Lord Mowbray and divers others No part of al his large dominions was free from warre Normandy invaded by Lewis of France and young King Henry Aquitaine by his Sonne Richard possessed against him as the Dutchy of Brittaine was by Geoffrey The Northern parts of England were all wasted by the great strength of William K. of Scotland the Easterne parts much afflicted by those mercenary troops of Flemmings which the Earle of Leister brought over besides the forces of the Earl oâ—… Norâ—…olk This great Monarch whose felicitie was so lately the envie of his neighbour-Princes is now become the pittie of them all and the injuries done to his estate and person are much lamented by some Princes too farre off to lend him succour But be hold the turning of Fortune againe it pleased God againe to lift him from this depth of calamitie to the height of honour Hee now found the benefit of his frugality and that large treasure which hee before had gathered was his great assistance in procuring mercenarie souldiers to his side besides some faithfull Lords there were whom we have named in the storie that were deeply moved at their masters injuries and so Nobly served him that within three yeares after the beginning of these combustions King Henry according to his owne wishes beheld a happy and victorious end of them as is before expressed Let the fourth Act continue about seven yeares that next ensued a time of honour and highest happinesse to this great King after his troubles were allended according to his wish the King of France daunted the martiall King of Scotland his prisoner all rebels under his feet his Sonnes brought to acknowledge their duty and all his large dominions in great securitie While the mightiest Monarchs of the Christian world admired his wisedome and great successe astonished almost at so wonderfull a change as they now beheld His sumptuous Court was filled with congratulating Ambassadours of whom at one time there were moe seene then ever had beene together in the Court of England as namely from the two Christian Emperours Manuel of Constantinople and Frederike of the Romans from the Kings of Navarre and Aragon â—…om the Archbishop of Triers and the Earle of Flanders During the time of this happinesse hee marryed his two youngest daughters for the eldest was married before to the Duke of Saxony to the Kings of Sicily and Arragon Hee called Parliaments in which according to his minde hee was furnished with treasure he wisely setled the estates of Church and Common-wealth and besides many other wholsome happy constitutions he first appointed Iudges Itinerant for the six circuits of the Realme of England The last and tragicall Act may be considered in the five following yeares untill the end of his reigne and lifâ—… The date of his felicitie was now expired and nothing followed but trouble and calamitie The beginning of which was a second revolt of his two Sonnes Henry and Geoffrey which was soone taken off by the untimely death of both the Princes as is before declared in the Poëm besides the ill successe in the affaires of Ireland under the government of Iohn his youngest sonne Those troubles that arose from Philip King of France and prevailed against Henry in his old age more then any enemy had beene able to doe before which had not fallen so heavily upon him if Richard then his eldest sonne had not unnaturally forsaken his father and joyned in confederacy with King Philip. That miserable dissention broke the heart of old King Henry and was the end both of his reigne and life FINIS THE SINGLE AND COMPARATIVE CHARACTERS OF HENRY the Sonne and RICHARD LEt it not seeme impertinent if the Reader therby may be informed or delighted to deliver the Characters of these two Princes the eldest Sonnes of King Henry the Second who bore so great and stirring parts in the history of their fathers reigne They were Princes of greatest eminence in those times and upon whom the eyes of Christendome were most set a large Stage they had to act upon and early occasions to discover their worth They were both tall of stature beyond the ordinary height of men of comely visage and majesticall presence for courage and magnanimity they were thought equall and both admired for royall vertue though of a nature different Henry was beloved for his sweetnesse Richard honour'd for his graviâ—… Henry was affable and wondrous liberall Richard severe and full of constancy Henry was addicteâ—… to martiall sports and pastimes Richard more inclined â—…o warre it selfe One was Courtly the other serious One beloved for mercy the other feared for