must he gaine That Crowne when England has abandon'd Spaine b And now the day beyond all hope is lost On Henry's side and that great numerous hoast Fly in amazement and themselves expose Without resistance to the conquering foes While many thousands as they thronging flye From English weapons in the river dye That flowes by Naveret whose streame affords As many deaths almost as Edward's swords Sad Henry though his heart disdaines to flye Yet since reserv'd for Royall dignity By kinder Fates hereafter yeelds to flight And though sore wounded in the fatall fight Vpon his Iennet mounted leaves the field By this the French Battalia's that bad held The longest out and first encounter'd where Stout Bertram fought ' gainst Iohn of Lancaster Are quite consum'd and weltring in their blood Cover the place where late they fighting stood Their Chiefes enforc'd to yeeld and Bertram there Againe by th' English taken prisoner Sterne Mars his taske had to the utmost done Nor e're had Spaine beheld a Garland wonne With more renowne or conquest more compleat Than in this famous field of Naveret Blacke Edward purchas'd nor could ought allay The lasting fame of that victorious day Save that the Prince his noble valour lost On such a cause that so much blood it cost To raise a wicked Tyrant and againe Advance Don Pedro to the Throne of Spaine Annotations upon the seventh Booke a Prince Edward by the common consent of all brought into Spaine an Army consisting of thirty thousand English Gascoignes and other strangers being for the number of themesteemed as expert souldiers as any in the world The cast companies of English which had served in so many famous exploits under himselfe and King Edward his father upon this occasion came in to serve him King Henry of Castile had a great Army for besides the French which served him under the conduct of Bertram of Clesquy and were in number about foure thousaad men at Armes besides many other loose troopes hee had of Spaeniards Saracens and others above fourescore thousand When it came to Battell Prince Edward obtained a compleat victory the slanghter considering so great a victory was not much for the Spaniards were too soone routed and did not in their owne deare quarrell behave themselves so stoutly as their French auxiliaries did But there were slaine of them besides five hundred Gentlemen of quality above seven thousand of the common souldiers Of the English side were slaine of men of quality but foure Knights two Gascoignes one Almaine and the fourth an English-max and of common souldiers about sixteene hundred as some write though Froissard saith not above forty but the other number is more credible considering how fiercely the battell was fought as all agree There were taken Prisoners to the number of two thousand and among them the Earle of Dene Sir Bertram of Clesquy the Marshall Dandrehen and many other men of name b After this great victory Prince Edward at Burges seated the tyrant Pedro in his Throne againe and for so great a merit the promised recompenee is required by the Prince which Don Pedro could not or cared not to provide but starving him with delayes enforced him in the end to returne to Burdeaux without money to pay his Army and which was worse without health which he never after recovered Some Hystorians report that hee was poysoned in Spaine others say it was a Dropsie of which the Prince never could bee after cured Such was the successe of this unfortunate action undertaken to right an ungratefull Tyranâ— who afterward notwithstanding was againe dispossessed taken and put to death by his brother Henry But the affaires of England did wonderfully suffer from that time The Prince to pay his souldiers who were not able to stay Don Pedro's leisure coyned his Plate and when all would not serve he fell upon a worse mis-fortune to cure a present want with a greater and more durable losse seeking to lay upon his subiects in Gascoigne a new taxation which bred a most dangerous revolt namely the imposition of Fevage or Chimney money which so discontented the people that they exclaime against the government of the English and appeale to the King and Court of France for redresse The King of Franâ—e at the instance of divers great Lords although by the Articles of accord at Brettigny hee were bound to quit all homage for the â—utchy of Aquitaine which he might claime of the English entertaines their complaint and sends to the Prince of Wales at â—urdeaux summoning him to answer before him and his Court at Paris concerning these matters The Lords of Arminiague D'Albret Peregot Cominges and many others made their protestations against the King of England for the Crowne of France alleaging that they were by nature to obey that and not a strange Soveraigne that it was absolutely against the fundamentall law of the kingdome to dissever them from the Crowne that the Contract was made in prison and therefore by the right of Nations not to obliege therefore they utterly disclaim'd the government of England By their example the Cities of the County of Ponthieu which was King Edward his undoubted inheritance revolted all to the French King King Edward complained of this breach of Accord to the Pope and other Christian Princes but treaties availed little the English side when the French hearts were weary of their yoake and resolved to returne to their old obedience From this time being the 42 yeare of King Edward's reigne the tide of Fortune was turned from the English to the French side Edward the Renowned Prince of Wales was sicke of a lingring malady and not able to endure the travell of Warre and old King Edward was mis-led in England by evill servants which caused disquiet in Parliaments and many distempers in the State at home All these occasions were politikely looked into by Charles surnamed the Wise King of France who though forewarned by his father and Grandfathers mis-fortunes he never would venture any pitch'd battels against the English for there were divers Armies sent over from hence after that time but returned fruitlesse as the Chronicles will informe you yet hee omitted no opportunities of recovering his kingdome by secret solicitations large promises and other wary practises by which as also some fortunate skirmishes of Bertram his best servant hee recovered all before the death of King Edward except the Towne of Calleis onely Those eminent victories and great actions by which the English had gained so much of France have beene the subject of this Historicall Poem the particular revolts flye practices and petty actions by which insensibly it was lost againe you may read distinctly in the Chronicles at large FINIS
EDWARDVS III. D.G. ANGLIAE ET FRANCIAE REX DOMINVS HIBERNIAE EDWARD the III King of England and France Lord of Ireland Hee raigned 50 yeares 5 mo Hee died at the manor of Shene in Surrey 1377 and lyeth buried at Westminster The Victorious REIGNE OF KING EDVVARD THE THIRD Written in seven Bookes By his Majesties Command Tu mihi tu Pallas Caesariana veni Matt. LONDON Printed for T. Walkley and B. Fisher and are to bee sold at the signe of the Talbot without Aldersgate 1635. TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY MONARCH CHARLES BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITTAINE FRANCE AND IRELAND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH c. SIR I Should have humbly craved your Majesties pardon for my omission of the latter part of King Edward's Reigne but that the sense of mine owne defects have put mee in minde of a more necessary suit to beg forgivenesse for that part of it whichis here written For I am not so presumptuously vaine when I consider either the Dignity of your Office or the Vertues of your Person as to imagine that any writing from my unworthy selfe can bee either too short er enough elegant to be presented to your sacred hand For should your Maiesty vouchsafe to read it as the precious howres of so great a Monarch which maáe Horace affect shortnesse to Augustus Caesar would tell me the Poem were too too long so the iudicious Censure of so wise a Prince would make mee tremble at the defects of it Those defects whatsoever they be can be imputed onely to insufficiency for neither was there Argument wanting nor yet endevour since I had the Actions of a great King to require my skill and the Command of a greater King to obliege my care Those great Actions of Edward the Third are the Argument of this Poem which is there ended where his fortune beganne to decline where the French by revolts and private practises regained that which had beene wonne from them by eminent and famous victories which times may affoord fitter observations for an acute Historian in Prose than straines of height for an Heroike Poem Your gracious Pardon onely can rectifie what may bee amisse in my unworthy and imperfect labour In hope of which I humbly cast both it and my selfe at your Maiesties feet beseeching Almighty God to blesse you with a long and happy Reigne on earth and after to crowne you with incorruptible glory So prayeth Your Majesties Most humble Subject and Servant THO. MAY I have perused this Booke and conceive it very worthy to be published IO. COKE Knight Principall Secretary of State Whitehall 17. of November 1634. THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD The first Booke Argument I. Edward the third is crown'd a bootlesse warre ' Gainst Scotland made ambitious Mortimer At Notingham surpris'd in all his glory Carnarvan Edward's lamentable story THe third greatest Edward's reigne we sing The high atchievements of that martial King Whose long succesfull prowesse did advance So many trophees in triumphed France And first her golden Lillies bare who ore Pyrenes Mountaines to that Westerne shore Where Tagus tumbles through his yellow sand Into the Ocean stretch'd his conquering hand The second Edward while disloyall hate Vn justly strove to cure the wounds of state And sadly punish to this Nations staine The grievances of his misgovern'd reigne Was now deposed from the Regall throne To which the Sonne is chosen and upon His Fathers ruines is compell'd to rise As if by that the envious Destinies Meant to allay this Edward's glorious reigne As loath to suffer England to obtaine So great a blessing at the lawfull time Or such a Prince without a publike crime For which the Land must after suffer by A rent so made in his Posteritie Young Edward's age may plead his innocence And free his fame from this unkind offence He did receive not seize the royall crowne Which other mens disloyalty had throwne Too soone on him nor could an actor be In his devested father's injurie But to employ the new-establish'd state In forreigne action and to vindicate The Kingdomes honour gainst that enemy A warre on Scotland they at first decree Fresh were the causes of it a deepe and sad Remain'd those wounds that warlike Bruce had made And that great losse which England had sustain'd While her unhappy second Edward reign'd This expedition that did bootlesse prove To Englands ends serv'd onely to remove The young Kings person and his court so farre Whilest every thought was busi'd in the warre That murdrous Treason who still shuns the light From Hels blacke shades might take his dismall flight And worke without the search of curious eye Deposed Edward's wofull tragedy But while this execrable murder here Was wrought upon his person fruitlesse were Th' attempts ' gainst Scotland that the yong King made The same proud traitour Mortimer betray'd His Countries honour there and let the foes Whom that great English army did enclose b At Stanhop Parke retire in safety thence By him the Kingdomelost a warres expence And that brave Prince for triumphs borne to whom Fate ow'd so many victories to come Of his first actions honour was depriv'd But this perchance the pittying fates contriu'd T' appease oh murder'd Edward thy sad ghost That Englands state by his corruption crost Might feele thy traitour to be hers and know Who kill'd his King would prove his Countries foe This to thy just revenge must make the way Forgive the powers above though they delay A while that certaine punishment they owe To guilt let Fortune haue a time to show Her power in raising and how long she can In spight of Iustice guard a wicked man Till she have made him high enough to be A fit and hated sacrifice for thee Ambitious Mortimer who reign'd alone In Isabels misled affection And with the beauties of that Queene as Dower To them enjoy'd almost a Regall power Had like an high-swolne and impetuous tide Borne all before him rais'd to such a pride As did his owne approaching ruine show And draw it on Plethorike bodies so From whence diseases of themselves doe breed The seeds of death in that strong fulnesse feed The greatest Nobles now begin to feare And therefore hate the power of Mortimer They that had joyn'd with his attempts before And help'd to worke them out doe now abhor To see the fruit on him alone to fall And though at first they doe not looke at all Vpon his wicked deeds but high estate And not his vices but great power doe hate At last through that his vices they survey For Iustice Envie must prepare the way But nothing thence feares his aspiring minde For Fortune like her selfe dooes ever blinde Her favovrites who nere decline at all Their envy'd height untill they ruin'd fall Nor ought does hee in their repining see But his owne greatnesse and selicity Swell'd with that flattring distance provd to move Their feare and would not change it for their love
ruine in the Castle-yard The dogges were heard unusually to howle About their windowes the ill-boding Owle Night-iars and shreiches with wide-stretched throats From Yews and Holleys sent their baiefull notes And which encreast their sad and ominous feares The beautious Queene relates while standing teares Began to dazle her bright starry eyes That ghastly dreame that did last night surprise Her frighted fancy Mortioner quoth she Me thought the skye was wondrous cleare when we Together walk'd in yonder court alone The gentle aire seem'd undisturb'd anone Rose sudden stormes a darke and pitchie cloud Obscur'd heaven's face and thunder roar'd aloud The trembling earth about us moved round At last it open'd and from under-ground Rose Edward's pale and dismall ghost his hand Arm'd with a flaming sword a threatning band Of furies did upon the ghost attend Hee cry'd revenge with that they all gan bend Their force ' gainstus and thee me thought they flew At which I frighted wak'd and hardly knew So great the terrour was whether we were Alive or not Ambitious Mortimer Scorning to show from any dreame a feare Strove to divert so sad a theame and cheare The Queene with amorous discourse againe While thus he flatters his owne fate in vaine A boistrous noise about the doores they heare The maids without that waited shreik'd for feare Clashing of steele and grones of dying men Approach d their cares for in the Lobby then Stout Turrington and Nevil both were slaine That durst by force resist the armed traine And in the chamber ere the Queene and he Had time to doubt what this strange storme should be Sent from the King the armed troopes appeare By whose command they seize on Mortimer And in an instant hurry him away For at the Chamber-doore did Edward stay The wofull Queene at first amazed stands But quickly recollected wrings her hands Strikes her faire breast and after them she hyes To the next Lobby weepes and kneeling cryes Deere Sonne for well she knew her Son was there Oh pitty pitty gentle Mortimer Let no accusers raise thine anger so Nor wicked counsell make thee prove a foe To him that well deserves oh pull not downe So true so strong a pillar of thy crowne But when she sees him gone and no reply Vouchsaf'd to her for Edwards modesty Because his justice her fond suite denyde For feare his tongue should be enforc'd to chide A mothers crime or folly words forbeares A griefe too great to be exprest by teares Confounds her sense as in an extasie She fals to ground and helplesse seemes to lye Vntill the maids and Ladies of her traine Had to her chamber borne her backe againe The Castle wholly to the King's command Is now reduc'd and to his royall hand The keyes deliver'd up nor dooes he feare The great and pompous traine of Mortimer They soone submitted when their Lord was taine And here seemes Edward to begin his reigne Henceforth his regall power his treasury Shall be his owne those rayes of Majesty A subjects greatnesse shall ecclipse no more Nor shall the Land a blazing-star adore Instead of true-borne Phoebus and thus farre The tragaedy of this great Mortimer Faire Nottingham began and op'd the way What now remaines another place must play The scoene from thence to London is remov'd Where more foule treasons are against him prov'd More debts then one condemned head could be Or single life enough to satisfie Had not th' opprobrious manner of his fate And that proud height that pinnacle of state From whence the people 's late astonish'd eyes Had seene him star-like shoot as