remaine Keeping estate whereby mens harts I won Largely I spent most like a Princes son In plentious fare bountifull and much King Edwards loue and lowance to me such His royall loue to me was passing rare Numbers thought I did deserue no lesse Courteous I aduisd and would not spare But liberall be fraught with temperatenesse Faire points of honor would I not disgresse Amongst braue Lords faire Ladies I esteemd Of great estates in gentle fauor deemd Foorth of the charter was except the land Saint Saluiour sir Godfrey Harecourts late Who Pollux like at Constantine did stand To his defence when slaine was euerie mate With weldie axe his stroke so heauie sate Not prowdest enemie durst sad blowes abide Till at the length two horsemen at him ride Inragd beare downe a knight most cheualrous Which stradling set his legs to stand more suer On surest leg and there dispiteous They beare him downe who fights whilst he may duer Liue still his praise and glory fresh in vre For wisdome and prooude skill in martiall facts No liuing knight one iote exceeds his acts With plainest difference of Earle Harcourts race In glorious red two golden bars did beare Daring gainst foe toth vtterance shew his face Which tride he was well woorthie armes to weare Amongst his foes that durst them noblie reare The home made knight that neuer ward in field Small title hath vnto a noble sheild In his past life his land he did behest To my good king and he to me it gaue Toth valiant Iohn of Fraunce he made request For his consent that I the same might haue He gently seald to what the king doth craue I it enioid well woorth in yeerely rent Of hundred franks fifteene which free I spent Most bountifully amongst soldiers bould To gallant men my purse was neuer closd Which caused that as often as I would I had companions valiants lads disposd To warlike feats that strongest holds haue posd Sweet behauiour ioind to liberall hand Reasons I was with manly soldiers mand Braue Duke of Lancaster mars his Henrie dide Whilst I at Nyort kept so high estate Faire cosen Germaine to the king allide Good gentle Duke lamented was thy fate Mongst valiant knights thou nobly ledst of late When as thou didst with Darbie title raine As after when the Dukedome thou didst gaine In battelous Arms before the king of Fraunce Like Pallas knight thou entredst roiall list Gainst Brownswick Duke full bent to prooue the chaunce Of doubtfull combat the king cause why it mist Staid the euent great eithers losse he wist This Brownswick Duke tride strong champion bold Bare faire in red two lions passant gold True golden fame blacke death cannot defile Glistering honor buds from dustie graue Ech noble Lord that beareth glorious stile Spend must his life eternall praise to haue As thou high Duke didst honor euer saue Most mightie God let England neuer want Such noble Lords true honor seeke to plant In England cause the prince kept princely port Most like himselfe the counsell thoughten best Int ' Acquitaine that he should make resort Partly for that the Gascoins do request His presence and reuenewes largely rest His noblenes right noble to vphold And Gascoin Lords desier that he would Repasse the seas he answereth their desiers Once landed carefull I to meet him well Accompaned with knights and youthfull squiers On coursers mounted decked euerie sell And receiuing him at warlike Rochell We thence attended vnto Poycters towne As reason wild and dutie had vs bowne Of Acquitaine I Cunstable was ordaind High honors giuen and feastings to me made Continually his fauor more I gaind Through enterprises of account I wade Noble exploits I end by skilfull trade Which plaisd him so as he loude me euer Bicause in honor still I do perseuer Peter of Lusignon King of Cypresse I le Made means to all the Kings of Christendome From iarring discord to abstaine a while Helpe to repulse the miscreants late come Their borders neere and much of neighbors wone Had been in Italie France and Almaine In Flaunders England came to Acquitaine Not when swift fame had pierced hautie skies Admetus praise which made Apollo bowe Downe from estate to view with leeuing eies His bountifulnes which seen made him alowe So well of it and further did avowe Fame sparing was yet suer my Prince exceeds The praises of Admetus lib'rall deeds For when he hard of this strange kings ariue He sent me foorth with knights accompaned In gentlenes could with right courteous striue At kings first entrance he saw well placed Fortie knights so many squiers faced All for the honor of Lady Princes Faire was the iusts ech prooued blamles More signe of loue more shew of princelie power Rare welcoms giuen fine curtesies withall Of curtesie sweete prince a pearles flower Nor wandring king did neuer see nor shall More store of knights in earthly regents hall The prince me will to take him to my guide Him plesaunce shew in his dominions wide A vermile crosse the Cyprian king still wore For holy voyage he had vndertake Against the Turke his soueraign to adore In glorious Arms a partie prince to make