Royal actions must make his Subjects his but at a second hand yet he is resolv'd of a new choice of such a Favourite as might supply and make good the room of his lost beloved Gaveston hence sprung that fatal fire which scorcht the Kingdom with intestine Ruine He was put to no great trouble to seek a forreign Climate he had variety of his own that might be easily made capable enough for such a loose employment He had a swarm of Sycophants that gap'd after greatness and cared not to pawn their Souls to gain promotion amongst these his eye fixt on Spencer a man till then believ'd a naked States-man he was young and had a pleasing aspect a personage though not super-excellent yet well enough to make a formal Minion The Ladder by which he made his ascent was principally thus he had been always conformable to the King's Will and never denied to serve his appetite in every his ways and occasions which was vertue enough to give him wealth and title Some others think this feat was wrought by Witchcraft and by the Spells of a grave Matron that was suspected to have a Journey-man Devil to be her Loadstone which is not altogether improbable if we behold the progression for never was Servant more insolently fortunate nor Master unreasonably indulgent Their passages are as much beyond belief as contrary to the Rules of Reason But leaving the discourse of the Cause the King applauds his own Workmanship and doats infinitely on the Non-age of this Imposture which seeing the advantage labours to advance it and though in his own nature he were proud harsh and tyrannous yet he cloaths himself in the habit of Humility as obsequious to his Master as smooth and winning to his Acquaintance knowing that a Rub might make the Bowl fall short while it was running Heat of Blood and height of Spirit consult more with Passion than Judgment where all sides are agreed quick ends the bargain Spencer must rise the King himself avows it and who was there durst cross their Sovereigns pleasure The resolution known like flocks of Wild-geese the spawn of Court-corruption fly to claw him The great ones that till now scarce knew his Off-spring think it an honour to become his Kinsmen The Officers of State to win his favour forget their Oaths and make his Will their Justice Lord how the Vermin creep to this warm Sun-shine and count each Beam of his a special Favour Such a thing is the Prologue of a beginning Greatness that it can Metamorphose all but those that hate it The King though he were pleased with this new structure yet his inward revolutions were not altogether free from agitation He beheld the Lords and Kingdom now quiet and the Scotch Tragedy worn out of memory he was not without cause doubtful whether this new Act might not cause a new Distraction He calls to minde the ground of his first troubles and found it had with this a near resemblance He looks upon the sullied State scarce cleansed and fear'd this leap might cause a new pollution These thoughts like misty vapours soon dissolved and seem'd too dull to feed his Love-sick fancy His hatred to the Barons bids him freely venture that in their moving he might so oppress them which on cool blood might seem too great Injustice Gaveston's Death lay in his heart impostum'd not to be cur'd but by a bloody issue From this false ground he draws his proper ruine making Phantasms seem as deeds were acted Such Castles in the Air are poor Conceptions that sell the Skin before the Beast be killed The Barons were no Children he well knew it the hope was little might be got with striving where all the Kingdom was so much distasted but he priz'd high his own contemning theirs which wrought their Death and after his Misfortune Being resolv'd to countenance his Will with more haste than advisement He honours the subject of his choice with the Lord Chamberlain's place professing freely he thought him worthy and would maintain him in it This foreright jump going so high made all men wonder and soon suspect him guilty of some secret vertue Scarce had this new great Lord possession of the White-staff but he forgets his former being and sings the right Night-crow's tune of upstart Greatness and follows his Predecessors pattern to the life but with a far more strength and cunning He was not born a stranger or an alien but had his Birth and breeding here where he is exalted and though he had not so much depth to know the Secrets yet understands the plain-Song of the State and her progressions which taught him his first Lesson That Infant-greatness falls where none support it From this principle his first work is employ'd to win and to preserve an able party To work this sure he makes a Monopoly of the Kings ear no man may gain it but by his permission establishing a sure intelligence within the Royal Chamber not trusting one but having sundry Agents who must successively attend all motions By this he wedgeth in his Sentinels at such a distance that none can move but he receives the Larum The first request he makes his Sovereign who ne're denied him was that he would not pass a Grant till he survey'd it for this he makes a zealous care the cover left by such Gift the Subject might be grieved the King abused This stratagem unmaskt gave perfect knowledge who ever leapt the Horse he held the Bridle which rein'd his foes up short while friends unhors'd them and raised as he pleased all such as brib'd or sought him To mix these serious strains with lighter objects he feeds the current of his Sovereign's Vices with store of full delights to keep him busied whilst he might act his part with more attention He quarrels those whom he suspects too honest or at the least not his more than their Masters and quickly puts them off that there may be entry for such as he prefers his proper creatures so that a short time makes the Court all of a piece at his Commandment Those whom he fear'd in State would cross his workings he seeks to win by favour or alliance if they both fail he tenders fairly to lift them higher by some new promotion so he may have them sure on all occasions and with these baits he catcht the hungry Planets Such as he findes too faithful for surprisal these he sequesters mounting his Kindred up to fill their places The Queen that had no great cause to like those Syrens that caus'd her grief and did seduce her Husband he yet presumes to court with strong professions vowing to serve her as a faithful Servant She seeing into the quality of the time where he was powerful and she in name a Wife in truth a Hand-maid doth not oppose but more increase his Greatness by letting all men know that she receiv'd him To win a nearer place in her opinion he gains his Kindred places
must be their Warrant or else their Lives must pay a bitter Forfeit Their Forces were not yet fully ready yet they march on resolv'd to wait the Kings approach at Burton Time that runs swift to Mischief slow to Goodness at length conjoyns their Strength and several Levies which were not great and yet believ'd sufficient to give a Canvas to the Royal Army which as their Curriers told them was not mighty Soon are they brought to view each others Countenance where Friend against Friend and Son against the Father Brother against the Brother stood embattl'd such mischief follows still a Civil Discord The Kings Force far exceeds in strength and number which made the Terms of hazard far unequal The adverse part perceiving well the danger which they were in if they abide the Tryal condemn their own belief and Servants falshood who had so far fallen short in their discovery But now a second Deliberation is entertain'd which adviseth them to decline the Battle and to make a Retreat till they were re-enforced This Resolution taken from the present suspition was not more dishonourable than dangerous it gave confidence to their Enemies and dejected their own Party willing rather to try their hands than their heels where the peril seem'd indifferent But the Reasons given in excuse were grave and weighty The Earl of Lancaster had sent Sir Thomas Holland to raise his Northern Friends and Tenants who was marching up strongly and well provided so that if they could have adjourned the Battle off to his arrival it would have made the Terms more hopeful if not equal It is in the Rule of War esteem'd a weakness to affront an Enemy for a set Battle with too great disproportion in number but to recoyl without a marvelous discreet and orderly proceeding is no more than laying the disheartned Troops to a present slaughter the Experiment whereof was here apparent The Lords rise but ill and in disorder more like a Flight than a discreet Retiring Valence Earl of Pembrooke that did command in chief under the King sees this Confusion and straight lays hold of such a fair advantage He chargeth hotly on the Reer which straight was routed the Barons make a head but are forsaken which makes them flie to seek their proper safeguard With much ado they get to Pontefret whither the broken Troops at length repair for succour Holland intrusted performs the work he went for and marcht with speed hoping to give a Rescue but when he saw that their Affairs were desperate rate he