to accept this Epistle which I dedicate as zealously as I hope you will patronize willingly vntill some more acceptable seruice may be witnesse of my loue to your honour Your Lordships euer Michaell Drayton Queene Isabell to Richard the second ¶ The Argument Queene Isabell the daughter of Charles King of Fraunce being the second wife of Richard the second the sonne of Edward the blacke Prince the eldest sonne of King Edward the third After the said Richard her husband was deâ—osed from his crowne and kingly dignitie by Henry Duke of Herford the eldest sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lankaster the fourth sonne of Edward the third this Lady beeing then very young was sent backe againe into Fraunce without dowre at what time the deposed King her husband was senâ— from the Tower of London as a prisoner vnto Pomfret Castle VVhether this poore Lady bewailing her husbands misfortunes writeth this Epistle from Fraunce AS doth the yeerely Auger of the spring In depth of woe thus I my sorrow sing vvords tun'd with sighs teares falling oft among A dolefull burâ—hen to a heauie song VVords issue forth to finde my griefe some way Teares ouertake them and doe bid them stay Thus whilst one striues to keepe the other back Both once too forward now are both too slack If fatall Pomfret hath in former time Nurrish'd the griefe of that vnnaturall Clime Thether I send my sorrowes to be fed But where first borne where fitter to be bred They vnto Fraunce be aliens and vnknowne England from her doth challenge these her own They say al mischiefe commeth from the North It is too true my fall doth set it forth But why should I thus limmit griefe a place vvhen all the world is fild with our disgrace And we in bounds thus striuing to containe it The more resists the more we doe restraine it Oh how euen yet I hate these wretched eyes And in my glasse oft call them faithlesse spies Prepard for Richard that vnwares did looke Vpon that traytor Henry Bollingbrooke But that excesse of ioy my sence bereau'd So much my sight had neuer been deceau'd Oh how vnlike to my lou'd Lord was hee vvhom rashly I sweet Richard tooke for thee I might haue seene the Coursers selfe did lack That princely rider should bestride his back Hee that since nature her great work began Shee made to be the mirrhor of a man That when she ment to forme som matchles lim Still for a patterne tooke some part of him And ielous of her cunning brake the mould In his proportion done the best she could Oh let that day be guiltie of all sin That is to come or heeretofore hath bin vvherein great Norfolkes forward course was staid To proue the treasons he to Herford layd vvhen with sterne furie both these Dukes enrag'd Theyr vvarlike gloues at Couentry engag'd vvhen first thou didst repeale thy former grant Seal'd to braue Mowbray as thy Combatant From his vnnumbred houres let time deuide it Least in his minutes he should hap to hide it Yet on his brow continually to beare it That when it comes all other dayes may feare it And all ill-boding Planets by consent That day may hold theyr dreadfull parlement Be it in heauens Decrees enroled thus Blacke dismall fatall inauspitious Proude Herford then in height of all his pride Vnder great Mowbrayes valiant hand had dy'de Nor should not thus from banishment retyre The fatall brand to set our Troy on fire O why did Charles relieue his needie state A vagabond and stragling runnagate And in his Court with grace did entertaine This vagrant exile this abiected Caine VVho with a thousand mothers curses went Mark'd with the brands of ten yeeres banishment VVhen thou to Ireland took'st thy last farewell Millions of knees vpon the pauements fell And euery where th' applauding ecchoes ring The ioyfull shouts that did salute a King Thy parting hence what pompe did not adorne At thy returne who laugh'd thee not to scorne VVho to my Lord a looke vouchsaf'd to lend Then all too few on Herford to attend Princes like sunnes be euermore in sight All see the clowdes betwixt them and their light Yet they which lighten all downe from theyr skies See not the cloudes offending others eyes And â—eeme their noone-tide is desir'd of all VVhen all expect cleere changes by theyr fall VVhat colour seemes to shadow Herfords claime vvhen law and right his Fathers hopes doth maime Affirm'd by Church-men which should beare no hate That Iohn of Gaunt was illegittimate vvhom his reputed Mothers tongue did spot By a base Flemish Boore to be begot vvhom Edwards Eglets mortally did shun Daring with them to gaze against the sun VVhere lawfull right and conquest doth allow A triple crowne on Richards princely brow Three kingly Lyons beares his bloody field No bastards marke doth blot his conquering shield Neuer durst hee attempt our haplesse shore Nor set his foote on fatall Rauenspore Nor durst his slugging Hulkes approch the strand Nor stoope a top as signall to the land Had not the Percyes promisd ayde to bring Against theyr oath vnto theyr lawfull King Against theyr faith vnto our Crownes true heyre Theyr valiant kinsman Edmond Mortimer VVhen I to England came a world