The Duke of Hereford was the one a prudent Prince and wise 'Gainst whom such malice there was sâown which soon in sight did rise The Duke of Norfolk most untrue declared unto the King The Duke of Hereford greatly grew in hatred of each thing UUhich by his Grace was acted still against both high and low Now he had a traytorous will his State to overthrow The Duke of Hereford then in haste was sent for to the King And by the Lords in order plac'd examin'd of each thing UUho â ing guiltless of this crime which was against him laid ãâã Duke of Norfolk at that time these words unto him said How can'st thou with a shameless face deny a truth so stout And here before his Royal Grace so falsly face it out Did not these wicked treasons pass when we together were How that the King unworthy was the Royal Crown to hear Wherefore my gracious Lord quoth he and you his Noble Peers To whom I wish long life to be with many happy years I do pronounce before you all this treacherous Lord that 's here A traytor to our Noble King as time shall shew it clear The Duke of Hereford hearing that in mind was grieved much And did return this answer flat which did Duke Norfolk touch The term of traytor truthless Duke in scorn and great disdain With flat distance to thy face I do return again And therefore if it please your Grace to grant me leave quoth he To Combat with my known Foe that here accuseth me I do not doubt but plainly prove that like a perjur'd Knight He hath most falsly sought my shame against all truth and right The King did grant this just request and did there with agree At Coventry in August next this Combat fought should be The Dukes on sturby Steebs full stout in Coats of Steel most bright With Spears in Rests did enter Lists this Combat flerce to fight The King then east his Warden down commanding them to stay And with his Lords he councel took to stint that mortal fray At length unto these Noble Dukes the King of âeraulds came And unto them with losty speech this Sentence did proclaim Sir Henry Bullingbrook this day the Duke of Hereford here And Thomas Maubry Norfolk Duke so valiant did appear And having in honourable sort repaired to this place Our Noble King for special cause hath altered thus the case First Henry Duke of Hereford e're fifteen days be past Shall part the Realm on pain of death while ten years space doth last And Thomas Duke of Norfolk thou that hath begun this strife And therefore no good proof can bring I say for term of life By judgement of our Soveraign Lord which now in place doth stand For evermore I vanish thee out of thy Native Land Charging thee on pain of death when fifteen days are past Thou never tread on English ground so long as life doth last Thus were they sworn before the King e're they did further pass The one should never come in place whereas the other was Then both the Dukes with heavy hearts was parted presently Their uncouth streams of froward chance of forreign Lands to try The Duke of Norfolk coming then where he should Shipping take The bitter tears fell down his cheeks and thus his moan did make Now let me sigh and sob my fill e're I from hence depart That inward pangs with speed may burst my sore afflicted heart Ah cursed man whose loathed life is held so much in scorn Whose Company is clean despis'd and left as one forlorn Now take thy leave and last adieu of this thy Country dear Which never more thou must behold nor yet approach it near Now happy should I account my self if death my heart had torn That I might have my Bones Entombd where I was bred and born Or that by Neptunes wrathful rage I might be prest to dye Whilst that sweet Englands pleasant banks did stand before mine eye How sweet a scent hath English ground within my senses now How fair unto my outward sight seems every Bâanch and Bough The fields and flowers the trees and stones seem such unto my mind That in all other Countries âuâe the like I shall never find O that the Sun with shining face would stay his steed by strength That this same day might stretched be to twenty years in length And that the true peâformed Lyve their hasty course would stay That Eolus would never yield to bear me hence away That by the fountain of my eyes the fields might watered be That I might grave my grievous Plaints upon each springing tree But time I see with Eagles wings so swift doth flie away And dusky Clouds begin to dim the brightness of the day The fatal hour it draweth on the winds and tydes agree And now sweet England oversoon I must depart from thee The Marriners have hoised Sails and call to catch me in And now in woful heart I feel my torments to begin Wherefore farewel for evermore sweet England unto thee But farewell all my Friends which I again