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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
sollicited That this great Earle was drawne t' attempt the thing And practiseth how to depose the King 27 For being of mightie meanes to do the deed And yet of mightier hopes then meanes to do And yet of spirit that did his hopes exceed And then of Blood as great to adde thereto All these with what the gold of France could breed Being powers enow a clyming minde to woo He so imploy'd that many he had wonne Euen of the chiefe the King reli'd vpon 28 The well-knowne right of th' Earle of March allur'd A leaning loue whose Cause he did pretend Whereby he knew that so himselfe procur'd The Crowne for his owne children in the ende For the Earle beeing as hee was assur'd Vnapt for issue it must needes descend On those of his being next of Clarence race As who by course of right should hold the place 29 It was the time when-as the forward Prince Had all prepar'd for his great enterprize And ready stand his troupes to part from hence And all in stately forme and order lyes When open Fame giues out intelligence Of these bad complots of his enemies Or else this time of purpose chosen is Though knowne before yet let run-on till this 30 That this might yeeld the more 〈◊〉 aggrauate Vpon so foul a deed vntimely sought Now at this point t' attempt to ruinate So glorious a designe so forward brought Whil'st careful Virtue seekes t' aduance the State And for her euerlasting honor sought That though the Cause seem'd right and title strong The time 〈◊〉 dooing it yet makes it wrong 31 But straight an vnlamented death he had And straight were ioyfully the Anchors weighd And all flocke fast aboord with visage glad As if the sacrifice had now beene payd For their good speed that made 〈◊〉 stay so sad Loathing the least occasion that delayd And now new thoughts great hopes calme seas fair windes With present action intertaine their mindes 32 No other crosse ô Henry saw thy dayes But this that toucht thy now possessed hold Nor after long till this mans sonne assayes To get of thine the right that he controll'd For which contending long his life he payes So that it fatal seem'd the father should Thy winning seeke to stay and then his sonne Should be the cause to lose when thou hadst won 33 Yet now in this so happy a meane-while And interlightning times thy 〈◊〉 wrought That Discord had 〈◊〉 leasure to defile So faire attempts with a tumultuous thought And euen thy selfe thy selfe didst so beguile With such attention vpon what was sought That time 〈◊〉 not now with feare or hate Others to seeke thee to secure thy State 34 Or else how easie had it beene for thee All the pretendant race t' haue layd full lowe If thou proceeded hadst with crueltie Not suffering any fatall branch to growe But vnsuspicious Magnanimitie Shames such effectes of feare and force to showe Busied in free and open Actions still Being great for being good hates to be ill 35 And yet such wrongs are held meete to be done And often for the State thought requisite As when the publike good depends thereon When great iniustice is esteem'd great right But yet what good with doing ill is won Who hath of blood made such a benefite As hath not fear'd more after then before And made his peace the 〈◊〉 his plague the more 36 Farre otherwise dealt this vndaunted King That cherished the ofspring of his foes And his Competitors to grace did bring And them his friendes for Armes and honors chose As if plaine courses were the safest thing Where vpright goodnesse sure and stedfast goes Free from that subtile maskt impietie Which this depraued world calles policie 37 Yet how hath Fate dispos'd of all this good What haue these Virtues after 〈◊〉 auail'd In what stead hath hy-raised Valour stood When this continuing cause of Greatnes fail'd Then when proud-growne the irritated blood Enduring not it selfe it selfe 〈◊〉 As though that Prowesse had but learnd to spill Much blood abrode to cut her throat with skill 38 How doth th' Eternall in the course of things Immix the causes both of Good and Ill That thus the one effects of th' other brings As what seemes made to blisse is borne to spill What from the best of Virtues glorie springs That which the world with miserie doth fill Is th' end of happinesse but wretchednesse Hath Sinne his plague and Virtue no successe 39 Either that is not good the world holdes good Or else is so confus'd with ill that we Abused with th' appearing likelihood Run to offend whil'st we thinke good to bee Or else the heauens made man in furious blood To torture man Allotting no course free From mischiefe long Sending faire dayes that breed But stormes to make more foul times that succeed 40 Who would haue thought that so great victories Such conquests riches Land and Kingdome gain'd Could not but haue establisht in such wise This powrefull state in state to haue remain'd Who would haue thought that Mischiefe could deuise A way so soone to lose what was attain'd As if powre were but shew'd to grieue not grace And to reduce vs into