thinks it his best play to change his Master and leads his Troops to get the Kings Protection As it deserv'd it gains a gracious welcome Thus all things tend to their Confusion one mischief seldom comes but many thunder The despairing Barons finding themselves hotly pursu'd repair to Council where many ways are mov'd and none embraced save that same fatal one which wrought their Ruine They leap like Fishes from the Pan that scorcht them into the raging Flames that soon consum'd them The Castle of Donstanborough was believed a strength tenable until their Friends do raise a second Army or they at worst might treat some fair Conditions they march to gain this hold but are prevented Sir Andrew Harcklaye meets them at Borough-briggs and guards the Passage Hereford and Clifford seek to force it and like inraged Lions here act Wonders twice had their angry Swords made the way open but fresh Supplies opprest them still with number till wearied not o'ercome they yield to Fortune and by a glorious Death preserve their Honour When these brave Arches fell the Building totter'd though Mowbray made a while a brave resistance till his Heroick Bloud not Valour fail'd him The surprizal of Lancaster and many other noble Knights and Barons perfects this Overthrow and ends these Civil Tumults The Prey thus seiz'd the Spencers long to taste it and like to furious Tygers act their Passions They give not their incensed Master time to deliberate on that Work which was so weighty which had the Lives of such great Peers in balance They whet on and exasperate the Kings Revenge that needs no instigation Soon is the Work resolv'd where deep Revenge hath master'd humane Judgment and Reason doth subscribe to private Malice Valence a stout and noble Gentleman hating such a barbarous Cruelty seeks to divert it and mildly thus intreats the Royal favour To win a Battle Sir it is glory to use it well a far more glorious Blessing In heat of Blood to kill may taste of Valour which yet on cooler terms may touch of Murder Laws were not made to catch offences but to judge them which are dispens'd with where the cause is weighty else none may live where many are delinquent Celestial Powers have blest you with a Conquest and do expect to see how you will use it For your own Goodness sake make known your Vertue be like to him that gave you this great Blessing and then your Mercy will exceed your Justice The savage beasts but kill to kill their hunger and will you act in blood to please your fancy The Heavens forbid the Royal Heart should harbour a thought that justly may be deemed cruel Your Sword victorious is imbrew'd with Honour let it not ravage where is no resistance to spill where you may save obscures your Glory to save where you may spill proclaims your Goodness I 'll not excuse their faults or plead their merits which both are lesser far than is your Mercy let not such branches so untimely wither which may in time be your defence and shelter Kings are but men that have their fates attend them which measure out to them what they to others Blood is a crying Sin that cries for vengeance which follows swiftly those that vainly shed it Black Apparitions fearful Dreams affright them whose guilty Souls are stain'd with deeds of darkness Oh let your purer thoughts be unpolluted that they may live to shew your Grace and Vertue and After-ages speak your worth in Glory The King had scarce the patience to hear out the Conclusion of a Theme so contrarious to his resolution and humour yet weighing the Integrity and well-deserving of the man that spake it to justifie himself and to give him satisfaction with an angry brow he makes this sudden Answer Valence but that I know you truely love me your words do touch too near your Soveraigns Honour Shall I seduced by a female pity compassion those that do attempt my ruine such actions may be goodness no discretion how many times have I declin'd my Power to win them home by mercy not by justice what hath my mildness won but flat Rebellion which had it took where then had been their virtue Say I should spare their Lives and give them freedom each slight occasion colours new eruption and I may then too late repent my kindness When my poor Gaveston was tane where was their mercy They made their Arms their
make the Citizens desperate of favour and so more resolute who else being mutable as Weather-cocks might alter on the least occasion Let the consideration be what it will the Fact was inhumane and barbarous that spilt without Desert or Justice the Blood of such a Reverend Prelate who yet had so much happiness as to leave to his Honour in the University of Oxford a remarkable Memorial of his Charity and Goodness But now to seek out the reward of this vertuous Service four of the principal and most eminent Burghers are selected to make known their proceedings and devotion who are graciously received entertain'd and highly thanked for their lawless bloody Fact which was stiled an excellent piece of Justice Though the deed had been countenanced in that it ran with the sway of the time and the Queens humour yet certainly no great cause of commendation appears which is so more properly due to the Hangman which performeth the grave Ceremonies of his Office by Warrant and the actual part on none but such as the Law hath made ready for his Fingers Now is the Queen settling her remove for Bristow where the Prey remain'd her Haggard-fancy long'd for She was unwilling to give them so much advantage though she believ'd it almost impossible as to hazard the raising of an Army or so to enable their Provisions and Defences that it might adjourn the hope of making her Victory perfect She saw she had a great and Royal Army well provided but how long it would hold so she knew not the principal strength and number consisting of the giddy Commons who like Land-stoods rise and fall in an instant they had never yet seen the face of an Enemy nor did rightly understand what it was to bear Arms against the King whom they must here behold a party These considerations hasten her on with more expedition All the way as she went she is entertain'd with joyful Acclamations Her Army still grows greater like a beginning Cloud that doth fore-run a Shower When she was come before this goodly City and saw his strength and the Maiden-Bravery of their opposition which gave her by a hot Salley led by the valiant Arundel a testimony of her Welcome she then thinks that in the Art of War there was somewhat more than meer Imagination and justly fear'd lest the Royal Misery would beget a swift Compassion which was more to be doubted of him in his own Kingdom since she herself had found it in a forreign Country But smiling Fortune now become her Servant scarce gives her time to think she might be hinder'd The Townsmen that knew no Wars but at their Musters seeing themselves begirt the Market hinder'd which was their chiefest and best Revenue begin among themselves to examine the business They saw no likelihood of any to relieve them and daily in danger of some sad surprizal They saw their Lives Wives Children and state at stake for the defence of those that had oppress'd them and wrong'd the Kingdome by their foul Injustice they measur'd the event of an unruly Conquest where many look for Booty all for Pillage This did so cramp their valiant hearts that the Convulsion seeks a present Treaty The Queen seeing a Pusillanimity beyond her hopes and a taint unlook'd for makes the use and hits them on the blind side and answers plainly She will have no Imparleance no discoursing if they desir'd their own Peace and her assured Favour they then must entertain and follow her Conditions which if they but delay'd the next day following they should abide their Chance she would her Fortune This doom as it sounds harshly was deem'd too heavy but no intreaty could prevail she would not alter They yet desire to know what she requir'd and that she grants and thus unfoldeth Your Lives and Goods quoth she shall rest untouched nor shall you taste your selves the least Affliction so you deliver up with speed your Captains and in the time prefixt resign the City A choice so short so sharp so peremptory being related in the staggering City breeds straight a supposition not without reason she had some certain practis'd Plot within them or else some way assured for to force the City They could have been content she had their Captains since it would set them free from fear and danger but to be Actors in so foul a Treason or sacrifice their Guests that came for succour this they conceit too false and poor a baseness No more Imparleance is allow'd or will be heard no second motion the breach in their faint hearts is so well known that nothing is allow'd but present Answer This smart proceeding melts their leaden Valour which at the first had made so brave a flourish and brings Arundel Winchester and the Town to her possession When man 's own proper portion is in question and all he hath at stake be it but doubtful his eye doth more reflect on his own danger than on the Laws of Justice Friendship Honour Charity 't is true begins at home but she 's a Vertue hath no society with Fraud