shall never see And England here I kiss thy ground upon my bended knee Whereby to shew to all the world how dearly I love thee This being said away he went as Fortune did him guide And at the length with grief of heart in Venice there he dy'd The Noble Duke in doleful sort did lead his life in France And at the last the mighty Lord did him full high advance The Lord of England afterwards did send for him again While that King Richard at the Wars in Ireland did remain Who brought the vile and great abuse which through his deeds did spring Deposed was and then the Duke was truly Crowned King FINIS 8. The noble Acts of Arthur of the Round Table To the Tune of Flying Fame When Arthur first in Court began and was approved King By force of Arms great Victories won and conquest home did bring Then into Brittain straight he came where fifty good and able Knights then repaired unto him which were of the Round Table And many Justs and Turnaments before them that were drest Where valiant Knights did then excel and far surmount the rest But one Sir Lancelot du lake who was approved well He in his fights and deeds of arms all others did excell When he had rested him a while to play to game and sport He thought he would to try himself in some adventurous sort He armed rode in Forrest wide and met a Damsel fair Who told him of adventures great whereto he gave good ear Why should I not quoth Lancelot tho for that cause I came hither Thou seem'st quoth she a Knight right good and I will bring thee thither Whereas the mighty King doth dwell that now is of great fame Therefore tell me what Knight thou art and then what is your Name My name is Lancelot du Lake quoth she it likes me than Here dwells a Knight that never was e're
thâre should be made If to thy house I should ââsort A nigât or two for Pâincelâ sport Hereat the Earl shew'd countenance glad Though in his heart he was full sad Saâing your Gâace shall welcome be If so your Grace will honour me UUhen as the ãâã appointed was Before the King did thitheâ pasâ The Earl before hand did prepare The Kings coming ââ declare And with a countenaâcâ ãâ¦ã âe call'd his Lady unto âim Saying with sad and ãâã hear I pray you when the âing comes here Sweet Lady as you ãâã me Let your attire but homely he Nor wash not thou thy Angels face But so âhy Beauty ãâã disgrace Thereto thy gâesture so eâe It may seem loathsoâe to the ãâã For if the King should there behold Thy glorious Beauty so ertol'd Then shall my life sâon âhortned be For my deserts and treachery UUhen to thy Father first â came Though I did not declare the âame Yet was I put in trust to bring The joyful tydings to the King Who for thy glorious beauty seen Did think of thee to make âis ãâã But when I had thy person found Thy beauty gave me such a wound No rest nor comfort could I take Till you sweet Love my griâf did ââke And that though Duty charged me Most faithful to my Lord to be Yet Love upon the other side Bid for my self I should provide Then for my suit and ãâã âhown At length I won you for my âwn And for my Love in Weâlock spent Your choice you need no whit repent Then since my grief I ââve exprest Sweet Lady grant me my râquest Good words she gave with smiling chear Musing of that which she did heââ And casting many things in mind Great fault therewith she sâeâd to find But in her self she thought it ââame To make that foul which God did frâme Most costly Robes full rich therefore In bravest sort that day she wore Doing all that e're she might To set her beauty forth to sight And her best skill in every thing She shew'd to entertain the King Wherefore the King so snared was That reason quite from him did pass His heart by her was set on ââre He had to her a great desire And for the looks he gave her then For every look she shewed him ten UUherefore the King perceived plain His Love and looks were not in vain Upon a time it chanced so The King he would a âunting go And as they through â wood did riâe The Earl on Hârâeâback ãâã hiâââde For so the story telletââlaiâ That with a shaft the Earl was ãâã So that when he had lost his life He took the Lady unto wise UUho Married her all harm to shun By whom he did begeâ a ââon Thus he that did the King deceive Did by deâert his death receive Then to conclude and make an ând Be true and faithful to thy friend FINIS 4. How Coventry was made free by Godina Countess of Chester To the Tune of Prince Arthur died at Ludlow LEofricus that Noble Earl of Chester as I read Did for the City of Coventry many a Noble deed Great Privilidges for the town this Noble man did get And of all things did make it so That they Tole-free did âât Save only that for Horses still and did somâ Custom pay UUhich was gâeat ãâã unto the