run Vnto that course they seeth ' effects relate Whil'st still too short they come or cast too far And make these great men wiser then they ar 100 But by degrees he ventures now on blood And sacrifiz'd vnto the peoples loue The death of those that chiefe in enuie stood As th' Officers who first these dangers proue The Treasurer and those whom they thought good Bushy and Greene by death he must remoue These were the men the people thought did cause Those great exactions and abus'd the lawes 101 This done his cause was preacht with learned skill By Arundel th' Archbishop who there show'd A Pardon sent from Rome to all that will Take part with him and quit the faith they ow'd To Richard as a Prince vnfit and ill On whom the Crowne was fatally bestow'd And easie-yeelding zeale was quickly caught With what the mouth of grauity had taught 102 O that this power from euerlasting giuen The great alliance made twixt God and vs Th' intelligence that earth doth hold with heauen Sacred Religion ô that thou must thus Be made to smooth our wayes vniust vneuen Brought from aboue earth-quarrels to discusse Must men beguile our soules to winne our wils And make our Zeale the furtherer of ils 103 But the ambitious to 〈◊〉 their might Dispense with heauen and what Religion would The armed will finde right or els make right If this 〈◊〉 wrought not yet an other should And this and other now do all incite To strength the faction that the Duke doth hold Who easily obtained what he sought His vertues and his loue so greatly wrought 104 The King still busied in this Irish warre Which by his valour there did well succeed Had newes how here his Lords reuolted are And how the Duke of Herford doth proceede In these affaires he feares are growne too farre Hastes his returne from thence with greatest speed But was by tempests windes and seas debarr'd As if they likewise had against him warr'd 105 But at the length though late in Wales he lands Where thoroughly inform'd of Henries force And well aduertis'd how his owne case stands Which to his griefe he sees tends to the worse He leauest ' Aumarle at Milford all those bandes He brought from Ireland taking thence his course To Conway all disguis'd with fourteene more To th' Earle of Salisburie thither sent before 106 Thinking the Earle had rays'd some Armie there Whom there he findes for saken all alone The forces in those parts which leuied were Were closely shrunke away disperst and gone The king had stayd too long and they in feare Resolued euerie man to shift for one At this amas'd such fortune he laments Foresees his fall whereto each thing consents 107 In this disturb'd tumultuous broken State Whil'st yet th' euent stood doubtfull what should bee Whilst nought but headlong running to debate And glittering troupes and arm or men might see Furie and feare compassion wrath and hate Confus'd through all the land no corner free The strong all mad to strife to ruine bent The weaker waild the aged they lament 108 And blame their many yeeres that liue so long To see the horrour of these miseries Why had not we said they di'd with the strong In forraine fieldes in honourable wise In iust exployts and noble without wrong And by the valiant hand of enemies And not thus now reserued in our age To home-confusion and disordered rage 109 Vnto the Temples flocke the weake deuout Sad wayling Women there to vow and pray For husbands brothers or their sonnes gone out To blood-shed whom nor teares nor loue could stay Here graue religious Fathers which much doubt The sad euents these broyles procure them may As Prophets warne exclaime disswade these crimes By the examples fresh of other times 110 And ô what do you now prepare said they Another Conquest by these fatall wayes What must your owne hands make your selues a pray To desolation which these tumults rayse What Dane what Norman shall prepare his way To triumph on the spoyle of your decayes That which nor Fraunce nor all the world could do In vnion shall your discord bring you to 111 Conspire against vs neighbour nations all That enuie at the height whereto w' are growne Coniure the barbarous North and let them call Strange furie from farre distant shores vnknowne And let them altogether on vs fall So to diuert the ruine of our owne That we forgetting what doth so incense May turne the hand of malice to defence 112 Calme these tempestuous spirits O mighty Lord This threatning storme that ouer-hangs the Land Make them consider ere they ' vnsheath the sword How vaine is th' earth this point whereon they stand And with what sad calamities is stor'd The best of that for which th' Ambitious band Labor the ende of labor strife of strife Terror in death and horrour after life 113 Thus they in zeale whose humbled thoughts were good Whil'st in this wide-spread volume of the skies The booke of Prouidence disclosed stood Warnings of wrath foregoing miseries In lines of fire and characters of blood There feare full formes in dreadfull flames arise Amazing Comets threatning Monarchs might And new-seene Starres vnknowne vnto the night 114 Red 〈◊〉 Dragons in the ayre do flye And burning Meteors pointed-streaming lightes Bright Starres in midst of day appeare in skie Prodigious monsters ghastly fearefull sights Strange Ghostes and apparitions terrifie The wofull mother her owne birth affrightes Seeing a wrong deformed infant borne Grieues in her paines deceiv'd in shame doth mourne 115 The earth as if afeard of blood and wounds Trembles in terrour of these falling 〈◊〉 The hollow concaues giue out groning sounds And sighing murmures to lament our woes The Ocean all at discord with his boundes Reiterates his strange vntimely flowes Nature all out of course to checke our course Neglects her worke to worke in vs remorse 116 So great a wracke vnto it selfe doth lo Disorder'd proud mortalitie prepare That this whole frame doth euen labour so Her ruine vnto frailty to declare And trauailes to fore-signifie the wo That weake improuidence could not beware For heauen and earth and ayre and seas and all Taught men to see but not to shun their fall 117 Is man so deare vnto the heauens that they Respect the wayes of earth the workes of sinne Doth this great All this Vniuer sall weigh The vaine designes that weakenesse doth begin Or doth our feare father of zeale giue way Vnto this errour ignorance liues in And deeme our faults the cause that moue these powres That haue their cause from other cause then ours 118 But these beginnings had this impious Warre Th'vngodly blood-shed that did so defile The beautie of thy fields and euen did marre The flowre of thy chiefe pride thou fairest Ile These were the causes that incenst so farre The ciuill wounding hand inrag'd with spoyle That now the liuing with afflicted eye Looke backe with
vnpartiall hart 39 And first for you my Lord in griefe we see The miserable case wherein you stand Voyde here of succour helpe or maiestie On this poore promontorie of your Land And where how long a time your Grace may be Expecting what may fall into your hand Wee know not since th' euent of things do lie Clos'd vp in darkenes farre from mortall eye 40 And how vnfit it were you should protract Long time in this so dangerous disgrace As though that you good spirit and courage lackt To issue out of this opprobrious place When euen the face of Kings do oft exact Feare and 〈◊〉 in faultie subiects base And longer stay a great presumption drawes That you were guilty or did doubt your cause 41 What Subiects euer so inrag'd would dare To violate a Prince t' offend the blood Of that renowmed race by which they are Exalted to the height of all their good What if some things by chaunce misguided were Which they haue now rebelliously withstood They neuer will proceed with that despight To wracke the State and to confound the right 43 Nor doe I thinke that Bulling brooke can bee So blind-ambitious to affect the Crowne Hauing himselfe no title and doth see Others if you should fayle must keepe him downe Besides the Realme though mad will neuer gree To haue a right succession ouerthrowne To rayse confusion vpon them and theirs By preiudicing true and lawfull heires 43 And now it may be fearing the successe Of his attemptes or with 〈◊〉 of minde Or else distrusting secret practises He would be glad his quarrell were resign'd So that there were some orderly redresse In those disorders which the Realme did finde And this I thinke he now sees were his best Since farther actions further but vnrest 44 And forth'impossibilitie of peace And reconcilement which my Lord obiects I thinke when doying iniurie shall cease The cause pretended then surcease th' effects Time and some other Actions may increase As may diuert the thought of these respects Others law of forgetting iniuries May serue our turne in like calamities 45 And for his oath in conscience and in sense True honour would not so be found vntrue Nor spot his blood with such a foule offence Against his soule against his God and you Our Lord forbid that euer with th' expence Of heauen and heauenly ioyes that shall insue Mortalitie should buy this little breath Tindure the horror of eternall death 46 And therefore as I thinke you safely may Accept this proffer that determine shall All doubtfull courses by a quiet way Needfull for you fit for them good for all And here my Sov'raigne to make longer stay T' attend for what you are vnsure will fall May 〈◊〉 th' occasion and incense their will For Feare that 's wiser then the truth doth ill 47 Thus he perswades out of a zealous minde Supposing men had spoken as they ment And vnto this the King likewise inclin'd As wholly vnto peace and quiet bent And yeeldes himselfe to th' Earle goes leaues-behind His safetie Scepter Honor Gouernement For gone all 's gone he is no more his owne And they rid quite of feare he of the Crowne 48 A place there is where proudly rais'd therestands A huge aspiring Rock neighb'ring the Skies Whose surly brow imperiously commaunds The Sea his boundes that at his proud feete lies And spurnes the waues that in rebellious bands Assault his Empire and against him rise Vnder whose craggy gouernment there was A niggard narrow way for men to pasle 49 And here in hidden cliffes concealed lay A troope of armed men to intercept The vnsuspecting King that had no way To free his foote that into danger stept The dreadfull Ocean on the one side lay The hard-incroching Mountaine th' other kept Before him he beheld his hateful foes Behind him tray terous enemies inclose 50 Enuiron'd thus the Earle begins to cheere His al-amased Lord by him betrayde Bids him take courage ther 's no cause of feare These troopes but there to guard him safe were layd To whom the King What neede so many here This is against your oath my Lord he said But now hee sees in what distresse he stood To striue was vaine t' intreat would do no good 51 And therefore on with careful hart he goes Complaines but to himselfe sighes grieues and freats At Rutland dines though feedes but on his woes The griefe of minde hindred the minde of meats For sorrow shame and feare scorne of his foes The thought of what he was and what now threats Then what he should and now what he hath done Masters confused passions all in one 52 To Flint from thence vnto a restless bed That miserable night he comes conuayd Poorely prouided poorely followed Vncourted vnrespected vnobayd Where if vncertaine sleepe but hoouered Ouer the drooping cares that heauy weigh'd Millions of figures fantasie presents Vnto that sorrow wakened griefe augments 53 His new misfortune makes deluding sleepe Say 't was not so False dreames the trueth denie Wherewith he starts feels waking cares do creepe Vpon his soule and giues his dreame the lie Then sleepes againe and then againe as deepe Deceites of darknes mocke his miserie So hard believ'd was sorrow in her youth That he thinks truth was dreams dreams were truth 54 The morning light presents vnto his view Walking vpon a turret of the place The trueth of what hee sees is prov'd too true A hundred thousand men before his face Camemarching on the shore which thither drew And more to aggrauate his great disgrace Those he had wrongd or done to them despight As if they him vpbrayd came first in sight 55 There might hee see that false forsworne vile crue Those shameless agents of vnlawfull lust His Pandars Parasites people vntrue To God and man vnworthy any trust Preacing vnto that fortune that was new And with vnblushing faces formost thrust As those that still with prosperous fortune sort And are as borne for Corte or made in Cort. 56 There hee beheld how humbly diligent New Adulation was to be at hand How ready Falsehood 〈◊〉 how nimbly went Base pick-thank Flattery and preuents Command Hee saw the great obay the graue consent And all with this new-rays'd Aspirer stand But which was worst his owne partacted there Not by himselfe his powre not his appeare 57 Which whilst he view'd the Duke he might perceiue Make towards the Castle to an interview Wherefore he did his contemplation leaue And downe into some fitter place withdrew Where now he must admitte without his leaue Him who before with all submission due Would haue beene glad t' attend and to prepare The grace of audience with respectiue care 58 Who now being come in presence of his king Whether the sight of Maiestie did breed Remorse of what he was in compassing Or whether but to formalize his deed He kneeles him downe with some astonishing Rose kneeles againe for craft wil still exceed When-as the king approch't put
