heartie care Which we to those that loue the truth gospel now do bear Vvhich made them all reioice and quite cast off their feare Vvhen in the King they did behold such loue frendly cheer Yet some did here alledge that conscience did restraine The Prince to match with her which yet did seeme for to remaine In loue with Popish rites to which the King replide That he to ease those scruples all such order would prouide Vvhich they should not mislike For he would there dispence Vvith all such rites and orders as might breed the least offence Vvhich Courtiers all mislike and openlie repinde Much doubting least vnto the truth the King had bin inclinde The Admirall againe was much confirmde besides By other signes not douting now their falshoods their slides The godlie did reioice to see the King so bent Not thinking of the treacherie treason that they ment So matters being past and parties all agreed In Paris towne to haue them ioinde by both it was decreed The Queene of Nauarre now a rare and vertuous dame Vvith others to the Princes Court in full assurance came Vvhere hauing staid awhile she tooke her leaue to ride To Paris for this solemne feast the better to prouide The King to like effect by message did request The Admirall that he would goe to Paris there to rest And see that nothing want for that appointed day And that himselfe would after come and make no long delaie And that he might not feare the mallice and the rage That Paris men did beare to him he said he would asswage The same himselfe and so he presentlie did write To Marcel Prouost of the towne perceiuing well their spite That he should intertaine and vse in frendlie wise The Admirall and all his traine that nothing might arise Which might offend his minde or burst to anie flame For if ther did he swore he wold most fiercely plague the same The King and Queene also vnto the like effect Vnto the Duke of Aniow did their letters now direct So that the Admirall not doubting anie foe Resolude himselfe and did prouide to Paris for to goe Where being come he found the king and all the rest VVith frendly welcoms so as more he could not wel request But whilst that euerie man was busie to prouide Within the court most sodainly the Queene of Nauarre dide Which afterward was knowen as some haue plainlie said That by a paire of gloues perfumde this treason was conuaide Which leaud and sinfull deede was now no sooner done But that the Kingdome of Nauarre descended to her sonne Heere-manie did reioyce in hope of perfect rest Yet this vnequall bloodie match the Guises did detest That dismall daie is come the marriage must begin Where were assembled solemnlie the chiefe of euerie kinne And for because the Masse their minds might grieue no more The mariage was solemnised before the great Church dore Of Paris with such words as both were well content Which done into the church the Bride in solemn maner wēt To heare a Popish Masse both she and all her traine Her husband walkt without the doore till she returnde againe Then home at last they goe with mirth and passing ioy They little thought this pleasant day would ende with such annoy And now begins the plaies the dancings and the sport Which were performd by Iusty youths that thither did resort The King and Nobles all in pleasures are so mad That for to talke of great affaires no leasure could be had And now the Admirall from Court had gone his way Had not some causes of the Church inforced him to staie Now from the wedding night fiue daies are come and past When as the King and Senate were contented at the last In counsell for to sit such matters to decide As best might fit their fained warres in Flanders to prouide Which ended neere about the middle of the day As euerie man vnto his house did take his readie waie The Admirall himselfe with other Nobles moe Along the streetes not doubting hurt in pleasant talk do goe A harquebusse was shot from other side the streete Which charged was with bullets two the Admiral to greete Which cursed blow did wound and strike this Noble man That thorough both his valiant armes the leaden pellets ran Which done althogh the woūd did tuch him somwhat neer Yet nothing danted with the stroke he said with wōted cheer From yonder house it came goe looke who is within What vilde vnworthie trecherie is this they doo begin And therewithall he sent in hast vnto the King Such as might show vnto his grace this bad shamefull thing The message being done the King as then did plaie At tennis with the Duke of Guise he fiercelie threw awaie His racket in a rage as though it grieude his heart That thus the Admirall was hurt and streight he did depart Vnto his Castle where a while he did remaine Close with his brother of Nauarre till he might heare againe More certaine newes but now the matter was too plaine That this assault was surelie made by one of Guises traine Now whilest these greeuous woūds the surgeons had in cure He sent Theligni to the King because he was not sure Where he should liue or die for to desire his Grace That he would now vouchsafe to come vnto that simple place Where he did lie for that he had a secret thing To tell him which did much concerne the safetie of the King Which was no sooner said the King was well content And with the man the message came without delaie he went They went likewise that sought the Admirall to kill The Mother Queen with al her mates no dout for great good will Which all no sooner did within the dore appeere But that the King saluted him with sweete friendlie cheere Alas my deerest frend how camst thou to this place Where wounded now I see thee lie me thinks in heauie case What arrant villaine wrought this leaud and sinfull act Would God I knew the wicked wretch that did commit thef fact For though my Admirall the hurt be done to thee Yet the dishonor of the fact and shame redounds to me Both which I will reuenge by death of God I sweare As like in France was neuer seene to make such wretches feare Such speeches had the King questions manie more Concerning Iudges health griefe and how he felt his sore To which the Admirall with milde and quiet minde Such answere gaue as moude them much such patience for to finde In him that had receaude such cause of deadlie ire Who did request but onelie that the King would straight inquire Vpon the fact which was I surelie know said he Procured by the Duke of Guise for great good will to me Which deede the Lord reuenge as he shall thinke it best For if I die I hope by faith with Christ to be in rest The rest he did desire a while to