town full long and many a ãâã UUherefore âis wife ãâ¦ã did of the Earl requeââ That therefore he would make it freâ as well as all the rest So when she long had sued her purpose to obtain Her Noble Lord at length she look within a pleasant vein And unto him with smiling chear sâe did forthwith procââd Entreating greatly that he would perform that Godly deed You move me much my fair quoth he your suit I fain would shun But what will you perform and do to have this matter done UUhy any thing my Lord quoth sâe you will with reason crâve I will perform it with good will if I my wish might have If thou wilt grant the thing he said what I shall now require As soon as it is finished thou shalt have thy desire Command what you think good my Lord I will thereto agree On this Condition that the town for ever may be free If thou thy Cloaths strip off and here lay them down And at Noon-day on Horse-back ride stark naked through the the town They shall be free for evermore if thou wilt not do so âoâe Liberty thân now theââaâe â never will âestow The Lady at this strange demand was much abasht in mind And yet for to fulfil this thing she never a whit repin'd UUherefoâe to all âfficers of the town she sent That they perceiving her good will which for the weal was âent That on the day that she should ride all persons through the town Should keep their Houses shut their Doors and clap their windows doâââ So that no Creature young or old should in the Streets be seen Till she had ridden all about throughout the City clean And when the day of Riding âame no person did her see Saving her Lord after which time the town was ever set free FINIS 5. How the Dukes Daughter of Corââal being Married unto King Locrin was by him put away and a strange Lady whom he better Loved he Married and made her his Queen and how his Wife was avenged To the Tune of In Creete WHen Humber in his wrathful rage King Albanack in field had slain Those bloody brâââs for to aswage King Locrin then apply'd his pain And with a Host of Brittans sâout At length he found King Humber out At vantage great he met him then and with his Host beset him so That he destroy'd his warlike men and Humbers power did overthrow And Humber which for fear did âye Leapt into a River desperately And being Drown'd in the Deep he left a Lady there alive UUhich sadly did lamenâ and wâp for fear they should âer liâe deprââe But by her face that was so faiâ The King was caught in Cupids snare Ye took this Lady to his Love who secretly did keep her stâââ So that the Queen did quickly prove the King did bear ãâã small good wiââ UUhich though by weâlock late bââun He had by her a gallant Son Queen Guendoline was griev'd in mind to see the âing was altered so At length the cause she thanâ'd to find which brought her to most bitter woe For Estrild was his joy God-woâ By whom a Daughter he begât The Duke of Cornwal being dead the Father of that gallant Queen The King with Lust being overlaid his lawful wife he cast off clean UUho with her dear and tender âon For succour did in Cornwal run Then Locrin Crowned Estrild bright and made of her his lawful wife UUith her which was his hearts delight he thought to lead his life Thus Guendoâme as one forlorn Did hold her wretched life in scorn But when the Cornish men did know the great abuse she did
FINIS AS you came from the Holy Land of Walsingham Met you not with my true Love by the way as you came How should I know your true Love that have met many a one As I came from the Holy Land that have come that have gone She is neither white nor Brown but as the Heavens fair There is none hath a Form so Divine on the Earth in the Air Such a one did I meet good sir with Angel-like Face UUho like a Queen did appear in her Gate in her Grace She hath left me here all alone all alone and unknown UUho sometimes lov'd me as her life and called me her own UUhat's the cause she hath left thee alone and a new way doth take That sometime did love thee as her self and her joy did thee make I loved her all my youth but now am Old as you see Love liketh not the Falling Fruit nor the withered tree For Love is â careless Child and forgets Promise past He is blind he is not deaf when he ãâã and in Faith never fast For love is a great delight And yet a truââless joy he is won with a word of Despair And is lost with a Ioyâ such is the Love of Women-kind Or the word Love abused Under which many childish desires and Conceits are excused But Love is a durable fire in the mind ever burning Never Sick never Dead never Cold from it self never turning 4. The Winning of Cales LOng had the proud Spaniard advanced to conquer us Threatning our Country with Fire and Sword Often preparing their Navy most sumptuous With all