of eyes Like starrs attended on my faire arise At my decline like angry Planets frowne And all are set before my going downe The smooth-fac'd aâ—re did on my comming smile But with rough stormes are driuen to exile But Bullingbrooke deuisd we thus should part Fearing two sorrowes should possesse one hart To make affliction stronger doth denie That one poore comfort left our misery He had before diuorc'd thy crowne and thee vvhich might suffice and not to widow mee But that to proue the vtmost of his hate To make our fall the greater by our state Oh would Aumeâ—le had sunck when he betraid The complâ—t which that holy Abbot layd vvhen he infring'd the oath which he first tooke For thy reuenge on periur'd Bullingbrooke And been the raunsome of our friends deere blood Vntimely lost and for the earth too good And we vntimely mourne our hard estate They gone too soone and we remaine too late And though with teares I from my Lord depart This curse on Herford fall to ease my hart If the foule breach of a chast nuptiall bed May bring a curse my curse light on his head If muâ—thers guilt with blood may deeply staine Greene Scroope and Bushie die his fault in graine If periurie may heauens pure gates debar Damn'd be the oath he made at Doncaster If the deposing of a lawfull King Thy curse condemne him if no other thing If these disioynd for vengeance cannot call Let them vnited strongly curse him all And for the Percyes heauen may heare my prayer That Bullingbrooke now plac'd in Richards chaire Such cause of woe vnto theyr wiues may be As those rebellious Lords haue beene to me And that proude Dame which now controlleth all And in her pompe
As many minutes as in the houres there be So many houres each minute seemes to me Each houre a day morne noone-tide and a set Each day a yeare with miseries complet A vvinter spring-time sommer and a fall All seasons varying but vnseasoned all In endlesse woe my thred of life thus weares By minutes houres dayes monthes and ling'ring yeares They praise the Sommer that enioy the South Pomfret is closed in the Norths cold mouth There pleasant Sommer dwelleth all the yeere Frost-starued-winter doth inhabite heere A place wherein dispaire may fitly dwell Sorrow best suting with a clowdie Cell VVhen Herford had his iudgement of exile Saw I the peoples murmuring the while Th' vncertaine Commons touch'd with inward care As though his sorrowes mutually they bare Fond women and scarse speaking children mourne Bewaile his parting wishing his returne Then being forc'd t' abridge his banish'd yeeres vvhen they bedew'd his footsteps with their teares Yet by example could not learne to know To what his greatnes by this loue might grow vvhilst Henry boasts of our atthieuements done Bearing the trophies our great fathers wone And all the storie of our famous warre Now grace the Annalls of great Lancaster Seuen goodly siens in their spring did flourish vvhich one selfe root brought forth one stocke did nourish Edward the top-braunch of that golden tree Nature in him her vtmost power did see vvho from the bud still blossomed so faire As all might iudge what fruit it meant to beare But I his graft of eu'ry weede ore-growne And from the kind as refuse forth am throwne From our braue Grandsire both in one degree Yet after Edward Iohn the young'st of three Might princely VVales beget an Impe so base That to Gaunts issue should giue soueraigne place That leading Kings from Fraunce returned home As those great Caesars brought their spoyles to Rome vvhose name obtayned by his fatall hand vvas euer fearefull to that conquered land His fame increasing purchasd in those warres Can scarcely now be bounded with the starres VVith him is valour quite to heauen fled Or else in me is it extinguished vvho for his vertue and his conquests sake Posteritie a demie God shall make And iudge this â—ile and abiect spirit of mine Could not proceed from temper so diuine VVhat earthly humor or what vulgar eye Can looke so low as on our miserie VVhen Bulling brook is mounted to our throne And makes that his which we but call'd our owne Into our Counsels he himselfe intrudes And who but Henry with the multitudes His power disgrad's his dreadfull frowne disgraceth He throwes them downe whom our aduancement placeth As my disable and vnworthie hand Neuer had power belonging to command He treads our sacred tables in the dust And proues our acts of Parlament vniust As thougâ— he hated that it should be said That such a law by Richard once was made VVhilst I depresd before his greatnes lie Vnder the waight of hate and infamie My back a foot-stoole Bulling brook to raise My loosenes mock'd and hatefull by his praise Out-liu'd mine honour buried my estate And nothing left me but the peoples hate Sweet Queene I le take all counsell thou canst giue So that thou bid'st me neither hope nor liue Succour that comes when ill hath done his worst But sharpens greefe to make vs more accurst Comfort is now vnpleasing to mine eare Past cure past care my bed become my Beere Since now misfortune humbleth vs so long Till heauen be growne vnmindfull of our wrong Yet they