the King but to propound Confirm'd the Crowne to him and to his seed And by their oath their due obedience bound Which was the powre that stood him best in steed And made what-euer broken courses sound For what he got by fortune fauour might It was the State that now must make his right 20 Here was agreed to make all more secure That Richard should remaine for euermore Close-prisoner least the Realme might chaunce indure Some new reuolt or any fresh vp-rore And that if any should such broyle procure By him or for him he should die therefore So that a talke of tumult and a breath Would serue him as his passing-bell to death 21 Yet reuerent Carlile thou didst there oppose Thy holy voyce to saue thy Princes blood And freely checktst this iudgement and his foes When all were bad yet thou dar'dst to be good Be it inrold that time may neuer lose The memorie how firme thy courage stood When powre disgrace nor death could ought diuert Thy glorious tongue thus to reueale thy heart 22 Graue reuerent Lords since that this sacred place Our Auentine-Retire our holy hill This place soule of our State the Realmes best grace Doth priuiledge me speake what reason will Let me but say my conscience in this case Least sinne of silence shew my hart was ill And let these walles witnesse if you will not I do discharge my soule of this foule blot 23 Neuer shall this poore breath of mine consent That he that two and twentie yeeres hath raignd As lawfull Lord and King by iust descent Should here be iudg'd vnheard and vnarraignd By Subiects too Iudges incompetent To iudge their King vnlawfully detaind And vnbrought-foorth to plead his guiltless Cause Barringth ' Annoynted libertie of lawes 24 Haue you not done inough with what is done Must needes disorder growe from bad to worse Can neuer mischiefe end as it begunne But being once out must farther out of force Thinke you that any meanes vnder the Sunne Can aslecure so indirect a course Or any broken cunning build so strong As can hold out the hand of vengeance long 25 Stopt there was his too vehement speech with speed And he sent close to warde from where he stood His zeale vntimely deem'd too much t' exceed The measure of his wit and did no good They resolute for all this do proceed Vnto that iudgement could not be withstood The King had all he crav'd or could compell And all was done let others iudge how well 26 Now Muse relate a wofull accident And tell the blood-shed of these mightie Peeres Who lately reconcil'd rest discontent Griev'd with disgrace remayning in their feares How-euer seeming outwardly content Yet th' inward touch that wounded honor beares Rests closely rankling and can finde no ease Till death of one side cure this great disease 27 Meanes how to feele and learne each others hart By th' Abbots skill of Westminster is found Who secretly disliking Henries part Inuites these Lords and those hee meant to sound Feasts them with cost and drawes them on with art And darke and doubtfull questions doth propound Then playner speakes and yet vncertaine speakes Then wishes well then off abruptly breakes 28 My Lords saith he I feare we shall not finde This long-desired King such as was thought But yet he may do well God turne his minde T is yet new dayes but Ill bodes new and nought Some yet speed well though all men of my kinde Haue cause to doubt his speech is not forgot That Princes had too little we too much God giue him grace but 't is ill trusting such 29 This open-close apparent-darke discourse Drew-on much speech and euerie man replies And euery man addes heate and words inforce And vrge out wordes For when one man espies Anothers minde like his then ill breedes worse And out breaks all in th' end what closest lies For when men well haue fed th'blood being warme Then are they most improuident of harme 30 Bewray they did their inward boyling spight Each stirring other to reuenge their cause One sayes he neuer should indure the sight Of that forsworne that wrongs both Land and lawes Another vowes the same of his minde right A third t' a point more neere the matter drawes Sweares if they would he would attempt the thing To chace th' vsurper and replace their King 31 Thus one by one kindling each others fire Till all inflam'd they all in one agree All resolute to prosecute their ire Seeking their owne and Countries cause to free And haue his first that their blood did conspire For no way else they sayd but this could be Their wrong-detained honor to redeeme Which true-bred blood should more then life esteeme 32 And let not this our new-made faithless Lord Sayth Surry thinke that we are left so bare Though bare inough but we wil finde a sword To kill him with when he shal not beware For he that is with life and will instor'd Hath for reuenge inough and needes not care For time brings meanes to furnish him withall Let him but way te occasions as they fall 33 Then of the manner how t' effect the thing Consulted was and in the ende agreed That at a Maske and common Reuelling Which was ordain'd they should performe the deed For that would be least doubted of the King And fittest for their safetie to proceed The night their number and the soddaine act Would dash all order and protect their fact 34 Besides they might vnder the faire pretence Of Tilts and Turnements which they intend Prouide them horse and armour for defence And all things else conuenient for their end Besides they might hold sure intelligence Among themselues without suspect t' offend The King would thinke they sought but grace in Court With all their great preparing in this sort 35 A solemne oath religiously they take By intermutuall vowes protesting there This neuer to reueale nor to forsake So good a Cause for danger hope or feare The Sacrament the pledge of faith they take And euerie man vpon his sword doth sweare By Knighthood honor or what else should binde To assecure the more each others minde 36 And when all this was done and thought well done And euerie one assures him good successe And easie seemes the thing to euerie one That nought could crosse their plot or them suppresse Yet one among the rest whose minde not wonne With th'ouer-weening thought of hot excesse Nor headlong carryed with the streame of will Nor by his owne election led to ill 37 Iudicious Blunt whose learning valor wit Had taught true knowledge in the course of things Knew dangers as they were and th'humerous fit Ofware-lessediscontent what end it brings Counsels their heat with calme graue words and fit Words wellfore-thought that from experience springs And warnes a warier cariage in the thing Least blind presumption worke their ruining 38 My Lords sayth he I knowe your wisedomes such As that of mine aduice you
the people to abuse And giue their Cause and them the 〈◊〉 force The king for tyranny they doo accuse By whom the State was growne from bad to worse A periur'd man who held all faith in scorne Whose trusted Oathes had others 〈◊〉 forsworne 25 And there withal the execrable act On their late murthered King they aggrauate How he imploy'd the dooers of the fact Whom afterwards hee did remunerate And dayly such taxations did exact As were against the Order of the State Presuming those great summes hee did impose About his priuate vses to dispose 26 And how he was inuironed with such As had possest him and in slanderous sort Accus'd them so as they durst not approche To cleare themselues of such vniust report And thereupon they 〈◊〉 disauouch To yeld him more obedience or support And as t' a 〈◊〉 Duke of Lancaster Their Cartell of Defiance they preferre 27 Protesting these obiections to make good With sword in hand and to confirme and seale Their vndertaking with their dearest bloud As Procurators for the Common-weale And that vpon their Consciences it stood And did import their dutie and their zeale Vnto the State as Peeres to seeredrest Those miseries wherewith it was opprest 28 Great seem'd their Cause and greatly too did adde The peoples loue thereto these crymes impos'd That many gathered to the troupes they had And many sent them aide though vndisclos'd So that the King with all maine speed was glad Both by his remonstrances well compos'd And with his sword his best defence prouide To right himselfe and to correct their pride 29 Divulging first a fayre Apologie Of his cleere heart touching the foule report Of that assassinate which vtterly He doth 〈◊〉 protesting in no sort Tagree thereto in will or priuitie And how he had beene vsed to extort The State could witnesse best by whose consent Was granted what he had in Parlement 30 Which neuer was but onely one supply Infoure yeares troublous and expensiue Raigne And 〈◊〉 vpon extreame necessitie The safetie of the publicke to maintaine And that the Percies best could testifie How most that mony issued was againe To whom the same was rendred to the end To warre the Scot and Borders to defend 31 And that the rest was to the same effect For which it was obtaynd in like 〈◊〉 And where-as they did slanderously obiect How that they durst not hazard to present In person their defences in respect He was incenst by some maleuolent It was most false for he knew no defence They were to make till now they made offence 32 And how far he had been from cruelty Both VVales and Scotland could him witnes beare Where those effects of his great clemencie Insparing bloud do to his cost appeare Much more his subiects finde his lenitie Whose loue he seekes to haue and not their feare But thus said he they euer do pretend To haue receiv'd a wrong who wrong intend 33 Not to giue time vnto th' increasing rage And gathering furie foorth hee marcht with speed Least more delay or giuing longer age To th' euill growne it might the cure exceed All his bestmen at Armes and Leaders sage All he prepar'd hee could and all did need For to a mighty worke thou goest ô King That equall spirits and equall powres shal bring 34 There shall young Hotspur with a fury led Ingrapple with thy sonne as fierce as hee There Martiall VVorster long experienced In forraine armes shall come t' incounter thee There Dowglas to thy Stafford shall make head There Vernon for thy valiant Blunt shall be There shalt thou finde a doubtfull bloudy day Though sickenesse keep Northumberland away 35 Who yet reserv'd though after quit for this Another tempest on thy head to rayse As if still wrong-reuenging Nemesis Meant to afflict all thy continuing 〈◊〉 And here this field hee happely doth misse For thy great good and therefore well hee stayes What might his force haue done being brought thereto When that already gaue so much to doo 36 The swift approche and vnexpected speed The King had made vpon this new-rays'd force In th' vnconfirmed troupes much feare did breed Vntimely hind'ring their intended course Theioyning with the Welsh they had decreed Was hereby dasht which made their Cause the worse Northumberland with forces from the North Expected to be there was not set forth 37 And yet vndaunted Hotspur seeing the King So neere arriv'd leauing the worke in hand With forward speed his forces marshalling Sets forth his farther comming to withstand And with a cheerefull voyce incouraging His well experienc't and aduentrous Band Brings on his Army eger vnto fight And plac't the same before the King in sight 38 This day saith he my valiant trusty friendes What-euer it doth giue shal glory giue This day with honor frees our State or endes Our misery with fame that still shal liue And doo but thinke how well the same he spends Who spends his blood his Country to relieue What haue we hands and shall we seruile bee Why were swordes made but to preserue men free 39 Besides th' assured hope of victorie Which we may even fore-promise on our side Against this weake constrayned company Whom force and feare not will and loue doth guide Against a Prince whose foulimpiety The heauens doo hate the earth cannot abide Our number being no lesse our courage more No doubt we haue it if wee worke therefore 40 This sayd and thus resolv'd euen bent to charge Vpon the King who well their order view'd And wary noted all the course at large Of their proceeding and their multitude And deeming better if he could discharge The day with safetie and some peace conclude Great proffers sendes of pardon and of grace If they would yeeld and quietnesse imbrace 41 Which though his feares might driue him to propose To time his businesle for some other ende Yet sure hee could not meane t' haue peace with those Who did in that supreame degree offend Nor were they such as would bee wonne with showes Or breath of oathes or vowes could apprehend So that in honor th'offers he doth make Were not for him to 〈◊〉 nor them to take 42 And yet this much his courses doo approue He was not bloudy in his Naturall And yeeld he did to more then might behoue His dignitie to haue dispenst withall And vnto VVorster hee himselfe did moue A reconcilement to be made of all But VVorster know'ing it could not be secur'd His Nephews on-set yet for all procur'd 43 Which seeing the King with greater wrathin censt Rage against furie doth with speede prepare And though sayd he I could haue wel dispenst With this dayes bloud which I haue sought to spare That greater glory might haue recompenst The forward worth of these that so much dare That we might good haue had by th'ouerthrowne And th'wounds we make might not haue beene our owne 44 Yet since that other mens iniquitie Calles-on the sword of wrath
