maist sit and sée At open vew what Churchyard writes of mee But erre he takes in hand this worke of myne I tell my tale with weping blubbring â—yeu Geue â—are good frind and here what I shall say And for the while set all affaires aside But suer I feare to short I finde the day To show my greâ—e that hardely can I â—ide Yet throw I go and hope with happy iioe Though haples wind hath bloweÌ„ my barke about And daungers deepe did driue my dayes in dout Since calme is cum and quiet â—ase I haue Heare his complaint the late crept out of graue How should I speake that houlds my head in hand Which seÌ„celes skalpe both life speach hath lost Yet out of brest though hedles here I stand I may blase forth the greues of groning goste As from the seas that is with torments tosâ—e Coms roring noyes when calmes ful quiet are So breath I 〈◊〉 from brest my broyling care Though head be of a smoking fume procedes From quaking neck gushing vaines that blâ—des Heare him I say whose bowels speakes alone And wants in dede both vse of tunge and wit Heare him that must by arte cum make his moâ—e And lackes therfore the members meete and fit Heare him that grones howles from hollow pit Here him whose voice doth giue a fearfull sownd Heare him that long lay rotten in the ground Here him whose plainte may pearse the lofty skyes And for thy ayde and english versis â—ryes As naked suer as he was lapte in shete With deadly lookes and grisâ—ly staring hare Not like a man but like a monstrus sprete Sent from the pit to whisper in thyne eare And make the muse of world an other where For here as tyme doth softly steale away So life and lande and all thinges doth decay No birth nor blud nor flocks of frends preuayles WheÌ„ sturdy storms strikes down our stately sails The ship must sway aside or sinck in seas That shaken is with shocking surges still The grenest gras that grows in goodliest leas To partching heat must yeld by reasoÌ„s skil What slene can stay y rowlith down the hil What fote can stand the fortune dayly trips whips What liuing wight can skape her skorging No soner out of shell or mothers lap But subiect straight to sorow and mishap The life 〈◊〉 sume â–ª most swéetly do embrace To trobled teares doth turn or we be ware We are in loue with fond Narcissus face And dâ—ound our selues in the wheroÌ„ we stare And fede the flesh so long with daintie fare That belly swelles or stomack belchith vp The liquor swéet that came from spiced cup. One daies disgrace doth brede an endles sore And payse vs â—ame for all thinges past before Yet climing vp the trée of tickell trust We streache the arme as far as reach may go Disguisd with pompe and pampred vp with lust We gase aloft and neuer lokes belo Till hatchet cumes and giues the fawling blo Then crack it cryes and all in shiuers flyes That many a day was mounting to the skyes One stroke throws downe a thousand â—owes withall And such as clyme are crusht by sodayne fall Was I not one that in toppe Galland stode And bare great sway with him y ruld the roste Was not my house sprong out of geÌ„tel blud And was not I long time in fauor most Yes sure I was and therof make I boste At skole broght vp with prince of pereles race A playfeere long with him in euery place My childhode wan such loue liking great That in mine age I sat in Senate seate Was not my sier about a king estemde And highly plast wherbi he purchast praise And nere the king in fauour as it semde Yea mutch made of ful loÌ„g before my daies Was not I sent Embaster sundry wayes And did not I my dewtie euery hower With paine purce as far as stretcht my power The world wel knows what seruice I haue done And by the same what honor I haue wonne My manhode made mine enemyes fly like shepe Before the Wolfe that watcheth for his pray My wisdom did in peace the commons kepe WheÌ„ Iohn of Gaunt they wold haue made away My presence oft could quiet many a fray My councel coeld the rage of retchles heades My stoutnes sarud the state in sundry steades My noble mynd could neuer take no rest For publike wealth I had such burning brest In Poâ—teou long agenst â—he French I was Where frontier warre I hild and did full well And as I did throw many a perell passe At comming home in enemyes hands I fell And when in dede my prince therof hard tell He sory was and spake of me much good But as these thinges in weight ballaunce stood â–ª Our Souldiers toke a Duches of great fame Who at that tyme of Burbon bare the name The Souldiors swore that she shuld neare be frée Nor see her Sune nor fynde a sparke of grace Nor loke for hope till she had raundsomd mee And set me safe in good and quiet cace Lo what regard they had in euery place Of me those dayes lo how I was on height Lo how I was employd in thinges of weight At home embrast abrode wel likt with all Yea louâ—d and sâ—aâ—d among both great and small When forraene frinds did