or Falshood neither is the breach of Faith or touch of Treason allow'd within the verge of her rich Precepts I do confess Necessity may drive him to such a bitter choice that one must perish but this should be when things are so near hopeless that there be more than words to give it justice A wise and noble minde adviseth soundly upon the act before it is engaged but being so it rather sleeps with Honour than lives to be the map of his thus tainted Conscience The interest of Friends of Guests of poor oppressed though diversly they touch the Patrons credit yet all agree in this one point of Vertue Not to betray where they have vow'd assistance Had these faint Citizens not given assurance had they not vow'd to keep their Faith 's untainted the other had not trusted nor inclosed themselves within so weak and false a Safeguard But they were most to blame that would so venture their Lives within the power of such a Berry where they might know were none but suckling Rabbets that would suspect each Mouse to be a Ferret Had they but had a guard secur'd their persons they might have awed them or themselves have scaped Part of the prey thus gotten no time is lost to call them to a reckoning Sir Thomas Wage Marshal of the Army draws up a short Information of many large offences which are solemnly read to the attentive Army with a Comment of all the harsh aggravations might make them more odious The confused clamour of the Multitude serves for Judge Jury and Verdict which brings them to a sharp Sentence to be forthwith hang'd and their Bodies to remain upon the Gallows Revenge brooks no delay no leisure Malice Old Spencer feels instantly the rigour of this Judgment The Green before the Castle is made the place of Execution Nature that gave him Life had almost
they disfigure him by cutting off his Hair and shaving of his Beard Edward that had been formerly honourably used and tenderly served is bitterly grieved with this Indignity and one day among the rest when they came to shave him which was attempted without fire and a cold liquor his eyes pour forth a stream of Tears in sense of his Misfortune which to the inquisitive Actors gives this answer He would have some warm water in spight of all their malice Another time in the presence of two or three of those that were as well set to be Spies over him as to guard him in a deep Melancholy Passion he thus discours'd his Sorrow Is mine offence quoth he so great and grievous that it deserves nor pity nor assistance Is Christian Charity all Goodness lost and nothing left in Subject Child or Servant that tastes of Duty Is Wedlock-love forgotten so fully all at once forsake me Admit my errours fit for reformation I will not justifie my self or censure others Is 't not enough that it hath taken from me my Crown the Glory of my former being but it must leave me void of native comfort I yet remain a Father and a Husband a Soveraign and a Master lost cannot deprive me of that which is mine own till Death dissolve me Where then is filial Love Where that Affection that waits upon the Laws of God and Nature My wretched Cares have not so much transform'd a me that I am turn'd to Basilisk or Monster What can they fear that they refuse to see me unless they doubt mine eyes can dart destruction I have no other Weapons that may fright them and these God wot have only tears to drown them Can they believe or once suspect a danger in visit of a poor distressed Captive Their hardned hearts I know are not so noble or apt to take a gentler milde impression by seeing these poor ruines thus forsaken What then occasions this so great a strangeness or makes them jealous of so poor a venture Are they not yet content in the possession of all that once was mine now theirs But by what title their Arms can better tell than can their Conscience My misled harmless Children are not guilty my Wife betrays them and false Mortimer who else I know would run to see their Father Justly I pay the price of former folly that let him scape to work mine own confusion Had he had his desert the price of Treason he had not liv'd to work me this dishonour But time will come my wrongs will be revenged when he shall fall with his own weight unpitied Thou wretched state of Greatness painted Glory that falling find'st thine own the most perfidious must thou still live and yet not worthy of one poor look It is a meer Injustice Would they would take my Life 't is that they aim at I will esteem it as an act of pity that as I live but hate mine own Condition Here with a deep sigh of scalding Passions his tears break loose afresh to cool their fury All sadly silent while he rests perplexed a stander by makes this uncivil answer whom Mortimer had placed to increase his sorrow Most gracious Sir the Queen your Wife and Children are justly jealous of your cruel nature they know too well your heat and former fury to come too near so great and sure a danger besides they are assur'd that your intentions are bent to work them hurt or some foul mischief if they adventure to approach your presence The Queen my Wife quoth he hath she that Title while I that made her so am less than nothing Alas poor wretched woman can her invention apt for mischief fashion no one excuse but this so void of reason Is there a possibility in her Suspition Can I being so resolved act a Murder or can their false hearts dream me so ill-minded I am thou seest a poor forsaken Prisoner as far from such a Power as Will to act it they too well know it to suspect my nature But let them wonder on and scorn my sorrow I must endure and they will taste their errour But fellow thou that tak'st such sawcy boldness to character and speak thy Sovereigns errours which thou shouldst cover not presume to question Know Edward's heart is as free from thine aspersions as thou or they from Truth or Moral Goodness When he had ended these words he retires himself to his Chamber sad and melancholy thinking his Case was hard and desperate when such a paultry Groom durst so affront him The Queen and Mortimer revelling in the height of their Ambition had yet a wary eye to the main which they knew principally consisted in the sure keeping of their Prisoner They see their plausible income was but dully continued there being a whispering murmur not so closely mutter'd but that it came to their ears which shew'd an absolute dislike of the manner of their proceedings Though they had all the marks and essential parts of Sovereignty the name alone excepted yet they had unquiet and troubled thoughts What they wish'd they had obtain'd yet there was still something wanting to give it perfection Such is the vanity of our imagination which fashions out a period to our desires that being obtain'd are yet as loose and restless Ambition hath no end but still goes upward never content or fully satisfied If man had all that Earth could give and were sole Monarch of the world he yet would farther and as the Giants did make War with Heaven rather than lose those Symptomes of his Nature Fear to preserve what is unjustly gotten doth give the new-made great one agitation which something limits his immense affections that do believe he must still mount up higher and else would swallow all within his compass This made this pair stop here a while to strengthen and more assure what was already gotten They know the people giddy false inconstant a feather wagg'd would blow them to commotion They see the Lords that were their prime Supporters seeming content in heart not satisfied the bough was lopt that shadow'd ore their greatness another was sprung up as large and fearful which though more noble yet no less aspiring The drooping tongue of the dejected Kingdom doth grumble out his expectations cozen'd The Grievance still continues great and heavy not chang'd in substance but alone in habit a just compassion aggravates the clamour to see their former King so hardly used short of his Honour Merit Birth and Calling These passages related tingled the ears of our great Mortimer he knew that all was now at stake which unprevented must hurl them back again with worse conditions No longer can he mince his own Conceptions but plainly tells the Queen the cause must perish Edward must dye this is the only refuge must make all sure and cleanse this sad suspicion so long as he remain'd their fear continues as would the hope of them attempt their