Iustice. The one a refuge the other a terror to all offenders Two Princes brothers of so great worth and yet so diverse have seldome beene observed Yet well might they spring from one root their father Henry in the mixture of his nature was knowne to containe both their different Characters and iudged to have a minde as one â—…peakes of Augustus Caesar full of varietie How much the sweetnesse and lovely carriage of young King Henry had wonne upon the world let one observation which some of his owne time thought like a miracle teach us to judge How strange was it that a young Prince rising in armes against his father possessed neither of lands nor treasure much lesse of a good or just cause was followed almost by all the neighbouring world against a King of so large a territory and so full of treasure that in this great defection from him hee was able almost with mercenary souldierâ—… to vindicate his right against all those potent enemies This young Pâ—…ince had gained to his side not onely his brothers Richard and Geoffrey and most of the great Nobility of England but the Kings of France and Scotland the Earle of Flanders and many other great forraigne Princes So many rich gifts of minde and body were heaped on this young Henry saith a Writer of his time that Nature as it were envying what she had bestowed soyled it againe with one staine the vice of ingratitude and disobedieuce to so good a father Which sinne of his was thought the cause that plucked downe Divine vengeance and untimely cut off that flourishing youth which was judged worthy if God had prolonged it to have ruled a greater Empire The severity and industrious courage of Richard the second Sonne let this declare the Earledome of Poictou and the Dutchy of Aquitaine which were the inheritance of his mother Eleanor were committed to his government whilest he was very young Yet in that tender age so manly were his vertues so awefull was the hand which he carried over the rebellious and stubborne subjects of those Countryes that he soone reduced them to a more quiet state and setled obedience then any of their former Princes had ever done As he was stout in the action of warre so was hee constant and unwearied in pursuing his fortune and making the full use of any successe according to that marke that Lucan gives of Iulius Caelar Nil credens actum cum quid superesset agendum Hee was so severe in punishing their offences that hee began so great a resemblance sometimes has vice with vertue to be taxed of cruelty till the wiser sort had fully considered the quality of his actions and the necessity of such proceedings How prevalent he was in the managing of warres to omit those great high exploits which he afterwards atchieved when hee was King of England by this one sad observation we may somewhat iâ—…dge after the untimely deaths of his two brothers Henry and Geoffrey when hee onely of the Sonnes was left at mans estate and unnaturally warred against his father assisted onely by Philip King of France hee more prevailed then his brother Henry with a farre greater confederacy had beene able to doe in the foregoing warres Henry the Sonne had many and great Princes as â—…efore wee shewed that sided with him And yet so victorious an end did old King Henry make of that businesse that hee saw his greatest and most glorious times after the conclusion of that warre but when Ricâ—…ard revolted from him assisted onely by Philip of France the father was inforced to suffer more and stoope lower than any imagined that a Prince of so great a spirit and power could ever have bin brought unto By which finally his heart was broken and a period set to all his worldly glory Richard in that was more unhappy than his brother Henry that his unnaâ—…urall wars weâ—…e able to give so deepe and uncurable a wound to his fathers heart and lent him no time at all to obtaine his pardon as Henry had done nor could the father liue to bee a witnesse of Richards forrow and true repentance as hee had beene of the others Which notwithstanding was many wayes after the death of old King Henry testified by Richard and last of all when himselfe was dying he commanded his servants to bury him at Fonteverard and lay him acrosse at his fathers feet to whom his disloyalty and unnaturall revolt as hee with griefe acknowledged had beene so great a crosse FINIS * Polydore Viâ—…gil in H. 2 * The Monke of Nuborough lib. 2. has all this * The Monke of Nuborough Ibidem * Hovden Chronicon de passione miâ—…aculis Thomae a Math. Paris b Gervase of Dover * Aurea legenda in vita Thomae * Silu Giraldus Cambr. relates all these wonders * Hovedâ—…n * William Parvus * Stoutvile Glanvile Vrsy Ballioll Vinfriville * Will. Parvâ—… * William Archbishop of Try