the Provision that Spain could afford Dub a dub dub thus strikes the Drums Tan-ta-ra-ra tan-ta-ra-ra English men comes To the Seas presently went our Lord admiral With Knights Couragious and Captains full good The Earl of Essex a prosperous General With him prepared to pass the Salt Flood Dub a dub c. At Plymouth speedily took their Ships ââtiantiy Braver Ships never were seen under sail With their fair Colours spread and Streams o're their head Now braging Spaniards take heed of your Tayl. Dub a dub c. Unto Cales runningly came we most happily UUhere the King's Ruby did secretly Ride Being upon their backs pierceing their Buts of Sack E're that the Spaniard our coming discry'd Tan ta-ra-ra-ra English-men tymes bounce-abounce bounce-abounce Off went the Guns Great was the crying running and riding UUhich at that season was made in that place Then Beacons was fired as need was required To hide their great treasure they had little space Alas they cryed English-men comes There you might see the Ships how they were fired fast And how the men drowned themselves in the Sea That you might hear them cry wail and weep piteously UUhen as they saw no shift to escape thence away Dub a dub c. The great Saint Phillip the pride of the Spaniards UUas burnt to the bottom and sunk into the Sea But the Saint Andrew and eke the Saint Matthew UUe took in Fight manfully and brought them away Dub a dub c. The Earl of Essex most Ualiant and hardy UUith Horse-men and Foot-men marcht towards the Town The enemies which saw them full greatly affrighted Did fly for their Safe-guard and burst not come down Dub a dub c. Now quoth the Noble Earl Courage my Souldiers all Fight and he Ualiant the spoyl you shall have And well rewarded all from the great to the ãâã But look that the Women and Children you save Dub a dub c. The Spaniards at that ãâã Saw 't was in vain to ãâã Hung up their Flags of ãâã yielding up the town We marcht in presently decking the Walls on hiââ With our English Colours which purchased Renown Dub a dub c. Entring the ãâ¦ã of the âichest men For Gold and treaââââ we searched each day In some places we ãâ¦ã âyes baking in the ãâã Meat at the fire Roasting and men ran away Dub a dub c. Full of rich Merchandize every Shop we did seâ Damask and Sattins and Velvet full fair âhich Souldiers measure out by the length of their Swoâds Of all Commodities and each one had a share Dub a dub c. Thus Cales was taken and our brave General Mârcht to the Market-place there he did stand There many Prisoners of good account were took Many crav'd Mercy and mercy they found Dub a dub c. When as our General saw they delayed time And would not ransom the Town as they said With their fair Mainsâots their Presses and Bedââeads Their Ioynt-stools and Tables a fire we made And when the Town ãâã in a ãâã With tan-ta-ra tan-ta ar-rat from thence we came 4. Of King Edward the Third and the fair Countess of Salisbury setting forth her constancy and endless glory WHen as Edward the third did live the valliant King David of Scotland to rebel did then begin The Town of Barwick suddenly from us he won And burnt Newcastle to the ground thus strife begun To Roxbury Castle marcht then And by the force of warlike men besieg'd therein a gallant fair Lady While that her Husband was in France His Countries honour to advance the Noble and Famous Earl of Salisbury Brave Sir William Montague rode then in haste Who declared unto the King the Scotish-mens âoast Who like a Lyon in a rage did straightway prepare For to deliver that fair Lady from woful care But when the Scotish-men did hear her say Edward our King was come that dây they raised their siege and ran away with speed So when thât he did ãâã come With warlike Trumpet âife and ârum none but a gallant Lady did him meet Who when he did with greedy eyes behold and see Her peerless beauty inthral'd his Majesty And ever the longer that he lookt the more he might For in her only beauty was his hearts delight And humbly then upon her knees She thankt his Royal Majesty that he had driven danger from her gate Lady quoth he stand up in peace Although my war doth now encrease Lord keep quoth she all hurt from âour âstate Now is the King full sadin soul and wots not why And for the love of the fair Countess of Salisbury She little knowing his cause of gâief did come to see Wherefore his Highness sat alone so heavily I have âeen wrong'd fair Dame quoth he Since I came hithed unto thâ no God ãâã my Sovâraign she said If I were worthy for to knâw The cause and ground of this your woe you should be helpt if it did lye in me Swear to perform thy word to me thou Lady gay To thee the sorrows of my heart I will bewray I swear by all the Saints in Heaven I will quoth she And let my Lord have no mistrust at all in me Then take thy self aââde he said For why thy beauty hath betray'd Wounding a King with thy âright shining eye If thou ââ then some mercy show Thou shalt expel a Princely woe so shall I live or