He wild and found to no good seruice slake Our loued prince departed well content Great intercourse of loues betwixt them blent Thus hauing been most kindly intertaind By me and stout sir Thomas Phelton much Sir Neal Loring sir Simon Basset daind Him well to treat sir Baldwine Frâ—uile such His kindnes shewd as spite could not but gruch To see the like he safely went his way The principalitie through I him conuay King Iohn of Fraunce into England past Braue king faire queen gay nobles for to see Through true firme loue which doth eternall last Wher 's fained loue small iars remembred be No vertues more in phear of high degree Than were resiant in this soueraine Whose woorthie praises euer may remaine Bloodie parcas what meanest thou to sheare His vitall twine so woorthie longer life Canst thou pale malice such priuly vertues beare Than bluntest coulter duller be thy knife Amongst best things thou mischiefe euer rife But mightie God oft takes away the best For our bad sins or for to ease his blest Whilst this good king in England made his stay Him sicknes tooke with sharpe incresment sore And strong oppresment at Sauoy where he lay Death doth approch then flesh can breath no more His losse king Edward greatly doth deplore From England Parris to stately tombe conueid And Charls his sonne the Regall scepter sweid Oh vading flower why flatterest thou thy selfe In pompeous seat of mightie maiestie Fraile honors titles or foule wasting pelfe Forgetting great eternall dignitie Scorneth mightiest earthly Imperie What low inferior fears of you amisse That high superior threts againe ywis Sir Iohn Montfort in th'aprill of his youth Gay Arms gan weld and with successe begon In Britton to sir Charls of Bloys his ruth This faire new knight was that braue Countesse sonne Of whom
I spake Bloys hearing what was don By him and how he sieged strong Alroy And with sharpe war the countrie doth destroy Told king Charls who aiding cosen Bloys Sent sir Bertram Glesquine who doth intreat Knights such he knew of whom he had good choyse Him to assist in ventrous warlike feat Sir Bertrams praises now were waxen great King Charls him had in reuerence and account In praisfull vertues cause he doth surmount Yoong Earle Mountfort of their assemblie hard Seald letters into Acquitaine doth send To some good knights telling how he fard Especially he writ to me his frend Willing my presence helpfull to defend His heritage I soone agreed to go If my good prince would say it should be so I licence craue for this departaunce If that thereby I might not breake the peace The prince said no breach and releasaunce Gaue vnto me and others who not cease Him to beseech my numbers to increase Through Xanton Poyictow I passe vnto Alroy Friendly welcomd with no little ioy Of Earle Iohn and many a valiant knight Accouting all themselues in safetie now So long as me amongst them haue they might My counsaile their opinions so allow And t was not long ear some plaine told hus how Sir Charls Bloys accompaned doth aduaunce In best appoint that hath been seene in Fraunce And faste approcht which newes when so I knew I placed me where comming I behold A seemely band as eie did euer vewe And goodly dight as hart desier cold Oftlie returning vnto freends I told That I had seene of noblenes the flower For discipline in ordring of a power One cannot cast a gloue from off his hand But it on Launce will or on basnet light So properly in order plast they stand Their leader is a Lord of great insight They haue vs taught our battails soone to dight My friends then said sir you our Chieftaine are Please you command and all we will prepare Though yoong Earle were soueraine in the place To Martiall buisnesses yet I tend By princely letters from King Edwards grace To me he wild the Earldome to defend Heedy for this my time here well to spend Three battails then I ordred with good hast And in the first sir Robert Canole plast Lord of Duriuall hardie Britton borne Sir Oliuer Clisson the next doth guide Whom Lion white in red crownd doth adorne The third fresh Earle with whom my selfe abide Him well t' aduise for doute what might betide Reregard of fiue hundred men I made To sir Hugh Caueley these few words I said Sir knight this companie I appoint to you Withdraw your selfe and chuse some peece of ground From thence not buge vnlesse you plainly vewe Vs to disrout then hasting in that stound Vs reunited to place retier you round Lately left there tending like do stay More better seruice can no man do this day When stout sir Hue all hard my speeches passe Right shamefast waxt and thus in haste replide Such charge to take he neuer minded was With feruent words flatlie the same denide Halfe angrie asking what weaknes I espide In bodie his with foremost not to fight Willing the gifter to some other wight Aduisedly to him I answered Your valour sir I passing tried know Your high desiers I throughly measured Strong ablenes to fight in foremost row Bicause right sage and wise your selfe I know This charge I giue wishing you that place