send for succor here King Richard baed me aunswer make therin In presence then there stode a greater peere But I was he that did the fauor win To speake and thus me creadit did begin And still increace as one whose lampe in déede Cowld want no oyle the blase and flame to féede My Candell blasde so cleere as star by night And where I came the torche gaue littil light And when the king for causes good great Dâ—uisd to match with one beyond the seas T was I was thoght most â—it to work the feat And in this case the king I did so please Of marriage ther the knot was knit with case And so froÌ„ thence a Duke was seÌ„t with me For this behalf the state of thinges to sée Thus stil I was emploid in great affaires As hap her self had hald me vp her staires An office here I had of great renowne A place nere prince and stil in court to be That might coÌ„maund the people vp down And thrust theÌ„ out or cal them in to me Bad I theÌ„ run one flocks then wold they fle Bad I them stand in dede they durst not sit I swayd them all as horse is ruld by bit I bare in hand the stafe that kept the sturr And knokt their pates y prest to neer the dur Lord warden loe of the sinck parts I was And captaine both of Douer Castel tho Throw lordly roumes places I did passe As easely sure as man can wish to go I knew no ebbe my tide did dayly flo I kept the
God and Prince I saye Loe that is al I do requier of hym my dyeing daye I haue no gold to send my baebs but blessing I them gyue Which God coÌ„fyrm with grace good stoâ—r As long as they shall lyue O yet thear is another ryng which loe my loue must â—e Whear is my picture death I mean and tell my friend from me That I as cold and sensles toe shal be in littell space As is that shadoâ— dom and deaff and spreetles shaep of face This don she tornd her hed a syed and bard them all faerwell Twear good quod she in syen of death â–ª I hard the passyng bell For sutch as lyue may pray the whiel and knoe when bell doth towll Into the bowells of the earth the boddy partts from sowll Yet meet they shall when trumpet sownds â–ª and that the dead aryes And boeth together shall assend I hoep to starry Skyes Wyth this began the battayl feers betwen her lyef and death Lyek gâ—â—st she lay whyells hart dyd groen â–ª and mouth gaept wyed for breath Than sayd she Lord in to thy hands I doo commend my spreet And so her self cloes'd vp her eyes and hyd her head in sheet And went away lyk enfantt yong clean voyd of storm or raeg Or lyk a boddy fawlls a sleep that can not speak for aeg Thus breathles laye this Lady nowe lyk weyghty lomp of claye That earst had lyef and feelyng force and past lyk slowre a waye But whan the nues of this was broght vnto her playffeers cares Wich roering voyce and blobbred eyes thear goeshed owt sutch teares That wytnest well with owtward syens what woe he felt within And truely told when she dyd end his dollâ—r dyd begin Bereft of sleep and roâ—bd of rest he roemed vp and down And cast of â—â—eds of worldly pomp and clapt on moornyng gown No eas nor pleasures could posses nor feell the taest of meat Resolud to pyen and â—â—arue him self his grâ—â—ss they wear so great No councell could him comfort long and styll aloen he drue To morn and moen to howll and crye and make complaynt a nue And worn away withâ—wofull syghes when sorrow helped not At lâ—yngth the lyef must be sustaynd with som releef ye wot But howe he takes this mischeef yet and howe the matter goeth Hâ—t passeth farre my reatch and wyt to iouâ— I tell you troeth His Lady gâ—n as you haue hard whâ—n dayes and yeeres wear spent In thraldom long yet after that was better forâ—uen sent For 〈◊〉 to princes grace again â–ª 〈◊〉 cam by blessyd chance And so he lyus in open world whear vertue may aduance Both him and many thousands moer that noble lyues doo lead And wyesly walk with vpright mynds and stepps of honour tread Loe heer you Daems of hy renown a Ladyes death set owt Whoe 's lyef for fayth full feaw shall fynd that seeks wyed world abowt To God and Prince repentant suer to world a myrrour bryght Whearfoer with tong and true report resownd her prays a ryght ¶ FINIS The Roed made by Syr william Druery Knight into Skotland from the East Seas to the VVest vvith sundry Gentlemen of good calling for the reformation of such causes as the Queens Maiestie and her Councel thoght coÌ„uenient In the .xiii. year of the raign of our soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth The names of the Captaines and Gentlemen in his company Syr Thomas Manners Syr George Cary. Syr Robert Constable Sâ—r Ierome Bovveâ— M. William Knovvls M. Henry Câ—ry M. Robert Knovvll M. Michell Carye Captaine Carye Captaine Caruill Captaine Austell Captaine Edington M. Edmond Varney MY Lord of Sussex now lord Chamberlayne hauing finished two famous and notable roeds into Skoâ—lande which I haue written of as chargeable