forbid my wrongs shall euer die But still remembred to posteritie And let the crowne be fatall that he weares And euer wet with wofull mothers teares Thy curse on Percie angry heauens preuent vvho haue not one cuise left on him vnspent To scourge the world now horrowing of my store As rich of woe as I a King am poore Then cease deere Queene my sorrowes to bewaile My wounds too great for pittie now to heale Age stealeth on whilst thou complainest thus My greefes be mortall and infectious Yet better fortunes thy fayre youth may trie That follow thee which still from me doth flie Notes of the Chronicle Historie This tongue which first denounc'd my regall flate RIchard the second at the resignation of the Crowne to the Duke of Herford in the Tower of London deliuering the lame with his owne hand there confessed his disabilitie to gouerne vtterly denouncing all kingly dignitie And left'st great Burbon for thy loue to me Before the Princesse Isabell was married to the King Lewes Duke of Burbon sued to haue had her in mariage which was thought hee had obtained if this motion had not fallen out in the meane time This Duke of Burbon sued againe to haue receiued her at her comming into Fraunce after the imprisonment of King Richard but King Charles her Father then crost him as before and gaue her to Charles sonne to the Duke of Orleance When Herford had his iudgement of exile When the combate should haue beene at Couentrie betwixt Henâ—ie Duke of Herford and Thomas Duke of Norfolke where Herâ—ord was adiudged to banishment for tenne yeares the Commons exceeding lamented so greatly was he euer fauoured of the people Then being forc'd t' abridge his banish'd yeeres When the Duke came to take his leaue of the King being then at Eltham the King to please the Commons rather then for any louâ— he beare to Herford repleaded foure yeeres of his banishment Whilst Henry boasts of our atchieuements done Henry the eldest Sonne to Iohn Duke of Lancaster at the first Earle of Darby then created Duke of Herford after the death of the Duke Iohn his Father was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford Earle of Darby Leicester and Lincolne and after he had obtained the Crowne was called by the name of Bullingbrooke which is a towne in Lincolneshire as vsually all the Kings of England bare the name of the places where they were borne Seauen goodly syens in their spring did flourish Edward the third had seuen Sonnes Edward Prince of Wales after called the blacke Prince William of Hatfield the second Lionell Duke of Clarence the third Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster the fourth Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke the Fifth Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Gloster the sixth William of Windsore the seuenth Edward the top-branch of that golden tree Truly boasting himselfe to bee the eldest Sonne of Edward the blacke Prince Yet after Edward Iohn the young'st of three As disabling Henry Bullingbrooke being but the sonne of the fourth brother William and Lionell beeing both before Iohn of Gaunt That leading Kings from Fraunce returned home Edward the black Prince taking Iohn King of Fraunce prisoner at the battell of Poictâ—â—s brought him into England where at the Sauoy he died Whose name atchiued by his fatall hand Called the black Prince not so much of his complexion as of the famous battell hee fought as is shewed before in the Glosse vppon the Epistle of Edward
my counsell yet this comfort is It cannot hurt although I thinke amisse Then liue in hope in tryumph to returne vvhen cleerer dayes shall leaue in clowdes to mourne But so hath sorrow girt my soule about That that word hope me thinks comes slowly out The reason is I know it heere would rest vvhere it would still behold thee in my brest Farewell sweete Pole faine more I would indite But that my teares doe blot as I doe write Notes of the Chronicle Historie Or brings in Burgoyne to ayde Lancaster PHillip Duke of Burgoyne and his sonne were alwayes great fauorites of the house of Lancaster howbeit they often dissembled both with Lancaster and Yorke Who in the North our lawfull claime commends To win vs credite with our valiant friends The chiefe Lords of the North-parts in the time of Henry the 6. withstoode the Duke of Yorke at his risingâ— giuing him two great ouerthrowes To that allegeance Yorke was bound by oath To Henries heyres and safetie of vs both No longer now he meanes records shall beare it He will dispence with heauen and wil vnsweare it The duke of Yorke at the death of Henry the fift at this kings coronation tooke his oath to be true subiect to him and his heyres for euer but afterward dispensing therewith claymed the crowne as his rightfull and proper inhearitance If three sonnes faile shee 'le make the fourth a King The duke of Yorke had foure sonnes Edward Earle of March that afterward was duke of Yorke and king of England when he had deposed Henry the sixt and Edmond Earle of Rutland slaine by the lord Clifford at the battell at Wakefield George duke of Clarence that was murthered in the Tower and Richard duke