them infold Commending high their haughtie heartes and manly courage bold Meane time the Scottish Peeres with â—…ckle lightnesse puft in minde And Enuies rage vp swolne that frustrate hope might Britaines blinde UUith generall consent in moneth which December hight Unto the Celtane nation send that their young princesse bright Right heire vnto king Iames be knit in bandes of wedlocke might To the heire of Fraunce If Henry king this profer would not take That so an euerlasting truce two nations one might make Yet that the mightie guide of Frankes this would vouthsafe to yeeld That for the loue which loyall league twixt nations both did build As Scottish and the Celtane eke he would not once permit One of them torne by dreadfull warres whereby the league might flit Or spoyld by dint of th' enemies sword to forreine empire bend The Brutes by force of conquering hand that onely to intend And in the sequent spring the surging flouds with nauy vast Quite couered for to be and troupes of horsemen flocking fast To enter scottish landes proposing this their onely stay The Scottish heire from mothers lap by force to take away which pray if they attayne by aduerse lucke and spurning fate O woefull realme of Scottes O blacke and lamentable state Nothing but mourning sobs and blubbering salt teares left behind UUherefore by Gods by sacred rites they prayd that cald in mind Their auncient league establisht erst he would the virgin take Before for long delay doth often greater daunger make which tender Impe if with the king of Fraunce she be vp traind with princely education eke within his court containd That then they had a certayne hope of great good to succeede which might the perfit happinesse of both their kingdomes breede And after that through yeares mature she may in Himens Iace Be â—…nked fast to whome he please let king of Galls her place Forthwith by princes hest the Celtane Fleet launch'd from the shore Is finely furnisht neet and Galâ—…ies swift with saile and ore which after from the callmy harbour close wih Southwindes shrill Swift sliding through the deepes the Scottish realme they come vntill The Princesse Mary now to painted Pull with pomp was led where for her princely Grace was set a stately purple bed Soft cushions vnderneath with soft Downe stuft as white as milke And costly Arras Cabbins decks ywoucn of gold and silke Great heapes of siluer plate was brought with shapes of gold inwrought And whatsoeuer els for virgin Princesse meete was thought Forthwith the comely damesell thus a shipbord portlike plac'd withall her virgine troupe and men of armes which after trac'd Shee steâ—…ting fast is borne the aire the spred sayles driuing on And merry gales of winde them through the rough seas course anon The flecte in order saild as Swannes twixt fishie riuers bankes whil'st middle and the third insues the first and in long rankes The third day comes and Phoebe the worlde with cleere light ouer goes Stout Dudley with his warlike mates them selues in tents do close So do the doughtie bandes which London mightie Citie yeelds Neere auncient Norwich walled towne downe pitcht in open fieldes Which when the country crautus tought with pale feare had espied In briery brakes and lucking holes in shadowy groues they hide In no place daring peepe but after boldnes fiercer growne In time that all those soddaine panges of feare away were flowne They rushing thicke out brake and to a valley bordring hye No man remembring calde to minde the daunger preasing nye But armed stoode with carres and waynes their winges incompast round On thother side the princes hoast with cheerefull trumpets sound Proceedes and first the blowes begins and egar fight vp reares But Warwicke furious wroth with blouddy blade his foes downe beares At length when beastlike backes to turne on this side shame forbad On that side certayne death the rebels 〈◊〉 outragious mad One part resisting fierce downe falles the other groueling flat Is battered but stout Warwicke Peere respected chiefly that Least all at once were ouerthrowne those men of peruerse wit Hawbeit of courage such as daungers done should force to flit He causeth through the Martiall field an Herault loud to cry If anie armour would abiect which he most traiterously Had tane in hand and for his fault would pardon humbly craue He should vnpunisht life and goods and former freedome haue Which when the commons heard they tooles and armour laid aside On bended knees with mourning teares and Pardon Pardon cride The mercy then of Warwicke Earle did so resplendent shine That penaunce of their haynous fact he pardoned free that time No Britaine now remainde whom Giaunt like rebellious rage Did rechlesse beare away none did from loyall duetie gage But to their true annoynted king remainde and country staâ—…e The Princes court from this lugubrious war did Dudley take With solempne pompe and ioy with flitting wings whom Fame did make Renowmed through the warlike townes of Britaine kingdomes stout How in king Henries dayes he hard aduentures brought about Whil'st that his thundring gleiue he rold amongst the enimies rout Not of deathes drierie launce or dreadfull edge of sword agast He neuer doubtfull stoode himselfe to daungers all to cast If great affaires or countries cause required him to goe Or hest of sacred king incenst his minde for to do so Howe manie times with boties rich and laud immortall wonne Did he to natiue soyle againe from externe Regions come His enimies battered downe or els in fearefull flight back driu'de Whereby he royall dignitie and endlesse Fame atchiu'de God prospering the euent which he begonne in luckie houre Wherefore as yet he higher was extolde in Fortunes bowre The King him Duke creating whom with ioy and mickle cheere Northumberland did title giue and honouring loue full deere Him Lord chiefe Stuard eke the Princes Court imbraced fayne Till Atrapos the fatall threed of Edward cut in twayne Renowned Edward from the paps framde of his noble Dame Instructed in all Sciences by learned men became Who Greekish phrase with Latine speech conioyning in short space Did reape such ample fruite that vnto none of princely race He was inferior found which Britaine nation fostring reares Nor Peere hee anie had if flexile age and tender yeares Ye do respect which three times fiue and two had scarse expirde Or redy sharpnesse of his wit or iudgement ye requirde In anie point to learning which or morall vertues bright Did appertaine the Phoenix rare of Europe and the light UUhom death vntimely like the flowre from tender stalke of rapt From Britaines tooke away and youthfull corps in coffin lapt Death enuies on the earth who sacred lawes obserue and keepe So boyes and springoldes fresh he with his dart away doth sweepe which Ioue th' almightie king vouchsafes to heauen to haue extold The king thus dead him after doth a woman scepter hold UUhich Mary hight one
