foundation vnto Loue Corrupted hearts it drawes away by stealth These money-matches cannot happy proue For as the goods of Fortune doth decay So loue which they beget consumes away I know how Plutoes golden Treasure swayes By deuillsh and accursed false illusion I know how Womens humours now a dayes Run after riches to their owne Confusion I see the Peassant of most abiect life With Golde enough can buy a dainty Wife But Phelice if thou knew'st asmuch as I How base the Gods esteeme of such abuses When Beauty selles and Riches comes to buy Which are not made for one anothers vses Thou wouldest scorne that Maydens should be solde As Cattell are for Siluer and for Golde Loue must bee simple harmeltsse pure and plaine And take originall from true affection It must reciprocall returne againe Or else it doth discouer imperfection Loues inward thoughts concurre with outward deeds Such as from loyalty and truth proceeds Thy louer comes not for aduancement to thee In that thy Father is a worthy Earle It is not Dowry that can cause him woo thee Had'st thou th' Arabian Golde or Indian Pearle But as great Iupiter to Leda came For a sweet Face His purpose is the same Therefore kinde Virgin vse him kindly well Make much of Guy imbrace him for thine owne Affoord him Loue-roome in thy Heart to dwell Let him no longer liue in pensiue moane But the next time thou doest behold his face Giue him encouragement with kinde imbrace And with that worde imbrace hee shot and hit The very center of her tender heart Feeling the wound she starts awake with it Being taught thereby to pitty Louers smart For Cupid drew his Arrow to the head Because hee would be sure shee should be sped With that shee fetch'd a sigh a grieuous one And from her eyes a shower of teares did fall Where is quoth shee the gentle Loue-god gone Whose power I finde is powerfull vnto all Oh call him backe my fault I doe confesse I haue in Loue beene too too pittilesse Sweet Boy solicite for mee to thy Mother And at her Alters I will sacrifice From this day foorth I will adore no other No Goddesse shall bee gracious in mine eyes But shee that hath imperious rule and might To leade obdurate hearts to kinde delight Compassion now hath worthy conquest made Of that strong fort which did resistance make One shaft had bin sufficient to perswade A league for Life a truce till Death doe take Guy more then Life doth Phelice Loue prefer Phelice affects Guy deare as hee doth her But vnto him her loue is yet vnknowne Though his be made apparant long before Hee vnderstands not that shee is his owne Hee feeles no salue apply'd vnto his sore Till forc'd by passions and constrain'd laments A second suite hee boldly thus presents Phelice I was arraigned long agoe And now I looke for Iudgement at thy hand I haue beene Prisoner in a Iayle of woe So long that speedy sentence I demaund Oh speake vnto mee either Life or Death For I am tyred with my vitall breath If kindnesse dwell in that faire shape of thine Expresse it with I Loue if none there bee Then say I cannot vnto Loue incline And so thou mak'st a quicke dispatch with mee Censure me sodaine either smile or frowne I will not liue thus for this Kingdomes Crowne Phelice reply'd 't is not at my dispose To fashion Loue without my friends consent What would you wish me to bee one of those That are to Parents disobedient Shall fond affection ouer-rule the will And doe you good to bee accounted ill You know my Fathers greatnes in the Land And if he should as there 's no other like The loue of one too mean for me withstand How could we beare the stroke disgrace would strike Nothing but death could make my sorrow sweete And shame would wrap me in a winding-sheete Doubt not of Father in this case quoth he For Warwicks Earle that honourable man Shall see such deedes of valour done by me To haue dislike he neither will nor can Inioyne me what aduentures thou think'st good That wounds and scars may let my body blood Why then quoth shee Guy make thy valour shine Through-out the world as glorious as the Sunne My heart my soule my life my loue is thine When deedes of honour by thy hand are done Make thy selfe famous by a martiall life And then take Phelice for thy lawfull wife I aske no more said he to gaine thy Loue I shall esteeme it bought at easie rate Oh that I were at worke my taske to proue With Hercules or some such churlish mate Phelice farewell this kisse thou giuest mee Shall make a number kisse the ground for thee From England Guy to France doth goe Where deedes of Annes are done And thence returnes Tryumphantly With all the Prizes wonne Canto 3. INlarg'd from sorowes thraldome by Hopes bayle Guy armes his thoughts with Honours enterprize Imbarkes himselfe and into France doth sayle Leauing faire England where his comfort lyes Hee seekes for enemies hee longs for foes And now desires to bee a dealing blowes In Normandy arriu'd hee vnderstands That there was Warlike busines to bee doue For valiant Knightes of diuers Christian Lands The race of Valour did intend to runne A great aduenture was propounded there Which newes was musique to his greedy eare The Prize that drew them all vnto that place Was Daughter to the Almane Emperour Faire Blaunch with such a wondrous heauenly face It had attractiue Beauty full of power In her such graces did vnite together The Worthyes of the world came posting thither Who wonne the Damsell it was thus decreed By manly Courage and victorious might Should haue her mounted on a milke-white Steed Two Gray-hounds and a Faulcon all as white This was his Lot that could attaine the Day To beare the Honour and the Mayde away Our English Knight prepares him for the Field Where Kinges were present Princes did repaire Where Dukes and Earles a great assembly held About the Face that