as paynfull of no smal credit pollicy rested a season at Baâ—wyck by reason of a sicknesse taken by ouermuch trauell of body minde in the seruice rehearsed reposing him self in that towne for the benefite of health thought necessary in the present exploits seruice expected to institute another generall for the execution of such matters as he him self would gladly haue taken in hande if sicknesse had permitted and because eche gentleman souldiour seuerall bandes should duetifully obey in all points warlyke order the nue generall chosen for this purpose my Lord of Sussex made an oratioÌ„ in such forme â— manner as throughly explayned the whole substance of the seruice the vnsuretie of the season the difficult dealing of diuers aduersaries and vttered the excellencys of an Oratour At whoe 's elloqueÌ„ce the heerars rather stoed astonyed than vnsatysfyed in any poynt or parssell wherin he opened the bowells of rebellyon the practies of enemies and subborning of traytors and earnestly perswaded euery 〈◊〉 mynd to be myndfull of his Prince and countrey in the lybertie wherof boeth lyfe and lyuing is alwayes to be offered after which Oracion as custome is for seruice past and things to come he made these knights that heere are mentioned Syr VVilliam Drury Syr Thomas Manners Syr George Care and Syr Robert Constable and placing the Generall in full authoritie he committed them to God and the good conduct of their Chieftaine then presently with professed obedience each man desired to do a dayes seruice to venter his lyfe to shed his bloud or shew his duetie Whervpon and as great weighty cause moued my Lord of Sussex coÌ„mauÌ„ded them to martch forward so they did made that night a greater martch than was looked for yet no lesse speede than was needeful by which forwardnesse sodain exercises of Armes a brute blowen abrode of a more sooner departure the enemies wer discouraged hindred of their hoâ—p our men made masters of the fielde and possest in a maner their wish desired hap at the least taking aduauÌ„tage of the time they preuented the pushe of a perillous present pollicie auoyded the danger of a troublous time to come For the enemie regarding our readinesse desire of encounter with them retyred so fast backwarde that all their labour was lost which they tooke in hande before And now wer they somwhat abashed that before vsed ouermuch boldnesse yet in doubtfull ballance stoode the weight of this iorney considering what followed by the fyennes or falshod of double meaning friends beside the dangers insideÌ„t to the hazards of Fortune Our people being thoght at the first to be great in nomber wear suffred to martch wher they pleased but the enemy aduertised of our smal power not only lyke chafed Boares began to pluck vp the bryssells but also bruted abroad we were taken in a pitfold had neede of a treble company to accoÌ„plish the exploit taken in haÌ„d And after our power had passed â—denbrogh towards the force of y aduersaries the secret practisiens of mischief in the town set sodainly on our Lackkeis and such of y traine as could not coÌ„ueniently follow y Camp
THE FIRSTE parte of Churchyardes Chippes contayning twelue seuerall Labours Deuised and published only by Thomas Churchyard Gentilman Imprinted at London in Fletestreate neare vnto Saint Dunstones Church by Thomas Marshe 1575. Cum Priuilegio THE CONTENTES OF THIS BOOKE 1. THE siege of Leeth Fol. 1 2. A farewell to the world 13. 3. A fayned fancie of the Spider and the Gowte 18. 4. A dollfull discourse of a Lady and a Knight 27. 5. The Rode into Scotlande by sir Vvilliam Druery knighte 34 6. Sir Simond Burleis tragedie 46 7. A tragecall discours of the vnhappie mans life 57. 8. A discours of vertue 70. 9. Churchyeards dreame 73. 10. A tale of a Frier and a Shumakers wief 84. 11. The siege of Edēbrough castel 93 12. The whole order of the receyuing of the Queenes Maiestie into Bristowe 100. TO THE RIGHTE worshipfull his tried and worthy friend Maister Christofor Hatton Esquier Captaine of the Queenes Maiesties Garde and Gentleman of her highnesse priuie Chamber THe long liking and good wyll with the fast frendship I finde in you good maister Hatton procures my penne presently to performe that I promised no smal time since touching a booke of al my English verses in miter The offer wherof came from my selfe not for the goodnes of the matter but for the parfitnesse of the persone to whom I mēt to dedicate my woorke And albeit your valeur may not bee seen in so simple a glas yet I hope this my woorkes shall not hinder your deserued renowm nor breed occasion to mislike my vnbridled boldnes And for that from my head hand and penne can floe no farre fatched eloquence nor sweete sprinklyng speaches seasoned with spiced termes I call my workes Churchyardes Chips the basnes wherof can beguild no man with better opinion than the substance