farre worse case 41 With what contagion Fraunce didst thou infect This Land by thee made proud to disagree T'inrage them so their owne swordes to direct Vpon them-selues that were made sharp in thee Why didst thou teach them here at homet'erect Trophees of their blood which of thine should bee Or was the date of thine affliction out And so by course was ours to come about 42 But that vntimely death of this great King Whose nine yeeres Raigne so mightie wonders wrought To thee thy hopes to vs despaire did bring Not long to keepe and gouerne what was got For those that had th'affayres in managing Although their Countries good they greatly sought Yet so ill accidentes vofitly fell That their dessignes could hardly prosper wel 43 An infant King doth in the State succeed 〈◊〉 one yeere old left vnto others guide Whose 〈◊〉 trust though such as shew'd indeed They weigh'd their charge more then the world beside And did with dutie zeale and loue proceed Yet for all what their trauaile could prouide Could not woo Fortune to remaine with vs When this her Minion was departed thus 44 But by degrees first this then that regain'd The turning tide beares backe with flowing chaunce Vnto the Dolphin all we had attain'd And filles the late lowe-running hopes of Fraunce When Bedford who our onely hold maintain'd Death takes from vs their fortune to aduance And then home-strife that on it selfe did fall Neglecting forraine care did soone lose all 45 Neere three score yeeres are past since Bulling brooke Did first attaine God knowes how iust the Crowne And now his race 〈◊〉 right possessors tooke Were held of all to hold nought but their owne When Richard Duke of Yorke begins to looke Into their right and makes his 〈◊〉 knowne
Wakening-vp sleeping Right that lay as dead To 〈◊〉 how his race was 〈◊〉 46 His fathers end in him no feare could moue T' attempt the like against the like of might Where long possession now of feare and loue Seem'd to prescribe euen an innated Right So that To proue his state was to disproue Time law consent oath and allegeance quight And no way but the way of blood there was Through which with all confusion hee must passe 47 And how much better for him had it beene T' indure a wrong with peace then with such toyle T' obtaine a bloody Right since Right is sinne That is ill sought and purchased with spoyle But this so wretched state are Kingdomes in Where one mans Cause shall all the rest imbroyle And oft t' aduance a Tyran to a Crowne Men runt ' vndoo the State that is their owne 48 And yet that opportunitie which led Him to attempt seeme 〈◊〉 him t' excuse A seeble spirited King that gouerned Who ill could guide the Scepter he did vse His enemies that his worth maliced Who both the Land and him did much abuse The peoples loue and his apparant Right May seeme sufficient motiues to incite 49 Besides the now ripe wrath deferd till now Of that sure and vnsayling Iusticer That neuers suffers wrong so long to growe And to incorporate with right so farre As it might come to seeme the same in showe T' incourage those that 〈◊〉 minded are By such successe but that at last he will Confound the branch whose root was planted ill 50 Else might the impious say with grudging spight Doth God permit the Great to riot free And blesse the mightie though they do vnright As if he did vnto their wrongs agree And onely plague the weake and wretched wight For smallest faults euen in the high'st degree When he but vsing them for others scourge Likewise of them at lēgth the world doth purge 51 But could not yet for blood-shed satisfie The now well-ruling of th'ill-gotten Crowne Must euen the good receiue the penaltie Of former sinnes that neuer were their owne And must a iust Kings blood with miserie Pay for a bad vniustly ouerthrowne Well then wee see Right in his course must goe And men t' escape from blood must keepe it so 52 And sure this King that now the Crowne possest Henrie the sixt was one whose life was free From that command of vice whereto the rest Of most these mightie Soueraignes subiects bee And numbred might haue beene among the best Of other men if not of that degree A right good man but yet an euill King Vnfit for what hee had in managing 53 Of humble spirite of nature continent No thought t' increase he had scarce keep his owne For pard'ning apter then for punishment He chokes his powre to haue his bountie knowne Farre from reuenge soone wonne soone made content As fitter for a Cloyster then a Crowne Whose holy minde so much addicted is On th' world to-come that he neglecteth this 54 With such a weake-good feeble-godly King Hath Richard Duke of Yorke his Cause to trie Who by th' experience of long managing The warres of Fraunce with supreame dignitie And by his owne great worth with furthering The common good against the enemie Had wrought that zeale and loue attend his might And made his spirit equall vnto his Right 55 For now the Duke of Bedford beeing dead He is ordain'd the Regent to succeed In Fraunce for fiue yeeres where he trauayled With ready hand and with as carefull heed