was so wondrous faire Though onely one must speed and hundreds misse Yet each man there imagin's Blaunch is his The spacious Field where they assembled were Hardly affoorded roome for Armed crowdes The golden glittering Armour that was there Did dart the Sun-beames backe vnto the Clowdes The pamper'd Horses proudly stampt the ground To heare the clangor of the Trumpets sound A Germaine Prince of an vndaunted sprite A first and very fierce Encounter gaue Vnto an Earle whose Valour did requite With blow for blow as resolutely braue Till by a stroake the Earle receiu'd on 's head Hee was vn-horst falling to ground for dead Then Guy came foorth with courage to the Prince And deales with him as Hercules would doe Like force hee neuer felt before nor since Such hard extreames hee ne're was put vnto Iust where himselfe had layde the Earle in swound There downe comes he both horse man to ground Duke Otton seeing
at this The newes is more then I can well indure Thy wished Company so soone to misse When I did make account I had beene sure Possest of thee at thy late trauailes end And dost thou now Iourneyes of new intend Remaine with me trust not to Fortunes power Though now shee haue so well and kindly delt Shee may alot thee an vnlucky houre That instantly her fauours so haue felt Her curtesies are most vnconstant thinges Beleeue her not shee dealeth false with Kinges Tryumphant on her wheele thou now dost sit And with Fames Trumpe thy glory doth remaine Oh doe not ouer-rashly hazard it Lost Honour is not easie got againe May not one cursed and vnhappy blow Betray thy life to thy insulting Foe May not a Monster or a sauage Beast At vnawares depriue thee of thy breath May not a Tyrant when thou thinkest least Cut off thy course by an vntimely death May not a thousand dangers on thee light Where but thy selfe thy wronged selfe mustright Quoth Guy my Lord danger hee may not feare That to aduentures doth himselfe dispose Hee must a minde of resolution beare And thinke himselfe too good for all his foes I le neuer dread I shall bee ouer-man'd While I haue hands to Fight and legs to stand Therefore in humble sort I leaue your Honour Wishing all health vnto your happy State If Fortune take a frowning moode vpon her Why shee shall see I will disdaine her hate What Starre soeuer sway'd when I was borne I beare a minde will laugh mishap to scorne Guy to the Duke of Louaine goes And ioynes with him in strength Against the Emperour Reynere Then makes his Peace at length Canto 5. NOw Guy expects a fauourable gayle Which to his hearts desire hee doth attaine And with a speedy passage he doth sayle To seeke Aduentures out in France againe Where finding none from thence away hee hyes To Louaine where in siege the Emperour lyes For Segwin Duke of Louaines hap was such At Turnament a Noble man to kill The Emperours Cousen whom hee loued much And tooke the Death of him exceeding ill So that a quarrell thereupon arose And warre ensu'de betwixt two mighty Foes Thither goes Guy to lend the Duke his ayde But in the way an accident befell For by Duke Otton hee wos false betray'd And 's life in question which he free'd well Otton in France before disgrac'd by Guy Had vow'd where ere he met him hee should dye And to that end Sixteene appointed were To lye in Ambush and surprize him so All men of resolution voyde of feare That in a Forrest did themselues bestow And set on Guy onely with three Knights more The like distresse hee ne're was in before Now Gentlemen and louing friends quoth he Shew your selues English-hearted rightly bred Heere is some ods sixteene vnto you three But I the fourth will stand you in good sted You three shall combate sixe that 's two for one And with the other Ten let me alone Wherewith hee drew his Sword and laide about That ratling Armour Eccho'd in the Sky Dealing so resolute amongst the route That downe they drop on euery side and dye Heere lyeth one that hath no legs to stand And there another wanting head and hand Guy quickly made dispatch with his halfe score Hee was not long in ridding them away But then remained halfe a dozen more Which two of his most worthy Knights did slay When hee perceiu'd them fall he stampt the ground And vtter'd forth this fearefull angry sound Ah Villaines how my soule abhorres his sight For these how my reuenging passions striues This bloody deed with blood I will requite You dye for it had each a thousand liues Two slaine out-right and Heraud wounded too Is the last cursed act that you shall doe With force as 't were exceeding humane strength Hee layes vpon them blowes to stagger vnder And brings them breathles to the ground at length Câ—t all in piece-meale for the Crowes a sunder There lye quoth he and feast Fowles of the ayre Or feede thoâ—e sauadge Beasts that will repaire But these sweet Gentlemen that haue resign'd Their dearest liues euen for the Loue of me And came from England as their Loue inclin'd Companions in my hardest haps to be I will enterre in Honourable wise With best Solemnity I can deuise From thence vnto a Hermit dwelling nye He rode and did commit that charge with care Who did performe the office carefully And Heraud home vnto his Cell he bare Who was not dead though Guy suppos'd him slaine But by the Hermit was restor'd againe Now foorth goes Guy pensiue perplexed sad Grieuing that Destiny so cruell delt For left alone no company he had To ease the torments that in heart he felt Till trauailing along at last he found A place for Honour very much renown'd There did he meete with Tilt and turnament And entertain'd both glory and delight There Fortune yeelded him her full consent To winne the best of euery valiant Knight Of all the Worthy men that did resort Not one could match him in Duke Raniers Court Then to the Duke of