his pleasure Am I your King If so why then obey me lest while you teach me Law I learn you Duty Know I am firmly bent and will not vary If you and all the Kingdome frown I care not You must enjoy your own affections I not so much as question or controul them but I that am your Sovereign must be tutor'd to love and like alone by your discretion Do not mistake I am not now in Wardship nor will be chalkt out ways to guide my fancy Tend you the Kingdoms and the publick Errours I can prevent mine own without Protection I should be loth to let you feel my Power but must and will if you too much enforce me If not Obedience yet your Loves might tender a kinde consent when 't is your King that seeks it But you perhaps conceit you share my Power you neither do nor shall while I command it I will be still my self or less than nothing These words and the manner of their delivery bred a strange distraction in which he flings away with a kinde of loose scorn for their refusal his valiant heart had yet his proper motions which tost it to and fro with doubtful hazard They sadly silent sit and view each other wishing some one would shew undaunted Valour to tye the Bell about the Cats neck that frights them but none appears They yet were strangers to their own party and the Kings conditions Their late dead Master's ways were smooth and harmless as free from private Wrongs as publick Grievance which had extinguisht all pretence of Faction and made them meet as Friends without assurance this wrought them with more ease to treat the business each one doth first survey his own condition which single could do little and yet exprest might cause his proper ruine next they measure the Kings Will and Power with his Command against which in vain were contestation where wants united strength to make it sure Lastly they examine what could at worst ensue in their consenting since it was as possible to remove him being here as stop his coming The King advertised by a private Intelligencer a fit instrument in the body of a State in the Society and Body of a Council of their staggering irresolution and finding his Pills had so kinde an Operation lays hold of the advantage and would not let the iron cool before he wrought it This brings him back with a more familiar and mild look and begets a discourse less passionate but more prevailing Temperately he lays before them the extremity of his inward trouble which had so engrost his private thoughts that he had been thereby enforced to estrange himself from them and neglected the Rights due to his Crown and Dignity He lets them know the depth of his engagement which had no aim repugnant to the Publick Good nor intention hurtful to their proper Honours and to conclude he intreats them if any of them had been truely touch'd with a disease of the same quality that they would indifferently measure his Condition by their own Sufferings So fair a Sun-shine following at the heels of so sharp a Tempest wrought a sudden innovation their yielding hearts seek to win Grace rather than hazard his Displeasure yet to colour so apparent a breach of Faith to their dead Master they capitulate certain Conditions which might seem to extenuate if not take off the stain of their dishonour as if matter of circumstance had been a sufficient motive for the breach of an Oath so solemnly and authentically sworn The King resolv'd to purchase his peace whose price was but verbal is nothing sparing to promise all and more than was demanded which they credit over-hastily though they could not be so light of belief as to imagine that he would keep his Word with the Subject that wilfully incurs a Perjury against his own Father yet in case of necessity it was by general consent agreed rather to subscribe than to endanger the Peace of the Kingdom by so unkinde and unnatural a division The King giving to each of them particular thanks having thus plaid his Masters prize departs wondrously content and jocund they seem outwardly not displeased that had obtain'd as much as they could desire and hoped the end would be fair if not fortunate The eye of the world may be blinded and the severity of humane Constitutions removed but so great a Perjury seldome escapes unpunished by the Divine Justice who admits no dalliance with Oaths even in the Case of Necessity as it evidently appears in the sequel of this Story where you may behold the miserable ruine that his principal and efficient cause had from this beginning It had been far more honourable and advantageous to the State if this young wanton King had point-blank found a flat denial and been brought to have tugg'd at the arms end the injustice of the quarrel which might in time have recollected his senses and brought him to the true knowledge what a madness it was for the loose affection of so unworthy an Object to hazard his own Dignity and alien the Love of the whole Kingdom But it is the general Disease of Greatness and a kinde of Royal Fever when they fall upon an indulgent Dotage to patronize and advance the corrupt ends of their Minions though the whole Society of State and Body of the Kingdom run in a direct opposition neither is Reason Law Religion or the imminency of succeeding danger weight enough to divert the stream of such inordinate Affections until a miserable Conclusion give it a fatal and just Repentance It were much better if with a provident foresight they would fear and prevent the blow before they feel it But such melancholy Meditations are deemed a fit food for Penitentials rather than a necessary reflection for the full stomack of Regal Authority The black clouds of former Suspicion being thus vanish'd nothing now wants to make perfect the Royal Desires but the fruition of this long-expected purchase The smooth Servant that had so pleasingly advised was not less careful in the execution of his promise He knew haste would advance the opinion of his Merit this makes him soon out-run his Journey and finde the Star of his directions to whom he liberally relates the occasion of his coming which he confirms by the delivery of his Masters Letter wherein was drawn to the life the character of his Affection and the assurance of his safety and intended promotion Gaveston being ravish'd with so sweet and welcome a relation entertains it with as much joy as the condemned Prisoner receives his Pardon at the place and hour of Execution His long-dejected Spirits apprehend the advantage of so hopeful an opportunity and spur him on with that haste that he hardly consents to one nights intermission for the repose of this weary Messenger No sooner had the Mornings-Watchman given his shrill summons of the approaching Day-light but he forsakes his weary Bed and hastens straight to
is made the Cabinet for this grave Council there the King soon appears attended by all the bravest and ablest Spirits of the Kingdom The act of the first conference tends to the security of Berwick the street-door of the North and principal Key of the borders This care with a full provision is committed to the Fidelity and Valour of Sir Peter Spalden who undertakes the charge being plentifully furnisht and promiseth defence against the united Power of Scotland This unfortunate King was as unhappy in Councel as in Action A short time shews this unworthy Knight to the world false and perfidious Robert le Bruce that had this Strength as a mote in his eye conceived it by force almost impregnable this made him seek to undermine it by corruption and aloof off to taste the palate of this new Governour The Hook was no sooner baited but the Trout falls a nibbling ready Money and a specious promise of an expectant Preferment makes this Conspiracy perfect which at one blow sells the Town with all its warlike Provisions and the treacherous Keeper's Reputation and Honour The Pope who with a pious and a truely compassionate eye beheld the misery of this Dissention and the unnatural effusion of so much Christian Bloud seeks to reform it and to this effect sends over two of his Cardinals to mediate a Peace and to compose if it might be the differences in question They being arrived in England come down into the North to the King by whom they are with great Ceremony according to the fashion of those Religious Times received and welcomed They discourse to him the occasion of their Employment and encline him with many excellent and vertuous motives to embrace a Peace with Scotland The greenness of the Disgrace and the late Wound yet bleeding new kept him in a long demurrer Yet the holy and milde prosecution of these holy Fathers won him at length to their Mediation with a proviso that he were not too far prejudiced in Interest and Honour With this Answer they take their leave and prosecute their Journey for Scotland but with an example full of barbarous Inhumanity they are in the way surpriz'd and robbed Infinitely is the King incens'd with this audacious act which threw so foul a stain upon the whole Nation which causeth a strict inquisition for the discovery of these Malefactors which are soon known and taken Middleton and Selby both Knights expiate the offence with their shameful Execution The persons of Embassadours amongst the most savage Nations are free from rapine but being cloathed in the habit of Religion and such a Greatness and going in a work so good and glorious certainly it was an act deserv'd so severe a punishment Immediately at the heels of this follows another Example less infamous but far more full of danger Sir Josline Denvile having wasted his estate and not able to lessen the height of his former expences gets into his society a Regiment of Ruffians terming themselves Out-laws with these he infests the North with many outragious Riots insomuch that no man that had any thing to loose could be secure in his own house from Murder Theft and Rapine A little time had brought this little Army rowling like a Snow-ball to the number of 200 all the diseased flux of the corrupted