens mightie lights doft keepe, 
 That neuer beames may brighten any place, 
 Since fhe in neuer-ending dreame doth fleepe: 
 O Bellamy that now vntimely dyes, 
 And in fad tombe deaths cruell triumph lyes. 
 
 The fearfull thought of her deare loued Knight, 
 Eats on her heart confuming vitall heat, 
 That taking in the world not left delight, 
 She with her hands that fofteft breaft doth beat, 
 And vexeth ftill with griefe her wofull fpright, 
 Who weary of fo much vneafie feat, 
 To heauen on her fhowy pineons fled, 
 Where in Ioues breaft fhe layes her quiet head. 
 
 Now came the Knights that dwelt remoued farre, 
 To fee the buriall of this Angel wight : 
 The Sunne arofe with his low drooping carre, 
 To fee (though grieu'd to feejthat wofull fight: 
 And Pirin with the dame ariued are, 
 And Cypribel her tombe forfaketh quight, 
 Prepar'd all to doe honour to her graue, 
 The lateft honour now her corps could haue. 
 
 Where with fuch rites as loue and wit deuife, 
 Which might renew a ftorie to expreffe, 
 She was entombed in moft glorious wife, 
 Accompanide with number numberleffe, 
 While fountaines ouerflow the Dukes fad eyes, 
 That now for lack of teares to weepe doe ceafe: 
 Faine would he in her armes his death-bed fee, 
 That in two heauens he and his foule might bee. 
 
 But 
 
 150 
 
Vertues Hiftorie. 
 
 But enuious fates refift his louing will, 
 Who doe command his foule here to remaine, 
 Where with lamenting noyfe fhe plaineth ftill, 
 Yet neuer can her plaints bring back againe 
 That foule,which mounted on Olympus hill, 
 In facred fpirits and the Mufes traine, 
 
 Singing foule-pleafing tunes her dayes doth fpend, 
 Whofe mufick and whofe dayes haue neuer end. 
 
 And now ye heauens.if euer Mufick ftraine 
 Iffued from a concord-mouing fpheare, 
 Then in a dolefull language helpe to plaine, 
 And mourning part in forrowes confort beare : 
 For neuer fhall you haue like caufe againe, 
 For neuer may the like on earth appeare : 
 And for her death ring out a dolefull knell, 
 While dewy teares at euery ftroke diftill. 
 
 And ye fayre Ladies in a pilgrimage, 
 Attiring blufhing white in mourning black, 
 Vntill the world fhall end his endles age, 
 Go to her tombe,and plaine her beauties wrack, 
 Raught from the earth by deaths vnfatiate rage : 
 And though your teares can neuer bring her back, 
 Kiffing her tombe,to Libitina pray 
 The earth may eafie on her bofome lay. 
 
 Where with the parbreake of vnclowded hell, 
 Night wraps in ruggy black the ayres darke face, 
 Still vomiting fro her defiled Cell, 
 The fhadowy fumes that mought the light difgrace, 
 While fcriching Owles their fearfull ftories tell, 
 Hoarfly complaining in that gloomy place, 
 Groning with hollow notes their difmall fong, 
 While trembling tunes to giltie hearts they rung. 
 
 The 
 
 151 
 
Vertues Hijlorie. 
 
 The wolues about that haples place doe cry, 
 And howling weepe for her that lieth flaine : 
 Sometimes in hollow fearfull harmony 
 The Harpyes doe a dumpifh confort ftraine : 
 Sometimes it feemes they fee fome paffing by, 
 That on a beere a carkaffe doe fuftaine, 
 
 While meager Death with hels vnchained hags, 
 Vpon her graue difplaye their pitchie flags. 
 
 The Conclujion of all. 
 
 ' I ^Hefe haue I fent vnto the Mufes hearje, 
 
 Whofe dales of honour now haue found an end, 
 To fpread therewith this my latefi verfe, 
 
 Whom the vnworthie world too much offend. 
 
 Nor yet becaufefome change-affecting braine 
 Debas'th the Mufes and their f acred hill: 
 
 Fault I myfelfe as hauing writ in vaine, 
 Know he I otily loue the Muficke skill. 
 