it selfe doth import and in deed if any other tietle had bene geuen to my trifles than the proper name of chips men might haue hoped for grauer matter then the natuer of my verses can produce VVherefor I prepared a title aunswerable to the weight of the worke misdoubting not but that you will of cortesie behold what blaes of good wyll these my Chips will vtter to the worlde Assuring my selfe and my friendes that herein is no kinde of sparke neither hurtfull nor vncomly But as the world may iudge among many chips may be sundrie woodes so the worst of them all makes but a crack consumes with the coales and turneth vnto sinders VVhat fier can be made where neither smoek can be seen nor hissing of stickes maye bee hard And yet those two properties agree in the end to one flame effect and purpose I write of seuerall thinges whose sondry foundations might leade me to diuers subiectes but each of them in deede serueth to one mans cogitacion and duetifull dealing towardes God and my coūtrey And none of them hath any humour or disease but sutch as eury body may broke disgeste and embrace bearing any graine of fauour to the wrytter whiche I hope makes the reddier passage to that which I caused to be Printed My first booke hath but few things in it but such varietie of matter as shall breed to the Reader rather pleasure than painfulnes And the second shall contain a nomber of things I trust of no lesse pastime and commodity waying mirrely the meaning of my Imaginaciōs Thus making my choice of a sufficiente patroen for a farre better woorke than my cunning can performe and creping vnder the target of your protection I weery you no further in reading of this my plain Epistle committing to the Almighty your worship good naem and most desired felicitie with increace of wished fortune Yours in all at commaundement Thomas Churchyard Gentleman To the dispisers of other mens workes that shoes nothing of their owne IF vvell you iudge of my good will you yelde me my desarts If that vvith frovvns and scorneful locks you shoe your hollovve harts And by disdaine disgrace his Verse that doth the best he can You do not vvell to hinder soe the works of any man. For loke vvhat measure you doe meet the same yee shall receaue VVhen from the loem of your deuice like vvebb of cloeth you vveaue But if you leade an idle life and father near a childe You are as bad as barain ground and so the vvorld begilde The loekar on of table playe finds many faults in deede And vvith conceites of this and that he doth his fancie feede But bid him play a gaem himselfe and than perhaps he will Mis some good pointe by ouer sight and loes his money still A man that builds a prettie house in svveete and holsome ayre VVith goodly rovvms and choise of place and vvindoes large and fayre Shall heer his neighbour streight disprayes the seate and eek the fraem Yet hee that praets vvants vvealth and vvit and cannot mende the seam Vvhat needs more words to waest my wind about these busie brains That povvlts and svvels at others toils and take themselues no pains The best is though small goodnes be in these baer chipps of mien My hatchet hewd them all in deede vvhear they be grosse or fien And vvhan that theas haue maed a blaes and bin in vvorld a whiel A bigger basket vvill I bring to make you vvorldlings smiel And vvheather theas you like or noe the rest aer neer the stamp VVhich if you pleas to flinge in fier vvill borne as cleer as lamp Thus faerwell frends or flyring foes I kno not hovv to fawne I mean to see you ons again so leaue my booke for pawne Aduc THE SIEGE OF Leeth more aptlie called the schole of warre the Lord Gray of Wiltton generall thereof in the second yeare of the raigne of oure soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth Anno. 1560. AS Marche did ende so Mars began his raigne Whose mē I saw to bluddy warres were bente From Barwick walls they marched throw the plaine With banner splaide with carriage haell and tente All fitte for warres to Leeth this armye wente And as I know the nomber was so small Sixe thousande and fiue hundreth men were all And most of those not trayned for the field More rawe then rype vnready out of vse And some men say ech leader was not skild But what of that I write not of abuse If faultes there were I ought to make excuse First do wee creepe and after learne to go All hitts not white that shooteth in the bow Amonge these men were souldiours of ech force Both old yonge what should there more be said And some that sought to get a good report To haunt the warres did holde them well apaid Of Cannon shotte they seldome stoode afraid They knew the cracke and horling in the eare Was halfe the harme and most of all the feare Such men declarde they had a det to pay And still they wisht in countries cause to die They praysde that man that serude his prince a day They were a feare vnto the