same seeme bitter at the last And what though Sathan rage what though the ende be gall Shall bitter blasts make vs forsake our Christ our life and all No God forbid ô King that he should knock in vaine Least being gone we iustlie doubt when he will come againe As yet he stands without and knocketh at thy dore O King receue that blessed guest that he may blesse thee more If that we let him in his promise is to staie But when from vs he shall depart ô most vnhappie day The supper is preparde the Angels sent to call The straying guests of this your Land vnto his sacred hall But if by fond excuse we shun his profered grace He shuts the doore and will admit some others in our place The marriage of the Lambe that blessed Lambe is nie Which makes with al her Romish trickes that whore of Babel flie Then happie is the man blessed from the Lord That with the Lambe maie haue a place sit at sacred bord If now we see the light that danted Saul to ground If now we heare that sacred voice that sweete ioiful sound Then let vs now inquire what voice it is that calls And let vs yeeld vnto the truth that from our eies the scaies Of darknesse may depart For vaine it is to kicke And labour lost for wilfull colte to striue against the pricke And if the hidden Truth the Lord will now reueale To daunt the same ô noble King your force shal not preuaile What Giant can withstand of Truth the piercing might What earthlie force of shining Sunne at noone can quēch the light If Truth do conquere Kings if Truth do cōquere al Then leaue to loue these Popish lies let whorish Babel fall Greeue not that blessed Spirit of life that seales the band For which king Dauid did request by which we vnderstand Our calling to be sure our striuing not in vaine By which we know we are ordaind for Christ to suffer paine Now sith we haue the seale from feare that makes vs free And shining light frō popish shades the Lord hath made vs see We may no longer then dissemble in this case But what we thinke must plainlie showe ô King before your face We cannot as you would the certain Truth denie But that defend though for the same we wer cōdemnd to die And whereas you doo thirst to sucke the guiltlesse blood Of them whō you name Lutherans ô King we think not good To strengthen that deuice which Sathan did inuent Least that with Caine our bloodie fact too late we should repēt For those whom you doo hate and push with heauie hand In verie truth are godlie men the best in all your land Whose faith you doo not see whose life you doo not know Take heed least you in them doo seeke the Lord to ouethrow Which feate by wāton will if now your Grace assay Be wise in time least that in this you frame your owne decay But this we thinke the best that straight way out of hand A lawfull Counsell may be calde to haue the matter scand Till which let godlie men whom enuie cannot staine In lieu of all their cursed wrong in rest at home remaine But if to this ô King you stoppe your princelie eare Lest God with blindnes strike your hart your frēds may iustly feare For they that doo not care aright to serue the Lord He leaues them to their filthie lusts to make thē more abhord Remember Ahabs fall that solde himselfe to death Forget not those two wicked men which long withstood the faith Corrupted men shall fade the reprobates shall die God wil not long maintein their raign that shal his truth denie Their madnesse shall be plaine their follies seene then The godlie shall deride the rage of sinfull wicked men Because saith God you staid to come when I did call I will be deafe when you lament and laugh when you do fall VVhich plague the Lord withhold frō you eke your land The lord preserue your noble grace shield ye with his hand That long in perfect peace your Grace may rule and raigne That in your time Gods knowen truth may once reuiue again And this is all we wish and this the worst we craue That Christ will open once your heart by faith your soule to saue This said he sate again The King in fierie heate Scant able to forbeare so long spake thus from out his seate INdeede and is it so well then we knowe the worst To speake or thinke as we haue heard we deemd no subiect durst But now with griefe we see that this infectious seed Hath taken rooting in our Court whereof this is the seed But most we maruell whie the Nobles of our land So blinded are that they wil needs these matters take in hand We thought it most vnlike that men so graue and wise Should euer stoop to giue consent vnto so leaud deuise But now we must correct our minde and former thought And giue these new religious mē the guerdō they haue sought And trust vs so we will now that we know the crue We doubt not but the proudest shall this day dealings rue Now sith we know the good the rest shall know our minde We doubt not for these bleding woūds some healing salue to find Such tooles we haue in store to fel this rotting moote That quicklie shall pul vp and rase the branches with the roote This seede of Luthers sect which now begins to spring Shall to the fields where it doth growe a wofull haruest bring It's time to looke about it's time to set some stay For if we sleepe we see there be that watch for our decay But they shall haue their meede they shall not lose their hire They shortlie shal with sorrow feele the waight of Princes ire Thus said in raging wise he turneth quite about And pausing staid a while as one that seemde to doubt But yet such rankor rose and boiled in his breast That presentlie he gaue in charge that there they should arrest Annas Burgeus as the chiefe and him to prison bring Who was he thoght the only root by whō the rest did spring When this was said and that the King had so decreed Mongomerie Captaine of the gard was he that did the deede Now good Burgeus is in linkes and irons fast Which sodaine fall did sore appall make the rest agast The King vnwilling was to haue the cause deferd But time and Iudges were assignde to haue the matter heard But such appointed were to iudge this weightie case Which hated him and sought the truth by falshood to deface Which partiall minded men Burgaeus did refuse And to the Senate did recount their olde and ancient vse Which was if anie one of them did chance to slide The order was by all the rest his dealings should be tride
preuaile Vve see that al our bloody broiles their courage cannot quaile Vve see how Noble men their forces dailie bend To counter crosse our planted plots this cause for to defend Two ciuill warres are past the third is now in hand Vve see how stoutlie they are bent our forces to withstand Therefore we must deuise to plaie some other part Or else in vaine we take in hand these Princes to subuart Now lend your listening eares and marke what I shall saie A secret thing I haue bethought which here I will bewraie You must make show as though you loude to liue at ease As wearie of these broiles you must intreate to haue a peace The King as chiefest man this plaie must first begin By louing letters words and cheere at first to bring them in And looke what they mislike the King must rase it out And yeeld to all things they request to put them out of doubt The King must shew such face to them aboue the rest As though he did vnfeinedlie of all men loue them best The worst of all their band the King must intertaine With such good will that no mistrust in anie maie remaine And he must make them know as though of late he felt Some pricke in conscience for the cause against the which hee delt And that he will forgiue al quarrels that are past In hope that this their new goodwil with loue might euer last And he must make complaint as though he did of late Mislike the dealings of the Guise and such as they doo hate And then the Guises must awhile from Court retire For thus you shall intrap them all and haue your full desire The King must yeeld to all that they request or craue And he