of Glocester vvho was after he had murthered his brothers sonnes King by the name of Richard the third 〈◊〉 that 's so like his Dam her youngest Dicke That foule â—fauoured crookback'd Stigmaticke c. Till this verse As though begot an age c. This Richard whom ironically she here calls Dicke that by treason after his Nephewes murthered obtained the crowne was a man low of stature crookeback'd the left shoulder much higher then the right of a very crabbed sower countenaunce his mother could not be deliuered of him he was borne toothed with his feete forward contrarie to the course of nature To ouershadow our vermilian Rose The redde Rose was the badge of the house of Lancaster and the white Rose of Yorke which by the marriage of Henry the seauenth with Elizabeth indubitate heyre of the house of Yorke was happilie vnited Or who will muzzell that vnrulie beare The Earle of Warwicke the setter vp and puller downe of Kings gaue for his Armes the white Beare rampant the ragged staffe My Daysie flower which erst perfum'd the ayre Which for my â—auour Priâ—â—â—es once did were c. The Daysie in French is called Margaret which was Queene Margarets badge where-withall the Nobilitie and chiualrie of the Lande at the first arriuall were so delighted that they wore it in theyr Hats in token of honour And who be starres but Warwicks bearded slaues The ragged or bearded staffe was a part of the Armes belonging to the Earledome of Warwick Slaundring Duke Rayner with base baggary Rayner Duke of Aniou called himselfe King of Naples Cicile and Ierusalem hauing neither inhearitance nor tribute from those parts was not able at the marriage of the Queene of his owne charges to send her into England though he gaue no dower with her which by the Dutches of Glocester was often in disgrace cast in her teeth A Kentish Rebell a base vpstart Groome This was Iacke Cade which caused the Kentish-men to rebell in the 28. yeere of Henry the sixth And this is he the white Rose must prefer By Clarence daughter match'd to Mortimer This Iacke Cade instructed by the Duke of Yorke pretended to be descended from Mortimer which married Lady Phillip daughter to the Duke of Clarence And makes vs weake by strengthning Ireland The Duke of Yorke being made Deputy of Ireland first there beganne to practise his long pretended purpose strengthning himselfe by all meanes possible that he might at his returne into England by open warre claime that which so long he had priuily gone about to obtaine Great Winchester vntimely is deceas'd Henry Beuford Bishop and Cardinall of Winchester sonne to Iohn of Gaunt begot in his age was a proude ambitious Prelate fauouring mightily the Queene the Duke of Suffolke continually heaping vp innumerable treasure in hope to haue beene Pope as himselfe on his death bed confessed With Fraunce t' vpbrayd the valiant Somerset Edmund Duke of Somerset in the 24. of Henry the sixt was made Regent of Fraunce and sent into Normandie to defend the English territories against the French inuasions but in short time hee lost all that King Henry the fifth won for which cause the Nobles and the Commons euer after hated him T' endure these stormes with wofull Buckingham Humfry duke of Buckingham was a great fauorite of the Queenâ— Faction in the time of Henry the sixt And one fore-told by water thou should'st die The Witch of Eye receiued aunswer by her spirit that the duke of Suffolke should take heede of water which the Queene forwarnes him of as remembring the Witches prophecie which afterward came to passe FINIS To the Right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Munson Knight SIR amongst many which most deseruedly loue you though â— the least yet am loth to be the last whose endeuours may make knowne howe highly they esteeme of your noble and kind disposition Let this Epistle Sir I beseech you which vnworthily weares the badge of your woorthy name acknowledge my zeale with the rest though much lesse deseruing which for your sake doe honour the house of the Mounsons I know true generositie accepteth what is zealously offered though not euer deseruingly excellent yet for loue of the Art froÌ„ whence it receiueth resemblance The light Phrigian harmony stirreth delight as well as the melancholy Doricke moueth passion both haue theyr motion in the spirit as the liking of the soule moueth the affection Your kinde acceptance of my labourâ— shall giue some life to my Muse which yet â—ouers in the vncertainetie of the generall censure Mich Drayton Edward the fourth to Shores wife ¶ The Argument This Mistres Shore king Edward the fourths beautious paramour was so called of her husband a Goldsmith dwelling in Lombard streete Edward the fourth sonne to Richard Duke of Yorke after hee had obtained the crowne by deposing Henry the sixth which Henry was after murthered in the Tower by Richard Crookeback after the battel fought at Barnet where the famous Earle of VVarwicke was slaine and that King Edward quietly possessed the crowne hearing by report of many the rare and wonderfull beautie of the aforesaid Shores wife commeth himselfe disguised to London to see her where after he had once beheld her he was so