spring That so the happie concorde of this late confirmed peace Might through a 〈◊〉 kinde of league establisht more increase The Lusitaâ—…an Prince for so ther â—…ou they did agree The second daughter tooke to wife with solempne pompe and glee These matters thus performde by power of God th' almighty guide To antike seates agayne through Ocean vast they backward slide And he withall his traine are lauâ—…ed safe on Britayne shore Few dayes expirde the Princes leaue by suite obtainde before A bragging Scottish Earle hight Marley enters English coastes On frothing palfrey borne and challenge making boldly boastes To London comne within the listes to iust with pointed speare With whosoeuer durst contend the Prince was present there And thousands of the common sort in plumpes thick thrungo that tyde Lord Moâ—…bray valiant Peere these Scottish bragges could not abide But goodly to behold in armour close his steede he takes And downe with force the Scot out of his saddle shogging shakes And horse with mighty push of steeled troncheon throwes to ground Wherewith the lookers on with shouts applauding loude resound He all astoynisht lyes two ribbes in sonder craced quite Whom set vpright his feeble feete could not support one white Wherfore from thence he was to lodging neare adioyning borne Where shortly through the grief augmented more distract and torne He yeldes his breath by force of armes so he which honour sought In armes doth honour lose and challengd combatt dearely bought Next Darel Scottish Peere Lord Courtney Britaine did prouoke And loftie lookt for prayse but of like Fortune felt the stroke In force inferiour far The third companion in the race Uâ—… that he iustling ranne of valure small and listes did trace Fiue boystrous blowes downe driues and conquered Cocburne it did shame For to haue strous no glory got retourning whence he came But the contendours chief Lord Haubers mighty limbd and next Haut â—…macke Courtney stout whose venging right hand sore had vext And backe repeld the foriners which challengd Britaines bold Through foolish pride puft vp with condigne honour were extold Those torneys finisht thus and things at home set in a stay King Richard to the sauage Kernes imbarkt did take his way And them by warres resâ—…ting fierce with little bloudshed downe He brought the Britaine yoke to hold Then shortly from the crowne And pretious Princely diademe himselfe he did depose And Henry Duke of Lancaster to â—…old the scepter chose Now Henry fourth of that name king the Britayne state did guide UUhose stout and puissant valure then sufficiently was tried UUhen for his Ladies dower his father Spanyardes made to stoupe UUhen Sier and sonne and after them of men a warlike troupe From Callice sandes proceedyng forth did enter Gascoine soyle And foes by drierie dint of blade and reaking fiers did foyle The meekle vertue of the man and stocke so much renownd Throughout the world the Britaynes foes through feare put in a slouâ—…d He yet a very youth through these aduentures hard did passe That glory whole by due desart on him bestowed was Of ech exploit were it atchiu de at home or forraine coast Besides his flowing wealth this king himselfe might happy boast Through noble progenie to whom his vertuous Lady fayre Foure sonnes of wondrous towardnes had borne of which the heyre Of comely stature tall when manly yeares he neare had rought Full many a ventrous enterprise wich courage bold he wrought Of equall yeares and maners eke companions to him sought Yet nothyng he vniustly did nor straide from vertues line Belou'd of all within whose youthfull visage then did shine The very image of those deedes which comne to riper age He should absolue Now twise seuen yeares his Syer by counsell sage The Brittish aâ—…tient land had rulde with loue and laude of all Till waxing crooke through age him finall end of life did call Incroching fast and sicknes dire procurd his fatall fall Forthwith his fathers royall crowne the sâ—…eyre apparant takes To whom the Britayne Peers on bended knees their homage makes UUith sckipping harts for glad their countenaunce eke expressing ioyes But he among his mates somewhat addict to wanton toyes Before forthwith his father dead became both stayed and graue And from the Court his leude licentious panions old he draue More for such fawning hangbies he priscribde a penalcie If once they should appeare in place whereas the Court did lye Thus changde in all his actions he doth as a Prince beseeâ—…de For counsaylours vsing such as sage and of great wit he deemde And seldome ceast from taking care what best might stand in steed For coâ—…on wealthes auayle much shepheard like which taking heede Unto his foldes long winters nightes with painefull watchinges wastes And whilst what was his right reuoluing deepe in thought he castes And what vnto his auncestours perceiude in elder age He calls to mynde â—…ow king of Galls incenst with furious rage Had sondry wayes indamaged and hurt the Britayne kinge UUherfore a counsaile straight be calls and causes good doth bringe UUhich might prouoke the valiant Brutes those wars to take in hand Unto which point agree all peers and primates of the land That backe againe by dreadfull wars the