must grant for to cōfirm the thing that they wold haue The Mother Queene in this must also play her part That no suspect of treason maie remaine within their heart And here you must giue out as though you would imploie Their seruice in some forreine warres which dooth your State annoie As if you would not trust the weight of such affaires To anie man but them alone whose faith and watchfull cares You long haue tried and so you maie your plot prepare By these and such like fained things to trap them in your snare If this preuaile not then I stand in fearfull doubt What practise next to put in vre to haue them rooted out Now therefore say your minde if thus it be not best To cut them off that so againe we all may liue in rest The Counsell did agree this was the onelie waie And euerie man did giue his word this sentence to obaie And that they would deuise such things to put in vre As best might fit this cursed plot and make the same most sure Which Sathan hearing rose and thankt them with his heart That they to him so willing were and so they did depart Then presentlie the King in post a message sent Vnto the Admirall to whom he shewed his good intent Which was that he was loath more ciuill warres to haue And that he greatlie did desire his subiects for to saue I will said he forget yea pardon and release All former griefes so that you will now yeeld to haue a peace Which might be now to me a cause of passing ioie For that I meane in forreine warres your seruice to imploie And first we doo require that we may ioyne our band Against the man that causeth all these troubles in our land Our Armies being ioynde we may the stronger goe Against the Duke of Alua whom we know to be our foe Great matters moue our minde against the King of Spaine For he hath taken Florida and late our sister slaine With lies of like deuise the godlie to betraie Requesting him most earnestly that he would come awaie And that he should obtaine what safetie he would craue Yea for his suretie there that he his faith oath should haue The message being done the Admirall as wise Within himselfe did halfe suspect the plot of this deuise And though that manie things did some suspition bring Yet all things els he doubted more than falshood in the King He thought the promise sure and firmelie did beleeue No treason could be ment wheras the king his word did giue The Admirall as one that was deuoide of feare And willing for to heare of peace vnto the King gaue eare So now the ciuill broiles which manie did intend By this deuise were pacified and brought vnto an ende It cannot be exprest what shewes of frendlie minde Both in the King and Courtiers all the Admirall doth finde His frends likewise which had the Gospell long profest As Countie Rouchfaucoult and eke Theligni with the rest Like grace and fauor found which made them so reioyce That to consent vnto the King they all did giue their voice And if in former warres the Admirall had lost Either castles houses townes or fermes what euer it shuld cost The King commanded straight for to restore them all And all things els which he of right of anie man could call And those whom he perceiude the Admirall to loue He blinded them with great rewards suspition to remoue Besides he did command out of his purse to giue To him an hundred thousand pounds his losses to relieue And when as it did chance his brother for to die The Cardinall Chastilion the King then presentlie The fruites and profites all of liuings all one yeare Vnto the Admirall he gaue his charges to forweare Yet not content with this one thing aboue the rest The King most frendlie did the which the godlie liked best He wrote to Philibert the Duke of Sauoie then That he should cease for to molest or grieue those godly men The which in former warres the Gospel did defend And that to such he should leaue off his rigor to extend And that the Admirall might no misliking finde He did by gentle meanes appease the Duke of Guises minde He tride to make them frends brought the same to passe Although it on the Guises part a fained frendship was The Cardinall likewise that was their greatest foe To chuse a Pope made thē beleeue to Rome that he would go So all things being done t'abandon all suspect What they mislikte the King would seeme the same for to reiect So that about the king they onelie credit winne Which did defend the Gospel which latelie were come in But nothing did preuaile to put them out of doubt So much as one thing which as now the king did go about Which was that he did wish his sister for to match Vnto Prince Henrie of Nauarre by this in hope to catch Them all within his snare for this he did conclude Not for good will but mere deceipt the godlie to delude Which match the King would haue consummate out of hand That so it might remaine said he a sure and perfect band Of that vnfained loue and inward
as if it came from the diuels owne mouth as no doubt it came from his spirite Againe in all the orations of the Martirs of the King the Queene the Guise and all other that haue speaches in this booke marke that of purpose the nature both of the person that speaks and also of the matter that is spoken are liuely set downe so that here are not bare examples of vertue and vice but also the nature and qualities of those vertues or villanies are manifestly depainted to them that will seeke for it The noble Martirs of England are knowen sufficientlie almost to all these excellent French Histories were seene but of few being in worthinesse nothing inferior vnto the other The causes why I haue described it in verse are 3. First for mine owne exercise being a learner in that facultie Secondlie to restore againe some credit if I can vnto Poëtrie hauing been defaced of late so many waies by wanton vanities Thirdlie for the more noueltie of the thing and apt facilitie in disposing the matter framed to the better liking of some mēs fantasies because the same Storie in effect is alreadie translated into English prose Many of these orations that are here fully amplie expressed were in the French Commentaries but onely in substance lightly touched and the summe set downe without amplifying the circumstance and yet heere is no more set downe than there is signified I haue also for the more terror vnto the wicked diligentlie collected the great plagues and iust iudgements of God shewed against the persecutors in euery seuerall History haue set them downe so in order and amplified them by the like iudgments against sinners out of the word and other histories that euerie proud persecutor may plainly see what punishment remaineth due vnto their wicked tyrannie To speake trulie without vaine glorie I thinke assuredlie that there is not in this forme anie thing extant which is more forceable to procure comfort to the afflicted strength to the weake courage to the faint hearted and patience vnto them that are persecuted than this little worke if it be diligentlie read and well considered So wishing that all the excellent and rare wits that now flourish in England and shew them selues manie times in vaine deuises would all learne to consecrate their singular giftes to the glorie of God the edifying of his Church and the saluation of the