Millaine he repaires Where by his worth he is admir'd of all And vnderstanding that some great affaires Twixt Segwin Duke of Louaine did befall And th'Emperour Millaine he doth forsake And towards Louaine doth his Iourney take As he doth passe vpon the way he meetes A Pilgrim that with trauaile seemed faint Who in all humane curtesie he greetes And with some newes intreats him to acquaint His longing eare hee with a sigh or two Said sir with newes I little haue to doe One thing in all the world is all my care And onely that and nothing else I minde I seeke a man and seeke him in dispaire Because I long haue sought and cannot finde A man more dearely to my soules-loue tide Then all the men are in the world beside Why what art thou quoth Guy or who is hee Of kindnes bee so kinde as tell in briefe I am an English-man of Knights degree Quoth Heraud and the subiect of my griefe Is losse of one Sir Guy my Countrey-man Guy with ioyes teares lights to imbrace him than And art thou liuing Heraud my deare friend Quoth he and kindly tooke him in his armes Then chearfully let sorrowes all take end And let me know who cur'd thee of thy harmes The good olde Hermit by his skill did saue me With wholsome medicines and salues he gaue me Guy did reioyce and Herauds ioyes abound At this so good and happy accident No angry Starre in opposition found But each was owner of his owne content So poasting with good Fortune on their side Vnto the Duke of Louaine they doe ride The Citty in distresse besieg'd they finde And very small resistance could be made But Segwin was right ioyfull in his minde That worthy Guy was come vnto his ayde For now quoth he boldly presume I can We haue an Honourable valiant man Aduise me warlike Knight
what 's to be done To free the present danger wee are in My Lord quoth Guy there 's freedome to be wonne Euen by a course my selfe will first begin Let 's issue forth vpon them presently Our courages will make the Cowards flye I le giue consent to any thing thou wilt Thy proiect willingly I doe approue Let limbe be lost let Life and blood be spilt All followes thee that comes to me in Loue. Open the Gates le ts beate them from our walles Hee lyes no lower then the ground that falles Then sodainly the Citty they forsake And on the Almaines resolutely set Where such a bloody slaughter they did make That many thousand liues payde Death his debt Of thirty Thousand that in Siedge there lay Scarce thirty Hundred that escap'd away The Emperour at this was much agrieu'd And with new Forces gaue a new assault Knowing the Citty could not be relieu'd And then their strength would weaken by default So comes vpon them with a fresh supply Thinking at length to famish them thereby Guy and the Duke vpon the walles appeare And tels him he shall neuer winne their Towne For they can spare his Soldiers much good cheare Throwing them Victuals in aboundance downe Intreating them if they want more then that To speake they shall haue store to make them fat But now quoth Guy your bodyes are well fed How doe you feele your stomacks to goe fight I am afraid you are not rightly bred But dunghils that will sooner crowe then bite For still when Cowards doe begin a fray Looke ere it end to see them runne away And so your selues haue lately done wee see Your tongs were heard but hands ther 's no man feeles Most hote to brabble and contend you bee But wondrous quicke and nimble at your heeles We did suspect when you came heere to forage We should haue bin encumbred with your courage But 't is not so alas y' are not the men Vnlesse perhaps asleepe you should vs catch For waking wee le encounter one to ten And neuer wish to haue a better match Haue at you once againe sit fast wee come March on my hearts sound Trumpets strike vp Drum Vpon the sodaine with the Foe they bee Fighting as men that laugh'd pale Death to scorne Resolued now they would their Citty free Or neuer liue to see the next day morne Much blood was shed great store of Liues it cost And on the Almaines side the Field was lost The Duke and Guy pursues their foes in chase Who like so many Hares away doe flye Wishing that they had wings to mend their pace So sweet is life to them that feare to dye But Fortune in an angry doome decreed Their glory honour fame and life should bleed The victors to the Citty then retired With Trophes of tryumphant glory wonne And all that heard the Action much admired The great Exploit so resolutely done But vnto Guy the Duke all thankes did yeeld For thou quoth he art Caesar of our Field My Lord quoth Guy I ioy not halfe so much That we haue wrought a freedome by the Sword As I should glory if my hap were such Twixt you and th'Emperour to make accord Giue me but leaue I will endeauour it And put good-will to a blunt Soldiers wit The Duke consents with thankes and doth intreat Him take a guard of Soldiers forth the Towne Danger that seemes but little may proue great I would not haue thee wrong'd for Raniers Crowne Goe Honourable man what thou shalt doe I le set my hand my Heart my Life thereto Guy goes vnto the Emperour speakes thus High Maiesty all health vnto thy Grace And Peace to thee if thou say Peace to vs And Loue to thee if Loue thou wilt imbrace As we are Christians let vs warre no more But fight 'gainst such as will not God adore We sue not to thee in a seruile manner As dreading any power or force thou hast For Victory doth now display his Banner And warre yeelds vs a sweet and pleasing tast No cause doth moue it but a Conscience cause To bring the Heathens to religious Lawes Speake Raynier and resolue what wilt thou doe VVith Soldiers breuity my message ends Giue me an answer euen as briefe thereto Shall we be Christian foes or Christian friends Shall we among our selues that Name deuide Or challenge