matcht with any man â—ho has in prison three score Knights and four that he has wound â—nights of King Arthurs Court they be and of his Table Round 〈◊〉 brought him to a River-side and also to a tree Thereon a Copper Bason hung his fellows Shields to see 〈◊〉 struck so hard the Bason broke when Tarquin heard the sound 〈◊〉 drove a Horse before him straight whereon a Knight lay bound Sir Knight then said Sir Lancelot tho bring me that Horse-load hither And lay him down and let him rest we 'l try our force together And as I understand thou hast so far as thou art able Done great despite and shame unto the Knights of the Round Table â—f thou be of the Table Round quoth Tarquin speedily Both thee and all thy fellowship I utterly deste That 's overmuch quoth Lancelot tho defend thee by and by They put their Spurs unto their Steeds and each at other slye They couch their Spears and Horses can as though there had been thunder And each struck them amidst the shield wherewith they broke in sunder Their Horses backs brake under them the Knights were both aston'd To hold their Horses they made great haste to light upon the ground They took them to their Shields full fast thier Swords they drew out then With mighty strokes most eagerly each one at other ran They wounded were and bled full sore for breath they both did stand And leaning on their Swords a while quoth Tarquin hold thy hand And tell to me what I shall ask say on quoth Lancelot tho Thou art quoth Tarquin the best Knight that ever I did know And like a Knight that I did hate so that thou be not he I will deliver all the rest and eke accord with thee That is well said quoth Lancelot then but sith it must be so What is the Knight thou hatest so I pray thee to me shew His Name is Sir Lancelot du Lake he slew my Brother dear Him I suspect of all the rest I would I had him here Thy wish thou hast but yet unknown I am Lancelot du Luke Now Knight of Arthurs Table Round King Hauds Son of Suewake And I desire thee do thy worst Ho ho quoth Tarquin tho One of us two shall end our lives before that we do go If thou be Lancelot du Lake then welcome shalt thou be Wherefore see thou thy self defend for now I thee defte They buckled together so like two wild Boars rushing And with their Swords and Shields they ran at one another flashing The ground beâ—winkled was with Blood Tarquin began to faint For he gave back and bore his Shield so low he did repent Then soon spied Sir Lancelot tho he leapt upon him then He pull'd him down upon his knee and rushing off his yelm And then he struck his Neck in â—â—o and when he had done so From prison threescore Knights and four Lancelot delivered tho FINIS 9. A Song in Praise of Women To a pleasant new Tune called My Vallentine AMongst all other things that God hath made beneath the Sky Most glorious to satisfie the curious eye of mortal men withal The sight of Eve Did soonest fit his fancy Whose courtesse and amity most speedily had caught his heart in thrall Whom he did love so dear Aâ— plainly both appear He made her Queen of all the world and Mistris of his heart Though afterwards she wrought his woe his death and deadly smart What need I speak Of matters passed long ago Which all men know I need not shew to high or low the case it is so plain â—lthough that Eve committed then so great E're she went hence A recompence in defence she made mankind again For by her blessed Seed we are Redeem'd indeed Why should not then all mortal men esteem of women well And love their wives even as their lives as nature doth câ—mpel A vertuous Wife The Scripture doth commend and say That night and day she is a stray from all decay to keep her Husband still â—he useth not To give her self a wandring Or flattering or pratling or any thing to do her Neighbour ill But all her mind is bent his Pleasures is conâ—â—nâ— Her faithful love doth not remove for any Storm or grief Then is not he well blest think ye that meets with such a â—ife But now methinks I hear some men do say to me Few such there be in each degree and quality at this day to be found And now adays Some men do set their whole delight Both day and night with all despite to brawl and fight their rage did so abound But sure I think and say here comes no such to day Nor do I know of any she that is within that place And yet for fear I dare swear it is so hard a case But to conclude For Maids and wives and Virgins all Both great or small in Bowér or Hall to pray I shall so long as life doth last That they may live With hearts content and perfect peace That joys increase may never cease till death release the care that crept so fast For beauty doth me blind To have them all in mind Even for her sake that doth us make so merry to be seen The glory of the Female kind I mean our Noble Queen FINIS 10. A