To seeke to turne backe Fortune that now fled And hold vp falling power in time of need And got and lost and reattaines againe That which againe was lost for all his paine 56 His time expir'd he should for fiue yeeres more Haue had his charge prolongd but Sommerset That still had enui'd his command before That place and honor for himselfe did get Which ads that matter to th'already store Of kindled hate which such a fire doth set Vnto the touch of a confounding flame As both their bloods could neuer quench the same 57 And now the weakenesse of that feeble Head That doth neglect all care but his soules care So easie meanes of practice ministred Vnto th' ambitious members to prepare Their owne desires to what their humors led That all good actions coldly followed are And sev'rall-tending hopes do wholly bend To other now then to the publique end 58 And to draw-on more speedy miserie The King vnto a fatall match is led With Rayners daughter King of Sicilie Whom with vnlucky starres he married For by the meanes of this affimtie Was lost all that his father conquered Euen as if France had some Erynnis sent T' auenge their wrongs done by the insolent 59 This marriage was the Earle of Suffolkes deed With great rewardes won to effect the same Which made him that hee tooke so little heed Vnto his Countries good or his owne shame It beeing a match could stand vs in no steed For strength for wealth for reputation fame But cunningly contriv'd for others gaine And cost vs more then Aniou Mauns and Maine 60 And yet as if he had accomplished Some mightie benefit vnto the Land He got his trauailes to be registred In Parlement for euermore to stand A witnes to approue all what he did To th' end that if hereafter it were scand Authoritie might yet be on his side As doing nought but what was ratifi'd 61 Imagining th' allowance of that Place Would make that good the which he knew was naught And so would his negotiation grace As none might think it was his priuate fault Wherein though wit dealt wary in this case Yet in the end it selfe it ouer-raught Striuing to hide he opened it the more His after-care shew'd craft had gone before 62 Deare didst thou buy ô King so faire a Wife So rare a spirit so high a minde the-while Whose 〈◊〉 was destruction dowry strise Whose bed was sorrow whose embracing spoyle Whose maintenance cost thee and thine their life And whose best comfort neuer was but toyle What Paris brought this booty of desire To set our mightie Ilium here on fire 63 I grieue I should be forc't to say thus much To blame her whom I yet must wonder at Whos 's so sweete beautie wit and worth were such As though she Fortune lost she glory gat Yet doth my Countries zeale so neerely touch That here my Muse it doth exasperate Although vnwilling that my pen should giue Staine to that sex by whom her fame doth liue 64 For sure those virtues well deserv'd a Crowne And had it not beene ours no doubt she might Haue beene among the Worthies of renowne And now sat faire with fame with glorie bright But comming in the way where sinne was growne So foule and thicke it was her chaunce to light Amidst the grosse infection of those times And so came stain'd with black disgrace-full crimes 65 For some the world must haue
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
Whom no'affliction so entire restraines But that it may remount as in times past Though he had lost his place his powre his paines Yet held his loue his friends his title fast The whole frame of that fortune could not faile As that which hung by more then by one naile 11 Else might we thinke what errour had it bin These parts thus sev'red not t' haue quite destroy'd But that they saw it not the way to win Some more dependances there were beside Which Age and Fate keeps vs from looking in That their true Counsells come not right descri'd Which our presumptuous wits must not condem They be'ing not ignorant but we of them 12 For heere we looke vpon another Crown An other image of Nobilitie Which ciuile Discord had not yet brought down Vnto a lower range of dignity Vpon a Powre as yet not ouer-flowne With th' Ocean of all-drowning Sov'raintie These Lords who thus against their Kings draw swords Taught Kings to come how to be more then Lords 13 Which well this Queene observ'd and therefore sought To draw them in and ruine them with Peace Whom Force she saw more dangerous had wrought And did their powre and malice but increase And therefore to the Citty hauing got A Counsell was convok't all iarres to cease Where come these Lords at length but yet so strong As if to doe rather then suffer wrong 14 Here Scottish border broyles and feares of Fraunce Vrg'd with the present times necessity Brought forth a suttle-shadowed countenance Of quiet peace resembling Amitie Wrapt in a strong and curious ordinaunce Of many Articles bound solemnly As if those Gordian knots could be so 〈◊〉 As no impatient sword could them diuide 15 Especially whereas the selfe same ends Concur not in a point of like respect But that each party couertly intends Thereby their owne