In which you shall acquier thankefull grace With honor and applause amongst the best And furthermore I faithfull promise giue To you sir knight to grant the first request You shall demaund if that Iohn Chandos liue My rightfull treating herein do not depriue This noble soldier too kt still in dispite He might not in the front of battaile fight Whose setled minde to see well neare I weepe Him to that passe it commen was I told He or my selfe the reregard must keepe Which better was allow his iudgement should Confusd he staid yet take the charge he would For which salt teares distill from manly eies Departs to ground that fittest he espies A Baron rich in Britton there did dwell Lord Beumanoyr a prisoner safely sworne Vs English too which thought he might do well Spending his time fell strife might out be worne To passe between of both sides was he borne By his spent trauell so much he brought to pas As one whole day and night of truce there was Gay Phoebus lodgd faire Luna prest in place Our English soldiers most requested me Largely telling the poorenes of their case With much expence that I should not agree To peace determined to win or die By battaile to whom I easely giue consent As one thereto by inclination bent Chast Cynthia gon Aurora blushed Lord Beumanoyr betime was stirring From his campe toward vs his footings sped In hope to speed I soon departing We salued at our first incountring He wild I would indeuor to accord These parties for the goodnes of our Lord. Contrarie to his iust desiering I answered good sir of Beumanoyr I counsell that you haste retiering From whence you came our companies deuoyr Is you t' inclose and slaie as destroier Of their desiers they so hate talke of peace Therefore herein your best is for to ceace And furthermore tell to sir Charls of Bloys Earle Iohn this day will Duke of Britton be Or slaine abide shunning other choise When this rich Baron hard these words of me Said Chandos Chandos as good will as yee Or your yoong Lord my Lord hath to the fray Calme peace yet offereth if you said not nay We both depart and both to friends returne I scarcely ariud Earle Mountfort asked What newes for he in longing thoughts doth burne I told him now that he was hardly tasked But fairest truth I fouliest masked Lord Beumanoyr hath sent you word by me This day your foe will Duke of Britton be Or else this day he will not breath at all Which message told he colour seemd to change Willed t' aduance and streight to battell fall T' inflame his courage I from truth did range Somwhat to make the matter seeme more strange I said aduise whether you will fight or leaue Yes by Saint George our banner forward heaue Lord Beumanoyr his answer likewise framd Saying he had the prowdest langage hard Of me that euer erst foorth to Bloys he namd What were my words but more he plain declard How that all right I said clean him debard From truest title to great dukedome quite He doth reply God knowes whose is the right The Ermine banners of the dukedome right Were placed ech gainst other orderly To see braue Lords vnder their pennons dight All beat with Arms bedecked properly So feateously both battels beautify As to the gaser well it might appeere That all the Vallewer in the world was heere As raging tides about some Ilsland meet In stredned channell forced by a prime With like incounter both our battels greet Like bustling rage was shewed at
sacerdoti vt tollat Thuribula quae iacent in incendio ignem huc illucque dispergat c. produc atque ea in laminas affigat altari c. vt cernant ea pro signo monimento filij Israel Also in the booke of Iosua I finde these words Et ait Iosue ad eos ite ante arcam Domini Dei vestri ad Iordanis medium portate inde singuli singulos lapides in humeris vestris iuxta numerum filiorum Israel vt sit signum inter vos quando interrogauerint vos filij vestri cras dicentes quid sibi volunt isti lapides Respondebitis defecerunt aquae Iordanis ante arcam foederis Domini cum transiret eum idcirco positi sunt lapides isti in monimentum filiorum Israel vsque in aeternum And for the disposing of heritages it is written thus Homo cum mortuus fuerit absque filio ad filiam eius transibit haereditas si filiam non habuerit habebit successores fratres suos quod si fratres non fuerint dabitis haereditatem fratribus patris eius sin autem nec patruos habuerit dabitur haereditas his qui ei proximi sunt Eritque hoc filijs Israel sanctum lege perpetua sicut praecepit Dominus Moysi And for the collection of Genealogies thus saith God to Moyses and Eleasar Numerate omnem summam filiorum Israel à viginti annis suprà per domos cognationes suas cunctos qui possunt ad bella procedere c. Ruben primogenitus Israel huius filius Henoch à quo familia Henochitarum Phallu à quo familia Phalluitarum Hesron à quo familia Hesronitarum And for a further proofe of the recording of Genealogies it is to be considered how diligently the same hath beene obserued through the whole course of the Scriptures as the descents from Adam to Noe and from Noe to Abraham c. do