soules of Gods chosen Then would the Lord still blesse their labours and giue their names a perpetuall memorie So I commit thee to Gods protection and commend this my pleasant exercise to thy good liking which if I perceiue to be accepted thou shalt incourage mee to proceede to make thee acquainted with more excellent actions Honiton in Deuon this xxv of Iuly 1589. A Dowriche To the Reader that is frendlie to Poetrie VVhat so thou be that readst my Booke Let wit so weigh my will That due regard maie here supplie The want of learned Skill A D THE FRENCH Historie AS walking on a daie the woods and forrests nie In shrilling voyce and mournfull tunes me thought I heard one crie Which sodaine feare so dasht my blood and senses all That as one in a traunce I staid to see what would befall A thousand thoughts opprest my fearfull wauering braine In musing what amid the woods that fearful voice shuld mean I feard least theeues had robd and cast some man aside Because it was the common waie where men did vse to ride Among the sauage beasts that in these woods remaine I doubted least some trauler stood in danger to be slaine But casting feare apart I ranne toward the place To see the wight that did lament and waile his wofull case Alone no perill nigh within a bushie dale A stranger sate I got aside to heare his dolefull tale O noble France quod he that bor'st sometime the bell And for thy pleasure and thy wealth all Nations didst excell How art thou now of late with mischiefe so possest That al the Realmes of Christendome thy falshoods do detest Where is thy vernant hiew thy fresh and flowring fame What fell vnluckie spot is this that so dooth stain thy name Where is thy mirth become where is thy smiling cheere Wher is thy ioiful peace that erst did make thee shine so cleer Where are thy youthlie troopes the Nobles of thy Land Where is thy faith without the which no realm can euer stād Where is the mutuall loue that Prince and people had Where is the noble vnion that makes the Countrie glad Where is the due regard that Princes ought to haue From all the bands of tyrannie their people for to saue Where is thy pitie gone where is thy mercie fled That Lion-like in euerie place such Christian blood is shed But these of late to thee ô France haue bid adieu That rigor reignes in mercies seate alas it is too true For hauing no remorse to heare thy childrens grone Like as a widow comfortlesse thou shalt be left alone For they that feare the Lord and haue for him a care Haue learnd too late the costlie wit thy treasons to beware Therefore thy children haue their natiue Coasts resignde With better hope in forrein Lands more mercie for to finde And that which is the worst I see thou dost not waie The Spiders spite that long hath woue the web of thy decaie Therefore if thou wilt know the cause of all thy woe Then mark the iudgements of the Lord from which thou cāst not goe If Iuda now saith he should aske the causes why Their Land was like a wildernesse that no man passed by He makes no long delaie but bids the Prophet show This plague doth alwaies follow them that do despise his law For they that Idols serue and from the Lord doo shrinke They shal be fed with bitter gall wormwood water drinke And why at sundrie times was Egipt plagued so But for because he would not yeeld to let Gods people goe Why was the Lord with Saul so wroth and full of ire In sparing Agag and the beasts the people did desire For he had now accurst both Agag and his Land Commanding Saule without remorse to kil them out of hand Because this Amalek would not at all vouchsaue Within his Land Gods chosen locke a passage for to haue But falslie did conspire to worke their open shame To snare their feete they laie in waite from Egipt as they came And thou Ierusalem what sinne did file thy fall When Titus and Vaspasian did tumble downe thy wall Why did the Lord depart from thee that wast so braue And to thy foes made thee a pray a iest a seruile slaue Because amiddes thy mirth thy God thou didst forget And wouldst not haue his prophets liue but didst thē il intreat O France therefore be wise learne ere it be too late By these examples to begin these bloodie sinnes to hate For thou with Iuda land hast done thy God
frets he fumes he raues And of the King some speedie helpe in present danger craues The fate that files my fall ô King faith he is this Your Senate fauours truth too much your Iudges too remisse They are not sharpe inough to shred appearing ill They suffer impes of Luthers sect too much to haue their will The King not well content prouideth out of hand Some new assemblie to be had to haue this matter scand The Senate being set the Kings Attorney first Doth grauely shew vnto them al how that the K. doth thirst To haue them all agree in matters touching faith And to consent that Luthers brood should all be put to death For that some strife of late there was betweene them found Cōcerning this But to their shames this iarring would redoūd Because for Heretikes some first would haue them tride And some would haue them banished some would haue thē fride And therefore wisheth all with him to giue consent That death might end this strife which thing the king hath alwaie ment This was a subtill slight the godlie to betray That such as spake against the same their cōscience should bewray But yet amōg the rest some freely spake their minde That reason for so cruell act as yet they could not finde The King would haue saie they but Heretikes to die And what are they but such as dare the Scriptures to denie If anie such be found let them be wroong to death Because the word is all our staie and Author of our faith But if for Heretikes the godlie should be slaine God would reuenge their blood and we by this should reap no gain And those which you do think the truth do now denie Their reasons deeds faith we see wherein they stoutlie die Therefore if from the Lord this counsell doo proceede To striue against the same it were a vaine and sinfull deede Thus did the better sort their godlie thoughts bewraie Which being crost with coūter cranks was cause of their decaie For Satan fearing least their sentence would preuaile Sent two in post vnto the King these dealings to reueale The limbes of Pluto which this bloodie message went Egidius and Minardus were fit hounds for such a sent Who comming to the King most falselie did declare That in the Senate such were found which stoutly now did Religion to deride and speeches let to fall dare That for his Lawes and Edictes past they made no count at al. Now therefore is the time your Grace must looke about That springing showes of future ill your wisedome may roote out For if you should permit these rebels thus to thriue Great perill is least of your crowne your Grace they would depriue The King inflamed thus doth make no long delaie But to the Senate where they sate he takes his readie waie Where placed in his throne and hauing pausde a while Thus spake in presence of them all in high and princelie stile THe Lord that lendeth all and weeldes the golden spheare Hath sent vs now a wished peace deuoid of forreine feare Which peace is aye confirmde by bande of solemne vowe And plighted faith of solemn