Song in praise of a single Life To the Tune of The Ghosts hearse SOme do write of bloody wars Some do shew the several jars 'twixt men through envy raised Some in praise of Princes write Some set their whole delight to her fair Beauty blazed Some other persons are mov'd for to praise where they are lov'd And let lovers praise beauty as they will other ways I am intended True Love is little regarded And often goes unrewarded Then to avoid all strife I 'le resolve to lead a single life whereby the heart is not offended â— what suit and service too Is used by them that wooe â— what grief in heart and mind What for row we do find through womens fond behaviour Subject to suffer each hour and speeches sharp and sower And labour love cost perchance 't is but all lost and no way to be amended And so purchase pleasure And after repent at leisure Then to avoid all strife c. To no man in wedded state Doth happen much debate except Gods special favour If his wife be proudly bent Or secretly consent to any lewd behaviour If â—he be slothful or idle Or such as her tongue cannot bridle O then well were he Of death his bane would be no sorrow else can be amended For look how long he were living Evermore he would be grieving Then to avoid all strife c. Married folks we often hear Even through their Children dear have many causes of sorrow If disobedient they be found Or false in any ground by their unlawful sorrows To see such wicked fellows shamefully come unto the Gallows Whom Parents with great care Nourished with dainty fare from their
FINIS AS you came from the Holy Land of Walsingham Met you not with my true Love by the way as you came How should I know your true Love that have met many a one As I came from the Holy Land that have come that have gone She is neither white nor Brown but as the Heavens fair There is none hath a Form so Divine on the Earth in the Air Such a one did I meet good sir with Angel-like Face UUho like a Queen did appear in her Gate in her Grace She hath left me here all alone all alone and unknown UUho sometimes lov'd me as her life and called me her own UUhat's the cause she hath left thee alone and a new way doth take That sometime did love thee as her self and her joy did thee make I loved her all my youth but now am Old as you see Love liketh not the Falling Fruit nor the withered tree For Love is â— careless Child and forgets Promise past He is blind he is not deaf when he 〈◊〉 and in Faith never fast For love is a great delight And yet a truâ—â—less joy he is won with a word of Despair And is lost with a Ioyâ— such is the Love of Women-kind Or the word Love abused Under which many childish desires and Conceits are excused But Love is a durable fire in the mind ever burning Never Sick never Dead never Cold from it self never turning 4. The Winning of Cales LOng had the proud Spaniard advanced to conquer us Threatning our Country with Fire and Sword Often preparing their Navy most sumptuous With all the Provision that Spain could afford Dub a dub dub thus strikes the Drums Tan-ta-ra-ra tan-ta-ra-ra English men comes To the Seas presently went our Lord admiral With Knights Couragious and Captains full good The Earl of Essex a prosperous General With him prepared to pass the Salt Flood Dub a dub c. At Plymouth speedily took their Ships â—â—tiantiy Braver Ships never were seen under sail With their fair Colours spread and Streams o're their head Now braging Spaniards take heed of your Tayl. Dub a dub c. Unto Cales runningly came we most happily UUhere the King's Ruby did secretly Ride Being upon their backs pierceing their Buts of Sack E're that the Spaniard our coming discry'd Tan ta-ra-ra-ra English-men tymes bounce-abounce bounce-abounce Off went the Guns Great was the crying running and riding UUhich at that season was made in that place Then Beacons was fired as need was required To hide their great treasure they had little space Alas they cryed English-men comes There you might see the Ships how they were fired fast And how the men drowned themselves in the Sea That you might hear them cry wail and weep piteously UUhen as they saw no shift to escape thence away Dub a dub c. The great Saint Phillip the pride of the Spaniards UUas burnt to the bottom and sunk into the Sea But the Saint Andrew and eke the Saint Matthew UUe took in Fight manfully and brought them away Dub a dub c. The Earl of Essex most Ualiant and hardy UUith Horse-men and Foot-men marcht towards the Town The enemies which saw them full greatly affrighted Did fly for their Safe-guard and burst not come down Dub a dub c. Now quoth the Noble Earl Courage my Souldiers all Fight and he Ualiant the spoyl you shall have And well rewarded all from the great to the 〈◊〉 But look that the Women and Children you save Dub a dub c. The Spaniards