doe is done 108 And nothing now but to confirme him king Remaines which must not long remaine to do The present heate doth strait dispatch the thing With all those solemne rites that long thereto So that what Yorke with all his trauay ling Force and intrusion could not get vnto Is now thus freely layd vpon his sonne Who must make faire what 〈◊〉 was begunne 109 Whos 's end attayn'd had it here made an end Of foule destruction and had stay'd the bloud Which Towton Exham Tewksbury did spend With desp'rate hands and deeper wounds with stood And that none other Crowne brought to contend With that of his had made his seeme lesse good How had this long-afflicted Land been blest Our sighes had ended and my Muse had rest 110 Which now but little past halfe her long way Stands trembling at the horrors that succeed Weary with these embroylements faine would stay Her 〈◊〉 course vnwilling to proceed And faine to see that glorious holy-day Of Vnion which this discord reagreed Knowes not as yet what to resolue vpon Whether to leaue-off here or else go-on The end of the seauenth Booke THE EIGHTTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Edward Powre against King Henry led And hath at Towton-field the victory From whence King Henry into Scotland fled Where he attempts his States recouery Steales into England is discouered Brought Prisoner to the Towre disgracefully And Edward whiles great Warwick doth assay A Match in France marries the Lady Grey 1 ON yet sad Verse though those bright 〈◊〉 from whence Thou hadst thy light are set for euermore And that these times do not like grace dispense To our indeuours as those did before Yet on since She whose beames do reincense This sacred fire seemes as reseru'd in store To raise this Worke and here to haue my last Who had the first of all my labours past 2 On with her blessed fauour and relate With what new bloud-shed this new chosen Lord Made his first entry to th' afflicted State Past his first Act of publique with the sword Ingor'd his new-worne Crowne and how he gat Possession of affliction and restor'd His Right vnto a Royall miserie Maintained with as bloudy dignitie 3 Shew how our great Pharsalian Field was fought At Towton in the North the greatest day Of ruine that 〈◊〉 euer brought Vnto this Kingdom where two Crownes did sway The worke of slaughter two Kings Causes wrought Destruction to our People by the waie Of their affections and their loyalties As if one for these ills could not suffise 4 Where Lancaster and that couragious side That noble constant Part came furnished With such a Powre as might haue terrifi'd And ouer-run the earth had they been led The way of glory where they might haue tri'd For th' Empire of all Europe as those did The Macedonian led into the East Their number being double at the least 5 And where braue Yorke comes as compleatly mand With courage valour and with equall might Prepar'd to trie with a resolued hand The metall of his Crown and of his Right Attended with his fatall fier-brand Of Warre Warwicke that blazing starre of fight The Comet of destruction that portends Confusion and distresse what way he tends 6 What rage what madness England do we see That this braue people in such multitude Run to confound themselues and all to be Thus mad for Lords and for meere Seruitude What might haue been if Roman-like and free These gallant Spirits had nobler ends pursu'd And strayn'd to points of glory and renowme For good of the Republique and their owne 7 But here no Cato with a Senate stood For Common-wealth nor here were any sought T'emancipate the State for publique good But onely headlong for their faction wrought Here euery man runs-on to spend his bloud To get but what he had already got For whether Pompey or a Caesar wonne Their state was euer sure to be all one 8 And first before these fatall Armies met Had forward Warwicke lay'd the passage free At Ferry Brigges where the Lord Clifford set With an aduentrous gallant companie To guard that streight Yorkes farther march to let Began the Scene to this great Tragedie Made the first entrance on the Stage of blood Which now set wide for wounds all open stood 9 When Edward to exhort his men began With words where to both spirit and Maiestie His pers'nage gave for-that he was a man Besides a King whose Crowne sate gracefully Com'n is the day sayd he wherin who can Obtaine the best is Best this day must try Who hath the wrong and whence our ills haue beene And t is our swords must make vs honest men 10 For though our Cause by God and men allow'd Hath in it honor right and honestie Yet all as nothing is to be avow'd Vnless withall we haue the victorie For Iustice is we see a virtue proud And leanes to powre and leaues weake miserie And therefore seeing the case we now stand in We must resolue either to dy or winne 11 So that if any here doth finde his heart To fayle him for this noble worke or stands Irresolute this day let him depart And leaue his Armes behind for worthier hands I knowe e now will stay to doo their part Here to redeeme themselues 〈◊〉 children landes And haue the glory that thereby shall rise To free their Country from these miseries 12 But here what needed wordes to blowe the fire In flame already and inkindled so As when it was proclaym'd they might retire Who found vnwillingnes to vnder-goe That ventrous worke they all did so conspire To stand out Fortune that not one would goe To beare away a hand from bloud not one Defraud the Field of th' euill might be done 13 Where VVarwicke too producing in their sight An argument whereby he did conclude There was no hope of 〈◊〉 but by fight Doth sacrifize his horse to Fortitude And thereby did the least conceipt of flight Or any succour by escape exclude Se'ing in the streight of a necessitie The meanes to win is t' haue no meanes to flye 14 It was vpon the twi-light of that day That peacefull day when the Religious beare The Oliue-branches as they go to pray And we in lieu the blooming Palmes vse here When both the Armies ready in array Forth ' early sacrifize of blood appeare Prepar'd formischiefe ere they had full light To see to doo it and to doo it right 15 Th' aduantage of the time and of the winde Which both with Yorke seeme as retayn'd in pay Braue Faulconbridge takes hold-on and assign'd The Archers their flight-shafes to shoote away Which th' aduerse side with sleet and dimnesse blinde Mistaken in the distance of the way Answere with their sheafe-arrowes that came short Of their intended ayme and did no hurt 16 But gath'red by th'on-marching Enemy Returned were like clowdes of steele which powre Destruction downe and did new-night the sky As if the Day had fayl'd
For now his vncle Gloster much repin'd Against this French alliance and this peace As either out of a tumultuous minde Which neuer was content the warres should cease Or that he did dishonorable finde Those articles which did our State decrease And therefore storm'd because the Crowne had wrong Or that he fear'd the King would growe too strong 42 But whatsoeuer mov'd him this is sure Hereby he wrought his ruine in the end And was a fatall cause that did procure The swift approching mischiefes that attend For loe the King no longer could indure Thus to be crost in what he did intend And therefore watcht but some occasion fit T'attache the Duke when he thought least of it 43 And Fortune to set forward this intent The Cont S. Paule from France doth hither bring Whom Charles the sixt imploy'd in complement To see the Queene and to salute the King To whom he shewes his Vncles discontent And of his secret dangerous practising How he his Subiectes sought to sulleuate And breake the league with Fraunce concluded late 44 To whom the Cont most cunningly replies Great Prince it is within your power with ease To remedy such feares such iealousies And rid you of such mutiners as these By cutting off that which might greater rise And now at first preuenting this disease And that before he shall your wrath disclose For who threats first meanes of reuenge doth lose 45 First take his head then tell the reason why Stand not to finde him guiltie by your lawes You easier shall with him your quarrell trie Dead then aliue who hath the better cause For in the murmuring vulgar vsually This publique course of yours compassion drawes Especially in cases of the great Which worke much pitty in the vndiscreat 46 And this is sure though his offence be such Yet doth calamitie attract commorse And men repine at Princes blood-shed much How iust-soeuer iudging t is by force I know not how their death giues such a tuch In those that reach not to a true discourse As so shall you obseruing formall right Be held still as vniust and win more spight 47 And oft the cause may come preuented so And therefore when t is done let it be heard For thereby shall you scape your priuate wo And satisfie the world too afterward What neede you weigh the rumors that shall go What is that breath being with your life compar'd And therefore if you will be rul'd by me In secret sort let him dispatched bee 48 And then arraigne the chiefe of those you finde Were of his faction secretly compact Who may so well be handled in their kinde As their confessions which you shall exact May both appease the aggrieued peoples minde And make their death to aggrauate their fact So shall you rid your selfe of dangers quite And shew the world that you haue done but right 49 This counsell vttred vnto such an eare As willing listens to the safest wayes Workes on the yeelding matter of his feare Which easily to any course obayes For euery Prince seeing his daunger neere By any meanes his quiet peace assaies And still the greatest wrongs that euer were Haue then been wrought when Kings were put in feare 50 Call'd in with publique pardon and release The Duke of Gloster with his complices All tumults all contentions seem to cease The land rich people pleas'd all in happinesse When sodainely Gloster came caught with peace VVarwicke with profered loue and promises And Arundell was in with cunning brought Who else abrode his safetie might haue wrought 51 Long was it not ere Gloster was conuayd To Calice and there strangled secretly VVarwicke and Arundell close prisoners laid Th' especiall men of his confederacie Yet VVarwickes teares and base confessions staide The doome of death and came confin'd thereby And so prolongs this not long base-begg'd breath But Arundell was put to publique death 52 Which publique death receiv'd with such a cheare As not 〈◊〉 sigh a looke a shrink bewrayes The least felt touch of a degenerous feare Gaue life to Enuie to his courage prayse And made his stout-defended cause appeare With such a face of Right as that it layes The side of wrong t'wards him who had long since By Parliament forgiuen this offence 53 And in the vnconceiuing vulgar sort Such an impression of his goodnes gaue As Sainted him and rays'd a strange report Of miracles effected on his Graue Although the Wise whome zeale did not transport Knew how each great example still must haue Something of wrong a taste of violence Wherewith the publique quiet doth dispense 54 The King foorth-with prouides him of a Guard A thousand Archers daily to attend Which now vpon the act he had prepar'd As th' argument his actions to defend But yet the world hereof conceiu'd so hard That all this nought auaild him in the end In vaine with terror is he fortified That is not guarded with firme loue beside 55 Now storme his grieued Vncles though in vaine Not able better courses to 〈◊〉 They might their grieuance inwardly complaine But outwardly they needes must temporise The King was great and they should nothing gaine T' attempt reuenge or offer once to rise This league with Fraunce had made him now so strong That they must needes as yet indure this wrong 56 For like a Lion that escapes his boundes Hauing beene long restrain'd his vse to stray Ranges the restless woods stayes on no groūd Riots with blood-shed wantons on his praie Seekes not for neede but in his pride to wound Glorying to see his strength and what he may So this vnbridled King freed of his feares In liberty himself thus wildely beares 57 For standing now alone he sees his might Out of the compasse of respectiue awe And now beginnes to violate all right While no restraining feare at hand he saw Now he exacts of all 〈◊〉 in delight Riots in pleasure and neglects the law He thinkes his Crowne is licenst to do ill That lesse should list that may do what it wil. 58 Thus b'ing transported in this sensuall course No friend to warne no counsell to withstand He 〈◊〉 proceedeth on from bad to worse Sooth'd in all actions that he tooke in hand By such as all impietie did nurse Commending euer what hee did command Vnhappie Kings that neuer may be taught To know themselues or to discerne their fault 59 And whilst this course did much the kingdome daunt The Duke of Herford being of courage bolde As sonne and heire to mighty Iohn 〈◊〉 Gaunt Vtters the passion which he could not holde Concerning these oppressions and the want Of gouernment which he to Norfolke told To th' end he being great about the king Might do some good by better counselling 60 Hereof doth Norfolke presently take hold And to the king the whole discourse relate Who not conceipting it as it was told But iudging it proceeded out of hate Disdeigning deepely to be so controwl'd
Whil'st we hold but the shadow of our owne Pleas'd with vaine shewes and dallied with delight They as huge vnproportion'd mountaines growne Betweene our land and vs shadowing our light Bereaue the rest of ioy and vs of loue And keepe downe all to keepe themselues aboue 20 Which wounds with griefe poore vnrespected zeale When grace holdes no proportion in the parts When distribution in the Common-weale Of charge and honour due to good desarts Is stopt when others greedie hands must deale The benefite that Maiestie imparts What good we meant comes gleaned home but light Whilst we are robd of prayse they of their right 21 Thus he complained when lo from Lancaster The new intit'led Duke with order sent Arriv'd Northumberland as to conferre And make relation of the Dukes intent And offred there if that he would referre The controuersie vnto Parlement And punish those that had abus'd the State As causers of this vniuersall hate 22 And also see that Iustice might be had On those the Duke of Glosters death procur'd and such remov'd from Councell as were bad His cosin Henry would he there assur'd On humble knees before his Grace be glad To aske him pardon to be well secur'd and haue his right and grace resto'rd againe The which was all he labour'd to obtaine 23 And therefore doth an enterparle exhort Perswades him leaue that vnbeseeming place and with a princely hardinesse resort Vnto his people that attend his Grace They meant his publique good and not his hurt and would most ioyfull be to see his face He layes his soule to pledge and takes his Oath The ost of Christ an ostage for his troth 24 This proffer with such protestations made Vnto a King that so neere danger stood Was a sufficient motiue to perswade When no way else could shew a face so good Th'vnhonourable meanes of safety bade Danger accept what Maiesty withstood When better choyses are not to be had We needes must take the seeming bost of bad 25 Yet standes he'in doubt a while what way to take Conferring with that small remaining troope Fortune had left which neuer would forsake Their poore distressed Lord nor neuer stoope To any hopes the stronger part could make Good Carlile Ferby and Sir Stephen Scroope With that most worthy Montague were all That were content with Maiesty to fall 26 Time spare and make not sacrilegious theft Vpon so memorable constancie Let not succeeding Ages be bereft Of such examples of integritie Nor thou magnanimous Leigh must not be left in darknesse for thy rare