those that haue the same denide Braue English-man hadst thou spoke thus before Thousands quoth he had liu'd which now are slaine Earth should haue wanted of that slaughtered store VVhich in her vastie bowels doe remaine Thou hast preuail'd with me heere warre shall cease And I imbrace thee as a friend of Peace Thy motion tends to Honour honours Knight And thou shalt liue in Fames immortall praise When thou art buryed in eternall night Thy Name shall last the longest length of dayes Thou dost the Worthyes of the world exceed Blest be the Countrey did thy person breed Come goe my Liege quoth Guy vnto the Towne And with Duke Segwin there a League renue Our ends shall be to pull the Pagans downe That vnto CHRIST'S Religion are vntrue My greatest ioy will be to heare it said This is the best dayes worke that e're Guy made Guy with a Thousand chosen men Against the Pagans goes And makes them curse that ere they felt The force of Christians blowes Canto 6. THe power of peace hath vanquish'd stubborn war And mighty Princes worthily conclude The Sword shall rust in sheath before it Iarre To be with blood of Innocents imbrew'd Christians in Name and Action to vnite 'Gainst vnbeleeuing Infidels to fight â—uy with a Thousand men doth take his leaue so hearken further after Martiall newes And doth a true intelligence receiue That barb'rous Pagans Sarazens and Iewes Turkes and the like of Mahomets blinde crew In most confused warre each other slew To them he goes partiall on neither part His Sword did fauour euery side alike They all were odious to him in his heart Which arm'd his hand with vigour for to strike And worke amazement vnto their contending Comming so roughly to their quarrels ending Quoth they amongst themselues what fellow 's this Thae layes about him like a mad-man thus Of certainty more then a man hee is For humane force would feare to fight with vs But if he bee as seemeth by his shape Had he ten thousand liues he could not scape Then did a haughty Pagan step to Guy And said to him If valour in thee rest Let 's haue a little sport 'twixt thee and I Onely to see which of our Swords cut best Thou hast a weapon there is like a Reede Me thinkes it is too blunt to make one bleed Too blunt quoth Guy and in his anger grones Pagan I like thy humour passing well I le whet it ere we part vpon thy bones And then another tale thou wilt me tell If it should faile me now it were a wonder Such Lubbers it hath often hew'd a sunder Bat come art
will maintaine his part The Dragon windes his crooked knotted tayle About the Lyons legs to cast him so The Lyon fastens on his rugged scale And nimbly doth auoyde that ouerthrow Then toooth and nayle they crewell teare and bite Maintaining long a fierce and bloody fight At last the Lyon faintly turnes aside And lookes about as if hee would be gone Nay then quoth Guy Dragon haue at your hide Defend your Deuils face I le lay it on With that couragiously to worke he goes And deales the Dragon very manly blowes The vgly Beast with flaggie winges display'd Comes at him mainely with most dreadfull pawes Whose very lookes might make a man affray'd So terrible seemed his deuouring jawes Wide gaping grisly like the mouth of Hell More horrible then Pen or Tongue can tell His blazing eyes did burne like liuing fire And forth his smoaking gorge came sulpher smoke Aloft his speckled brest hee lifted hyer Then Guy could reach at length of weapons stroke Thus in most irefull moode himselfe he bore And gaue a cry as Seas are wont to rore With that his mortall sting he stretched out Exceeding farre the sharpest point of Steele Then turnes and windes his scaly tayle about The Horses legs more nimbly then an Eele With that Guy hewes vpon him with his blade And three mens strength to euery stroke he layde One fatall blowe he gaue him in the side From whence did issue streames of swarty blood The Sword had made a passage large and wide That deepe into the Monsters gore Guy stood Then with a second wound he ouertooke him Which made the Dragon turne to haue forsooke him Nay then quoth he thou hast not long to liue I see thou faintest at the point to fall Then such a stroake of death he did him giue That downe comes Dragon crying out withall So horrible the sound did more affright The Conqueror then all the dreadfull fight Away hee rides and lets that Hell-hound lye But looking backe espies behinde his Horse The Lyon comming after very nye Which makes him light to manage manly force But when the Beast beheld his weapon drawne He came to him and like a Dog did fawne Like to that gratefull Lyon which did free Androdus life for pulling out a Thorne When for offence he should by Lawes decree Within the Theater by Beasts be torne The Lyon came and lick'd him very kinde Bearing as seem'd an olde good turne in minde Euen so this gentle creature deales with him For that same benefit which hee had done Although by Nature cruell sterne and grim Yet like a Spaniell by his Horse did runne Continuing many dayes with great desire Till extreame hunger forc'd him to retire Now towards the Sea Guy doth his Iourney take Imbarques for France but by contrary winde Arriues in Almaine where the Nobles make Great Tryumph for him and with ioyfull minde The Emperour reioyceth he is come And bids him welcome into Christendome There he is entertain'd with Turnament With Kingly banquets Princely reuelling And multitudes to giue their eyes content Attend him with their throngs still wondering At all his worthy acts Report hath spred Wherewith their eares most strangely hath bin fed From thence he trauailes toward his louing friend The Duke of Louaine whom he long'd to see But ere he came vnto his Iournyes end A wronged Lady hee did worthy free Which violently was from her Loue bereft And he at point