betray'd Her Ladyes life and while she doubting fear'd Too soone the fatall certainty appear'd For with her traine the wrathfull Queene was there Oh who can tell what cold and killing feare Through every part of Rosamund was strooke The rosie tincture her sweete cheekes forsooke And like an Ivory statue did she show Of life and motion reft had she beene so Transform'd in deede how kinde the fates had beene How pitifull to her nay to the Queene To free her guilty hand from such a cryme So sadd and foule as no succeeding time But shall with griefe condemne yet had she beene A Statue and look'd so the jealous Queene Perchance on that her cruelty had showne Least Henry should have turn'd Pygmalion And for a Stâ—…tues love her bed forsooke The Queenes attendants with remorse are strooke Even she herselfe did seeme to entertaine Some ruth but straight Revenge return'd againe And fill'd her furious breast Strumpet quoth She I neede not speake at all my sight may be Enough expression of my wrongs and what The consequence must proove of such a hate Heere take this poyson'd cup for in her hand A poyson'd cup she had and doe not stand To parley now but drinke it presently Or else by tortures be resolv'd to dye Thy doome is set pale trembling Rosamund Receives the cup and kneeling on the ground When dull amazement somewhat had forsooke Her breast thus humbly to the Queene she spoke I dare not hope you should so farre relent Great Queene as to forgive the punishment That to my foule offence is justly due Nor will I vainely plead excuse to shew By what strong arts I was at first betray'd Or tell how many subtle snares were lay'd To catch mine honour these though nere so true Can bring no recompence at all to you Nor just excuse to my abhorred crime Instead of suddaine death I crave but time Which shall be stil'd no time of life but death In which I may with my condemned breath While griefe and pâ—…nnance make me hourely dye Poure out my prayerâ—… for your pâ—…osperity Or take revenge on this offâ—…ding face That did procure your wrong and my disgrace Make poysonous leprosies orespread my skinne And punish that that made your Henry sinne Better content will such a vengeance give To you that he should loath me whilest I live Then that he should extend if thus I dye His lasting pity to my memory And you be forc'd to see when I am dead Those teares perchance which he for me will shed For though my worthlesse selfe deserue from him No teares in death yet when he weighs my crime Of which he knowes how great a part was his And what I suffer as a sacrifice For that offence t will grieve his soule to be The cause of such a double tragaedy No more reply'd the furious Queene have done Delay no longer least thy choyse be gone And that a sterner death for thee remaine No more did Rosamund entreat in vaine But forc'd to hard necessity to yeild Drunke of the fatall potion that she held And with it enter'd the grimme tyrant death Yet gave such respite that her dying breath Might begg forgivenesse from the heavenly throne And pardon those that her destruction Had doubly wrought forgive oh Lord said she Him that dishonour'd her that murder'd me Yet let me speake for truths sake angry Queene If you had spar'd my life I might have beene In time to come th' example of your glory Not of your shame as now for when the story Of haplesse Rosamund is read the best And holyest people as they will deteâ—…t My crime and call it foule they will abhorre And call unjust the rage of Elianor And in this act of yours it will be thought Hing Henry's sorrow not his love you sought And now so farre the venoms force assail'd Her vitall parts that lifâ—… with language fail'd That well built palace where the Graces made Their chiefe abode where thousand Cupids plai'd And cowch'd their shafts whose structure did delight Even natures selfe is now demolish'd quite Nere to be rais'd againe th' untimely stroake Of death that pretious Cabinet has broake That Henry's pleased heart so long had held With suddaine mourning now the house is fill'd Nor can the Queenes attendants though they feare Her wrath from weeping at that sight forbeare There well they could while that faire hearse thy view Believe the ancient embleme to be true And thinke pale death and winged Cupid now Their quivers had mistooke untimely so By rough North blasts doe blooming Roses fade So crushed falls the Lillyes tender blade Her hearse at Godstow Abbey