fidelitie To saue thy faith content to lose thy head That 〈◊〉 head of good men honoured 27 Nor will my Conscience I should iniury Thy memorie most trusty Ienico For b'ing not ours though wish that 〈◊〉 Claym'd not for hers the faith we reuerence so That England might haue this small companie Onely to her alone hauing no moe But le' ts diuide this good betwixt vs both Take she thy birth and we will haue thy troth 28 Graue Montague whom long experience taught In either fortune thus aduis'd his King Deare Sou'raigne know the matter that is sought Is onely now your Maiesty to bring From out of this poore safetie you haue got Into theyr hands that else hold euery thing For now but onely you they want of all and wanting you they nothing theirs can call 29 Here haue you craggie Rocks to take your part That neuer will betray their faith to you These trusty Mountaines here will neuer start But stand t' vpbraid their shame that are vntrue Here may you fence your safetie with small art against the pride of that confused Crew If men will not these verie Cliffes will fight and be sufficient to defend your right 30 Then keepe you here and here shall you behold Within short space the slyding faith of those That cannot long their resolution hold Repent the course their idle rashnesse chose For that same mercenarie faith they sold With least occasions discontented growes And insolent those voluntarie bands Presuming how by them he chiefly stands 31 And how can he those mightie troupes sustaine Long time where now he is or any where Besides what discipline can he retaine Whereas he dares not keepe them vnder feare For feare to haue them to reuolt againe So that it selfe when Greatnesse cannot beare With her owne waight must needes confus'dly fall Without the helpe of other force at all 32 And hither to approche hee will not dare Where deserts rockes and hilles no succours giue Where desolation and no comforts are Where few can do no good many not liue Besides we haue the Ocean to prepare Someother place if this should not relieue So shall you tire his force consume his strength And weary all his followers out at length 33 Doe but referre to time and to small time And infinite occasions you shall finde To quaile the Rebell euen in the prime Of all his hopes beyond all thought of minde For many with the conscience of the crime In colder blood will curse what they design'd And bad successe vpbrayding their ill fact Drawes them whom others draw from such an act 34 For if the least imagin'd ouerture But of conceiv'd reuolt men once 〈◊〉 Straight shrinke the weake the great will not indure Th' impatient run the discontented flie The friend his friends example doth procure And all to gither haste them presently Some to their home some hide others that stay To reconcile themselues the rest betray 35 What hope haue you that euer Bullingbrooke Will liue a Subiect that hath tri'd his fate Or what good reconcilement can you looke Where he must alwayes feare and you must hate And neuer thinke that he this quarrell tooke To reobtaine thereby his priuate state T' was greater hopes that hereto did him call And he will thrust for all or else lose all 36 Nor trust this suttle Agent nor his oth You knowe his faith you tri'd it before hand His fault is death and now to lose his troth To saue his life he will not greatly stand Nor trust your kinsmans proffer since you both Shew blood in Princes is no stedfast band What though he hath no title he hath might That makes a title where there is no right 37 Thus he when that good Bishop thus replies Out of a minde that quiet did affect My Lord I must confesse as your caselies You haue great cause your Subiects to suspect And counterplot against their subtelties Who all good care and honestie neglect And feare the worst what insolence may do Or armed fury may incense them to 38 But yet my Lord feare may aswell transport Your care beyond the truth of what is meant As otherwise neglect may fall too short In not examining of their intent But let vs weigh the thing which they exhort T is Peace Submission and a Parlement Which how expedient 't is for either part T were good we iudg'd with an
Countrie com'n to vvage Warre vvith thy selfe nor those afflictions try'd Of all consuming discorde here so long Too mightie novv against thy selfe too strong The ende of the second Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE Henrie the fourth the Crowne established The Lords that did to Glosters death consent Degraded do rebell are vanquished King Richard vnto Pomfret Castle sent Is by a cruell Knight there murthered After the Lords had had their punishment His Corps from thence to London is conuayd And there for all to view is open layd 1 NOw risen is that Head by which did spring The birth of two strong Heads two Crownes two rights That monstrous shape that afterward did bring Deform'd confusion to distracted wights Now is attain'd that dearely purchast thing That fill'd the world with lamentable sights And now attain'd all care is how to frame Meanes to establish and to hold the same 2 First he attends to build a strong conceipt Of his vsurped powre in peoples mindes And armes his cause with furniture of weight Which easily the sword and Greatnesse findes Succession Conquest and election straight Suggested are and prov'd in all their kindes More then ynough they finde who finde their might Hath force to make all that they will haue Right 3 Though one of these might verie well suffise His present approbation to procure But who his own cause makes doth stil deuise To make too much to haue it more then sure Feare casts too deepe and euer is too wise No vsuall plots the doubtfull can secure And all these disagreeing Claymes he had With hope to make one good of many bad 4 Like vnto him that fears and faine would stop Aninundation working-on apace Runs to the Breach heapes mightie matter vp Throwes indigested burthens on the place Lodes with huge weights the out-side the top But leaues the inner partes in feeble case Whil'st th'vnder-searching water working-on Beares proudly downe all that was idly don 5 So fares it with our indirect desseignes And wrong contriued labors at the last Whil'st working Time and iustice vndermines The feeble frame held to be wrought so fast Then when out-breaking vengeance vncombines The ill-ioyn'd plots so fayrely ouer-cast Turnes vp those huge pretended heapes of showes And all these weake illusions ouer-throwes 6 But after hauing made his title plaine Vnto his Coronation he proceedes Which in most sumptuous sort to intertaine The gazing vulgar whom this splendor feeds Is stately furnisht with a glorious traine Wherein the former Kings he far exceedes And all t' amuse the world and turne the thought Of what how 't was done to whatis wrought 7 And that he might on many props repose He strengths his owne who his part did take New Officers new Councellors he chose His eldest sonne the Prince of Wales doth make His second Lord high Steward and to those Had hazarded their fortunes for his sake He giues them charge as merites their deseart And rayses them by crushing th' aduerse part 8 So that hereby the vniuersall face Of Court with all the Offices of State Are wholly chang'd by death or by disgrace Vpon th' aduantage of the peoples hate Who euer enuying those of chiefest place Whom neither worth nor vertue but their fate Exalted hath doo when their Kings doo naught Because it 's in their powre iudge it their faute 9 And in their steed such as were popular And wel-deseruing were aduanc't by grace Graue Shirley he ordaines Lord Chancelor Both worthy for his vertues and his race And Norburie hee appoints for Treasurer A man though meane yet fit to vse that place And others t'other roomes whom people hold So much more lov'd how much they loath the old 10 And it behoues him now to doo his best T' approue his vow and oath made to the State And many great disorders he redrest Which alwayes Vsurpation makes the gate To let it selfe into the peoples brest And seekes the publike best t'accommodate Wherein Iniustice better doth then Right For who reproues the lame must go vpright 11 Though it be easie to accuse a State Of imperfection and misgouernment And easie to beget in people hate Of present Rule which cannot all content And fewe attempt it that effect it not Yet t'introduce a better gouernment In steed thereof if we t'example looke The vnder-takers haue beene ouer-tooke 12 Then against those he strictly doth proceed Who chiefe of Glosters death were guiltie thought Not so much for the hatred of that deed But vnder this pretext the meanes he sought To ruine such whose might did much exceed His powre to wrong nor else could well be wrought Law Iustice blood the zeale vnto the dead Were on 〈◊〉 side and his drift coloured 13 Here many of the greatest of the Land Accus'd were of the act strong proofes brought out Which strongly were 〈◊〉 the Lords all stand To cleare their Cause 〈◊〉 resolutely stout The King 〈◊〉 what he tooke in hand Was not with safety to be brought-about Desists to vrge their death in any wise Respecting number strength friends and allies 14 Nor was it time now in his tender raigne And infant-young-beginning gouernement To striue with blood when lenitie must gaine The mightie men and please the discontent New Kings do feare when old Courts farther straine Establisht States to all things will consent He must dispense with his will and their crime And seeke t' oppresse and weare them out with time 15 Yet not to seeme but to haue some thing done In what he could not as he would effect To 〈◊〉 the people that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to expect He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 was elect A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 few or none would misse Who first did serue their turne and now serues his 16 And to abase the too high state of those That were accus'd and lesten their degrees Aumarle Surry Exceter must lose The names of Dukes their titles dignities And whatsoeuer profits thereby rise The Earles their titles and their Signories And all they got in th' end of Richards raigne Since Glosters death they must restore againe 17 By this as if by Ostracisme t' abate That great presumptiue wealth whereon they stand For first hereby impov'rishing their state He killes the meanes they might haue to withstand Then equals them with other whom they hate Who by their spoyles are rais'd to hie command That weake and enuied if they should conspire They wracke themselues and he hath his desire 18 Yet by this grace which must be held a grace As both they and the world are made beleeue He thinks t' haue dealt benignly in this case And left them state ynough to let them liue And that the taking from thē meanes place Was nothing in respect what hee did giue But they that knowe how their owne reckning 〈◊〉 Account not what they haue but what they lose 19 The Parlement which now is held decreed What-euer pleas'd
haue no need I knowe you knowe how much the thing doth touch The maine of all your states your blood your seed Yet since the same concernes my life as much As his whose hand is chiefest in this deed And that my foote must go as farre as his I thinke my tongue may speake what needfull is 39 The thing we enterprize I knowe doth beare Great possibilitie of good effect For-that so many men of might there are That venture here this action to direct Which meaner wightes of trust and credite bare Not so respected could not looke t' effect For none without great hopes will follow such Whose powre and honor doth not promise much 40 Besides this new and doubtfull gouernment The wauering faith of people vaine and light The secret hopes of many discontent The naturall affection to the right Our lawfull Sov'raignes life in prison pent Whom men begin to pittie now not spight Our well layd plot and all I must confesse With our iust cause doth promise good successe 41 But this is yet the outward fayrest side Of our desseigne within rests more of feare More dread of sad euent yet vndescri'd Then my most worthy Lords I would there were But yet I speake not this as to diuide Your thoughts from th' act or to dismay your cheere Onely to adde vnto your forward will A moderate feare to cast the worst of ill 42 Danger before and in and after th' act You needes must graunt is great and to be waigh'd Before least while we do the deede protract It be by any of our selues bewraid For many being priuie to the fact How hard it is to keepe it vnbetraid When the betrayer shal haue life and grace And rid himselfe of danger and disgrace 43 For though some few continue resolute Yet many shrink which at the first would dare And be the formost men to execute If th' act and motion at one instant were But intermission suffers men dispute What dangers are and cast with farther care Cold doubt cauils with honor scorneth fame And in the end feare waighes downe faith with shame 44 Then in the act what perils shall we finde If either place or time or other course Cause vs to alter th' order now assign'd Or that then we expect things happen worse If either error or afainting minde An indiscreet amazement or remorse In any at that instant should be found How much it might the act and all confound 45 After the deede the dangers are no lesse Lest that our forwardnes not seconded By our owne followers and accomplices Being kept backe or slowe or hindered The hastie multitude rush-on t' oppresse Confused weakenes there vnsuccored Or ray se another head of that same race T' auenge his death and prosecute the case 46 All this my Lords must be considered The best and worst of that which may succeede That valourmixt with feare boldnesse with dread May march more circumspect with better heed And To preuent these mischiefs mentioned Is by our faith our secrecie and speed For euen already is the worke begun And we rest all vndone till all be done 47 And though I could haue wisht another course In open fielde t' haue hazarded my blood Yet some are heere whose loue is of that force To draw my life whom zeale hath not withstood But like you not of your desseigne the worse If the successe be good your course is good And ending well our honor then begins No hand of strife is pure but that which