loue sought to win my loue from mee At this time there was speech of a marriage to be concluded betweene Charles Brandon then L. Lisle the Dutches of Sauoy the L. Lisle being highly fauoured exceedingly beloued of the Dutches. When in King Henrieâ— Tent of cloth of gold The King caused a rich Tent of cloth of gold to be erected where he feasted the Prince of Castile the Dutches and entertained them with sumptuous maskes and banquets during their aboad When Maximilian to those wars addrest Wâ—re Englands Crosse on his imperiall breast Maximilian the Emperour with all his souldiours which serued vnder King Henry wore the crosse of S. George with the Rose on their breasts And in our Armiâ— let his Eagle flie The blacke Eagle is the badge imperiall which here is vsed for the displaying of his ensigne or standard And had his pay from Henries treasurie Henry the 8. at his wars in Fraunce retained the Emperour all his Souldiours in wages which serued vnder him during those warres But this alone by Wolseys wit was wrought Thomas Wolsey the Kings Almoner then Bishoppe of Lincolne a man of great authoritie with the king afterward Cardinall was the thiefe cause that the Lady Mary was married to the old French king with whom the French King had dealt vnderhand to be friend him in that match When the proude Dolphin for thy valour sake Chose thee at tylt his prâ—ncely part to take Frauncis Duke of Valoyes and Dolphin of Fraunce at the mariage of the Lady Mary in honour thereof proclaimed a Iusts where hee chose the Duke of Suffolke and the Marques Dorset for his aydes at all martiall exercises Galeas and Bounarme matchles for their might This County Galeas at the Iusts ran a course with a Speare which was at the head fiue inches square on euery side and at the But nine inches square whereby here shewed his wondrous force and strength This Bounarme a Gentleman of Fraunce at the same time came into the field armed at all points with tenne speares about himâ— in each stirrop three vnder each thigh one one vnder his left arme and one in his hand and putting his horse to the careere neuer stopped him till he had broken euery staffe Hall Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk to Mary the French Queene BVt that thy fayth commaunds me to forbeare The fault thine owne if I impatient were vvere my dispatch such as should be my speed I should want time thy louing lines to reede Heere in the Court Camelion like I fare And as that creature onely liue by ayre All day I waite and all the night I watch And starue mine eares to heare of my dispatch If Douer were th'Abydos of my rest Or pleasant Callice were my Maries Cest Thou should'st not neede fayre Queene to blame me so Did not the distance to desire say no No tedious night from trauell should be free Till through the waues with swimming vnto thee A snowy path I made vnto thy Bay So bright as is that Nectar-stayned way The restlesse sunne by trauailing doth weare Passing his course to finish vp the yeare But Paris locks my loue within the maine And London yet they Brandon doth detaine Of thy firme loue thou put'st me still in mind But of my faith not one word can I finde VVhen Longauile to Mary was affied And thou by him wast made King Lewis bride How oft I wish'd that thou a prize might'st bee That I in Armes might combat him for thee And in the madnes of my loue distraught A thousand times his murther haue â—ore-thought But that th'all-seeing powers which sit aboue Regard not mad mens oathes nor faults in loue And haue confirm'd it by the graunt of heauen That Louers sinnes on earth should be forgiuen For neuer man is halfe so much distrest As he that loues to see his loue possest Comming to Richmond after thy depart Richmond where first thou stol'st away my hart Me thought it look'd not as it did of late But wanting thee forlorne and desolate In whose fayere walkes thou often hast beene seene To sport with Katherine Henries beautious Queeneâ— Astonishing sad vvinter with thy sight As for thy sake the day hath put back night That the byrds thinking to approach the spring Forgot themselues and haue begun to sing So oft I goe by Thames so oft returne Me thinks for thee the Riuer yet doth mourne vvho I haue seene to let her streame at large vvhich like a Hand-maide waited on thy Barge And if thou hapst against the flood to row vvhich way it ebd before now would it flow vveeping in drops vpon thy labouring oares For ioy that it had got thee from the shoares The Swans with musick that the Roothers make Ruffing theyr plumes come gliding on the lake As the fleet Dolphins by Arions strings were brought to land with their sweet rauishings The flocks heards that pasture neer the flood To gaze vpon thee haue forborne theyr food And sate downe sadly mourning by the brim That they by nature were not made to swimâ— VVhen as the Post to Englands royall Court Of thy hard passage brought the true report How in a storme thy well rigg'd ships were tost And thou thy selfe in danger to be lost I knew t was Venus loth'd that aged bed vvhere beautie so should be dishonoured Or fear'd the Sea-Nimphs haunting