from the skyes Ambitious Phaëton was dinged downe By Ioves revengefull thunder fully showne With what proportion powerfull Iustice can Redeeme her selfe against the greatest man And that there 's no such envy'd height at all But she can make it pity'd by a fall And now the common Gallowes is the place Where this great Lord with shame must end his race On earth and twice did rising Phoebus there Behold the body of dead Mortimer To all a scorned spectacle remaine But yet thus much thy memory shall gaine Of great and tragicke fame that all shall say A stranger game did Fortune never play And whensoere that fickle goddesse glories In her proud sportive trophees when the stories Of her most envy'd favovrites are told Who next to Kings and Emperours did hold The Helme and keepe the neerest roomes in state When Plavtianus greatnesse we relate With his so sudden ruine when we tell How once great Romes ador'd Sejanus fell Or how Ruffinus torne and mangled dy'd In all the height of his ambitious pride Among those names shalt thou in times to come Great Mortimer fill up a tragicke roome And in thy story like to them shalt be A Document to all posterity Annotations upon the first Booke a About the fift yeere of King Edward the second his reigne that renowned King of Scotland Robert le Bruce having now over-mastred the opposite faction in his owne Nation and driven out all the English Garrisons left there in possession by Edward the first had wholly recovered his Kingdome of Scotland and not so contented had much endammaged by often inrodes the Realme of England To take revenge of him Edward the second with a wonderfull great and rich English army containing about 80000. invadeth Scotland in his owne person at a place called Bannocks bourne it came to a battell where the English are discomfited with as great an ouer-throw as ever they received in any field sixe of their greatest Noblemen slaine about 700. Knights and gentlemen of account besides many noble prisoners taken about the number of common souldiers slaine the Authors of that time whether misinformed or partiall most wretchedly disagree some accounting 10000. some 50000. but how great so ever the number were no revenge was taken during the whole reigne of Edward the second but the kingdome of England in many ensuing actions suffred much from the hands of Robert le Bruce the fortune of war running all on that side while he lived b While deposed Edward was miserably murdered in Berkley Castle the young King was upon the borders of Scotland with a puissant army and having environed the Scots who had entred England with invasive armes in the woods of Wiredale and Stanhop parke and stopped up all passages made sure account of victory but by the treason of the Lord Mortimer for which hee was afterwards among other things accused and condemned after they had lodged there fifteene dayes and began to feele much want they were suffred to escape and the young King lost his first enterprise besides the expence of much treasure and a wonderfull danger of his owne person for Sir Iames Douglas a valiant servant of King Robert le Bruce with 200. light horses assailed the Kings owne pavilion where the King was so neere death that a Chaplaine of his who stoutly behaved himselfe was slaine in his Masters defence and Sir Iames retired from
thence with safety c All the Authors of that time doe generally agree concerning the greatnesse of Roger Mortimer his power in state his pompous attendance and haughty carriage of all businesse as likewise the greatnesse of the Queenes Dower and her familiarity with that Lord which offending as needs it must the rest of the Nobilitie I thought it not so fit to be barely related in the Authors person as by the way of speech to proceed angerly from the mouth of that brave Lord Mountague who was by the consent of those writers a speciall assistant to King Edward in the surprising of Mortimer and such particulars as concerne the lamentable murther of that deposed King to proceed from his servant Sir Thomas de la Moore who accordingly wrote the story of it THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD The second Booke Argument II. King Edward's homage to the King of France He claimes that Crowne his friends and puissance Sicilia's King fore-tels the misery Of France King Edwards Navall victory NOt yet had Edward in his active minde The claime and conquest of great France design'd Nor look'd abroad domesticke businesse Employ'd his early manhood the redresse Of those distempers which had growne at home Too great for any youth to over-come But such a youth as his had yet detain'd His spirit there when Fate that had ordain'd Through fire and sword the miseries of France Finds out a meanes to wake the puissance Of this victorious Prince and make him know That fatall title that had slept till now Philip of France but newly crown'd and not Content in rest to hold what he had got Vpon a doubted title nor abate The least and strictest circumstance of state Which might belong to that high crowne he wore In punctuall manner summons Edward ore For Guyennes Dukedome which he held to doe His personall homage nor did Edward though Fill'd with disdaine and manly rage refuse To come faire Amiens is the place they chuse In whose Cathedrall Church King Philip sate Oh who can tell what pompe and wondrous state Was show'd at this so great solemnity How many noble Peeres and Princes high In blood and fame did there attendance give And in their best attires and lustres strive To grace the crowne of France and Philips state Vnder a wealthy Canopy he sate His roabe of colour like the violet With golden flower de luces all beset With crowned head and scepter'd hand to take That low obeisance th'English King should make The Kings of Boheme and Navarre were by Plac'd as spectators of his dignity Vnhappy Philip boast not this vaine state Which bleeding France shall buy at dearest rate Why doost thou fondly show to Edwards eyes That wealth that must hereafter be his prize And by those gorgeous splendours teach so great A spirit as his what value he should set Vpon thy Kingdomes conquest those thy Peeres That proudly face him now ere many yeeres Doe turne againe shall in their ruine be Sad monuments of Edward's victory And mourning see though now he seeme to low His reall honour in thine overthrow Bohemia's King oh ominous whose eye This shadow sees of Philip's dignity In Philip's fall a tragicke part must play And as a trophee to remaine for aye To Edward's conquering hands must dying yeeld His glittering plume in Cressyes fatall field The English King to Philip's royall seat Makes faire approach attended with a great And gallant traine of Peeres whose bright array The wealth and pompe of England did display A gowne of crimson Velvet Edward wore With golden Leopards all embroider'd ore His well-becomming sword was guirded on And spurs of gold about his anckles shone Vpon his head stood Englands diadem And such did his Heroicke presence seeme As in the French mens hearts although that there He came with peace did strike a silent feare So much unlike his Princely lookes did show To that low action that he came to doo Thus comming before Philip's chaire he stands Melun the Chamberlaine of France commands To doffe his royall Crowne his Spurs and Sword And bids him kneele to Philip as the Lord Supreme of all those Aquitanian lands Then twixt King Philip's puts King Edward's hands Declaring the Oath then Edward gives a kisse To Philip sitting as the manner is The King of France rejoycing in this vaine Shadow of Majesty to entertaine His royall Leigeman makes a sumptuous feast Put deepe in Edwards young and fiery breast Remaines the thought of this indignity Which though a while it smoother'd seeme to lye Breakes out in such a flame as long in vaine The neighbour Princes strive to quench againe Vntill Revenge had given to France as sad And great a wound as ere that Kingdome had But to attempt the conquest of so great So populous a land as France and set The title that he had on foot requir'd Strong preparations the young King retir'd To England in his eager thoughts revolues This weighty cause and though the great resolves Of his undaunted spirit ore-master all The difficulties that were like to fall Yet fitting time must be allow'd to make Confaederacies of import and take Faire opportunities The fates afford Occasions straight to flesh his conquering sword In Scotland wounds whose miseries must be The prologue to great France her tragaedy Ballioll unhappy to his nation Was now return'd to challenge Scotlands crowne While young King David did abide in France Which soone he gain'd by Edward's puissance Whose prosperous valour first at Berwicke towne Then in that fam'd defeat at a Halidowne In which so many valiant Scots were slaine Appear'd and seem'd to quit that blow againe Which whilest his father second Edward reign'd England from Bruce his warlike hand sustain'd Enough had these victorious warres declar'd Great Edward's prowesse and enough prepar'd His martiall thoughts for France when Fates conspire To bring fresh fuell to this raging fire For discontented from his native home To England b Robert of Artois was come His Countries fire-brand one that well had learn'd King Edward's minde and well his spirit discern'd So doe the peoples shouts encourage more A fierce Olimpicke Steede that strove before To force the lists and breake th opposing bars As this young fiery King too prone to wars Before is now by his incitements mov'd So ' gainst his Rome bold Curio's language prov'd When with the Tribunes banish'd he was come To armed Caesar at Ariminum Curio by death prevented could not see What he had wrought his Countries misery Whose slaughter'd carcasse strew'd the field a prey To Lybian birds before that tragicke day His Caesar conquer'd on Pharsaliaes plaines How like a fate for thee Artois remaines Thou shalt not see thy Countries greatest woe Nor Edward's bayes in Philip's overthrow Thy death shall first in Britaines warres be wrought Before that Crescyes mortall field be fought And ere that Poictiers wondrous battell fame Blacke Edwards sword be nothing but a name As much by France accurs'd in times to
is small and weigh'd with conquering Englands wars Shall be accounted slight and gentle scars Deepe as thy wounds shall thy dishonour be Alas how great a map of misery How long a tragicke field of warre shalt thou Rich France become the pride of Europe now But then the pitty of all neighbour Lands Oh doe not scorne at English Edward's hands On hardest termes a peace to entertaine Nor let King Philip strive ' gainst fate in vaine No force can there prevaile nor overthrow The Martiall fame that Destinies doe owe To Edward's high nativity for whom A glorious thread is spun such as their loome Was proud to see when those old Worthies came Into the world that with so loud a fame Have fill'd the eares of all posterity Such shall this active Edward prove as high And wondred at shall be his deeds of warre Although his stage cannot extend so farre Nor his small Kingdomes forces over-run Farre distant Lands as did the Macedon Or Romes proud Sonnes his deeds within the bounds Of France excepting Scotlands fatall wounds As mighty trophees and as great shall gaine As such a circuit ever did containe And for the severall actions of his warres Though I but dimly see particulars Within this spacious Continent where once Great Caesar govern'd those stout legions Whose strength could after over-come the power Of Rome it selfe and make him Emperour Let disadvantages of battels be Well weigh'd the past and present quality Of such a foe the stars to him do give As true a fame as Caesar did atchieve But such calamities this heart will bleed To see and therefore holy Sir with speed If a prevention can at all be had Let your high power be interposed sad Are all that heare the King's praediction And thinke which way they may the strife attone But while they thinke thus on the Ocean A mighty blow this fatall warre began Slight skirmishes had wounded either side And banish'd Peace nor must the cause be try'd By any judge but Warres uncertaine chance Edward already wore the armes of France And in his honour stood engag'd to gaine The Crowne he claim'd as Philip to maintaine That great possession in their owne estates Both strong both powerfull in confoederates And both alike incens'd But ere rich France In her owne bosome try the puissance Of warlike Edward she must weeping heare Her losses by him and be taught to feare Or Fortune else was purpos'd to declare How hot how aequall a desire of warre Both Nations had that in the middle way Would meet the tryall and disdain'd to stay Till either other should at home invade But with their armed Navall forces made Blew Neptunes face the first discolour'd stage Of warre and Scene of their incensed rage The Fleet of France so great it was esteem'd Invindible by Englands force and seem'd To beare command ore all those narrow Seas Proud of spoiles and wealthy pillages Which from sack'd Hampton they had brought away Betweene the Ports of Sluce and Blankebergh lay In three faire bodies led by three that then In navall fights were held the bravest men France had and did in all Sea-arts excell The stout Bahuchet with brave Kiriell And Barbenoire the Genois Admirall So show'd their Navy when conjoyned all Men would have thought some forrest mou'd from far When Winters rage the Pines proud tops did bare Or that the fam'd Aegaean Cyclades Torne from their roots had floated on the Seas Vpon that coast this haplesse Navie lay To intercept King Edward in his way To Sluce who now from England had put forth His Fleet though lesse in number yet in worth Fortune and courage greater then the foes Came sailing on When golden Phoebus rose Behinde the French and shooting forth his light Display'd the English Navy to their sight The royall Banners to their scouts appeare And notice give that Englands King is there At which the French are swelled with excesse Of joy though false with golden promises Flattring themselves How blinde are humane eyes How hidden are the path of Destinies Never did wretches not ordain'd to see The setting Sunne with vainer jollity Welcome their ruine and each other cheere They thanke the fates that had presented there The King of Englands person and so great A price that day had on their valour set That this great storme that proudly threatned France Was now committed wholly to the chance Of their Sea-fight that onely they should have The actions honour not alone to save Their land in warre but keepe it from a warre And cut off danger ere it came so farre Great Edward slowly brings his Navy on Waiting advantage wisely till the Sunne Declining Westward at his backe might be And dazle thence the face of th' enemy Although his Souldiers hardly brook'd delay So much they long'd for tryall of the day And in their courages were raised high To thinke they had so brave a witnesse by As was their King and such a King as he Who would as well their great example be As witnesse of their deeds This time of stay He spent to set his Fleet in faire array The middle body he himselfe maintain'd In which the great and tallest ships were mann'd Which choisest Archers held twixt every two Of whom one ship with men of armes did goe On either wing loose ships of archers lay On all occasions ' gainst the foe to play The wings themselves with gallant Lords were fill'd The Earles of Darby Pembrooke Gloster held The right where Huntington commanded all Of Englands Southerne fleet Lord Admirall Lord Morley Admirall of all the North The left wing had with many Lords of worth Northamptons Earle Lord Percy Delaware And Robert of Artois who th' honours bore Of Richmonds Earledome then with many moe Of honour'd name and noble service too Heröicke Edward when both Navies neere Had made approach 'gan thus in short to cheere His forward Souldiers It were needlesse now Brave Englishmen and valiant Lords to show How much depends on this great Navall fight That all the tryall of our royall right To France and your rich hopes are lost undone Are all designes unlesse this day be won This is the gate of our great enterprise This is that entrance where the danger lyes Which if we master now the future war Will prove more easie as more fruitfull farre And not a warre but a reward will be And recompence of this dayes victory Here let your valour sway warres future chance And though not conquer yet disharten France The Sunne and winde are both auspicious To us the channell advantagious With these let us in our owne cause appeare See what spectatours fortune gives us here Oh let our friends the Flemmings from the Bayes Of Sluce and Blankebergh now behold and praise Your deeds and viewing th English puissance Thinke themselves happy in forsaking France To side with us but I in vaine prolong The battels tryall and your valours wrong To keepe such eager spirits from action