wins 48 This sayd a sad still silence held their mindes Vpon the feareful proiect of their woe But that not long ere forward furie findes Incouraging perswasions on to goe We must sayd they we wil our honour bindes Our safety bids our fayth must haue it so We know the worst can come 't is thought vpon We cannot shift being in we must goe on 49 And on in deed they went but ô not farre A fatal stop trauerst their headlong course Their drift comes knowne and they discouered are For some of many will be false of force Aumarle became the man that all did marre Whether through indiscretion chance or worse He makes his peace with offring others blood And shewes the King how all the matter stood 50 Then lo dismayde confusion all possest Th' afflicted troupe hearing their plot descride Then runnes amaz'd distresse with sad vnrest To this to that to slie to stand to hide Distracted terror knew not what was best On what determination to abide At last 〈◊〉 would yet stand to the Sword To trie what friendes would doe or fate asfoord 51 Then this then that mans ayde they craue implore Poste here for helpe seeke there their followers Coniure their friendes they had labour for more Sollicite all reputed fauourers Who Richards cause seem'd to affect before And in his name write pray sende messengers To try what faith was 〈◊〉 if by this art Any would 〈◊〉 to take Afflictions part 52 And some were found and some againe draw backe Vncertaine power could not it selfe retaine Intreate they may authoritie they lacke And here and there they march but all in vaine With desp'rate course like those that see their wracke Euen on the Rockes of death and yet they straine That death may not them idly finde t' attend Their certaine last but worke to meet their end 53 And long they stand not ere the chiefe surpriz'd Conclude with their deare blood their tragedie And all the rest disperst run some disguis'd To vnknowne coastes some to the shores do flye Some to the woods or whither feare aduis'd But running from all to destruction hie The breach once made vpon a battered state Downe goes distresse no shelter shroudes their fate 54 And now what horror in their soules doth growe What sorrowes with their friendes and neere allies What mourning in their ruin'd houses now How many childrens plaints and mothers cryes How many wofull Widowes left to bow To sad disgrace what perisht families What heires of hie rich hopes their thoughts must frame To base-downe-looking pouertie and shame 55 This slaughter and calamitie fore-goes Thy eminent destruction wofull King This is the bloody Comet of thy woes That doth fore-tell thy present ruyning Here was thy ende decreed when these men rose And euen with theirs this act thy death did bring Or hastened at the least vpon this ground Yet if not this another had beene found 56 Kings Lords of times and of occasions may Take their aduantage when and how they list For now the Realme he thought in this dismay T' 〈◊〉 like mischiefes neither would resist Norfeele the wound at all since by this way All future disturbations would desist The roote cut off from whence these tumults rose He should haue rest the Common-wealth repose 57 He knew this time and yet he would not seeme Too quicke to wrath as if affecting blood But yet complaines so farre that men might deeme He would 't were done and that he thought it
did all his courage bend Against those foure which now before him were Doubting not who behind him doth attend And plyes his hands vndaunted vnaffeard And with good heart and life for life he stird 77 And whiles he this and that and each mans blowe Doth eye defend and shift being layd-to 〈◊〉 Backward he beares for more aduantage now Thinking the wall would safegard him the more When lo with impious hand ô wicked thou That shamefull durst not come to strike before Behind him gav'st that lamentable wound Which layd that wretched Prince flat on the ground 78 Now proditorious wretch what hast thou done To make this barbarous base assassinate Vpon the person of a Prince and one Fore-spent with sorrow and all desolate What great aduancement hast thou hereby wonne By being the instrument to perpetrate So foule a deed where is thy grace in Corte For such a seruice acted in this sort 79 First he for whom thou dost this villanie Though pleas'd there with will not auouch thy fact But let the weight of thine owne infamie Fall on thee vnsupported and vnbackt Then all men else will loath thy treacherie And thou thy selfe abhorre thy proper act So th' Wolfe in hope the Lyons grace to win Betraying other beastes lost his owne 〈◊〉 80 But now as this sweet Prince distended lay And him nor Life nor Death their owne could call For Life remouing 〈◊〉 not all away And Death though entring had not seis'd on all That short-tym'd motion had a little stay The mouer ceasing though it were but small As th' Organ-sound a time suruiues the stop Before it doth the dying note giue vp 81 When lo there streames a spring of bloud so fast From those deepe woundes as all imbru'd the face Of that accursed caytiue as he past After the deed effected through the place And therewithall those dying eyes did cast Such an vpbrayding looke on his disgrace Seeming to checke so cowardly a part As left th' impression euen in his hart 82 And this one King most neere in bloud ally'd Is made th' oblation for the others peace Which peace yet was not hereby ratifi'd So as it could all future feares release For though the other did forth with prouide To haue the rumour run of his decease By drawing the corps to London where it was Layd three dayes to be seene with open face 83 Yet so great was this execrable deed As men would searce therein belieue their eyes Much lesse their eares and many sought to feed The easie creditours of nouelties By voycing him aliue how hee was freed By strange escape out of his miseries And many did conspire now to relieue Him dead who had forsaken him aliue 84 And many suffred for his Cause when now He had 〈◊〉 many 〈◊〉 for him againe When they perceiv'd th' exchange did not allow Their hopes so much as they did looke to gaine By traffiquing of kings and all saw how Their full 〈◊〉 were in the wane They had a King was more then him before But yet a king where they were nought the more 85 And sure this murthred Prince though weake he was He was not ill not yet so weake 〈◊〉 that He shew'd much Martiall 〈◊〉 in his place Aduentring of this person for the State And might amongst our better Princes passe Had not the flatterie rapine and debate Of factious Lords and greedie Officers 〈◊〉 his actions and abus'd his yeares 86 Nor is it so much Princes weakenesses As the corruption of their Ministers Wherby the Common-wealth receiues distress For they attending their particulars Make imperfections their aduantages To be themselues both Kings and Councellors And sure this Common-wealth can neuer take Hurt by weake kings but such as we doo make 87 Besides he was which people much respect In Princes and which pleases vulgarly Of goodly personage and of sweete aspect Of milde accesse and liberalitie And feastes and shewes and triumphs did affect As the delights of youth and iollitie But here the great profusion and expence Of his reuenues bred him much offence 88 And gaue aduantage vnto enmitie This grieuous accusation to prefer That he consum'd the common Treasurie Whereof he being the simple vsager But for the State not in proprietie Did alien at his pleasure and transfer The same this minions and to whome hee list By which the Common-wealth was to subsist 89 Whereby sayd they the poore concussed State Shall euer be exacted for supplyes Which accusation was th' occasion that His succeslour by order 〈◊〉 Many his Patents and did reuocate And reaslume his liberalities And yet for all these wastes these gifts and feasts He was not found a Bankrupt in his chests 90 But they who tooke to Syndicque in this sorte The Actions of a Monarch knew those things Wherein the accoumpts were likely to fall short Betweene the State of Kingdomes and their Kings Which president of pestilent import Had not the heauens blest thy indeuourings Against thee Henry had beene likewise brought Th' example made of thy example wrought 91 For though this bountie and this liberalness A glorious vertue be it better fits Great men then kings who giuing in excesse Giue not their owne but others benefits Which calles-vp manies hopes but pleasures lesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more loue then it begets For Iustice is their Virtue that alone Makes them sit sure and glorifies the Throne The ende of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Henrie his excuses publishes For Richards death and truce doth intertaine With France The Scots 〈◊〉 for wrongs address Themselues to warre and are appeas'd againe The Welsh rebell The Percies practises To part the State are stopt in battell slaine Continuall troubles still afflict this King Till Death an end doth to his trauailes bring 1 THe bounds once ouer-gone that hold men in They neuer stay but on from bad to worse Wrongs do not leaue off there where they begin But still beget new mischiefes in their course Now Henrie thou 〈◊〉 added to thy 〈◊〉 Of vsurpation and intruding force A greater crime which makes that gone before T' appeare more then it did and noted more 2 For now thou artinforc't t' apologise With forraine States for two enormious things Wherein thou dost appeare to scandalise The publike Right and common Cause of Kings Which though with all the skill thou canst deuise Thou ouerlay'st with fayrest colourings Yet th' vnder-worke transparent shewes too plaine Where open acts accuse th' excuse is vaine 3 And these defences are but complements To dallie with confining Potentates Who busied in their proper gouernments Do seldome tend th' affaires of other States Their wisedome which to present powre consents Liue-dogges before dead Lyons estimates And no man more respects these publike wrongs Then so much as t' his priuate state belongs 4 Yet most it seem'd the French King to import As sharer in his daughters iniurie Though bloud in Princes links not in such
sort As that it is of any powre to tye Where their estates may seeme t'aduenture hurt Or where there is not a necessitie That doth combine them with a stronger chaine Then all these great Alliances containe 5 For though this King might haue resentiment And will t' auenge him of this iniurie Yet at that time his State being turbulent Factious and full of partialitie And of tentimes he him selfe impotent By meanes of his Phreneticque maladie It was not likely any good could rise By vndertaking such an enterprise 6 And therefore both sides vpon entercourse As fitted best their present termes agreed The former truce continue should in force According as it had beene fore-decreed Vpon the match with Richard and a course For Isabel with all conuenient speed Prouided with an honorable Traine Suting her state to be sent home againe 7 Whome willingly they would haue still retain'd And matcht vnto the Prince but shee though yong Yet sensible of that which appertain'd To honor and renowne scornd any tongue That offred such a motion and disdaynd To haue it thought she would but heare that wrong Mov'd to her of her Lord and husband dead To haue his murtherers race inioy his bed 8 Besides the French doubting the Gouernment Thus gotten would be subiect still to strife Not willing were to vrge her to consent T' accept a troublous and vncertaine life And being returnd she grew in th' end content To be at home a Duke of Orleance wife Scap't from such stormes of powre holding it best To be belowe her selfe to be at rest 9 And so hath Henrie assecur'd that side And there with all his State of Gasconie Which on th' intelligence was notifi'd Of Richards death were wrought to mutinie And hardly came to be repacifi'd And kept to hold in their fidelitie So much to him were they affectioned For hauing beene amongst them borne and bred 10 These toyles abrode these tumults with his owne As if the frame of all disioynted were With this disordred shifting of the Crowne Fell in the reuolution of one yeare Beside the Scotte in discontentment growne For the detayning and supporting here The scourge of all that kingdome George Dunbar With fire and sword proclaymes an open war 11 Taking their time in these disturbances And 〈◊〉 of a wauering Gouernment T' auenge them of their former grieuances And by our spoyles their fortunes to augment Against whose forces Henry furnishes A powrefull Army and in person went But warres with a retyring enemy With much more trauaile then with victorie 12 And being by sharp deformed Winters force Caus'd to retire he findes new stormes at home From other Coasts ary sing that prov'd worse Then those which now hee was returned from In VVales a Cause of Law by violent course Was from a variance now a warre become And Owen Glendour who with Gray of late Contests for priuate landes now seekes a State 13 Whom to represle he early in the Spring With all prouisions fit doth forward set When straight his enemies not purposing To hazard battaile to the mountaines get Where after long and weary trauayling Without performing any great defeat He onely their prouisions wastes and burnes And with some prey of Cattell home returnes 14 Wherewith the Rebell rather was the more Incourag'd then addaunted and begun T'aduenture farther then he did before Seeing such a Monarch had so little done Being comn in person with so great a powre And sodainely againe retyr'd and gone For in this case they helpe who hurt so small And he hath nothing done that doth not all 15 But now behold other new heads appeare New Hidra's of rebellion that procure More worke to doo and giue more cause of 〈◊〉 And shew'd that nothing in his State stood sure And these euen of his chiefest followers were Of whome he might presume him most secure Who had th' especiall ingins beene to reare His fortunes vp vnto the State they were 16 The Percies were the men men of great might Strong in alliance and in courage strong Who now conspire vnder pretence to right Such wrongs as to the Common wealth belong Vrg'd either through their conscience or despight Or finding now the part they tooke was wrong Or else Ambition hereto did