of the Lake If thou but seene theyr Goddesse should forsake And whirling round her Doue-drawne Coach about To view thy Nauie now in launching out Her ayrie mantle loosely doth vnbind VVhich fanning forth a rougher gale of winde vvafted thy failes with speede vnto the land And runnes thy ship on Bullins harbouring strand How should I ioy of thy ariue to heare But as a poore sea-faring passenger After long trauaile tempest-torne wrack'd By some vnpitting Pyrat that is sack'd Heare 's the false robber that hath stolne his wealth Landed in some safe harbour and in health Enriched with inualuable store For which he long hath trauailed before VVhen thou to Abuile held'st th' appointed day vvee heard how Lewes met thee on the way vvhere thou in glittering Tissue strangely dight Appear'dst vnto him like the Queene of light In cloth of siluer all thy virgine traine In beautie sumptuous as the Northerne waine And thou alone the formost glorious star vvhich lead'st the teame of that great VVagoner VVhat could thy thought be but as I doe thinke vvhen thine eyes tasted what mine eares did drinke A cripple King layd bedrid long before Yet at thy comming crept out of the dore T' was well he rid he had no legs to goe But this thy beautie forc'd his body to For whom a cullice had more fitter beene Then in a golden bed a gallant Queene To vse thy beauty as the miser gold vvhich hoards it vp but onely to behold Still looking on it with a iealous eye Fearing to lend yet louing vsurie O Sacriledge if beautie be diuine The prophane hand
it that time celestiall signes hath done 2 VVhilst our ill thriuing in those Scottish broyles Theyr strength and couâ—age greatly doth aduaunce That beeing made fat and wealthy by our spoyles vvhen we still weakned by the iarres in Fraunce And thus dishartned by continuall foyles Yeelds other cause whereat our Muse may glaunce And Herckleys treasons lastly brings to view vvhose power of late the Barrons ouerthrew 3 Now when the Scot with an inuasiue hand By daily inroads on the borders made Had spoyld the Country of Northumberland The buildings leuell with the ground weare layd And finding none that dare his power withstand vvithout controlement eu'ry where had pray'd Bearing with pride what was by pillage got As our last fall appointed to theyr lot 4 For vvhich false Herckley by his Soueraigne sent T' intreate this needfull though dishonored peace Cloking his treasons by this fayn'd intent Kinling the warre which otherwise might cease And with the Scot new mischiefes doth inuent T' intrap King Edward and their feare release For which their faith they constantly haue plight In peace and warre to stand for eithers right 5 For which the King his sister doth bestow Vpon this false Lord which to him affy'd Maketh too plaine and euident a show Of what before his trust did closely hide But beeing found from whence this match should grow By such as now into their actions pry'd Displayes the treasons which not quickly crost vvould shed more blood then all the warres had cost 6 VVhether the Kings weake counsels causes are That eu'ry thing so badly forteth out Or that the Earle did of our state despaire vvhen nothing prosper'd that was gone about And therefore carelesse how these matters fare I le not define but leaue it as a doubt Or some vaine title his ambition lackt Hatch'd in his breast this treasonable act 7 VVhich now reueal'd vnto the iealous King For apprehension of this tray't rous Peere To the Lord Lucy leaues the managing One whose knowne faith he euer held so deere By whose dispatch and trauell in this thing He doth well worthy of his trust appeare In his owne Castell carelesly defended The trecherous Herckley closely apprehended 8 For which ere long vnto his tryall led In all the roabes befitting his degree VVhere Scroope chiefe Iustice in King Edwards sted vvas now prepar'd his lawfull Iudge to be Vrging the proofes by his enditement red vvhere they his treasons euidently see vvhich now themselues so plainly doe expresse As might at first declare his bad successe 9 His honor'd title backe againe restord Noted with tearmes of infamie and scorne And then disarmed of his knightly sword On which his faith and loyaltie was sworne And by a varlet of his spurres dispur'd His coate of Armes in peeces hal'd and torne To tast deserued punishment is sent T'a trayterous death that trayterously had ment 10 VVhen such the fauorers of this fatall war vvhom this occasion doth more sharply whet Those for this cause thet yet impris'ned are Boldly attempt at liberty to set vvhose purpose frustrate by the others care Doth greater wounds continually beget vvarning the King more strictly looke about These secret fires still daily breaking out 11 And Hereford in Parlement accusd Of treasons which apparantly were wrought That with the Queene and Mortimers were vsd vvhereby subuersion of the Realme was sought And both his calling and his trust abusd vvhich now to aunswere when he should be brought Ceaz'd by the Clergy in the Kings despight Vnder the colour of the Churches right 12 VVhilst now the Queene from England day by day That