of Death sore wounded left Thus it befell Terry a valiant Earle With his deare Loue surnam'd Osile the faire His precious Iemme inestimable pearle Into a Forrest went to take the ayre Whereas a plot was layde to take his life And make his beautious Loue anothers wife Vpon the sodaine sixteene Villaines came Vnto the Earle and did him grieuous wound Sirra quoth one thou hast a wench wee clayme She must with vs lye thou there on the ground And the next passenger that thou doest see Intreat him make a Graue to bury thee Guy finding Terry thus hearing his plaint Doth comfort him in kindest sort hee can Who with the losse of blood doth weakely faint With face of deadly colour pale and wan Courage quoth he I le fetch thy Loue againe Or say that Guy is but a Coward swaine When Terry heard that name he did reuiue For vnto him Guyes worthy deedes were knowne And lifting vp himselfe from ground did striue For to embrace him in deepe passions groane Thanks gracious heauens qd he with soule and heart For sending thee to take my wronged part Which is the way quoth he those Villaines went That pathe said wofull Terry by yon Oke Haue after them this deed they shall repent As I am Christian Knight and as he spoke He heard a shrike which was the Ladyes cry So by that sound he did them soone descry Comming vnto them wretched slaues quoth he What doe you purpose with this Lady heere In large her presently and set her free You haue done wronges that will be rated deere Her Husband wounded shee vsde violent Will cost you liues a peece incontinent With that they laugh'd said what foole 's this same Or rather mad-man in his desp'rate minde That meanes by wilfull Death to get a name And haue the world report he hath bin kinde The fellow sure is in some franticke fit And meanes to fight without both feare or wit Like so quoth he the fit that 's on me now You all shall finde to bee a raging one With that he showes them Mars his angry brow And bids the Lady cease her pensiue mone Saying good Madam vnto ioy incline For sodainly these Rascals will be mine Then with a courage admirable bolde At euery blowe some one or other dyes Which when the gentle Lady did beholde Oh pitty worthy Knight she cryes These mortall woundes I can no longer see Be not so bloody in reuenging me Vpon my knees I doe intreate thee stay This is to me a terrifying sight Oh with their liues thou takest mine away If one dye more I fainting yeeld my sprite Thou worthily mine honour hast defended Let the reuenging of my wrongs be ended Lady quoth he I cease at thy request Depart base Rascals all but two be gon But villaines you did binde her for the rest And stroake them with his sword the scabard on That downe to ground they fell making this scuse My Lord we onely kept her to thy vse Then on his steed he lets the Lady ride To seeke her Lord whome she had left distrest And Guy vnto the place became her guide Where comming they did finde him carefull drest For in their absence came a Hermit by Which to his bleeding woundes did salue apply Terry and Osile in their ioyes abound And gracefully to Guy all thankes doe giue Be thou said they in Life and death renown'd Whom we will Honour while we breathing liue Holde heer 's my hand quoth Terry worthy Guy In fight for thee I would bee proude to dye
Gowne of gray a Palmers weed Obscure my Iourney for I le take no leaue But onely leaue my endles Loue to thee Heere is my Ring this memory receiue And weare the same to make thee thinke on me Let me haue thine which for thy sake I le keepe Till Death close vp these eyes with his dead sleepe When this was spoke how she did wring her hands With sighes and teares may well be deemed much Yet wondrous meekly nothing countermaunds For the Deuotion of that age was such To holde them blessed could themselues retire To solitude and leaue the Worlds desire Now is the Princely cloathing layde away Wherein he gitter'd like the glorious Sun And his best habite homely Countrey gray Such as the poore plaine people tearme home-spun A Staffe a Scrip a Scallop-shell in 's hat Not to be knowne or once admired at And thus with pensiue heart and dolefull teares He leaues the fairest Creature England had Who in her face a map of sorrow weares A countenance compos'd all mournfull sad Like vnto one had banish'd all delight Wishing for slumbers of eternall night Guy journeyes toward that Sanctified ground Whereas some times the Iewes faire Citty stood In which our Sauiours sacred Head was Crown'd And where for sinfull man he shed his Blood To see the Sepulcher was his intent The Tombe that Ioseph vnto Iesus lent With tedious myles he tyr'd his weary feete And passed Desart places full of danger At last with a most wofull wight did meete A man that vnto sorrow was no stranger For hee had fifteene Sonnes made Captiue all To slauish bondage in extreamest thrall A Gyant called Amarant detayn'd them Whome no man durst encounter for his strength Who in a Castle which he held had chayn'd them Guy questioned where and vnderstands at length The place not farre lend me thy Sword quoth he I le lend my manhood all thy Sonnes to free With that hee goes and layes vpon the doore Like him that sayes I must and will come in The Gyant neuer was so rouz'd before For no such knocking at his Gate had bin So takes his Club and Keyes and commeth out Staring with irefull countenance about Sirra quoth he what busines hast thou heere Art thou come to feast the Crowes about these walles Didst neuer heare no ransome can him cleere That in the compasse of my fury falles For making mee to take a Porters paines With this same Club I will dash out thy braines Gyant quoth Guy y 're quarrelsome I see Choler and you seeme very neere of kin Dangerous at the Club be like you bee I haue bin better arm'd