else in sorrow âye You have your ãâã my âoveraign Lord effectually Take all the leave that I can ãâã your Majesty But on thy Beauty all my ioys have their above Take thou my Beauty from my face my gracious Lord. Did'st thou not swear to grant my will All that I may I will fulâl then for my love let my true love be seen My Lord your speech I might reprove You cannot give to me your love for that belongs unto your Queen But I suppose your Grace did this only to try Whether a wanton Tale might tempt Dame Salisbury Nor from your self therefore my Liege my steps do stray But from your wanton tempting Tale I go my way O turn again my Lady bright Come unto me my hearts delight gone is the comfort of my âensive heart Yere comes the Earl of Warwick he The Father of this fair Lady my mind to him I mean for to impart âhy is my Lord and Soveraign King so griev'd in mind Because that I have lost the thing I cannot find What thing is that any graâious Lord which you have lost It is my ãâã which to near ãâã betwixt fire and frost Curst be that fire and frosttho That caused this your Highness woâ O Warwick thou ãâã wrong me very ãâã It is thy Daughter Noble Earl That Heaven-bright-Lamp that peerless Pearl which kills my heart yet do I her adore If that be all my gracious King that works your grief I will perswade the scoânful Dame to yield relief Never shall she my Daughter be if she refuse The Love and favour of a King may her excuse Thus ãâã Warwick went away And quits contrary he did say when as he did the beautâous Countess meet Well ãâã my Daughter quoth ââ A message I must do to thee our Royal King most ãâ¦ã thee greââ The King will dye lest thou to him do grant thy love To love my Husband love I would remove It is right Charity to love my Daughter dear But no true love so charitable for to appear His Greatness may hear out the shame But his kingdom cannot buy out the blame he craves thy love that may âereave thy life It is my duty to move this But not thy honesty to yield I wis I mean to dye a true unspotted Wife Now hast thou spoken my Daughter dear as I would have Charity bears a Golden Name unto the Grave And when to thy wedded Lord thou provest untrue Then let my bitter curses still thy soul pursue Then with a smiling chear go thou As right and reason doth allow yet shew the King thou bearest no Strumpets mind I go dear Father with a trice And by a slight of sine device I 'le cause the King confess that I am unkind Here comes the Lady of my life the King did say My Father bids me Soveraign Lord your will obey And I consent if you will grânt onâ boon to me I grant it thee my Lady fair what e'rest be My Husband is alive you know First let me kill him e're I go and at your command I will ever be Thy Husband now in France doth rest No no he lies within my breast and being so nigh he will my falââod seâ With that she started from the King and took her knife And desperately she thought to rid her self of life The King he started from the Chaiâ her hand to stay O noble King you have broke your word with me this day Thou that not do this deed quoth he Then never I will lye with thee âo then live still and let me bear the ãâã Live in honour and high estate With thy true Lord and wedded mate I never will attempt this suit again 5. The Spanish Ladies love to an English Gentleman WIll you hear a Spanish Lady how she woo'oâm English-man Garments gay as rich as may be deckt with jewels had she on Of a comely countenance and grace was âhe And by Birth and Parentage of high degree As his priosâer there he kept her in his hands her life did lye Cupids hands did tye her faster by the likeing of her eye In his courteous company was all her joy To favour him in anything she was not coy At the last there raine commandment for to set the Ladies free With their Jewels still adoâned none to do thein injury Alas then said the Lady gay full woe is me O let me still sustain this kind captivity Gallant Captain shew some pitty to a Lady in distress Leave me not within the City for to dye in heaviness Thou hast set this present day my body free But my heart in prison strong remains with thee How should thou fair Lady love me whom thou know'st thy Countries Foe Thy fair words makes me susâect thee Serpents are where flowers grow All the evil I think to thee most gracious Knight God grant unto my self the same may fully light Blessed be the time and season that you came on Spanish ground If you may our Foes be termed gentle foes we have