of these troubles still had certaine word vvhose friends much blam'd her tedious long delay vvhen now the time occasion doth afford vvith better hast doth for herselfe puruay Bearing prouision presently abord Ships of all vses daily rigging are Fit'st for inuasion to transport a warre 13 The Earle of Kent by 's soueraigne brother plac'd As the great Generall of his force in Gwine vvho in his absence here at home disgra'st And frustrated both of his men and coyne By such lewd persons to maintaine theyr wast From the Kings treasúres ceas'd not to proloyne Th'lasciuious Prince though mou'd regardlesse still Both of his owne losse and his brothers ill 14 VVhos 's discontentment beeing quickly found By such as all aduantages await That still apply'd strong corsiues to the wound And by their sharpe and intricate deceit Hindred all meanes might possibly redound This fast-arising mischiefe to defeate Vntill his wrongs vvere to that fulnesse growne That they haue made him absolute their owne 15 VVhose selfe-like followers in these faithlesse warres Men most experienc'd and of worthiest parts vvhich for their pay receaued onely scarres vvhilst the inglorious reap'd their due desarts And Mineons hate of other hope debarres vvith too much violence vrg'd their grieued harts On Iohn of Henault wholy doe rely vvho led a great and valiant company 16 That in this conquest doe themselues combine The Lords Pocelles Sares and Boyseers Dambretticourt the young and valiant Heyn Estoteuill Comines and Villeers Others his Knights Sir Michaell de la Lyne Sir Robert Balioll Boswit and Semeers Men of great power whom spoile and glory warmes Such as were wholly dedicate to Armes 17 Three thousand souldiers mustred men in pay Of French Scotch Almaine Swiser and the Dutch Of natiue English fled beyond the Sea vvhose number neere amounted to asmuch VVhich long had look'd for this vnhappy day vvhom her reuenge did but too neerely tuch Her friends now ready to receaue her in And new commotions eu'ry day begin 18 VVhen she for England fitly setting forth Spreading her proud sayles on the watry plaine Shaping her course directly to the North vvith her young Edward Duke of Aquitaine vvith th' other three of speciall name and worth The destain'd scurges of his lawlesse raine Her souldier Beumount with the Earle of Kent And Mortimer that mighty malcontent 19 A for-wind now for Harwich fitly blowes Blow not too fast to kindle such a fire vvhilst with full saile and fairer tide she goes Turne gentle wind and force her to retire The fleet thou driu'st is fraughted with our woes But winds and seas doe Edwards wracke conspire For when iust heauen to chastice vs is bent All things conuert to our due punishment 20 Thy coasts be kept with a continuall ward Thy Beacons watch'd her comming to discry O had the loue of subiects beene thy guard T 'had beene t' effect that thou didst fortifie But whilst thou stand'st gainst for raine foes prepard Thou art betrayd by thy home enemy Small helpe by this thou art but like to win Shutting death out thou keep'st destruction in 21 VVhen Henry brother to that haplesse Prince The first great engine of this ciuill strife Deere Lancaster whom law did late conuince And that at Pomfret left his wretched life This Henry in whose great hart euer since Reuenge lay couer'd smoother'd vp in griefe Like fire in some fat
euen all things as it list And with vniust men to debate of lawes Is to giue power to hurt a rightfull cause vvhilst parlements must still redresse theyr wrongs And we must starue for what to vs belongs Our wealth but fuell to theyr fond excesse And we must fast to feast theyr wantonnesse Think'st thou our wrongs then insufficient are To moue our brother to religious war And if they were yet Edward doth detaine Homage for Pontiu Guyne and Aquytaine And if not that yet hath he broke the truce Thus all accur to put backe all excuse The sisters wrong ioynd with the brothers right Me thinks might vrge him in this cause to fight Be all those people sencelesse of our harmes vvhich for our country ought haue manag'd armes Is the braue Normans courage now forgot Or the bold Brittaines lost the vse of shot The big-bon'd Almaines and stout Brabanders Theyr warlike Pikes and sharp-edg'd Semiters Or doe the Pickards let theyr Crosbowes lie Once like the Centaurs of old Thessalie Or if a valiant Leader be theyr Lacke vvhere thou art present who should driue them backe I doe coniure thee by what is most deere By that great name of famous Mortimer By auncient VVigmors honourable Crest The Tombes where all thy famous Grandsires rest Or if then these what more may thee approue Euen by those vowes of thy vnfained loue That thy great hopes may moue the Christian King By forraine Armes some comfort yet to bring To curbe the power of traytors that rebell Against the right of princely Isabell. Vaine vvitlesse woman why should I desire To adde more heate to thy immortall fire To vrge thee by the violence of hate To shake the pillers of thine owne estate vvhen whatsoeuer we intend to doe To our misfortune euer sorts vnto And nothing els remaines for