though now goe thin But show thy vtmost hate enlarge thy spight Heere is the weapon that must doe me right A Gyant called Amarant Guy valiantly destroyes Wherby wrong'd Ladyes captiue Knights Their liberty enioyes So drawes his sword salutes him with the same About the head the shoulders and the side While his erected Club did death proclaime Standing with huge Colossus spacious stride Putting such vigor to his knotty beame That like a furnace he did smoake extreame But on the ground he spent his stroakes in vaine For Guy was nimble to auoyde them still And euer ere he heau'd his Club againe Did brush his plated Coate against his will At such aduantage he would neuer fayle To bang him soundly in his shirt of Mayle At length through thirst Amarant feeble grew And said to Guy as th' art of humane race Showe it in this giue Natures wants their dew Let me but goe and drinke in yonder place Thou canst not yeeld vnro a smaller thing Then grant life that is giuen by the spring I grant thee leaue quoth Guy goe drinke thy last To pledge the Dragon and the saluage Bore Succeed the Tragedies which they haue past But neuer thinke to taste colde water more Drinke deepe to Death and after that carouse Bid him receiue thee in his earthen house So to the Spring he goes and slakes his thirst Taking the water in extreamely like A wracked Ship that on some Rocke is burst When forced bulke against the stones doe strike Scooping it in so fast with both his hands That Guy admiring to behold it stands Come on quoth he let vs to worke againe Thou art about thy liquor ouer-long The Fish that in the Riuer doe remaine Will want hereby thy drinking doth them wrong But I will see their satisfaction made With Gyants blood they must and shall be paide Villaine quoth Amarant I le crush thee straight Thy life shall pay thy daring Tongues offence This Club which is about some hundred weight Is Deaths commission to dispatch thee hence Dresse thee for Rauens dyet I must needs And breake thy bones as they were made of reeds Incensed much by these bolde Pagans boastes Which worthy Guy could ill indure to heare He hewes vpon those big surporting poasts That like two Pillars did the body beare Amarant for their wounds in choller growes And desp'ratly at Guy his Club hee throwes Which did directly on his body light So violent and weighty therewithall That downe to ground on sodaine came the Knight And ere he could recouer from the fall The Gyant got the Club againe in 's fist And strucke a stroake that wonderfully mist. Traytor quoth Guy thy falshood I le repay This Coward acte to intercept my blood Sayes Amarant I le murther any way With enemies all vantages are good Oh could I poyson in thy Nostrils blow Thou shouldst be sure I would dispatch thee so T is well said Guy thy honest thoughts appeare Within that beastly bulke doe Deuils dwell Which are thy Tenants while thou liuest heere But will be Landlords when thou com'st in Hell Vile miscreant prepare thee for their Den Inhumane monster hatefull vnto men But breath thy selfe a time while I goe drinke For flaming Phoebus with his fiery eye Torments me so with burning heate I thinke My thirst would serue to drinke an Ocean dry Forbeare a little as I dealt with thee Quoth Amarant thou hast no foole of mee No silly wretch my Father taught more wit How I should vse such enemies as thou By all my Gods I doe reioyce at it To vnderstand that thirst constraines thee bow For all the treasuee that the world containes One drop of water shall not coole thy veynes Releeue my foe why t were a mad-mans part Refresh an aduersary to my wrong If thou imagine this a Childe thou art No fellow I haue knowne the world too long To be so simple now I know thy want A minutes space of breathing I le not grant And with these wordes heauing aloft his Club Into the ayre he swings the same about Then shakes his lockes and doth his temples rub And like the Cyclops in his pride did strout Sirra said he I haue you at a lift You now are come vnto your latest shift Perish for euer with this stroake I send thee A medicine will doe thy thirst much
actiue cariage danger to preuent Quoth Colbrond English-man wilt thou forbeare And sue for mercy let the Fight alone Villaine quoth Guy I scorne thy Coward feare I le haue thy Life or it shall cost mine owne Wee le neuer part till one be soundly sped The King hath ventur'd England on my Head For twenty Denmarkes if they might be found And all the wealth that on the Ocean swimmes I will not yeeld an inch of English ground Thou shalt finde mettall in these aged limmes Although thy bodyes height be more then mine I haue a heart bigger by oddes then thine Thinke on thy ancient grand-fire Gogmagog Whom Corâ—neus delt withall at Douer How that same Lubber like a timber-log Was by the worthy Brittaine tumbled ouer For his bolde Challenge he had such a checke There was no Surgeon could amend his necke Thou art deceiu'd in me poore silly sot I am vntaught to bend submissions knees Holde me no Christian if I fayle a iot And for the world that tytle I le not leese Betake thee to thy tooles honour thy King Vpon thy man-hood lyes a mighty thing And thus I doe encounter thee afresh With that he lent him such a powerfull stroke It made wide rupture in the Gyants flesh And did his furious Choller much prouoke Laying about him in most cruell rage Till the next wound did all his heate asswage It was so mortall that it brought him downe To lye and groane vpon the bloody ground Forthwith a showte was heard from out the Towne That all the Sky did Eccho to the sound Great ioy was made by euery English heart And all the Danes with extreame griefe depart King Athelstone sent for his Champion then To doe him Honour for his famous deede Who was receiued by the Clergie men With all