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
Henry the 2d. surnam'd Short mantle King of England Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine Earle of Poicteres and Anjou Lord of Ireland c THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SECOND Written in Seaven Bookes By his Majesties Command Invalidas vires Rex excitat juvat idem Qui jubet obsequium sufficit esse meum Auson LONDON Printed by A. M. for Benjamin Fisher dwelling in Aldersgate-streete at the signe of the Talbot 1633. TO THE SACRED MAIESTIE OF CHARLES BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITTAINE FRANCE AND IRELAND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH c. THIS HISTORICALL POEM BORNE BY HIS COMMAND AND NOT TO LIVE BVT BY HIS GRATIOVS ACCEPTATION IS HVMBLY DEDICATED BY THE AVTHOR His Majesties most obedient Subject and Servant THO. MAY. THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The First Booke The Argument of the first Booke The happy part of Henry's reigne is showne His first Triumphant yeares and high renowne His peace and power Enyo grieves to see And to disturbe his long tranquillity Descending downe to Lucifer below She craves some Vices aide to overthrow The causes of it there those tragike times Of Stephens reigne and Englands civill crimes So lately past Enyo does relate And shewes with griefe King Henry's present state The Fiend foretells what suddaine change shall be Of Englands peace and his felicity THe Second Henry first Plantagenet The first of Englands royall Kings that set Victorious footing on the Irish-shore And taught that warrelike nation to adore A forreine Scepter sound ye Muses foorth Declare how much his high Heroike worth By stormes of spitefull fortune oft assail'd As oft'gainst fortunes spitefull stormes prevail'd His glorious reigne but wrapt in various fate And though triumphant yet unfortunate How his great Vertues were too saddly try'de By rebell Subjects by the Papall pride And his owne Childrens strange impiety By opposition to ecclipse his high And great Renowne or higher to advance The fame of his undaunted puissance Vouchsafe dread Soveraigne Charles with that most cleare And gracious eye with which you use to cheare Poore suppliants while destinyes attend Your royall doome to view these lines and lend Your favours influence which can infuse Vertue alone into an English Muse. Shee else would tremble to approach too nigh So pure a minde so great a Majesty Vouchsafe to read the actions of a King Your noble Ancestour and what we sing In Henry's reigne that may be true renowne Accept it Sr. as Prologue to your owne Vntill this Muse or some more happy strayne May sing your Vertues and unaequall'd Reigne Those civill swords that did so lately stayne The land with slaughter now were sheath'd againe The rents of State were clos'd the wounds were cur'de Peace by victorious Henry was secur'de And justice waited on his awfull throne Without controll all feares all faction That tooke beginning with King Stephen's reigne With him descended to the grave againe Stephen deceas'd the Crowne of England now Came by accord t'empale young Henry's brow Which was before by right of birth his due But he least England too too long should rue In blood and slaughter their ambitious strife Came to accords of peace and during life Of Stephen respited his royall right Now like bright Phaebus to the longing sight Of all the People did young Henry riâ—…e Before whose rayes all past calamities Like mists did vanish no sadd clouds accloy The aire of England with loud showtes of joy The People flock the Peeres their wealth display To grace his wish'd-for Coronation day His brave atchievements and that early fame Which he in France had gain'd had made his name Already lov'd in England and admir'd Him all the people for their Lord desir'd And now possest of him take faire presage Such youth would end in a triumphant age Then as when once the charriot of the Sunne Had beene misguided by bold Phaëton Iove walk'd the round and veiw'd with carefull eye If heaven were safe then from the starry sky Descending downe survey'd the scorched ground And there repair'd the ruines that he found To their dry channells he call'd backe the floods And with fresh verdure cloath'd the seindged woods Renew'd the herbage and redresse ordain'd For all that wronged Nature had sustein'd So Henry stablish'd in the Regall throne Iove-like surveyes his large dominion To see what parts of state might be decay'd What rents so long a civill warre had made With physicke fit he purges from the State Those humours that did stirre and swell so late Digests the reliques and by Princely arts And policy corroborates the parts And first of all those troopes of forreiners That from all parts during the civill warres Resorted hither to seeke spoyle and prey He banishes that at th' appoynted day Within the coasts no strangers did remaine Restoring England to it selfe againe And least the Crowne should want for that expence That must support the high magnificence Of such a Monarchy into his hands He boldly seizes all the royall lands Which either greatest men did uncontroll'd In those tumultuous times unjustly hold Or else King Stephen to support so badd And weake a title as they knew he had Had given freely as rewards to tye Their truth to him against their loyalty Nor did King Henry vindicate alone The state and wealth of his Imperiall Crowne But the just power and with a puissant hand Setled that sure obedience through the land That to his awfull Scepter did belong The greatest Peeres that were before too strong To be commanded he by force compell'd To yeild to him the Castles that they held And all the midland forts he rased downe The strength of nothing but rebellion Nor though as yet presumptuous Mortimer Had not forgot the late licentious warre But strove to guard against his Soveraigne By lawlesse armes the strength that he had tane Could he resist the King enforc'd to yeild To him those three strong Castles that he held Well did this reformation suite the thought Of such a great Heroike King who brought Besides his persons worth and true esteeme So lov'de a title to the Crowne with him Not from the Norman Conquerour did he Deduce alone his royall pedegree But from the ancient Saxon Kings beside As lineall heire to Edmund Ironside And in his happy birth did so conjoyne The conquering Norman and old Saxon line Which hearty love and reverence to his throne From all the English people justly wonne Who now forgate pleas'd with his lawfull power That they were servants to a Conquerour Great Grand-childe by the Femall side was he To Margaret the Queene of Scotland she Daughter to Edward sonne to Ironside Whose royall birth and blood was dignify'd By twenty faire descents of Saxon Kings All which the happy birth of Henry brings The more to England to endeare his reigne And heere your selfe most Gracious Soveraigne Your ancient right to Englands Crowne may see In Scotlands royall blood your pedegree Is farther drawne and no knowne king as you
So long a title to two Crownes can show Then to the North with puissant Armes he makes A prudent Voyage and by Conquests takes To keepe entire his kingdomes ancient bounds From Malcolme King of Scotland all those grounds That to the Crowne of England did belong No Cities could withstand no forts so strong But yeild to Henryes force there with the rest Newcastle Carleill he againe possest But least injustice any staine should be To his great deedes in thankefull memory Of what King Malcolme in the warres had done For th' Empresse Mawde he gives him Huntingdon A midd-land County rich and fitter farre For the bâ—…hoofe of both from whence no warre Nor troubles could arise and which before Had beene possess'd by Malcolmes Ancestor Yet did one deed with sad injustice blot The reputation he before had gott Whilest too must thirsting for encrease of lands He seiz'd out of his brothers Geoffrey's hands The Earldome of Aniou forgetting both The sacred tyes of Nature and of Oath That Oath which once so solemnly he swore His Father Geoffry Anious Earle before Knowing that Henry was by birth to be Both Englands King and Duke of Normandy Had given that Earldome to his second sonne Geoffrey and put him in possession Of three the strongest Castles in the Land But falling sicke when deaths approching hand He felt mistrusting that hiâ—… eldest Sonne The potent Henry might when he was gone Dissâ—…ize young Geoffrey made his Barons sweare For at his death Prince Henry was not there That his dead corps should not enterred be Till Henry had beene sworne to ratify His will Prince Henry though unwillingly Yet rather then his fathers hearse should lye Vnbury'd still that Oath bâ—…fore them tooke Which afterward when Englands King he broke And though possessed of so many lands And large estates out of his brother's hands That Earledome tooke by force of armes away And did in lieu a yearely pension pay But though the King could for that oath obtaine A disâ—…ensation from Pope Adrian A higher power it seem'd would not dispense But afterward in kinde did recompence â—…hat foule misdeede for when King Henry meant To Iohn his yongest sonne the governement Of those three Castles thence his eldest sonne Tooke first pretence for that rebellion Against his father so what injury Impiety had wrought Impiety Reveng'd and scourg'd by an unnaturall sonne What was 'gainst nature by a brâ—…ther done Yet could not Henry's deedes of highest fame Teach stubborne Wales to tremble at his name Or feare t' offend him by rebellious warre Till she had felt him there a conquerer And beene herselfe enforced to implore His grace and favour with one triumph more T'enâ—…ich his conquering head not all her great Rough woods could yeild her souldiers safe retreat Nor could those high and craggy mountaines bee Of proofe 'gainst Henry's magnanimity Although the Welsh rely'd not on the aide Of hills and woods their Prince was not afraide To joyne in battell with the English strength Where though stout Owen and his powers at length Subdâ—…'de did yeild themselves yet so they fought That they true fame to Henry's conquest brought Who now triumphant backe to England goes And leaves strong forts to aw rebellious foes â—…o guard the coasts and marches and appeare â—…e lasting trophees of his conquests there Those large dominions which he held in France The fame alone of his great puissance Preserv'd from tumults from rebellions free Or feare of any forreine enemy King Lewis himselfe was there too weake a foe To doe him damage or his power orethrow Beyond the seas yet though each neighbouring state With envy trembled at the prosperous fate Of Englands King such moderation hee Had shew'd so rul'd his power with equity Seeking no lawlesse and unjust encrease That Europe then possest a happy peace This peace when feirce Enyo had beheld And saw all seedes of warre and faction quel'd She sigh'd and wept for nought could pleasing bee To that dire mayde but warres calamity Nought but dissention did to her seeme good No sights but feilds and rivers stain'd with blood Were her delightsome prospects into aire She mounts and fill'd with fury