they enterre Where sad and lasting monuments of her For many yeeres did to the world remaine Nought did the Queene by this dire slaughter gaine But more her Lords displeasure aggravate And now when he return'd in prosperous state This act was cause togeâ—…her with that crime Of raising his unnaturall sonnes 'gainst him That she so long in prison was detain'd And whilest he liv'd her freedome never gain'd But Henry's troubles finde not yet an end Whose cares beyond the English shores extend As if one kingdomes burden could not be Enough for his great magnanimity The yet-perplex'd affaires of Normandy Invite his presence next where fates decree Almost as easie peace shall be obtain'd As England late had by his presence gain'd Now did King Lewis and young King Henry lye Beseiging faithfull Roane in Normandy To whose reliefe the brave old Henry goes But first with care and prudence does dispose The setled state of England to his minde And loath to leave at liberty behinde So great a firebrand as his jealous Queene Fierce Elianor in this late warre had beene Commits her person to close custodie Then musters all his martiall company And Caesar-like transporting all his â—…tore Of great and princely prisoners crosses ore As if he went to triumph not to fight Nor proov'd it lesse indeede for even the sight Alone of so renown'd and fear'd a Chiefe As old King Henry was faire Roanes reliefe King Lewis of France no longer meant to stay Nor on the tryall of one doubtfull day To set his fortunes yet asham'd that he Should seeme to flye before his enemy And fearing that disgrace encamped lay Himselfe a while and first convey'd away From thence the sicke and weakest of his men And with the rest in order followed then For uncontroll'd had Henry enter'd Roane Set ope the gates and beate the rampiers downe Levell'd the trenches all that stopp'd the way And dar'd the French to tryall of the day But Lewis retir'de and weighing in sadd thought What small advantage his designes had wrought Or for himselfe or those whom he entended To aide now wish'd this bootelesse warre were ended And thoughts of peace he wholly entertain'd And since he knew a peace might be obtain'd As then it stood with ease from Englands King And love besides in labouring to bring The sonnes in too
all if not for honours sake Behold where truest honour may be gain'd When by your armes his cause shall be maintain'd Who is the fountaine of it he that gave To you those royall glories that you have And claymes some quitall by your service shew'd What fame so great as that of gratitude Even Fame it selfe which in some warres is made The highest prize for which great Kings invade Each others lands in this more glorious warre Is a small part of the reward for farre More happy recompence ordained is For this religious deed eternall blisse Goe vindicate that once most happy land So grac'd by heaven and with victorious hand Redeeme those sacred monuments that lye Detain'd by Pagans in obscurity Which to the faithfull world would more be knowne And Christian Poets shall hereafter crowne In deathlesse songs together with the fames Of that lov'd Countrey your victorious names If Homers Poëm could so farre renowne That â—…oy the long-besieged Phrygian Towne If he could give her very ruines fame And lend each field each stone a pleasing name What in this sacred subject may be done A theame disdaining all comparison In which for wit they shall not need to toyle The plentious matter will so 〈◊〉 their stile Instead of Ida's hill and famed grove Which their fictitious gods they say did love And oft descended downe from heaven to grace Their theame shall be each truly honour'd place Which glorious Angels oft have hallowed Where our blest Lord himselfe vouchsaf'd to tread Instead of â—…riam's Palace or the Cave Where Paâ—…is once his fatall judgement gave Instead of young Anchises bâ—…idall wood Or that fam'd rocke where faire Hesion stood Shall they discourse of David's Tower the Cave Which once unto that holy Baptist gave Abode on earth or where Elias stood When lifted up and make â—…aire Iordans flood And Kedrons torrent in true fame surpasse What Simois or silver Xanthus was But whither has my zeale transported me Or what is this so like an extasie Let me returne againe Great Kings I see Your Noble thoughts already working be In â—…his brave cause I will presume to adde No more â—…ut this now let your goodnesse glad All Christian hearts in friendships bands combine And thinke you have no foe but Saladine With that he ceas'd the Princes all are mov'd And in their lookes already