solemnity for such high meede Embraced by the Nobles and renown'd With Martiall musicke Drum and Trumpets sound But little pleasure Guy conceiues herein Refusing Iewels costly Ornaments Saying with these he out of loue hath bin For many yeares by true experiments Onely thankes God that blest him with an hower To free his Countrey from inuading power And so intreates that hee may passe vnknowne To liue where pouerty regards not weahh And be beholden to the helpe of none Seeing the world but now and then by stealth For true Content doth such a Treasure bring It makes the Begger richer then the King With true Content saith hee I will abide In homely Cottage free from all resout For I haue found Content cannot be spide To make abode within a Monarchs Court No there 's ambition pride and enuy seene And fawning flatt'ry stepping still betweene Yet gentle Palmer said the King agree Where euer thou resoluest to remaine Acquaint thy Name in priuate vnto me And this is all thy Sou'raigne will obtaine Tell me but who thou art I will conceale it As I am Englands King I le not reueale it Why then quoth he your Grace shall vnderstand I am your Subiect Guy of Warwicke named That haue these many yeares not seene your Land But bin where Youth by auncient Age is tamed Yea where experience taught me wit dread Prince The world of many follyes to conuince And now am come to bring my bones to Graue Within the Kingdome where I first tooke life Yet shall no Creature else the notice haue Of my arriuall not my dearest Wife Till sicknes come and doth my Death foretell Then I le acquaint her with my last farewell The King with ioy embrac'd him in his armes And with great admiration answers thus Most worthy Earle freer of Englands harmes It grieues my soule thou wilt not liue with vs Oh were thy resolutions thoughts but now That my perswasions might preuent thy Vow But 't is too late they are growne ripe I see Thou art too setled in determination Well Honourable man yet this ioyes mee Thou bringest thy bones vnto thy dearest Nation Where Monuments of thy great deeds shall last Till after Ages of the world be past In Warwicke Castle shall thy Sword be kept To witnes to the world what thou hast bin And least forgetfull time should intercept A President I present will begin The Castle-keeper shall receiue a fee To keepe thy Sword in memory of thee Thy Armour likewise and the martiall Speare That did thee seruice in thy high designes Shall be preserued very carefull there That all such men as haue distrustfull mindes May thinke if from a truth this did not grow A King would scorne to cousen people so And in thy Chappell distant thence a mile A bone shall hang of that most cruell Beast Which neare to Couentrey remain'd long while Whose Rib by measure is sixe foote at least Destroying many that did passe that way Vntill thy man-hood did the Saluage slay That by tradition men may speake and tell This was Guyes Armour this his massie Blade These bones of murdering Beasts which men did quell And this the Tombe wherein his Corpes was layde This the true Picture of his shape at length And this the Speare did oft expresse his strength For sure I holde it an vngratefull thing When thou by Natures course in dust shalt lye No Memory should cause some Muse to sing The Worthinesse of matchles English Guy Thy Countrey-men would proue too farre vnkinde When out of sight they leaue thee out of minde This said in humble duty wondr'ous meeke Guy reuerenceth the King and so departs Some solitary den or Caue to seeke Which he vnto his mansion house conuerts And so liues poorely in the hollow ground Making his meate of rootes and hearbes he found Sometimes he would to Warwicke Castle goe And craue an Almes at his deere Ladyes hand Who vnto Pilgrims did more bounty show Then any Noble woman in the Land And she would aske all Palmers that came there If at the Holy Land they neuer were Or in their trauels if they had not seene An English-man was Lord of that same Tower Who many yeares away from thence had beene A Knight ne're conquer'd yet by humane power But there 's a Tyrant whom I onely feare They call him Death that murders euery where If he haue met him O my dearest Lord I neuer shall behold thy face againe Till that same Monster doe asmuch afford Vnto my heart and so release all paine Which gracious Heauens grant if Guy be dead Vpon this earth let me no longer treade Thus did he often heare his Wife enquire With deep complaints from extream passions flowing Yet by no meanes would grant her kinde desire The comfort of a hopefull word bestowing But looke vpon her as his heart would breake Then turne away for feare his tongue would speake And so depart with weeping to his Cell Setting a dead-mans Head before his eyes Saying with thee I shortly come to dwell This sinfull Flesh I constantly despise My soule is weary of so bad a guest And doth desire to bee at home in rest My feeble limbes weakenes