and despaire Shakes as she flyes her now-extinguish'd brand Which gives no blaze at all then taking stand Above the shore of fruitfull Normandy Vpon a lofty cliffe viewes from on high Great Henry's large dominions that extend From Scotland Northward to the Southerne end Of spatious rance which those high mountaines bound Nam'd from Pirenes death ore all that ground She sees and gnashes for disdaine to see No streaming Ensignes no hostility The murdrous swords to sythes were turn'd againe And cheerefull plowmen till the fertile plaine The heardsmen heare their bullocks gently lough And their owne folds the fearelesse shepheards know Am I then banish'd quite shall Peace quoth she Boast through these lands so great a victory Over Enyo will no power orethrow These nations quiet rest if heaven allow This lethargy and still would have it so I will descend and see what hell can doo A spatious cave there was not oft before Descry'd by mortall eye within that shore Which wealthy France doth to the North display And Brittaines Ocean bounds thither they say The wise Dulichyan Heroe by adviâ—…e Of beautious Circe came to sacrifice And there restor'd by blood of bullocks slaine To silent ghosts the use of speech againe Through that darke vault did Phoebus nere shoot ray Nor ever glided beame of cheerefull day The grove of Proserpine oreshadow'd quite That dismall shore and damps of drery night Condens'd the aire no birds those boughs did grace Nor with sweet musicke cheer'd the balefull place No Tritons play'd nor did blew Proteus feede His scaly â—…locke nor faire Halcyon breede Beneath the shelter of so sadd a shore But greisly fiends and furyes evermore In hideous shapes did to the cave repaire And ghosts sadâ—… murmurs did afright the aire Who in unnumber'd companies attend Thither the feirce Enyo did descend And all her strongest arts and charmings bring To hold converse with Hells infernall king The Feind himselfe was busy farre below And ranne with gnashing envy too and fro To finde out plotts of ruine and survey His Master-vices who fast chained lay In adamantine cavernes and from thence So pleas'd the great Creators providence To curbe their might for mankindes sake least all The world should in a quicke confusion fall With all their force at once and licens'd power They cannot goe for soone they would devoure All states all lands and worke more tragicke woe Then earthquakes fires or pestilence can doe Within their severall denns the Vices lay And ore the doores proud pictures did display What severall feates and conquests they had wrought What States what kingdomes they to ruine brought For of destroying housholds or the fall Of private men they made no boast at all And as sterne Aeolus is forc'd to locke The boistrous winds in caves of strongest rocke By Ioves
Coronation day But most of all though least discerning why Vnusuall joy the Vulgar testify Not good but new things please the peoples eyes Nor dooes King Henry in his love surmise That all the face of England all the state Were witnesses enow to celebrate His sonnes high honour but King William too Arriv'd from Scotland must be brought to doo His homage to him as to Englands King And with him must his brother David bring The sacred oile in banish'd Becket's stead Is by Yorkes Prelate powr'd upon his head The Diadem which was possess'd before Empales his brow whilest all the Peeres adore Two Sunnes at once and ill presaging see What aâ—…ter proov'd a fatall prodigy How ill Imperiall Majesty can brooke A sharer seeke not farre nor neede you looke Sâ—…oryes whose credit time has ruin'd quite Nor neede you read what old Tragaedians write Of this â—…add Theame or east your pitying eyes Vâ—…on the Theban brothers tragoedyes Oâ—… brothers blood that Romes first walls did stayne The sâ—…arious heavens as Poets wisely faine Brook'd not old Saturne and his Iupiter By every age and dire examples neere To us how oft has this sadd truth been proov'd How many sonnes and fathers have been moov'd To parricide to set themselues but free From that which Henry makes himselfe to be Rivall'd in reigne but if he still retayne Full Regall power what more dost thou obtaine By this thy father's kinde donation Young King then title and a fruitlesse throne How vaine thy Scepter is when thou shalt see The power divided from the dignity Yet doe not so mistake thy fate no lesse Nay greater farre esteeme thy happinesse Then if thou now wert seiz'd of all alone The â—…ares and dangers waiting on a Crowne Have made some feare the burden or despise That sacred jewell of unvalewed price A prudent King when he awhile survey'd The glittering splendour that his Crowne display'd Was sighing heard to say if those that view Farre off thy flattering gloryes only knew How many cares and gâ—…efes in thee are found They would be loath to take thee upp from ground This wisest Monarch if he now should see Thy royall State young King would envy thee And count thee happy sure that doost alone Weare without cares the glories of a Crowne That from the burden of a King art free Invested only with the dignity Yet this prerogative bâ—…ings no content To thee that seem'st to want th' accomplishment Of royalty the power and Regall sâ—…ay Nothing alas this Coronation day Has brought thee to but to a nearer sight Of what thou hast not nor is yet thy right Thy stirring minde meetes torture with a throne But Tantalized in dominion The cause alas of woes that must ensue And thy great father too too soone shal rue That dayes solemnity in truest state The Court of England strove to celebrate And with such great magnificence as might The Majesty of that high presence fitt Where all at once three Kings two Queenes were mett Besides so many high borne Princes great In same and wealth the feasting boords were fill'd With what this Iland or â—…ich France could yeild Sâ—…ch cates as those with which old Poets fain'd In Thessaly the Gods were entertain'd At sâ—…lver-footed Thetis bridall feast Where â—…ove himselfe vouchsaf'd to be a guest Where aged Chiron waited at the boord And brought what aire earth waters could afâ—…ord When all rich Tempe and th' adjoyning seas Were search'd besides what then the Najades What young Palaemon Glaucus and the greene Sea-nymphs had brought to grace their beautious queen The choisest Wines that France or Spaine could yeild In cupps of gold studded with gemms were fill'd And antique Gobletts where the Carver strove To aequall natures skill beasts seem'd to moove And pretious birds their glistering wings display'd The faire and mâ—…ssy vessels that conveyâ—…d The feast to them did far in their high rates Exceede the valew of those sumptuous cates King Henry wanton with excesse of joy Which now he thought no fortune could destroy How soone deceiv'd how soone enforc'de to finde The errour in his ill-presaging minde To testifie a great affection And grace the state of his young-crowned Sonne Himselfe as sewer will vouchsafe to waite Vpon his sonne who sitts in Regall state And to his table the first dish present The Lords and Princes all with one câ—…nsent Applaud the King 's great love but secretly Are stroke with wonder these strange rites to see Some seeke examples for it some within Themselues doe sadly from that sight divine When Yorkes Arch-Bishop the young King bespake Rejoyce my Princely sonne and freely take The comfort of your state no Monarch know On Earth has such a servitour as you With that the Prelate gently smil'd but he With a proud looke replyes why wonder yee Or thinke these rites so strange my Father â—…ooes My birth is farre more Royall well he knowes Then his he only by the Mothers side With high Imperiall blood was dignify'de His father was but Anjous Earle but I Derive from both my Parents royalty A King and Queene thâ—…y all with wonder heare King Henry sigh'd and gan even then to â—…eare What after might ensue from such a pride But at that triumph he resolv'd to hide His feares or griefes instead of which the Court Was fill'd with Revells with all Royall sport All showes that high magnificence could give There art in strange varietyes did strive Both to perplexe and please the eyes of all â—…ut nature more for to the festivall From every part the choisest beauties came There like a fire aetheriall every Dame Did blaze more bright then Elements could make While from the Countreys they all flock'd to take Survey of Kingly gloryes while they sought To view the lustre of a Court they brought The lustre with them and might seeme to be Themselues that splendour that they came to see Amidd'st those sparkling beauties Cupid sate Loves powerfull God and rul'd in highest state Arm'd with his fires and shafts resolv'd to be In Henry's Court a greater King then he Whose yoake the King must suffer On the state Of Cupid there the little Loves did waite Throughout the Court they tooke their wanton flight With wings unseene and when they list would light Vpon the Ladyes shoulders or their breasts Their Ruffes or tires they feele not those light guests Which they give harbour to Bold Lycence there Sweete reconciled Anger blushing Feare Vnsafe Delight did with pale Watching fly Desiring teares with Wanton perjury And all the rest They say the beauteous Queene Of Love her selfe upon that day was seene Approching London up cleare Thames his streame Borne on a sounding Triton's backe she came The River smooth'd his face to entertaine The Queene of Love with her ligâ—…t footed traine The silver Swans ador'de her all 〈◊〉 way And churking did their snow-white wings display The river-nymphes that saw her comming thought Some sweete atchievement now was to be wrought That Cupid sure