in Florence or in Genoa borne But with vaine boasts how witlesse fond am I Thus to draw on mine owne indignitie And what though married when I was but young Before I knew what did to loue belong Yet he which now 's possessed of the roome Cropt beauties flower when it was in the bloome Anâ— goes away enriched with the store vvhilst others gleane where he hath reapt before And he dares sweare that I am true and iust And shall I then deceiue his honest trust Or what strange hope should make you to assaile vvhere strongest battery neuer could preuaile Belike you thinke that I repulst the rest To leaue a King the conquest of my brest Or haue thus long preseru'd my selfe from all A Monarch now should glory in my fall Yet rather let me die the vildest death Then liue to draw that sinne-polluted breath But our kinde harts mens teares cannot abide And we least angry oft when most we chide Too well know men what our creation made vs And nature too well taught them to inuade vs. They know but too well how what when and where To write to speake to sue and to forbeare By signes by sighes by motions and by teares vvhen vowes should serue when othes when smiles when prayers vvhat one delight our humors most doth moue Onely in that you make vs nourish loue If any naturall blemish blot our face You doe protest it giues our beautie grace And what attire we most are vsd to weare That of all other excellent'st you sweare And if we walke or sit or stand or lie It must resemble some one Deitie And what you know we take delight to heare That are you euer sounding in our eare And yet so shamelesse when you tempt vs thus To lay the fault on beauty and on vs. Romes wanton Ouid did those rules impart O that your nature should behelp'd with Art VVho would haue thought a King that cares to raigne Inforc'd by loue so Poet-like should faine To say that beautie Times sterne rage to shun In my cheekes Lillies hid her from the sun And when she meant to triumph in her May Made that her East and heere she broke her day And swear'st that Sommer still is in my sight And but where I am all the world is night As though the fayr'st ere since the world began To me a sun-burnt base Egiptian But yet I know more then I meane to tell O would to God you knew it not too well That women oft theyr most admirers raise Though publiquely not flattering theyr owne prayse Our churlish husbands which our youth enioy'd vvho with our dainties haue theyr stomacks cloyd Doe loath our smooth hand with theyr lips to feele T' enrich our fauours by our beds to kneele At our commaund to waite to send to goe As euery howre our amorous seruaunts doe vvhich makes a stolne kisse often we bestow In earnest of a greater good we owe VVhen he all day torments vs with a frowne Yet sports with Venus in a bed of Downe vvhose rude embracement but too ill beseemes Her span-broade wast her white and daintie limmes And yet still preaching abstinence of meate vvhen he himselfe of euery dish will eate Blame you our husbands then if they denie Our publique walking our loose libertie If wiâ—h exception still they vs debar The circuite of the publique Theater To heare the smooth-tongu'd Poets Syren vaine Sporting in his lasciuious Comick scene Or the young wanton wits when they applaude The slie perswasions of some subtile Baude Or passionate Tragedian in his rage Acting a loue-sicke passion on the stage vvhen though abroade restrayning vs to rome They very hardly keepe vs safe at home And oft are touch'd with feare and inward griefe Knowing rich prizes soonest tempt a theefe VVhat sports haue we whereon our minds to set Our dog our Parrat or our Marmuzet Or once a weeke to walke into the field Small is the pleasure that those toyes doe yeeld But to this griefe a medicine you apply To cure restraint with that sweet libertie And soueraigntie ô that bewitching thing Yet made more great by promise of a King And more that honour which doth most intice The holiest Nunne and she that 's nere so nice Thus still we striue yet ouer-come at length For men want mercy poore women strength Yet graunt that we could meaner men resist when kings once come they conquer as they list Thou art the cause Shore pleaseth not my sight That his embraces giue me no delight Thou art the cause I to my selfe an strange Thy comming is my full thy set my change Long vvinter nights be minutes if thou here Short minuts if thou absent be a yeere And thus by strength thou art become my sate And mak'st me loue euen in the midst of hate Notes of the Chronicle Historie Would I had led an humble Shepheards life Nor knowne the name of Shores admired 〈◊〉 TWo or three Poems written by sundry men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 womans beautie whom that ornament of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more particular glory Sir Thomas Moore very highly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 her beauty she being aliue in his time though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Her stature was meane her haire of a dark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 