sufficiently testifie And more that with the spirit of truth the Genealogie of Christ our Sauiour and redeemer as concerning his humanitie is also by the writing of his holie Euangelistes most plainelie and sincerely remembred and set downe All these things being therefore by the Scriptures of God and decider of all controuersies prooued and declared Your Lordships may see that the bearing of Armes raising and aduauncing of Standerds Banners and Ensignes vsing of obsequies erecting of moniments enroling and regestrings of pedegrees and descentes haue ioyned to the auncient customes and Lawes both of this Land and all other nations the authoritie of Gods word being very well accompanied with discretion reason and iudgement for God hauing by his sacred institution ordeined Kingdomes Prouinces and Seignories and that ouer them Kings Princes and Magistrates shall commaund rule and gouerne his people to the ende chiefely that his heauenly kingdome may be replenished with the blessed soules of his seruants for the instructing whereof he hath also ordeined his holy Church and the Bishops pastors and ministers of the same which Bishops and other spirituall officers cannot so well enforme his Christan people without the aid of the said Kings and temporall Lords neither can they gouerne their particular Countries either from the inuasion of outward tyrants or inward rebels but through the vse of their sword of iustice which sword cannot be exercised against vnruly persons being of strength wanting men skilful in Martiall Discipline who cannot manage those affaires but by meane of the aforesaid Armes and ensignes in maner as before I haue more largly expressed And in like sort as Princes great Lords Iudges Magistrates and Gouernors do vse to weare sacred Robes of gold purple scarlet and other ornaments and apparell not to take pride in or for any vaine ostentation or show but onely that they may be distinguished from the inferior people to the end that a reuerent regard may be had of them in respect of the high office which vnder God here on earth they beare And as these things no man of any reason will gainsay so I see not but as wel may their iust vertues and good gouernment be remembred with funerals obsequies and moniments after their decease whereby such as succeed in gouernment may also be had in more high estimation and a faire example is thereby giuen them to imitate the regiment of their predecessors Likewise doth the registring of descents carrie with it reason ioined to authoritie and custome for as by Gods lawe there is commanded a priuiledge of enheritance to the first begotten of Israell and so for want of sonnes to the females and from them to others answerable to the proximitie of their blood and kindred which with our lawes of this land and of most nations do concur and agree it doth well stande with peacefull gouernment for the auoiding of contentions which may rise for want of records to testifie the truth of mens titles to their enheritances that Genealogies and Pedegrees should be enrolled and kept in remembrance I haue my good Lords stood the longer vpon this point for that of late traueling through some countries of this Land and hauing a desire to see the moniments of antiquitie which haue remained in such places as I passed by for which cause as otherwise I many times resorted to Churches and other houses to satisfie my affection I found that many moniments both of burials and in glasse were so broken and defaced that vneth may be had any knowledge what the fragments remaining did signifie and enquiring of the inhabitance how it came to passe that those things were so blemished they made report that certaine persons delighting as may seeme in noueltie for they can abide no marke of antiquitie had defaced the same These men that take vpon them to be reformers whose desires are great through the singularitie pride they haue in their owne wits and vnderstandings weening themselues to be very wise where indeed they are verie simple and onely looke but into the abuses of things and do not see into the grounds depth of the reasons and causes for which good ordinances were made go about to finde faults where many times none are but if peraduenture they hap to finde an ordinance well made misused then streight neuer seeke they to reforme the abuse but by their wils downe goeth ordinance and all such is their insolencie rashnes and want of iudgement It were well done therefore my good Lords and I could wish that your Honors hauing somtimes accesse to hir Maiestie and oftentimes conference with my Lords of hir priuie Councell should enforme hir Highnes and their Honors of the said abuses committed and to be thereby a meane that these simple fellowes taking vpon them to be reformers might be reformed themselues and both kept from destroieng of good ordinances and be punished for their offences in that behalfe committed In the meane time yet shall I desire that Honorable personages will looke better to the moniments of their