aside the cares of governement And only feast on Loves transporting joyes But soone a weighty businesse destroyes His short delight the Pope is discontent That Becket suffers so long banishment And intermixing threats requires an end Of this debate King Lewis of France a friend To Becket's side and other Princes too Are forward for their owne respects to show Themselues complyers to the Popes desire Hence Henry's wisedome feares some raging fire Of warre while he is absent might breake foorth Beyond the seas and thinkes it therefore worth His passage ore assured that the sight Of him in armes would those weake Princes fright But yet before the King from hence depart For thee the dearest jewell of his heart Faire Rosamund as fearing where to hyde So sweete a pledge his loving cares provide A sumptuous bower did he at Woodstock build Whose structure by Daedalian art was fill'd With winding Mazes and perplexed wayes Which who so enters still deceived strayes Vnlesse by guidance of a clew of thread Through those obscure Maeanders he be led There with all objects that delight might lend And with such chosen servants to attend And guard her as had still beene faithfull knowne Dooes Henry leave this beautious Paragon And swiftly passing into Normandy Findes there no stirres in peace and amity King Lewis and th' Earle of â—…loys neere Ambois were Both met to parley with King Henry there And mediate with him for Becket's peace That all dissention now at last might cease Sixe yeares in exile had the Prelate liv'd By France supported since he first had striv'de Against his King and for the Clergy cause Oppos'de himselfe against the royall lawes Which made the name of Becket sound so farre Declare my Muse from whence this fatall jarre Arose and from th' originall relate By what degrees it had disturb'd the State The English Clergy if we trust record Of Monkes then living at that tyme was stord With all the blessings temporall they flow'd In wealth with strange immunityes endow'd And wanted nought but what they ought to have Knowledge and piety which essence gave First to that sacred stile of Clergymen Who dooes not know what fatall darkenesse then The mourning face of Europe had orespread How all thâ—… Arts and Sciences were fled And learnings sunne to these darke regions set Was not recover'd from Arabia yet As much did wisest writers of those times Complayne of their licentious Clergyes crimes The powerfull Prelates strove not to correct The vices of their Clerkes but to protect Their persons 'gainst the justice of the State And to affrout the civill Magistrate And pleading priviledge oppos'd to stand Not 'gainst the Vice but Iustice of the Land The meaner Clerkes by this impunity With greater boldnesse durst offend that high And sacred order so it ought to be Was growne a refuge for impiety And not a burden but an ease to men Which worst of people sought and thither then As to a place of safety Vices fledd And Iustice only thence was banished An hundred murders done by Clergymen And more in those nine yeares that Henry then Had reign'd ore England were before him proov'd At which King Henry was in justice moov'd Since it appear'd no punishments at all Or those too unproportionably small Too slight for that abhorr'd and crying sinne On the delinquents had inflicted beene By those that claim'd the power to punish them King Henry weighing in a just esteeme How much the Land and State was wronged then By this pretended power of Clergymen Strove to revive those ancient Lawes which were Establish'd by his Royall Grandfather Wise Henry Beauclarke to secure the State And from the Papall claymes to vindicate The Royall power those Lawes while Stephen kept Vnjustly Englands Crowne a while had slept Nor durst that King that had so weake a cause So bad a title to maintaine those Lawes In contestation 'gainst the power of Rome Then is the time for Papall claymes to come When Kings estates are in distresse and stand On doubtfull tearmes as almost every land Of Christendome has beene too sadly taught King Stephen knew not against whom he fought He thought the Empresse Maude alone had beene The foe to his estate but Rome stept in So in the age that follow'd when King Iohn Vnjustly did ascend the Regall throne And Englands Peeres in armes against him rose King Iohn suppos'd he had no other foes But only them 'gainst them his strength he bent But found a sterner foe Pope Innocent T was he that watch'd their tryalls and his prey That side was sure to be that lost the day So Crowes on Armyes waite because King Iohn Could not 'gainst them guard his usurped Crowne The Pope claymes that which whenthe King resignes His Holynesse straight to the King enclines Whom he before had curst the right was try'de When the Popes power and ends were ratify'd To Arthur and the realme the wrong was done To Innocent the satisfaction Those wholesome Lawes the noble Henry striv'de To have by act of Parliament reviv'de Which he had therefore call'd at Westminster The Prelates there and Peeres assembled were The Peeres and Commons all approov'de the Lawes Some Prelates only judging that the cause Of holy Church would be impeach'd thereby Refus'd by their assent to ratifie The Kings desire others more moderate Who weigh'd how great a profit to the State Losse of a shadow from the Church would be Would gladly yeild 'mongst those that did deny Becket was stoutest in resolue as he Was highest farre in place and dignity He was the stay of all and kept the rest From then assenting to the Kings request But how this famous Becket grew in state And whence he sprung Calliope relate A London Citizen by birth he was But of an active spirit and for place Of high employments ever seem'd to be By nature moulded borne for dignity The gratious fortunes of his youth had brought Him first to Court attendance and there taught Him all those wily garbes from thence the warre Receiv'd him as an able Souldier In which he came to be implanted high In Henryes grace then Duke of Normandy Who when he first gain'd Englands royall power Created Becket his Lord-Chancellour Oh haddst thou there great Henry stay'd thy grace And not advanc'd him to that higher place More happy farre perchance had Becket liv'd Nor on those termes had King and Clergy striv'd Thou hadd'st not then that sad example beene Of paenitence nor had Religion seene Those fooleryes that heathens may deryde When Becket was so strangely Deify'de But Canterburyes Prelate Theobald dead The King promoted Becket in his stead Though the wise Empresse whose direction In other things was followed by her sonne Mislik'de the choyse so all the Clergy did As then their speech and writings testify'de That he a Courtier and a Souldier Not learn'd enough was farre unfit to weare So high a Mitre but the Kings sole grace Was strength enough to lift him
to the place Which by those factious stirres that must ensue Shall both the King himselfe and Becket rue But now when hee deny'de to give assent Vnto those lawes proposde in Parliament The King was moov'de the other Bishops all Fearing his wrath from Becket's party fall Hee stiffely stands alone although to gayne Him to his side the King had striv'de in vayne Pope Alexander though hee knew the cause To bee his owne and gâ—…eatly fear'd those lawes Yet since his Papall diadeâ—… did stand On doubtfull teâ—…mes and th' Emperours strong hand Did then support the Antipope he strove In every thing to keepe King Henryes love He therefore wrote to Becket to assent Without all clauses to the Kings entent Becket repaires to Woodstock to the King Humbly submits himselfe and promising That he now freely without any clause Of reservation would accept the Lawes Is by the King receiv'd to grace againe Who much rejoyces thinking that the maine Opposer of him now was growne his owne A Councell straight he calls at Clarendon Assur'd that all the Bishops now would signe What he propos'd to them the rest encline To his desire Becket revolts againe Seemes to repent his promise to complaine That he in that had rashly sinn'd before Aâ—…d in that kinde resolues to sinne no more The King deluded and enrag'de at this So unexpected a revolt of his Threatens th' Archbishop but a Princes threats Cannot prevaile with him nor all th' entreats Ofth ' other Bishops and those Peeres that love The quiet of the State have power to moove His resolution now the fatall wound Was growne past cure nor must this kingdome bound The maladyes of such a spreading sore King Henry's fill'd with grâ—…efe and scorne the more His great soule weighs the meannesse of his foe The more his wrath fed by disdaine doth grow He grieves yet scornes to grieve so when a net Which treacherous hunters in the woods have set To bâ—…â—… snare for smaller beasts doth stay By chance a noble Lyon in his way The royall beast with greater shame then greife Teares his base bonds and almost scornes releife The more King Henry calls to minde how he Had raisd this Becket from a low degree Against the wills of all he still doth finde More fuell for his wrath-enflamed minde At last resolv'd he cites him to appeare Before his Iudges and to answer there Vpon accompt for such large summes as he When Chancellour of England formerly Had from the King detayn'd for Seignioryes Vnjustly held for proud enormityes And disobedience in a high degree Vnto the King his state and dignity To these will Becket scarse vouchsafe replyes But being no Layman at their Courts denyes At all to answere or obey their doome From thence appealing to the Court of Rome But that discharg'd him not the Parliament Then at Northhampton did with one consent Confiscate all his goods the Bishops there Pronounc'de him by the mouth of Chichester To be a perjur'd and a factious man Disclaim'd him for their Metropolitan And all obedience to him Becket now Weary'd with these calamityes that grow And fearing worse disgraces every day 〈◊〉 secret meâ—…nes at last to scape away And from the kingdome in disguise is gone To plead his cause before the Papall throne Oh what unwearyed Muse at large cantell Each severall jarre that from that day befell How Beckeâ—… to the Pope resign'd his Pall How in his wrath king Henry banish'd all Beckets allyes and kinne how oft 'gainst Rome In contestation he was forc'd to come The Papall power against the royall right How oft it was debated in the sight Of Christendome how Henry by entreats Sometimes and sometimes like a King with threats Mainâ—…ain'd his cause how oft the dreadfull doome And interdicting thunderbolt of Rome Was fear'd in England and for Beckets jarre Whole nations likely to be drawne to warre How oft did forraigne Princes interpose Some to increase the wound and some to close How many vaine Commissions had beene spent How many fruitlesse Legacies were sent How many dayes of bootlesse parleys set How ofâ—… with him the King in person met Seven yeares had past since this debate beganne Sixâ—… yeares had Beckeâ—… as a banish'd man At Pontinew and Saint Columba liv'd Maintain'd by Lewis of France who oft had striv'd Or seem'd to strive and so had Flanders Lord In vaine till now in making this accord But now accord although in vainâ—… is made For though King Lewis and Bloyâ—…es Earle perswade King Henry all offences to forget That paâ—…t before and Becket to submit Though both agreement make and Becket bee With Henry's leave returned to his See The Church from thence no lasting concord findes Seldome is factious fire in haughty mindes Extinguish'd but by death it oft like fire Supprest breakes forth againe and blazes higher This end ends not the strife nor drawes more nigh The Churches peace but Beckets tragaedy THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Fourth Booke The Argument of the fourth Booke Th' oâ—…casion heere and Noble deeds are showne That first brought Ireland to the English Crowne From Wales Earle Strongbow and Fitz-Stevans bring In aide of Dermot Leinsters banish'd King Their forces ore Archbishop Becket slayne Dâ—…oes with his blood his owne Cathedrall staine King Henry sends to plead his innocence Before the Pope to England goes from thence Himselfe in person into Ireland sailes In which his power without a warre prevailes And gaines that land without the aide of swords In royall state he feasts the Irish Lords And heares the wâ—…nders of that I le thence he To England sailes and thâ—…nce to Normandy FAire Floras pride into the Earth againe Was sunke cold Winter had begun his reigne And summond beautious daylight to restore To night those howers which he had stol'n before King Henry then in Normandy resolv'd To make abode and in his thoughts revolv'd Th'aâ—…aires of Ireland tidings daily came From thence and spread his valiant servants fame What noble actions they had there atchiev'd How many townes already were receiv'd By that small strength which they transported ore From Southerne Wales unto the Irish shore Fame had already fill'd his Princely eare With what Fitz-Stephens what Fitz-Girald there What noble Raimond had with handfulls wonne And private men against a Land had done Beâ—…des what great Earle Strongbow's actions were 〈◊〉 was already growne the Ilands feare Fame is not onely due though lowder farre She needes must speake of those to deedes that are By potent Monarchs or huge armies done That change the worlds estate and overrunne With speed the farthest spreading Emperies No deedes of worth can fame at all despise Though done by few and those the meanest men Nor did she onely sound Romes glories then When Pompeys lawrell'd Charriot show'd at once The vanquish'd VVest and Easterne nations Nor when great Caesar's triumphs did extend Fâ—…om farthest Thule to Cyrenes end She did record Romes infant honours too What poore
