THE Life and Death of william Long beard the most famous and witty English Traitor borne in the Citty of London Accompanied with manye other most pleasant and prettie histories By T. L. of Lincolns Inne Gent. Printed at London by Rychard Yardley and Peter Short dwelling on Breadstreat hill at the Signe of the Starre 1593. ¶ THE LIFE AND death of William Long beard Howe Willyam Long beard betraied his elder brother vnto his death of his falling in acquaintance with the Abbot of Cadonence in Normandy and how cunningly and coulourably they got authority from the Kinge to accomplish their ambitious pretences WHilst all the world was in vprore and schismes raigned in the Church when God by prodigious signes threatened pestilent plagues at suche time as two sunnes appéered in our Horizon in England and three Moones were discouered in the West in Italie William with the longe beard was borne in the famous Cittie of London of greater minde then of high parentage a graft of mightie hope at the first though as it afterwards proued his parents spent too much hope on so little vertue This frée Cittizen borne tenderlie fostered in his infancie was afterwards trained vp in good letters wherin he profited so suddenlie that most men wondered at his capacitie and the wisest were afraid of the conclusion And for that the age wherein hee was bread being the third yeare of Henrie the Second was full of troubles this yoong mans rare guifts were raked vp in the embers little regarded because not yet ripened but at last as years increased the minde ordained for mightie thinges began to mount the rather because ambition sealed his eies which made him with the Doue soare so hie till his own cunning and labour made him be ouerturned for when he perceiued his fathers foote alreadie prepared for the graue his mother seazed by age and more besotted with affection himselfe at mans estate without maintenance he thus began the first fruites of his impietie the sequell whereof exceedeth all conceit and testifieth his deuilish and damnable nature He had a brother elder than himselfe in yeares but yoonger in policie who hauing by his owne frugalitie gotten great wealth was called to be a Burgesse of the cittie a man beloued of all men for his vpright dealing and lamented of al men for his vntimelie death For William little regarding the benefites he had receiued of him in his youth the brotherlie kindnesse the bountifull curtesies sought all means possible to betray him who had trained him vp to suck his hart bloud who had sought his harts rest and to that intent séeing the opportunitie fitted him in the raigne of Richard the first that noble Prince of famous memorie he suborned certeine lewd and smister confederates of his to accuse him of Treason for which cause poore innocent man being suddenlie apprehended his goods were confiâ—…cate his body imprisoned his wife and children left succourlesse whilst wicked William being both complotter informer and witnes wrought so cunningly with the kings councell that the goods were his which his brother with his long labour had gotten and the poore innocent man brought out before the Iudges with wéeping eies beheld his yoonger brother both reuelling in his ritches and reiocing at his ruine Many were his obtestations before God and protestations to the Iudges manie his exhortations to his brother and detestations of his periurie But William whose hart was the very harbour of all impietie ceased not in his owne person to solicite and by his companions to incense the Iudges in such sort that his brother was at last by them condemned and adiudged to death as some Writers suppose for coining And being led forth to his execution like an harmelesse innocent the people mustering about the place the curssed brother the occasion and compactor of his confusion accompanie him with these or such like words he finished his life Thou God that knowest the cause of my vntimelie death canst in iuâ—…ice punish my vniust accusers meane while take mercie on my poore soule who am forsaken of my priuate friends be thou a safeguard vnto me whoe am left without succors and helpe the desolate widdow with hir distressed children This said after some priuate conference by permission betwéene his brother and him he suffered torment But William hauing gotten wealth began to take vpon him state and vnderstanding his father and mother through hartie griefe were in their extreame age committed to the graue he seazed on their goods carrieng such a countenance in London that all men wondered at him In wit he was pregnant in publike affaires pollitike in reuenges constant in speeches affable in countenance graue in apparell gorgeous yea so cunning was he to insinuate himselfe among the Commons that as the report went he had more Prentises clubs at his command then the best Courtier had seruants to attend him And as the custome is whilest thus he behaued himselfe it fortuned that hee fell in companie and conference with the Abbot of Cadonence in Normandie a man as high minded as himselfe and more subtill than Sinon by whose aduise and directions he grew so craftilie conceited that vnder a holie pretert he wrought more mischiefe than either the Councell of England could for a long time remedie or by industrie reuerse and thus it fortuned After that the noble and warlike Richard the firste of that name had to his immortall glorie recouered his rights in France established peace with the French king and by the perswasions of his mother Dame Elianor reconciled his brother Iohn who had before that time béene at deadlie â—…d with him It plesed his Maiestie partlie for his owne recreation sake partlie to remedie the discontents of his subiects to goe on Progresse in the eight yeare of his reigne and in the yeare of our Lord 1197. at which time the Abbot of Cadonence and William watching an occasion and oportunitie so cunninglie wrought she matter that they had audience at his Maiesties hands and attained vnder