kinges right should be sought Forthwith for to requyre his owne away by Frenchmen rought The king doth legates send of polisht witt and councell rare Unto the king of Fraunce from him this message to declare The most renowned Britayne guide king Henry much doth muse UUhat this vniustice moneth you and rigour for to vse That you the plighted league haue torne UUhy others proper right Doe you with clasping clumbes by force out wrest and wrieth by might UUhat moues you thus despitefully against the English land Them absent cruelly to pill but when they be at hand If brandes of dreadfull Mars they stirre I needes must speake the troth Your cause is foundred still and forct your iustice yeeld though loth UUherfore to Britaines 〈◊〉 restore away vniustly tane Or dint of swourd and fierie force expect to breed your bane And that which we out of your handes may not by fayre meanes wring Unconquered Mars shall wrest Such hope doth feed our noble king That Ioue of heynous wickednesse be iust reuenger will UUho bids â—…s this to say and princelike threats this to fulfill Unlesse your minde to better chaungd you ware repent in time The chaunce of Mars is mutable not one way doth incline UUhen these wordes vttered had th'imbassadour from Henry sent Forthwith hot 〈◊〉 burning blacke the Frenchmans hartstringes rent The pallace vast which burly burly noyce consusde doth ring And disagreeing angers rage their mindes doth glowing sting The king all wroth at last did ope his mouth in great disdaine A labour hard to get but kingdomes got for to maintaine Is virtue great If he deserue high fame and worthy prayse UUhich through vnfriendly Mars perchaunce vniust doth goe
gad To testifie their dueties all the Citizens doe the same And to expresse their ioyes that he the Celtanes pride did tamâ—… The Clergy eke their sacred temples left doe solempne sing The streetes throughout deserued laud to the eternall king The common sort with noyse resounding brim do after trace Long prosperous health beseeching God to giue vnto his grace This solempne pompe the captiues all in order sett insue Unto the Victor Prince his Court where entertainement due By Henryes hest they shewed had In fleeting barke yhore Behold Sygismund taketh land vpon English shore UUhom courteously the Britaine Monarch hye a gratefull hoast His auncient frend receaues and welcome bids to Albion coast Now loftie horned stagges now sielie does they hunt in chase Now hawking likes them best and hollow winged gossehaukes race Whilst lesser sort of birdes for dread all shiuering he â—…fests When leysure seru'd and clogging cares expeld were from their brests The Emperour thus begins Most royall Prince through fame renownd UUhich blasted hath thine actes throughout the world with troÌ„petts sound Spare now the conquered Galls at length from blouddy wâ—…rs abstaine You goorie bloud haue drawne inough and foes-on heapes haue laine UUhy doe you tire your selfe and subiects weare with endlesse paine Your late atchiued 〈◊〉 in mynde will still remaine Let peace be rooted in your hart loue peace then which the Lord A greatet gift on mortall men at no time doth afforde King Charles doth entreat the same his Legate it doth pray Which present in your royall Court for that pretence doth stay All cause of strife remoue let loyall league of truce be plight King Henry shall of Frenchmen haue what lawfull is by right Behold how tender babes of Sters bereft do howlinges make And widowes mourning waile their husbande 's sent to Stigie lake Consider pondring deepe vnto the Lord how we are wrought Sigismund had king Henry neare by this persuasion brought To condiscend who deepe in thought now this now that way strayes Uncertaine what to doe to pittie rare addict alwayes And doutlesse the intreatie had preuailed of his frend Had not the French Embassadour intreating for to end Which earst the Emperour had proposde a post from Harflu comne Declaring how the Realme of Fraunce warres to renue begonne And how of Englishmen of late was made a slaughter dire â—…eare bankes of Seine All burning woode and furious standes in yre Prince Henry hearing thus the Britayne souldiours to be slayne Which few could not the mighty power of Celtane king sustaine And stopping straight the Legates mouth intreating still for peace He sayes reuengement shall insue wherfore your suite surcease The Emperour was ashamed that for that periurde nation bad He suppliant low with speaches fayre his frend intreated had UUho ready to depart with royall giftes in Princely guise Presented sacred league of truce with Britaine king contriues And country soyle through surging seas by prosperous gales attaines Forthwith resounding loude the brasen troÌ„pe his hoarse voyce straines The egar youth thrunge thicke on flockes with hartes incensed mad And by commaundement from the Prince ech one in armour clad The hollow hull vp fills and through the rough seas scouring passe Till Normandie a fertile land of large corne fieldes and grasse On rockie shores put out receaues the warlike Britaine traine His souldiâ—…urs here refresht he Touche at first assaultes amaine The Frenchmen hard endeuoring fierce resist by dint of sword The blouddy onset beating backe but that small helpe could ford For conquerde they to Britaine victor stout to yeld were fayne And Britaine campe within their walls perforce eke entertaine From thence he mou'd his siege to Cane which he did not subdue But with great bloudshed on both partes But doutlesse vertue true Cannot be tamde In first assault he cleane their power did quell Howbeit the bickering then at Cane at no place was more fell He fauoured sacred temples all and sanctuaries eke he sparde UUhich when the trembling habitantes by fame broad bruted hard Admiring in their mortall foe such wondrous vertue rare And how he did preserue Ioues houses with religious care The Normand people doe commit themselues vnto his grace And to his campe with victualls in troupes did flocking trace Conueying basketts heaped full of bread to them apace Then he with conquering force