Quirinus could 'gainst Tatius doo What Tullus then 'gainst Alba wrought and now Who does not Numa and Aegeria know How king Porsenna did for Tarquin come How â—…ocles kept the bridge how Claelia swumme The worthy deedes of her beginning age Gave to her after greatnesse faire presage Her greatnesse after gave this age renowne And made her infant honours clearely knowne Their noble deedes in Ireland gave presage Of her full conquest in this later age Her conquest now shall their first deedes renowne As long as Ireland serves the English crowne The yeare before when first the Westerne windes Blew on the waters when all various kindes Of flowers beganne to beautify the spring In aide of Dâ—…rmot Leinsters banish'd King To whom that promise was ingag'd before The brave Fitz-Stephans lanching from the shore Of Wales with three tall ships accompany'd With his stout brother by the mothers side Fitz-Gerald safely crost the Ocean And with their Souldiers landed at the Banne A little creeke neere Wexford then scarce nam'd But ever since by his arrivall fam'd The â—…ext day after on the selfe same shore Maurice de Pendergast with two ships more Part of Fitz-Stephens company arriv'd And there by joyfull Dermot were receiv'd Who by that Prince his guidance and his aide With th' English colours and their armes display'd With dauntlesse courage able to supply The want of number in their company To Wexford martch'd which by assault they wonne The country neere together with the towne Dermot Mac Morough for such valour show'd Vpon Fitz-Stephans thankefully bestow'd There planted they that towne of all the rest Was first by English victory possest And has a lasting colony remain'd Which through all changes ever has retain'd The English manners their attire and though With Irish somewhat mixt their language too When famous Strongbow had in Wales receiv'd The newes of what Fitz-Stephans had atchiev'd With â—…resh supplies unto the Irish shore He sends his friend the valiant Reimond ore And shortly after with farre greater bands The noble Earle himselfe in Ireland lands Within the bay of Waterford which towne The next day after by assault he wonne Thither king Dermot came and brought with him His beautious daughter Eua Irelands gemme The pretious cause which drew the Earle so farre The faire reward of his victorious warre This beautious Lady when her father fled For aide to England then was promised To noble Strongbow and with her for doure Th' inheritance of Leinsters regall power Which here the King performes and with as high A state as might befit their dignity The marriage rites are celebrated now Mars smooths the horrours of his wrinckled brow And folds his bloody colours up a while The Paphian Queene in that delicious smile With which she charmes the Thracian God appeares His purple robe the pleased Hymen weares While Dermot gives with right of all those lands His beautious daughter into Strongbow's hands Nor was this marriage mannaged alone By those two Deities but from his throne Great Iove look'd downe and made that knot to be A worke belonging to his Deity By which himselfe did into union bring Two spatious lands and by that marriage ring Which noble Strongbow to his bride combin'd To Englands crowne the Realme of Ireland joyn'd A Ladies love when Dermot was decay'd In state and power first brought this forraigne aide And to his native land did him restore A Ladies love had banish'd him before And of his crowne and countrey him bereft The King of Meth had in an Iland left While he farre off into the land remov'd His faire but wanton Queene who long had lov'd This Dermotâ—…einsters â—…einsters king with flames unchast His love on her as her 's on him was plac'd Her Lords departure from her seife or fame Had Dermot learn'd and to the â—…land came Where soone he gain'd his wish a willing prey From thence he tooke the wanton Queene away Then as when once the â—…rojan Paris came And stole from Greece that farre renowned Dame 'T was not her husbands strength alone that sought Revenge a cause oâ—… that foule nature brought All Greece in Armes the Princes joyn'd in one And drew a thousand ships to Ilion So when this Prince his fatall Hellen gain'd The land was mov'd her wronged lord complain'd T'ambitious Rhotherike Connaughts King who claim'd The stile of Irelands Monarch and had aim'd At conquest of the land he wondrous glad Of such a faire pretence as now he had Rais'd his owne forces and 'gainst Leinsters King Did all th' incensed neighbour-Princes bring Whose force when Dermot could no way withstand Bereft â—…f all his strengths he fled the land And to great Henry's royall Court whom fame Then spoke the greatest king in Europe came The King that then remain'd in Aquitaine This Irish Prince did gladly entertaine Whom after feasting and magnificent Rewards bestow'd he with free licence sent To England there to gather without let What voluntaries he from thence could get In Southerne Wales Earle Strongbow then remain'd Fitz-Stephans too whose aide the King obtain'd On faire conditions to Fitz-Stephans he If wonne did promise Wexfords seigniory On th' Earle his daughter Eva to bestow Which promises were both performed now The marriage feasts of Strongbow now were done The revells ended all and Mars begunne Againe his threatning colours to display When th' Earle and old king Dermot ganne to weigh What acts remained further to be done And leaving there sufficient garrison Through Leinster all along they tooke their way For Dublin bent the countrey open lay To their victorious armes on every side No foe durst meete them or their force abide Proud Rhoderike himselfe swell'd with the stile Of universall Monarch of the I le Was glad to lurke within his proper bounds And keepe those safe retreates the boggy grounds Which in his owne peculiar Connagh lay Thus unresisted Strongbow kept his way Till he at last to Dublin came which soone By force and terrour of his name he wonne Faine would my Muse in this faire field proceede Of Irelands conquest and each noble deede Aâ—…cheived there of trophees rais d to fame The armes of England and great Henry's name Faine would she sing but Beckets fatall jarre Againe revives and from a nobler warre Drawes backe her eager flight and turnes againe Her song â—…riumphant to a tragicke straine By this King Henry in his active mind Great deedes and forreine conquests had design'd Secure from trouble as in vaine he thought Since Beckets peace and reconcilement wrought That might twixt State and Clergy rise at home When lo from England swift-wing'd fame was come And to his grieved eare sad tidings brought What reakes his stout Archbishop there had wrought Since last he did his dignity obtaine And to his See return'd in peace againe That 'mongst his fellow Bishops some of late He did suspend some excommunicate For actions past before from whence it plaine Appear'd old grudges were reviv'd againe As alâ—… that were
when Henry crown'd his sonne Assistants at the coronation With Yorkes Archbishop for that office he Claim'd to belong to Canterburies See Nor would he then absolve them though in their Behalfe a Suitor young King Henry were While this was rumor'd there to second fame To old King Henry the wrong'd Bishops came And to his eare declar'd their grievances He vext at Beckets wilfull stubbornesse Such words though generall in his choller spoke As in some brests too deepe impression tooke Foure knights that heard by chance the kings discourse As Morvile Tracy Britaine and Fitz-Vrse Vnhappy men inflam'd with such a rage And erring zeale as no succeeding age Shall ever praise resolve in heate to doe For Henry's sake what Henry's selfe must rue And their sad memories as long as fame Has wings or tongues shall feele in lasting shame From Normandy without the Kings consent These foure unhappy Knights for England went To execute what they had there design'd And fondly thought would please their Soveraignes mind Archbishop Becket's death but found too soon What fatall service they to him had done How sad a cure fond wretches have you found For balme you powre in poyson to the wound And make that death which then was but a sore King Henryes cause is lost for evermore If Becket suffer so your selves are lost The King must suffer all but Rome are crost While Becket bleedes while you beare lasting staine While Henry grieves the Pope alone shall gaine â—…ate seem'd to pitty Henry and decree That he meane-while should breath in Normandy And from his England absent should remaine Whil'st England was defil'd with such a staine To Canterbury the foure Knights at last Arm'd with their followers came and freely past Into the Bishop's palace their intent Vnknowne had fill'd with feare and wonderment The peoples hearts who flocking up and downe Afâ—…ighted all but Becket he alone Whose head that suddaine danger threaten'd he In lookes and gesture unappall'd and free From all dismay their comming did receive And fearelesse answers to their threatnings give As if his courage strove not to asswage At all but to exasperate their rage Nor could that stoutnesse hasten on his fate So soone but or their faultring hands forgate To act it then or else unhappy they Not fully yet resolv'd upon the way A while for Counsell did retire from him How much the respite of that little time Did afterwards encrease their monstrous guilt Else in the Pallace had his blood beene spilt And not the sacred Temple made to be The seat of that inhumane butchery Which on their crime by circumstance of place Must set a fouler and more horrid face While thus the Knights retiâ—…e the Monkes in care Of Beckt's safety to himselfe declare How great a danger he was in desire That from the Pallace straight he would retire And to the Church for safeguard fly but he Too full of fatall magnanimity Disdaines to stirre but there resolues to stay By force at last they hurry him away When words prevaile not and in vayne alas Into the Temple as a safer place Convey his person but not all the awe Which so Divine a place from men should draw Not all the râ—…verend Roabes that Becket wore Nor th' high and sacred oâ—…ice which he bore When once those