vs beside But teares and coffins onely to prouide VVhen still so long as Burrough beares that name Time shall not blot out our deserued shame And whilst cleere Trent her wonted course shall keepe For our sad fall her christall drops shall weepe All see our ruine on our backs is throwne And to our selues our sorrowes are our owne And Torlton now whose counsell should direct The first of all is slaundred with suspect For dangerous things dissembled sildome are vvhich many eyes attend with busie care VVhat should I say my griefes doe still renew And but begin when I should bid adiew Few be my words but manifold my woe And still I stay the more I striue to goe As accents issue forth griefes enter in And where I end mee thinks I but begin Till then fayre time some greater good affoords Take my loues payment in these ayrie words Notes of the Chronicle Historie O how I feard that sleepie drinke I sent Might yet want power to further thine intent MOrtimer beeing in the Tower and ordayning a feast in honour of his byrth-day as hee pretended and inuiting there-vnto sir Stephen Segraue Constable of the Tower with the â—est of the officers belonging to the same he gaue them a sleepie drinke prouided him by the Queene by which meanes he got libertie for his escape I steale to Thames as though to take the ayre And aske the gentle streame as it doth glide Mortimer being got out of the Tower swam the riuer of Thames into Kent whereof she hauing intelligence doubteth of his strength to escape by reason of his long imprisonment being almost the space of three yeeres Did Bulloyne once a festiuall prepare For England Almaine Cicile and Naeuarre Edward Carnaruan the first Prince of Wales of the English blood married Isabell daughter of Phillip the faire at Bulloyne in the presence of the Kings of Almaine Nauarre and Cicile with the chiefe Nobilitie of Fraunce and England which marriage was there solemnized with exceeding pompe and magnificence And in my place vpon his regall throne To set that girle-boy wanton Gaueston Noting the effeminacie luxurious wantonnesse of Gaueston the Kings Minion his behauiour and attire euer so womanlike to please the eye of his lasciuious Prince That a foule Witches bastard should thereby It was vrged by the Queene and the Nobilitie in the disgrace of Piers Gauestone that his mother was conuicted of witchcraft burned for the same and that Piers had bewitched the King Albania Gascoyne Cambria Ireland Albania Scotland so called of Albanact the second sonne of Brutus and Cambria Wales so called of Camber the third son the foure Realmes countries brought in subiection by Edward Longshankes When of our princely Iewels and our dowers We but enioy the least of what is ours A complaint of the prodigalitie of King Edward giuing vnto Gaueston the iewels treasure which was left him by the auncient Kings of England and enriching him with the goodly Manor of Wallingford assigned as parcel of the dower to the queens of this famous I le And ioyn'd with the braue issue of our blood Alie our kingdome to their crauand brood Edward the second gaue to Piers Gaueston in mariage the daughter of Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester begot of the Kings sister Ione of Acres maried to the said Earle of Glocester Should giue away all that his Father won To backe a stranger King Edward offered his right in Fraunce to Charles his brother in law and his right in Scotland to Robert Bruse to be ayded against the Barrons in the quarrell of Piers Gaueston And did great Edward on his death-bed giue Edward Longshanks on his death-bed at Carlile commanded yong Edward his sonne on his blessing not to call backe Gaueston which for the misguiding of the Princes youth was before banished by the whole counsell of the Land That after all this fearefull massaker The fall of Beuchamp Lasy Lancaster Thomas Earle of Lancaster Guy Earle of Warwick Henry Eaâ—le of Lincolne who had taken their oaths before the deceased King at his death to withstand his sonne Edward if hee should call Gauestone from exile being a thing which he much feared now seeing Edward to violate his Fathers coÌ„maundement rise in Armes against the king which was the cause of the ciuill war the ruine of so many Princes And gloried I in Gauestons great fall That now a Spenser should succeed in all The two Hugh Spensers the Father the sonne after the death of Gaueston became the great fauourites of the King the sonne beeing created by him lord Chamberlaine the father Earle of Winchester And if they were yet Edward doth detaine Homaage for Pontiu Guyne and Aquitaine Edward Longshanks did homage for those Citties and Territories to the French King which Edward the second neglecting moued the French King by the subornation of Mortimer to cease those Countries into his hands By auncient Wigmors honourable Crest Wigmore in the marches of Wales was the auncient house of the Mortimers that noble and couragious familie That still so long as Borrough beares that name The Queene remembreth the great