at that 〈◊〉 Saw 't was in vain to 〈◊〉 Hung up their Flags of 〈◊〉 yielding up the town We marcht in presently decking the Walls on hiâ—â— With our English Colours which purchased Renown Dub a dub c. Entring the 〈…〉 of the â—ichest men For Gold and treaâ—â—â—â— we searched each day In some places we 〈…〉 â—yes baking in the 〈◊〉 Meat at the fire Roasting and men ran away Dub a dub c. Full of rich Merchandize every Shop we did seâ— Damask and Sattins and Velvet full fair â—hich Souldiers measure out by the length of their Swoâ—ds Of all Commodities and each one had a share Dub a dub c. Thus Cales was taken and our brave General Mâ—rcht to the Market-place there he did stand There many Prisoners of good account were took Many crav'd Mercy and mercy they found Dub a dub c. When as our General saw they delayed time And would not ransom the Town as they said With their fair Mainsâ—ots their Presses and Bedâ—â—eads Their Ioynt-stools and Tables a fire we made And when the Town 〈◊〉 in a 〈◊〉 With tan-ta-ra tan-ta ar-rat from thence we came 4. Of King Edward the Third and the fair Countess of Salisbury setting forth her constancy and endless glory WHen as Edward the third did live the valliant King David of Scotland to rebel did then begin The Town of Barwick suddenly from us he won And burnt Newcastle to the ground thus strife begun To Roxbury Castle marcht then And by the force of warlike men besieg'd therein a gallant fair Lady While that her Husband was in France His Countries honour to advance the Noble and Famous Earl of Salisbury Brave Sir William Montague rode then in haste Who declared unto the King the Scotish-mens â—oast Who like a Lyon in a rage did straightway prepare For to deliver that fair Lady from woful care But when the Scotish-men did hear her say Edward our King was come that dâ—y they raised their siege and ran away with speed So when thâ—t he did 〈◊〉 come With warlike Trumpet â—ife and â—rum none but a gallant Lady did him meet Who when he did with greedy eyes behold and see Her peerless beauty inthral'd his Majesty And ever the longer that he lookt the more he might For in her only beauty was his hearts delight And humbly then upon her knees She thankt his Royal Majesty that he had driven danger from her gate Lady quoth he stand up in peace Although my war doth now encrease Lord keep quoth she all hurt from â—our â—state Now is the King full sadin soul and wots not why And for the love of the fair Countess of Salisbury She little knowing his cause of gâ—ief did come to see Wherefore his Highness sat alone so heavily I have â—een wrong'd fair Dame quoth he Since I came hithed unto thâ— no God 〈◊〉 my Sovâ—raign she said If I were worthy for to knâ—w The cause and ground of this your woe you should be helpt if it did lye in me Swear to perform thy word to me thou Lady gay To thee the sorrows of my heart I will bewray I swear by all the Saints in Heaven I will quoth she And let my Lord have no mistrust at all in me Then take thy self aâ—â—de he said For why thy beauty hath betray'd Wounding a King with thy â—right shining eye If thou â—â— then some mercy show Thou shalt expel a Princely woe so shall I live or
Cradle truly tended When as their Mothers before them doth curse the day that e're they bore them Then to avoid all strife c. Do we then behold and see When men and wives agree and live together Where the Lord hath sent them eke Fair Children mild and meek like flowers in summer weather How greatly are they grieved And will not by joy he relieved if that Death doth call Either wife or Children small whom their vertues do command Their losses whom they thus added from their hearts cannot be moved Then to avoid all strife c. Who being in that happy state Would work himself such hate his Fancy for to follow Or living here devoid of strife Would take him to a wife for to procure his sorrow With cárking and with caring Evermore must be sparing Were he not worse'then mad being merry would be sad Were he to be commended That e're would seek much pleasure where grief is all his treasure Then to avoid all strife c. 11. The Widdows Solace To the Tune of Robinsons Almain MOurn no more fair Widdow thy tears are all in vain 'T is neither grief nor sorrow can call the dead again Man's well enough compared unto the Summers flower Which now is fair and pleasant yet withereth in an hour And mourn no more in vain as one whose faith is small Be patient in affliction and give God thanks for all All men are born to dye the Scripture telleth plain Of Earth we were created to Earth we must again I was neither Croesus treasure nor Alexanders fame Nor Solomon by wisdom that could Deaths fury tame 〈◊〉 Physick might preserve them when nature did decay What man can hold for ever the thing that will away Then mourn no more