doth sore possesse And sicknes gripes doe touch about my heart I feele I am not farre from happines But am in hope my foe and I shall part This aduersary which I long haue fed By whome my soule hath bin so much misled To my deare Phelice I will send my Ring Which I did promise for her sake to keepe I may no longer time deferre the thing For feare that Death preuent me with his sleepe I feele his Messenger approach apace And poore weake Nature must of force giue place So call'd a Heardsman as he passed by And said good friend doe me a speciall fauour Euen in a matter that concernes me nye My hope relyes vpon thy kinde behauiour To Warwicke Castle speedily repaire And for the Countesse aske with trusty care Deliuer this Ring to her-owne hand And say the ancient Pilgrim sent the same That lately at her Gate with Scrip did stand To beg an Almes in blessed Iesus Name And if shee aske thee where I doe remaine Direct her hither she 'le requite thy paine Sir quoth the Heardsman I shall be asham'd That ne're dust speake to Lady in my life Nay more and 't please you I may much be blam'd To carry Rings to such a great mans Wife Besides if I should loose it by the way Why what would you and Madam Phelice say Pre-thee said Guy frame not such idle doubt No preiudice can light on thee at all The acte is honest which thou goest about And for it none can thee in question call A curteous eare the Lady will thee lend Vpon my warrant feare you nothing friend With that he goes and mannerly betakes The token to the Countesse which she seeing Most admirable wonder at it makes Ah friend quoth she where is my husbands being Husband said he that newes I doe not bring From an olde Begger I receiu'd the Ring His house was made of neither Wood nor Stone But vnder ground into a hole he went And in my Conscience there he dwels alone And neuer payes his Land-lord quarters rent Ah 't is my Guy she said showe me his Cell And for thy paines I will reward thee well So he directs Warwicks faire Countesse thither Who entring in that melancholly place Her Lord and shee embracing weepe together Vnable to pronounce a word long space Long time they two had not a Tongue to speake Till Guyes discretions sorrowes doore did breake Phelice quoth he now take thy leaue of Guy That sent to see thee ere his sight decay Within thine armes I doe intreat to dye And breath my sprite from thy sweet soule away Thou gau'st me almes at Warwicke Castle late T is blessednes to pitty poore mens state Guy in repentance poorely liues Obscurely in a Caue Reueal'd to Phelice by a Ring When Death had digg'd his Graue Looke not so strange bewayle not so my Deare Ah weepe not Loue I doe not want thy teares I haue shed plenty since my comming heere Of true remorse my Conscience witnes beares Thou weep'st not now because I wept no more But to behold me friendlesse helplesse poore Wife I haue sought the place that all desire Though few endeauour for eternall rest The soule which to that Heauen doth aspire Must leaue the world and worldly thinges detest T is full of Deuils that on soules doe wayte And full of snares in euery place some bayte Ah Phelice I haue spent and then he wept Youth Natures day vpon the Loue of thee And for my God olde rotten Age haue kept The night of Nature Christ forgiue it me Sorrow lyes heauy on my soule for this Sweet Sauiour Iesus pardon my amisse In that I had destroy'd so many men Euen for one Woman to inioy thy Loue Therefore in this most solitary Den I sought my peace with that great God aboue Gainst whome by sinne I haue bin more misled Then there be hayres vpon my hoary head The other day feeling my body ill And all the partes thereof opprest with paine I did compose a Testament and Will To bee the last that euer I ordaine Loe heere it is I le reade it if I can Before I cease to bee a liuing man HIS WILL. EVen in the Name of him whose mighty pow'r Created all in Heauen and Earth contained As one to dye this very instant hower I leaue the world and all therein vnfained My soule I giue to him that gaue it mee Receiue it Jesus as I trust in thee I owe a debt of Life is due to Death And when 't is payde him he can aske no more A very vapour of a little breath Would he had had it many yeares before But heer 's my comfort though he come or stay T is ready for him if hee will to day I owe the world the stocke of wealth it lent When I did enter traffique with the same Lesse would haue giuen Nature more content T is happinesse to want a Rich mans name World leaue mee naked as I did begin I aske but one poore Sheet to wrap me in I doe bequeath more sinnes then I can number My dayly euils in a countlesse summe Euen from my cradle vnto Death's dead slumber Those past these present all that are to come To him that made them loades to burthen mee Sathan receiue them for they came from thee I giue good thoughts and eu'ry vertuous deed That euer grace hath guided me vnto To him from whom all goodnes doth proceed For onely euill Natvre taght me doe I was Conceiued bred and borne in sinne And all my Life most vaine and vile hath bin I giue to Sorrow all my sighes and cryes Fetch'd from the bottome of a bleeding heart I giue Repentance teares and watery eyes The signes vnfained of a true conuert Earth yeeld a Graue or Sea become a Tombe Jesus vnto my soule graunt Heauen-roome Phelice I faint farewell true loyall Wife Assist me with thy prayers thy Husband dyes I trust to meete thee in a better life Where teares shall all be wip'd from weeping eyes Come blessed Spirits come in Jesus Name Receiue my soule to him conuay the same And with these words his quiet sprite departs While mournfull Phelice well-nye dead for woe Her sences all to sorrowes vse conuerts And too aboundant doth her teares bestow Beating her brest till brest and heart be sore Wringing her handes till she could striue no more Then sighing said ah Death my sorrowes cause That hast depriu'd mee of my dearest Lord Since loathsome ayre my vitall spirits drawes This fauour for thy tyrannie afford Doe me a good to recompence thy ill And strike the stroke that all my cares can kill Let me not liue to see to morrowes light But make me thus colde bloodlesse pale and wan As this dead Carcasse doth appeare in fight This true discription of a mortall man Whose deedes of wonder past and gone before Haue left him now at Deaths darke prison doore Kissing his face with a farewell ef teares Shee leaues the body for the Graue to claime And from that place as 〈…〉 â—oule shee beares As euer Woman that the world can name Liuing but Fifteene dayes after his Death And then through extreame sorrow yeelded breath FINIS