 But whether lie delight infeates of armes, 
 
 Or prouder vaunt the glorie of his race, 
 
 Know he I feare not Martiall alarmes, 
 
 Nor yeeld aflep his friendfhip to embrace, 
 Though now in fhade I whifper to the winde, 
 And plaine the Mufes can no Jtarbour finde. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 152 
 
%penger ^octetp. 
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS, 1877-78. 
 
 A DAMS, Dr. Ernest, Anson road, Victoria 
 
 ■^^ park, Manchester 
 
 Adamson, Edward, Rye, Sussex 
 
 Adnitt, H. W. , Lystonville, Shrewsbury. 
 
 Ainsworth, R. F. , M. D. , Lower Broughton, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Aitchison, William John, 1 1, Buckingham terrace, 
 Edinburgh 
 
 Akroyd, Colonel Edward, ■ M. P. , Halifax, York- 
 shire 
 
 Alexander, John, 79, Regent street West, Glasgow 
 
 Alexander, Walter, 4, Burnbank gardens, Glasgow 
 
 "DAIN, James, I, Haymarket, London, 
 
 JJ S.W. 
 
 Baker, Charles, F.S.A., II, Sackville street, 
 
 London, W. 
 Baltimore, Peabody Institute at (per Mr. E. G. 
 
 Allen, 12, Tavistock row, Covent Garden, 
 
 London, W.C.) 
 Birmingham Central Free Library (per Mr. J. D. 
 
 Mullins) 
 Birmingham Library (per Mr. C.E. Scarse, librarian) 
 Blackman, Frederick, 4, York road, London, S.E. 
 Boston, U.S., AthenEeuro (per Mr. E. G. Allen) 
 Boston, U.S., Public Library (per Sampson Low, 
 
 Son and Co.) 
 Brooks, W. Cunliffe, M.P., F.S.A., Barlow hall, 
 
 near Manchester 
 Buckley, Rev. Joseph, Sopworth rectory, Chip- 
 penham 
 Buckley, Rev. William Edward, M.A., Rectory, 
 
 Middleton Cheney, Banbury 
 
 fAMPKIN, Henry, F.S.A., librarian, Reform 
 
 ^ club, London, S.W. 
 
 Chamberlain, Arthur, Bartholomew street, Bir- 
 mingham 
 
 Chamberlain, John Henry, Christ church build- 
 ings, Birmingham 
 
 Christie, R. C, M.A., 2, St. James's square, 
 Manchester 
 
 Clark, David R., M.A., 12, Ibrox terrace, Ibrox- 
 
 holm, Glasgow 
 Coleridge, Lord, 1, Sussex square, London, W. 
 Cook, Jas. W., 34, Eastcheap, London, E.C. 
 Cosens, F. W., 27, Queen's gate, London, W, 
 Crompton, Dr., Cheetham Hill, Manchester 
 Crossley, James, F.S.A., 2, Cavendish place, Ca- 
 vendish street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Man- 
 chester, President 
 
 "T)ERBY, Rt. Hon. the earl of, Knowsley, 
 - Ly Prescot 
 
 Devonshire, His Grace the duke of, Chatsworth, 
 Chesterfield 
 
 "pLT, Charles Henry, 1, Noel street, Islington, 
 *— London, N. 
 
 PAIRBAIRN, Rev. James, Newhaven, Edin- 
 
 burgh 
 Falconer, Thomas, Usk, Monmouthshire 
 Fox, F. F. , 72, Pembroke road, Clifton, Bristol 
 
 (~*IBBS, Henry H., St. Dunstan's, Regent's 
 
 ^-* park, London, N.W. 
 
 Gibbs, William, 16, Hyde park gardens, London 
 
 W. 
 Glasgow University Library (per Mr. James Macle- 
 
 hose, Glasgow) 
 Gottingen University Library (per Messrs. Triibner 
 
 and Co., London) 
 Gratrix, Samuel, 25, Alport town, Deansgate, 
 
 Manchester 
 
 LTAILSTONE, Edward, F.S.A., Walton hall, 
 
 A x Wakefield, Yorkshire 
 
 Harrison, William, F.S.A., Samlesbury hall, near 
 Preston 
 
 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S., Watkinson Library 
 at (per Mr. E. G. Allen) 
 
 Hatton, James, Richmond house, Higher Brough- 
 ton, Manchester 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS FOR 1 877-78. 
 