the broad seale the whole summe of their requests The Abbot couloured his stratagem vnder the coppie of conscience assuring the king that the corruption of his officers were the chiefest groundes of publike contention praieng him in the bounty of an heroick and princelie potentate to take some order for she correction of them least at the last it should turne to his owne confusion His maiestie that had euer regard of the poore with gratious good words thanked him for his good will giuing him warrant and authoritie to redresse those inconueniences and promising him great promotions if he tooke any profite by his pollicie William now that hath the second subtiltie to enact suted his lookes in all sobrietie and stroaking his long beard which he curiouslie fostered euen from the beginning tolde the king of the insolence and outrage of rich men who spared their owne and pilled the poore robbed Irus and clawed Midas beséeching in the commons behalfe a remedie
for the space of foure houres continued a bloudie and desperate fight But when they perceiued the Traitors were desperate and the Church was sufficientlie strong to keep them out they at last found out this worthie pollicie They caused some chiefe men to bring them great store of straw which they fâ—…ered in diuers parts about the Church in euerie corner whereas the wind might worke the smoake anie entrance which so smothered and stifeled them in the Church that they were all of them for the libertie of a shorte time of life to submit themselues to the iudgement of succéeding death Herevpon after manie wofull plaints powred out on euerie side by William his Maudline and other malefactors they were all inforced to leaue the church and submit themselues to the hands of the Bailifes who according to the kings command picking out William with nine other his confederats committed them vnto warde for that time dismissing the rest vnder the kings generall pardon whoe certified hereof was not a little solaced For which cause he sent some of his Councel and Iudges the next day who ascending the iudgment seat called forth William with the Long beard with his confederates arraigning them of high treason against God the king and countrey Among all the rest William shewed himselfe most confident for neither did the taâ—…nts of the Iudges extennuate his courage neither could the bonds he was laden withall abash him any waies but that with a manlie looke and inticing eloquence he thus attempted the iustices You lords and Honorable Iudges though I knowe it a hard thing to striue against the obstinate or to extort pittie there where all compassion is extinguished yet will I speake vsing the officer of nature to worke you although I know I shall not win you I am here called and indighted before you for hie treason a hainous crime I confesse it and worthie punishement I denie it not but may it please you with patience to examine circumstances I haue imboldened the poorer sort to innonation to fight for libertie to impugne the rich a matter in the common weales of Greece highlie commended but héere accounted factions and whie there subiects made kings here kings maister subiectes and why not say you and whie not think I yet am I faultie vnder a good president and the ambition which hath intangled mee hath not beene without his profit To offend of obstinate will were brutish but vnder some limits of reason to defaulte can you my Lords but thinke it pardonable I haue raised one or two assemblies and what of this peace was not broken onely my safetie was assured and were it that the Law had béene iniured might not the righting of a hundred poore mens causes merit pardon for two vnlawfull assemblies But you will saie I haue animated subiects against their prince I confesse it but vnder a milder title I haue councelled them to compasse libertie which if nature might be equall iudge betwéene vs I knowe should not be so hainoustie misconstred For my last tumult I did nothing but in mine owne defence and what is lawfull if it be not permitted vs Vim vi repellere But whie pleade I excuses knowing the lawes of this Realme admit no one of my constructions If it be resolued I must die doo me this fauour my Lords to protract no time execute your iustice on my bodie and let it not pine long time in feare thorowe supposall of extreames For my soule since it is deriued from a more immortall essence I dare boast the libertie thereof knowing that eternitie is prepared for it and mercie may attend it But for these poore ones who haue defaulted thorough no malice but haue béen misled through vaine suggestions howe gratious a deede should your honnors do to exemplifie your mercie on them poore soules they haue offended in not offending and but to enthrone me haue ouerthrowne themselues for which cause if consideration of innocent guiltines guiltie innocence may any waies moue you grant them life and let me solie enact the tragedie who am confirmed against all Fortunes tyrannies These latter words were deliuered with so great vehemencie of spirit and attended with so quickening motions and actions of the bodie that euerie one pittied that so rare vertues should be rauished by vntimelie death or accustomed with so manie vngodlie practises The Iudges whoe were Socratical in all their spéeches shewing their Rhetorique in their vpright iudgements not quaint discourses after the examinations indictments verdicts of the Iurie and suche like at last gaue finall and fatall iudgement That William with the long beard with his confederates should the nexte daie be hanged drawne and quartered and so after some other worthie exhortations to the people to mainteine peace and that they should shew themselues more dutifull and after thanks to the Bailifes and good cittizen for their faithful and good seruice to his Maiestie the assemblie broke vp and the prisoners till the next daye were committed to the dungeon No sooner was the gaie mistresse of the daie break prepared in hir roseat