A white cote did become both ware and wise And serude as well as any souldiour might With bowe and bill suche weapons as we vse And oft therewith they put the Frenche to flight What marueile not you knowe this is no newes The bowe hath ofte made them the field refuse The bowe is feard as farre as flies our fame And bowes I weene wan Englishmen the name Our enemies still to skirmishe vs procuerd And gald our beste and ouldest souldiours sore I tell you trothe the heate of this enduerd Full long wherby our men away we wore But God be thankt the Frenchmens losse was more For still they spente vpon the stock ye knoe When we without had meane to come by moe By depe foresight a mounte there was deuisde Which bare the name of Pellam for the space I had forgot how Frenchmen cam disgisde In womens wedes like queanes with muffled face They did no acte but sone they tooke the chace I â—ee that passe and of the mounte I treate Where to be playne the seruice was full greate The Captaine there one Cutbert Vaughan was And ioynd with him there were a number mo This mounte thus made the campe away did passe More nere the towne how much I nede not shoo This mounte to Leeth was still a daily foo The peces there a longe the rampere shott Some harme they did but what full fewe men wott Vpon the sandes they could no cockells seeke But that this forte might easely them anoy Some derely bought their muskels eury weeke Some sacrifisde their horse to swete saint Loy Some in their heads did take so mad a toy They neuer spake a worde ne good nor ill Some lernde to feele the weight of our black â—ill A bande of horse there were to warde that forte Which eury day did serue full worthely With whom the French some times for chaunge of sporte Would mete and so the matter would they trye The Frenche full oft I can not this denye Maâ—e Sallies forth as â—ryme as men might do And so went home with blud and honor to But commonly in dede the worst they gate Yet stil they brau'd and bare their fortune out Their warlike shiftes they were of suche a traed My penne shall but ecclips them out of doute To painte them right but since I go aboute To praise them thus I will procede for shame And let them haue their owne deserued fame First all they did was drawen by orders skill And seld they paste the boundes of reasons lore By pointe deuise they skirmished at will That we perceiud they practised no more That we feard not and had not seen before They put in vse thus still their heads they bende To purchase prayse and eke the towne defende Great neede they had them selues to vse full well For all their liues vpon their doings laye What should I more vpon this matter dwell To tier your eares and waste the time away There was no side stode idell halfe the daye But on both partes for seruice driftes were founde And euery howre we draue them from their grounde At Pellams mounte by foote and horsemen both This trade full long did there the souldiours kepe Whose payne was much and sore I tell you trothe For at no time in quiet could they slepe And specially when day began to pepâ— The shot went of then souldiours to their toyle And as hap drewe they did abide the spoyle I nowe returne vnto our campe awhyle That laye where shot did daily them salute And where the Frenche with many a warlike wyle Did showe our men of warres what was the frute And where some get their death by littell suet A skarre a maime and suche a rude rewarde As moste men findes that do that life regarde I spake afore of bickrings by the Frenche But here the heate of seruing might be seen They bearded vs and made them trenche for trenche And shewed them selues trimme souldiours as I ween But what of that we came to serue the Queene Though to our losse our courage did we vse We forst our foes their trenche at lengthe refuse And to their milles we wente and burnt them downe Slew them we founde where many hurte were than In seruice great right nere before the towne Our hap was such that we the honour wan Not onely here but euer when began A skirmishe or a bickering any where Which as we gesse we wanted seldome there A thondring noies they made when they came foorth Their ratling shot did perce the cloudes me thought To show the truthe their Corriars were more woorth Then double tolde the peces that we brought And to be plaine our shot they counted nought Yet as it was when that our men came nere The Frenchmen bought their comming forth full dere Yet would they not be kept no tyme within An hundreth tymes they issued out I gesse And sought for death their honor for to wyn What ere they loste they braud no whit the lesse If here I should all skirmisshes expresse What they haue done what we haue wrought likewise Of paper sure a quere would not suffice Unto my tale my penne I praye thee passe What humâ—r brought thy reason here so wyde You knowe good folkes in