 Hewitt, William, Hill side, Fallowfield 
 Houldsworth, C. J. , Barclay house, Eccles 
 
 TRELAND, Alexander, Manchester 
 
 JACKSON, H. B., Basford house, Whalley 
 ■J Range, Manchester 
 Jackson, John, Chancery place, Manchester 
 Jackson, R. D., 4, Stanhope street, Hyde park 
 
 gardens, London 
 Jenner, C, Easter Duddington lodge, Edinburgh 
 Johnson, Richard, Alderwasley hall, near Derby, 
 
 Treasurer 
 Jones, Herbert, I, Church court, Clement's lane, 
 
 London, E. C. 
 Jones, Joseph, Abberley hall, Stourport 
 Jordan, Peter A., Philadelphia, U.S. (per Triib- 
 
 ner and Co. , Paternoster row, London, E. C. ) 
 
 T7"ERSHAW, James, Holly house, Bury Old 
 -^ road, Manchester 
 
 Kershaw, John, Audenshaw, near Manchester 
 Kershaw, John, Park house, Willesden lane, 
 
 London, N.W. 
 King, James, 12, Claremont terrace, Glasgow 
 King's inns library, Henrietta street, Dublin 
 Knight, Joseph, 27, Camden square, London, 
 
 N.W. 
 
 T EECH, Dr., Elm house, Whalley Range, 
 
 -*-" ' Manchester 
 
 Lees, Samuel, junr., Parkbridge, Ashton-under- 
 Lyne 
 
 Leigh, John, Whalley Range, Manchester 
 
 Lingard-Monk, R. B. M., 12, Booth street, 
 Piccadilly, Manchester 
 
 Lockwood and Co., 7, Stationers' hall court, Lon- 
 don, E.C. 
 
 McCOWAN, David, 7, Lynedoch crescent, 
 Glasgow 
 
 Mackenzie, John Whitefoord, 16, Royal circus, 
 Edinburgh 
 
 Maclure, John William, Cross street, Manchester 
 
 Manchester Free Library, King street 
 
 Marsden, Rev. Canon, B.D., F.R.S.L., Great 
 Oakley, near Harwich, Essex 
 
 Mitchell Library, Ingram street, East, Glasgow 
 
 Moody, John, 353, Bath crescent, Glasgow. 
 
 Mounsey, R. N., 3, Castle street, Carlisle 
 
 Muntz, George H. M., Church hill house, Hands- 
 worth, Birmingham 
 
 MAPIER, George W., Longton, Stafford- 
 x ' shire 
 
 Neill, Robert, Northumberland street, Higher 
 
 Broughton, Manchester 
 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Literary and Philosophical 
 
 Society (per Mr. Lyall, librarian) 
 Newhaven, Yale College, Connecticut, U.S. (per 
 
 Mr. E. G. Allen) 
 New York, Clinton Hall Library at (per Sampson 
 
 Low, Son and Marston, 188, Fleet street, 
 
 London, E.C.) 
 New York Mercantile Library (per Mr. E. G. 
 
 Allen) 
 Nicholl, George W., The Ham, Cowbridge, 
 
 Glamorganshire 
 Nichols, George W., Augusta house, Rotherhithe, 
 
 London, S.E. 
 
 /")AKEY, John, jun., Westminster Bridge road, 
 
 w London, S.E. 
 
 Owens College Library, Oxford street, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Oxford Union Society (per Mr. Thomas Harris, 
 steward) 
 
 DAINE, Cornelius, 9, Lewes crescent, Kemp 
 
 Town, Brighton 
 Palin, Captain, Police office, Manchester 
 Pattinson, Thomas, Moss grange, Whalley Range, 
 
 Manchester 
 Peace, Maskell W., Green hill, Wigan 
 Peel, George, Soho foundry, Manchester 
 Portico Library, Mosley street, Manchester 
 Priaulx, O. de Beauvoir, 8, Cavendish square, 
 
 London, W. 
 Price, F. C, 86, Leighton road, London, N.W. 
 
 QUARITCH, Bernard, 15, Piccadilly, Lon- 
 don, W. 
 