sustein'd in sorrow and dismay Bewailing France and cursing that sad day He tack'd about to be in safety gone But by the warlike Earle of Huntington The Southerne Admirall so sore was chas'd And hard-beset he was enforc'd at last By secret flight almost alone to goe A sad reporter of so great a blow Blacke night now challeng'd her alternate reigne Sâ—â—â— soone enough to hide that tragicke staine Which on the blushing face of Neptune lay Not soone enough to part the mortall fray Warres raging fire was spent the fuell gone And all that Mars could doe already done Nor would great Edward then approach the shore But make the Oceans bosome which before Had beene the stage of his victorious fight To be his lodging field whilest all the night Drums beat and Trumpets to the havens nigh Proclaime his great and noble victory But when the rosie morning gan appeare With joy to welcome his arrivall there The towne of Sluce prepares while all along The haven people numberlesse doe throng To view the face of that Heroicke King And all the shores with acclamations ring At last great Edward lands and waited on By all the noblest Burgers of the towne And English Lords in triumph takes his way To Gaunt where his belov d Queene Philip lay With such expressions of true state and love Did white-arm'd Iuno meet triumphant Iove When from the Gyants warres he came as she Her Lord return'd from this great victory With her at Gaunt remain'd the greatest States Of Netherland and best confoederates King Edward had for his great warre in hand The Dukes of Brabant and of Gelderland With Heinaults Earle his comming did attend And Iames of Artevile his constant friend Whose power had drawne those people to his side There all their leagves are firmely ratifi'd While happy Gaunt is proud to entertaine So brave a Monarch with his noble traine But much more proud that she had beene the place Of birth to one faire branch of Edward's race Young princely Iohn who thence shall take his name And lend the towne in liev eternall fame Annotations upon the second Booke a This great battell of Halydon hill a place neere Berwick was tought in the sixt yeere of the reigne of King Edward the third of England and the second of King David of Scotland who being then a childe remained in France and Archimbald Dowglas Earle of Argus governed the realme of Scotland for him the English army was led by King Edward himselfe in person that of Scotland by the forenamed Earle of Angus Regent of the Kingdome in this battell the Scots received a great overthrow although the writers of those times doe much disagree about the number of those that perished in the vanquished army the Scottish Histories allowing foureteene thousand the English naming aboue thirty thousand but howsoever it were by this victory Berwicke was gained to the Crowne of England b This Robert of Artois was a Prince of the blood of France descended from Robert Sonne to Lewis the eight there had beene a suit betwixt the said Robert and Maud his Aunt Countesse of Burgundy about the Earledome of Artois Robert presuming upon his owne power and the service he had done King Philip in advancing him to the Crowne for Robert of Artois was at the first a great maintainer of Philips title against Edward of England forges a deed thereby to overthrow his Aunts right which being afterwards discovered made her right the more and moved the French King to give judgement on her side so that the County of Artois was by Parliament confirmed upon Maud which so offended Robert as in his rage he openly said hee would unmake the King by the same power that he had made him This rash threatning so incensed the King that he presently layed to apprehend him but failing therein he proclaimed him Traitour confiscated his estate forbidding all his Subjects to receive or aide him Robert of Arto is being thus distressed comes over into England is joyfully entertained by King Edward made of his Councell and invested in the Earledome of Richmond where hee becomes a great incendiary betweene the two Kings discovering to King Edward the secrets of France and disapproving now of King Philips title upon which a Declaration is published and sent to the Pope and all the neighbour Princes shewing the usurpation of Philip de Valois upon the Crowne of France c There was among the Flemmings one Iaques de Artevile a Citizen of Gavnt of great estimation among the people he was their Leader and Tribune as it were in all their tumults him King Edward gets by great rewards to take his part and thereby had them all ready to assaile the French King upon any occasion This Iaques though a man of meane condition was an usefull friend to England whose death happening about seven yeeres after for in a tumult his braines were beaten out was much lamented by King Edward d This Robert King of Cicily as Collenutius and other Neopolitan writers testifie was a learned Prince and much renowned for his skill in Astrology hee was about this time saith our Froissard at Avignion with Pope Benedict where he declared to the Pope by his skill what great warres and blood-shed was like to be and lamented the miseries of France That report of Froissard gave ground to this discouse in the Poem e This Navall fight which is here at large described in the Poem was out of doubt the greatest that ever had been vpon these narrow Seas the numbers were many the fight was cruell and the slaughter exceeding great The French Navy by consent of most writers consisted of 400 saile the English consisted according to some authors of 200 saile according to others of 200. to others of 300. although Froissard report that the Frenchmen were foure to one English which may be thought too much oddes to be beleeved for the French in those dayes had good Sea-men but the slaughter was exceeding great and the victory as compleat on the English side as could be imagined for very few of the French ships escaped home but were either sunke or taken and 30000 of their men flaine of the English those writers that report most have mentioned but 4000. THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD The third Booke Argument III. Atruce ' twixt France and Englands Kings is made The Garter fâ—unded Edward dooes invade King Philip's lands the warre 's to tryall brought And that renowned field of Crescy fought A Wound so mortall had enfeebled France By Sea receiv'd she could no more advance Her colours there no more had she or veine To bleed or spirits left to strive againe What now remaines of this lovd-threatning warre The Continent alone must feele as farre As Tourney fill'd with high and wealthy hopes Victorious Edward leads his cheerefull troops Augmented lately with new-mustred bands Of his confederates in the Netherlands That towne is first enobled by his stay Iudg'd worthy to be made the
maiden prey A royall army would vouchsafe to take Nor is King Philip in her rescue slacke But for the late dishonourable blow Fill'd with revenge and fury thither now Is marching with a numerous hoast and brings Besides his French-men the two warlike Kings Navarre and Boheme nor will Edward rise From Tourneys siedge although too small a prize One Cities conquest now appeares to be For Edward's sword but Fortune lets him see That she to crowne his glorious hopes so nigh Had brought a warre of greater dignity And now the two incensed Kings are met And their great cause on one dayes tryall set As all beleeve all expectations neere Are drawne nor have they time to hope or feare The armies both stand rang'd in faire array And fierce Bellona proud of such a day As if it lay not in the power of chance That storme to scatter shakes her dreadfull lance For like two high-swoll'n seas on either side Whose meeting rage no Isthmos did divide But windes that from contrary quarters blow Together drive the two Battaliaes show But that Eternall God who from on high Surveys all hoasts disposes victory Call'd thence the Lord of hoasts and sets the times Of warre or peace as sinfull Nations crimes Provoke his justice did not thinke it good That cloud should yet dissolue in showres of blood But pleas'd to respite for a time the woes Of wretched France and for his purpose chose An instrument whose weaknesse might make knowne The power that reconcil'd them was his owne A veiled Nun alone could enterpose And stay the fury of these armed foes Jane de Valois a Princely Lady neere To one in blood as by alliance deere To tother Mother to great Edward's Queene And Philip's sister who of late had beene Since Heinaults death at Fontenelles vow'd A holy Nun She waken'd with the loud Alarmes of this so great so fear'd a blow Her quiet cloister had forsaken now Amidst their armed troopes her way she tooke And through the rudest breasts a reverence strooke Well did the fame of her chaste life before Become the sacred habit that she wore Pure innocence her snow-white veile profest Her blacke a sorrow silently exprest Grave was her comely face Devotion On beavties ruines with more beavty shone In all her gestures dwelt humility But temper'd with commanding Majesty As thus she passes to perswade the Kings Faire Peace descends and with her silver wings Cutting the ayre above the Princesse still Hangs gently hovering whose calme breath doth fill The changed Campes the Souldiers 'gan to feele A mildenesse seize their breasts all thoughts of steele Of blood and slaughter seemed to withdraw This gentle Nymph when fierce Bellona saw As she from heaven descended downe and knew Her hopes were now put off away she flew And left the field but with an angry looke Turn'd backe and proudly her plum'd helmet shooke Goe sluggish Nymph quoth she enjoy thy day Fates may deferre but cannot wipe away This Kingdomes wounds but 't is not their decree The fields of Tourney should renowned be To future times for such a glorious day In Crescy fields brave Edward shall display His conquering colours there the French shall fall And that poore Village now scarce nam'd at all Shall for the death of many thousands be A place of fame to all posterity There I shall reigne till then dull fields adieu And like a Dragon through the ayre she flew And now so well the Princesse did perswade Both Kings so powerfull he that sent her made Her pious Eloquence that all their hate Seem'd banish'd Philip of Valois forgate His thirst of vengeance for the fatall blow France tooke in that great Navall overthrow Edward relented too content to cease His royall clayme a while a sudden peace Is for three yeeres concluded to remaine The dreadfull colours folded up againe The threatning swords are sheath'd not stained yet In blood at all and all those Princes met To make the tryall of so great a day Depart againe King Edward takes his way By Flanders home and with his dearest Queene That royall pledge that for two yeeres had beene Left there by him the honour of their clime And there had brought within that happy time His royall family a faire increase Two Princely Sonnes to England crost the Seas But soone Wars flame that had a while in vaine Beene by the Truce deprest broke out againe And higher blaz'd but by degrees it came Nor did the royall quarrell and great claime That Edward laid to France begin the jarre But to draw on this great and fatall Warre Collaterall causes are found out by fates And first in aide of their confoederates Abovt the question'd right of Brittaines Lands Th'engaged Princes by their servants hands And meaner strengths begin to blow the flame To England Montford's widow'd Dutchesse came And here from Edward noble succours gain'd Gainst Charles of Bloys whom Philip's power sustain'd The Earles of Suffolke Pembrooke Salisbury And Stafford flowers of English chevalry Bourchier and Spencer Lords and many moe Of honour'd name with her to Brittaine goe With them went Robert of Artois who first In Edward kindled that ambitious thirst And fir'd his active spirit to advance His owne high honour by the woes of France At Vannes siedge so fate ordain'd he tooke His mortall wound but ere the soule forsooke Her earthly reliques thence to Englands ground Transported backe a quiet grave he found Her Souldier England willingly entomb'd His native France that by his meanes was doom'd So many following mischiefes to endure Bestow'd his death but not his sepulture Vannes and other little townes are won And lost but no important action This warre produces where the threats are high Save that the two great foes are drawne so nigh Though timely truces doe againe prevent The fatall blow great Edward not content To send in Montford's aide those forces ore Arrives himselfe upon the Brittaine shore To whom Prince Iohn the Duke of Normandy With forty thousand men approached nigh In Bloys his right the armies both prepare To give the blow Neere was the stroke of warre And Brittaine Vannes had almost beheld What was decreed to Crescyes fatall field The royall powers of England and of France In Brittaines cause to try their puissance Before their owne great quarrell they maintaine But Brittaines Dutchie must not hope to gaine So great an honour here cleere growes the day Without a showre this cloud is blowne away The warre is done two Cardinals attone As earst a Ladies gentle breath had done The royall Armies and so well perswade Truce is againe 'twixt France and England made Sterne Mars a while from deeds of blood restrain'd Strove still to whet his rage and entertain'd That breathing space in pastimes to prepare His cruell forces for th' ensuing warre For like a Campe showes Edwards marshall Court To which the Knights of greatest fame resort From every land their prowesse there to try And gaine renowne by active Chevalry
to Now does the day grow blacker then before The Swords that glister'd late in purple gore Now all distain'd their former brightnesse lose Whilest high the tragicke heape of slaughter rose Swords meeting swords and breaking lances sound Clattering of armed breasts that fall to ground And dying souldiers groanes are onely heard Horror in all her saddest shapes appear'd But long the fury of a storme so strong Could not endure nor Fortune waver long In such a tryall but at last must show Which way her favours were decreed to goe The English Swords with slaughter reeking all At last had carved in the Frenchmens fall Their way to victory who now apace Are beaten downe and strew the purple place Where like their owne pale-fading Lillies lye The flower of all the French Nobility What Muse can in this field of death declare Each private wound each fate particular Or pay the severall obsequies to all ' Mongst common souldiers slaughter'd Princes fall 'Twixt whom Death takes away the distance now While in one streame their bloods commixed flow There Alanson striving to cure in vaine The wound of France is beaten downe and slaine There dyes Majorca's King who from his home So farre had sail'd to find a forraigne tombe And dearely that alliance which he thought So safe to him in this fierce battell bought Lewis Earle of Flanders that to Philip's state Had beene so constant a confaederate Whom no conditions to King Edward's side Could ever draw on Edward s weapons dy'd Sealing in blood his truth to France to lye A wailed part of her calamity There Savoy's Duke the noble Amy lay Weltring in gore arriv'd but yesterday At Philip's haplesse Campe as short an ayd As Rhaesus prov'd to falling Troy betray'd The first sad night and by Tidydes hand Slaine e're his Steeds had graz'd on Trojan land Or drunke at all of Xanthus silver streame But most the warrelike Monarch of Boheme Old Lewis was fam'd Who on that honour'd ground Chain'd to the formost of his troops was found And charging at the head of all was slaine His cold dead hand did yet that Sword retaine Which living erst it did so bravely weild His hopefull sonne young Charles had left the field When he perceiv'd that Fortune quite was gone To Edward's side His Father blood alone Was too too great a sacrifice to be Bestow d on France whose dying valiancy Made all men more desire his Sonne to live And that the branch of such a tree might thrive There was the Noble Bourbon there Lorraine Aumall Nevers and valiant Harcourt slaine In vaine had Philip now whose Princely soule In all those deaths did bleed strive to controll By highest valour what the Fates would doe Wounds not in mind alone but body too Vnhorsed twice did th' active King receive As much asham'd no blood at all to leave In such a field although enforc'd to part Himselfe from thence at last his strugling heart Is to necessity content to yeeld And flyes with speed from that unhappy field With whom the Frenchmen all the fight forsake And o're the Countrey flight disordred take By this had Night her sable mantle spred Vpon the earth by whose protection fled The vanquish'd French with more security A most compleat and glorious victory The English had obtain'd yet would not now Dis-ranke themselves to chase the flying foe But in that field which they alone possest Resolve to give their weary'd bodies rest Till mornings light display those wealthy spoyles That must reward the conquering souldiers toyles Now great King Edward from