humours of those parts flye to this Imposthume An Attempt so impudent and daring flyes swiftly to the Kings knowledg Report that seldom lessens makes the danger far greater than it deserv'd The Royal ear conceits it little better than a flat Rebellion whose apprehension felt it self guilty of matter enough to work on This made an instant levy and as ready a dispatch for the suppression of the flame while it but burnt the suburbs Experience soon returns the Fear is found greater than the Cause the principal Heads and Props of this Commotion are surprized and fall under the severity of that Law whose protection they in this enterprize had absolutely disclaimed Those that more narrowly examin'd the depth of this Convention believ'd it but a masque for a designe more perillous The intemperate and indiscreet Government had alien'd the hearts of this People there was a general face of Discontent over the whole Kingdome the Ulcers fester'd dayly more and more the Scotish disaster is ascribed to the Regal weakness and all things seem'd to tend to quick confusion If this unadvised and ill-grounded disorder had tasted the general inclination in a more innocent and justifiable way it was constantly believed the King had sooner felt the publick Revolt of the whole Kingdom But this work was reserved till a farther time and the operation of those that had the opportunity of effecting it with more power and a fairer pretence of Justice It is a very dangerous thing when the Head is ill and all the Members suffer by his infirmity Kings are but men and Man is prone to Errour yet if they manage their distempers with Wisdome or Discretion so that they lye not open to publick view and censure they may be counted faults but not predictions but when the heart is gangren'd and the world perceives it it is the fatal mark of that infection which doth betoken ruine and destruction The Cardinals are now come back the hopes of Peace are desperate the Scots are on the Sunny-side of the hedge and will have no Conditions but such as may not be with Honour granted Edward inflam'd will have no farther Treaty this makes them take their leave and hasten homeward Their Losses liberally are requited and many goodly Gifts bestow'd at parting Being come to Rome they inform his Holiness of the success of their journey who takes ill the contumacy of the perfidious Scots and excommunicates both that King and Kingdom But this thunderbolt wrought a small effect where Honesty had so little an acquaintance Religion must needs be a great stranger The loss of Barwick and the disgrace of his first Overthrow calls the King to adventure a Revenge which he thinks he had too long adjourned He makes it a disputable question whether he should besiege Barwick or invade Scotland but the consideration thereof is referr'd till the moving of the Army which is advanc'd with all speed possible Men Arms and Money with all such other Provisions as were as well fit to continue the War as begin it are suddenly ready in full proportion The Army attends nothing but the King's Person or some more lucky General to lead it In the knowledg he looseth no time but appears in the Head of his Troops and leads them on making an armed hedge about Barwick before his enemies had full knowledg of his moving The Council of War thought it not expedient to leave such a thorn in the heel of so glorious an Army The Scots thought it too great a hazard to attempt the breach of so strong a body so excellently intrencht and guarded the memory of former
passages made them entertain this War with less heat but with a more solid judgment Barwick they knew was strong by Art and Nature and fully provided to hold the English play till Want and the Season of the Year did make them weary This made them leave the road-way and continue the War more by Discretion than Valour But during these passages the Divine Justice sends down the other three fatal executioners of his wrath Plague Dearth and Famine no part is free but hath his portion of one or all of these so cruel Sisters To make this misery more perfect the wylie Scots taking the advantage of the King 's fruitless encamping before Barwick like a land-flood over-run the naked Borders and boldly march forward into the Country with Fury Blood and Rapine The stuff that should stop this breach was absent with the King so that they finde no rub in their eruption The Arch-Bishop of York a Reverend Old man but a young Souldier able enough in his element but ignorant in the Rules of Martial Discipline resolves to oppose this unruly devastation he straightways musters up his Congregations and gives them Arms that knew scarce use of Iron Soon had his example collected up a multitude in number hopeful but it was composed of men fitter to pray for the success of a Battle than to fight it With these and an undaunted Spirit he affronts his Enemies and gives them an encounter making Milton upon Swale more memorable by the blood of this Disaster His Victorious and Triumphing Enemies christned this unhappy Conflict in derision The white Battle Many Religious-men with loss of their Lives purchas'd here their first Apprentiship in Arms and found that there was a dangerous difference betwixt fighting and praying The intent of this grave Bishop was certainly noble and worthy but the act was inconsiderate weak and ill-advised It was not proper to his Profession to undertake a Military Function in which his hope in reason answer'd his experience neither did it agree with the Innocency and Piety of his Calling to be an actor in the effusion of Blood though the quarrel were defensive but by compulsion But questionless he meant well which must excuse his action Too great a care improperly exprest doth often loose the cause it strives to advantage In all deliberations of this nature where so many Lives are at stake there should be a deep foresight even in matter of circumstance and the quality as well of our own as of our adversaries duely considered else with a dangerous errour we leave the success to the will of Fortune who in nothing is more tickle and wanton than in the event of Battles which are seldom gain'd by multitude the Mother of Confusion To be a General is an act of greatness and doth require a great and perfect Knowledge ripe by Experience and made full by Practice It is not enough to dare to fight which is but Valour but to know how and when which makes it perfect Discretion and Judgment sometimes teach advantage which make the weight being light the scale more even I will not deny but the most expert Leader may have all these and yet may loose a Battle since as all things are this great designe is guided by a Divine Providence and many Accidents may happen betwixt the Cup and the Lip while things are in action But he that hath a well-grounded and warrantable reason for his Engagement may lose the day and yet preserve his Honour Wise-men do censure Errours not Events of Actions which shew them good or bad as they be grounded The News of the Defeat of this Spiritual Army like the voice of a Night-raven had no sooner croakt his sad eccho in the King's ear but he straight raiseth his Army weaken'd with Famine and lessen'd with Sickness The prigging Scots seeing his going off judge his Retreat little better than a plain flight which gave them heart to set upon the fag-end of his Troops which they rout and break to the astonishment of the whole Army This done they return and think it honour enough they had done the work they came for The King doubles his pace homewards instead of Triumph glad he had got loose from so imminent a danger This blank return fill'd the Kingdom with a fretting murmur and forreign Nations thought their Valour chang'd who had so oft before o'recome this Nation Mated with grief opprest with shame and sorrow Edward exclaims against his wayward Fortune that made his Greatness like the Crab go backward while he seeks to improve the opinion of his worth he impairs and grows still leaner and when he shuns a taint he findes a mischief Sadly he now resolves no more to tempt her he lays aside his Arms for harms to feed his humour His Vanities companions of his Greatness had slept out the night of these combustions he now awakes them with a new assurance they should possess their former mansion His wandring eyes now ravage through the confines of his great Court made loose by his example Here he seeks out some Piece or Copper-metal whom by his Royal stamp he might make currant He findes a spacious choice being well-attended but 't was by such as made their tongues their fortunes Vain-glory here found none to cure it and the sick heart ne're felt the touch of Wormwood The Agents were compos'd of the just temper as was the spring that gave their tongues their motion such an harmonious Consort fits the Organ that lov'd no flats nor sharps or forc'd division No language pleas'd the King the Servants know it but that which was as smooth as Gold new burnisht Old antient truth was like a thread-bare Garment esteem'd a foul disgrace to cloath a Courtier Sincerity was no fit Master for these Revels nor honest Plainness for a seat in Council This made this King this Court and glorious Kingdom fall by degrees into a strange confusion The Infidelity of Servants cloathed in hypocrisie betrayes the Master and makes his misery greater or less dangerous according to the qualities of their employments It is an excellent consideration for the Majesty of a King in election to reflect on Goodness Truth and Ability for his attendance more than the natural parts or those that are by Art and Cunning made pliable to his Disposition The first prove the props of Greatness the other the instruments of Danger and Disorder which makes the Master at best pitied but most commonly hated and suspected Neither is it safe for the Royal ear to be principally open to one mans information or to rely solely on his judgment Multiplicity of able Servants that are indifferently if not equally countenanced are the strength and safety of a Crown which gives it glory and lustre When one man alone acts all parts it begets a world of errour and endangers not only the Head but all the Members Edward could not but know that a new President over his