rage of wars alaie For where but late the trembling mother cride Dreading hir babe in safetie doth she plaie None carefull now their treasures close to hide None watcheth now for doubt what may betide Britton but now with bluddie wars did rage And now faire concord doth all furie swage Now doth weare the great Castilian Crowne Dan Peter whose extremest rage was such As on him all his chiefest nobles frowne And vulgar commons at his doing gruch Some said his deeds whole Christendome did tuch The Pope the French and Arragon agree Him to depose and Henrie plast to be And for that cause the foresaid states do pay Sir Bertram Glesquins ransome vnto me For hundred thousand franks I said not nay From his gagd fiaunce cleere I set him free These states request me into their iorney As one to rule and speciall roume to beare I flat refusd my liking was not there Yet certaine of my princes knights did go When these troups assembled were in Spaine They thirtie thousand soldiers were and mo When ech considered the euill raine Of Peter and the nobles he had slaine They him depose and Henrie do adorne As king although Alphonsus bastard borne Thus he possest bestoweth right largelie And soldiers bountifull him account To Siuile citie first in haste doth flie Forsaken king thence to high sea doth mount Accompaned with Dan Casters in count Faithfull knight to Galitia ward amaine Making saile there of one castle faine Called Coulone on craggie cliffe strong plast Distressed selfe welth children and treasure There doubting staid sent trustie knight in haste T'acquitain with letters shewing the seasure Of bastard Henries wrongfull displeasure Vnto my Prince who thought too hard euent Was falne on him and too sharpe punishment Spitefull Fortune great enimie to those Of high degree what pastime canst thou take Through turning times thy selfe so to dispose Of mightie king meane fugitiue to make But peeuish selfe thou all men wilt forsake To highest things peasd leuell dost thou ame At sharpest fals thou makest sporting game A king but late vnto whose onely becke Whole Castile bowd liues like a prisner pend Dares not appeere for feare of too great checke And stateliest troupes of nobles with attend Remayns one knight like sad AEneas frend Large countries late obeid his bending will And now possest but barren basest hill The Prince cald me these letters in his hand And braue sir Thomas Phelton speedilie In most princely fauor we highly stand Sir Knights quoth he strange news is come to me Which vnto you shall soone imparted be Which don he wild as was his vsage Our opinions to so great voyage Then presently a parlement was cald To which repaird the noble Gascoine knights Arminack Gomigines Dalbreth stald In highest rooms from hence four woorthie Wights T'england sent as reason wils of rights King Edward he our iourney doth allow Fresh Iohn of Gaunt to go with vs doth vow Without delay into Nauar were wild Sir Thomas Phelton and my selfe to fleet We so exploit with iourney labring hild As with the king at Pampelune we meet From loued prince him do we nobly greet He promisd be at Bayon by a day With courteous leaue we home returne our way Our prince dan Peter both do meet him there With parle much at last he condescends Hard passages to ope that straightest were For which dan Peter promisd for amends The Groine and countrie shoring that extends To Sauater and more a hundred thousand franks Thus he an aid toth prince and all his ranks The prince two heraulds doth dispatch with speed To Castile ward giuing his knights to kno The purposd war and what he had decreed His pleasure knowne they came king Henrie fro But why they part they little to him sho Then Caueley Dabscote and bold Huet was Gay sir Iohn Deuereux all thence do passe Companions some hard not so soone this newes Safe to returne much toiling they endure King Henrie closely vp all passage mewes In dangerous state remaine the most vnsure The prince doubted his enimies might allure Them to their wils which well twelue hundred were Of pyked men in welding shield or spere At th' entrie of Foix inclosd they stay And may not pas th'erle doth flat forbid Them t' enter in his countrie any way Most noble prince of message send me did Toth Earle of Foix and shew him he would rid Him of these men and that what harme they should His countrie do that he remend it would The Erle accords to their safe passage I chaffer so as them I wholie hier Mongst whom in wars full many a trustie gage All which one word would worke to my desier To busie prince I hastelie retier These waged soldiers do themselues deuide By companies toard Acquitaine they ride Toward Tholouse some their rediest iourney take At Mountabon the riuer seeke to passe Sir Guy Dazay and Earle of Narbone make Quick sommons and of soldiers gether a masse Sir Iohn Comes Mountabons captaine was The French toth towne sent courrors riding T' see if companions would be stirring Sir Iohn demaunds why thus in armors drest They came t' inuade the principalitie They chaffing said our enimies with you rest Whom we will rouse for