full her eye graâ— delicate harmony beeing betwixt each parts proportion and each proportions colour her body fat white smooth her countenaunce cheerefull and like to her condition That picture which I haue seene of hers was such as she rose out of her bed in the morning hauing nothing on but a rich mantle cast vnder one arme ouer her shoulder and sitting in a chayre on which her naked arme did lie What her fathers name was or where she was borne is not certainly knowne but Shore a young man of right good person wealth and behauiour abandoned her bed after the King had made her his Concubine Richard the third causing her to do open penancâ— in Paules Church-yarde commaunded that no man should relieue her which the tyrant did not so much for his hatred to sinne but that by making his brothers life odious he might couer his horrible treaâ—on the more cunningly May number Rumneys flowers or Isis fish Rumney is that famous Marsh in Kent at whose side Rie a Hauen-towne dooth stand Heereof the excellent English Antiquarie Maister Camden and Maister Lambert in his preambulation do make mention and Marishes are coÌ„monly called those low grounds which abut vpon the sea and from the Latine word are so denominated Isis is here vsed for Thamesis by a Senecdochicall kind of speech or by a Poeticall libertie in vsing one for another for it is said that Thamesis is compounded of Tame and Isis making when they are mette that renowned water running by London a Citty much more renowned then that water which beeing plentifull of fish is the cause also why all things else are plentifull therein Moreouer I am perswaded that there is no Riuer in the world beholds more stately buildings on eyther side cleane
bestow vvhich as a quarry on the soyld earth lay Seasd on by conquest as a glorious pray 58 Heere noble Bohun that braue-issued peere Herford so hie in eu'ry gracious hart Vnto his country so receiu'd and deere vvounded by treason in the lower part As o're the bridge his men returning were Through those ill-ioyn'd plancks by an enuious dart But Lancaster whose lot not yet to die Taken reseru'd to greater infamie 59 O subiect for some sadder Muse to sing Of fiue great Earldoms happily possest Of the direct line of the English King vvith fauours friends and earthly honours blest If so that all these happines could bring Or could endowe assurednes of rest But what estate stands free from fortunes power The Fates haue guidance of our time and howre 60 Some few themselues in sanctuaries hide In mercie of that priuiledged place Yet are their bodies so vnsanctifi'd As scarce their soules can euer hope for grace vvhereas they still in want and feare abide A poore dead life this draweth out a space Hate stands without and horror sits within Prolonging shame but pard'ning not their sin 61 Here is not death contented with the dead As though of some thing carelesly deni'd Till which might firmly be accomplished His vtmost fully were not specifi'd That all exactly might be perfected A further torment vengeance doth prouide That dead men should in misery remaine To make the liuing die with greater paine 62 You soueraine Citties of th' afflicted Ile In Cipresse wreaths and widowed attire Prepare yee now to build the funerall pile Lay your pale hands vnto this latest â—â—re All mirth and comfort from your streets exile Till you be purg'd of this infectious â—â—e The noblest blood yet liuing to be shed That euer dropt from your rebellious dead 63 VVhen this braue Lord great Lancaster who late This puisant force had now thus long retayn'd As the first Agent in this strange debate At fatall Pomfret for these facts aâ—ayn'd Gainst whom of all things they articulate To whom these factions chiefly appertain'd vvhose proofes apparant so directly sped As from his body reâ—t a reuerent head 64 Yet Lancaster it is not thy deere breath Can raunsome back the safety of the Crowne Nor make a league of so great power with death To warrant what is rightfully our owne But they must pay the â—orfait of their faith vvhich fondly broke with their ambiâ—ion vvhen now reueâ—ge vnto the vtmost rack'd The Agents iustly suffer with the actâ— 65 Euen in that place where he had lately led As this darke path vnto the rest to show It was not long ere many followed In the same steps that he before did goe London thy freedome is prohibited The first in place ô would the first in woe Others in blood did not excell thee farre That now deuour the remnant of this warre 66 O parents ruthfull and hart-renting sight To see that sonne thy tender bosome fed A mothers ioy a fathers sole delight That with much cost yet with more care was bred A spectacle euen able to affright Th'most sencelesse thing and terrifie the dead His blood so deere vpon the cold earth powr'd His quarter'd coarse of birds and beasts deuour'd 67 But t is not you that beere complaine alone Or to your selues this fearefull portion share Heer 's choyce and strange varietie of moane Poore childrens teares with widdowes mixed are Many a friends sigh many a maydens grone So innocent so simply pure and rare