coatch powdering the heauens with purple but the Bailifes repaired to the prison leading foorthe William and those his other confederates to their execution Then flocked about them diuers sorts of people some to sée those who were so much searched after others to lament him whom they had so loued at laste arriued at the place where they should finish their daies all stood to beholde their death William as principall in his life time of seditious practise was to enact the first and fatall part in the tragedie for which cause boldlie climing vp the ladder and hauing the rope fitlie cast about his neck after some priuate praiers he spake after this manner vnto the people My good countreymen you are repaired hither to sée a sorie spectacle to beholde the follie of life paid with the fruits of death to marke how sinister treasons ende with condigne torments if you applie what you here see and beholde to your owne profits I shall be glad whoe now euen at this my last hower desire rather you shuld reconcile your selues from all wickednes then be dismaied ormoued with my wretchednesse Oh my déere friends I now protest before God vowe before men that mine owne presumptuous climing hath béene the iust cause of my confusion I haue had more desire of glorie then respect of God more regard of dignitie then of dutie déeming it better to be a famous Traitor then a faithfull and true subiect For which my inestimable sinnes I crie God hartilie mercie I beseech his Maiestie to forgiue me and pray you all by your praiers to implore Gods grace for me Neither deserue I death only for the offence I haue made the king but my conscience accuseth me and I heere doo openlie confesse it that I was he who murthered Anthonie Browne in that he was a riuall in my most lewde loue This this if nought else my countreymen
neither any other march andise could be brought either from the kingdome of Naples from Corsica or the riuer of Genua vnto the cittie Against him Pope Alexander sent the great Consaluo who tooke the rocke and brought Menaldo bound to Rome vpon a leane Iade in maner of triumph And it is reported that he went with so confident a countenance that he inforced terror in all those that beheld him Consaluo for that he was a Spaniard got him his pardon and wrought the Pope to be very bountifull vnto him A true and famous History of Partaritus king of Lombardie who being pursued by Grimaldo fled first of all to Cucano king of the Auarior Huns and then into France and finallie after manie trauailes was restored to his kingdom with much maiestie wherein the worthy memorie of two faithfull seruants is happilie registred PArtaritus was the sonne of Albert kinge of Lombardie who after the death of his father raigned himselfe in Millan and Gundibert his brother in Pauia Betwixt these twoe there grewe a mortall discention for which cause Gundibert sent Caribald Duke of Turinge to Grimoald duke of Beniuent a most worthy and valiant Capteine requesting his assistance in armes against his Brother and promising him in rewarde thereof to bestowe his sister vpon him in mariage But Garibald vsed Treason against his Lord animating Grimoald to the enterprise not as an a better but a conqueror For said he you may easily occupie the kingdome by reason of the twoe brethren whoe through their dissentions haue almoste ruinated the same Grimoald asserteined her of made his sonne Duke of Beneuent and leuieng a mightie power set onwards on his way to Pauia and through euerie Cittie that he passed he drewe friends vnto him and won the better sort with benefites to the end they should assist him toward the attainment of the kingdome and comming to parlie with Gundibert who little suspecting the trecheries which Garibald had complotted came slenderlie and courtlie accompanied to intertain him he on sudden slue him and occupied the kingdome Partaritus assertained hereof abandoned Rhodeline his wife and his iit tle sonn and fled to Cucano king of the Auarior Huns Grimoald confirmed in the kingdome of Pauia vnderstanding that Partharithus was entertained by Cucano sent ambassadors vnto him threatning him that if he retained Partharithus his enimie in his kingdome he shoulde be assured to purchase of him a mightie enimie and more to occasion a present and dangerous warre The king of the Hunns assertained héereof called Partarithus vnto him and said thus I pray thée gentle friende depart into some other place for if thou be héere resident my good will towards thee will occasion great warres againste my selfe Partharitus vnderstanding the kings mind returning into Italie went and sought out Grimoald reposing his life vpon the good dispositions of his enimie And drawing neere the Cittie of Lodi he sent before him one of his faithfull seruants called Vnulfe who might make manifest to Grimoald both how much he trusted him and what he required at his hands Vnulfe presenting himselfe before the kinges Maiestie told him that Partaritus his maister had recourse vnto his clemencie and sought succour in his court Grimoald admiring his confidence faithfullie promised him that he might repaire vnto him vppon the faith of a prince assuring him that before he should be harmed he would hazard his owne hart A little while after when Partharitus presented himselfe before Grimoald and humblie knéeling on his knées be sought his fauour the king pitiouslie and gratiouslie entertained and kissed him whome in humble manner Partharitus saluted thus mightie Soueraigne I am thy seruant who knowing that thou art a Christian doubt not of thy compassion I might as thou knowest O king haue liued among Pagans but what life were that and howe base confidence were I in rather to trust the faithlesse then humble my selfe to the faithfull I beseech thée of mercie and kissing thy feete craue maintenance The king according to his maner swering a solemne oath promised him saieng By him that begat me since thou hast recourse vnto my faith I will neuer forsake thée but I