what discours I was The campe thus plaste we did reliefe abide Muche losse eche daye we had I will not hide And greater harme was likely to ensue If some had not made vp their bandes anewe Of watche and warde our men so wery were They carelesse stoode of any hap at all The nightes were fowle the dayes not very fear The countrie could their garmentes thinne and small And still vpon their Captaines gan they call A saute a saute we lye ore long in trenche Let vs go spende our liues vpon the Frenche It seemed good the towne for to assaile Men willing were in Princes cause to fight The battry shot but that did not preuaile Muche ponder spente the charges was not light Smale skathe it did as semed to our sight This dare I saye so sharpe a pele so ronge I neuer harde but yet it durde not long For this assault lewde ladders viele and nought The souldiours had which were to shorte God wot The profe thereof with blud the poore men bought Had they ben long the towne we might haue got But looke what God assigned to our lot We could not shonne nedes must it come to passe That he appointes as there good triall was Let those thinges go I kepe an other vaine Of this assault the manner show I shall First were our men in battaile rangid plaine And gardid well with horsemen were they all The reste in trenche did stand as did befall Till warning made of Randall maior there At which they past to Leeth withouten fere The drommes did sounde the trumpettes blew alowde The Cannons shot the bowmen stode not still The smoke was like a fogge or mistie clowde That poulder made our souldiours lackt
as the writtar him selfe drue it owt and deliuered hyt to the Harrald in the presens of a nomber ¶ The letter of syr George Cary. LOrd Fleming if eyther your byrth or bringing vp had wrought in you a noble mynd or estimacion of credite hardly would you haue so much forgotten and stayned your Honour as in a parley of late with our Generall you dyd At whom vildly and vnhonorably shoeting you falced that assuraunce of warre which soldiers submit themselues vnto And trayned him to your treason vnder trust a thing heretofore not accustomed nor presently to be allowed of He assuredly pretending your owne and your freends good commoditie to your country and quietnes to the state Twyse abased and submitted hym selfe commyng to confer with you thereof But your pryd ioyned 〈◊〉 harmeful meanyng to those that you professe best vnto and selfewilful vaine glory without cause why refused that whiche reason and honour commaunded you to haue done Therefore because his calling is presently with his charge better then yours and myne not inferior I sommon you reasonably to excuse that fault supposed to bee yours or els to mayntayne that trayterous acte with your person against myne in fyght when where or how you dare Otherwyse I wyll basâ—ull your good name sounde wyth the truÌ„pet your dishonour paint your pictor with the heeles vpward beate it in despite of your selfe In the meane time I attend your answere From Glasco the xxii of May. 1570. Subscribed George Carey ¶ The copie of the Lord Flemings answer GEorge Cary I haue receiued your brainlesse letter making mention of my false treasonable dealing against your General in shoâ—ting vnder trust so vildly against my Honoâ— trueth trayterously trayned him vnder my trust which is altogether false vntrew And howbeit your Generall came by the howse of Dunglas by my appointment which I suffered I appointed one place of 〈◊〉 â—iâ—e men of eyther partie which he reâ—used and he departed and certen of his coâ—panie came bragging vp the riuer syde towardes the howse vâ—wâ—â—g the same and the ground thereabouts 〈◊〉 your 〈◊〉 against the same I coulde doo no les but present you with suâ—â— as I had Whereas you write of your Generaâ—s calling to be presently better then myne â–ª and yours not inferiour wheÌ„ your General challengeth me therof I shall geue answer And as for you I will not be inferiour to a better then you or any soldiour vnder your Generals charge Whereas you sommon me as you call it reasonably to excuse that fault supposed to be myne owne or els to mayntayne that trayterous acte with my person against yours you shall wit I haue Gentilmen of Honor seruant soldier to me as ye are to your Generall which may be your fellowes shall defend the same against you your falce vntrew inuented writing were not the charge I preseÌ„t or how sone I can be releued of the same I shuld lowly my person to mete you six english myles fro any other persoÌ„ How be it ye be but one Soldier assure your self froÌ„ this day forth I wil not receiue no such vain inuented message for I haue littell to do with english meÌ„ ye may rayâ—e vpon my honorable name as ye please You shall haue as honorable gentilmen as your selfe against you â—eighting Take this for aunswere Iohn L. Fleming LOrd Fleming ofteÌ„ the