As though euen nature that long silent kept Burst out in playnts and bitterly had wept 68 O wretched age had not these things beene done I had not now in these more calmer times Into the search of former troubles runne Nor had my virgine impoluted rimes Altred the course wherein they first begun To sing these bloody and vnnaturall crimes My layes had still beene to Ideas bower Of my deere Ankâ—r or her loued Stoure 69 Or for our subiect your faire worth to chuse Your birth your vertue and your hie respects That gently dayne to patronize our Muse vvho our free soule ingeniously elects To publish your deserts and all your dues Mauger the Momists and Satyrick sects vvhilst my great verse eternally is song You still may liue with me in spight of wrong 70 But greater things reserued are in store Vnto this taske my Armed Muse to keepe Still offering me occasion as before Matter whereof my tragick verse may weepeâ— And as a vessell beeing neere tâ—e shore By aduerse winds enforced to the deepe Am driuen backe from whence I came of late Vnto the bus'nes of a troubled state The end of the second Canto The third Booke of the Barrons warres The Argument By a sleepie potion that the Queene ordaines Lord Mortimer escapes out of the Tower And by false slights and many subtile traines Shee gets to Fraunce to raise a â—orraine power The French King leaues his sister need constraines The Queene to Henault in a happy bowre Edward her sonne to Phillip is affi'd And for iâ—uasion presently prouide 1 SCarce had these passed miseries their ends vvhen other troubles instantly begun As still new matter mischiefe apprehends By things that inconâ—id'ratly were done And further yet this insolence extends vvhilst all not yeelded that the sword had wonneâ— For some there were that â—ecretly did he That to this bus'nes had a watchfull eye 2 VVhen as the King whilst things thus fairely went VVho by this happy victory grew strong Summons at Yorke a present Parlement To plant his right and helpe the Spensers wrong By which he thinks t' establish his intent vvhence more and more his Mineons greatnes sprong vvhose counsels still in all proceedings crost Th' inraged Queene whom all misfortunes tost 3 VVhen now the eld'st a man extreamly hated vvhom yet the King not aptly could prefer The edge of their sharpe insolence abated This parlement makes Earle of VVinchester vvhere Herckley Earle of Carlell is created And Baldock likewise is made Chauncelor One whom the King had for his purpose wrought A man as subtile so corrupt and naught 4 VVhen now mishapp's that sildome come alone Thicke in the necks of one another fell The Scot pretends a new inuasion And Fraunce doth thence our vse-full power expell Treasons suspected to attend his throne The greeued Commons eu'ry day rebell Mischiefe on mischiefe curse doth follow curse One ill scarse past when after comes a worse 5 For Mortimer this wind yet fitly blew Troubling theyr eyes which else perhaps might see vvhilst the wise Queene who all aduantage knew Is closly plotting his deliuery vvhich now she doth with all her powers pursue Aptly contryu'd by her deepe pollicie Against opinion and the course of might To worke her will euen through the iawes of spight 6 A sleepie drinke she secretly hath made vvhose operation had such wonderous power As with cold numnes could the sence invade And mortifie the patient by an howre The liuelesse corse in such a slumber layd As
though pale death did wholy it deuour Nor for two dayes take benefit of eyes By all means Art or Physick could deuise 7 For which she Plantane and cold Lettice had The water Lilly from the marrish ground VVith the wan Poppy and the Night-shade sad And the short mosse that on the trees is found The poysning Henbane and the Mandrake drad vvith Cypresse flowers that with the rest are pound The braine of Cranes like purposely she takes Mix'd vvith the blood of Dormise and of Snakes 8 Thus sits the great Enchauntresse in her cell Strongly ingert with ceremonious charmes Her clensed body sens'd with hallowing smell vvith Vestall fire her potent liquor warmes Hauing full heate vnto her â—usnes fell vvhen her with Magique instruments she Armes And from the hearbes the powerfull verdure wrong To make the med'cine forcible and strong 9 The sundry doubts that incident arise Might be supposd her trembling hand to stay If she considered of the enterprise To thinke what perrill in th'attempting lay The secret lurking of deceitfull spies That on her steps continually doe pray But when they leaue of vertue to esteeme Those greatly erre which take them as they seeme 10 Their plighted â—aith for liberty they leaue Their loue is cold their lust hote hote their hate vvith smiles and teares they serpentlike deceaue In their desires they be insatiate There 's no restraint their purpose can bereaue Their will no bound nor their reuenge no date All feare exempt where they at ruine ayme Couering their sinne with their discouered shame 11 The elder of the Mortimers this space That many sundry miseries had past So long restrayn'd within that healthlesse place Redeem'd by death yet