Alencon did assaulting get Next Argenton fayre Constance doth without resistance set UUide ope her gates But Laudum and Falesia populous towne In vayne expecting natiue ayde at length were conquered downe And vnder the subiection brought of Britaine monarch weare Then Larcha bordering neare on bankes of Seine which hie doth reare Her rampier walls with turretts fenced strong next conquered was And many burrowes more beside whose vulgar names I passe Roan last of all remainde which costly warres and glittering gold UUhich fined siluer pretious plate abondantly doth hold The Normand Citie chief which by a hugie mountaine side Is situate neare chanells deepe where mighty Seine doth slide Here Rumor spread that Britaines army vast was neare at hand The husbandmen and such as neare did eair the bordring land Did hether bring their chiefest stuffe transportyng it in carres Persuaded that so strong a towne could not be wonne by warres The Britayne king with trenches deepe and rampier bulwarke bankes The towne inclosing round doth fierce besiege with warlike rankes Rockes rolling huge and loftie towers downe throwing an ingine vast A ramme of steele swelts strong yforgd by martiall skill was plast So that with crooked hornes he might the walls ransacking teare Agayne the Normans fierce from hie walls crest do battaile reare And rough rockes tumbling rolde wrest'd from far the trembling speare UUith hott assault and courage fierce on both sides it was fought Till Fleeboates armed strong the king into the riuer brought On euery side to stopp that through Seines gurtie streames no ayde Of men of armes or victuals should be by ships conuayde The towne besiegd to helpe Then Famine dire doth raunging stray Throughout the Citie large and want of foode doth much dismay The feebled souldiours poore wherfore of boyes a combrous flocke And sielie women weake out of their gates they thought to locke UUith point of threatning blade the English Captaines that denyde Howbeit our deathes vnto our land small safetie can procure If we resistaunce make all vnreueng'd we shall be slayne And troth we must confesse our goodes and substaunce will remaine To Henry king of Brutes both towne and gorgeous turretts gay If ought offended were tofore that pardon we thee pray And if no succour from our Prince be sent for our redresse UUithin eight dayes then entrance make and freely do possesse Hold and enioy our towne with luckie chaunce this let vs craue To spare our liues such mercy sure becomes it kinges to haue This vertue rare thine auncestours did earst renowned make UUhat here the Celtane to obtaine demaundes that
worke of high 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou 〈◊〉 â—…ll 〈◊〉 the same Thy warlike nâ—… vnto thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 straight to battaile frame Thy selfe and dreadfull foes to come by maâ—…y courage tame And through thy great exploites in warre deseru'de laud beare away Without delay the Arthets stout are sett in battaile ray Of which the greatest part in sondry winges deuided weare The martiall rankes which tronthesn piâ—…es claspt in their hands did beare The ensigne of the king in armour thick did compasse round The Earle then which by the name of Suffolke was renownde The right wing did conduct the Warwicke Earle the left hand rout Both armde with souldiours old which twangd there bowes with courage A troupe of horsemen light the pikâ—…en rankes did firmely garde stout The reregarde such as browne billâ—… date and 〈◊〉 keene did warde Like Giantes strong with hugie limbes and campe behinde did close Here was the Britaynes power this hinde of battaile ray they chose The army ordred thus the king demandes what time a day About the time in which our Priestes accustom'd are to pray The nobles aunswere make throughout the townes of Albion hie Be of good cheare ye Britaynes â—…ut the king doth straight reply For in this 〈◊〉 the sacred clarkes do pray for our successe Goe to my lads your valure so by great exploites expresse That like to your forefathers old this day you may depart Whose handes in fight not onely haue the Frenchmen made to start But manly lookes haue stoinde and forst to flie with broken hart All feare expell death dreadfull is to none of gentle kind If to be ouercomne by destinies lott we be assignde The last gasp of my vitall breath shall be blowne out this day For me as captiue to redeeme no man shall tribute pay Nor for my raunsome Brittish land shall any charge defray He sayd Like minde was to them all the army showting hie Redoubleth loude the noyce and promise plightes that all would die On paint of goarie blade if Fortune victory should denie Meane time towardes the Celtanes hoast began to wend away The army all and broad in sight their bankers to display Behold of dreadfull Mars the trompet gastly noyce out blue Prouokementes dire of blouddy slaughters fell then to insue The armies both bloudthirstie neare and neare their footestepps drue The share vprooting reares and brings to light in steede of stones Doe curse and banne with dolefull playnts those ciuill battailes fell In which an hundred thousand wights the blooddy blade did quell Todcastle eke through battaile strange a noble name doth gayne In which full thirtie thousand men in dolefull sort were slaine The last broyle of this ciuill war did Teuxburie contayne Which townes yet standing of those warres are testimonies good How then that flowing riuers ranue conuerted into blood So many dreadfull foughten fieldes the faction of two kings Did cause which mightie Ioue at last vnto conclusion brings Here Bosworth blooddy warres and others moe I will omit By which king Henry seuenth eternall fame which will not flit From age to age continned still in memorie attaynd UUho first but Earle of Richmond then king Edwards daughter gaynd In wedlocke linked fast and with her Britaine crowne possest That did the lawes require and English Primates chiefe request This God th' almightie guide as authour chiefe did bring to passe And thus at length the rage of ciuill hatred