Lyon hauing slipp'd his chaine As in a feuer makes King Edward quake vvhich knew too well ere he was oaught againe Deere was the blood must serue his thirst to slake Many the labours had been spent in vaine And he inforc'd a longer course to take Saw further vengeance hanging in the wind That knew the pride and greatnes of his mind 27 The faction working in this lingering iarre How for the Scot free passage might be made To lay the ground of a succesfull warre That hope might breede fresh courage to inuade And whilst our safety standeth ouâ— so farre More dangerous proiects eu'ry where are layd That some in hand home troubles to enâ—re Others in Fraunce doe forraine broyles pâ—ocure 28 By these discentions that were lately sowne Incyting Charles to open Armes againe vvho seazing Guyne pretended as his owne That Edward should vnlawfully detaine Proceeds to make a further title knowne T' our Lands in Pontieu and in Aquitaine vvhen wanted homage hath desolu'd the truce vvaking his wrongs by Isabels abuse 29 This plot concluded that was long in hand vvhich to this issue prosperously had thriâ—'d The Base whereon a mighty frame must stand vvith mickle art yet with more feare contriu'd So strongly builded by this factious band As from the same their safety is deriu'd Till theyr full-rooted and inuetterate hate Getting more strength might deeply penetrate 30 VVhen choise of such to sway this French affaire vvhich as a shapelesse and vnweldy masse Might well imploy the strength of all their care So hard and per'lous â—o be brought to passe vvhich it behooues them quickly to prepare That beeing now so setled as it was Craues a graue spirit whose eminence and power Might like a stiffe gale check this threatning showâ—e 31 This must a Session seriously debate That depth of iudgment crau'd to be discust That so concernes the safety of the state And in a case so plausible and iust As might haue quench'd all sparcks of former hate And might be thought euen pollicy might trust Could enuy maister her distracted will Or apprehend saciety in ill 32 Torleton whose tongue mens eares in chaynes could tie And as a fearefull thunderbolt could pierce In which there more authority did lie Then in the Sybils sage propheticke verse VVhose senâ—ence was so absolute and hie As had the power a iudgment to reuerse On the Queenes part with all his might doth stand To lay this charge on her well-guiding hand 33 VVhat helps her presence to the cause might bring Beeing a wife a sister and a mother And in so great and pertinent a thing To right her sonne her husband and her brother Her gracious helpe to all distributing To take of her what they should hold of other vvhich colour serues t' effect in these extreames That which God knowes King Edward neuer dreamesâ— 34 Torleton is this thy spirituall pretence VVould God thy thoughts were more spirituall Or lesse perswasiue were thy eloquence But ô thy actions are too temporall Opinion lends too great preheminence Thy reasons subtile and sophisticall vvould all were true thy supposition saith Thy arguments lesse force or thou more faith 35 These suddaine broyles that weare begun of late Still kept in motion by their secret sleight By false suggestions so interminate That as a ballast of some solid weight Betwixt these aduerse currents of debate Kept theyr proceeding in a course so streight As lends the Queene an ampler colour still By generall meanes to worke a generall ill 36 Shee which thus fitly found both wind and tyde And sees her leysure serue the howre so neare All her endeuours mutually apply'd vvhilst for her purpose things so fitly weare And this aduantage quickly had espy'd As one whose fortunes taught the worst to feare Seeing the times so variously inclind And eu'ry toy soone altring Edwards mind 37 Her followers such as friendlesse else had stood Sunck and deiected by the Spensers pride vvho bare the brands of treason in their blood vvhich but with blood there was no way to hide vvhose meane was weake whose will was but too good vvhich to effect did but the howre abide And knew all meanes that mischiefe could inuent That any way might further her intent 38 VVhilst Mortimer which now so long hath laine From our iust course by fortune lately crost In Fraunce now strugling how he might regaine That which before he had in England lost All present meanes doth gladly entertaine No iot dismayde in all these tempests tost Nor his great minde can thus be ouerthrowne All men his friends all countries are his owne 39 And Muse transported by thy former zeale Led in our progresse where his fortune lyes To thy fayre ayde I seriously appeale To sing this great man his magnanimous guise The auncient Heroes vnto me reueale vvhose worths may raise our nobler faculties That in my verse transparent nete and cleere His character more liuely may appeere 40 Such one he was of him we boldly say In whose rich soule all soueraigne powers did sute In whom in peace th' elements all lay So mix'd as none could soueraignty impute As all did gouerne yet all did obey His liuely temper was so absolute That t'seemd when heauen his modell first began In him it showd perfection in a man 41 So throughly season'd and so