furious Knights were enter'd in Kept him from death nor them from deadly sinne In all his Roabes the great Archbishop slayne Did with his blood his owne Cathedrall stayne How much did every fatall circumstance In this abhorred act of theirs advance Thy â—…ame oh Becket their unhallowed rage Made thee not only pity'd by the age But worshipp'd too for them no infamy Is thought enough no dignity for thee How ill the people in so blinde an age Can keepe a meane in reverence or in rage They first pronounce thee innocent to be A Martyr then and then a Deity To thee they all will pray and to thy Tombe Shall greatest Kings in adoration come Even he to whom thou living owd'st thy knee Before thy shrine shall prostrate worship thee Whose gorgâ—…ous wealth and lustre shall outshine All other shrines as reliques most divine Not only shall thy nobler parts be worne In gold and gemmes but men shall strive t' adorne Thy meanest garments and obeisance doe To thy ridiculously-holy shoo Thither from farre shall Pilgrims come to pray Nay in her danger once a bird they say Could we beleeve that any bird would be Of such a Christian faith did pray to thee Soone to King Henry then in Normandy Did this sad newes of Becket's murder fly And fill'd his pensive soule with heavinesse For well he judg'de nor proov'd it any lesse 'T would be by all the Christian Princes thought That that foule deede by his command was wrought But more he griev'd that he had rashly spoke Such words before in Choller 's heat as tooke That bad impression in the Knights alas He griev'd to thinke into how sad a â—…ase Those wretched men had plung'd themselues to doe Him service as they thought they durst not now Appeare at all into the North they fledd And there alone their lives in sorrow ledd And all of them if we may trust to fame Within foure yeares to ends untimely came King Lewis of France or for the love he bore To slaughtered Becket show'd so oft before Or else for envy at the high renowne And power of Henry that ecclips'd his owne Since now Religion gave him faire pretence Pursu'd his ends with all the vehemence Of words or prayers to exasperate Pope Alexander 'gainst King Henry's state Beseeching him he would avenge with ali The armes of holy Church th' unworthy fall And cruell murder of so deare a sonne The like had other neighbouring Princes done But Henry full of feares dispatch'd from thence Embassâ—…dours to pleade his innocence Before the Pope and there to testifie What griefe he tooke for Becket's tragaedy Beseeching him he would be pleas'd to send His Legats thither that might heare and end So sad a cause for much he fear'd from Rome An Interdiction 'gainst his Realmes would come But soone the matter could not have an end The fates were pleas'd it should a while depend Vntill successes of a fairer kinde Had given some ease to Henry's grieved minde And Irelands conquest prosperously gain'd Allay'd the sorrow he for this sustain'd His thoughts are wholly bent on Ireland now In person thither he entends to goe And fearing interruptions to prevent What Bulls or mischiefes might from Rome be sent To trouble England ere he leave the Land Of Normandy he layes a straight command On th' officers of evâ—…ry Port to see That no Briefe-carrier without certainty Of his estate entent and businesse Should be permitted thence to crosse the Seas Nor long in England did the King abyde No cause of stay was there but to provide Such force and fit retinew as from thence Might guard him ore in high Magnificence To Irelands conquest like
grazing cattell cover all those grounds They feele no want what grass they eate by dayes The dewy night backe to the land repayes And what fam'd Maro of that wealthy field In Mantua spake these meadows truely yeild But so myraculously temperate Prooves Irelands aire sometimes Wolues have of late In middst of bare December whelped beene And young-hatch'd Crowes at Christmas have bin seen What neede I speake of that fam'd Willow tree At Glindelachan which was knowne to be Chang'd from his nature though it yet appeare In outward forme a Willow and each yeare Brings forth faire Apples that have proov'd of strange And medcinable vertue still that change The common people as divinely rare Imputed to S. Keiwin's powerfull prayer Or to your sacred eare relate the story Of our S. Patrick's famous Purgatory Nine dismall caves there are in one of those If any man by night himselfe repose Such most unsufferable torments there As humane nature scarce has power to beare He shall endurâ—… the silly folke suppose â—…he paines of Hell not much exceeding those But if that all the prodigyes we know Of truth in Ireland or all those that so Are by the common people thought to be We should relate your sacred Majesty Would first be weary'd day would first be done Ere through those wonders our discourse could runne With that the Bishop his relation ceas'd Great Henry gave him thankes and highly pleas'd To heare the nature of his new-gain'd land Rewards those Irish with a bounteous hand That on his Royall Court did then attend And that this action might to happy end Be brought and Ireland setled in a blest And sure estate beginning at the best Of cares God's service he to Dublin then A Synod calls of th' Irish Clergymen With whom were many English Prelatâ—… joyn'd To sift the state of Irelands Church and finde What errours had by time crept in to be The blemishes of Christian purity While thus great Henry labours to secure His new-gaind Realme to leave it in a sure And peacefull state from these his wish'd affairâ—… He is diverted by more tragicke cares Sad newes to him though secretly are brought Of what the fiend Impiety had wrought In his bold sonnes their inclinations now And bad designes beyond concealment grow Enough to breake a tender fathers heart But of his sorrow this was but a part Although alas he were enforc'd to see In this unnaturall conspiracie His life and kingly state endanger'd were For other tidings to encrease his feare Came flying ore as mischiefes ever joyne Not singly come Albert and Theodine Were by Pope Alexander sent from Rome As Legates and to Normandy were come There to examine Becket's murder now With power not only to enquire and know But punish it and interdict at once All great King Henry's large dominions Vnlesse that he himselfe in person there Vpon their summons did forthwith appeare And now the feast of Easter was at hand King Henry griev'd that from his new gain'd land He was so soone enforc'd to part away Before well setled yet because delay On tother side did seeme so dangerous Of those affaires he briefly does dispose Makes Hugh de Lacy chiefe Iustitiar And to the chiefest Captaines each a share Of governement he leaves then crosses ore Aâ—…d with a prosperous winde upon the shore Of Wales arrives but making then no stay At all in England sailes with speede away To Normandy to meete the Legates there And does before them personally sweare That he commanded not that horrid deede But for those words that rashly did proceede Out of his mouth and might be thought to be The mooving cause of that blacke tragaedy He is contented to what pennance fit The Pope or they enjoyne him to submit THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Fift Booke The Argument of the fift Booke Against their Father Henry's impious Sonnes Raise Warre through all his large dominions By forreigne Princes back'd the old King's successe On every side and wondrous happinesse King Lewis of France is chasd from Normandy And Chesters Earle surpris'd in Brettainy At Farneham field the Earle of Leister's tane And almost all his warrelike Flemmings slaine The King of Scotland by a little band Is taken prisoner in Northumberland To Becket's shrine old Henry pensive goes Then freely pardons all his yeilding foes Tâ—…kes in the Forts that were against him mann'd And without bloodshed quiets all the land The wofull newes of murder'd Rosamund Amidd'st these joyes his bleeding heart doth wound A truce twixt Lewis and him young Richard gets Poictou but when King Henry comes submits And by his father is sent forth to winne His yet-offending brothers from their sinne NOw did those fatall and unnaturall jarres Disclose themselues and more then civill wars Began to make afflicted England bleede While Henryes foes from Henryes loynes proceede From Hell to Earth did that accursed fiend The Viper-hair'd Impiety ascend T' infect the Royall houshould such was she As ancient Poets made Megaera be That lov'd no warres but twixt neere kindred bred No blood but such as sonnes or brothers shed Such warres whose tryalls must be ever bad Whose conquests must be losse and triumphs sad Twixt Pelops sonnes t was she that bred despight T was she that made the Theban brothers fight That made Atrides impiously be slayne And impiously to be reveng'd againe She now through France through England sounds alarmes And Henry's sonnes against their father armes Henry the sonne too soone crown'd King on slight Prâ—…tences of a wrong resolues to fight 'Gainst his deare Faâ—…her in that blacke designe Richard and Geoffrey with their brother joyne As then was thought incensed by the spleene And jealousies of Elianor the Queene With them the Earles of Chester Leister too And Bigot Norfolkes Eaâ—…le with many moe ' Domestick Rebells joyne nor did so bad So impious a cause as theirs oh sadd Crime of the Fates want forreine aiders too For all the Christian Princes neere as though They understood not what Rebellion were Nor treason knew to th' unjust side adhaere King Lewis of France assists his sonne in Law And to that party Scotlands King doth draw That side does Philip Earle of Flanders take So much old Henry's state now seem'd to shake As nothing almost but th' immediate hand Of heaven alone had power to make him stand Why doe you Princes such Rebellion love Such sadd examples 'gainst your selues approove You that are Kings and Fathers is it hate Oâ—… envy borne to Henry's prosperous state That mooves you â—…hus alas you doe not show A skilâ—…ull hate to him in arming so Your arming makes those warres that were before Warres civill onely to be so no more But gives the grieved father hope to share A glorious triumph from a tragicke warre For else the conquest which great Henry had Ore his owne sonnes and subjects had beene sad The King of Scotland must a prisoner be And Lewis with shame oft chas'd from Normandy