designments to effect Which Peace with more indangering wounds offends Then Warre can doe that stands vpon suspect And neuer can be ty'd with other chaine Then intermutuall benefite and gaine 16 As well by this concluded Act is seene Which had no power to holde-in minds out-bent But quickly was dissolv'd and canceld cleene Either by Warwicks fortune or intent How euer vrg'd the Seruants of the Queene Assaulted his as he from Counsell went Where his owne person egerly 〈◊〉 Hardly by Boate 〈◊〉 the multitude 17 Which deed most heynous made and vrg'd as his The Queene who soone th' aduantage apprehends Thought forthwith 〈◊〉 committed him on this But he preuents 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 friends Shewes them his danger and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is In her that all their ouerthrowes 〈◊〉 And that these 〈◊〉 th' effects of this Peace are Which giues more deadly wounding blowes then war 18 Strooke with his heate began the others fire Kindled with danger and disdaine t' inflame Which hauing well prepar'd to his desire He leaues the farther growing of the same And vnto Calais to his strong retire With speed betakes him to preuent the same Of his impos'd offence least in disgrace He might be dispossessed of that place 19 Yorke straight aduis'd the Earle of Salsbury T' addresse him to the King and there vpon With other grieuances to signifie Th' iniurious act committed on his Sonne And there to vrge the breach of th'Amitie By these sinister plots to be begun But he so strongly goes as men might ghesse He purpos'd not to craue but make redresse 20 Whom the Lord Audly hasting to restraine Sent with tenthousand men well furnished Encountred on Blore-heath where he is slaine And all his powre and force discomfited Which chaunce so opened and let-out againe The hopes of Yorke whom Peace had fettered That he resolues what-euer should befall To set vp 's Rest to venture now for all 21 Fury vnti'd and broken out of bands Runnes desp'rate presently to either head Faction and Warre that neuer wanted hands For Bloud and Mischiefe soone were furnished Affection findes a side and out it stands Not by the Cause but by her int'rest led And many vrging Warre most forward are Not that 't is iust but only that 't is Warre 22 Whereby the Duke is grownet'a mighty head In Shropshire with his Welsh and Northren ayde To whom came Warwicke hauing ordered His charge at Calais and with him conuay'd Many braue Leaders that aduentured Their fortunes on the side that he had lay'd Whereof as chiefe Trollop and Blunt excell'd But Trollop fayld his friends Blunt faithfull held 23 The King prouok't these mischiefes to preuent Follow'd with Sommerset and Excester Strongly appointed all his forces bent Their malice to correct or to deterre And drawing neere a reuerent Prelate sent To proffer pardon if they would referre Their Cause to Peace as being a cleaner course Vnto their ends then this foule barb'rous force 24 For what a warre sayd he is here begun Where euen the victory is held accurst And who-so winnes it will be so ill won That though he haue the best he speeds the worst For here your making is to be vndon Seeking t' obtaine the State you lose it first Both sides being one the bloud consum'd all one To make it yours you worke to haue it none 25 Leaue then with this though this be yet a staine T' attempt this sinne to be so neere a fall The doubtfull Dye of warre cast at the Maine Is such as one bad chaunce may lose you all A certaine sinne seekes an vncertaine gaine Which got your selues euen wayle and pitty shall No way but Peace leades out from blood and feares To free your selues the Land and vs from teares 26 Whereto the discontented part replyes That they hereto by others wrongs inforc't Had no way else but these extremities And worst meants of redresse t' auoide the worst For since that peace did but their spoyles deuise And held them out from grace as men diuorc't From th' honors that their fortunes did afford Better die with the sword then by the sword 27 For if pacts vowes or oaths could haue done ought There had enough been done but to no end Saue to their ruine who had euer sought To'auoide these broyls as grieuing to contend Smothring disgraces drawing to parts remote As exil'd men where now they were to attend His Grace with all respect and reuerence Not with the sword of malice but defence 28 Whereby they shewed that words were not to win But yet the Pardon works so feelingly That to the King that very night came-in Sir Andrew Trollop with some company Contented to redeeme his sinne with sinne Disloyalty with infidelitie And by this meanes became discouered quite All th'orders of th' intended next dayes fight 29 Which so much wrought vpon their weakened feares That presently their Campe brake vp ere day And euery man with all his speed prepares According to their course to shift their way Yorke with his youngest Sonne tow'ards Ireland beares Warwicke to Calais where his safety lay To that sure
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