Empresse for the succession and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 18. yeares and 10. 〈◊〉 1154. Hen 2. sonne of Gef 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 E. of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Empresse 〈◊〉 ated his sonne Hen. in the Crown and gouerment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hu gre t 〈◊〉 and set 〈◊〉 sonnes Henry Richard Geffry Iohn against him 〈◊〉 34. 〈◊〉 7. 〈◊〉 1189. Richard went to the 〈◊〉 warres was 〈◊〉 of Ierusalem 〈◊〉 his brother 〈◊〉 by the help of the King of France 〈◊〉 the crown of England Hee was detained prisoner in Austria redeemed and reigned nine years 9. months 1199. K. Iohn vsurps the right of Arthur sonne to Geffery his elder brother and raignes 17 yeares Hee had warres with his Barons who elected Lewis Sonne to the K. of France 1216. Hen. 3 at 9. yeares of age was Crowned King and raigned 56 yeares 1272. Ed. 1. had the dominion ouer this whole Iland of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 gloriously 34. yeeres 7. Moneths 〈◊〉 307. Edward 2. abused by his Minions debaushed by his owne weaknesse was deposed froÌ„ his gouernment when he had reig ned 19. yeares 6. moneths and was murthered in prison 13. 26. Edw. 3 Edward the black prince who died before his father Richard 2. being but 11. yeares of age was crowned K. of England 1377 Richard the 2. son to the blacke prince The D. of Lancaster intitled K. of Castile in the right of his wife Constance eldest daughter to K. Peter Edmond Langly Earle of Cambridge after created D. of Yorke Thomas of Wood 〈◊〉 after made D. of Glocester Robert Veere Duke of Ireland Ann. Reg. 11. the D. of Gloster with the E E. of Darby AruÌ„del Nottingham Warwicke other L L. hauing forced the K. to put from him all his officers of Court at this ParliameÌ„t caused most of theÌ„ to be executed as 〈◊〉 Beauchamp L. 〈◊〉 of his 〈◊〉 Sir Simon Burley L. Chamberlaine with manyother Also the L. chief Iustice was here executed and all the Iudges condeÌ„ned to death for 〈◊〉 the kings 〈◊〉 against these L L. the 〈◊〉 of the last Parliament m Ann. 10 Ann. Reg. 18. Ann. 20. 〈◊〉 daughter to Charles 6. Valeran E. of S. Paule who had maried the kings halfe sister At the parliament in Anno 11. the I. L. of the league with Gloster being pardoned for their opposing against the kings proceedings were quiet till Anno 21 when vpon report of a new conspiracie they were surprised Mowbray E. Marshal after made Duke of Norfolke 〈◊〉 the charge of dispatching the D. of Gloster at Calice The K. had by 〈◊〉 before pardoned the D. and those two Earles yet was the pardon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quo l credere de se non possit cùm laudatur 〈◊〉 aequa 〈◊〉 Hen. Bollingbroke of Heresord Tho. Mowbray D. of Norfolke Mowbray was banished the very day by the course of the yeere whereon he murthered the D. of Glocester An. Reg. 22. The D. being bavished in 〈◊〉 landed in the beginning of Iulie after 〈◊〉 Rauenspurre in Yorkeshire some say but with 60. men other with 3000 and 8 shippes set forth and furnished by the Duke of Brittaine Ann. Reg. 22. The Genius of England appeares to Bullingbrooke The D. put to death VVilliaÌ„ Scroope E. of 〈◊〉 Treasurer of Eng. with Sir Hen. Greene Sir Iohn Bushy for misgouerning the king and the Realme Th. Arundel Archbish. of Canterburie Bis peccat qui pretextu Religionis peccat Edward D. of Aumerle Sonne to the D. of Yorke Conway Castle in Wales Montague E. of 〈◊〉 This Percie was Earle of Worster brother to the Earle of Northumberland and steward of the Kings house 〈◊〉 D. of Yorke left Gouernour of the ' Realm in the 〈◊〉 of the king hauing leuied a 〈◊〉 Army as if to haue opposed against Bulling brooke brought most of the 〈◊〉 of the kingdome to take his 〈◊〉 The E. of 〈◊〉 sent to the king from Hen. Bulling brooke now D. of Lancaster The Bishop of Carlile Montague Earle of Salisbury This was sir â—eter Leighs â—â—uncitor of â—ime in Cheâ—â—ire that â—ow is nico d' Arâ—is a Gasâ—oin The Earle of â—alsbury his â—peech to K. Richard The Bishop of Carlile Lex Amnestiae The Owle is said to bee Mineruas bird The Archbishop of Cant. takes his text out of the first booke of the Kings cap. 9. Vir dominabitur in populo The Nobilitie accused 〈◊〉 the death 〈◊〉 Thomas of Woodstocke D. of Gloster The Dukes of Surry Excester and Aumarle The Earles of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and other were the parties accused for the death of the D. of Gloster Thom. late Duke of Surry Sir Thom. Blunt This Knight was Sir Pierce of The Exton Primus imperium communicauit posuit Dioclesianus in eo ponendo dixisse fertur Recipe Iupiter imperium quod mihi commodasti The Corps was 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 to LondoÌ„ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 withopen 〈◊〉 in Paules 3 dayes and after a solemne obseque was had to Langley and there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 K. Ric. bruted to be 〈◊〉 after he was 〈◊〉 murthered which 〈◊〉 a conCon 〈◊〉 for the which Sir 〈◊〉 Clarindon supposed to be the base sonne of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was executed with diuers 〈◊〉 Hee 〈◊〉 in his Courte 1000. 