their iniquitie Sir Iohn sir Iohn you know not curtesie If thus you harbour the pillers of the land Here be their foes will wake them out of hand Lords he replide heer be some men of war Into Montaubon lately entered That with my Lord the prince retained ar And him must serue as is indented Better vndoon than soon repented Aduise you well ere forward you proceed My princes frowns you haue good cause to dreed But when our men tride and aduenterous Threatning enimies plast before them see To hazard battell hard and dangerous They ment ordaining ech thing feateouslie Though pressing enimies far more numbers be Sir Iohn Comes his soldiers all armed Then to assist great need required Sir Perducas Dalbreth sir Robert Cheney Passe all before requesting safe they might Go by in peace the Frenchmen fierce denie Then suddenly terrible was the fight Back to the towne our men were beaten right Nandon of Begerant and Burg of Bertvell Had rid all night and came in time so well Vnto their aid as foes were take or slaine Rich prisoners were woon and fienced Vpon their faiths which lost our men there gaine For with their othes the Pope dispenced Wherof our captains to me complained And wild redresse in this they thoughten wrong To me of Arms the iudgement did belong To cipher plainly how braue Lords did cum gaily beseen with valiant numbers How Lord Dalbreth was countermand his sum Of thousand spears wherat he woonders Or else what lets peect buisnes sunders Or all winter t'shew the princes charge Where things past count asking recitall large With buisnes much we pearse into Nauare With toiling more some streights we got beand Which asperous foule and stiepâ—e doubtles are Mantled with snow was all
t'high mountaine land Horse nor man scarce on their feete might stand Our armie closd in three we do deuide That one might passe whilst other two abide On munday armd like youthfull Troyilus And fresh as he in all his iolitie As stirring weldie and as cheualrous As Chaucer makes him in felicitie Past Iohn of Gaunt and with him passed I Twelue hundred pensils vnder me remaine Wrought with my armes that glisteren on the plaine On twesday past our Hector princelie Spanish Peter and Charls king of Nauare Lewis Harcourt in barons dignitie Sir Thomas Phelton well drest for war His brother William of selfe had little care King of Malorques on wensday ouer came Accompaned with Lords of peereles fame Erle Arminak Dalbreth bold Gascoynes all Pomiers Gomigines and stout Mucident And of Buiff couragious capitall Lord Clisson and sir Robert Canol went Barnerdle Sall that was to scaling bent Of Rounceuauls we haue forsake the streights Which flieng Fame to bastard Henrie beits And more how we strong Sauatar had won Placed at the entrie into Spaine When storming king all hard what we had don He sommons forst and doth such numbers gaine Entring in armes into the open plaine Which newes foreriders to the prince haue tould Who saith the bastard valiant is and bould The cherefull trumpet soundeth to addres Fresh knights furbishen armors hastelie And many squiers to stirre vp hardines The noble prince doth knight immediatelie Some made the duke and some were made by me But th'ennimie battaile doth denie before Braue Frenchmen come in number fortie score Right warlike band which bold sir Bertram led And wise sir Arnole Cleped Dandrehen With heedie toiling wairie iourney sped At Spannish campe ariuing with their men It hapt vnto king Henries brethren when They new were come to ride our hoste to vew With the attempt some haples ouerthrew Strike fierce into the Canton where I set The watch I stirring they recoile with speed Returning they with both the Pheltons met Which foorth were rid to do some valiant deed With hundreds two well Armed for their need Sir Richard Cauton sir Hugh Hastings With other knights of faire proceedings These Spaniards six thousand were no lesse And when our English once they had espide Which little mountaine t' aue had in distresse With shooting ioy amaine they toard them ride Where many a skilfull feat of war was tride But in the end they were all take but one And he too rash doth lose himselfe alone For when he saw proud Spaniards placed In leueld plaine his sharp gleiue he taketh His hard resisting sheild he soone imbraced Towards the thickest speedie hast he maketh One stroke he dead then bright sword he shaketh So vigorously in his threatning hand And stroke and foynd and lasht whilst he might stand Armed he was in red most glorious Two Ermin Lions passant crowned gold With Scottish treasure diffrence spatious His brother and his friends the fight behold And saw his ending too aduenterous bold Raging furor fair knighthood doth confound Sir William Phelton brought dead to ground Spaniards of faire aduenture ioyious The leaders were king Henries bretheren Their iourney to their brother prosperous They glad declare shew prisoners taken Great thanks he gaue and residue threaten Soft stepped foorth a soldier bold and wise Praying the king heerin to take aduise Sir saue your grace