next her person and those that were her own he bribes to back him The Court thus fashion'd he levels at the Country whence he must gain his strength if need enforc'd it Here he must have an estate and some sure refuge this he contrives by begging the Custody of divers of the principal Honours and Strength of the Kingdom But these were no inheritance which might perpetuate his Memory or continue his Succession He makes a Salve for this Sore and to be able to be a fit Purchaser of Lands by the benefit of the Prerogative he falls a selling of Titles in which it was believ'd he thriv'd well though he sold many more Lordships than he bought Mannors by this means yet he got many pretty retiring places for a younger Brother within the most fertil Counties of the Kingdom This for the Private now to the Publick he makes sure the principal Heads of Justice that by them his credit might pleasure an old Friend or make a new at his pleasure If in this number any one held him at too smart a distance prizing his integrity and honour before so base a traffique he was an ill Member of State and either silenc'd or sent to an Irish or Welsh Employment It is enough to be believ'd faulty where a disputation is not admitted The Hare knows her ears be not horns yet dares not venture a Tryal where things must not be sentenc'd as they are but as they are taken The Commanders that sway most in Popular Faction as far as he durst or might without combustion he causeth to be conferr'd oâ— his Friends and Kindred and above all things he settles a sure Correspondence of Intelligence in all the quarters of the Kingdome as a necessary leading president he fills the peoples ears with rumour of forreign danger to busie their brains from discoursing Domestick Errours and sends out a rabble of spying Mercuries who are instructed to talk liberally to taste other mens inclinanations and feel the pulses of those that had most cause to be discontented For the antient Nobility which was a more difficult work to reduce to conformity laying aside the punctilio's of his greatness he strives to gain them as he won his Master but when he found them shy and nice to make his party he slights them more and more to shew his Power and make them seek to entertain his favour And to eclipse their Power by birth and number he findes the means to make a new Creation which gave the Rabble-Gentry upstart Honours as Children do give Nuts away by handfuls yet still he hath some feeling of the business Lastly he wins the King to call his Father to the Court who with the shoal of all his Kin are soon exalted while he makes all things lawful that correspond his Will or Masters Humour He thus assuming the administration of the Royal affairs his Master giving way to all his actions the incensed Lords grown out of patience appoint the rendevouz of a secret Meeting at Sharborough where they might descant their griefs with more freedom yet with such a cautelous Secrecy that this Harpy with his Lyncean eyes could not perceive their anger Assoon as they were met Thomas of Lancaster the most eminent of this Confederacy in a grave discourse lays before them the Iniquity of the time the Insolency of this new Ganymede and the Kings intemperate wretchlesness which made the Kingdom a prey to all manner of Injustice Hereford adviseth that they should all together petition the King that he would be pleased to look into the Disorders and grant a Reformation Mowbray Mortimer and the rest soar a higher pitch which Clifford thus expresseth My Lords It is not now as when brave Lincoln lived whom Edward fear'd and all the Kingdom honoured Nor is this new Lord a Gaveston or naked Stranger that only talkt and durst not act his Passions We now must have to do with one of our own Country which knows our ways and how to intercept them See you not how he weaves his webs in Court and Country leaving no means untryed may fence his greatness And can you think a verbal Blast will shake him or a set Speech will sink his daring Spirit No he is no fantastick Frenchman but knows as well as we where we can hurt him his Pride is such he 'll ne're go less a farding but he must fall a key or we must ruine Women and Children make their tongues their Weapons true Valour needs no words our wrongs no wrangling Say this unconstant King hear our Petition admit he promise to redress our Grievance this sends us home secure and well-contented until the Plot be ripe for our destruction If you will needs discourse your cause of Grievance be yet provided to make good your errour a wise man gets his guard then treats Conditions which works a Peace with ease and more assurance All Treaties vain our Swords must be our warrant which we may draw by such a just compulsion those ready then attempt your pleasure and see if words can work a Reformation I am no tongue-man nor can move with language but if we come to act I 'll not be idle Then let us fall to Arms without disputing We 'll make this Minion stoop or dye with honour This rough Speech uttered with a Souldier-like liberty by one so truly noble and valiant inflam'd the hearts of such as heard them They concur all in a general approbation and thereupon they fall to present Levies Mortimer a brave young active Spirit with his Retinue gains the maiden-head of this great Action He enters furiously upon the possession of the Spencers spoiling and wasting like a profest enemy This outrage flies swiftly to the owners and appears before them like Scoggins crow multipli'd in carriage They assoon make the King the sharer of their intelligence and increase it to their best advantage Edward sensible of so audacious an affront thought it did yet rather proceed from private spleen than publick practice which made him in the tenderness of the one and malice to the other by Proclamation thus make known his pleasure That the Actors of this misdemeanour should immediately appear personally and shew cause whereby they might justifie their Actions or forthwith to depart the Kingdom and not to return without his special License When the tenour of this Sentence was divulged and come to the knowledge of the Confederate Lords they saw their interest was too deeply at stake to be long shadow'd In the obedience of such a doom the primitiae of their Plot must receive a desperate blemish They therefore resolve as they had begun so to make good and maintain the quarrel they reinforce their Forces and draw them into a body strong enough to boulster out their doings and to bid a base to the irresolute wanton King and his inglorious Favourite whose Platforms were not yet so compleat as that they durst adventure the Tryal of
not 't is not much improper you let the Kingdom know the Queens departure how far it swerves from duty love or reason Dangers that be far off may be prevented with time advice and with a better leasure yet 't is discretion to catch the foretop of a growing evil look to your Ports your Navie well provided no forraign Force can wrong your Peace or Quiet For those within-door that may breed suspition the ways are easie to secure their moving Yet all this is too little if you stagger or with a drowzie coldness seem disheartned 't is life and action gives your People metal For Gods sake then great Sir leave off this Passion which wrongs your Greatness and doth maze your servants that see no cause but meerly your Opinion This Speech thus ended the King forceth himself against his disposition and cloaths his cheeks with smiles his brow with gladness with a more freedom he discourseth plainly the present state of his entangled business a Declaration is sent out to all the Kingdom that taints the Honour of the Queen but more his Judgement The Ports are all stopt up that none should follow a Medicine much too late a help improper to shut the Stable-door the Steed being stoln but 't is the nature of a bought Experience to come a day too late the Market ended The Navie is sent out to guard the Frontier and Watch and Ward is kept throughout the Kingdom These and many other grave Instructions are recommended to the Spencers wisdom