the Windmill hill Came downe where his untouch'd Battalia still Had stood till all the fight below was done And in his armes embrac'd his armed Sonne Who now with blood and sweat was all distain'd Then gratulates his early honour gain'd In such a field of danger joy'd to see His blooming yeares thus flesh'd in victory Well did that day presage the future glory And martiall fame of this great Prince whose story With admiration after-times shall heare Like miracles his conquests shall appeare In France atchiev'd nor shall that kingdome bound His Swords great deeds whose fame shall farther sound And royall trophees of blacke Edward's praise Beyond the Pyrenaean mountaines raise Next morne mists fatall to the French arose To Crescy field where their encamped foes Stood now refresh'd were many troops of France Discerning not the former battels chance Like sacrifices come and fell there more Then had beene flaine in all the fight before Victorious Edward for so great a day To God's high Throne on bended knees did pay His true and humble thankes and briefly then Commend the worthy service of his men Who now the spoyles of that rich Army share As just reward of their victorious warre Annotations upon the third Booke a King Edward taking Caranton protested openly that he sacrificed it to the memory of these Gentlemen who had the yeere before beene uniustly massacred by King Philip and their heads now were standing upon the gates of that unhappy towne For King Philip of France the yeare before perceiving that a terrible tempest of warre was likely to fall upon him out of England waxed cruell in his iealousie and put sundry principall men of Normandy Picardy and Guyenne to death for no other crime but that they were English in affection Among whom are reckoned Sir Oliver de Cliâ—â—on Baco Persie and Geoffrey of Malestroict Knights of the best note Sir Godfrey of Harecourt brother to the Earle of Harecourt a man once in high favour with King Philip being upon this occasion also summoned to Paris fled to King Edward into England and became another Robert of Artois for his valour and counsels at this present invasion of France did much advantage King Edward's atchievements though two yeares after he forsooke the English and returned againe to the obedience of Philip his naturall Lord. b This great battell of Crescy where King Edward obtained so full and wonderfull a victory is at large recited in the Poem and therefore little shall need here to bee spoken of it but onely of the numbers which fought or dyed on both sides The English Army by generall consent of almost all Authors consisted of 30000. The French according to those that speake least together with their auxiliaries were about 60000. But many Authors of good credit report their number twice as many others agree upon an hundred thousand Upon that Saturday being the 26 of August 1346 when this great battell was fought the slaughter was great on the French side for none were taken to mercy upon that day for the Conquerors thought it not safe for themselves to take any Prisoners But the next morning presented new worke for a great mist arose that men could hardly see the distance of an acre of ground from them when as many troops of Frenchmen from Roan Beavicois and other Cities comming to joyne themselves with King Philip and not hearing of his discomfiture together with great
multitudes of such as had lost their way in the last flight lighted vnhappily upon the victorious English and were severely put to the Sword Among those that came with fresh forces to ayd the King were the Archbishop of Roan and the Grand Prior of France who were both slaine after a great and sore battell with the English for they brought a good strength with them The Earles of Northampton Suffolke and Norfolke had execution of the French which fled from this last overthrow for the space of nine English miles from the ground where they encountred And it is the generall consent of Authors that more of the French were slaine upon this second day then were the day before when the great battell was fought some Prisoners were then taken though none of great name for they were spent in the day before When the account was taken it was found that there dyed in all of the French side eleven great Princes of Earles Barons and gentry of high account about fifteene hundred of common souldiers above thirty thousand And to make the victory the more wonderfull there was not one man of honour or note slaine upon the English side of common souldiers so few that we finde no mention of the number THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD The fourth Booke Argument IIII. Calleis by Edward is besieg'd and wonne Great deeds in severall parts of France are done By Edward's souldiers whilest in England here The King of Scotland's taken prisoner FIve mornes had cleer'd the Earth with Phoebus light And from the Pole remov'd the dampes of night Since England's conquering King from Crescy gone Without controll of foes had marched on Through Picardy and now before the Towne Of Calleis sate with his strong Army downe Resoly'd in spite of all releefe or fence Till he had gain'd it not to rise from thence Impregnable was Calleis to be wonne Not by assault but length of siedge alone Where meagre famine Natures greatest foe And heavens fear'd plague must all th'atchivement doe For which great Edward had on every side His Campe entrench'd and strongly fortifi'd With timber-workes investing it by land The circuit round the Sea at his command Was wholly then where his strong Navy lay And brought his Campe provisions every way But while the siedge is yet but new begun Fortune presents a brave occasion To make King Edward s noble nature knowne That all the Countrey may as much renowne His minds brave sweetnesse as his Martiall fame And learne to love as well as feare his name De Vein the Marshall and Lord Dandregan That then commanded Calleis while they can Resolve to th' utmost to preserve so deare A pledge and nought but onely famine feare They therefore straight enforce out of the Towne The folke that now for warre are uselesse growne Full fifteene hundred heads to spare their store The lame the sicke the aged and the poore At mercy of the foe these wretches goe If to such wretches Edward were a foe But he remembers he 's a King and they Too weake alas to be the Lion's prey Instead of foes his bounty makes them guests And French by French forsaken Edward feasts With store of victuals and with money too He sends them thence who every step they goe Send backe a prayer for his prosperity And in their hearts acknowledge silently That he 's the lawfull Soveraigne of the land For when two titles thus in question stand Whose doe the people thinke should be the right But his whom first just heaven assists in fight And makes ' gainst odds a conquerour of his foes And who besides by his compassion showes Himselfe his Countries father as Kings are Those barricado'd strongest works of warre Which must in spite of Philip's forces stand Till Calleis keyes be given to Edward's hand Can these weake people find a passage through Which th'armed strength of France could never doe Nor loses Edward time in staying there For every day to his rejoycing eare Some prosperous newes from forreine parts is brought Of what abroad his conquering men have wrought How every action 's crown'd with high successe And all their conflicts adde some happinesse To his triumphant side as if that then Kind Fortune strove the name of Englishmen Even to the highest point of fame to bring Or that the Genius of so great a King Through all the lower parts diffused were To guide their deeds alike For wheresoe're They fight the Garland's wonne and every warre A Crescy proves where Edward's souldiers are From Guyenne first he heares the prosperous fights Of noble a Darby who with Gascoyne Knights And other Lords from Burdeaux tooke his way And o're the river of Garonne 'twixt Blay And that great City march'd through Philip's lands Faire Mirabell is yeelded to his hands Aunay and her strong Castle with Benon And Maraunt in Poictou by force are wonne Tailebourgh and Bourgh Saint Maximent they win Both by assault and Montrevill Bonin Nor with so small a power of Souldiers feares The warrelike Darby to assault Poictiers So large in circuit that he could not lay Round siege about it but one onely way Surpriz'd it by assault and many moe Atchievements high did his small army doe There many noble Prisoners did he take And march'd without controll to Burdeaux backe There breakes his Army up with thankes and home His souldiers fill'd with wealth and honour come As much true honour wonne the English name In Brittaines warres as radiant was their fame Where Charles of Bloys the great Competitour By valiant Dagworth and his English power Was overthrowne and taken Prisoner The odds so wondrous in their numbers were One Writer then amazed in his thought Among the deeds of th' ancient Worthies sought A paralell for Dagworth's victory Entituling him another Machabee But that which most secur'd great Edward's state Left English swords should prove lesse fortunate In England then in forraigne parts they were That Conquest was and royall Prisoner Which his brave men had in his absence gain'd Queene Philip sent the newes and there complain'd Of Copland's stout demeanour who to her Deny'd to yeeld the King his Prisoner For which to Calleis Copland sent for had So good excuses to great Edward made That for the service from his royall hand He gain'd a â—â—â—h reward The King commands Him to relate the battell and display Each circumstance of that victorious day Full well quoth noble Edward doe I know That most to God's Almighty hand I owe For preservation of my kingdome there What strength had you alas what forces were In readinesse what Army could you bring Against th' invasion of a warrelike King Whilest here our selfe with our chiefe Army lay At Calleis siedge the second was away As farre as Guyenne and the third then fought In Brittaines wars what were the hands that wrought This great atchievement but King David brake The truce he made with us that he might take With Philip's fortune Philip's falling side
For heaven does justly warres successes guide Doe thou relate the fight The King had done When humbly bowing Copland thus begun Since you are pleas d dread Soveraigne to command For whose victorious brow the sacred hand Of heaven is weaving Garlands every where From me the meanest of your servants heare This battels great successe and what for you The same high hand has wrought in England now To Durham walls while farre his terror spread Among the people had King David led His royall army where those warrelike Peeres Of Scotland march'd that had for many yeeres Late past so well the English borders knowne That there so many strange exploits had done And wealthy pillage gain'd when to withstand That threatning force and guard their native land With noble spirits the English Lords prepare And draw their forces to this sudden warre Lord Percy Nevill Mowbray D' Eincourt there Humfrevile Mawley Musgrave Scroope appeare And many more of worthy note to whom The men at armes and nerved Archers come Nor in so great a danger was it thought Enough if onely usuall souldiers fought To save their Countryes universall harme The Churchmen fight the reverend Prelates arme The two Archbishops and grave Durham there Their Crosier-staves ' midst streaming Ensignes beare No cause they thought could make them to refuse So deare a warre no calling could excuse O're all the field doe armed Priests appeare And shaven Monkes unused helmets weare Such was that law the ancient Romans made When e're the furious Gaules did them invade No Priesthood from warres service then excus'd But that which into th' English breasts infus'd The noblest fire was that your vertuous Queene Great Sir among us was in person seene Nor could the Princely burden of her wombe Great as she was with childe detaine her from That gracious visit As along she rode On every ranke and squadron she bestow'd Words that inspir'd new life such seemed shee Such did her lookes and cheerefull Majesty Appeare to each adoring souldier As Poets fancy'd in the Trojan warre Majesticke Iuno when in all her state Shee would descend from heaven to animate The warrelike Greekes or Pallas come to lead Her wise Vlisses or stout Diomed. At Nevils Crofle a place not fam'd at all Till this great conflict and King David's fall The eager Armies meet to try their cause Our English Lords in foure Battalia's Bring on their forces but so furious growes In little time the fight so neare the blowes That soone no order we perceive at all For like one body closely move they all And thought the archers had at first begun The fight with wondrous happinesse and done So much as caus'd the future victory Yet now their arrowes scarce have roome to flye While swords and bils doe all while hand to hand The armies wrastling with each other stand Small ground and that alternately they gave As by a rivers side tall reeds doe wave Or when a field of lofty standing corne Two severall wayes by different gales is borne That if a man had from some hill survei'd The fight and seene what equall motion sway'd Both armies there he would have beene so farre From judging which should conquer in that warre As to have fear'd almost that all would dye And leave no conquest but one tragaedy No stratagem no foule default was show'd Nor could your servants tell to what they ow'd Vnlesse to justice of their cause it were That dayes hard conquest which 'gan then appeare When those chiefe flowers of Scotlands noble blood Strew'd dead those places where before they stood There Murrey's Earle the noble Randolph sonne To that renowned Randolph that had done His native land such wondrous service falls Encircled not with vulgar funerals Alone but men of Scotlands greatest power Her Marshall Chamberlaine and Chancellour With many moe of note and dignity The King himselfe who with resolve as high As any souldier had maintain'd the fight Neere still where greatest danger did invite His forward sword and might for valiancy Deserve a conquest not captivity That through the thigh had with a lance bin strucke Besides two shafts that in his body stucke And lost much royall blood when he beheld His Army now discomfited in field Not yet dismay'd fought on when 't was my chance Your Graces meanest souldier to advance The next to him I humbly bade him there To yeeld himselfe King Edward's prisoner And gently came to take his hand but hee That sought for death before captivity And therefore strove our anger to provoke My face so fiercely with his Gauntlet strooke That two teeths loste can witnesse yet the blow Then with his sword though hurt and weary'd now He flyes among us while disdaine and ire Into his weary nerves new strength inspire That scarce could we his most unwilling foes Preserve that life which he desir'd to lose At last he fell by which our royall prey We seiz'd and bore him by maine strength away That fate the greatest Nobles of his land The Earles of Fife Menteith and Southerland With warrelike Douglas are enforc'd to take While all the rest that could escape the wracke Of that sad day forsake the tragicke fight And into Scotland take disordred flight King Edward pleas'd with this relation And what John Coplond in that fight had done Conferres on him beside revenues great The martiall honour of Knight Banneret And sends him backe for England with command To yeeld his prisoner to Queene Philip's hand Despaire had entred the besieged Towne Of Calleis now pale famine which alone Subdues the strongest forts had taken hold Vpon the wretched Citizens and gold Which reignes in humane breasts at other times Esteem'd a price even for the greatest crimes Is proved no just rate at all to beare Food only is of price and valu'd there All former hopes of their releefe were crost In vaine had Philip with a numerous hoast From Amiens marched Edward's siedge to raise And challeng'd him in vaine for all the wayes Of their approaching both by sea and land Were by the English kept each passage mann'd And now though late the governors were bent To yeeld to termes and to King Edward sent Who scornes t' accept of any termes but these That six the wealthiest of their Burgesses With halters on their neckes resolv'd to dye Should to his pleasure yeeld them presently And that their deaths his wrath should expiate That all conditions else should come too late And he no mercy on the Towne would take These sad conditions are returned backe And through all hearts had strucke a chilling feare In every visage did pale Death appeare For though destruction challeng'd but a few It threatned every head untill they knew What heads would suffer They despair'd to find Among the noblest ranke so brave a mind That would on that condition choose to dye As once for Rome devoted Decij In this amaze the weeping people throng Into the publike Market-place Among Their cryes confus'd and different