ended was He rayngd vnto his subiects all a noble prince most deare All externe enemies far and neare his puyssance great did feare He worshipt chiefly God and godlines and iustice lou'de And craftie wicked men he hating sharpely still reprou'de Full twentie yeeres and three belou'de of all he ware the crowne Of forrayne princes high esteemde and had in great renowne A king of iustice rare of prudence manners courage bolde who dying left the dyademe to Henry stout to holde His heyre with wondrous welth huge heapes of siluer pure and golde The ende of the first Booke HE from him tender yeares the workes of mighty Mars esteemd That other giftes most singular which well a Prince beseemd As well of body as of minde I do not here declare How puissant courteous eke how he his shoulders loftie bare Aboue the rest with comely face adornd and vertue rare The fourth time haruest yellowish waxt since first he ruld this soyle And hott Autumnus scorching flames the earth did chapping broile UUhen Henry valiant Britayne king did fearefull wars vp rere And cruell Frankes to blouddy campes of dreadfull Mars did stere The Romane bishop him incenst these warres to take in hand UUherfore the surging floudes he cuts and doth at Callice land The Citie filling full with thirtie thousand souldiours stout Foure noble Captaines onely tane out of the warlike rout Lord Talbot martiall Peere and eger Poynings fierce in fight Rice ap Thomas floure of Wales and Somerset a doughtie knight UUhich Henry had foresent to fragrant fieldes where Turwyn standes Turwyn a walled fortresse strong yfenest with warlike bandes In tune of pleasant spring as boystrous windes with whirling blastes On ground all sweeping sheere and slubble light and dust vp castes Or as the earth with croked teeth of sickle sharpe is shorne So downe the heardes of deare with th' English horsemen thick are borne They troupes of prisoners take and droues of beastes subdue by might The king insues and thirtie thousand men in harnish dight Of hard brasse beaten forgd in siege gainst Turwyn walls he pight Under the Britaine king the mightie Emperour serues for pay And blouddy Germaines fierce in bruntes of warre renownd alway Nothing to souldiours is disburst for hyer but fyned gold Of which ech tent throughout the campe such wondrous store did hold That money for to coine the king of siluer was constrainde Rewardes stout courage brought and hier in armes haut hartes maintaind The Celtane horsemen troupes with valiaunt Brutes do battaile make To rescue theirs but all in vayne they weaker armour take The palme of conquest wonne away the puissant Britayne beares The enemies all thrust through with sharpned pointes of thirling speares The walls with roring Cannon shot all groueling battred downe Doe easie passage giue and entraunce large into the towne And Frenchmen fild with shiuering dread Now Turwyn Britaines hold And conquered spoyles of ransackt towne the king decks manifold UUhose mighty puissance great in feates of Mars with flickring winges Swift sliding through the ayre Report to bordring Cities bringes In Tornay famous Citie strong when that these newes were told For very grief she grones and grauntes for tribute sommes of gold And gates wide open fetts permitting Britaines entrance bold UUithin her walls and subiect now vnto new Lordes becomne Extincting former lawes of Henry king takes new in romne Meane time kyng Iames which then of Scottes the regall mace did beare And to confirme the league till warres of Britaines ended
vertue rare with ardent loue in souldiours hartes had bound The third companion to them knit bold Dacres Lordling went whom doughtie ladds of Cumberland to blouddy skirmage bent Their Captaine would elect and after him in warfare trace To Dacres faythfull Cumberland the nurse of gentle race The vulgar sort their natiue Lordes most ardenâ—… do imbrace A number of the Britaine Peers to these warres put their name And martiall knightes of auncient rite of golden Garter came Amongst the which Lord Gray of mighty lâ—…ynes and stomacke bold Of th'armed horsemen troupes did for his skill chief guidance hold A wondrous 〈◊〉 rout of common souldiours flockt beside Howbeit before within the bankes of Scotts they once did stride By Legates letters were foresent their cause expressing plaine That to their former plighted troth they stedfast would remaine By fayre meanes they were prayd that Britaines caÌ„pâ—… no force should showe If promise vowed to Henry king they would not now forgoe In vayne are admonitions gin if no man them regard In vayne the deafe are counceled right when councell is not hard The Scot doth wars require he will contend and end by blowes He desperate nought respectes where well or ill his quarrell goes The Britaines equall cause committed to Ioues power almight Their stomackes boldned on all trembling terrour put to flight Therfore the Duke of Somerset his mates and warlike bandes Insuing pitcht their tentes and armde remainde on Scottish landes Howbeit nor sparkling brands they slong nor with iniurious deedes Did hurt or damage any wight fresh pasturing for their steedes They onely tooke all other thing from scath preserued sure Lest troublous causes more to wars the fierce Scotts should procure Meane time the Earle of Arreine with furious anger stong Which of the kingdome rulâ—…de the raines til that the Princesse yong Were comne to riper yeares chose thirtie thousand warlike wightes UUith weapons armed strong gainst Britaines power to bend their mights By chaunce the day which shulde before the fatall battaile fought The puissant Warwicke Earle on trampling palfray milke white broughe Into an â—…nple plaine the foe to bickering calleth out Here scoures the Scott here Britaine rides the Carreer round about And staggering tronch of poysoned launce doth gird with courage stout He bloud out belking lyes with goary blade through th'bowells pusht His flickering ghost out flies with point of sharpe speare greisly crusht The courser furious sterce his sitter cast doth by pathes tracke An other