will take order for thee in suche manner that thou maiest both honestlie and honorablie liue in this countrey Wherevpon he commanded him to be worthilie lodged giuing charge that he should be furnished of all necessaries whatsoeuer vpon his treasurie It chanced that Partaritus departing from the king and repairing to his lodging was suddenlie encountered with a whole troope of Cittizens of Pauia who came to sée him and salute him as their sorestemed friend But sée what great mischiefe procéedeth from an euill and detracting toong For some malignant flatterers beholding the same sought out the king and gaue him to vnderstande that if he made not Partaritus suddenlie out of the waie himselfe without all doubt should lose both his kingdome and life swearing to him that all the cittie was alreadie addicted to take his part Grimoald considering these thoughts and by his ouermuch credulitie suspecting more then he néeded suddenlie resolued on the death of miserable Partharitus and calling his councell vnto him ceased not to contriue the meanes howe the innocent might be made awaie They séeing that daie far spent resolued the déed shoulde be doone the next morrowe animating the king by good words who otherwise through feare was almost out of his wits notwithstanding thorow their perswasions gathering to himselfe more confidence the better to coulour his intention hee sent vnto him that night manie excellent dishes and strong wines purposing if it were possible to make him drunke assuring himselfe that by the meanes thereof he for that night shoulde haue more care of his sléepe than regard of his safetie But see how God helpeth the innocent for a certein gentleman who before time had béene a seruitour in Partharithus fathers court presenting him with a messe of meate from the king and leaning downward as if intending reuerence to his Maiestie tolde him secretlie howe the kinge the next daie had resolued to put him to death For which cause Partaritus suddenlie called his squire willing him for that night to giue him no other drink but a little water in a siluer cup knowing this that if those who presented him in the kings behalfe would request him to carouse to his health he might easilie doe without intoxicating his braines drinking onelie water Those that serued him at the table seeing Partaritus take his liquor so liuelie certified the king thereof who with much ioyfulnesse said let the drunkerd drinke his fill for this night but to morrowe yer euer he suspect the banquet I meane to feast him with his owne bloud This saide he caused his guard to be set the house fearing and suspecting least Partaritus should escape him in any sort The supper being ended and euerie one hauing taken his leaue Partharitus thus left alone with Vnulfe his trustie seruant and the Page who ordinarilie attended on
him to bed he discouered vnto them howe the king had resolued to kill him for which cause Vnulfe winding him about the necke with the shéetes of the bedde and laieng the couerlet and a Beares skin vpon his backe leauing him without capp as if he were some rusticke or common drudging fellowe began to driue him out of the chamber dooing him manie iniuries and villannies so that he verie oftentimes fell to the ground Grimoalds guard whoe were appointed vnto the watch seeing al these outrages asked Vnulfe what he meant Why said he my maisters this rascal slauehath made me my bed in the chamber of that drunken palliard Partharithus which is so full of wine that he sléepeth as if he were dead without stirring and this is the cause whie I beat him and I praye you dooth he not deserue it They hearing these words and beléeuing them to be true did all of them laugh verie hartilie to heare the tidings and giuing both of them licence to depart Partaritus hasted to the cittie of Hasti and from thense went into France praising God for his happie deliuerie As soone as they were gotte awaie the faithfull page locked the door verie diligentlie remaining all that night alone in the chamber and when the messengers of the king came with commission to bring Partaritus to the pallace the nexte daie they knocked at the doore whome the page in humble maner saluted praieng them to haue patience for a while for saith he my Lord being wearie of his last iourney sleepeth now verie soundlie The messengers returning to Grimoald told him the pages answer who all inraged charged them presentlie to bring him to his presence who repairing againe to the chamber doore were in like sort once more solicited by the page to vse forbearance but they admitting no delaies cried out hastilie and hartilie tut tut the droonkard hath now slept enough and therevpon bearing the doore of the hinges they forceablie entered the chamber and sought Partaritus in his bed but found him not wherevpon they asked the page what was become of him who answered them that he was fled The messengers all amazed herewith furiouslie laieng hands on the childes bushie lock and buffeting him pitiouslie brought him to the pallace and conducting him to the presence of the king saide Mightie Prince Partharitus is fled and this caitife boy helpt to conuey him and for that cause meriteth death Grimoald commanded them to laie hands off him and willed him with a friendlie countenance to discouer vnto him the manner and meanes how his maister had escaped awaie The page told him euerie thing as it had past whose faithfulnes when the king had considered vpon he royallie offered him to make him one of his pages assuring the lad that if he would be as faithfull to him as he had shewed himselfe towards his old maister he should both be rewarded and regarded After this he made search for Vnulfe who being brought before his presence was pardoned by him and not only pardoned but commended But as where affection is rooted there no fauors can supplant it nor promises suppresse it so these two louing their maister Partarithus verie deerelie took no delight but onelie in desire they