Strikes England so yet this they comfort call Into the hands of man they shall not fall b Sad growes the time nor with her wonted cheare Or usuall dressing does the Spring appeare No cleansing gale of Zephyre moves the ayre While rising fogs obscure the welk in faire Without his showres contagious Auster blowes And painted Summer no kind fruit bestowes Nor does the Sunne as if inflam'd with ire Send out that wholesome and prolifique fire He us'd to doe but beames of mortall heat And from the bosome of the twins as great Combustion kindles here as if he then Vpon the Nemean Lion's backe had beene Within the farthest Easterne Lands from whence Day breakes breakes forth the fatall pestilence As if with rising Titan it begunne And follow'd thence the motion of the Sunne To Europe then does th hot contagion flye Raging through euery part of Italy And France that bled so late is forc'd to see Beside warres stroke a new mortality But most of all o're England's mourning face The sad infection spreads and Death apace In his pale Chariot rides through all the land No age nor sexe escape his vengefull hand Young men in prime of all their strength are strooke And yeeld The sucking Infant what he tooke From Nature soone is summon'd to repay From those soft limbs untimely fleets away The new-come Soule before it can be growne Acquainted with the tender mansion The aged man not because aged goes But onely ' cause he had a life to lose The mourning grave becomes a marriage bed To beauteous maids praeposterously dead One father wailes his sonne another all His houshold carries in one funerall And for so many deaths one mourning serves If one be left to mourne No care preserves Nor antidote can save from this disease Their greatest hope is but to dye in peace For oft the fiery sicknesse did invade Reasons coole seat and there prevailing made A strange distraction worse then losse of breath For which their friends wish'd as a cure their death The face oft burn'd no moisture had the eye Nor could by teares expresse their misery Some while their dearest friends they doe entombe Before that pious office done become Themselves a funerall Death makes him to be An hearse that came a mourning obsequy Nor does this venemous contagion Worke the destruction of mankind alone The sheepe and cattell perish as if growne On earth quite uselesse since the men are gone Wast lye the Lawnes the fields of tillage now Are desolate while the forsaken plow Nor men nor cattell scarce can exercise The Oxe in midst of all his labour dyes And leaves behind his mourning fellow now Dismist from toyle and service of the plow Who takes no comfort now in shady woods In flowery meadowes or cleare Chrystall floods That destiny alas for him remaines Although at rest The warrelike horse disdaines The pleasant streames and sicke forgetteth quite His food or th' honour of a race or fight Even Toads and Vipers dye acquainted growne With venome farre more mortall then their owne Twice through th' Horrizon had Hyperion runne Since first the fatall Pestilence begunne Before th' Almighty did his sword restraine And with his favour visit earth againe He now is pleas'd to cast a gracious eye On this distemper'd world her misery He cures and makes her former beauty come With kindly fruits he fills earth's fertile wombe And makes sweet blasts to move the wholesome ayre The people find at last their humble prayer Is heard and now the teares are wip'd away Due praise and thankes before his Altar pay Annotations upon the fourth Booke a Those that would see at large the actions of the Earle of Darby in Guyenne Aquitaine and Normandy let them read Froissard where they shall see them fully though not elegantly related This Earle of Darby a man of great worth and neere in blood to King Edward was afterwards by him created Duke of Lancaster the first Duke that ever was in England and left behind him no other issue but one daughter who being his sole heire was married to Iohn of Gaunt the Kings sonne and brought to him a large dowry together with the title of Duke of Lancaster b This wonderfull mortality which it pleased God in his wrath to send upon the wretched earth happened in the 22. yeare of King Edward immediately after the taking of Calleis a greater pestilence wee can scarce read of in any particular land or kingdome much lesse so great and with all so generall as this was For not onely England but France Italy and most of the Easterne and Southerne kingdomes were visited at that time and felt the rod most heavy and sad on them The fore-runner of this great sicknesse was immoderate raine for our Chronicles agree in generall that from Midsummer to Christmas it rained every day or night The yeare following it is noted that there dyed in London betweene Ianuary and the end of July seven and fifty thousand persons Other Cities and Townes suffered the like according to their proportions insomuch that some writers of those times were of opinion that halfe the inhabitants of the Land dyed for we must not beleeve Walsingham who sayes there was not above a tenth part of mankinde left alive As great a death of Cattell happened both that and the yeere following Thie was the greatest but not the onely plague which happened during the reigne of this King Edward For twelve yeeres after England was visited with another which our Chronicles called the second great Plague In that many of the Nobility dyed and among the rest that noble Henry Duke of Lancaster a chiefe actor in all the warres and victories of Edward and a maine Pillar of the state at that time THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD The fifth Booke Argument V. Prince Edward levyes forces to maintaine Against the French his right in Aquitaine The King wasts Scotland Poictiers field is fought From whence King Iohn of France is prisoner brought PHilip of France had left the earth and John The eldest Sonne as in his father's Throne So in his sad mis-fortunes does succeed Who what the Fates in vengeance had decreed Against his Realme by rashnesse hastens on And gainst all right on Charles his eldest sonne Conferres the stile of Duke of Aquitaine Great Edward bound in honour to maintaine His owne inheritance creates his Sonne Young Edward Prince of that Dominion Exhorts him bravely to defend his right And ' gainst the French for his just Title fight For which Prince Edward armes and with a traine Of valiant Lords prepares for Aquitaine Never did Fortune with more favour smile On any armes nor from this martiall Ile Did ever army crosse the Seas before That more triumphant did returne or wore A richer Garland from Bellona's tree There to maintaine young Edward's signiory Brave Warwicke armes who neare the Prince his side When Crescy field his mayden prowesse try'd Before had fought and Suffolke whose renowne
Nor from that Noble path which hitherto Thy farre-admired youth has trod to serve Inglorious lusts and pleasures doe not swerve Those fruits seeme sweet to such alone as live Discerning not man's true prerogative Beasts lives whose soules are drowned in the flesh Not capable of perfect happinesse Nor suffring those coelestiall seeds to grow Or spring in them which God at first did sowe When purer Soules are not so much in thrall To flesh but that their high originall They well discerne and oft abstracted flye In contemplation of eternity Which spurres them on to spend th' uncertaine times They have in glorious deeds unstain'd with crimes And such I know is Edward's noble ayme Thou aemulat'st the ancient Sonnes of fame Thy worth securely may such stories love Thee great examples shame not but approve Thou know'st that Honour has a chearefull face And solid joy within that Nere's base Voluptuous feasts and lusts were not so sweet As Cato's manly temperance nor yet So truly safe Sardanapalus ease As were the labours of great Hereules Though Vertnes wayes seeme rough at first to be The habit makes them sweet nor teaches she Her noble schollers onely to endure Cold hunger thirst or labour but secure To overcome them and to make all these Their trophees rather than their grievances And not to feare what Death it selfe can doe Which Pleasures strength could never reach unto Oh give not way to this thy wanton flame Nor tempt the honour of that Princely Dame Love may hereafter blesse thee there and may Assist thy wishes in a lawfull way Great Chiefes among their other markes of fame Have gain'd by noble Continence a name Thinke on that Roman Worthy whose high story Thou read'st so oft and aemulat'st his glory That Scipio who first ' gainst Carthage fought And his great name from conquerr'd Affricke brought In heat of youth as thou art now was he When Spaines new Carthage then a Colony Of Affricans by warrelike force he wonne Great was the pillage of that wealthy Towne But ' mongst their store of captives one there was A noble Virgin that did farre surpasse The rest her wondrous beauty did amaze The Conquerors no Roman eyes durst gaze On that bright forme but streight became her thrall Though Captive she The youthfull Generall Began himselfe to feele Loves powerfull flame But that a noble vertue overcame And quench'd againe With gentle words he chear'd The maid and all her love and fortunes heard Then to that Prince to whom she was affy'd Deliver'd freely his unstained Bride The land admir'd him and that act there wonne As much as his successefull sword had done Of such a temper art thou made I know Brave Prince as much to thee as Scipio Of deathlesse fame is meant by Destiny As much thy hand shall act in France as he In Spaine or Affricke and a greater King Then Syphax was shalt thou to England bring Forsake not therefore Vertues wayes who will Thy best desires thy highest aymes fulfill To her Heröike Edward's heart inclin'd And now resolv'd to cure his love-sicke mind He musters all the thoughts of warre and fame The Nymphs were vanish'd when brave Chandois came Into his presence he relates the newes Of France and great King Edward's purpose shewes Well does the Warre his father had design'd For him to manage suit blacke Edward's mind Those gallant Lords that had resolv'd to fight Against th' injurious French for Edward's right Are all prepar'd and from the English shore With Fates auspitious soone transported o're Whilest France from them must England's prowesse feele The King ' gainst Scotland drawes his vengefull steele Enrag'd for Berwicks sacke A furious rode Although their King a prisoner yet abode In Edward's hands some Scots had lately made Whom gold from France had tempted to invade The North of England Berwicke Towne they tooke The pillage gain'd dismantled and forsooke The towne againe Great Edward not content To gaine his owne unlesse the foes repent And dearely rue their rash presumption too Wiâ—h dreadfull force and fury marches through The bowels of their land for want of foes The empty townes and walls he overthrowes Nor are religious Monasteries free Or priviledg'd from his hostility And though to conquest of the land enclin'd For all his right the Ballioll had resign'd To him at Roxburgh so he marched on That men might deeme by his invasâ—on He did not meane his conquest to enjoy Or came not to possesse but to destroy At last to Berwicke when his vengefull ire Againe was vanish'd backe does he retire To build her ruin'd walls more faire and strong And brings with him the Ballioll along I est left behind he might againe recall His resignation but no ayd at all To Edward's purpose could his title bring Whom Scotland never would acknowledge King The peoples hearts did with King David live Those hearts to Edward Ballioll could not give Nights silent charmes all eyes in slumber clos'd When lo while Edward in his tent repos'd He dreamt before him armed Scotland stood Her martiall visage pale with losse of blood Which through her loosened helmet did appeare The furious Lion her broad shield did beare And thus with sober Majesty she spake At last why furious Edward dost thou make These sad invasions and so vainly striue To ravish hence what warre shall never give My Crowne and Scepter not ordain'd to be The swords reward or spoyle of victory This truth thy Grandsire might at length have found Who did so oft my bleeding bosome wound Although not unreveng'd In threescore yeares That last have passed what alternate teares For noble sonnes with me has England shed What crimson streames have we two sisters bled What mutuall wounds have thy sterne Grandsiers blade My warrelike Bruce and thou great Edward made Yet all in vaine No conquest can unite Whom our great God is purpos'd to invite A sweeter way to bonds of unity This knot a Monarch's happy birth must tye Although before those Halcyon dayes alas Shall many yeares and strange adventures passe Thy seed commixt with ours shall then enjoy What battels cannot purchase but destroy Blew Neptunes armes that compasse both these lands And now are cruell lists to joyne our hands As combatants and make the I le a stage Of our divided Nations warre and rage Shall then embrace us as a marriage ring My royall James shall to this Iland bring By birth as well as by his reigne a peace All rapine theft and barbarous feuds shall cease Which now our borders doe so much infest And after him more to confirme those blest And Halcion dayes shall Charles from heaven be sent Whose pious just and temp rate government Shall teach the world that peacefull Vertues bring As true and lasting honour to a King As by victorious warres can be obtain'd Or by the blood of slaughter'd Nations gain'd That they more sweetly set a Monarch forth As Aristides and good Cato's worth Deserve more solid and enduring
get Safe to their journey's end Through all Poictou And through the County of Xantoigne they goe The French admiring but resisting not Till to the river side at Blays they got Which with their wealth and prisoners all they past And at faire Burdeaux safe arriv'd at last Sad fame before had into England brought The Prince his danger What amazed thought Could hope alas for conquest there or who Durst thinke that valour disadvantag'd so Could worke it selfe a passage feare possest All English hearts and great King Edward's breast Revenge had entred in as horrid height As France could feare or that great cause invite How many Cities had he doom'd to sacke And men to death but Fame could not be slacke Fate would not suffer England long to erre Nor such a dayes triumphant joy deferre But on a sudden as the golden Sunne When darkest thunder-clouds are newly gone Shoots forth againe in all his glorious light That men amazed scarce dare trust their sight They heare of Poictiers battell of the high And strange successe But incredulity A while the freedome of that joy controlls For feare of too much surfetting their soules With such a change So slowly they receive Th' unlook'd for newes and by degrees beleeve That even their eyes are satisfi'd as soone As are their eares almost nor had the Moone Thrice fill'd her orbe before to second fame With that great King victorious Edward came Oh how to Plimmouth where the Paince arriv'd From every part the people flock'd and striv'd Betimes to kisse that Martiall hand and see So great a prize of one dayes viâ—â—ory Now safe at home as much was all the way From thence to London as their progresse lay With showes adorn'd and thronging people fill'd Where equall to his prowesse they beheld The Prince his goodnesse how he humbly rode Below the King no pride his gesture show'd But such respect as if he did not bring In triumph thither but attend a King Where noble Edward shall we find for thee A paralell in true humanity What ancient Prince or moderne ever shew'd So sweet a temper joyn'd with fortitude What Conqueror did ever use successe More modestly or staine his fortune lesse Imperiall Rome in her most vertuous age When wisest writers durst by strong presage Affirme the worlds sole Empire due to be Not to her strength but her morality Knew no such vertue to great Princes fals How farre unlike it her proud Generals In that inhumane pompe of Triumphs dealt Jugurtha Syphax and great Perseus felt And yet what Roman Army e're could boast A nobler conquest than thy English hoast At Poictiers battell wonne without Romes vice Her greatest vertues thou didst aequalize In that great act and shew'dst as then was try'd The Roman prowesse not the Roman pride With joy as great but more magnificence Did London welcome her triumphant Prince Where great King Edward with all curtesie Receives King Iohn of France as if that he Did aemulate the vertue of his sonne Or rather would approve what he had done And by that noble moderation shew Himselfe the stocke from whence Prince Edward grew Within his sumptuous hall at Westminster He entertaines and feasts them all and there The pensive King with gentle speeches cheeres To all the other princely prisoners The like respect the Lords of England give And at the boord in full-crown'd goblets strive To banish from their breasts all thoughts of care O're which old Heroes fortunes and the rare Events