topsey turnde a while stickes dead on palfrays backe At length downe tuÌ„bling gaiust the groud his skull doth battring knack But chiefly and aboue the rest of auncient Brutus race With mighty puissance Dudley Peere did Scotts downe hurling chase The trampling feete a misty fog and duskie cloud vp read Much like as when a glomy â—…ure from aierie region teard At length our horsemenâ—…ging on the Scotts to flie constraine And to the campe with spoyles addrn'd returnes backe agayne Now scarfe the fourth part of the day remaind and Phoebus lampe In chariot swift conueyde did hast to th'westerne Ocean campe Behold from Scottish marlike cences an â—…erause comne doth pray That vncouorolde vnto the Dulie a message he might say Wherfore vnto his royall cent with frequence great conuapde He was permitted for to speake who thus distincklie sayd what is the cause that thus you striâ—…e one realme to wast by might Irruption making fierce vnto our land what is your right Is this the part of nation ioynt vp vicine borders knit The sielie people batcring downe with drierie blade to hit But armour layd aside forthwith depart and leaue our land Or of your bold inuasion looke reuengement out of hand For of the valiant Scotts collected is a mighty band A blouddy sckirmage on to morrow nert for to succeede I do denounce if to your coastes you hast not backe with speede Alacke that without losse of bloud us battaile may be fought With what abondant purple streames shall conquest chief be sought How many mestiue wiues their husbandes fall shall wailing mone Destroyde by cruell death constraind to lye in bed alone How many parentes of their sonnes and ofspring deare berest All comfortlesse in grief to lead their old age shall be left I tremble to expresse nor you vnpunisht shall depart wherfore the Scottish guide with wondrous pitie mou'de in hart Towardes his countrey soyle me bids this message to declare Unto the Duke of Somerset since both haue cane the care And guidance great of kyngdomes large let both the common cause Of kingdomes safetie moue of legall truce he offreth lawes Of that the Britaines will their tooles and armour layd aside All glorylesse forthwith retire in cause inferiour tride Unlesse you doe theu slaughter dire in wars without remorse Expect the Scottish weapons fell fall with such weightie force Moreouer puissant Huntley Earle these wordes me vtter had To th'mighty Duke of Somerset lest Christian bloud be shad And great effusion made that the contention may be tride Betweene them two and armies both disseuered stand beside So losse of little bloud of all these sarres and end may make And headlong prone dissensions rage a souder may be brake By one mans death and warres vpsturde a finall end may take These wordes he vttered when the Duke replyde thus backe agayne Determinate into your coastes this army I did traine Conditions not take but graunt of peace that aunswere tell When Scotts had time these daungers prest they might haue voyded well Now to to Iâ—…e to deale by vayne colluding craft they tend That Huntley Earle with natiue pride puft vp doth to me send with him in combat for to loyne through glory vayne extold According to his nations guise he prou'de aduencreth bold He as a priuate souldiour serues nor beareth impery If I were so I would him make his challenge dearely bye Here warlike Dudley with this speach the Dukes Oration takes And faithles Scotts with wordes more sharpe be reprehending shakes Your slipperie faith and fickle troth your periude glauncing tong Us Britaines though vnwilling eggs to scoure your coastes along Ioues anger iust prouokes vs to reuenge such haynous sinne He our attemptes shall prop and force maintaine to striue therein Howbeit if promise plightd you keepe then foes vs not esteeme we nothing will commit but faithfull frendes it shall beseeme But is with armes prepard you meane in martiall campes to trie Your selues with weights of puissance stout to warre you shall espie UUho will not laugh to scorne such boastings vayne such Scottish crakes Thinke you that bugges or prochant wordes vs Brutes afrighted makes You erre the scope of heauen and raunging rouine beside the way Let boyes and girles of tender age such vayne illusions fray That here your minde aboadment giues great slaughters to insue And dire destruction of your men you prophesying tue The holy ghost offended with such false periured wightes Doth it foreshew
wourd of high Iehoue then superstition vaine A foule and filthy errour shall all desolate remaine For seuen yeares space which so doth sticke vnto religions side As doth the clinging Iuie thrombe fast to the Eâ—…ne abide Almighty Ioue to heauenly blisse shall first this springold call Before the worldes frayle glory shall his hart seduce at all Or lusting flesh incense him by suggestion vnto sinne A flattering foe in floud of Acheron to plundge him in The seuenth yeare of his raigne shall him bereaue of regall mace Whom after shall a married Queene succeed in royall place The Pope reducing Then shall wofull England sliding backe Fall prostrate downe to blockes and ripp agayne the Romish pack If any man do mutter once by conscience terrour stong Or once reuolue the testâ—…nt write in his mother song Or out of it conuince the Pope to swarue from law and right In vaunting his authoritie equall with Ioues almight With diuilish pride vp pufâ—… he shall with scorching brands be burnd With raging fiers consuming force his bones to ashes turnd When that the noble Princesse had the matter peisde aright And cald to minde that daungers such and lucklesse chaunce as might Not be eschewie must suffred be and not â—…ailde with grief Few dayes expirde in robes of state and Princely bestmentes chief All shining downe he comes and musing walke in harbour greene By chaunce a Courtlike Lady than prostrate on both her kneene I know not what petition made of royall stocke esprong Of mighty Peers whose ielous loue and secret truth erst long In sondry pointes she had fortitide to whom the Queene thus spake O trustie Lady manifest do not