Lest noble Henry should triumph ore none But onely sonnes and subjects of his owne And you most gracious Soveraigne borne to be Th'admir'd example of true piety To your deceased Father with an eye Secure may read your vertues contrary In Henry's sonnes and read it Sir true story That brands their names will sound your endlesse glory King Iames whilest living did behold and blest Your piety of what you since exprest No little part the wondring people all Beheld and honour'd at his funerall But most of all is what we daily see Your pious truth to his deare memory So may our Princely Hope let God above Be pleas'd young Charles by your example prove And such unto your selfe hereafter be As you to blessed Iames in piety The foes in this great combination ty'd Invade King Henry's lands on every side While Scotlands King fall's on Northumberland While Chesters Earle and Fulgiers armed stand To seaze the townes of Brittaine Lewis of France With young King Henry all their force advance For Normandy attempting to surprise Vernoul a towne that in the confines lyes Thus like a Lyon rows'd on every side Old Henry's prudence must at once provide For all assaults and first in person he To succour Vernoul martches speedily Which Lewis of France by treachery that day Had tane but left it straight and fled away The English King pursues and in his course Surprises many forts of his by force Nor durst the King of France of all the time That warre endur'd in field encounter him But making short incursions as for prey Would never stand the tryall of a day From thence with winged speed old Henry goes To meete in Brettaine with his rebell foes But Chesters Earle and â—…ulgiers durst not bide His puissance but fled and fortify'd Themselves within the castle Dole which he Strâ—…ightly besieg'd and wonne it speedily There Chesters Earle into his hands he got With fourescore other prisoners of note While thus in France the conquering King proceedes Heavens potent hand assists their valiant deedes That loyall warres for him in England made The Northerne parts does Scotlands King invade To whose resistance their most able men The noble Lucy Lord chiefe Iustice then And Bohun Constable of England bring And stay the progresse of that warrelike King There whilest with loyall and couragious hearts They guard the North in Englands Easterne parts Arise warrâ—…s fiercer where with numerous bands Of warlike Flemmings furious Leister lands With him does Bigot Earle of Norfolke joyne There their rebellious forces they combine To wast their native soyle the wofull fame Of which to brave Bohun and Lucy came Who heaâ—…ing this conclude with Scotlands King A speedy truce and all their forces bring Into the Easterne parts where fates provide Fresh strength to succour injur'd Henry's side The loyall Earles of Gloster Arundel And Cornewall there are met provided well Of all munition in their just designe With noble Lucy and Bohun to joyne The Lords all met to Farneham march away There was the tryall of that bloody day Ordain'd there Leister with his Flemish troopes Comes to encounter them with different hopes Though aequall fury the two armies fought The Flemmings prey the English freedome sought To chase from thence the forreiners away Long doubtfull stood the tryall of the day When thus the loâ—…all Lords their souldiers cheere Now let your truth and loyalty appeare Brave Englishmen nor is it Henry's right 'Gainst rebells armes for which alone you fight And to revenge your wronged Prince although That were engagement great and high enough You fight lest England should be made a spoyle To vagrant theeves or more your native soyle Here suffer conquest by a forreine sword And after ages in blacke leaves record The fatall field of Farneham fortune meant In this to keepe your valours innocent Though rebell Leister make a civill warre He frees you from it since his souldiers are All forreiners in fight you neede not feare To wound at all your native countrey there Nor shed your kindreds blood the foe frees you From those foule crimes which he intends to doe Fight 'gainst his Soveraigne friends and native land What great advantage on our side doth stand Our armes are loyall 'gainst a forreine foe His warres both civill and rebellious too Such speeches from the Lords had raysed high The English vertue they all wish'd to dye Rather then see what else they sadly fear'd On one side Englands woefull state appear'd On tother side the justice of so brave A cause fresh vigour to their spirits gave The Flemmings armed with resolve as great Whose desperate fortunes on that day were set And no hope left beyond came fiercely on Breathing out nothing but destruction To gaine the price of their adventures there Or to their foes to leave a conquest deare So neere the flockes fight hungry beasts of prey So fight brave dogs to chase the wolves away As then the English and the Flemmings fought How many tragedies that day were wrought How were the fields with slaughter cover'd ore How was th'adjoyning river stain'd with gore At last bright â—…ustice rose and by the lawes Of God and nature ballancing the cause Gave a full conquest to the English side But so the desperate Flemmings fell and dy'd As in their deaths it plainely might appeare With what resolves they had encountred there Ten thousand of them in the field were slaine Their great Commander Leisters Earle was tane With him his Amazonian Countesse too Was taken prisoner and many moe Who by the conquering Earles were speedily Sent out of England into Normandy And to old Henry brought where then he lay With joyfull newes of that victorious day One of the strongest propps young Henry had And bold'st supporter of a warre so bad Is now remov'd ambitious Leister he Who most had sooth'd the sonnes impiety And 'gainst the father beene most insolent Is at his mercy now a prisoner sent The King forbeares revenge and does disdaine With any show of cruelty to staine The joy of this successe but keepes him there As warre had made him onely prisoner But Englands wretched state by one successe Could not be rescu'd wholly from distresse Gainst which so great conspiracies did aime For second newes from thence to Henry camâ—… By Richard then elect of Winchâ—…ster That other forces had arrived there By that rebellious Earle of Norfolke brought By whom outragious mischiefes had beene wrought And th' Easterne parts of England much annoy'd That stately Norwich was with fire destroy'd That greater woes are feared every day That th' Earle of Flanders then at Gravelin lay With young King Henry purpos'd to invade England with all the strength that they had made The King is mov'd to heare his countreys woe And to her rescue straight resolves to goe In person then with his accustom'd speede By which he found his actions still succeede For all his acts and marchâ—…s still did show Such speede that Lewis of
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
and that th' old King would seeme For such a savour much oblig'd to him A reverend Bishop he to Henry sent Who signify'd the Christian King's entent To worke that pious and Religious peace That warres so sad and impious now might cease Twixt sonnes and Father nature made the way And joyfull Henry nam'd the meeting day â—…ho though successefull ever in that warre Was still a father not a conquerer Then to Gisors with joy he goes to whom King Lewis of France and yong King Henry come Where though no perfect unâ—…on could be wrought For young Prince Richard was not thither brought Who still was fiercely warring in Poictou Yet something 's done and as a prologue now To that faire peace which afterward ensu'd A truce both Henryes and King Lewis conclude Fierce Richard though King Henryes second sonne Yet borne to sit on Englands royall throne Had all the time of these unnaturall jarres Against his father made victorious warres Within Poictou in which few townes remain'd But that Prince Richard the whole land had gain'd This is that Heroe who by deedes of fame Shall gaine through all succeeding times the name Of Lions-heart whose deedes as farre shall sound â—…s lyes the farthest Verge of Christian ground Who by deserved honours fetch'd from farre Shall wash the staine of this rebellious warre From off his sacred memory againe And conquests great 'gainst Saracens obtaine From him the dreadfull Saladine sh all fly Philip of France his envious enemy Shall feare the force of his victorious hand And rue it oft he in his time shall stand Th' ecclipse of other Christian Princes fame And only terrour of the Pagan name After the true concluded at Gisors Into Poictou with all his martiall force The old King Henry marches 'gainst his son At whose arrivall every fort and towne Which Richard not by love but force had gain'd Straight yeild themselues into his Fathers hand Whose Marches almost no resistance finde When young Prince Richard with perplexed minde Had heard his father's comming and successe He stormes and taxes of perfidiousnesse King Lewis of France and young King Henry that Had thus forsaken their confaederate But yet resolves too proudly not to yeild At all but stand the tryall of a field Against his father and with impious hopes â—…nto the field drawes all his Martiall Tropes From whence Kings Henry's army was not farre And now too neere approach'd the wicked warre Some pious Souldiers ' gann those mischiefes feare Which they should act as well as suffer there Richard's great heart began to yeild to shame And feele the reverence of a fathers name Sometimes his stubborne courage rais'd him high Sometimes againe relenting Piety Check'd those proud thoughts and in so bad a cause Told him how great a crime his valour was Yet had not Piety alone the power To curbe his spirit his father every houre Encreast in men and Iustice with a tide Of strength flow'd in to vindicate her side Why stood'st thou out Richard so long a time T is now too late to free thy selfe from crime Though thou submit the world may justly say It was not true repentance but dismay Thou could'st no longer cheere thy fainting troopes And not thy resolution but thy hopes Forsake thee heere that act will termed be Despaiâ—…e which had before beene piety But thanke the weakenesse of thy army now That made thee see though late and disallow That horrid guilt before that lives it cost Or blood by thy impiety were lost Strucke with remorse at last young Richard throwes His late rebellious armes aside and goes To his offended father to present Himselfe a sad and humble paenitent There on his knees for that unkind offence He pardon craves no other eloquence But teares and sighs his griefe had power to use No other pleas were strong in his excuse The royall father meetes with teares of joy Those teares and pardons him the noblest way With kinde embraces liftes him from the ground And in his rich paternall love had found Instead of chiding him for what was done A way to praise him by comparison That of the brothers he submitted first As if the father had forgot that erst He aequall to the rest astray had gone Remembring Richards paenitence alone So much King Henry's wondrous goodnesse wroughâ—… On Richard's noble nature as it brought Frâ—…sh teares from him and though it pardon'd more Did seeme to aggravate th' offence before Yet such encouragement from thence he tooke As thus when teares would give him leave he spoke Sir your preventing grace has tane from me So farre the neede of all apology As I should only speake my thankfulnesse If any language could so much expresse But that my dutious deedes shall better show And for the first true service I can doe Vouchsafe me leave great Sir to goe and winne My yet offending brothers from their sinne Let me be there employ'd I shall prevaile In that when other advocates will faile When forreine Princes for their owne close ends Shall faintly speake when false and factious friends In their misdeedes shall flatter them shall I By true example check impiety