of ancient battels they relate So o're the Wine in massie Phthian plate Talk'd great Achilles in his tent at night When he the Grecian Princes did invite But he whose noble actions were become The argument of every tongue on whom The greedy eyes of all were fixed there Prince Edward seemes himselfe of heavy cheere A greater captive in his owne sad thought Than those that he from Poictiers battell brought Nor could great Mars with all his honors heale The wound that love had made Deep sighs would steale Sometimes from him although with care represt And speake the inward passions of his breast Among the sparkling beauties that resort More to enlighten this triumphant Court His Love-ficke eyes doe often wander round To find although he feare to find his wound Kents beauteous Countesse But no where at all Does she appeare nor was the festivall Grac'd with her presence Soone had she beene spy'd If there nor could so bright a starre be hid But missing her his other passions rise A thousand doubts and jealous feares surprize His loving breast at once Alas what crime Of Fate should he suspect at such a time Of Courtly state and high magnificence What cruell cause should keepe the Lady thence Faine would he know yet blushes to enquire And though he burne still strives to hide the fire As many men whose sudden ruine's nigh Have beene in height of all their jollity And some have beene observ'd in pensive mood Iust then when Fate contrives their greatest good Even so it fares with Princely Edward here Who feares the worst and cannot thinke how neere Th' accomplishment of his desires should be Till to remove the sad uncertainty Some Lords discoursing doe by chance relate How noble Holland was deceas'd of late A sudden change in Edward's lookes appeares Againe the passions alter doubts or feares Since now to every eye the cause is plaine That did the Countesse from this feast detaine No longer hold possession in his breast Love freely enters to displace the rest The Prince resolves his pleasing fuit to move And spite of all opposers gaine his love In Savoy Palace when the feast is ended King John of France is lodg'd and thence attended In fitting state to Windsor Castle there T' enjoy what sports the season of tho yeare Would yeeld what games the Countrey could present To give a King's perplexed thoughts content And David King of Scotland that ten yeare Had beene detaid'd in England prisoner Is ransom'd home since England seemes to be Secur'd from France by Iohn's captivity Vnhappy France whilest England nothing knowes But joyes and triumphs now o'rewhelm'd with woes Sits like a mourning widow wailes her fate And shee that was the pride of Europe late Is fall'n from all her glories and become The pitty of astonish'd Christendome Her bosome fill'd with sad confusion And rebell members while the head is gone Doe from their safe and wholesome order fall The Royall City Paris most of all Is out of joynt that should the rest redeeme Sicke even to death does this great kingdome seeme Nor can the Cure be sudden for the Sunne Five times through his coelestiall signes must runne Before King Iohn of France be ransom'd home Yet healthier farre for France in time to come Shall this Confusion and long sicknesse prove By such unlook'd-for wayes the Powers above Doe worke in their disposing Providence Wise Charles the Dauphine by experience Of those disordred and rough times shall gaine So true a
thousands dying strew the purple plaine The wretched Souldiers feele but cannot see The wondrous cause of this great tragedy Some with amaze and feare are almost kill'd Some onely overthrowne but all hearts fill'd Withsad destruction thinke the day of doome And dissolution of the world is come Or else surpriz'd with more particular feares They deeme alas some winged Messengers Of God above against their campe are sent T' inflict on them immediate punishment As once an Angell sent from God did smite The hoast of proud Senacherib by night Great Edward sadly trembles every where Enforc'd his dying souldiers grones to heare But when the horror of the storme was gone The darkenesse vanish'd and bright day-light shone On them againe and had discover'd all His heart relents and in the pity'd fall Of his poore men he thinks he truly sees God's wrath for all those Christian tragedies Which his victorious sword in France had wrought And all the woes he had on Scotland brought Never before did Edward's pensive breast Truly revolve how tragike is the best Successe that warre ' gainst Christian lands affords What impious wounds his sadly conquering swords Had made in Europe all the battel 's wonne Since first that fatall title he begunne To set on foot are running in his thought Now Crescy Poictiers Halidowne are brought Into his fad remembrance and almost He wishes all his triumphs had beene lost Rather than with such horrid slaughter wonne For which in paenitent Devotion His knees in Chartres Temple Edward bowes Forgivenesse begs for what is past aud vowes Thenceforth the fury of his sword shall cease And he with wretched France conclude a peace On easier termes then erst he stood upon Home to his land restoring ransom'd Iohn Few months had past before this good entent Of pious Edward found accomplishment At Brettigny so well on either side The Agents dealt that peace was ratifi'd On steddy Articles and John whom here Five painted Springs had seene a prisoner Is to his native land returned backe With kind embraces the two Monarchs take Their leave at Calleis With a Royall heart So full of love did John from Edward part So well his usage pleased him that he Entends againe in noble courtesie To visit England and for favâ—rs done To thanke great Edward and his Princely sonne The bloody stormes of warre away are blowne And white-wing'd peace from heaven descended down To cheare faire France her late afflicted state Whilst England's quiet Court does celebrate At once two Princely Nuptials with as high A state as may befit their dignity The Paphian Queene in all her smiles appeares His purple robe the pleased Hymen weares When brave Prince Edward now all lets remov'd Weds that faire Countesse he so long had lov'd And Iohn of Gaunt enjoyes the wealthy heire Of Noble Henry Duke of Lancaster The State at home well setled to employ Prince Edward's worth and raise his dignity He with his Princesse and a noble traine Is sent away to governe Aquitaine Annotations upon the sixth Booke a Concerning the lowly demeanour of Edward the blacke Prince toward King Iohn of France after hee had taken him Prisoner in the battell of Poictiers and the Courteous reception which King Edward gave him here in England there were no Authors either then or since but did freely acknowledge insomuch as many yeares after Guicciardine an Italian Writer and therefore indifferent to both Nations speaking of the warres of Christendome in his time when Francis the first King of France had beene taken prisoner at the battell of Pavie by the souldiers of Charles the fifth Emperour and King of Spaine and had long beene kept in hard durance in the Castell of Madrid brings in King Francis complaining of his unworthy usage where comparing the mis-fortunes of King Iohn with his owne and the wonderfull difference of both their entertainments hee much extols the Courtesie of the English Nation and condemnes the Spaniards insolence And so much did that Courtesie worke upon the noble disposition of King Iohn that as many of that time thought it occasioned his voluntary comming into England to visit King Edward not many yeares after his releasement Though other occasions there might be of that journey as the selling of his affaires before his entended voyage to the holy Warres and yet those perchance might well have beene performed by Embassadours But howsoever it were in the yeare 1364 and of King Edward's Reigne the 38 this King Iohn came into England and besides him two other Kings the Kings of Scotland and of Cyprus where the magnificence of the English Court was well expressed in feasting sumptuously three Kings at once The King of Scotland and the King of Cyprus after they had dispatched their businesse returned home to their owne kingdomes but King Iohn of France fell sicke and dyed at London the yeare following His death was much lamented by King Edward who solemnly attended his corps to Dover from whence it was conveyed to Saint Denys and entombed with his Ancestors b This miraculous storme of haile stones which neere to Chartres fell upon King Edward's Army was esteemed by many of those times an immediate Messenger of Gods wrath for all the Christian blood which King Edward for many yeares had shed both in France and Scotland So great was the haile and so violent the fall of it that it felled horses to the ground and slew above two thousand of the English Souldiers King Edward himselfe was much astonished and thought it no lesse than an immediate judgement of God upon which in penitence hee performed many devotions and on reasonable termes concluded a peace with France so that King Iohn was ransomed and returned home to his owne kingdome after hee had remained a prisoner five yeares in England THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD The seventh Booke Argument VII Prince Edward marches into Spaine to fight ' Gainst Henry in deposed Pedro's right At Naveret he beats the strength of Spaine And sets Don Pedro in his Throne againe PRince Edward's honour was not mounted yet Vp to her Zenith Fate is in his debt Another Garland and from Aquitaine Shee calls him forth againe that conquer'd Spaine May feele his noble prowesse and advance His fame as high as erst triumphed France The tyrant Pedro of Castile was by His land depos'd for brutish cruelty Whose Crowne his Bastard-brother Henry gain'd At Burdeaux then the Prince of Wales remain'd Whose fame was spred through every land and he Esteem'd the noblest flower of Chevalry That Europe boasted To his Martiall Court Deposed Pedro humbly does resort And weeping craves Prince Edward's ayd to gaine His right That Pedro may his suit obtaine Beside that bloods alliance that he brings The bad example of deposing Kings Perswades the Prince and to that brave entent His Father great King Edward gives consent At hand great troops of expert souldiers are Cashier'd of late from service of the warre Who now employment want since troubles cease By France and Englands late
face of woes Eustace a rich and noble Burgesse rose Who when the people 'gan a silence make Thus with a voyce and looke undanted spake Since Countreymen you know King Edward's doome Let me be bold to claime my proper roome The wealthiest men must suffer nor will I Strive now to hide that wealth and dignity That made me honour'd in our peacefull time Nor e're be guilty of so foule a crime As not to come a willing sacrifice For all I thanke the English King in this That though a generall pardon he deny He is so just in his severity To make those men that most indebted were Vnto their Countrey pay the most for her Besides he gives us privilege in the case The low the impotent and poore alas Looke on the generall slaughter of the Towne And mixt with publike ruine feare their owne Since Edward makes their lives too cheape a price To be for all th' appeasing sacrifice They onely feare but no election know And must endure what fortune we bestow But to the nobler ranke of Burgesses Though death be nearer yet our feares are lesse Election's left to us and power to make That vantage thence which others cannot take For we gaine honour if we freely dye And not abandon this brave liberty If we refuse their deaths will be the same With ours and yet no choyce to purchase same Is given to them We ought our lives to give In gratitude for this prerogative Why should so many thousand people dye When six the foes demand will satisfie Had he beene pleased to accept of one I then had spared this Oration Because my selfe had had the power to be What now I cannot without company But howsoever Eustace will be one That freely comes to this oblation A generall applausive shout was heard And many passions ' mongst the rout appear'd Mov'd with his love and noble piety The Commons weepe the Burgers instantly Present themselves and make it now a strife Who first shall offer his devoted life Daire first steps in to Eustace side to whom Two Wyssons brethren Iames and Peter come Forth in a moment the whole number stands Six of the wealthiest Burgesses whose hands The weeping people kisse and to the skye Extoll their pious magnanimity The keyes of Calleis are by Eustace borne And on they march undaunted halters worne About their necks instead of cheines are beene Yet honour'd more then chaines of gold had beene Whom to the gates the people all attend And thousand prayers for their safety send Their prayers are heard and God preserves their lives At Calleis Edward's vertuous Queene arrives Queene Philip great with child who pleas'd to make Their lives the boone she crav'd For her deare sake Though Edward srown'd at first and bade them dye He smoothes his brow and to her clemency And pleasure onely he commits the men Shee freely pardons and rewards them then An action fit for that brave Queene to doe And fitter farre for Edward to allow Then doe himselfe whom sternnesse then became No lesse then pitty did the royall Dame Thus with his family could he divide His owne renowne and give as erst hee did The fame of Crescy's conquest to his Sonne To her the thankes of this compassion In Calleis Castle proud to entertaine So great a Monarch with his warrelike traine The Conquerour feasts his vertuous Queene where she To give the Castle greater dignity Or take more firme possession then before A Princely daughter to great Edward bore Whence some presaged that that conquer'd place Should long remaine to Edward's royall race Soone o're that channell into England flyes The fame of Edward's glorious victories Of Crescy battell of faire Calleis wonne And all the other high atchievements done Where France in severall parts had felt the force Of English armes Such is the glad discourse In every part of Edward's kingdome now Some speake of France some Scotland's overthrow One tells what Dagworth had in Brittaine done Or what in Gascoyne noble Darby wonne Themselves enrich'd secur'd on every side Oft had the Moone renew'd her waned pride Since daily newes had beene of some successe Of some rich triumph or new happinesse Since they so oft had to their Temples gone And oft payd thankes to God's caelestiall Throne Oft friendly feastings did expresse their joyes The Countrey Damsels danc'd and sporting Boyes Abroad in fields by chosen companies Would act before their pleased parents eyes The late-fought battels and the story show Of Edward's conquest Philip's everthrow Such were the triumphs such the sports of Rome When newes was from victorious Scipio come Of Zama's prosperous battell and the fall Of their long terror Libyan Hanniball Faire Summers pride began to fade away And night encroach upon the houres of day When Fortune does as if in spite of time Shee meant to make in England's joyfull clime Another Summer to the people bring The long wish'd presence of their conquering King Oh how from Dover-landing all the way Along to London as his progresse lay Was strew'd with branches how the ayre was rent With acclamations which the people sent When with himselfe in highest Majesty The Queene and that young flower of Chevalry Prince Edward rode with all the valiant traine Of Lords and Knights return'd from France againe With noble Prisoners with warre 's wealthy prize And captive Ensignes of their enemies Now happy London is the Theater Of triumph growne the souldiers every where Taste the sweet fruits of their successefull toyles And fill their native Countrey with the spoyles That ransack'd France has lost On beds from thence Of richest worke lye London Citizens While every house a clothing new puts on In all their largest roomes are hangings showne Of fairest tapistry which heretofore Faire Caranton or Caen or Calleis wore At feasting tables they carouse in wine In ancient plate on which engraven shine Armes of some Norman Lord or Gascoyne Peere And their lost jewels English Ladies weare To please new Lovers whilest each Lad can decke With Peales of France his mistris beautious necke While other neighbouring Countrys curse the chance Of their successelesse warres while wretched France Beholds her losses with a mourning eye And Scotland wailes her Kings captivity England alone is fill'd with joy that sees The gaine of warre and not the miseries And thus is all the winters season spent In revels feasts and jolly merriment But oh how soone fades earthly blisse away And clouds of griefe o'recast the fairest day How soone that land that seem'd in surest state Of happinesse growes sad and desolate Such must the mourning change of England be Although no sword of forreine enemy Nor stroke of warre shall shake her quiet state Though Edward's sword continue fortunate And on his standard victory attend Yet other arrowes the great God can send To wound a kingdome That Almighty hand That wounded Israel once his chosen land With David's choyce for David's high offence Not with mans sword but his owne pestilence