match which none can disalow Yet one thing there remaines to perfect this my State That in Religion one consent might banish all debate Which is the onelie cause that moues my pensiue heart In this your meeting for to ioyne and beare a carefull part This is therefore in few our craue and eke request That euerie man doo shew his minde as he shall thinke it best Here some that had before in words been verie rife Began to staie and doubted much the danger of their life Yet there were some which now a noble courage take Annas Burgeus as the chiefe this doubtfull silence brake Who lifting vp his hands in heart began to praie With thankes to God that he did liue to see that happie daie Wherein the Lord had wrought such care within his grace That he would bēd his willing eare to iudge so weightie case The cause saith he is Christs which we haue now in hand For which the Lord wil surely blesse both you eke your lād This is the blessed Arke that came to Edomes hall For which the Lord hath blessing sent on him his house al. This is the dustie booke which good Hilkiah found Which read before the King did giue a sweet siluer sound This is the Angel which to Gedeon did appeare This is the deaw vpon the fleece which set him void of feare This is the sword that made blinde Balaams Asse to speake This is the flame the Prophet forst his silence for to breake This is the liuelie spring which cooles the thirstie heate This is the shining lanterne which giues light vnto our feete This is the flame that earst by night did shew the way This is the blessed cloud that led Gods chosen in the day This is Elgathes flake that made his offering fume And this the blast which frō the Lord great rebels did cōsume This is the mightie voyce that makes the mountaines shake This makes the Liban cedars stoop fearful hindes to quake And this the pleasant wine to weake that comfort giues And this the wholsom milk wherby the sucking Infant liues Now as the Lord doth blesse the land that loues the same So for contemners of his truth he still prouides a shame For why came Ashur vp Gods chosen to molest And led the King with Commons all in Babel for to rest But for because they all their God did often grieue Which hated truth were content their faith to idols giue And if he doo not spare a King ô King take heed If people all to thraldome goe this land ô Lord had neede To weigh the cursed cause of this their finall fall Least for the like the like consume our King and Cōmons all Now is the Angell come with open booke in hand Which long ere this was sealed close from vs eke our land Now must the godlie craue of this to eate their fill So God with plentie will not faile to loue and feed them still Now see this Angel which to vs doth offer grace Is Iesus Christ which by his death our sins doth quite deface If we by liuelie faith of him can take good hold Then voide of feare before the Lord to come we may be bold It's he that shewes the way the truth to intertaine It's he that cleares the blinded eyes it's he that parteth plaine The truth from popish lies the sonne from mystie shades It's he that cals our straying steppes from Sathans sinfull trades O well is he that can this booke this truth imbrace O ill is he that shall refuse when Christ doth offer grace And though this booke at first be sweete vnto our tast Yet Sathans rages makes the
this to vs that doo remaine That God dooth giue to his elect such strength to conquere paine This is the godlie end that blessed man did make VVhom life honor could not beÌ„d his Christ for to forsake He liude with good report his death deserueth fame And he hath left vnto his foes a leaud and filthie shame A rare and passing signe no doubt the Lord did giue To see that noble constancie in him while he did liue VVhose constant death in France and blood did sow the seede VVherby the church did much increase godly yet do feed He came of honest house in learning spent his youth And beeing plac'te in high degree he sought to learn the truth VVhereof when he had felt the sweete and pleasant tast He ioinde himselfe vnto the Church sticks to them at last VVell he is gone before and we that are behinde Lord grant to vs in Iesus Christ like faith and constant minde Amen The iudgements of the Lord which fell vpon King Henrie the second after he had caused Burgaeus to be imprisoned Anno 15â—9 Dilated by the examples of Ahab Amaziah and Zedechiah wicked Kings which vsed the like crueltie against the word THe Lord on Elies sonnes and sinnes this sentence gaue They that doo loue and honor me great honor still shall haue But they that doo despise my word my law and will They shall be sure of euerie man to be abhored still Which sentence of the Lord for euer shall be true As by examples we may see of such as doo insue For when as Ahab was in fond and foolish rage To Ramoth Gilead stoutlie bent vniustlie warres to wage A Prophet from the Lord did tell him verie plaine That if this warre he took in hand King Ahab should be slain But to the prison straight this Prophet then was led The king gaue charge that he shuld be with bread water fed Till he returned safe from Gilead home againe But what befell It came to passe the King indeed was slaine So Amaziah which by idolls did offend Vnto the Prophet would not yeeld his willing eare to bend But did with bitter scoffes and scornes reproue the word For which he was by Iehu spoild and taken by the sword So Zedekiah proud from sinne would not returne But Rebel-like the word of God he did with fire burne And Ieremie by him was oft in prison pent Because he said the King and all to Babel should be sent But let vs see his ende the King of Babel came Who toke him captiue with his men put them al to shame And he that was content Gods Prophet to disgrace Was forc'te to see the murder of his sonnes before his face His eies that would not see Gods truth and shining light The King of Babel put them out as they deserude of right So Henrie King of France which all his force did bend Against the truth did from the Lord receaue a fearfull end For now amidst the ruffe of all their mirth and ioy When euerie man deuised how the godlie to destroie The time appointed came for marriage of the King Which to the Court Courtiers did great mirth pleasure bring And for the greater pompe of all this princely traine A solemne Iust the youthlie King by Crier did proclaime In which he meant to shew his manhood and his might And being horst with limber speare in armor shining bright He chose among the rest the challenge now begun Mongomerie Captaine of his gard against him for to runne Which he did oft refuse and wiselie did withstand Till that the King the fatall speare put in his Captaines hand Where charging with their spears forcing might main A splinter pierst the Princes eie and ranne vnto his braine The King with sodaine wound and bleeding much dismaid Within the next adioyning house to bed he was conuaide Where plungd with grieuous pain his conscience did lament The wrong which he had done to those whoÌ„ he to prison sent I greatlie feare said he least I haue done some ill Against Burgaeus and the rest whose blood I sought to spill But Elimas the witch doth spend his cursed winde From