c. Though you have lost your Husband your comfort in distress Consider God regardeth the Widdows heaviness And hath strictly charged such as his Children be The Fatherless and Widdow to shield from injury Then mourn no more c. If he were true and faithful and loving unto thee Doubt not but there 's in England enough as good as he But if that such affeâ—tion within this heart was none Then give God praise and glory that he is dead and gone And mourn no more c Receive such Suitors friendly as do resort to thee Respect not the outward person but the inward gravity And with advised judgement chuse him above the rest Whom thou by proof hast tried Then mourn no more c. Then shalt thou live a life exempted from all annoy And whensoever it chanceth I pray God give thee joy And thus I make an end with true humility In hope my simple solace may well excepted be Then mourn no more c. FINIS 12. A gentle Womans Complaint in that she found her Friend Faithless which should have continued Constant. FAith is a Figure standing now for nought Faith is a fancy we ought to cast in thought Faith now adays as all the world may see Resteth in few and faith is fled from thee Is there any faith in strangers to be found Is there any faith lies hidden in the ground Is there any faith in men that buried be No there is none and Faith is fled from thee Fled is the Faith that might remain in any Fled is the Faith that should remain in many Fled is the Faith that should in any be Then farewel hope for Faith is fled from thee From Faith I see that everyone is flying From Faith I see that all things are a dying They flye from faith that most in faith should be And faithless thou that brake thy faith to me Thee have I sought but thee I could not find Thou of all others was most within my mind Thee have I left and I alone will be Because I find that Faith is fled from thee 13. Of the Prince of England who wooed the Kings Daughter of France and how he was slain and she afterwards Married to a Forrester To the Tune of Crimson Velvet IN the days of old When fair France did flourish Stories plainly told Lovers felt annoy The King a Daughter had Beautious bright and lovely Which made her Father glad she was his only joy A Prince of England came Whose Deeds did merit Fame he woo'd her long and so at last Look what he did require She granted his desire their hearts in one were linkt so fast Which when her Father proved Lord how he ws moved and tormented in his mind He sought for to prevent them And to discontent them Fortune crosseth Lovers kind When the Princes twain Were thus barr'd of pleasure Through the Kings disdain which their joys withstood The Lady got up her cloaths Her Jewels and her Treasure Having no remorse of State or Royal Blood In homely poor array She got from Court away to meet her joy and hearts delight Who in a Forrest great Had taken up his seat to wait her comming in the night But to see what sudden danger To this Princely stranger chanced as he sat alone By Out-laws he was Robbed And with Poniard stobbed uttering many a dying groan The Princess arm'd by him And by true desire Mandring all the night without dread at all Still unknown she pass'd In her strange attire Comming at the last in the ecchoes call You fair woods quoth she Honoured may you be harbouring my hearts delight UUhich doth compass here My joy and only dear my trusty friend and Noble Right Sweet I come unto thee Sweet I come to woe thee that thou may'st not angry be For my long delaying And thy courteous staying ' mends for all I 'le make to thee Passing thus along Through the Forrest Many grievous groans sounding in her ears UUhere she heard a man To lament the sorest That was ever seen forced by deadly fear Farewel my dear quoth he Whom I shall never see for why my life is at an end Through villanies cruelty Loe here for thee I dye to shew I am a faithful Friend Here I lye a bleeding UUhile my thoughts are feeding on the rarest beauty found O hard hap that may be Little knows my Lady my heart blood lies on the groundâ— UUith that he gave a groan UUhich did burst asundier All the tender strings of his bleeding heart She which knew his voice At his tale did wonder All her former joy did to grief convert Straight she ran to see UUhom this man should be that so like her love did speak And found when as she came Her lovely Lord lay slain all smeared in blood which life did break When this deed they spied Lord how sore she cried her sorrows cannot counted be Her eyes like fountains runing While she cried out my Darling I would that I had died for thee His pale lips alas Twenty times she kissed And his face did wash with her trickling tears Every bleeding wound Her fair words bedewed Wiping off the Blood with her Golden Hair Speak fair Prince to me one sweet word of