oer secretes â—…ake None present stands we are alone and leasure serues to talke For far apart the portlike troupe of britaine nimphes did walke And opes her lipps for to proceede and faultring shutts againe At length she spake when dulcett sleepe me close in bed had laine My maydes secluded all Inrold in earth in elder yeares Ay me my Grandsier old in antike forme so brim appeares As when he drew his vitall breath he was vnto me knowne And in a long processe my fatall houre hath to me showne UUhich in this month insuing next the destinies will procure The noble dame sale trickling teares bedewing her lookes demure Astoinsht sobbing sayes noâ—… God auext this bitter lot The fancies of your troubled braine so vayne remember not But quite roote out such parching thoughtes as macerate your hart Out of a gladsome minde fresh florishing age doth bloming start Perplexing grief hart strings of mortall men vntimely freats And in his pinsers holding fast their mindes with corture beats Meane tyme a page doth warne the royall king for to approch But Anne desirous of her grief the cause to set abroch Unto her trustie frend her dreame in order doth declare And what the diuine oracles concerning England weare More of king Henries mightie race what should be the successe Then of her tender Impe in fine the fate the doth expresse Her willing truth and faythfull loue toward her to maintaine Yet yong of yeares which in processe might recompence her payne Then to the goodly Prince her spouse she lowlie doth incline For honours sake who tokens great of loue erprest that tyme Both ioyntly side by side the fragrant garden trace about UUhich sight the hartes did gladsome make of all the vulgar rout Sir Titan Venus glorious house in heauenly coape had past And some degrees incroching made in signe adiacent fast Renowmed Anne for endlesse life a short death doth exchaunge Deuouring cares expeld and in celestiall coastes doth range Learne you that liue what can backbiting malice gobling fell Blacke Enuie gastly hagg neare happy liuers still doth dwell UUhich filthy venome blew of viperous tonges insues as mate Religion and worship true of mightie Ioue which sate All drownd much like a burning coale vp rakt in embers dead In happy dayes of vertuous Anne disclosd her burnisht head Of Anne whose hand so bountifull gaue almes vnto the pore Ech day and feeble creeples lame and people blind vp bore Ye wailyng widowes do lament the black and dismall day Ye children eke of Siers bereft which tooke this Queene away The Lady Iane of Seimers bloud stout Henry mightie king In holy wedlocke rites espousâ—… from which a babe did spring A boy of wondrous towardnes and manly vertue cleare He was by sacred muses reard and fostred vp most deare To him in tender age Elizabeth coequall cleft Aa both to soone in springing yeares of noble dames bereft Howbeit that carefull prouidence in Henries brest was shrind That he a man of knowledge deepe them to instruct assignd The day in diuers partes was cut for diuers studies fitt Euen with Syr Titans springing lampe they at their bookes doe sitt These vertuous Impes now this now that with mindes intentiue reed First Iesus Christ instilled was their endlesse blisse to breed The life the rocke the tracked path to them which dread the Lord. Then bookes of ciuill gouernement which preceptes did afford And other noble Artes beside for royall children meet Sound knowledge daily did increase and ripe wit polisht neet Renowmed Henryes ardent loue towardes them kindled more And fauour of the Britaine Peers obtaind and commons lore Elizabeth three yeares by byrth her brother went before Inferiour in her sexe but for bicause of riper age Desirous laud and prayse to winne free from fell enuious rage And that her brother Prince incenst by her proceedings might Be spurd more ardent to attaine to Vertues sacred light She here desistes and qualities beseeming her degree She practisâ—… els beside Now silken vesture holdeth she In lilly handes and fitting fine with pliant fingers small With needle worke imbrodereth rich and ouerspreadeth all Mineruaes pretious webbe the vewers would haue voucht it sure The hemmes distinguisht with a gard of glistering mettall pure Now doth she exercise her selfe of solempne Lute to play On warbling stringes now more now lesse sad dumpes to driue away The Nightingale her chirping voyce so diuers scarse could make Diuideo into sondry tunes as she most sweetly strake with quauering fingers small and gentle touching of the strings All men admiting much whence that celestiall Musicke springs Where daintie cates on tables spred they were to take repast Or after viandes all remou'de in galleries they wast The time or els in gardens fresh of fragrant sauour walke Of vertue of Religion true of sayings wise her talke Should still be framde both godly speach and true she alwayes vsde A token plaine how that her hart the spot of vice refusde In old Palaemons learned Art they both most skilfull weare The Prince and Lady eke so deepe ingraft in minde did beare The Greekish phrase with Latine speach conioynd that in short space Once reeding would suffise to vnderstand the hardest place That of the hugie world so vast where Phoebus globe