you found With our Cities you have won our hearts eath one Then to your Country bear away that is your own Rest you still most gallant Lady rest you still and weep no more Of fair Lovers there are plenty Spain doth yield a wondrous store Spaniards fraught with jealousse we often find But English-men throughout the world are counted kind Leave me not unto a Spaniard you alone enjoy my heart I am lovely young and tender Love is likewise my desert Still to serve thee day and night my mind is prest The wife of every English-man is counted blest It would be a shame fair Lady for to hear a woman hence English Souldiers never carry and such without offence I will quickly change my self if it be so And like a Page I 'le follow thee where e're thou go I have neither Gold nor Silver to maintain thee in this case And to travel 't is great charges as you know in every place My Chains and Jewels every one shall be thine own And eke five hundred pounds in Gold that lies unknown On the Seas are many dangers many storms doth there arise Which will be to Ladies dreadful and force tears from watry eyes Well in worth I could endure extremity For I could find in heart to lose my life for theâ Courteous Lady be contented here comes all that breeds the âârise I in England have already a sweet Woman to my wife I will not falsifie my vow for gold or gain Nor yet for all the fairest Dames that live in Spain O how happy is that woman that enjoys so true a friend Many days of joy God send you and of my suit I 'le make an end Upon my knees I pardon crave for this offence Which love and true affection did first commence Commend me to thy loving Lady bear to her this Chain of Gold And these Bracelets for a token grieving that I was so hold All my Jewels in like sort bear thou with thee For these are fitting for thy wife and not for me I will spend my days in prayer Love and all her laws defies In a Nunnery will I shrew me far from other Company But e're my Prayers hââe ãâã and be sure of this To pray for thee and for thy love I will not miss Thus farewel gentle Captain and farewel my hearts concent Count not Spanish Ladies wanton though to thee my love was bent Joy and true prosperity go still with thee The like fall ever to thy share most fair Lady 9. A Farewel to Love FArewel false Love the Oracle of lies a mortal foe an enemy to rest An envious Boy from whence great cares arise A bastard vile a beast with age possest A way for errour a tempest full of treason In all respects contrary unto reason A poysoned Serpent cover'd all with flowers Mother of sighs and Murtherers of repose A sea of sorrows whence run all such showers As moisture gives to every grieââ that grows A school of guile a nest of deep deceit A Golden hook that holds a poysoned ãâã A Fortress field whom reason did defend A Syrens song a server of the mind A Maze wherein affections find no end A raining cloud that runs before the wind A Substance like the shaddow of the Sun A Cole of grief for which the wisest run A quenchless fire a rest of trembling fear A path that leads to peril and mishap A true retread of sorrow and despair An idle Boy that sleeps in pleasures lap A deep mistrust of that which certain seems A hope of that which reason doubtful deems Then sith thy reign my younger years betray'd And for my Faith Ingratitude I find And such repentance hath the wrong bewray'd Whose crooked cause hath not been after kind False love go back and beauty frail adieu Dead is the root from which such fancies grew FINIS The lover by his gifts thinks to conquer chastity And with his gifts sends these verses to his lady What face so fair that is not crackt with gold What wit so worth that hath in gold his wonder What learning but with golden lines doth hold what state so high but gold could lying it under What thought so sweet but Gold doth better seafoâ And what rule better then the golden reason The ground was fat that yields the golden fruit The study high that sets the golden state The labour sweet that gets the golden suit The reckoning rich that scorns the Golden rate The love is sure that golden hoxe doth hold And rich again that serves the God of Gold FINIS The Womans Answer Foul is the face whose beauty gold can raft Worthless the wit that hath gold in her wonder Unlearned lines puts gold in Honours place Wicked the state that will to coin come under Base the Conceit that seasoned is with Gold And Beggers rule that such a reason hold Earth gives the gold but Heaven gives greater grace Men study wealth but Angels wisdom raise Labour seeks peace love hath an higher place Death makes the reckoning life is all my race The hope is here my hope of heaven doth hald God give me grace let Dives dye with gold FINIS