Flemings after noon answers smelleth more of wine then wit. But as to that coÌ„mon cryme the custom of their couÌ„try yeldeth theÌ„ part of pardoÌ„ so your coÌ„mon acquaintaÌ„ce with the same coÌ„ditioÌ„ known to be very great shal to me somwhat exscuse your witles writing wherin first you disalow my right recital of your trayterous dealing by terming it false vntrew for answer know this the truth my pen hath writteÌ„ by the witnes of a nuÌ„ber And my hand I vow shall maintaine the same before the world at all times but you in denyiÌ„g it haue both falseli vniusth lied in your throt dare neither defeÌ„d nor disproue that in dedes which in words you haue don wheras you writ that our general passed Dunglas By your appointmeÌ„t which you suffered Therin you do manifestli say vnhonorabli vntruly for that you had no knowlege of our first coÌ„miÌ„g but saluted vs with your shot we likewise scirmeshed with your men euen at their own streÌ„gth vntil we vewed the grouÌ„d about at our pleasure And touching the appointment of six of eyther part easly that may be known to be a plaine lye seing we had neyther parle nor coÌ„ference with you before to appoint place or meting But wheras you say you could do no lesse but preseÌ„t vs with such as you had therin you coÌ„fesse and acknowlege the dishonor treason that I charged you with al taking vpon your self that fault which I supposed to haue ben of your seruaÌ„ts for our generall retired his coÌ„pany far froÌ„ him And his truÌ„pet being with you approched him self alone to haue parled wheÌ„ vnder trust you discharged two Hargubusses against him an acte rather seemely for a cowardly traytour then one that professeth to be a souldier finally whereas you let me wit that you haue Gentlemen of honor seruaunt souldiers to you that may be my felowes which should defende the chalenge that toucheth so nere your selfe as vvith honor you should not haue refused it First I thinke skorne to be any wayes inferior to you though but a souldier to honorable a name for you beyng better in birth and vnstayned with reproche as you haue ben Secondly I haue more and as good Gentlemen vnder my conducte as you haue vnder your charge whiche shall aunswere as many as you can bryng yf with number ye meane to combat and wyll put them to that which you dare not do your selfe But assure you my quarrel shal remayne euerlasting except the proofe of your owne person agaynst myne may ende it and when you shall dare come out of your crowse nest I wyl be redy to ryde an hundreth Skottish miles to meete with you in any indifferent place and vntyl that tyme I shal account you deuoyde of honestie and honor vnworthy to marche vpon grounde or to keepe companie with men From Hamelton the. 29. of May. 1570. Subscribed George Carâ—y THogh many wayes were wroght by message and threatnings to moue the Lord Flemming to defeÌ„d with battayl the faute and folly committed yet he put on such a vizard of rebuke shameles countenance that he faced out the matter shifted of the combat by suâ—h silly sleights sutteltie that all the awdience might wonder at the weaknes of his corrage the enemies clapping them selues in sauegard gaue an occasion to our men to loâ—s no further tyme about remediles matters For ther could nothing gro on this busines at that season but cold â—aer skyrmishes neyther honorable nor worthy the tarrieng for as by tryall fell out afterwardes Theas things ended
I haue spoke and sped in matters small By helpe of him that hath my Verses all But farre God wot I am from that I seeke And misse the marke that many men do hit Wherfore salâ— tears do trickle downe the cheeke And hart doth feele full many a wofull fit And so aside in sollem sorrow sit As one in deede that is forsaken cleane Wher most he doth deserue and best doth meane No matter now though ech man march tread On him that hates the life he beares about Yet such as shall these heauy Verses read Shall finde I blame my fortune out of dout But sens on hope no better hap will sprout I yeild to death and vpward lift the minde Where lothsome life shall present comfort finde Sens hope can haue no hony from the Hiue And paines can plucke no pleasure for his toile It is but vaine for weery life to striue And streatch out time with torment and tormoile Get what we can death triumphes oer the spoile Than note this well though we win neer so mitch When death tacks al we leaue a mizer ritch To liue and lacke is doble death in deede A presente death exceeds a lingring woe Sens no good hap in youth did helpe my neede In age why should I striue for Fortune soe Old years are come and haests me hens to goe The tâ—me draws on I hate the life I haue When hart shall breake my griefe shall ende in graue Should I seeke life that finds no place of rest Ne sotle nor seate to shroude me from the ayre When cramping colde be clipps my carefull brest