your speech I not gain say But yonder 's armed manie a prooued knight As euer rangde in battelous affray Hardie in Arms and matchles in strong might If with stout prince you do assemble fight You l find no fliers what so ere betide Twixt life and death toth vntraunce thei le abide In reuerent sort vnto your grace I speake Abstain from war let fierce enimies be Contagious aire will make their strongest weake Your countrie left behind them shall you see They pincht with want it so will chaunce that we May fight with them who present are the flower Of cheualrie of wisdom and of power Marshall replide the king I so desier The princes power with good power to meet He shall not by my fathers soule retier Till him I do in ioined battell greet Seuen thousand I haue armed head and feet Of genetors full twentie thousand more And threescore thousand which haue truly swore Me not to faile therefore sir Arnole I A basht to be may seeme to haue no cause Stout willing numbers vowd haue with me to die Yet full six daies vpon these things they pause We forward come compeld by hungers lawse The swift riuer near to the groyne we passe Where as we find a better soile for grasse At entrance first when we approched Spaine King Henrie seald letter sent our Prince Requesting knowledge and the title plaine Why so with power he sought him to conuince The Herauld was retained euer since He came till now wherein seuen weeks spent Now backe by him his answer thus he sent That his true cosen he was come to aide In rightfull cause as iustice doth desier Therefore quoth he Earle Cristmer hauing waid Your great wrong thus to the Crowne t'aspier Am come in armes but yet I faire requier You both t' accord right king to haue the crowne Your selfe rich lands but if at this you frowne Then you chiefe cause of slaughter spoile and blood Which I God knowes am passing loth to shee l I wish you would well ponder of the good We offer and not trust th' uncertaine speed Of fickle chaunce so careles in hit heed Here rest your frends if that you say not nay Dated from Groyne in March the thirtith day This Herauld gon his letters red with all Sir Bertram said now shortly shall we haue A doo therefore O noble King let call Ech officer his charge to order braue The hawtie prince doth nought but battaile craue Replide the king I little do him dreed Good hope is of a furtherance to the speed Int ' three their fights the first sir Bertram lad Aduentrous French and strangers where with him Th'erls of Dancell and sanxes second had Greatly renowmed cause they late did win The third stout King martiall passing trim A hundred thousand the one and other were Right noblie seene before vp deckt appere As busie king pricketh from ranke to ranke Neerer Naueret we a little drew Where they behold vs raised on a banke From vnder which we all the vallies vew Couerd with helms whose banners some I knew Gainst me ear this reasd had they been and borne Taken and beat and all too peeces torne Sir Bertram Glesquine thimperiall egle bare In siluer gulie baston ouer all Sixe white spur rowels Dandrahen doth reare In field of red a checkered fes doth stall Of th'on and th' other colour then I call My banner for vproled I hit bring Vnto my Prince in presence Spanish king Beloued Lord behould my banner hear Vouchsafe the pains it to vnfould for me Graunting licence this day it vp to rear Thanks good Father yours
haue waid They thinke to vs no good I easly see But tole vs from the strength wherin we bee Suddenly back vnto his men he hide And fight he would whatseuer should betide And boldly spake such as my person loue Rest not behind with battelous glaue in fist He forward floong but when I saw him moue Of great presumption that deed I tooke and wist The knight too far the enimies meaning mist I frowning said he fights not without me Our foes in order swiftly turned be This English knight right brauely dealt his blowes Amongst the Brittons with couragious stower With mightie force he many ouerthrowes In haste I came to aid him with my power At first our foes do find their turning sower Saint George we cride our Ladie Glesquine they So fell and bitter gan this mortall frey Now when the battel 's strong assembled were Th'arch priest streight departed from the field Willing his men his banner on to bere And crie his cries as if his place he held Gainst me himselfe his Arms would neuer weld He promise kept well made to me before For which of treasons some accusd him sore Sir Iohn Ionel who first this fray began Payed for rashnes at too high a rate Mad furie that confoundest euery man Who wisdome wants thy raging to abate Doth oft too soone his error find too late When strength and blood and life and all is lost Purchast too deare the wit that so much cost Who wars doth vse must nought at all be greeud To haue the worse or conquerd be in field For he that triumphs most of all atcheeud Hath eftsoons lost his strong resisting shield Vnconstant fortune is constant very sield Losse is no shame nor to be lesse then foe As selfe esteemes ech man