them call Or others enuy'd grace or rather all 17 And such they were who might presume t' haue done Much for the king and honour of the State Hauing the chiefest actions vnder-gone Both forraine and domesticall of late Beside that famous day of Homeldon Where Hotspur gaue that wonderfull defeat Vnto the Scottes as shooke that kingdome more Then many Monarchs armies had before 18 Which might perhaps aduance their mindes so farre Aboue the leuell of subiection as T'assume to them the glory of that war Where all things by their powre were brought to passe They being so mightie and so popular And their command so spacious as it was Might in their State forget how all these things That subiects doo effect must be their Kings 19 And so fell after into discontent For-that the king requir'd to haue as his Those Lords were taken prisoners whome they ment To hold still as their proper purchases Then that he would not at their sute consent To worke their Cosin Mortimers release Out of the Rebell Owen Glendour's hands Who held him prisoner in disgracefull bands 20 But be what will the cause strong was their plot Their parties great meanes good the season fit Their practise close their faith suspected not Their states far off and they of wary wit Who with large promises so wooe the Scot To aide their Cause 〈◊〉 he consents to it And glad was to disturne that furious streame Of warre on vs that else had swallowed them 21 Then ioyne they with the Welsh who now wel train'd In Armes and action dayly grew more great Their Leader by his wiles had much attaynd And done much mischiefe on the English State Beside his prisoner 〈◊〉 he gain'd From being a foe to 〈◊〉 his confederate A man the King much fear'd and well he might Least he should looke whether his Crowne stood right 22 For Richard for the quiet of the State Before he tooke those Irish warres in 〈◊〉 About Succession doth deliberate And finding how the certaine Right did stand With full consent this man did ordinate The heyre apparent to the Crowne and Land Whose competencie was of tender touch Although his might was small his right was much 23 With these the Percies them confederat And as three heads conioyne in one intent And instituting a Triumuirate Do part the Land in triple gouernment Diuiding thus among themselues the State The Percies should rule all the North from Trent And Glendour VVales the Earle of March should be Lord of the South from Trent and so they'gree 24 Then those faire bayts these Trouble-States still vse Pretence of common good the Kings ill Course Must be cast forth
example of faire vertuous acts Then by the shew of foul vngodly facts 7 Would God our times had had some sacred wight Whose words as happy as our swords had bin To haue prepar'd for vs Tropheis aright Of vnde caying frames t' haue rested in Triumphant Arks of perdurable might O holy lines that such aduantage win Vpon the Sieth of Time in spight of yeares How blessed they who gaine what neuer weares 8 For what is it to do if what we do Shall perish neere as soone as it is donne What is that glory wee attaine vnto With all our toyle if lost as soone as wonne A small requitall for so great adoo Is this poore present breath a smoake soone gone Or these dumb stones erected for our sake Which formless heapes few stormy changes make 9 Tell great ELIZA since her dayes are grac't With those bright ornaments to vs deni'd That sherepaire what darknesse hath defac't And get our ruyn'd deedes reedifi'd She in whose all-directing eye is plac't A powre the highest powers of wit to guide Shee may command the worke and ouer-see The holy frame that might eternall bee 10 For would Shee be content that Time should make A 〈◊〉 prey vpon her glorious Raigne That Darkenesse and the Night should ouertake So cleare a Brightnesse shining without staine Ah! no She fosters some no doubt that wake For her eternitie with pleasing paine And if shee for her selfe prepare this good Let her not so neglect those of her Blood 11 This that great Monarch Henrie seem'd to craue When weighing what a holy motiue here Vertue propos'd and fit for him to haue Whom all times ought of dutie hold most deare I sigh't and wisht that some would take t'ingraue With curious hand so proud a worke to reare To grace the present and to blesse times past That might for euer to our glorie last 12 So should our well-taught times haue learn'd alike How faire shin'd Virtue and how foul Vice stood When now my selfe am driuen to mislike Those deedes of worth I dare not vow for good I cannot mone who lose nor prayse who seeke By mightie Actions here t' aduance their Blood I must say Who wrought most least honor had How euer good the Cause the deedes were bad 13 And onely tell the worst of euerie Raigne And not the intermedled good report I leaue what glorie Virtue did attaine At th'euer-memorable Agincort I leaue to tell what wit what power did gaine Th'assieged Roan Caen Dreux or in what sort How Maiestie with terror did aduance Her conquering foote on all subdued Fraunce 14 All this I passe and that magnanimous King Mirror of vertue miracle of worth Whose mighty Actions with wise managing Forc't prouder boasting Climes to serue the North. The best of all the best the earth can bring Scarce equals him in what his Raigne brought foorth Being of a minde as forward to aspire As fit to gouerne what he did desire 15 His comely body was a goodly seate Where Virtue dwelt most faire as lodg'd most pure A body strong where vse of strength did get A stronger state to do and to endure His life he makes th' example to beget Like spirit in those he did to good inure And gaue to 〈◊〉 such life and liuelihood As if hee Greatnes sought but to do good 16 Hee as the Chiefe and all-directing head Did with his subiects as his members liue And them to goodnesse forced not but led Winning not much to haue but much to giue Deeming the powre of his his powr did spread As borne to blesse the world and not to grieue Adorn'd with others spoyles not subiects store No King exacting lesse none winning more 17 Hee after that corrupted faith had bred An ill inur'd obedience for Command And languishing luxutiousnes had spred Weyward vnaptnesse ouer all the Land Those long vnordred 〈◊〉 so marshalled Vnder such formall discipline to stand That euen his soule seem'd onely to direct So great a body such exployts t' effect 18 He brings abrode distracted Discontent Disperst ill humors into actions hie And to vnite them all in one consent Plac't the faire marke of glorie in their eye That Malice had no leasure to dissent Nor Enuie time to practise treacherie The present actions do diuert the thought Of madnesse past while mindes were so well wrought 19 Here now were Pride Oppression Vsurie The canker-eating mischiefes of the State Call'd foorth to prey vpon the enemie Whil'st the home-burth'ned better lightned sate Exactors did not with a greedy eye Examine states or priuate riches rate The silent Courts warr'd not with busie words Nor wrested law gaue the contentious swords 20 Now nothing 〈◊〉 th'attentiue 〈◊〉 But stratagems 〈◊〉 surprises fightes How to giue lawes to them that conquered were How to articulate with yeelding wightes The weake with mercie and the proud with feare How to retaine to giue deserts their rights Were now the Artes and nothing else was thought But how to win and maintaine what was got 21 Nor here were any priuately possest Or held alone imprisoned Maiestie Proudly debarring entraunce 〈◊〉 the rest As if the prey were theirs by victorie Here no detractor woundes who merits best Nor shameless brow cheeres-on impietie Vertue who all her toyle with zeale had spent Not here all vnrewarded sighing went 22 But here the equally-respecting eye Of Powre looking alike on like deserts Blessing the good made others good thereby More mightie by the multitude of hearts The fielde of glorie vnto all doth lie Open alike honour to all imparts So that the onely fashion in request Was to be good or good-like as the rest 23 So much ô thou Example dost effect Being farre a better Maister then Command That how to do by doing dost direct And teachest others action by thy hand Who followes not the course that kings elect When Princes worke who then wil idle stand And when that dooing good is onely thought Worthy reward who will be bad for nought 24 And had not th' Earle of Cambridge with vaine speed Vntimely practiz'd for an others right With hope to aduance those of his proper seed On whome the Rule seem'd destined to light The Land had seene none of her owne to bleed During this Raigne nor no aggreeued sight None the least blacknesse inter clouded had So faire a day nor any eye lookt sad 25 But now when Fraunce perceiued from afarre The gathering tempest growing-on from hence Ready to fall threatning their State to marre They labour all meanes to prouide defence And practising how to preuent this warre And shut-out such calamities from thence Do foster here some discord lately growne To hold Ambition busied with her owne 26 Finding those humors which they saw were fit Soone to be wrought and easie to befed Swolne full with enuie that the Crowne should sit There where it did as if established And whom it toucht in Blood to grieue at it They with such hopes and helps
on whom to lay The heauie burthen of reproche and blame Against whose deedes th' afflicted may inuay As th' onely Authors whence destruction came When yet perhaps 't was not in them to stay The current of that streame nor help the same But liuing in the eye of Action so Not hindring it are thought to draw-on wo. 66 So much vnhappie do the Mightie stand Who stand on other then their owne defence When-as destruction is so neere at hand That if by weakenesse folly negligence They do not coming miserie withstand They shall be deemed th'authors of th' offence And to call in that which they kept not out And curst as they who brought those plagues about 67 And so remaine for euer rigistred In that eternall booke of Infamie When yet how many other causes led As well to that as their iniquitie The worst complots oft lie close smothered And well-meant deedes fall out vnluckily Whil'st the aggrieu'd stand not to waigh th' intent But euer iudge according to th' euent 68 I say not this t' excuse thy Sinne ô Queene Nor cleare their faults who mightie Actors are I cannot but affirme thy pride hath been A speciall meanes this Common-wealth to marre And that thy weyward will was plainely seene In vaine ambition to presume too farre And that by thee the onely way was wrought The Duke of Gloster to his death was brought 69 A man though seeming in thy thought to sit Betweene the light of thy desires and thee Yet did his taking thence plainely permit Others to looke to that they could not see During his life nor would aduenture it When his Remoue quite made that passage free That by his fall thinking to stand alone Thou scarce could'st stand at all when he was gone 70 For this Duke as Protector many yeeres Had rul'd the Land during the Kings young age And now the selfe same charge and title beares As if hee still were in his pupillage Which such disgrace vnto the Queene appeares That all incenst with an ambitious rage Shee doth conspire to haue him made-away As one that stayd the Current of her sway 71 Thrust thereinto not onely with her pride But by her fathers counsell and consent Who griev'd likewise that any one beside Should haue the honor of the gouernment And therefore he such deepe aduice appli'd As forraine craft and cunning could inuent To circumuent an vnsuspecting wight Before he should discerne of their despight 72 And many ready hands shee straight doth finde To ayde her deed of such as could not brooke The length of one mans office in that kind Who all th' especiall Charges vnder-tooke Rul'd all himselfe and neuer had the minde T' impart a part with others who would looke To haue likewise some honor in their hands And griev'd at such ingrossing of Commands 73 For had he not had such a greedy loue To intertaine his Offices too long Enuie had beene vnable to reproue His acted life vnless shee did him wrong But hauing liv'd so many yeeres aboue He grieues now to descend to belesse strong And kils that fame that virtue did beget Chose to be held lesse good then seene lesse great 74 For could the mightie but giue bounds to pride And weigh backe Fortune ere shee pull Them downe Contented with inough with honors satisfi'd Not striuing how to make so much their owne As to leaue nothing for the rest beside Who seeme by their high-spreading ouer-growne Whil'st they themselues remaine in all mens sight The odious marke of hatred and despight 75 Then neuer should so many tragedies Burthen our knowledge with their bloody end Nor their disgrac't confounded families From so high pride to solowe shame descend But planted on that ground where safetie lyes Their braunches should to eternitie extend But euer they who ouer-looke so much Will ouer-see themselues their state is such 76 Seuere he was and strictly did obserue Due forme of Iustice towards euery wight Vnmoueable and neuer won to swerue For any cause in what he thought was right Wherein although he did so well deserue In the licentious yet it bred despight So that euen Virtue seemes an Actor too To ruine those Fortune prepares t' vndoo 77 Now such being forward who the Queene well knewe Hated his might and glad to innouate Vnto so great and strong a partie grew As it was easie to subuert his State And onely hope of alteration drew Many to yeeld that had no cause to hate For euen with goodnesse men growe discontent Where States are ripe to fall and virtue spent 78 And taking all the Rule into her hand Vnder the shadow of that feeble King The Duke sh'excludes from Office and Command And in the reach of enmitie doth bring From that respected height where he did stand When malice scarce durst mutter any thing And now the worst of him comes all reueal'd Which former feare or rigor kept conceal'd 79 Now is he taxed that he rather sought His priuate profit then the publique good And many things presumptuously had wrought Other then with our lawes and customes stood As one that would into the Land haue brought The Ciuile forme in cases touching blood And such poore Crimes that shew'd their spight was soūd But yet be wrayde their matter wanted ground 80 Yet serv'd they well the turne and did effect That which is easie wrought in such a case Where what suborned Iustice shal obiect Is to the purpose and must passe with grace And what the wretched bring of no effect Whose haynous faultes his matter must deface For where Powre hath decreed to finde th' offence The Cause is better still then the defence 81 A Parlement at Berry summoned Dispatcht the deed more speedily then well For thither came the Duke without all dread Or oughtimagining of what befell Where now the matter is so followed That he conuented is 〈◊〉 he could tell He was in danger or had done offence And presently to prison sent from thence 82 Which quicke and so daine action gaue not time For men to waigh the iustice of the deed Whil'st looking onely on the vrged crime Vnto the farther drist they take no heed For these occasions taken in the prime Of courses new that old dislikes succeed Leaue not behind that feeling touch of wrong Satietie makes passions still lesse strong 83 And yet they seem'd some mutinie to doubt For thus proceeding with a man of might Consid'ring hee was popular and stout And resolute would stand vpon his Right And therefore did they cast this way about To haue him closely murdred out of sight That so his trouble and his death hereby Might come togither and togither die 84 Reckning it better since his end is ment And must be wrought at once to rid it cleere And put it to the fortune of th' euent Then by long doing to be long in feare When in such courses of high punishment The deed and the attempt like daunger beare And oft