rightly set As in the leuell of cleere iudgements eye Time neuer tuch'd him with deforming fret Nor had the power to warpe him once awry vvhose stedfast course no crosse could euer let His eleuation was so heauenly hie Those giddy tempests that the base world proue Sate vnder where he planet like did moue 42 vvhich this faire Queene that had a knowing spirit And saw the beauties resting in his mind One that had throughly look'd into his merit Aboue the value of the vulgar kind That rightly did his Grandâ—ires deedes inherit vvhen now the ages in theyr course declin'd vvhen the old world beeing weake began to â—ow To th' effeminate basenes that it rests at now 43 vvhat waies he wealth or what his VVigmore left Let needlesse heapes things momentary stand He counts not his that can be rap'd by theft Man is the sole Lord both of sea and land And still is rich of these that is not reft vvho of all creatures hath an vpright hand And by the starres is onely taught to know That as they progresse heauen he earth should doe 44 VVherefore wise Nature forc'd this face of ground And through the deeps shew'd him the secreâ— way That in the floods her iudgments might be found vvhere she for safety did her treasure lay vvhose store that he might absolutly sound Shee gaue him courage for her onely kay That he alone of all her creatures free Her glory and her wondrous works should see 45 Let wretched worldlings sweat for mud and earth vvhose groueling bosoms licke the recreant stones And pesants carke for plenty and for dearth Fame neuer lookes vpon these prostrate drones Man is allotted at
minerall of the earth Finding the least vent giues it selfe a birth 22 That beeing Earle Marshall great vpon the coast vvith bells and bonfires welcomes her a shore And by his office gath'ring vp an hoast Showes the old malice in his breast he bore Nor of his â—elpe abash'd at all to boast The Clergies power in readines before Vpon their friends a great taxation layd To raise munition for the present ayde 23 And to confuâ—ion all their power expose On the rent bosome of this I le where long vvarre did it selfe so stedfastly inclose vvarre from our owne lewd desolutenes sprong vvhom no inuasion euer yet could lose So old the malice and so great the wrong Vrg'd with the force that forraine fire doth bring A greater spoyle and horror menacing 24 This innouation by an altred state Lent this new action such a violent hand That it thus boldly dare insinuate On the cold faintnes of the feebled Land And beeing arm'd with all the power of fate Finding a way so openly to stand To their intendments which endeuoured well Might get that height from whence at first they fell 25 VVhen all their strength in order strictly set All helps and doubts by warres best counsailes waid vvhat well might further what their course might let And their reliefes conueniently had layd A meane reseru'd securitie to get VVhereon at worst their fortune might be stayd And furnish'd fully as themselues desir'd Of all this action needfully requir'd 26 And at Saint Edmonds doe a while repose To rest themselues and their new welcom'd force Better to learne the manner of their foes To th' end not vainely to direct their course And seeing daily how the Armie growes To take a full view both of foote and horse VVith such discretion managing the war Truly to shew them what indeede they are 27 VVhen now the King of these proceedings hard And of the troopes that to them daily runne And little strength at London yet prepar'd vvhere he expected fauour to haue wonne He now commits the Citty to the guard Of his approu'd most-trusted Stapleton To Iohn of Eltham his faire sonne the Tower Himselfe to VVales to raise a speedy power 28 Yet whilst his name doth any hope admit Proclaimes in forfaite both of goods and life All that enioy'd a subiects benefit Should lend their power against his sonne and wife And doth all slaughters generally aquit vvere done vpon the moouers of this strise And who could bring in Mortimers proud head Should freely take th'reuenewes of the dead 29 VVhich straight encountred by the Queenes edict vvho making knowne the iustnes of her cause That she proceeded in a course so strict T'vphold their ancient liberties and lawes Nor that she did this punishment inflict For priuate hate or popular applause Onely the Spensers to account to bring vvhose wicked counsels had abusd the King 30 VVhich ballasing the multitude that stood As a light Barck that 's tost twixt wind and tyde Turn'd in the mixture of th'opposed flood vvhen yet opinion not their course could guide And wau'ring thus in theyr inconstant mood Till by the weaknes of th' imperiall â—ide Suffers the seasure of it selfe at last vvhich to the Queene all free aduantage cast 31 VVhen friendlesse Edward followed by his foes vvhom danger doth to recreant â—ight debase As poore in hope as he is rich in woes Depriu'd all princely ornament and grace vvhose force th'more weakned further that he goes His safety now suspecting eu'ry place No helpe at home no succour seene abroade His mind small rest his body lesse aboad 32 One scarce to him