had to sée and serue him for which cause a few daies after they repaired to Grimoald beséeching him of license to séeke out their maister Whie my friends quoth he had you rather séeke out your necessities then liue with me héere in all pleasures By God replied Vnulfe I had rather die with Partharithus than liue in all other worldlie contents and delights What saied the king to the page wilt thou also rather séeke out a bannished man then serue a king I my Lorde saide he for they are bad seruants that will leaue their maisters in miserie Grimoald wondering at their confidence praising both their faithes dismissed both of them with all fauour giuing them both horsse and money to furnish and further them on theyr iourney The two faithfull seruants humblie thanking the kinge tooke their waie into France hoping to finde their maister in that place according as was appointed But Partaritus fearing least by reason of a peace latlie capitulated betwixt Dogobert kinge of France and Grimoald he shoulde be there surprised suddenlie by some sinister subtletie tooke shipping for England and hauing alreadie sailed from the shore the voice of a man was heard among the rocks which asked for Partaritus and whither he were in that ship Whereto when answer was made that there he was the voice replied Then will him presentlie repaire vnto his countrey for Grimoald a three daies hence is departed this life Partaritus suddenly returned backe commanding the marriners to reenter the harbour and as soon as he was landed he diligently sought out the messenger that had thus informed him but finding him by no meanes possible he supposed it to be some messuage sent from God For which cause poasting towards his countrey and arriuing amongst the confines of Italie hee found there a great number of Lombards who expected him with whom he entered Pauia and driuing out a little son of Grimoalds from the kingdome he was by generall consent created kinge of Lombardie thrée monethes after the death of Grimoald For which cause he presentlie sent vnto Beneuent for his wife Rhodolinde and his sonne Cunibert And being a godlie Catholike and iust man a liberall patron of the poore and father of the innocent as soone as he hadde quiet possession of the kingdome in that place from whence he fled which is on the other side of of Tesinus he buil ded a monasterie to the honor and glorie of God his sauiour and onelie defender wherein there were diuers Nunnes inclosed whom he alwaies enriched with manie very goodlie possessions The Quéene likewise builded a church in honour of our Ladie without the cittie wals adorning it with maruelous rich ornaments his page and trustie seruant returning to his court as soon as they had tidinges of his establishment were by him fauourablie intertained and richlie rewarded Finallie after he had reigned eighteene yeares he departed this life not without the generall lament and teares of the whole inhabitants of Lombardie The wonderfull dreame of Aspatia the daughter of Hermotimus the Phocencian a verie poore man who afterwards thorow hir wonderful vertues became the wife of Cyrus king of Percia and was afterwards married to Artaxerxes ASpatia was the daughter of Hermotimus of Phocis who after the death of hir mother was brought vp and nourished in great pouertie yet was not hir pouertie so gréeuous as her continencie was gratious in her infanâ—…ie she had vnder hir chin a great swelling which disâ—…igured hir face and was a great disgrace to hir fairenesse For which cause hir father desirous to haue hir cured carried hir to a physitian who promised to heale hir for a certeine summe of money The good olde man hauing no money tolde the Physitian of his little meanes beséeching him
was slaine by the commandement of the Tyrant Phalaris Anaxarchus by the iudgement of Nicocreon finished his life with manie tortures Archimedes the Philosopher an excellent Mathematisian was slaine by Marcellus souldiers Pythagoras with his threescore schollers was put to the sworde Anacharsis died suddenlie Diodorus burst thorough harts gréefe by reason he could not answer a question which Stilbo the Philosopher had propounded him Aristotle after he had lost the fauour of Alexander being in Calcide drowned himselfe in the floud Euripus Calistines his scholler was cast hedlong out of a window Marcus Tullius had his ears and hands cut off and set vp in the publike place where the Drators declaimed Seneca was put to death by his scholler Nero whoe had first caused his vaines to be opened in a bathe of hot water Iohannes Scotus reading in England by a sudden conspiracie of his schollers was with his best fauorites put to death but if I should vndertake to repeat all the haplesse endes of these ancients whoe were excellent in learning it were too long for me to write or you to read For which cause I will begin to let you vnderstand the death of some moderne learned Petrach died suddenlie Domitius Caldarinus perished through the sicknesse of the plague Consiliator was burned aliue Angelus Politianus finished his daies by hauing his braines dasht out against a wall Peter Leo of Spoletum was drowned in a ditch the Lorde Francis Pico was slaine by his tenants Fisher and Thomas Moore were beheded Cranmer and Latimer burned the rest since fresh in memorie I néed not to trouble you with I onelie set these down for the learned to consider vppon and examine themselues by circumstances cunninglie canuase in their conscience an argument a comparatis Howe kinge Rodorigo the last of the Royall house of the Gothes lost his kingdome and life thorough his incontinence IN the yeare 712. Roderigo raigned in Spaine who earnestlie enamored of a daughter of Iulians Countie of Cantabre and desirous to gather the fruite of his loue because otherwise he might not in that the maiden was verie honest and vertuous he sent hir father embassadour into France by that oportunitie enforcing hir he satisfied his lewd and dissolute lust Iulian returning