〈◊〉 in ordinarie allowance of 〈◊〉 300. 〈◊〉 in his Kitchin aboue 300. Ladies 〈◊〉 and Landerers 〈◊〉 apparell was sumptuous 〈◊〉 so was it generally in his time bee had one Cote of gold and stone valued as 30000. 〈◊〉 One 〈◊〉 with the Fr. King at 〈◊〉 when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isabel was deliuered vnto him cost 300000. markes Hen. 4. 〈◊〉 al letters patents of 〈◊〉 granted by K. 〈◊〉 and K. Ric. Ann. reg 6. When he was first surpris'd in Wales the D. of 〈◊〉 had in 〈◊〉 Castle 100000. 〈◊〉 in coyne and 200000 markes in 〈◊〉 and at his Resignation 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 300000 〈◊〉 beside plate and Iewels A Prince 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sent to forraine Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kings proceedings In this time of Charles 6. 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 warres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 between the Dukes of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 The Truce made with R'c. 2. renewd for 30 yeares but broken the next yeare after vpon their part sending 〈◊〉 de Burbon with forces into 〈◊〉 to the ayde of 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 labors to haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to his sonne Henry Prince of Wales 〈◊〉 Isabel was maried to Charles sonne to 〈◊〉 D. of 〈◊〉 Thom. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 was sent into Gascony with 200. men at Armes and 400. Archers to 〈◊〉 Sir Robert 〈◊〉 Lieutenant there where he 〈◊〉 that Country being 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 vpon their 〈◊〉 for the death of King Ric. whom they especially 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at Burdeux George 〈◊〉 E. of March 〈◊〉 out of Scotland was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 England and 〈◊〉 against his Country Owen Glendour an 〈◊〉 in north-North-Wales 〈◊〉 with the L. Gray of 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 and being not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 owne 〈◊〉 to recouer them 〈◊〉
spoyles Vpon themselues turn-backe their conquering hand Whil'st Kin their Kin Brother the Brother foyles Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band Bowes against Bowes the Crowne against the Crowne Whil'st all pretending right all right 's throwne downe 2 What furie ô what madnes held thee so Deare England too too prodigall of blood To waste so much and warre without a foe Whilst Fraunce to see thy spoyles at pleasure stood How much might'st thou haue purchast with lesse woe T' haue done thee honour and thy people good Thine might haue beene what-euer lies betweene The Alps 〈◊〉 vs the Pyrenei and Rhene 3 Yet now what reason haue we to complaine Since hereby came the calme we did inioy The blisse of thee Eliza happie gaine For all our losse when-as no other way The Heauens could finde but to vnite againe The 〈◊〉 sev'red Families that they Might bring foorth thee that in thy peace might growe That glorie which few Times could euer showe 4 Come sacred Virtue I no Muse but thee 〈◊〉 in this great labour I intend Doo thou inspire my thoughts infuse in mee A power to bring the same to happie end Rayse vp a worke for later times to see That may thy glorie and my paynes commend Make me these tumults rightly to rehearse And giue peace to my life life to my verse 5 And thou Charles 〈◊〉 who didst once afford Rest for my fortunes on thy quiet shore And cheer'dst mee on these measures to record In grauer tones then I had vs'd before Beholde my gratitude makes good my word Ingag'd to thee although thou be no more That I who 〈◊〉 haue liv'd by thee Doo giue thee now a roome to liue with me 6 And MEMORIE preserv'resse of things done Come thou vnfold the woundes the wracke the waste Reueale to me now all the strife be gunne Twixt Lancaster and Yorke in ages past How causes counsels and euents did runne So long as these vnhappie times did last 〈◊〉 with fictions fantasies I versifie the troth not Poetize 7 And to the ende wee may with better ease Discerne the true discourse vouchsafe to showe What were the times foregoing neere to these That these we may with better profit knowe Tell how the world sell into this disease And how so great distemperature did growe So shall we see by what degrees it came How things at full do soone wex out of frame 8 Ten Kings had from the Norman Conqueror raign'd With intermixt and variable fate When England to her greatest height attain'd Of powre dominion glorie wealth and State After it had with much a doo sustain'd The violence of Princes with debate For titles and the often mutinies Of Nobles for their ancient liberties 9 For first the Norman conquering all by might By might was forc't to keepe what he had got Mixing our Customes and the forme of Right With foraine Constitutions