happily at last That much auailes the other in this case And from this Lord that imposition cast vvhich the deere safety of his vnckles breath vvithin the Tower so strictly limmeteth 12 But there was more did on his death depend Then heauen was pleasd the foolish world should know And why the Fates thus hasted on his end Thereby intending greater things to show Braue Lord in vaine thy breath thou didst not spend From thy corruption further matters grow And soone beginning fruitfully to spring New formes of feare vpon the time to bring 13 All things prepard in readines and fit The Queene attends her potions power to proue Their stedfast friends their best assisting it Their seruaunts seale their secrets vp in loue And he expresse his valure and his wit vvhom of the rest it chiefly doth behoue Places resolu'd where guide and horses lay And where the ship him safely to conuay 14 As his large bounties liberally were heapt To all deseruing or to those that neede His solemne birth-dayes feastifall was kept At his free charge all in the Tower to feede vvhich may suspition cleerly intercept A strong assistant in so great a neede vvhen midst their cates their furious thirst to quench Mixing their wine with this approoued drench 15 VVhich soone each sence and eu'ry power doth ceaze vvhen he that knew the strength of eu'ry ward And to the purpose sorting all his keyes His corded ladders readily prepar'd And lurking forth by the most secret waies Not now to learne his compasse by the Card To winne the walls coragiously doth goe vvhich looke asscorning to be mastred so 16 They soundly sleepe whilst his quick spirits awake Opposd to perrill and the stem'st extreames Alcydes labours new to vndertake Of walls of gates of watches and of streames Through which his passage he is now to make And let them tell King Edward of their dreames For ere they rose out of the brainsicke traunce He hopes to tell this noble iest in Fraunce 17 The sullen night hath her blacke Curtaines spred Lowring the day had tarryed vp so long vvhose faire eyes closing softly steales to bed vvhen all the heauens with duskie cloudes are hong And Cynthia now plucks in her horned head And to the vvest incontinently flong As she had long'd to certifie the sunne vvhat in his absence in her Court was done 18 The glymmering lights like Sentinels in warre Behind the cloudes stand craftily to pry And through false loope-holes looking from a farre To see him skirmish with his desteny Not any fix'd nor any wandring starre As they had held a counsell in the skie And had before concluded with the night It should not looke for any cheerfull sight 19 In deadly silence all the shores are hush'd Onely the Skreech-howle sounds to the assault And Isis with a troubled murmure rush'd As if consenting and would hide the fault And as his foote the sand or grauell crush'd A little whisp'ring moou'd within the vault Made by the treading softly as he went vvhich seem'd to say it furthered his intent 20 This wondrous Queene whom care yet restlesse kept Now for his speede to heauen holds vp her hands A thousand strange thougâ—ts in her bosome heap'd As in her Closet listening still she stands That many a sigh spentâ— many a warme teare wept And though deuided as in sundry strands Most absent present in desires they be Our minds discerne where eyes doe cease to see 21 The small cloudes issuing from his lips she saith Labouring so fast as he the ladder clame Should purge the ayre of pestilence and death And as sometime that â—ilch'd Prometbian flame Euen so the power and vertue of his breath New creatures in the elements should frame And to what part of heauen it happ'd to stray There should path out another milkie way 22 Attaynd the top halfe spent awhile to blow Now round about he casts his longing eyes The gentle earth salut's him from below And couered with the comfortable skies Viewing the way that he is now to goe Cheer'd with the beames of Isabels faire eyes Downe from the turret desperatly doth slide Night be succesfull fortune be his guide 23 vvith his descent her eye soe still descends As feare had fix'd it to forewarne his fall On whom her hope and fortune now depends vvhen suddaine feare her sences doth appall For present ayde her god-like hand extends Forgets her selfe and speedy ayde doth call Silent againe if ought but good should hap Shee begs of heauen his graue may be her lap 24 Now she intreats the darke distempred ayre Then by stronge Magicks she coniures the wind Then she inuokes the gloomy night by prayer Then with her spells the mortall sence to bind And fearing much least these yet frustrate are Now by the burning tapers she diuin'd Intreating Tâ—ames to giue a friendly passe The deerest fraught ere on her bosome was 25 The rushing murmure stills her like a song But yet in feare the streame should fall in loue Suspects the drops that on his tresses hong And that the billowes for his beauty stroue To his fayre body that so closely clong vvhich when in swimming with his breast he droue Palled with griefe she turnes away her face Iealous that he the waters should embrace 26 This angry