furious rage doth roame and tortures vseth all Aboundant streames of Christian bloud most ruthfull moistes the land And goarie flouds alacke in pooles of hit reieeted stand Ay me and waile a day young childrens corpes fire brandes deuoures And difference none put twixt their sexe both men and weomen scoures For he gainst Ioue almightie is a foe outragious thought If anie man his enemie the Romish bishop cought Out of the word of God which takes away Christes honor due And falsely white that thing affirmes which is of duskish hue Yea so his heynous trecheries with gloses couered beene As at no time our graundsiers olde in elder age haue seene That both the sense of touching and of tast doe fading fayle If that ye take that priuiledge from bodies what auayle Can th' eare or twinckling eie vnto what vse shall fingers stand Aa haa in deepe Charibdis gulfe uplung'd the Britaine land For very grief doth grone and ginnes of safetie to dispaire Howbeit the ghost diuine of Ioue her pitying vnaware which with his becâ—…e the heauens and seas and earthly regions shakes For the afflicted English state a gratefull plaiâ—…er makes For from their hie vsurped seates proud potentates are drawne Downe headlong to the ground which reuerent worship to be showne Bad vnto Idols wrought in woode or forgd of moulten brasse The Prince with deepe perseuerance scelected of the best Of Britaine states a fewe which long vse had with wisedome frought And learning eke Parnassus Nimphes to deck their wits had brought By which proppes of eternall Fame vnder a mayden Queene Renowmed England through the world is bright blazed to beseene First of her Counsayle Bacon was a wise and prudent Knight Of polisht wit who Britaine lawes by iudgement scand aright Whose sweete and sugred eloquence in midst of Counsaile sage Hath such his endles Fame atchiu'de that though Fates headlong rage Him hath destroide he liues and after death his vertues blaze Lord Chauncelour he of England and the Brodeseales keeper was Whose honourable seat Sir Thomas Bromeley doth beseeme Thought worthie of that dignitie by censure of the Queene The prudent troupe of Senatours their suffrage yealding like UUhich lawes in equall ballance weyes and cancelling out doth strike UUhich ouer ponderous to him seemes that which is good and right May thereof spring and middle place possest may Vertue bright Next thy Lord Marques Winchester his worthie seat did take Renowmed whom the title high of Treasurer did make A man of wondrous grauitie whilst that he ran his race On earth but crookt through age at last to destinie he gaue place Before all these came forth blacke frowning Fortune spurning back UUhose faith in danger dire at hand from sincere heart extract The Prince had tried Lord Cicill and of all the Counsaile sage By Princesse verdict chiefe assignd now stroke with drowping age And worne in yeares with study leane and sickly on his feat For great affaires white hoary heares and crooked age to fleet Doe cause before their time which then scarse fortie yeares had rought Seldome to sleepe addict from slender diett seldome brought Still graue and modest found at no time giuen to dallying play UUhere that he talkt or musing sate it earnest was alway A fuutor of religion true of right he studious was In this our age thinges of great waight borne for to bring to passe UUhose loue towardes his natiue soile and faith towardes his Queene UUhose wisedome busied still about his countries causes seene Beyond Europa borders hath achiu'd him endles Fame Nor here he first to aid his Prince with learned counsell came For in king Edwardes noble Court he wondrous credite wanne And Counsellour to his leich to be in bloming youth began UUhen mongst the Britaine Peeres he hurlie hurlie tumultes wrought By prudent circumspection to quaile and bring to nought And whil'st some others furrowes deepe in gurtie channels cast Their hollow hulls tos'd and turmoild with Aeolls whurling blast And sometime downe with headlong fall the infernall pitts do see He both his honour and his seat and name preserueth free How wary in Queene Maryes dates he did himselfe behaue And sailes which hung aloft at Mast to windes relenting gaue Because it better is to yeeld to rough and mightie force Of raging floud then stand against and to resist his course which doth a deadly perill prest and certaine harme procure By iudgement plaine apparant doth expresse his wisedome sure That for sixe yeares amidst his foes vnhurt he vpright stoode Though persecuted with the hate of Cayphas wicked broode In euerie way in euery streete in London royall mart To all mens dew proceeding forth when as the greatest part In forreine nations bannisht straide him Ioue preseru'd at hand Forth honour of our noble Queene and profite of our land He externe Princes Legates heard attentiue whilest the hest They of their Lordes declarde and aunswere prompt againe express In counsell graue a Nestor which now noble Burghley hight Of woodes and auncient farmes and Castles strong adiacent pight which doth the common Treasurie of goods confiscate keepe He being full aduertised of waightie causes deepe It worth rehearsall is forthwith with what industrious care He doth disside the strife and right ascribes by iudgement rare Not aboue two daies space deferring it or three at most Unlesse of pointes so intricate the matter stand composde That without longer trackt of time it may not be vnfold which laud as chiefest veriest eke let this high Lordling hold The mightie Earle of Arundel is in this order tide The Penbrooke prudent Peere insuing ioyntly by his side Both Stewardes of the royall house of their renowmed guide The warlike Mauy of the Queene came Clinton to thy care whereof full thirtie yeares agoe thou hast tuition bare Nor to thy little honour it redoundes three Princes strong That thou hast seru'd thy selfe of bloud of auncient Peeres esprong Atchiuing many hard exploites a shipborde and on shore Lincolne this warlike Earle hath with title due vphore Next of the Princes Chamber was Lord Haward chiefe assignd A man to anger prone howbeit of gentle courteous minde Whose vncle title high of Duke and Nephew erst did binde Whome dead in like degree the Earle of Sussex did succeede A most redoubted Peere of courage haut and bold indeed Thy royall Parsons gardon strong and faithfull tride alwaies Elizabeth prest to attempt the brunt at all assayes In fearfull Mauors bickering iars through minde vnconquered haut Who oftentimes the saluage Rerne subdued hath in assaut Whom noble victorie did adorne in blouddy warres atchiu'de Yet from a righteous Iusticer he chiefest laud deriu'de UUhen Mary did her flickering sp'rite out breath the Britaine guide By chaunce at Hatfield with her troupe of Ladyes did abide Her noble parson with a true of yeomen garded strong Lord Dudley on a palfray sterce vp mounted swift along Doth thither post his colour