In many an hard adventure France had knowne His noble service Oxford tenders there And that redoubted Lord that must appeare In Poicteirs battell honours brightest starre Lord Audley Chandois in all feats of warre And policies to none inferiour And then young Edward's chiefest Counsellour With these brave William Earle of Sarum clad In shining armes appeares now not so sad Since sage resolves had weaned fond desire And in his breast extinguish'd Cupid s fire A fire once swéet alas whilest lawes did seeme T' allow his love and power to favour him The sowrest Vertues did excuse his flame When he the beauties of that Princely Dame Enjoy'd as then he well might seeme to be The envy of a Prince much more is he Since reason did that passion quite convince Now truly growne the envy of a Prince Prince Edward sigh'd and wish'd himselfe as free When he beheld the cheere of â—alisbury From that faire flame One object kindled both But Edward's was not of so long a growth As Salisburies nor had beene ayded so By powerfull Time the passion to forgoe Forbeare a while to sound the Martiall noyse Calliope and tune thy gentler voyce Soft Erato declare what Princely love Did then thâ— Heroike breast of Edward move Not many yeares had past since by the lawes Of holy Church that long-depending cause Betwixt Lord Holland and Earle Mountague Who both with power and eager clayme 's did sue For Kent's faire Countesse was on Holland's side Decree'd and by Pope Clement ratifi'd By which decree blest Holland freed from strife Possession tooke of his admired wife And his bright Iewell now in publike wore Which from the Court had beene conceal'd before While that great suit depended and unknowne It was what husband should the Lady owne Her tempting beauties now th' ecclipse and pride Of Englands Court had love-sicke Edward spy'd The flames unseene his youthfull bosome burn'd His active thoughts so cheerefull once are turn'd To pensive musings company he flyes And for his wonted Princely exercise And high discourse with martiall Lords he loves Retreats sad musicke and the silent groves Why did you gaze unhappy eyes quoth he Too late on her it is too soone for me Because too late The Lawes are false that say No time can barrea Prince Debarr'd for aye Am I. In what possession can they give Vnlesse in Love a fit prerogative For Princes to receive where did she lye While free she was conceal'd from Edward's eye Was not her birth of height enough and shee A branch of England's royall family Her name Plantagenet Earle Edmund's heire Did she not bring together with that faire And heavenly forme a dower that might affright Those Lords from courting of her and invite A Prince his highest flames why is not she Restor'd againe to her great family From which th' ambitious love of Holland durst To draw her maiden innocence at first Or else some forraine Monarch would from farre Have come perchance to fetch a prize so rare A thousand Princely suitors for the fame Of Spartan Helen's virgin beauties came By deeds of armes their persons to endeare And by a warre reveng'd the rape of her As many ventrous youths for such a Bride As was the faire Hippodamea dy'd At cheaper rate why did our climate set Thy maiden blossome faire Plantagenet Would thou hadst beene the prize of Chevalry For which great Princes might have come to try Their manly prowesse Edward might have worne Thee then perchance or thou at worst beene borne From hence away to be a forraine Queene Nor had I here thy killing beauty seene Thus as within a laurell Bower he sate Did Edward's love-sicke thoughts expostulate The twy-light then began nor had night spred Her sable mantle yet though day were fled When lo before him one on either hand Two Nymphs of more than humane visage stand The one was plaine her looks compos'd and grave Yet seem'd a chearefull Majesty to have A mantle rough o're her tall shoulders hung Her undeck'd haire behind she earelesse flung Her name was Arete on tother side Stood Hedone her foe her beauties pride In all alluring amorous formes display'd Transparant silkes her snow-white limbs array'd And Tyrian scarfes with gold embroyder'd o're The precious spoyles of every Easterne shore Adorn'd her ivory necke and tresses faire From whence diffused odours fill'd the ayre Shee thus assailes the Prince Enjoy the time Sweet Prince that Fortunes height and Natures prime Both meet to blesse thee with and ravish'd see What pleasures wait on youth and Royalty Thou hast the top of others wish and mayâ—st Plucke those sweet fruits which neither age can taste Nor low estate procure Both fade away Not onely men but Princes turne to clay Then take in time what ne're will come againe What is not used was bestow'd in vaine Which prudent Nature never did intend In any gift she gave Why should'st thou spend In toyles and hazards these thy happy dayes To gaine that nothing that vaine shadow Praise Of which as life no reall use can make So th' absent ghost or senselesse grave can take No joy at all What e're the vulgar deeme Beleeve me wisest men did ne're esteeme That bubble Honour When King Pyrrhus once Resolv'd t' invade so many nations A vaine renowne by restlesse toyles to winne And make the ending of one warre beginne Another still wise Cyneas ask'd his Lord What comfort all those labours should afford His life at last When all is overcome Wee 'll live quoth Pyrrhus merrily at home So may you now quoth he Why seeke you by Those toyles what now you have in certainty Nor could vaine Pyrrhus answer him or name A reall end of his ambitious ayme Then use thy time But if thou onely strive For so much fame as may more licence give And more sweet rellish to thy pleasures know Thou hast already what thy age could doe Attain'd unto thy worth enough is knowne And Crescy field with Bayes enow did crowne Thy youthfull browes Now reape the happy fruit With confidence pursue thy amorous suit Regard not lawes nor popular ayre at all I 'le worke thine ends and Kents faire Countesse shall Her bed and beauties yeeld to thy delight And meet thy wish 'T was I that did invite The Spartan Dame to Paris armes and led The Queene of Love to young Anchises bed Can she refuse can wedlock's aëry tye Or that supposed vertue Chastity Poore names which men ' gainst natures free entent To rob themselves of pleasure did invent Resist those reall arguments that be Opposers here and proudly plead for thee Alas what tempted Lady can deny Such love fame feature youth and dignity Then weigh not rumour sit not pining downe But freely take what power can make thine owne With that she ceas'd when thus faire Arete Heroike Prince built up by Fate to be Bright Honour 's great example England's fame And to succeeding times a glorious name Oh doe not staine thy high beginnings now
wisdome as his prosperous reigne Shall cure againe the wounds of bleeding France His quiet gowne her state shall re-advance Recovering all by policy alone Which English swords in those fam'd battels wonne But Love with Honour strives to beare a part And cure what he had wounded Edward's heart Within the house since her deare husbands Fate Had Kent's faire Countesse beene immur'd of late Her mourning times not fully yet expir'd To comfort her as thus she sate retir'd The other Ladies daily doe resort There they discourse the triumphs of the Court Of every Princely prisoner they tell And on Prince Edward's worth and praises dwell Nor can the mourning Countesse chuse how-e're Her times may seeme but with true pleasure heare His noble story told from her faire breast Sometimes a sigh would steale not like the rest Nor ought of kinne to those sad sighes at all She us'd to fetch for Holland's funerall A Blush would seize her then as if shee knew That stranger-sigh encroach'd on Holland's due But yet she knew not truly whence it came Nor did the sparke so soone begin to flame And teach her bosome that the tyrant Love As many teares and sighes as deepe can move As death by dearest funerals can doe Loves winged god into her chamber though Hung with so sad a darknesse and unfit For such a guest had tane his secret flight As once into the darke Elysian grove Among the silent ghosts as if he strove To show no place so melancholly were But that his god-head could or change or cheere Love-care in time his place 'bove sorrow takes And by degrees another watching makes Her pale and reaves the quiet of her breast And whensoe're she takes her flumbering rest No dreames of death are sent Before her eyes Moves Edward's image in triumphant wise Like Liber clad in golden armes when from The spiced Inde he came with conquest home And yoked Tygers his proud chariot drew She dreamt and could not chuse but wish it true Nor did th' event prove lesse that Love appear'd In such a shape as she had often heard The Boy described and thus gently spake To her at last Now is the time to take What was ordain'd thee faire Plantagenet Fate pity'd thee and would no longer let That Royall blood and heavenly beauty lye Ecclipsed in a private family Let all thy thoughts of sorrow now expire For Holland's death and cherish Edward's sire As did thy fathers so thy seed shall reigne And thou descended from the Crowne againe Art bound to propagate the royall stemme And beare an Heire to England's Diadem But when the Countesse from this flattering sleepe For such it seem'd was waked sighing deepe Shee ' gan accuse Dayes too ambitious thought That had by night so vaine a vision brought Resolv'd to checke that thought for evermore And rather court the sorrow which before Her breast had lodg'd She studies to recall Her mourning and on Holland's funerall Againe to fix thinking that griefe more free From torture than an hopelesse love can be Why was I curs'd quoth she by envious Fate Did not the mournings of a widow'd state Seeme sad enough to punish me unlesse A passion more than franticke should possesse My breast and wound it deeper than it was Why should I hope for Edward's love alas Or fondly thinke the heire of England's Crowne And such a Prince as he high in renowne As in his Royall birth and now become The onely Theame of praise in Christendome On whom the greatest Monarchs would bestow Their fairest daughters should descend so low As give that pretious love to me and grace The beauties of a widowes waning face Too much ambition had it beene for me To hope nay thinke of such a dignity In my fresh Virgin flower and blooming prime Much more alas in this autumnall time When like a sully'd Lilly or a Rose Too fully blowne my fading beauty showes That for a Prince his love is too much wasted Whose sweets two subjects have already tasted Yet Edward's lookes and frequent visits here Seeme to betoken Love if with uncleare And partiall eyes my state I did not see And so suppose his noble Courtesie To be Love-passion But alas we all Are our owne flatterers and I mis-call That Love which is a kinsmans kind regard Oh would that name of nearenesse could be spar'd In that againe as in his high estate Am I debarr'd from such a blessed Fate And by that nearenesse farther from his love But Dispensations of the Church remove Those obstacles and nearer kindred tye Oh wherefore wander my wild thoughts so high Sinke downe for aye false hope disturbe no more The quiet griefe that I enjoy'd before Thus would she strive those fancies to remove But his kind visits still renew'd her love And as her flame encreas'st his noble heart Was more and more pierst with Loves golden dart Vntill at last Prince Edward to prevent All others plainly told his kind entent And both their wishes in so full a joy Are met too high for fortune to destroy Though she a while deferre their Nuptiall rites And growing warre breake off Loves sweet delights For while the French delay by treaties vaine The ransome of their King sad France againe Is forc'd to feele revengefull Edward's hands Who with a great and powerfull army lands At Calleis marching through the heart of France In three Battalia's his whole puissance Is drawne along himselfe conducting one Another led by his renowned sonne The third by Henry Duke of Lancaster ' Gainst whom while no resisting foes appeare They wast and spoyle the Countrey without fight The greatest Cities to his force submit Burgundia's Duke at Edward's conquering hands With money buyes the safety of his lands Aras is tane with many townes beside Within faire Paris strongly fortifi'd With all his forces Charles the Dauphin lay Whom Edward dares to triall of the day But wary Charles instructed by the sad Successe his father â—â—d his Grandsire had Within the walls â—â—ntaines his army now Nor to the hazard of one fatall blow Against the English dares he trust his strength Whence Edward after his vaine stay at length Drawes backe his forces when no hope he sees At all of fighting with his enemies Much lesse he hop'd to force a Towne so strong Wasting the wretched Countries all along As farre as Chartres uncontroll'd he goes But there although no mortall strength oppose God's mighty b hand does th'English hoast dismay Blacke on a sudden growes the troubled day Heavens cheerefull face wrapt in a pitchy cloud No beame sheds forth while cracks of thunder loud Rend all the ayre and in the frighted eyes Of every souldier horrid lightning flyes In more than usuall manner and anon Like murdring stones throwne from a Castle downe Vpon th' assailants fatall hailestones fall Of such amazing greatnesse over all The English army that nor man nor horse Is able to endure their fatall force But both together are beat downe and slaine While
concluded peace Of those the Prince an aâ—my soone may take For that great warre which he entends to make And happily may free his Countrey too From spoyle and rapine which they daily doe As much does Henry of Castile provide To guard his late-gain'd Throne and to his side Has gotten many expert troops of France Bertram's their leader to whose puissance In future times faire France so much shall owe. The warre to Spaine must be removed now Yet there the French ' gainst English fight wars rage The same and nothing alter'd but the stage The fortune too shall be the same and they In Spaine must grace victorious Edward's day The French must there before the English fall Nor shall the Climate change their fate at all To Bertram's Standard cashier'd souldiers flocke From farthest Provence Dauphine Languedocke And other people arme not they alone That till the neighbouring fields and dwell upon Seines nearest banks but those that see his head And from those mountaines where the Marve is bred Who gliding through the meadowes of Champaigne In various windings falls into the Seine And they that live by Isdrus streame who gets Growth from so many rising rivolets Till he himselfe be swallow'd by the Rhone Who by so many large encreases growne Rowles on his furious billowes and in three Faire channels fals into the mid-land Sea From that faire Southerne shore that bounds th'extent Of France her rich and spacious continent To Edward's Standard with couragious hopes Beside those active well-provided troops That unto him from England crossed o're Arriving on the Aquitanian shore And with lowd clangor filling th' ayre of France The greatest part of Edward's puissance a From France her Northerne coast doe souldiers come And cashierd troops from farthest South and from The banks of Seure those that neere the bounds Of Aquitaine are bred whose fertile grounds Are farre together water'd by Dordonne And those that see the mouth of fam'd Garoone With souldiers dwelling on the farthest land Of France where those renowned mountaines stand The bounds of Spaine which if we trust to fame Did from the faire Pyrene take their name All France in ayd of these two Spanish Kings Is fill'd with streaming Ensignes now and rings Of warres alarmes yet ne're more free from feares Shrill Trumpets sound th'unfrighted plow man heares And loves the noise ' mongst drums the shepherd swains Feed their faire flocks securely on the plaines And middâ—st those seeming terrors joyfull are To heare the sound of a departing warre So look'd the ancient Gaules then when sterne Fate Was bent to wound great Romes divided state And mighty Caesar drew from thence at once His there dispers'd and wint'ring Legions When dreadfull Classicks in all parts were heard And threatning Eagles every where appear'd Yet they rejoyc'd and saw in that stout hoast How great a danger left their quiet coast But while the chearefull Souldiers all prepare And Edward's thoughts are fixed on the warre His beauteous wife is sad those starry eyes Oft dimm'd with sorrowes clouds nor can she prize So much one conquests fame or aëry praise As she his danger and his absence weighes And thinks how long a time though he be grac'd With victory her feares and doubts must last Besides alas her tender breast abhorr'd That savage Tyrant in