whom it concern'd as deeply as their welfare they think not fit to trust the Care to others but do become themselves the Supervisors which for a time of force enforc'd their absence in which short intermiss the King relapseth to his former errour which gave him many sad and deep impressions he thinks the breach of Wedlock a foul trespass but to contemn her he so much had wronged deserv'd as much as they could lay upon him But he was guilty in a higher nature he had upheld his Parasites to brave her with too too fond a base presumptuous daring he fear'd his cruel actions stain'd with bloud would chalenge a quick and sad requital equal vengeance he saw the Subjects full of grief and passion apt and desirous to embrace Rebellion and few or none declar'd themselves to aid him unless 't were such as stirr'd by meer compulsion or private interest of their own safety Such dull conceits did so ingross his fancie that he almost despair'd of his own fortune His Minions now return'd from their employment had much ado to level these deep reckonings which lay so heavie on his guilty Conscience yet at the length he gain'd his wonted temper and acteth o'er afresh his former Errours The customary habit of transgression is like a Corn that doth infest his owner though it be par'd and cut yet it reneweth unless the Core be rooted out that feeds his tumour The guilty Conscience feels some inward motions which flashing lightly shave the hair of Mischief the scalp being naked yet the roots remaining they soon grow up again and hide their baldness the operations of the soul of true Repentance grubs up the very depth of such vile Monsters and leaves alone the scars of their abuses The French King having notice of his Sister's arrival entertains it with a wondrous plausible and seeming shew of gladness After she had well refresh'd her self and her little Son as yet a stranger to the riding of so long a journey upon a wooden horse with an Honorable attendance befitting more her Estate Birth and Dignity than the present miserable condition she was in she is waited on to Paris all the great ones and Bravery of that Kingdom are sent to give her welcome and to bring her to the King's presence When she beheld the Sanctuary of her hopes her dearest Refuge she falls upon her knee and with a sweetly-becoming modestie she thus begins her Story Her Royal Brother unwilling to suffer such an Idolatry from her that had a Father Brother Husband so great and glorious takes her up in his arms when thus she speaks her sorrow Behold in me dear Sir your most unhappie Sister the true picture of a dejected Greatness that bears the grief of a despised Wedlock which makes me flie to you for help and succour I have with a sufferance beyond the belief of my Sex outrun a world of tryals time lessens not but addes to my afflictions my burthen is grown greater than my patience yet 't is not I alone unjustly suffer my tears speak those of a distressed Kingdom which long time glorious now is almost ruin'd My blushing cheek may give a silent knowledge I too much love and honour the cause of my afflictions to express it Yet this in modestie I may discover my Royal Husband is too much abused his will his ear his heart is too too open to those which make his errours their advantage the hope of his return is lost he still must wander while such bewitching Syrens are his leaders But why do I include them as a number 't is onely one the rest are but his creatures How many of his brave and nobler Subjects have sold their lives to purchase him his Freedom All expectation fails domestick Quarrels have ta'en away their lives that strove to help it unless you please your Arms shall disinchant him he still must be abused his Kingdom grieved I had not else thus stoln to crave your favour Made to your hand you have a way is glorious to let the world behold and know your vertue Fortune presents you with a just occasion to crown your Glory with an equal Goodness would you dispute it can there be a motive more weighty than to succour these poor Ruines which else must lose their portions being Birth-right See here and view but with a just compassion two Royal Plants depress'd and like to wither both Branches of the Flower-de-luce the Root you sprang from which but in you have neither hope nor comfort Would your impartial wisdom but consider how good a work it is to help distresses a wronged Sister cannot be forsaken and an Heir of such a Crown be left unpitied In such an act of Goodness and of Justice both heaven and earth will witness your true Valour and your poor Handmaid joy in such a Brother Let it not breed suspicion that I seek you with such a weak forsaken poor attendance I was enforc'd to steal away at randome and durst not by my number be distrusted by those with Argus eyes observ'd my actions Though I am here and those behinde that love me besides the Justice of my Cause the strongest motive I bring the hearts of a distressed Kingdom that if you set me right will fight my Quarrel their Truth needs no suspect you have for Warrant their Queen and Mistris with their King that must be Then gracious Sir extend your Royal vertue I challenge by that
purer Bloud assistance whereof my Birth-right gives me equal portion let not succeeding Ages in your Story read such a taint that you forsook a Sister a Sister justly griev'd that sought your Succour Her willing tongue would fain have moved farther but here the fountain of her eyes poured forth their treasure a showre of Chrystal tears enforc'd her silence which kinde of Rhetorick won a Noble pitie the Passions of the minde being sweetly mov'd the heart grows great and seems to sympathize their agitations which produceth a ready willingness that calls to action the foot the hand the eye the tongue the body till that the Engines slack that cause this vigour and then they all revert to their first temper The Queens discourse and tears so far prevail'd the King and all his Peers are deeply moved their longing hearts beat strongly for expression which might assure her they embrac'd her quarrel and with their Lives would venture soon a tryal Her Brother bids her cast her cares to his Protection which would make Edward know and feel his errours his greater Subjects offer her their Service and vow to be Companions of her fortune The general voice of France proclaim'd a fury strain'd to the height to punish her Oppressors This overture for a while is so hotly pursued that she poor Queen with an abused confidence believ'd things as they seemed in shew true perfect real 'T is not alone her errour but a disease all flesh and blood embraceth with ease we credit what we wish and hope for yet where so great a Consequence waits on the action there is just cause to fear and doubt the sequel Though that our aims be just discreet and hopeful yet if they be confined to certain hazard or do reflect upon the private danger of that same second hand that is engaged reason in justice strengthens the suspicion To right the Queen and to restore her Heir to ease the Subject punish the Oppressor all these are works thus far seem good and easie but these not Will but Power and Strength must compass against a potent King in his own Kingdom which if it fell out well return'd with honour if ill endanger'd France with an Invasion which might perhaps prove fatal and unhappie Wise men are mov'd in Passion not in Judgment which sifts the depth and core of such great actions weighing the danger and advantage with the hazard and dependance which if they turn the Scale or make them even takes off the edge of their propense affections which Cause asswag'd the heat of this employment Spencer whose watchful eye was fixt on Paris by his Perspectives sees the glorious welcome that waits upon the Queen and her attendants he hears no other News but what provisions were made in France to serve for War in England he is not frighted or a whit distempered he knew the French were giddy light inconstant apter for Civil Broyls than Forraign Triumphs beginning more than Men but in conclusion weaker and more uncertain far than Women he taxeth yet his own improvidence that gave the angry Queen so fair advantage 't was not the Power of France he feared nor all their threatnings but the intestine danger which seemed fearful He knew the Subjects hearts were quite estranged which did expecting long for some Combustion severity of Laws had kept them under 't was not in duty but by meer compulsion which backt by Forraign aid and such brave Leaders would break their Chains upon the least Alarum To take off France he straight select his Agents such as well knew the ways of these employments and lades them o'er with Gold and sound Instructions bidding them freely bribe and promise mountains till they had undermin'd and cross'd the Queens proceedings he bids them charily observe the quality of time and place and person proportioning their Rates with such discretion that those which most could hurt were deepest laden These Pinaces of State thus fraighted arrive at Paris where the heat was almost cool'd before their coming yet they go on to make the business surer they set upon the Pillars