I that have sinned happily in this To make them know how good our Father is Which most accurs'd I had not grace to know Till by offending I had found it so More had he utter'd but King Henry there Cut off his speech almost or ejoy'd to heare That thing propos'd which was his chiefe entent And then with faire and kind encouragement For that designe dispach'd his Sonne away Himselfe resolv'd in Normandy to stay And thankefull Richard with a joy as high Goes to performe the pious Legacy THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Sixt Booke The Argument of the sixt Booke Betwixt Ambois and Tours the Sonnes are brought To meete their Father perfect peace is wrought A Peace is made with France and Scotland too From Normandy the two King Henryes goe Great signes of joy in England every where Are show'd to welcome their arrivall there The King his Realme of England doth divide Into six circuits and for each provide Iudges Itinerant what great resort Was seene at onee in Henry's stately Court His happinesse his power and high renoune His daughters royall marriages are showne Old Henry does refuse the proffred Crowne Of Palaestine to take Henry the sonne Rebells againe and does repentant dye The third sonne Geoffrey's wâ—…full tragaedy NOw did victorious Henry's wish succeede With such effectuall diligence and speede Had young Prince Richard with his Brothers wroughâ—… That both of theÌ„ he to their father brought Betwixt Ambois and Tours there first of all Are diâ—…ontents and jarres unnaturall By 〈◊〉 King Henry's prudence made to cease There first is wroâ—…ght a full and finall peace The sonneâ—… aâ—…e taught to hate their impious crime Aâ—…d vow oâ—…edience for the future time Nor does thâ—… fathers wisedome thinke he does Eâ—…ugh if for the present â—…e compose This fatall strife but carefull to prevent
The causes of all future discontent He lends a gentle eare while they expresse In humble sort their former grievances He grants their just demands and does advance With liberall hand their yearely maintenance Which had before bin justly thought to be Too small for them and that this enmity Might not alone be ended but forgot On every side the lands unâ—…ustly got While this sad warre remain'd are every where Restor'd againe and every prisoner Without a ransome on both sides set free And all their followers in that state to be As when the warre beganne with Henry there A peace King Lewis and th' Earle of Flanders sweare And that the friendship may be firmely ty'd Adela Lewis his daughter is affy'd To Princely Richard to remaine till she Should come of age in Henry's custody There to conclude these sad dissentions Richard and Henry's younger sonnes A personall homage to their father doe Which young King Henry freely offred too But that the father suffâ—…ed not since he Invested was in regall dignity White-winged Concord come from heaven above Concord of all estates the joy and love Whose sacred armes the spatious world infold And that mixt fabricke from dissolving hold On Henry's countreys now was pleas'd to light With her her lately banish'd sister bright As she faire Piety did not disdaine Descending downe to visite earth againe She that from Englands Court had lately fled As once from Argos tragicke towers she did When Atreus feast did her pure soule affright And made the Sunne obscure his mourning light Nor does the presence of bright Phoebus more Comfort earths drooping face when to restore Her fragrant Wardrobe he returnes in spring Then Piâ—…ty and blessed Concord bring True joy to humane hearts the King in thought Is recompens'd for what the fates had wrought So lately 'gainst him his two younger sonnes He sends away to their dominions And wise men with them Geoffrey to remaine In Brettaine Richard in his Aquitaine There with their severall Councells to advise The best for their estates and dignities The two King Henryes father and the sonne Through every part of their dominion Vpon that side the Sea a progresse take To cure the wounds of that late warre and make The rents all whole againe then from that coast The Seas for England they together crost But oh what Muse can at the height relate The joy that Englands long-afflicted state Express'd to welcome their arrivall there Or show how all the wayes from Porchmouth where They landed first and thence to London rode Were fill'd with people numberlesse and strow'd With such greene dresse as then the spring could show And Sol from Taurus gilded hornes bestow Vpon the cheered earth as if that then The season had consented with the men How did the aire with acclamations sound When in that joyous sight the people found Their happinesse they saw two Kings as one Distracting not the quiet of a throne And as a glorious wonder might descry Two Sunnes at once and yet a peacefull sky This sight more joy'd the hearts of people now Then any triumph of a warre could doe Nor could the greatest conquest by the blood Of slaughter'd nations purchas'd be so good So did th' Italian youths follow in throngs Their laurell'd charriots with triumphant songs When captive Kings were brought when woefull stories Of ruin'd lands were made their envy'd glories Before this triumph no sad captives goe To waile in chaines their woefull overthrow No pale dejected lookes no hearts afraid Are found no envy'd glories are display'd But gentle peace does with a gracious eye Appeare and leade the faire solemnity Whose crowne of olive does more glorious show Then any victor's laurell wreath could doe One Court one table now receives againe Whom late this spatious Ile could not containe As fâ—…iends within blew Neptune's watery armes And they whose presence fill'd with warres alarmes So oft of late great France and England too Without warres feare are seene together now And promise like th' Oebalian friendly starres Health to the late distressed Marriners Nor does King Henry spend in wanton ease The Halcyon dayes of this his happy peace But like a wise and noble Potentate â—…o cure the sad diseases of his state He first beginnes as first it ought to be With holy Church the sinne of Simony Which those corrupted times too much had fill'd A Synod to that end at London held By wholsome lawes and canons did restraine From thence old Henry fully to maintaine His honour goes in person and repaires Some breaches of the late unhappy warres And many Castles of the inner land Which had in those rebellious times beene mann'd And kept against himselfe he rases downe As Leister Walton Groby Huntington To deedes of justice then he turn'd his minde And first of all the English Kings did finde That happy course applauded till this day To give his subjects by an easier way The use of justice England he divides Into sixe circuites and for each provides Three reverend Iustices itinerant That all his subjects farthest off whom want Would not perâ—…it so great a way to come Might meete bright Iustice twice a yeare at home And that offences there where they were done Might be to Iudges made more clearely knowne A glorious act which shall for ever fame To after times the second Henry's name Those mighty kings who by such specious deedes As founding towers or stately Pyramids Would raise their names and by that vast expence Doe seeke the fame of high magnificence Doe not deserve by those proud workes they raise So true an honour nor such lasting praise As he whose wisâ—…dome to good manners drâ—…wes The mindes of men by founding wholesome lawes And planting perfect justice in a state Those let the vainer people wonder at By those a state showes faire by this it lives They outward beauty this true essence gives But now my faire Calliope relate How high how glorious was old Henry's state In this so happy and establish'd peace When all dissentions on such tearmes did cease As he himselfe could wish when his command Was fear'd in Wales when Englands happy land Was well assured Scotlands strength dismay'd And conquer'd Ireland quietly obey'd His powerfull scepter when he did possesse Without controll those stately Provinces Of France which stretch'd even to the bounds of Spain From Normandy to farthest Aquitaine That King of Connaught Roderike the stout He that in Ireland had so long stood out 'Gainst th' English power does now to England send Embassadours on Henry to attend To yield himselfe to his protection A tributary to the English Crowne And now through Europe the loud voyce of fame So wide had spread this potent Monarchs name That from the farthest partâ—… of Christendome Embassadours of greatest Princes come To hold their leagues and amity with him And London saw so high was his esteeme In his great Court at once th'Embassadours Of the two mighty Christian Emperours The East and Westerne
seize on Râ—…chards lands Young Henry had Full well he knew that all The Barons of those Provinces would fall Gladly from Richards sterner government Who had before declared their intent With him in this his brother Geoffrey joyn'd Who to his father bore as false a minde With Richard's lands they meane themselves to make Strong 'gainst their Father and entend to take Thence the first step to their disâ—…oyalty Riihard in wrath departs from Normandy Returning home to fortifie and manne His holds within Poictou and Aquitaine And by his brothers is pursu'd He findes A great estrangement in the Barons mindes And is enforâ—…'d by their revolt dismay'd To crave his father old King Henry's ayd Who with an army thither straight repaires Yet not to make but to compound the warres There young King Henry labours to maintaine The Barons of Poictou and Aquitaine 'Gainst Richarâ—…s great complaints and under-hand For his owne ends perswades them to withstand His fathers force and not at all submit Old Henry labours by perswasions fit To pacifiâ—… these new bred enmities And venturing of himselfe to pâ—…rleys twice Miraculously scap'd foule treâ—…sons hand Once a true servant that did next him stand Instead of him was with an arrow slaine Nor was the traytor found and when againe He made approach a barbed shaft that from Th' adjoyning Castle did with fury come Had pierc'd his royall breast had not his horse Advanc'd his head and â—…ne the arrowes force By which himselfe to save his master dy'd By these abhorred treasons terrifi'd The King no more would venture but prepares To curbe the Barons and his Sonnes by warres But that a juster stronger hand must doe Th' â—…ternall Iudge of all the world had so Dâ—…creed that 〈◊〉 sword should spared be In punishing his sonnes impietie That he himselfe whose just and certaine hand No creature can preuent no force withstand Whose sacred will the Elements obey And all the Starres doe serve would take a way Without old Henry's ayd or crime at all Without a warre so much vnnaturall To punish guilt that justice should be done Yet the old King but lose not kill a sonne Now young King Henry at Martell prepares To meet his father in rebellious warres By by a Dysentery deâ—…th assailes His youth and spite of youth or strength prevailes The sharpe malignant humour did corrode His guts and thence while there the paine abode A speed ng feavâ—…r seiz'd his vitall part Oppressed Nature past the helpe