is euen soe This hardy knight sore wounded was and dide Who had before delt thundring strokes amaine Lord Beumont French among the dead doth bide Sir Baldwine Danekine here likewise slaine They bought it deare before the place they gaine My ventrous men stroue with commended pride Presuming victory would with them abide Th'instructed thirtie found me where I deale So huge and mightie bloes as that no plate No hardned steele no quilt nor warped meale Could make resist but yeelded open gate To my sharpe axe my bloes so heuie sate But here these thirtie sease me in the fray And by fine force they bear me thence away Fast to the rescue crie my friends apace When they perceud me rauisht in this wise Much broyling there much foyning for a space Forth ' rescue some and some to saue their prise But foes preuaile as earst they did deuise To Vernon then I was transport in hast And there in saftie strong and suerly plast As much respect they tooke to win the field Such heedie care was had lest I were slaine The noble mind with murther very seld His fame and estimation will distaine His foe may liue and ransome yeeld againe To saue when one may slay an enimie Is chiefest vertue praisd in cheualrie From Vernon t'Parris with ioy I was conueid Where tharchpriest of the king is fouly blamde For his depart but all the matter weid Although the Lords of Fraunce him much defamde Yet holpe I much t' excuse him badly namde The matter furthered for that he lately had In Burgoyne slaine foure hundred robbers bad What harme tooke I through much mistrustfulnes Toward him that did my faithfull friend remaine Calling his truth in question questionles That faire my fauor sought to entertaine His carefull message flatly I disdaine Preiudicating his intendiment Was for to worke me some foule bad euent Yet time discouered his fidelitie And my outragious rash mistrusting Great mischiefe bred through wicked ielousie Of frendly honest thoughts often working The minde from truth by bad misdeeming The friend suspected without giuing cause Is breach sometime of truest trueloues lause Tharchpriest he sent vnto me for my good But I refused to heare his message Being distempered in my cholericke moode Which bare the rule then vnto my dommage Reason I taste the follie of my rage Yet now we talked at Parris being And good leasure had of cold agreeing For by the meanes of Lord Dalbreth I went About the citie where I pleased best The coward Charls so cruellie was bent Against Lord Saqueuile with me distrest As he cut off his noble cheefest crest Lord Ganuile at that present time had dide But that his sonne a meane did well prouide Who notice gaue vnto this king of Fraunce That if he vsd t' is father any tort Or that he died reprocht with sad mischaunce The Lord Lauall a man of great resort His prisoner now would vse in equall sort By this braue deed this noble sonne did saue His fathers life they sought for to depraue Renowmed act well woorthie woorthie sonne For parents life to hazard life and all Careles striuing owne selfe to be vndon Rather then suffer so his fathers fall No danger strange he danger ought to call That sonne or friend desireth to be namd Suffering father friend by death defamd I well haue seene a master guide his barke When blustring winds and tumbling waues did rage Sauing himselfe and friends with care and carke Vntill the swelling surges did aswage This skyphier haue I seene through dotage To sand his ship in calme and quiet floud When neither blasts nor tides his course withstood More harder much in compas good to liue When careles heed our minde hath whole possest And sense to daintie pleasure quite is giue Then when we are with anguishment distrest In troublous times we hide our guidment best For hundred vice the thoughts doth conquerd make When bathing hart doth floting pleasure take As by my selfe a patterne of reproofe Who well did saile when fretting tide did thret From sholes and flats I warie lay aloofe No gaping fish no hoped praie could get My leueld course by carde and compas set Yet did I ground when least was winde and tide Strike on the cliues in danger to haue dide For whilst at Parris prisoner I remaine In banding pleasure void of warines The king and nobles me sweetly entertaine So that I furthered much their buisnes Holpe to perswade a band of sikernes And peace betwixt the Kings Nauare and Fraunce So was I quite of ransome and finaunce The Lord Dalbreth full often for me spoke And greatly holpe the battaile of Alroy Which was performd with manie a blooddie stroke Which to king Charls brought little cause of ioy Yet treaties had and faire exchanges coy Which all fell out to further my desier I was redeemd as prisoner could requier Subtile Charls shewed me great signes of loue Castle Denemoux with thappurtnance gaue Willing my seruice for his more behoue His pension rich far more then I did craue I homage yeeld for these rewards I haue Into Acquitaine to the prince I came Who hearing this full sharpely doth me blame And said I was too woondrous couetous Lands to