such remorse to keep in thral the Kings afflicted minde It is said he thy foe that doth assault thy faith In which take heed that thou remain stil constant to thy death This heauie hap befell as manie men haue tolde Nere to the place wherein as then Burgaeus was in hold And manie did obserue that he did kill the King Which was commanded to the Iaile Burgaeus for to bring The King did often brag those eies of his should see Burgaeus burnt but loe the Lord did alter that decree For ere Burgeus was vnto the fire led Mongemerie had those eies of his thrust cleane out of his head Now here we plainlie see the life and heauie end Of theÌ„ which persecute the truth which God doth often send And let vs warning take by this most fearfull fate For to returne and loath our sinne before it be too late Amen The bloodie marriage or butcherlie murder of the Admirall of France and diuers other noble and excellent men at the marriage of Margaret the Kinges owne sister vnto Prince Henrie sonne to the Queene of Nauarre committed the 24. of August in the Citie of Paris Anno 1572. NOw haue you heard before of faggot fire and sword Inhaunst by Sathan for to quell Gods truth and blessed word But now I must begin such treason to vnfold As former times for crueltie And ages new and olde Haue neuer seene the like in Christendome till now When sacred faith by flatterie and oath of Princelie vow By treason did contriue to shed the guiltlesse blood Of theÌ„ which now by peace did seek to do their couÌ„trie good For when the Lord did send his truth into the land He raised vp some Noble men to take this cause in hand Among the which as chiefe and souereigne of the field There was Prince Henrie of Nauarre with such as would not yeeld Vnto the Guisian race the Prince of Condee next The Admirall and D' Andelot with others that were vext By bloodie Guises band who daily did inuent How to oppresse the word of truth which Christ had thether sent But when as Sathan saw by words and dealings plaine That manie Princes were in armes this truth for to maintaine It galde him to the heart that where he did deuise To choake the word that euen there the more it did arise He summons all his mates these matters to debate How they might choak this springing seed before it were too late Where all within a round they come without delaie To whom this bloody captaine then these words began to say There is a subtill veyne that feedes this cankred sore For now the deeper it is launcte it riseth still the more Vve see that fire and sword cannot at all
stand awaie For that he had some secret thing vnto the King to saie Which done he thus began O King this life to saue Is not the thing I thank the Lord that I do greatly craue For this I know is true we all must pay a death To God our maker which hath lent this vse of liuelie breath But to your Maiestie the great good will I bare Is it which now aboue the rest dooth most increase my care To see you now beset with such as wish no good Vnto your health your crown life such as seek the blood Of you and of your frends to spill your noble race That so they may in future time your Princelie stocke deface And so at length ingraffe a strange Italian weede VVhich may in France most furelie choake the Princes royall seede This is the onelie marke to which they doo aspire This is the onelie wood ô King that doth mainteine the fire Of these your ciuill warres although they doo pretend Religion and some other thing this is the chiefest end Of all their drift Therefore ô King beware by time Mark this Eclipse whilst yet ye see the Moone is in her Prime I saie the lesse because I know your Grace is wise You shall in time most plainlie see this plot of their deuise Your wisedome dooth perceaue I hope whom I doo meane For of the same with griefe before I heard you oft complaine For though that I doo lie heere wounded as you see The chiefest treason they intend is not alone to me But to your noble Grace whose death they daily craue Whose life by treason long ere this now desire to haue I know when God shall take this fraile and wretched life Some will not sticke to say that I was cause of all the strife But God that is aboue and you my witnesse be How deare the safegard of my Prince peace hath bin to me God grant you see in time your frends from fleering foe That still in safetie you may reigne deuoide of griefe and woe Now I can saie no more but God preserue your Grace And shield you from your fained friends which beare a double face And this amidst your mirth I praie remember still That they that seek to haue my life do beare you no good wil. Vvhich said the King did giue such speach as he thought best And then in loud and solemne words in hearing of the rest He did with frendlie cheere request the Admirall Vnto his Court for to remooue what euer should befall And others spake likewise vnto the same intent His simple meaning could not see the treason that was ment But yet vpon aduise his frends did thinke it best Not knowing what may there betide the K. he should request That he would them assigne some of his Graces gard Before his gates both night day to keep their watch ward The motion being made the King was well content And said to this their good deuise he gladly gaue consent And that he would prouide to haue it surelie knowne That of his life he made accompt no lesse than of his owne And that he would preserue with care more tenderlie The Admirall than he would keepe the apple of his eie For that he did admire the valure of his minde Vvho little thought in mortall man such courage for to finde The Duke of Aniow then commanded out of hand One Câ—ssin Captaine of the gard to ward with Princes band The gates and streates wherein the Admirall did lie Vvhich was no sooner said but was performed presentlie This Câ—ssin that was set with watch to ward the gate Vvas one that did the Admirall in heart most deadlie hate And farther for to put the matter out of doubt They did consent that he should haue his trustie frends about The place where he did lie which came of no good will But hoping rather all by this the easier for to kill And this among the rest a bloodie practise was Vvhich cloaked guile by Sathans art too soone was brought to passe BVt heere the Prologue endes and heere begins the plaie For bloodie mindes resolued quite to vse no more delaie The Mother Queene appeares now first vpon the Stage Vvhere like a diuelish sorceresse with words demure and sage The King she cals aside with other trustie mates Into a close and secret place with whom she now debates The great desire she had to quit them all from care In planting long a bloodie plot which now she must declare O happie light quoth she ô thrice most happie daie Which thus hath thrust into our hands our long desired pray We haue them all in hold we haue the chiefest fast And those for whom we waited long we haue them all at last Vvhie should we longer staie what can we farther craue Vvhat are not all things come to passe which wee doo long to haue Doth not our mightiest foe lie wouÌ„ded in his bed Not able now to helpe himselfe which others long hath led The Captaines captiue are the King of Nauarre sure The Prince of Condee with the rest that