into Spaine and vnderstanding the heauie case and estate of his daughter made shew before the king that he was vtterlie ignorant thereof and after a few daies he fled into Affrica with all his familie taking vppe his house in the cittie of Lepte and seeking out Muca the gouernour of Affrica hee tolde him of the outrage doone him by the king and howe for that cause he was come vnto him First to offer him a great rich and faire empire next to profer him his seruice and moreouer said he the time is come to reuenge the Arabians which were slain a few yeares past in the hoast of king Bamba To the performance whereof I will backe you with the greater part of the Lords of Spaine whoe will be readie to assist you in this enterprise bycause the king is deadlie hated of them both for his crueltie and lawlesse corruption Muca sent him vnto king Mulit in Arabia whoe hearing Iulianos purpose dispatched him with letters to Muca wher in he wrote that he should fauour him with all reasonable helpes Muca gaue him an hundreth horsse and foure hundreth men on foote vnder the conduct of a famous captaine called Tariffe with this power they passed the Seas landed in Spaine and to the end they might the more securelie beard the enimie they builded a cittie which they called by the name of Tariffe captaine of the Barbarians And assoone as Iulio had giuen notice to his confederates for what occasion he was come what desire he had to reuenge him of the iniurie doone vnto him by the king many of them vnited themselues with the Arabians and ouerran al the contrey of Algazera which the said Iuliano had in gouernement vnder the said king The Arabians of Africa séeing the great progresse and fortune the countie had and assured of his faith sent him twelu thousand horsse and a great multitude of footmen by reason that they had intelligence that the king had sent against him his cosin Ignicus with a huge host who fighting many times vnhappilie with the Moores at the last was himselfe slaine all his followers cut in péeces wherevpon the Moores being rid of this impediment ouerran and spoiled a great parte of Spaine For which cause the king leuied a greater army than the first and comming himselfe to wage the fight with the Moores there fell a terrible and dreadfull battell betwéene both the armies which continued eight continuall daies saue onlie the intermission of night but by reason of the rebellion of the two late kings sonnes called Detifa the king had the worst and perished in the field with many other valiant persons and the Moores like couragious victors possessed the spoiles This defeat was on sunday being the xi of Septēber in the yeare 719 The Moores attaining victorie had the dominion of Spaine Of many famous men whoe leauing the gouernement of the Commonweale gaue themselues ouer to a priuate life CAto the Censor was the most vertuous and best reputed Romaine that flourished in that time for during al the daies of his life there was neuer man that saw him commit anie light action neither lose or diminishe any one inch of his seuere grauitie This man after he had liued fifty and eight yeares leauing the trauailes of the common wealth went and spent the remnant of his life in the kingdome of Naples in a village called at that daie Picenio and in this time Pozzuolo liuing vpon his owne liuelihoods and reuenews And whilest thus this good and vertuous Cato liued sequestred from all others sometimes reading his bookes some other times trimming his vines there was one of his neibours who wrote vpon his gate with a coale O fortunat Cato thou only amongst al others knowst how to liue in this world Lucullus the Consul and Romaine captaine remained in the Parthian warres and continued the same for the tearme of sixteene yeares in which he acquired much honor to Rome many laudes for the common weale much fame for himself and as great riches for his house This man after he returned from Asia to Rome and found the commonweale altogither swarming with dissentions by reason of the factions of Scilla and Marius purposed with himselfe to leaue Rome and to build him a certaine place of pleasure néere Naples vpon the riuer of the sea at this daie called Castello di Lupo in which place he reposed ten yeares entitled to all kind of pleasures and quietnesse of mind frée from all trauailes and troubles till suche time as he finished his wearied age with a contented and worthie death Dioclesian after he had gouerned Rome and the emperie for the space of eighteene yeares vtterlie refusing all the Empire departed Rome and
publikelie shewed the papers and after that turning him to M. Besaunt he expostulated thus Well sir since your corruption is found out and your vngodlie oathes haue doubled your offence by that authoritie which I haue receiued from his maiesty I condemn you to pay the summe of fortie marks with the vse thereof for ten yeares vnto this widdow and hir children next for your periurie wherein you haue offended God especiallie and next your countrey I adiudge you to paie in waie of a fine to his Maiestie two hundreth poundes sterling aduising you hereafter to vse your conscience more vprightlie and to deale by the poorer sort more iustlie Besaunt who highlie stood on his reputation was so amazed at his so sudden conuiction before the assemblie of the citie that he knew not what to say his owne hand he coulde not denle and if he should there were some in the companie well acquainted therewith To be adiudged thus of by his inferiour as he thought it was no small disgrace for which cause smothering vnder faire lookes his false hart he appeled to the king and his Councell assuring William that he would not be discredited in that sort and that it shoulde cost him a thousand pounds but he would be reuenged With these and such like spéeches the court brake vp the widdow the children were dismissed with giftes and William with a thousand Cittizens at his taile was with great triumphe conuaied to his lodging But Besaunt