his sad discourse hath done Of Henaults power and what the Queene intends But whilst he speakes another hath begunne A third doth take it where the second ends vvhen now abroad there 's other rumors runne Some of new foes some of reuolting friends These scarsly past when more reports are spred Of many that rebell of many fled 33 VVhat plagues doth Edward for himselfe prepare Forsaken King ô whether doost thou flie Men change theyr clime but sildome change their care Thou fly'st thy foes but follow'st misery The euill fates in number many are That to thy footsteps doe themselues apply And still thy conscience prick'd with inward griefe Thy selfe pursues thy selfe both robd and thiefe 34 Accepting succour offer'd next at hand At last for VVales commits him to the seas And seeing Lundy that so faire doth stand Puts in for succour need would faine haue ease This little modell of his banish'd Land vvhich for a while his fancie seemes to please Faine would he be King of a little I le Although his Empire bounded in a mile 35 And ready now to strike his prosp'rous saile As vnder lee past danger of the flood A suddaine storme of mixed sleet and hayle Not suffers him to rule this peece of vvood vvhat doth thy labour what thy toyle auaile vvhen thou art still by greater powers with-stood Edward thy hopes all vainly doe delude By Gods and men incessantly pursude 36 In this blacke tempest long turmoild and tost Quire from their course and well they know not where Mongst rocks and sands in danger to be lost VVithout in perrill and within in feare At length perceiuing they are neere the coast And that the place more plainly doth appeare Knowes by the Mountaines insolently tall That part of VVales that we Glamorgan call 37 To Neath a Castell fortifi'd and strong Commaunding entrance with his banish'd crue The Earle of Gloster worker of much wrong The Chancelor Baldocke that much euill knew Reding his Marshall is the rest among Heere hid from eyes but not from enuies view vvhere for a while committing them to dwell vve must prepare more dreadfull things to tell 38 You lighter Muses leaue me and be gone Your weake complaints are matters much too slight More horred plagues are heere approching on Yee ghastly spirits that haunt the gloomy night Lend me your shreekes t' expresse the depth of moane vvith ghastly howling all approch my sight And round about with funerall tapers stand To giue a sad light to my sadder hand 39 Each line shall leade to some dire point of woe And eu'ry cadence as a tortured cry Now must my teares in such abundance flow That they surround the circle of mine eye And whilst these great calamities I show All loose affections stand you idely by Once more our cleere Muse dips her wing in gore The dreerest tale that pen did ere deplore 40 New sorts of vengeance threatned to the earth The raging Ocean past the bounds to rise Strange apparitions and prodigious birth Vnheard of sicknesse and mortalities More inaccustom'd and vnlook'd for dearth New sorts of Meteors gazing from the skies As what before had small or nothing bin And onely now our miseries begin 41 And whilst these discords and discentions breede The Land layd naked to all offered ill The lawlesse exile now returnes with speed Not to defend his country but to kill
vvith other Reliques that were highly priz'd vvas that which forc'd the greatest part to frowne Th'black Crosse of Scotland men did omenous deeme Beeing a Relique of so hie esteeme 8 To colour which and to confirme the peace They make a marridge twixt the Scot and vs To giue more strength vnto this strange release vvhich vnto all men seem'd so dangerous vvhilst Roberts raigne and after his decease The league might euer be continued thus Dauid the Prince the Lady lane should take vvhich twixt the Realmes a lasting bond should make 9 VVhen th' Earle of Kent that beeing one of those vvhich in their actions had a powerfull hand Perceiuing them of matters to dispose To the subiection of so great a land Finding the inconuenience that growes Vnder the guidance of their wilful hand To shake their power whilst he strangly doth cast His fatall end too violently doth hast 10 VVhich giuing out his brother yet to liue Long now supposed the deceased King Vnto his Nephew might that scandall giue As into question might his title bring Ill this report began and worse it thriue Beeing so foule and dangerous a thing vvhich beeing the motiue of intestine strife The time not long ere it bereft his life 11 VVhilst Edward takes what late their power did giue VVhose nonage craues their bountifull protection vvhich know to rule whilst he must learne to liue From their experience taking his direction vvhich more and more their doubtfull hopes reuiue vvhen borne to raine yet crown'd by their election Th'alegiance duly doth to him belong Now makes their faction absolutely strong 12 Prouiding for protection of the King Men of most power and noblest of the Peeres That no distaste vnto the Realme might bring For ripened iudgment or well-seasoned yeeres vvith comlines all matters managing Yet whilst they row t is Mortimer that steeres VVell