whose right her Lord Himselfe adventures ' gainst the strength of Spaine And thus to him deep-sighing she began Though I should rather to my selfe deny The happinesse of Edward's company Than love it with so great presumption As for mine owne delights to hinder one Of his resolves yet pardon dearest Lord If to mine owne desires I doe afford One place in love why shouldst thou march so farre To find out danger seeke a causelesse warre When none provokes thy sword compelling those That are not in their thoughts to be thy foes England is safe firme peace with France is made Nor does this Henry of Castile invade Thy lands But oh deare Edward when I see For whom thou mak'st all Spaine thine enemy That men oh no that monster in whose right Thou go'st I tremble that my Lord should fight For such a tyrant mankind's enemy Who has out-done in brutish cruelty What ere 's of Rome's most hated Caesar's told Or those Sicilian tyrants fam'd of old No Christian Pagan or Mahumetan Can be compar'd with this Castilian Not Spain's great forces onely are thy foes Not Henry but the murder'd ghosts of those Who now for vengeance ' gainst Don Pedro cry Will plead to heaven against thy victory There is no human heart that can forbeare To melt when they his cruell story heare I tremble to recite it in his reigne How forty Lords of greatest marke in Spaine He butcher'd cruelly without a cause How scorning both divine and humane lawes Being admitted into Toro Towne Vpon condition he should murder none He broke his faith and in his mothers fight As blood and torture were his chiefe delight Commanded foure the greatest Lords to dye The Queene abhorring her sonnes cruelty Forsooke his Court and to her father went How foure and twenty Burgers innocent Within Toledo 'fore the tyrants face Were executed in the Market place Or with how many study'd tortures there He rack'd a Iew that was his Treasurer With all his friends and kindred to confesse Their Treasury and flew them ne're the lesse Nor safe could his owne blood and kindred be Of either sex from that dire cruelty He kill'd three brothers of his owne his wife Queene Blanch he poyson'd and bereav'd of life In cruell wise his Aunt Queene Leonore Commanding then two noble Ladies more That were his kindred both and did remaine As prisoners in his keeping to be slaine But would you see besides his bloody vice Perfidiousnesse and sordid Avarice A King of Moores exiled from his land Old Aben Alamar at Pedro's hand To find some succour came just so as he Now comes my Edward suppliant to thee But he that never knew what pitty was In stead of that when he perceiv'd alas Th' old King was rich in jewels caus'd for gaine Himselfe and all his servants to be slaine And as to blood to all impiety Is this Don Pedro giv'n nor is he free From lust besides Padilla who had beene His strumpet long and for whose sake the Queene At last was murdred when he could not get To satisfie a sudden lustfull heat Faire Donna Iane of Castro to his bed A false divorce he caused to be read Betwixt Queene Blanch and him and so to Iane Was marry'd whom he soone forsooke againe For all his divellish acts at last though late The holy Church did excommunicate This impious Prince Wilt thou deare Edward be A friend to whom the Church is enemy Oh pardon me if now I feare thy Fate Though still in warre victorious yet With that Downe her faire cheeks the teares distill'd apace The noble Edward with a kind embrace Cheeres his
bright Princesse and in words declares How just a cause excites him to the warres Besides the honour he from thence may gaine That Pedro is the true-borne Lord of Spaine And crowned Monarch that no vice what-e're Can wash away that sacred Character That Subjects may not put their Soveraigne downe Nor give Don Henry title to their Crowne But ought to leave that power to God alone Who can revenge at full what he has done Or else so clense him from the greatest crimes That Pedro's penitence in after-times May all his former impious reigne redeeme Like King Manasses in Ierusalem That it concern'd a true-borne Prince his right To take that part lest other Nations might Hereafter from a president so bad Vsurpe more freedome than they justly had Then taking leave of his deare wife he went To that which after prov'd by accident A fatall warre to England Where though he Obtain'd a great and glorious victory And present honour through all Europe gate Yet most unhappy to his future state The voyage was his treasures wast which cost Sad tumults and his French Dominions lost Besides his losse of health All which was sent Perchance to Edward as a punishment For ayding such a monster though true heire Nor long held Pedro his recover'd chaire Soone after th'English went from thence againe Depos'd and by victorious Henry slaine Thus all their punishments did undergoe Castile Don Pedro and Prince Edward too The Tyrant Pedro for his impious reigne Edward for lifting up the fiend againe And all Castile by England's conquering sword Scourg'd for deposing of their lawfull Lord. With noble Edward to this Spanish warre Young Iohn of Gaunt the Duke of Lancaster His brother marches to whose future state Castile shall prove a name more fortunate Who by the marriage of Don Pedro's heire The Royall title of that land shall weare With large revenues thence The Duke commands One of the three Battalia's with him stands Brave Sir Iohn Chandois who in warre before Had ever beene Prince Edward's Counsellor Now set to guide the youth of Princely Iohn With him young Beauchamp noble Warwick's sonne And stout Lord Dalbert with a gallant traine Of Gentlemen and Knights of Aquitaine The Prince of Wales himselfe commands the maine And middle Battell Pedro King of Spaine For whom the warre is made by Edward's side There marches on and English Chieftaines try'd In many a Battell then esteem'd to be The very flowers of Europes Chevalry With many Lords of high account and name That from Poictou from Maine and Guyenne came A Monarch leads the third Battalia on Iames of Mallorques King that in renowne Like th' ancient Caesars might blacke Edward stand And Kings not scorne to serve in his command There th' Earle of Arminacke leads on his power And English Knolls that expert warriour Thither the Lords of Dalbreth Piergort And many noble Knights and Squires resort With all his army thirty thousand strong The Prince sets forth from France to passe along The famous streights of Roncevall and through The kingdome of Navarre gets leave to goe By which with faithfull guides they passe as farre Before they meet th'approach of any warre As faire Victoria on the bounds of Spaine There some fore-runners of King Henry's traine Descry'd gave notice that the blow was neere But thrice as many as Prince Edward's were The troops that Henry of Castile had brought Besides the natives of the Land that fought To guard their new-elected King and free Themselves from Pedro's future tyranny Th'expertest souldiers of the Realme of France Come to encrease King Henry's puissance And Saracens from our invasions free Beare here a part in Christian enmity And ' gainst Don Pedro guard his brothers throne In three great bodies comes that army on The first and noblest where the French-men stand Is under Bertram of Cleâ—quy's command The greatest body in the midd'st the King Himselfe drawes up the last his brothers bring And now beside the towne of Naveret In faire array are both the battel 's set Renowned Edward to his men declares Th' undoubted justice of their present warres And that no odds of numbers he can feare When he beholds those men those Leaders there Who but ' gainst odds did never battell try Yet never fought without a victory As those that Sluces navall fight had seene That had in Crescy field and Poictiers beene And bids them now maintaine that old renowne They in so many honour'd fields had wonne As much does Bertram his French troops excite And briefly tells them they not onely fight King Henry's Crowne and honour to maintaine And winne fame there but to redeeme againe That dearest honour ' gainst the English hoast Which France of late had to that Nation lost But when King Henry whose great cause was try'd In that dayes hazard saw the English side Were marching on against him in array And that the warre admitted no delay He thus bespeakes his souldiers If a cause Of such great weight as to this battell drawes Your farre-engaged hands could need at all Th' inciting language of a Generall The wrongs of Spaine and brutish cruelty Our foe has us'd afford a scope to me Too large too sad to play the Oratour But well I know your Countries love has power Enough to raise your highest courages And bring you forward were our army lesse Than theirs in number as the odds is ours Vnlesse this battell make us Conquerors There can no people be so low as we No land so wretched as Castile will be T is not our wealth alone or lawes we lose Nor to be quite o're-runne by forreine foes Though every Nation have esteemed those The worst but Spaine must suffer greater woes ' Gainst her so fierce no forreine sword can be As her restored tyrants cruelty His who was once depos'd when to a mind Before so bloody sterne revenge is joyn'd If Spaine before could not endure his yoke How will she beare it now if by warres stroke Our conquering hands make not the action good Better the tyrant undisturb'd had stood What made old Marius when returned home With so much slaughter fill the streets of Rome Marius whose hand was once her best defence But that himselfe had beene exil'd from thence The prisons stinch the shackles that he bore The bread he begg'd on wasted Affrick's shore Which he himselfe before had overcome Made his returne so sad to wretched Rome And can we here feare lesse than Marius brought On Rome or than the Butcher Sylla wrought When not in warres but executions So many thousands were destroy'd at once If in this battell Pedro should o'recome But God avert from Spaine so sad a doome What sights would all her mourning Cities see But racks and gibbets blood and cruelty The land no place in such a peace could yeeld More safe from slaughter than this fighting field And tortur'd wretches that were left in Spaine Would call us happy who in warre were slaine But such a
plague to earth I cannot feare When I behold your manly faces here Brave friends and souldiers To your valours now Let our deare land a greater safety owe Than e're she did to one successefull fight Nor let the fame of English Edward fright Your thoughts at all Fortune has done for him Enough already and it well may seeme Since blinded he maintaines so curs'd a cause That she her favour from that Prince withdrawes The King had done when all the Spanish troops Inflam'd with love of fight and fill'd with hopes A strong desire to heare the signall shew All wish to dye should what they feare be true From every part confused showts are sent And both the hoasts with passions different Together joyne th'auxiliary troops Of France are filled with revengefull hopes To make the English in that bloody day For all their conquests and proud trophees pay The English bold by former battels wonne And to maintaine their fame come fiercely on As strong resolves the eager Spaniards bring Here to establish their new-crowned King And by one prosperous fight for ever free Their wretched land from Pedro's tyranny Great is the fury high the cause is try'd Deepe the engagements lye on either side Both armies mighty in their numbers one In prowesse t'other nor had Spaine e're knowne Although of mighty warres so oft the stage Though there th' old Punicke and the Roman rage So long were seene while fortune doubted yet Which land to make the worlds Imperiall seat Two nobler Hoasts than in that tryall fought And yet this storme so blacke so tragicke brought This one sad comfort that it could not last But all the warre when this great field was past The wretched people hop'd would quite expire Spaine could not bleed so long nor feed the fire So oft with fuell to protract her fate As rich but haplesse France had done of late Against the formost English battell there Which Iohn of Gaunt the Duke of Lancaster Brought up does Bertram of Clesquy advance With all th'auxiliary troops of France There hot and furious the encounter growes No where does Death more freely deale his blowes No part of all the field more stain'd with blood As there the warre began it longest stood And various Fortune longest doubted where To give her favours Youthfull Lancaster Came bravely on in that dayes fight to winne His maiden fame and Bertram that had beene Not many yeeres before in Brittaines warre By famous Chandois taken prisoner The Banner of his ancient foe had seene ' Gainst which he prest with eager hopes to winne From him the honour he had lost againe While slaughter'd bodies strew the purple plaine With Fate farre different did Don Tello draw Against Prince Edward's maine Battalia His forces up though strong that body were And well dispos'd for charging did appeare With Speares in front so strongly fortifi'd Yet there alas King Henry's haplesse side 'Gan first to faile nor could Don Tello long Endure the fierce encounter of so strong And expert souldiers as the Prince had brought Who in so many prosperous fields had fought And in all feats of warre so well were try'd Their fatall taske the strong-nerv'd Archers ply'd So fast that soone the ranke of Speares was broke And routed so that they the field forsooke The rest left naked when the Speares were gone Are by the Gascoigne Horsemen trampled on And now the warres whole fury 'gan to draw Vpon King Henry's great Battalia And was from thence with equall fury met So much the Spaniards on that day had set Their Countries future fortunes and their owne In that Battalia from their slings were throwne Such mortall stones as seem'd awhile to be Aequivalent to th'English Archery But could not prove at last so strong an ayd There stucke the warre there Edward's fortune stay'd There various feats of hardy armes were wrought So many thousand hands to fight were brought Nor did the Common souldiers onely there The toyles of warre and brunt of dangers beare But highest Chiefetaines playd the souldiers parts And through the battell with couragious hearts Their passage made there sterne Don Pedro fought And to the ground that day had many brought Pleas'd now he seem'd he might with honour doe What by his nature he was prompted to Shed human blood Most eager was his spite His visage blacke He that had seene him fight And kill so fast would have suppos'd that from Th' infernall caves the Prince of night had come To worke on earth the ruine of mankind But not content with vulgar deaths his mind Had Fortune suffer'd chiefly aym'd to meet His brother Henry there No blood so sweet As his could be to Pedro's cruell thought So when of old the Argive Princes fought ' Gainst fatall Thebes in Polynices right The banish'd Prince could with no other fight Nor Tragedy be pleas'd but through the presse Still sought his brother proud Eteocles Vntill at last in spite of Piety They meet in field and Fate so cruelly Ballanc'd their impious strengths that both were slaine Yet both did guilty Conquerours remaine Nor did King Henry in his thoughts decline The sad encounter Had the Power Divine But let them meet the like perchance had beene And Spaine as much as fatall Thebes had seene There through the midst the terror of his foes Like Mars himselfe renowned Edward goes White Victory still o're his standard slew As if no other name but his she knew And he in warre did guide the wheele of Fate The glittering swords that shone so bright of late Are quickly all distain'd with purple gore And all the field with slaughter cover'd o're Mischiefe and fury reign'd Deaths groning sound The Trumpets noyse and showts of souldiers drown'd But long the heartlesse Spanish troops how-e're Great were their numbers and their quarrell deare Could not the prowesse of the English bide Which when alas unhappy Henry spy'd And that their rankes they 'gan forsake apace With restlesse industry from place to place He rides to breath into his fainting men Fresh vigour and restore the fight agen He cryes aloud oh friends oh souldiers why Doe you forsake so neare a victory One stroke will finish what is done almost There is no safety when this field is lost For swords why seeke you gibbets and above A noble death an ignominious love With such sad speeches did the eager King Renew the fury of the fight and bring His fainting souldiers on that bloody grew The day againe till th' English spirits anew Collected charg'd their rally'd foes so sore That soone the Spaniards routed as before Into disorder'd flight began to fall Although no office of a Generall Did Henry leave undone Thrice did he stay His vanquish'd men from flight and thrice that day Restore the desperate field but all in vaine Nor did the Fates in justice then ordaine That he should be the Conqueror one fight Must needs be lost to prove Don Pedro's right And raise Prince Edward's fame Then