for all his braues was committed and enforced to pay the penaltie yea so did William worke with the king and his councell as had not this corrupt marchant with great sommes got himself frée no doubt he had béene brought within the compas of a Premunire such subtill suggestions had William practised against him How William with the long beard behaued himselfe towardes the Courtiers and of his loue to his faire Lemman Maudeline WIlliam hauing by this means insinuated himselfe into the fauour of the king and by that reason brought the cittizens in feare of him like the vntoward childe whoe hauing an inche stealeth an elle began to presume aboue the latchet as the prouerbe is setting light by all men animating the baser sort against the better so that the Nobilitie put vp much iniurie at his hands the clergie were badlie vsed by him and the officers of the cittie highlie offended The earle of Durham then Chancellor and bishop taking the parte of a chapleine of his who was iniuried by a meane and mechanicall townesman was braued by him in Cheape side beaten of his horsse and had not the Bailifes of the cittie rescued him the common spéeches went he should neuer haue courted it more A gentleman in court at another time vpbraiding William of his base estate and birth told him that the worst haire in his beard was a better gentleman than hee was for which cause William mightilie agréeued and watching opportunitie of reuenge at last incountred him braue lie mounted on his foot cloth in Friday stréet where taking him forceably from his horsse he carried him into a Barbers shop and caused both his beard and head to be shaued close pleasantlie giving at him in this sort Gallant now haue I cut of the whole traine of of the best gentlemen you durst compare with me the last daie and if hereafter you bridle not your toong as base a Gentleman as you make me Ile haue you by the eares The king informed héereof grew highlie offended but William who wanted neither money friends nor eloquence so ordered the matter as his maligners might barke but not bite him But for that all his minde was planted on ambition and his greatest feare was least by ouer forward thrusting himselfe into state his cloaked aspiring shoulde be discouered he began for a while to leaue the court to intend onelie the causes of the poore and complot those meanes whereby labouring for mightines without suspect he might attaine the same without counterchecke and first to make shewe how much his mind was altred from high climing he craftilie pretended a new conceited loue and but pretending it at firste at laste was inforced to practise it and thus it fell out An honest and well disposed Merchant of London had by his wife a faire and amiable yoong mayden to his daughter being the onely hope of his age and the fruit of his corage This louelie Mawdelin as the lesser starres are in respect of the sunne or Mercurie in regarde of the Orbe of Venus amongst our London damosels was the A perse for beautie â—…d the parragon of perfections hir looks full of quickening puritie were able to animate loue in Marbel nature could doo no more but wonder at hir owne handiworke art had nought but shadowes in respect of such a substance Al eies that beheld hir wondred all pens that praised hir were quickened by hir excellence To be short hir least worth was of so great consequence as the best writer might be abashed to conceit or imagine them with this faire damosell William Long beard traffiqued his fancies summoning hir yéelding affections with so manie earnest sutes and seruices that he at last conquered that fort wherein fancie himselfe tooke delight to tyranize and as the Iet draweth Amber the Load stone the Stéele of the compasse so hir beautie assaulted his sences that all of them had no power of their offices but were fatallie assigned to subscibe to hir sorceries And where as authoritie and countenance are wrested the bulwarke of chastitie though otherwise impregnable is oftentimes impugned and not onelye assaulted but at laste subdued William by his friends and followers so wrought that what by his friends and faire words he won hir for his Lemmon sparing no cost to trick hir out in brauerie to the end he might by that meanes giue a foile and glasse to her beawtie This Maudelin thus compassed hir paramour began to pranke it in the brauest fashion wresting his wits to make an idoll of hir worth whose amorous passions since they are of some regard I haue heer set downe for the courtliest care to censure of Amidst the maze of discontented mind The royall trophey of ioy-breeding loue A happy holde and resting place did find Within that brest which earst earthes hel did proue Since when my long-enfeebled eies haue reard Their drooping sight to gaze vpon the sunne Since when my thoughts in written lines appeard Reioycing at that Palme my faith had wunne Ennobled thus by that thrice-nobled passion Which hath the power all worldly cares to banish I flie sweet-seeming leures of false occasion And let al thoughts but loue-sweet vade vanish The fruits I reape in spight of Fortune froward Makes me suppose no torment too vntoward Another he made vpon this occasion Maudelin his mistresse had a faire Iewell wherein the twoe Cupids of Anacreon were painted wrastling the one with the other with this Motto Pro palma for which cause he wrote this sonnet and