might we thinke the man were worse then blind That wanted sea-roomth and could rule the wind 13 To smooth the path wherein this course was gone vvhich as a test might to their actions stand And giue more full possession of their owne In beeing receaued from a soueraine hand Into their bosoms absolutely throwne Both for the good and safety of the Land vvhen their proceedings colour'd with this care To the worlds eye so faite an out-side bare 14 All complement that appertayn'd to state By giuing greatnes eu'ry honored rite To feede those eyes that did theyr howers awaite And by all meanes to nourish their delight That entertayning loue they welcome hate And with free bounty equally inuite A Princes wealth in spending still doth spred Like to a brooke with many fountaines fed 15 To Nottingham the Norths emperious eye vvhich as a Pharus guards the goodly soyle And arm'd by nature danger to defie There to repose him safely after toyle vvhere treason least aduantage might espie Closely conuayes this great invalued spoyle That by resyding from the publique sight He might more freely relish his delight 16 Nine score in check attending in their Court vvhom honoured Knight-hood knits in mutuall bands Men most select of speciall worth and sort Much might they doe that haue so many hands vvho payes not tribute to this Lordly port This hie-rear'd Castell eu'ry way commaunds Thus like those Gyants gainst great heauen they rise vvhich darted Rocks at the emperiall skies 17 It seemes in him fame meanes her power to show And twixt her wings to beare him through the skie He might more easly see the things below Hauing aboue them mounted him so hie Vnto whose will they meekly seeme to bow Vnder whose greatnes meaner powers doe lie All things concurre with faire succesfull chance To raise that man whom fortune will aduance 18 Here all along the flower enamil'd vales The siluer-Trent on pearly sands doth slide And to the Medowes telling wanton tales Her christall lyms lasciuiously in pride As rauished with the enamored gales vvith often turnings casts from side to side As loth she were the sweete soyle to forsake And cast herselfe into the Germane Lake 19 Neere whom faire Sherwood wildly bent to roue Twynes her loose armes about the flattering towers By the milde shadowes of her scattered groue Lends vvinter shelter and giues sommer bowers As with the flood in curtesie it stroue And by repulsing the sharpe Northerne showers Courts the proude Castell who by turning to her Smiles to behold th'lasciuious vvood-nimph wooe her 20 VVho beeing retyr'd so strictly to this place To this faire sted the Princes person drawes vvhen fortune seemes their greatnes to imbrace That as a working and especiall cause Effects each formall ceremonious grace As by her iust and necessary lawes That in the towne retaines his kingly seat vvith Marches Court the Castell is repleat 21 Occasion'd where in counsels to debate And by the King conueniently is met So soueraigne and magnificent in state As might all eyes vpon his greatnesse set Prizing his honor at that costly rate As to the same due reuerence might beget VVhich as the obiect sundry passions wrought Stirring strange formes in many a wandring thought 22 Could blind ambition finde the meanest stay His disproportion'd and vaine course to guide T' assure some safety in that slippery way vvhere the most worldly prouident doe slide Feeling the steepe fall threatning sure decay Besotted in the wantonnesse of pride The minde assuming absolurer powers Might check the fraile mortality of ours 23 But still in pleasure sitting with excesse His sauory iunckets tasted with delight Nere can that glutton appetite suppresse vvhere euery dish inuites a licorish sight Nor hauing much is his desire the lesse Till tempted past the compasse of his might The pampered stomack more then well suffic'd Casts vp the surfet lately gurmundiz'd 24 And when some brooke from th'ouer-moistned ground By swelling waters proudly ouer-flow'd Stoppeth his current shouldreth downe his mound And from his course doth quite himselfe vnloade The bord'ring Meddowes eu'ry where surround Dispersing his owne riches all abroade Spending the store he was maintained by Leaues his first channell desolate and dry 25 VVhen now those few that many teares had spent And long had wept on murthered Edwards graue Muttring in corners grieu'd and discontent And finding some a willing eare that gaue Still as they durst bewraying what they meant Tending his pride and greatnes to depraue Vrging withall what some might iustly do If things thus borne were rightly look'd into 26 Some giue it out that March by blood to rise Had cut of Kent the man might next succeede And his late treasons falsly did surmise As a meere colour to this lawlesse deede That his ambition onely did deuise In time the royall family to weede vvhen in account there was but onely one That kept him of from stepping to the throne 27 And those much bufied in the former times Then credulous that honour was his end And by the hate they bare to others crimes Did not his faults so carefully attend Perceiuing how