oâ—… art Beyond all hope oâ—… cure lay languishing When Paenitence from heavens eternall King To save this dying Prince his soâ—…e is sent And sweeten so his bodies punishment Now late alas though not too late did hee Feele and bewaile his first impiety And to his father humbly sent to craue His pardon now which he as freely gave Yet durst not trust himselfe in person there The late foule treasons justly made him fearâ—… But to declare a true forgivenesse sent His Ring to him Which when the paenitent And dying Prince receiv'd â—…e humbly kist While floods of teares his contrite heart exprest Then he conjuâ—…'d hiâ—… servants that did â—…tand About him to fulfilâ—… his last command Which they in all perâ—…ormed as they swore A bed of ashes on the Chamber â—…loore They strew'd and thither pensive sackcloth brought Then from his royall Couch so richly wrought With various worke with gold embroyder'd oâ—…e They tooke him downe the kingly robes he wore They stript him of and put the sackcloth on Then on the bed of ashes layd him downe This quoth the dying king this is the way To heauens bright pallace and this sad array Is faâ—…re more glorious in th' Almighty's eye Then purple silks or rich embroydery And sooner enters heaven though that be high No step 's so neare it as humility 'T is not fraile mortals gorgeous dresse that there Can rich at all or beautifull appeare Since 'twixt the Glories of earths greatest throne And blisse of Saints is no comparison Waile not my early death no 〈◊〉 is reâ—…t Too soone of breath to whom a time is left Of paenitence I had untimely dy'd Had these late warres in my rebellious pride Cut off my youth and left my name to be The curs'd example of impiety And thou my wronged father in this low And humble state vouchsafe againe to know What impious I had once forgot thy sonne No more thy rivall in the regall throne Which whilst I sought I labour'd to destroy The Royall root from whâ—…nce I grew so high I crave no interest in thy fortunes now But onelâ—… that that Nature can bestow The blessing of a childe Seeking thy throne I grew unworthy to be call'd thy sonne Forbeare you lasting Registers of time To name my title lest you speake my crime Or if the truth of story must doe so Be just and publish my repentance too How ere when Englands Kings are nam'd let mee From that high Catalogue excluded bee And witnesse you my friends when I am gone I dy'd no King but Henry's pensive sonne With that the Feaver his strong heart assailes And 'gainst resisting Natures force prevailes From his yong brest the strugling spirit flyes And night eternall closes up his eyes Soone was the newes to old King Henry brought When different sorrow powerfull Nature wrought In his great soule Sometimes he wailes a sonne In flower of all his youth untimely gone Sometimes he joyes to heare that paenitence That wash'd away the staine of his offence Yet thence againe â—…low teares as cause to prove His sorrow good and iuâ—…tifie his love So Henry wept in all respects but one As holy David did for Absalâ—…n They both lost sonnes both wail'd their sonnes offence Yet David heard no signes of paenitence In his slaine Absalon that could â—…t all Give comfort to his griefe spirituall Had Absalonâ—…or â—…or his abhorr'd offence Left markes behinde him of true paenitence Instead of that great pillars pride which he Had rays'd before to keepe his memory Farre lesse no doubt in that respect alone Had David mourned for hâ—…s slaughter'd sonne The griefe that Henry tooke though wondrous great Yet could not make him his just wrath forget Against the Barons of Poictou from whom The cause of these rebellions first did come He drawes his martiall forces vp to presse With narrow siege the Towne of Liâ—…oges Which soone was rendred to his powerfull hand And with that Towne and Castle all the Land The Barons pardon crave wiâ—…h them his sonne Pâ—…ince Geoffrey comes â—…pon submission The King forgives his sonne and is content To take of them an easie punishment But though a fathers deare affection Twice freely pardon'd this offending sonne Soone after did the hand of God on high Pursue with vengeance the impiety Of young Princâ—… Geoffrâ—…y At a Turneament In Paris held to which this Geoffrey went With other Lords in youthfull bravery To prove his active strength and chevalry He fell together with his horse the blow
So sorely bruis'd his body that although He presently expir'd not in the place For God in mercy lent him such a space Of time to breath he might repenting call To him for Grace y◅t of that ◅a tall fall As it appeared plaine in all the pride Of his fresh youth he shortly after dy'd Lib. 7. HENRY the Second The Argument of the seventh Booke Prince John King Henry's youngest sonne is sent To take the charge of Irelands government 'Twixt Henry and King Philip severall jarres And quarrels rise that threaten daily warres A reverend Prelate by the Pope imploy'd Betwixt the Kings all difference to decide Perswades them both an holy warre to make Both Kings with Philip Earle of Flanders take The Crosse upon them But their good intents Are crost againe by fatall accidents And both the Kings against each other bent Towarre againe Richard in discontent His father leaves and takes King Philip's part Ensuing losses breake old Henry's heart THus is the King of halfe his store bereft Two sons untim◅ly dead two sons are le◅ The seeming comforts of his age as who Could think but living childrē shold be so Oh who would not suppofe that to have seene Two youthfull sonnes before him dead had beene A grievous c◅rse and punishment to him But he that sees old Henry's end will deeme His living sonnes to be his curse and say God pity'd him in taking two away For furious Ri◅hard who was eldest now And heire apparant to the Crowne as though His brother's deaths could no examples be To shew the vengeance of Impiety Soone after 'gainst his father raises warre Of worse and sadder consequence by farre Then all the rest had beene they caus'd his smart But this of Richard breakes his bleeding heart The Realme of Ireland Henry did entend To Iohn his youngest sonne and to that end Had from Pope Vrban got a grant before That he might freely leaue as successour Which sonne he pleas'd in Irelands government Thither is Iohn with ◅it attendance sent But twelve yeares old to make him early knowne And lov'd among those people as his owne To rule among them as their Governour But not invested in the Regall power Th' example of his eldest sonne whom he Before advanc'd to royall dignity Too soone alas had made him justly feare The same from others But unhappy there This Prince his too too early rule did prove Instead of gaining that rude Nations love Which by a sweet demeanour had beene wonne For they as every barbarous Nation Although they know not what is true respect Yet if respected wondrously affect The youthfull Gallants of that Prince his Covrt Could not re◅raine bur in a scorne◅ull sort The Natives rude behaviours did deride And so distastfull was their mocking pride To those plaine people they began to hate Whom else they would have honour'd and forgate That loyall love and reverence which before They to the English King and Nation bore From thence sad warres the Irish Princes mov'd Which by the losse of men and treasure prov'd Vnhappy to the English side till from His government young Iohn was called home And left it after an expensive warre In worse estate then when he enter'd farre Now daily quarrels 'twixt the Realmes of France And England grow Fresh cause of variance From all occasions does the active minde Of young King Philip 'gainst old Henry finde Sometimes he c◅aimes Gisors and other lands By Henry held from him somet◅mes demands The Princesse Adela his sister now Of perfect age to be deliver'd to Her husband Henry's eldest sonne According to the old conclusion Which in her father Lewis his time was made Or else he is resolved to invade King Henry's Provinces while he delayes His answer forces on both sides they raise While neighbour-Princes kindly enterpose And strive these breaches 'twixt the Kings to close Nor perfect peace nor constant warre ensn'd Their truces often broke were oft renew'd The sword oft drawne and oft was sheath'd againe While this so jarring concord did remaine Betwixt the Kings sad newes was brought to them That Saladine had tane Ierusalem Discomfited the Noble Christian hoast And with their slaughter ◅ad through all that coast Seized the townes of strength into his hands These wofull tidings through all Christian lands In Europe flew excitements every where From Pulpits sounded in the peoples eare To aid their brother-Christians in the East And take revenge on Pagans that opprest The holy land For this great purpose some Religious Prelates sent through Christendom◅ To severall Courts of greatest Princes came To draw their succours One of greatest name In that imployment who most seem'd t' advance The cause that Prelate was who then in France Labour'd to draw these armed Kings from thence And turne their swords against the Saracens Betwixt Gisors and Try a day was set For enterview where these two Monarchs met Their royall armies slay'd not farre srom thence No p◅ace was wrought upon the conference Though thither Philip Earle of Flanders came A powerfull Prince and one of honour'd name With Noble purpose to attone their jarres And to prevent so sad and causelesse warres Till this grave Prelate to the place was come And for the generall cause of Christendome Thus humbly spake Most puissant Kings and you Renowned Earle let it in season now Be thought to speake what borne upon the wings Of Fame already through all Europe rings The tragicke slaughter of our Christian hoast And sacred Salem to vile Pagans lost Since by those Christians sufferings God for you Sets ope the way to highest honours now Let that brave cause engage these armes of yours Thither great Kings transport your conquering powers And for the name of your Redeemer move A war◅e more just than any peace can prove Much more a juster warre then this can be For when the foes of Christianity Doe rage if peace it selfe at such a time May in the Christian world be judg'd a crime What crime is that when they to warre can goe Yet not 'gainst him that ought to be their foe But for him rather Let me freely speake When Christian Princes 'gainst each other wreake Their wrath at sucst a time what side so ere Be beat the holy cause must suffer there And every death when your fierce battels joyne A Champion takes from bleeding Palaestine God sure decree'd I should prevaile with you Because he lets me finde you armed now When I am come to speake Your breasts are not Becalm'd with peace your active spirits are hot And what should hinder you from Salems warre Since you have met a juster cause by farre Then that that mov'd this heat that rays'd these armes I doe not seeke to still these loud alarmes But to direct them to an object right Where godly zeale not sinfull wrath shall fight That shall renowne you in all times to come And crowne your dying men with martyrdome Doe you for honour fight as who would make A warre at
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