mischiefe did procure Are close within our wals we haue them in a trap Good fortune loe hath brought them al laid theÌ„ in our lap By force or flight to saue their liues it is too late If we to cut off future feare and cause of all debate Doo take the profered time which time is onelie now And wisedome matcht with policie our dealings doth allow Vve neede not feare the spot of anie cruell fame So long as we maie feele some ease or profite by the same For wisedome doth allow the Prince to plaie the Foxe And Lion-like to rage but hates the plainnesse of an Oxe Vvhat thogh ye do forswear what thogh ye break your faith Vvhat thogh ye promise life yet repay it with their death Is this so great a fault Naie naie no fault at all For this we learne we ought to doo if such occasions fall Our Masters doo perswade a King to cogge and lie And neuer keep his faith whereas his danger growes thereby Cut off therefore the head of this infectious sore So maie you well assure your selues this Byle wil rise no more The Captaines being slaine the soldiers will be faint So shall we quicklie on the rest performe our whole intent Plucke vp therefore your sprites and play your manlie parts Let neither feare nor faith preuaile to dant your warlike harts What shame is this that I a woman by my kinde Neede thus to speake or passe you men in valure of the minde For heere I doo protest if I had bene a man I had my selfe before this time this murder long began Why doo you doubting stand and wherefore doo you staie If that you loue your peace or life procure no more delaie We haue them in our hands within our Castle gates Within the wals of Paris
Then Benuise with his mates to put them out of doubt Tooke vp this bloodie corse so from window cast him out Where from his wounded head sprang out so fresh a flood That vizard-like his face was all imbrued with goarie blood Whereby they could not well at first discerne his face Till that the Duke of Guise himselfe first kneeling in the place Had with his napkin wipte the clotted blood awaie And searching viewed euerie part he rose without delay And crying to his crue deuoide of feare and shame It's he my frends I know him well trust me it is the same The Duke descending then from out the stately gates With bloodie hart and cursed mouth he cride vnto his mates O happie lucke that we so good beginnings haue Lo Fortune frames her willing hand to giue that we do craue And sith it pleasde the fates at first such hap to send It giues me cause of future hope to see some happie end Come on my valiant hearts so place your warlike bands That marching forward to the rest not one may scape our hāds This is the Kings decree this hath he giuen out We do no more than he commands to put you out of doubt Let pitie take no place till Rebels all be rid Thus saith the king feare not therfore to do what he doth bid Let nothing now preuaile to dant your hardie minde No though with teares they pitie craue let thē no mercie find Haue no remorse vnto the yong ne yet the olde Without regard to anie one to kill them all be bolde Now sanctifie your swords and bath them in the blood Of these religious Rebels which do meane the King no good So shall we quicklie finde a path to perfect peace So shall we see assured meanes at length to liue at ease For if we can recount the troubles that are past Then happie time wherein we may dispatch them all at last Vvhich said he bad in hast the Tockesein for to ring Vvich sounding bell appointed was the fatall newes to bring Vvhen as this raging rout this murder should begin Vvhich they performde as though they had no men but monsters bin And therewithall deuise a larum for to raise Pretending with some solemne lie the people for to please So now the trumpets sound this lie and shamefull thing That certaine traitors were in armes about to kill the King Heere one among the rest from Rome that latelie came Desirous by some valiant act perhaps to get a name Cut off the bleeding head imbrude with reaking blood Of that most worthie Admirall in hope to doo some good And sent it straight to Rome as Lorraine had requirde A present welcome to the Pope which he had long desirde His hands cut off by some by some his secrete parts Declares what hate to shining light lies hid in blinded harts His hackt and mangled corpes by space of certaine daies Vvas dragde by rascals all along the streetes and filthie waies At length this rusticke rage as furie thought it meete At common gallowes of the towne did hang him by the feete Thus came this Noble man to this vnworthie death Thus doo the Papists learn to break the vow of plighted faith The Admirall being slaine they likewise murdred most cruellie not onelie all such frends Phisitians Preachers and al other that were found hidden in the Admirals lodging but also as manie as were suspected to be of that religion within the towne or anie where els were lamentablie put to the sword as here folowing we may plainlie see THese furies frying thus yet thus were not content But in the house from place to place like greedie hounds they went To search the chambers all and corners of receipt That from the wolfe the sheep might saue his throate by no deceipt And such as sleeping were found naked in their bed Or gone to hide or saue themselues they first cut of their head And after fiercelie pierst with wounds both great and deepe Vvhich being done like cruell currs they throw thē on a heap Among which wofull troope two Noble youths there were And Pages of most worthie birth which likewise died there Vvith these among the rest a man of noble fame The Countie Rouchfoucault was forst at length to tast the same Vvhom for his pleasant wit the King did seeme to loue Yet in this furie nothing might the King to mercie moue But now in hast must be to death vntimelie sent To yeeld againe vnto the Lord the life that he had lent So him at first De Nance commanded was to kill But he most stoutlie did refuse this guiltlesse blood to spill Shall I said he consent to doo this fearfull thing To shed this blood because I am commanded by the King No God forbid I know I haue a soule to saue So bloodie spot to saue my life my name shall neuer haue I know there is a day a day that Saints desire When of our deeds the king aboue a reckoning will require Obaie the King that's true in things that honest be When I obey in wicked hests wo worth the time to me For Ioab did not well King Dauid to obay When wickedlie the King him bad Vriah for to slay Those Elders did offend which shewde themselues too prone Those wicked letters to obey poore Naboth for to stone And cursed Doeg which obaide a wicked will Shall cursed stand for that he did the Lords annointed kill A murder to be done the King doth now request My God cōmands the contrary now which to chuse wer best The King doth threaten death and God doth threaten hell If for the King I should forsake my God should I doo well Vvhat others see ô King I cannot well diuine To kill the vncondemned man it is no charge of mine To slaie my deadlie foe except there were some cause I would not yeeld much lesse my frēd against our sacred laws What enuie doth report ô King I cannot saie But this my frend a faithfull man to me hath been alwaie Therefore I praie your Grace your rigor to asswage Or bid some other whom you list to execute your rage In matters that be good if that you list to vse My seruice you shall see that I no perill will refuse Therefore I praie your Grace this answere for to take Which vnto Saule his Soldiers once were not afraid to make De Nance to kill his frend no wight shall euer see Though for refusall he were sure beheaded for to be Take heed ô noble King what sprite you follow now Let no man force you doo the thing that God doth disallow While good king Dauid was by whoredome brought a sleep He did the thing which being wakt did force his hart to weep While Saule in mallice was against good Dauid bent He ranne to that which afterward with teares he did lament And whilest that Iezabel great mischiefe did intend