 "D EDFERN, Rev. R. S., M.A., Acton vicarage, 
 
 • LN - Nantwich 
 
 Redhead, R. Milne, Seedley, Pendleton, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Reform Club, London (per Messrs. Ridgway, 
 Piccadilly) 
 
 Reynolds, Rev. G. W., St. Mark's rectory, Chee- 
 tham Hill, Manchester 
 
 Riggall, Edward, 141, Queen's road, Bayswater, W. 
 
 Robinson, Samuel, Black Brook cottage, Wilmslow 
 
 Rowat, William, Rosehill cottage, Paisley 
 
 Russell, Thomas, 14, India street, Glasgow 
 
 Rylands, Fred., Noel road, Edgbaston, Birming- 
 ham 
 
 CCHOFIELD, Thomas, Thornfield, Old Traf- 
 
 ford, Manchester 
 Sewell, John C, 27, Brown street, Manchester 
 
LIST OF MEMBERS FOR 1 877-78. 
 
 Simms, Charles E., King street, Manchester 
 Simpson, Joseph, Eldon house, Tooting 
 Slingluff, C. B., Baltimore (per Mr. B. F. Stevens, 
 
 London) 
 Smith, Charles, Faversham, Kent 
 Sotheran. Henry, 136, Strand, London, W.C. 
 Stevens, B. F., 4, Trafalgar square, London, W.C. 
 Stewart, A. B., 5, Buchanan street, Glasgow 
 Sullivan, Right Hon. Edward, 32, Fitzwilliam 
 
 place, Dublin 
 Swindells, George H., Oak villa, Heaton Chapel, 
 
 near Stockport 
 
 "FAYLOR, Edward, Sunny bank, Rochdale 
 -*■ Thorpe, Rev. J. F., Heme hill vicar; 
 
 Faversham, Kent 
 Thompson, Joseph, Wilmslow, Cheshire 
 
 ATEITCH, George Seton, Bank of Scotland, 
 * Paisley 
 
 vicarage, 
 
 Vienna, Imperial Library at (per Asher and Co. , 
 13, Bedford street, Covent Garden, London, 
 W.C.) 
 
 WASHINGTON, U.S., Library of Congress at 
 
 vv (per Mr. E. G. Allen) 
 
 Watson, Robert S., IOI, Pilgrim street, Newcastle- 
 on-Tyne 
 
 Weston, George, 9, Gray's Inn square, London, 
 W.C. 
 
 Whitaker, W. Wilkinson, Cornbrook house, Man- 
 chester 
 
 Wilbraham, Henry, Chancery office, Manchester 
 
 Wood, Richard, Plumpton hall, Heywood, Hon. 
 Sec. 
 
 Wood, Richard Henry, F. S. A , Penrhos house, 
 Rugby 
 
 Wylie, Charles, 3, Earl's terrace, Kensington, 
 London, W. 
 
 Chahiks Simms and Co., Pkixters, M»nchk«;tkh. 
 
©|p '-fyfafn #oripfg. 
 
 CO U N C I L. 
 
 JAMES CROSSLEY, Esq., F.S.A., President. 
 Rev. W. E. BUCKLEY, M.A., Middleton Cheney. 
 JOHN LEIGH, Esq. 
 G. H. MIDWOOD, Esq. 
 G. W. NAPIER, Esq. 
 THOMAS SCHOFIELD, Esq. 
 JOSEPH THOMPSON, Esq. 
 RICHARD TOHNSON, Esq., Treasurer. 
 RICHARD "WOOD, Esq., Hon. Secretary. 
 
 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 /„,« 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 Water Poet. Reprinted from the 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 'EKATOMnAeiA or Passionate Centurie 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 18 70-1. 
 
 H. A Handefull of Pleasant Delites, by Clement Robinson, and divers otheis. 
 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. 
 
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 /„„, For the Fifth Year 187 1-2. 
 
 1 1. Juvenilia : Poems by George Wither, contained in the collections of his 
 
 Juvenilia which appeared in 1626 and 1633. Part III. 
 t 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. Reprinted from the Original Editions. Second Collection. 
 
 For the Seventh Year 1873-4. 
 
 15. Flowers of Epigrammes, qvt 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 1^^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. 
 
 2i. 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 Verfues Historic By Francis Rous. Reprinted from the 
 
 original edition of 1 598. 
 
 Charles Simms &> Co., Printers, J}, King Street, Manchester. 
 
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