priuiledg'd from hie Hath this large Patent of her dignitie 48 This charge the Goddesle gaue when ready straight The subtill messenger accompayned With all hercrew of Artes that on her wait Hastes to effect what she was counsailed And out she pours of her immense conceit Vpon such searching spirits as trauayled In penetrating hidden secrecies Who soone these meanes of miserie deuise 49 And boldly breaking with rebellious minde Into their mothers close-lockt Treasurie They Mineralls combustible do finde Which in 〈◊〉 concaues placed cunningly They fire and fire imprisoned against kinde Teares out a way thrusts out his enemie Barking with such a horror as if wroth With man that wrongs himselfe and Nature both 50 And this beginning had this cursed frame Which Yorke now planted hath against his King Presuming by his powre and by the same His purpose vnto good effect to bring When diuers of the grauest Councell came Sent from the King to vnderstand what thing Had thrust him into these proceedings bad And what he sought and what intent he had 51 Who with words mildly-sharpe gently-seuere Wrought on those wounds that must be toucht with heed Applying rather salues of hope then feare Least corrasiues should desperat mischiefes breed And what my Lord sayd they should moue you here In this vnseemely manner to proceed Whose worth being such as all the Land admires Hath fairer wayes then these to your desires 52 Wil you whose means whose many friends whose grace Can worke the world in peace vnto your will Take such a course as shal your Blood deface And make by handling bad a good Cause ill How many hearts hazard you in this case That in all quiet plots would ayde you still Hauing in Court a Partie farre more strong Then you conceiue prest to redresse your wrong 53 Phy phy forsake this hatefull course my Lord Downe with these Armes that will but wound your Cause What Peace may do hazard not with the Sword Lay downe the force that from your force with-drawes And yeeld and we will mediate such accord As shal dispense with rigor and the lawes And interpose this solemne fayth of our Betwixt your fault and the offended Power 54 Which ingins of protests and proffers kinde Vrg'd out of seeming griefe and shewes of loue So shooke the whole foundation of his Minde As they did all his resolution moue And present seem'd vnto their course inclin'd So that the King would Sommerset remoue The man 〈◊〉 most intolerable pride Trode downe his worth and all good mens beside 55 Which they there vow'd should presently be done For what will not peace-louers willing graunt Where dangerous euents depend thereon And men vnfurnisht and the State in want And if with words the conquest will be won The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 small and who holds breath so scant As then to spare though with indignitie Better descend then end in Maiestie 56 And here-upon the Duke 〈◊〉 his force Submits him to the King on publique vow The rather too presuming on this course For that his sonne the Earle of March was now With mightier powers abroad which would inforce His peace which else the King would not allow For seeing not all of him in him he hath His death would but giue life to greater wrath 57 Yet comming to the King in former place His 〈◊〉 the Duke of Sommerset he findes Whom openly reproching to his face Hee charg'd with treason in the highest kindes The Duke returnes like speeches of disgrace And fierie wordes bewray'd their flaming mindes But yet the triall was for them deferd Till 〈◊〉 time allow'd it to be heard 58 At Westminster a Counsell sommoned Deliberates what course the Cause should end Of th' apprehended Duke of Yorke whose head Doth now on others doubtfull breath depend Law fiercely vrg'd his act and found him dead Friends fayl'd to speake where they could not defend Onely the King himselfe for mercy stood As prodigall of life niggard of blood 59 And as if angrie with the Lawes of death Ah! why should you sayd hee vrge things so far You that inur'd with mercenarie breath And hyred tongue so peremptorie are Brauing on him whom sorrow prostrateth As if you did with poore Affliction warre And prey on frayltie folly hath betray'd Bringing the lawes to wound 〈◊〉 to ayd 60 Dispense sometime with sterne seueritie Make not the Lawes still traps to apprehend Win grace vpon the bad with clemencie Mercie may mend whom malice made offend Death giues no thankes but checkes authoritie And life doth onely Maiestie commend Reuenge dies not Rigor begets new wrath And blood hath neuer glorie Mercy hath 61 And for my part and my part should be chiefe I am most willing to restore his state And rather had I win him with reliefe Then lose him with despight and get more hate Pittie drawes loue blood-shed is natures griefe Compassion followes the vnfortunate And losing him in him I lose my power We rule who liue the dead are none of our 62 And should our rigor lessen then the same Which we with greater glorie should retaine No let him liue his life must giue vs fame The childe of mercie newly borne againe As often burials are Physicians shame So many deaths argue a Kings hard Raigne Why should we say The Law must haue her vigor The Law kills him but quits not vs of rigor 63 You to get more preferment by your wit Others to gaine the spoyles of miserie Labour with all your powre to follow it Shewing vs feares to draw-on crueltie You vrge th' offence not tell vs what is fit Abusing wrong-informed Maiestie As if our powre were onely but to slay And that to saue were a most dangerous way 64 Thus out of Pittie spake that holy King Whom milde affections led to hope the best When Sommerset began to vrge the thing With words of hotter temper thus exprest Deare soueraigne Lord the Cause in managing Is more then yours t'imports the publique rest We all haue part it toucheth all our good And life 's ill spar'd that 's spar'd to cost more blood 65 Compassion here is crueltie my Lord Pittie will cut our throates for sauing so What benefite enioy we by the sword If mischiefe shall escape to draw-on mo Why should we giue what Law cannot afford To be accessaries to our proper wo Wisedome must iudge 'twixt men apt to amend And mindes incurable borne to offend 66 It is no priuat Cause I do protest That moues me thus to prosecute his deede Would God his blood and mine had well releast The dangers that his pride is like to breed Although at me hee seemes to haue addrest His spight 't is not the end hee hath decreed I am not he alone hee doth pursue But thorow me he meanes to shoot at you 67 For thus these great Reformers of a State Aspiring to attaine the Gouernment Still take aduantage of the peoples hate Who euer hate such as are eminent For who can great affaires
negotiat And all a way ward multitude content And then these people-minions they must fall To worke-out vs to work themselues int'all 68 But note my Lord first who is in your hand Then how he hath offended what 's his end It is the man whose Race would seeme to stand Before your Right and doth a Right pretend Who Traitor-like hath rais'd a mightie Band With colour your proceedings to amend Which if it should haue hapned to succeed You had not now sate to adiudge his deed 69 If oftentimes the person not th' offence Haue beene sufficient cause of death to some Where publique safety puts in euidence Of mischiefe likely by their life to come Shall hee whose fortune and his insolence Haue both deserv'd to die escape that doome When you shall saue your Land your Crowne thereby And since You cannot liue vnlesse He die 70 Thus spaketh ' aggrieued Duke that grauely saw Th'incompatible powers of Princes mindes And what affliction his escape might draw Vnto the State and people of all kindes And yet the humble yeelding and the aw Which Yorke there shew'd so good opinion findes That with the rumor of his Sonnes great strength And French affaires he there came quit at length 71 For euen the feare t'exasperat the heat Of th' Earle of March whose forward youth and might Well follow'd seem'd a proud reuenge to threat If any shame should on his Father light And then desire in Gascoyne to reget The glorie lost which home-broyles hinder might Aduantaged the Duke and sav'd his head Which questionlesse had else beene hazarded 72 For now had Burdeux offered vpon ayd Present reuolt if we would send with speed Which faire aduantage to haue then delay'd Vpon such hopes had beene a shamefull deed And therefore this all other courses stayd And out wardly these in ward hates agreed Giuing an interpause to pride and spight Which breath'd but to breake-out with greater might 73 Whil'st dreadfull Talbot terror late of Fraunce Against the Genius of our Fortune stroue The downe-throwne glorie of our State t' aduance Where Fraunce far more then Fraunce he now doth proue For friends opinion and succeeding chaunce Which wrought the weake to yeeld the strong to loue Were not the same that he had found before In happier times when lesse would haue done more 74 For both the Britaine and Burgonian now Came altred with our lucke and won with theirs Those bridges and the gates that did allow So easie passage vnto our affaires Iudging it safer to endeuour how To link with strength then leane vnto despaires And who wants friends to backe what he begins In Lands far off gets not although he wins 75 Which too well prov'd this fatall enterprize The last that lost vs all wee had to lose Where though aduantag'd by some mutinies Aud pettie Lords that in our Cause arose Yet those great fayl'd whose ready quick supplies Euer at hand cheer'd vs and quail'd our foes Succours from far come seldome to our minde For who holds league with Neptune and the winde 76 Yet worthy Talbot thou didst so imploy The broken remnants of disscattered power That they might see it was our destiny Not want of spirit that lost vs what was our Thy dying hand sold them the victorie With so deare wounds as made the conquest sowre So much it cost to spoyle who were vndon And such adoe to win when they had won 77 For as a fierce courageous Mastiue fares That hauing once sure fast'ned on his foe Lyes tugging on that hold neuer forbeares What force soeuer force him to for go The more he feeles his woundes the more he dares As if his death were sweet in dying so So held his hold this Lord whil'st he held breath And scarce but with much blood le ts goe in death 78 For though he saw prepar'd against his side Both vnlike fortune and vnequall force Borne with the swelling current of their pride Downe the maine streame of a most happy course Yet standes he stiffe vndasht vnterrifi'd His minde the same although his fortune worse Virtue in greatest dangers being best showne And though opprest yet neuer ouer-throwne 79 For rescuing of besieg'd Chatillion Where hauing first constraind the French to fly And following hard on their confusion Comes lo incountred with a strong supply Of fresh-arriuing powers that backe thrust-on Those flying troupes another chaunce to trie Who double arm'd with shame and fury straine To wreake their foyle and win their fame againe 80 Which seeing th' vndaunted Talbot with more might Of spirit to will then hands of power to do Preparing t' entertaine a glorious fight Cheeres-vp his wearied Souldiers thereunto Courage sayth hee those brauing troupes in sight Are but the same that now you did vndo And what if there be come some more then they They come to bring more glory to the day 81 Which day must either thrust vs out of all Or all with greater glorie backe restore This day your valiant worth aduenture shall For what our Land shall neuer fight for more If now we faile with vs is like to fall All that renowne which we haue got before This is the last if we discharge the same The same shall last to our eternall fame 82 Neuer had worthy men for any fact A more faire glorious Theater then we Whereon true Magnanimicie might act Braue deedes which better witnessed could be For lo from 〈◊〉 Turrets yet vnsackt Your valiant fellowes stand your worth to see T' auouch your valour if you liue to gaine And if we die that we 〈◊〉 not in vaine 83 And euen our foes whose proud and powreful might Would seeme to swallow vp our dignitie Shall not keep-backe the glory of our right Which their confounded blood shall testifie For in their wounds our goarie swords shall write The monumentes of our eternitie For vile is honor and a title vaine The which true worth and danger do not gaine 84 For they shall see when we in carelesse sort Shall throwe our selues on their despised speares T is not despaire that doth vs so transport But euen true Fortitude that nothing feares Sith we may well retire vs in some sort But shame on him that such a foul thought beares For be they more let Fortune take their part Wee 'll tugge her too and scratch her ere we part 85 This sayd a fresh infus'd desire of fame Enters their warmed blood with such a will That they deem'd long they were not at the game And though they 〈◊〉 apace thought they stood still And that their lingring foes too slowely came To ioyne with them spending much time but ill Such force had wordes fierce humors vp to call Sent from the mouth of such a Generall 86 Who yet his forces weighing with their fire Turnes him about in priuate to his Sonne A worthy Sonne and worthy such a Sire And telleth him what ground hee stood vpon Aduising him in secret to retire