had approv'd The Bishop's speech when Henry thus began T' expresse his thoughts Let it become the man Of greatest age to show he does forsake The worlds vaine pompe and honour first to take This holy Crosse and fight for Palaestine We thinke it no dishonour to beginne To seeke a peace at Philip's hand nor can We feare for such a cause that any man Will thinke distrust in these our warres at home And not the love we beare to Christendome Engages us since we resolve to goe And by that souldiers pilgrimage to shâ—…w No rest from armes is sought when we so â—…arre In person march to meet a noble warre On that shall Henry's thoughts be wholly set And if King Philip's resolutions meet With mine in this and yours brave Earle to stand Another Champion for the holy Land Then Princes joyne your armed hands with mine And let our peace bring warre to Saladine They both agree to what old Henry spake With that they kindly all embrace and take The holy crosse before the Bishop there And that a â—…ifference plainly might appeare Among their crossed souldiers they agree Those crâ—…sses shall in severall colours be Worne by the Naâ—…ions th' English shall be seene In white in red the French the Flemmiâ—…gs greene And now at home to â—…ettle all affaires To their owne Realms from thence each Prince repaires To levy money and provâ—…sions make For that great voyage they entend to take For when they tooke the Crosse it was agâ—…eed Betwixt the Kings and by the Pope dâ—…creed That all as well the Câ—…ergy aâ—… the Lay Within each Land should be enforc'd to pay Of their revenues the tenth part unto This warre unlesse they would in person goe And for a summe in present to be made The tenth of all the moveables they had Should levy'd be for preparation In every part of his dominion Bâ—…yond the Seas this order Henry gave And thence to England crost the Seâ—… to have Thâ—… Edict put in execution there 〈◊〉 his wealthiest subjects every where From whoâ—…e estates he migâ—…t large summes collect Two hundred 〈◊〉 he did select Iâ—… London and in Yorke an hundred moe The like entending in all Townes to doe King Philip so so th' Earle of Flanders did In their 〈◊〉 treasure to provide But what malignant spirit then did reigne To make so pious an intention vaine How were their noble preparation crost And that revenge against the Panyms lost Alâ—…s what Starres malevolent aspect Could take such sad and tragicall effect Against King Henry as to overthrow That happinesse that seem'd so neere him now How true a Fame might his last dayes â—…ave wonne With what content might those gray haires have gone Downe to the grave if in that holy wâ—…rre He happily haddy'd though ne're so farre From off his native land Hâ—… had not then With such unworthy cares distracted bâ—…ene As after must ensue nor forc'd to see Againe a sonn 's abâ—…orr'd impiety But Fates to Henry's age had not ordain'd So great a happinesse sad woes remain'd To vex his state and breake his bleeding heart Doe thou Calliope declare in part What obscure cause produc'd 〈◊〉 so strange And wrought this sudden and unlook'd for change Reimâ—…nd Thâ—…louses Earle had offâ—…r'd wrong Altâ—…ough buâ—… slight to some that dâ—…d belong To Richard oâ—… 〈◊〉 Kâ—…ng 〈◊〉 sonne Thence grew so great an alteration For fierce young Richard with his armed bands Fâ—…rst rais'd for better warre invadâ—…s the Lands Of Reimond straâ—…ght and wastâ—… his Countrey neere With fire and sword â—…urprising Castâ—…s there At th' Earle's complaint Philip oâ—… France was mov'd And to King Henry sent whose aâ—…swer prov'd No satisfaction 〈◊〉 Philip then Invaded Berry with his choysest mâ—…n And tooke â—…en Townes and Castlâ—…s â—…uddenly â—…rom Hâ—…nry there who straight to Normandy From England with a mâ—…ghty aâ—…my goes Now on both sides the warres with fury rose The holy voyage is foâ—…got in vaine The neâ—…ghbour-Princes of this jarre complaine In vaine the Pope intreats or threatens now Th' incensed Kings goe farther on although Young Henry's sonne from whom at first 〈◊〉 breach bâ—…gan is bâ—… the Lâ—…gate curst Nâ—… enterviewes no parleyes can doe good Thoâ—…gh under 〈◊〉 old famous Elme that stood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the Kings twice meâ—… 〈◊〉 when tâ—…e wrongs were thought on both sides great Instead of peace a jarrearose that more Deprest King Henry then all warres before Philip â—…or Richard of Pâ—…ictois demands Adâ—…la there againe from Henry's hands Offers the promis'd dower requiring that Th' old King for certainty of Richard's state Would now assure him the inheritance Of all