of the State and feel their Pulses who wrought like Wax against the glorious Sun-shine of brighter Angels which came showring downwards and struck them dumb and deaf for opposition Gold in an instant chang'd the Council's temper and conquer'd without blowes their valiant anger The Queens distressed tears are now forgotten they gave impressions these a real feeling words are but wind but here 's a solid substance that pierc'd not the ear but hearts of her assistants The Plot full-ripe to make it yet more perfect they set upon the King and shew the danger To force by Sea a passage into England was a designe as truely weak as hopeless where wants a Navie and the full provision might give a sure Retreat or certain Landing To cope at home with such a potent Kingdom requir'd an Army full of strength and mighty which must be still supply'd with Men and Money which not ready here in such abundance a Womans passion was too weak a motive to levie Arms alone on that occasion which brings no other gains but meerly Honour The English Nation were not so affected unto their Mistris Quarrel as to venture legal revenge or else intestine rapine which they must hazard if they loose or vanquish Lastly a bare relation of a female passion enforc'd the Cause which whether true or false was yet in question the Plaintiff had been heard but no Defendant These were the Reasons which are daily tender'd to take the French King off from his intentions which lov'd to talk of War but not to act it A small perswasion quickly fills his stomack that could not well digest a War with England Young Kings that want Experience have not Judgment to touch the marrow of their proper business and sound the depths of Councels For Advisers may be abused and bought and sold to mischief while Servants raise their gain from their dishonour This being so frequent 't is a Royal Virtue that hears and sees but gives no resolution in things of weight till he have reconciled his own with judgment to the Councils reasons if that it be above his reach that is in question let him not so rely upon the great ones that their words prove a Law which have their workings that aim more at their ends than his advancement As Kings have Councellors of State to ease their Burden so should they have a second help to guard their Honour a lesser body of selected good ones whose wisdomes privately inform him rightly of what in goodness is most fit his judgment State-actions fill the Purse but foul the Conscience and Policy may bloom the Profit blights the Honour which Kings should keep as tender as their Eyesight Though thus the squares that fed her hopes were altered the Queen is still led on with promis'd Succours which at the upshot meet with new excuses She seeing these delays and vain
ruine The Warranty of Arms had a fair colour that should be levied to attempt his rescue which had a Royal stamp to raise and make them current If such a Project should be once in action it would be then too late to seek to cross it All men are apt to pity so great a King oppressed and not so much look on what he had been as what he is and being restor'd he might be The Queen whose heart was yet believed innocent of such foul Murther is or at least seems highly discontented She acknowledges his present Sufferings greater than his Offences or might become the King her Lord and Husband and holds this act of too too foul Injustice which stiles her Son a Homicide and her a Monster The crimson Guilt of such a crying action could not escape the cruel hand of Vengeance If it might be concealed from humane Knowledge the All-knowing Power of Heaven would lay it open She thinks it more than an act of Bloud to kill a Husband and a King that sometimes loved her She thinks her Son not of so ill a nature as to slip o're his Fathers Death untouch'd unpunish'd when that he was grown up in power to sift it These motives made her thus return her Answer Let us resolve dear Friend to run all hazards rather than this that is so foul and cruel let us not stain our Souls with Royal Bloud and Murder which seldome scapes unseen but never unpunish'd especially for such a fear as is but casual while we are innocent at worst our danger is but privation of this glorious shadow which Death can take when we believe it surest but if we taint the inward part with such a tincture our proper Guilt will bring continual terrour a fear that never dyes but lives still dying If Edward do get loose what need we fear him that pull'd him down when he was great at highest Why should we then resolve his Death or Murder this Help may serve when we are desperate of other Remedies which yet appears not To act so great a sin without compulsion addes to the deed and makes it far more odious nor can it plead excuse if after question'd that hath no cause but merely Supposition Say that he were a dead man gone and hopeless neither our fears or dangers are more lessen'd we are still subject to the self same hazard and have to boot our proper Guilt to cause it Those that do hate or envy us can fashion other pretexts as fair as this to shake us which we shall better crush while we are guiltless Then think upon some other course as sure more harmless ne're can my heart consent to kill my Husband Mortimer being nettled with this Reply so far wide of the aim which in his bloudy thoughts he had so constantly resolved on thought he would return the Queen as bitter a Pill as she had given him to bite on which makes him thus reply in anger Madam who hath the time to friend and doth neglect it is justly falling scorn'd and sinks unpitied Have you for this endur'd so bitter tryals to be at length a foe to your own safety Did you outrun your Troubles suffering meanly but to return unto your first condition If it be so I must approve your Reasons and say your grounds were like your project hopeful You see your glorious Morning now turn'd cloudy the Kingdom doth repine to see our Greatness yet have no hope but in the King deposed who taken away what fear can justly move us Your youthful Son we 'll rule till he grows older and in that time establish such a Greatness as he shall hardly touch or dare to question To cast a world of doubts is vain and senseless where we enforc'd must either act or perish and to be nice in that hath no election doth waste out time and not prevent the errour If you stick fast in this your tender pity I must in justice then accuse my fortune that gave my heart to such a female Weakness Is there a disproportion in this action to keep the Crown with bloud that was so gotten Is there a more restraint to keep than get by Treason If so I yield and will sit still and ruine Had Edward known or fear'd he had prevented nor you nor I had had the Power to hurt him But he neglected time and now repents it and so must we if we embrace his errour Fear is far less in sense than apparition and makes the shadow greater than the subject which makes a faintness as the Fancy leads it where is small reason to be so affected You urge it cannot be concealed or hidden I not deny but it may be discovered such deeds may yet be so contrived and acted that they prevent all proof if not suspicion But why do I spend time in this perswasion let him get free whom we so much have wronged let him examine our proceedings sift our actions perhaps he will forget forgive be reeonciled and spare your tears left that your mighty Brother should chance grow angry if you lose your Greatness you may if you be pleased abide the tryal Mortimer's resolv'd since you refuse his judgment you neither prize his safety nor his service and therefore he will seek some other refuge before it be too late and too far hopeless With this he flings away in discontentment as if he meant with speed to quit the Kingdom The amazed Queen pursues and overtakes him who seem'd unwilling to prolong the treaty Stay gentle Mortimer quoth she I am a Woman fitter to hear and take advice than give it think not I prize thee in so mean a fashion as to despise thy Safety or thy Council Must Edward dye and is there no prevention Oh wretched state of Greatness frail Condition that is preserv'd by Bloud secur'd by Murder I dare not say I yield or yet deny it Shame stops the one the other Fear forbiddeth only I beg I be not made partaker or privy to the time the means the manner With this she weeps and fain would have recanted but she saw in that course a double danger Mortimer that had now what he lookt for assures her he would undergo the act and hazard which would not have moved if not inforced by those strong motives of their certain danger He requests alone the King might seal a Warrant that he may change anew his former Keepers Sir Morice Barcklaye as it seems had been aloof off treated with but was not pliable or apt to fasten he was both careful of his Charge and Masters Safety this takes him suddenly from his custody Sir Thomas Towurlie supplies his place with his old partner they having received their new Warrant and their Royal Prisoner carry him by sudden and hasty Journeys to Cork-Castle the place that in all the world he most hated Some say that he was foretold by a certain Magician who as it