And dollor driues my hart in deepe dispayre For such foule dayes darke death is wondrous fayre As good to make the skrawlling worms a feast As pleas y world wher mischiefe maks her neast Hie time it is to haest my carkas hens Youth stoole awaye and felt no kinde of ioye And age he laft in trauell euer sens The wanton dayes that made me nice and coye Wear but a dreame a shadoe and a toye Sith slaurye heer I finde and nothing els My hoem is thear wher soule in freedome dwels In warrs and woe my yeers aer waested clean What should I see if lordly lief I led I loek in glas and finde my cheeks so lean That eury owre I do but wishe mee ded Now back bends downe forwards faulls the hed And hollow eyes in wrinckled brow doth shrowd As though two stars wear creping vnder clowd The lipps waxe cold and loeks both pael thin The teeth fawlls out as nutts forsoek the shaell The baer bald head but shoes whear hear hath bin The liuely ioynts waxe weery stiffe and staell The reddy tongue now folters in his taell The wearishe face and tawny collour shoes The corraeg quaills as strength decayes and goes The sweete delites are dround in dulled minde The gladsome sports to groning sighes are bent The frisking lims so farre from frame I finde That I â–ª forthincke the time that youth hath spent But when I way that all these things wear lent And I must pay the earth her dutie throw I shrincke no whit to yeld these pleasures now Had I possest the giftes of Fortune heer A house a wyfe and children therewithall And had in store to make my frendes good cheer Sutch commoÌ„ things as neighbours haue at call In such dispayre perchaunce I would not fall But want of this and other lackes a skore Bids me seeke death and wishe to liue no more Yet for to beare a peece of all my woes And to impart the priuie pangs I felt From countrie soile a sober wife I choes In mine owne house with whom I seldom dwelt When thousandes slepte I waekt I swet I swelt To compas that I neuer could attaine And still from hoem abroed I brack my braine The thatcher hath a cottage poore you see The sheppard knoes where he shal sleepe at night The daily drudge from cares can quiet bee Thâ—s Fortune sends some rest to eurye wight So borne I was to house and lande by right But in a bagg to Court I brought the same From Shrews brye towne a seate of auncient fame What thinkes my frindes that thear behind I laft What fault finds she that gaue me lief and suck O courting fien thou art to cold a craft The Carter haeth at hoem much better luck Well well I saye a due all worldly muck Ne howse nor land we bear away I knoe I naked cam and naked hence must goe The greatest kyng must pas the self saem way Our daye of byrth and buriall are alike Their ioye their pompe their wealth and rich araye Shall soen consuem like snow that lies in dieck No bucklar serues when sodayn death doth striek As soen may coem a poer mans soule to blys As may the rich or greatest Lord that is Well ear my breath my body doe forsaek My spreet I doe bequeath to God aboue My bookes my skrowls and songs that I did maek I leaue with frindes that freely did me loue To flyring foes whoe 's mallice did me moue I wyshe in haest amendment of their wayes And to the Court and courtiars happy dayes My fortuen straunge to straungers doe I leaue That strangly can retain such straung mishap To such as still in world did me disseaue I wyshe they may bewaer of such lyk trap To sclaundrous tongues that kyld me with their clap I wyshe moer rest than they haue gyuen me And bles thoes shreaws that corst and crabbed be To such as yet did neuer pleasuer man I giue those ryems that nyps the gawlled back To such as would do good and if they can I wyshe good luck long lief and voyd of lack To currysh karls a whyp and collyars sack And to the proud that stands vpon their braus A waynskot face and twenty crabtree staues To surly syers that scorns the meaner sort A nightcap foord with Foyns I them bequeath To such as skowll at others good report And sets much stoer by their owne paynted sheath In sien of luck I giue a willowe wreath To such as aer vnnaemd and merits mutch The stoen I leaue that tries the gold by tutch To gentill race with good conditions ioynd I wyshe moer ioy than man imagin maye And sens for pooer I haue no money coynd God graunt them all a mery mariage daye To such as doth delyte in honest playe I wyshe the gold that I haue lost thearby And all the wealth I want befoer I dye Now frends shack hands I must be gon my boyes Our myrth taeks end our triumph all is don Our tykling talk our sports and myrry toyes Do flyed away lyke shadow of the Son Another coms when I my race haue ron Shall passe the tyme with you in better plyt And finde good cause of greater things to wryt FINIS A DISCOVRSE HOVV vertue seames to sleape and Iustice is euer awaken WHen vertue layd her down to slepe and would