and on the shore Reacht yet vnto the centre of the Land Searcht all those humors that were bred before Shakes the whole frame whereon the State did stand Affection pittie fortune feare being more Farre off and absent then they are at hand Pittie becomes a traytor with th' opprest And many haue beene rays'd by being supprest 49 For they had left although themselues were gone Opinion and their memorie behinde Which so preuayles that nought could here be done But straight was knowne as soone as once design'd Court Councell-chamber Closet all were won To be reuealers of the Princes minde So false is Faction and so smooth a lyer As that it neuer had a side entire 50 Whereby th'exil'd had leasure to preuent And circumuent what-euer was deuiz'd Which made that Faulconbridge to Sandwich bent That Fortresse and the Gouernour surpriz'd Who presently from thence to Calais sent Had his vnguiltie blood there sacrifiz'd And Faulconbridge returning backe relates Th' affection here and zeale of all estates 51 Drawne with which newes and with a spirit that dar'd T' attempt on any likelihood of support They take th' aduantage of so great regard Their landing here secur'd them in such sort By Faulconbridge the fatall bridge prepar'd To be the way of blood and to transport Returning furie to make greater wounds Then euer England saw within her bounds 52 And but with fifteene hundred men do land Vpon a Land with many millions stor'd So much did high-presuming Courage stand On th' ayde home-disobedience would afford Nor were their hopes deceiv'd for such a hand Had Innouation ready for the sword As ere they neere vnto the Cittie drew Their powre beyond all former greatnesse grew 53 Muse what may we imagine was the Cause That Furie workes thus vniuersally What humor what affection is it drawes Sides of such powre to this Nobilitie Was it their Conscience to redresse the Lawes Or malice to a wrong-plac't Sov'raintie That caus'd them more then wealth or life desire Destruction ruine bloud-shed sword and fire 54 Or was the Powre of Lords thus inter-plac't Betwixt the height of Princes and the State Th' occasion that the people so imbrac't Their actions and attend on this Debate Or had their Greatnesse with their Worth imbas't The Touch of Royaltie to so lowe rate As their opinion could such tumults moue Then Powre and Virtue you contagious proue 55 And Perianders leuell'd Eares of Corne Shew what is fittest for the publique Rest And that the hyest Minions which adorne A Common-weale and doo become it best Are Zeale and Iustice Law and Customes borne Of hye descent that neuer do infest The Land with false suggestions claymes affrights To make men lose their owne for others rights 56 But now against this disproportion bends The feeble King all his best industrie And from abrode Skales Louell Kendall sends To hold the Cittie in fidelitie The Cittie which before for others ends Was wrought to leaue the part of Royaltie Where though the Kings commaund was of no powre Yet worke these Lords so that they tooke the Towre 57 And from thence labour to bring-in againe The out-let will of disobediencie Send terror threates intreaties but in vaine VVarwicke and March are with all iollitie And grace receiv'd The Citties loue did gaine The best part of a Crowne for whose defence And intertaining still stayes Salsburie Whil'st March and VVarwicke other fortunes try 58 Conducting their fresh troupes against their King Who leaues a woman to supply his steed And neere Northhampton both imbattailing Made now the very heart of England bleed Where what strange resolutions both sides bring And with what deadly rancour they proceed Witnesse the blood there shed and fowlly shed That cannot but with sighes be registred 59 There Buckingham Talbot and Egremont Bewmont and Lucy parts of Lancaster Parts most important and of chiefe account In this vnhappy day extinguisht are There the Lord Grey whose fayth did not amount Vnto the trust committed to his care Betrayes his King borne to be strangely tost And late againe attain'd againe is lost 60 Againe is lost this out-side of a King Ordain'd for others vses not his owne Who to the part that had him could but bring A feeble body onely and a Crowne But yet was held to be the dearest thing Both sides did labor-for so much to crowne Their Cause with the apparency of might From whom and by whom they must make their Right 61 When he himselfe as if he nought esteem'd The highest Crowne on earth continues one Weake to the world which his Religion deem'd Like to the breath of man vaine and soone gone 〈◊〉 the stout Queene by speedy flight redeem'd The safety of her selfe and of her Sonne And with her Sommerset to Durham fled Her powres supprest her heart vnuanquished 62 So much for absent Yorke is acted here Attending English hopes on th' Irish coast Which when vnlookt-for they related were Ambition still on horse-backe comes in poast And seemes with greater glory to appeare As made the more by be'ing so long time lost And to the Parlement with state is led Which his associates had fore-summoned 63 And com'n into the Chamber of the Peeres He sets himselfe downe in the chayre of State Where such an vnexpected face appeares Of an amazed Court that gazing sate With a dumbe silence seeming that it feares The thing it went about t'effectuate As if the Place the Cause the Conscience giue Barres to the words their forced courso should haue 64 T is strāge those times which brought such hāds for blood Had not bred tongues to make good any side And that no prostituted conscience stood Any iniustice to haue iustifid As men of the forelone hope onely good In desperatest acts to be imploy'd And that none in th' assembly there was found That would t'ambitious descant giue a ground 65 That euen himselfe forc't of necessitie Must be the Orator of his owne Cause For hauing viewd them all and could espie None proff'ring once to speake all in a pause On this friend lookes with an inuiting eye And then on that as if he woo'd applause Holding the cloth of State still in his hand The signe which he would haue them vnderstand 66 But se'ing none moue with an imperiall port Gath'ring his spirits he ryses from his seat Doth with such powre of wordes his Cause support As seemes all others Causes to defeat And sure who workes his Greatnesse in that sort Must haue more powres then those that are borne great Such Reuolutions are not wrought but when Those spirits doe worke which must be more then men 67 He argues first his Right so long with-held By th'vsurpation of the Lancasters The Right of a direct Line alwayes held The sacred course of Blood our Ancestors Our Lawes our reuerent Customes haue vp-held With holy hands Whence when disorder crres What horrors what confusion do we see Vntill it be reduc't
Supported with strong powre and victorie Was left vnto a Child ordain'd by fate To stay the course of what might growe too hie Here was a stop that Greatnesse did abate When powre vpon so weake a base did lie For least great fortune should presume too farre Such oppositions interposed are 22 Neuer this Iland better peopled stood Neuer more men of might and minds addrest Neuer more Princes of the royall blood If not too many for the publique Rest Nor euer was more treasure wealth and good Then when this Richard first the Crowne possest The second of that name in two accurst And well we might haue mist all but the first 23 In this mans Raigne began this fatal strife The bloudie argument where of we treate That dearely cost so many'a Prince his life And spoyld the weake and euen consum'd the great That wherein all confusion was so rife As Memory euen grieues her to repeat And would that time might now this knowledge lose But that t is good to learne by others woes 24 Edward the third being dead had left this child Sonne of his worthy sonne deceast of late The Crowne and Scepter of this Realme to wield Appointing the protectors of his State Two of his sonnes to be his better shield Supposing Vncles free from guile or hate Would order all things for his better good In the respect and honour of their bloud 25 Of these Iohn Duke of Lancaster was one Too great a Subiect growne for such a State The title of a King and glorie wonne In great exploits his mind did eleuate Aboue proportion kingdomes stand vpon Which made him push at what his issue gate The other Langley whose mild temperatness Did tend vnto a calmer quietnesse 26 With these did Woodstock interpose his part A man for action violently bent And of a spirit averse and ouer-thwart Which could not sute a peace-full gouernment Whose euer-swelling and tumultuous heart Wrought his owne ill and others discontent And these had all the manage of affayres During the time the King was vnder yeares 27 And in the first yeares of his gouernment Things past as first the warres in France proceed Though not with that same fortune and euent Being now not followed with such carefull heed Our people here at home growne discontent Through great exactions insurrections breed Priuate respects hindred the Common-weale And idle ease doth on the mighty steale 28 Too many Kings breed factions in the Court The head too weake the members growne too great Which euermore doth happen in this sort When Children 〈◊〉 the plague which God doth threat Vnto those Kingdomes which he will transport To other Lynes or vtterly defeat For the ambitious once inur'd to 〈◊〉 Canneuer brook a priuate state againe 29 And Kingdomes euer suffer this distresse Where one or many guide the infant King Which one or many tasting this excesse Of greatnesse command can neuer bring Their thoughts againe t' obay or to be lesse From hence these insolencies euer spring Contempt of others whom they seek to foyle Then follow leagues destruction 〈◊〉 spoyle 30 And whether they which vnder-went this charge Permit the King to take a youthfull vaine That they their priuate better might inlarge Or whether he himselfe would farther straine Thinking his yeeres sufficient to discharge The gouernment and so assum'd the raine Or howsoeuer now his eare he lends To youthfull counsell and his lustes attends 31 And Courts were neuer barren yet of those Which could with subtile traine and apt aduice Worke on the Princes weakenesse and dispose Of feeble frailtie easie to entice And such no doubt about this King arose Whose flatterie the dangerous nurse of vice Got hand vpon his youth to pleasures bent Which led by them did others discontent 32 For now his Vncles grew much to mislike These ill proceedings were it that they saw That others fauour'd did aspiring seeke Their Nephew from their counsels to withdraw Seeing him of nature flexible and weake Because they onely would keepe all in awe Or that 〈◊〉 they found the King and State Abus'd by such as now in office sate 33 Or rather else they all were in the fault Th' ambitious Vncles th'indiscreete young King The greedie Councell and the Minions naught And altogether did this tempest bring Besides the times with all iniustice fraught Concurr'd with such confus'd misgouerning That wee may truely say This spoyld the State Youthfull Counsaile priuate Gaine partiall Hate 34 And then the King besides his iealousies Which nourisht were had reason to be led To doubt his Vncles for their loyalties Since Iohn 〈◊〉 Gaunt as was discouered Had practised his death in secret wise And Gloster openly becomes the head Vnto a league who all in armes were bent T' oppose against the present gouernement 35 Pretending to remoue such men as were Accounted to abuse the king and State Of whome the chiefe they did accuse was Veere Made Duke of Ireland with great grace of late And diuers else who for the place they beare Obnoxious are and subiect vnto hate And these must be sequestred with all speed Or else they vow'd their swordes should doo the deed 36 The King was forc't in that next Parliament To grant them what he durst not well refuse For thither arm'd they came and fully bent To suffer no repulse nor no excuse And here they did accomplish their intent Where Iustice did her sword not Ballance vse For euen that 〈◊〉 place they violate Arresting all the Iudges as they sate 37 And here had many worthy men their ende Without all forme or any course of Right For still these broyles that publike good pretend Worke most iniustice being done through spight For those aggrieued euermore do bend Against such as they see of greatest might Who though they cannot helpe what will go ill Yet since they may doo wrong are thought they will 38 And yet herein I meane not to excuse The Iustices and Minions of the King Who might their office and their grace abuse But blame the course held in the managing For great-men ouer-grac't much rigor vse Presuming fauorits discontentment bring And disproportions harmonie do breake Minions too great argue a king too weake 39 Now that so much was granted as was sought A reconcilement made although not ment Appeas'd them all in shewe but not in thought Whilst euery one seem'd outwardly content Though hereby king nor peeres nor people got More loue more strength or easier gouernment But euery day things still succeeded worse For good from Kings is seldome drawne by force 40 And thus it loe continued till by chaunce The Queene which was the Emperours daughter di'de When-as the King t' establish peace with Fraunce And 〈◊〉 for home-quiet to prouide Sought by contracting marriage to aduance His owne affayres against his Vncles pride Tooke the young daughter of King Charles to wife Which after in the end rays'd greater strife 41