strong therefore my Sonnes refuse not profred death Which from the Lord is sent to be a triall of our faith But how should we be strong when flesh doth dailie fall O Lord increase our faith that we maie come when thou dost call And from the Lord I know this butchring axe is sent Who Sathans sword hath losed now no doubt for some inteÌ„t This is no new deuise which Sathan puts in vre For they that will imbrace the truth of this shall still be sure For vnto Truth belongs both fier sword and racke And naked Truth hath alwaies tied a whip vnto her backe The ages that are past doo yet declare the same Whose constant death for Christ depaints the glorie of their name For as the sillie sheepe betweene the Lions iawes And like the meek wailing doue in goshauks greedie pawes So is the present state of Christs afflicted flocke Who are content with Christ to lay their head vnto the block Feare not therefore to tast this cup of ioyfull paine That with the Lord in lasting ioy we all may meete againe Let nothing force your faith from Christ to goe astraie For I your Father as your guide will lead you first the waie One house hath helde vs all one Christ hath been our ioy This sweete and noble vnion let Sathan not destroy And let vs ioyne in one this death for to imbrace So ioynd with Christ we shalbe sure with him to haue a place I was not he that gaue your vse of liuelie breath I am not he that sets the time and order of your death It is the Lord alone which will restore againe A better life if for his law by death we suffer paine Come let vs gladlie giue our throate vnto the knife And for our Christ let vs reioyce to leaue this wretched life And saie you all with me ô Lord from these our bands Receaue we praie our sinfull soules into thy blessed hands And lend vs Lord thy grace and mercie to the end Thy blessed helpe to come to thee ô Lord of mercie send And this repeating oft the butchers with their blade Their bodies then with deadlie wouÌ„ds a bloody present made Then ioyning on the ground they clasped all in one Where groueling lay in folded armes the father with the sonn Which sodaine heauie chance such wofull sight did giue That iust remorse of causeles death a flinty hart would grieue Thus hath this blessed man receaud a happie place The Lord grant vs that be behinde like portion of his grace Amen A cruell cowardlie and traitrous murder committed in Angiers in France vpon one Masson de Riuers a famous and godlie preacher by a wicked enemie called Monsorrell who was sent by the King to Angiers in post to commit the like murder there as was in Paris NOw Lions fare thou well to Angiers will I goe Wherein also the godlie flocke lackt not a deadlie foe For there was dwelling then a famous learned man Vvho for his paines and godlie life a worthie credite wan He was the first that dar'de the Gospell for to preach In Paris towne where first the same to manie he did teach Masson De Riuers was this godlie preachers name Vvho had the Sorbons manie times by learning put to shame Now when in Paris towne the murder was at most The bloodie Curre Monsorrell was to Angiers sent in post Vvho was no sooner come within that wofull towne And that from off his barbed house he was descended downe But that he did inquire where Masson then did dwell For that he had vnto the man some secrete thing to tell And comming to the house before the entrie dore He met with Massons wife to whom he vsed then great store Of filed words as though he meant nothing amisse And like a Courtier courteouslie salutes her with a kisse And where is now I praie your husband to be had To see the good man ere I went I would be verie glad For that with him I haue a word or two talke In yonder garden sir quoth she my husband now doth walk And so she did direct the traitor to the place Where comming he most courteouslie good Masson did imbrace And canst thou tell quoth he whie I am â—ether come It is to doo the Princes will whereof this is the summe The King commanded hath that now without delaie Within this place I should not misse thy life to take awaie And that thou maist be sure the King hath thus decreed Lo here are letters from his grace which letters thou shalt read With that he plucked forth a Pistoll readie bent Full charged and to Massons heart now readie to be sent My friend said Masson staie on me some pitie take And to my God ere that I die let me my praiers make I meruaile whie the King this murder should intend I know not anie thing wherein his lawes I did offend It doth become a King a Princelie heart to haue And not vniustlie for to kill the people he should saue And what are you that can the vncondemned kill And what are you that seeke my life which neuer ment you il And why should you desire to suck my guiltlesse blood Which in the Lord vnto my power haue soght to do ye good But staie I know the cause you hate the shining light Of Gods eternal Truth which now you thinke doth shine too bright But frend take heed how that thou welter in the dark Take heed of Gods eternall plague Cayns accursed marke The men that meate refuse with famine shalbe pinde To satisfie their hungrie soules they shall no comfort finde And they that knowen Truth doo wilfullie reiect Shalbe deceiude by lying sprites their follies to correct I weigh not for to die sith death the Lord hath sent But more to view thy wretched state it maketh me lament For after death with me I know it shall be well But for this murder thou maist feare least thou be sent to hell There is a fearfull lawe let it be rightlie scand The Lord himself hath trulie said that blood pollutes the land The Land from bloodie guilt shall not be cleansde or quit But by his blood which wrong fullie the murder did commit Take heed therefore good frend and yet beware in time Pollute not this so famous place with this so bloodie crime But yet if thou obey a Princes wicked word Know in the end that thou likewise shalt perish by the sword Now if my hoarie haires no mercie can procure Yet let the safetie of thy soule to pitie thee allure And if the wailing teares of this my wofull wife Can not by anie meanes preuaile with thee to saue my life Yet see these sillie babes and weigh their wofull mone Which fatherlesse before their time should now be left alone If nothing yet but blood can quench thy hot desire Then in the ende be sure to tast the Lords reuenging ire Haue mercie Lord on me