presented hir therewith Ye braine-begotten dieties agree you Nurst by transparant christall of chast eies Least she that gaue you life on sudden see you And frowning kil you both who causde you rise From hir you came yong Cupids from no other And but for her if enuious you shal wrastle I feare you both wil lose a louely mother Hir brow your bower hir bosome is your castle There gree you both there both togither go you And suck the Aprill ritches of hir brest Then I who long haue serued and loue to shew you How much I loue the bosome where you rest Will come and kisse and blesse you little wantons And feed you kindly wantons if you want once Another in respect of the occasion I could not find in my hart to forget for being at supper once in hir companie where were manie that discoursed of loue shewing all the idolatrie of their pens in exemplifieng that vnchast deitie he at last when the table was taken vp remembring him of a sonnet in an ancient French Poet on sudden wrote this imitation As soone as thou doost see the Winter clad in colde Within September on the Eaues in sundry formes to fold Sweet Swallow farre thou fliest till to our natiue clime In pleasant Aprill Phaebus raies returne the sweeter time But Loue no day forsakes the place whereas I rest But euery houre liues in mine eies and in my hart dooth nest Each minute I am thrall and in my wounded hart He builds his neast he laies his egges and thence wil neuer part Already one hath wings soft downe the other clads This breakes the skin this newly flegd about my bosome gads The one hath broke the shel the other soares on hie This newly laid that quickly dead before the dam come nie Both day and night I heare the smal ones how they crie Calling for food who by the great are fed for feare they die All wax and grow to proofe and euery yeare doo lay A second neast and sit and hatch the cause of my decay Ah Maudline what reliefe haue I for to remoue These crooked cares that thus pursue my hart in harboring loue But helpelesse of reliefe since I by care am stung To wound my hart thereby to slaie both mother and hir yong At another time being absent from his mistresse by reason that he had a poore mans cause in Essex to be heard he wrote this briefe fancie to hir after the manner of the Italian rimes Oh faire of fairest Dolphin like within the riuers of my plaint With labouring finnes the waue I strike whose flouds are honored by my saint Withouten hart or gall I spring And swim to heare thee sweetly sing All like the fish when natures art Hath reft of â—…ate and tender hart And in the sea for loue I burne As for Arion did the fish At euerie note I skip turnes I harke I praise I like I wish But out alas with better chaunce The friendly fish did him aduance He bare Arion on his back Where I thy sweet imbracements lack These ofher twoe for their shortnesse and strangenesse I could not finde in my hart to pretermit knowing that the better sort that are priuie to the imitation and method will haue their due estimate My mistresse when she goes To pull the pinke and rose Along the riuer bounds And trippeth on the grounds And runnes from rocks to rocks With louely scattered locks Whilst amarous wind doth play With haires so golden gay The water waxeth cleere The fishes draw hir neere The Sirens sing hir praise Sweet flowers perfume hir waies And Neptune glad and faine Yeelds vp to hir his raigne Aâ—…ther When I admire the rose That nature makes repose In you the best of many More faire and blest than any And see how curious art Hath decked euery part I thinke with doubtfull vieu Whether you be the rose or the rose is you An Ode he wrote amongst the rest I dare not forget in that the Poesie is appertinent to this time and hath no lesse life in it than those of the ancient the rather because hereby the learned may sée how euen in those daies Poecy had hir impugners and industrie could not be free from detraction His Oade Since that I must repose Beyond th'infernal Lake What vailes me to compose As many verses as Homer did make Choice numbers cannot keepe Me from my pointed graue But after lasting sleepe The doomb of dreadful iudge I needs must haue I put the case my verse In lieu of all my paine Ten yeares my praise rehearse Orsomewhat longer time some glorie gaine What wants there to consume Or take my lines from light But flame or fierie fume Or threatning noice of war or bloudy fight Excell I Anacrion Stesicores Simonides Antimachus or Bion Philetes or the graue Bacchilides All these though Greekes they were And vsde that fluent toong In course of many a yeare Their workes are lost and haue no biding long Then I who want wits sap And write but bastard time May I expect the hap That my endeuors may ore-come the time No no tis farre more meet To follow Marchants life Or at the iudges feet To sell my toong for bribes to maintaine strife Then haunt the idle traine Of poore Calliope Which leaues for hunger slaine The choicest men that hir attendants be These and such like fruits of his fancie may sufficientlie testifie vnto you both the high spirite and déepe inuention of this craftie Citizen who flourishing thus in the verie fulnesse of loues ioy and reuelling in the chiefest pallaces of pleasure at last recalled to mind the ambitious desires that were wont to accompanie him which hauing the nature of fire which no sooner catcheth hold of drie matter but presentlie it consumeth it from a light smoke at last fell to so huge a flame that himselfe was confounded therewith and all his hopes made frustrate and thus it fell out The kings Maiestie hearing of his continual assemblies and comparing his purposes with his practise began vnder no small grounds to conceiue his curssed intention for considering with himselfe the manner of his life the businesse of his braine the 〈◊〉 eloquence of his toong and the mightinesse of his mind he imagined as afterward it fell out that so great meanes of quick and capeable fuell would at last breake out to an vnquenchable flame wherevpon the K. with considerate iudgement called him to court commanding him to cease his disordered assemblies least in séeking to exterminate the iniuries of the rich he shuld reuiue the in solence of the poore For said he William whoe séeth not whereto these routes tend whoe thinketh not that riot will follow them The labouring men that were kept from innonations by their worke are now capable of all chang and nouelties in their idlenesse In liuing as they doo they rather are drawne to detest labor then to follow it wherthrugh the offices and mechanicall crafts in the citiie doo