he had brought Maistering the mightie humbling the poorer wight By all seuerest meanes that could be wrought And making the succession doubtfull rent This new-got State and left it turbulent 10 VVilliam his sonne tracing his fathers wayes The great men spent in peace or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fight Vpon depressed weaknes 〈◊〉 preyes And makes his force maintaine his doubtfull right His elder brothers clayme vexing his dayes His actions and 〈◊〉 still incite And giuing Beastes what did to Men pertaine Tooke for a Beast himselfe in th' end was slaine 11 His brother Henrie next commands the State Who Roberts title better to reiect Seekes to repacifie the peoples hate And with faire shewes rather then in effect Allayes those grieuances that heauie sate Reformes the lawes which soone hee did neglect And reft of 〈◊〉 for whom he did prepare Leaues crowne and strife to Maude his daughters care 12 Whom Stephen his nephew falsifying his Oath Preuents assay les the Realme obtaines the Crowne Such tumults ray sing as torment them both Whil'st both held nothing certainely their owne Th' afflicted State diuided in their troth And partiall faith most miserable growne Endures the while till peace and Stephens death Gaue some calme leasure to recouer breath 13 When Henrie sonne to Maude the Empresse raignes And England into forme and greatnes brought Addes Ireland to this Scepter and obtaines Large Prouinces in Fraunce much treasure gote And from exactions here at home abstaynes And had not his 〈◊〉 children sought 〈◊〉 his age with tumults he had beene The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that this State had seene 14 Him Richard followes in the gouernment Who much the glory of our Armes increast And all his fathers mighty 〈◊〉 spent In that deuoutfull 〈◊〉 of the East Whereto whiles he 〈◊〉 forces wholly bent 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 opprest A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a fatall King Cut-off his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glory in the spring 15 Which wicked brother contrary to course False Iohn vsurpes his Nephew Arthurs right Gets to the Crowne by craft by wrong by force Rules it with lust oppression rigour might Murders the lawfull heire without remorse Wherefore procuring all the worlds despight A Tyrant loath'd a homicide conuented Poysoned he dyes disgrac't and vnlamented 16 Henrie his sonne is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though young And Lewes of France elected first beguil'd After the mighty had debated long Doubtfull to choose a straunger or a child With him the 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 growne strong Warre for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so long exil'd He graunts the 〈◊〉 that pretended ease Yet kept his owne and did his State appease 17 Edward his 〈◊〉 a Martiall 〈◊〉 succeedes Iust prudent graue religious 〈◊〉 Whose happy ordered Raigne most fertile breedes Plenty of mighty spirits to strength his State And worthy mindes to manage worthy deedes Th' experience of those times ingenerate For euer great imployment for the great Quickens the blood and honour doth beget 18 And had 〈◊〉 his mis-led lasciuious Sonne Edward the second intermitted so The course of glory happily begunne Which brought him and his fauorites to woe That happy current without stop had runne Vnto the full of his sonne Edwards flowe But who hath often seene in such a State Father and Sonne like good like fortunate 19 But now this great Succeeder all repaires And reinduc't that discontinued good He builds vp strength greatnes for his heires Out of the virtues that adornd his blood He makes his Subiects Lords of more then theirs And sets their bounds farre wider then they stood His powre and fortune had 〈◊〉 wrought Could but the State haue kept what he had got 20 And had his heire surviu'd him in due course What limits England hadst thou found what barre What world could haue resisted so great force O more then men two thunderbolts of warre Why did not Time your ioyned worth diuorce T' haue made your seueral glories greater farre Too prodigall was Nature thus to doe To spend in one Age what should serue for two 21 But now the Scepter in this glorious State
now was all disorder in th' excesse And whatsoeuer doth a change portend As idle luxurie and wantonnesse Proteus-like varying Pride vaine without ende Wrong-worker Riot motiue to oppresse Endless Exactions which the idle spend Consuming Vsurie and credits crackt Call'd-on this purging Warre that many lackt 81 Then Ill-perswading want in Martiall mindes And wronged patience long opprest with might Loosenes in all which no religion bindes Commaunding force the measure made of Right Gaue fuell to this fire that easie findes The way t' inflame the whole indangerd quite These were the publique breeders of this Warre By which still greatest States confo unded 〈◊〉 82 For now this peace with Fraunce had shut in here The ouergrowing humours Warres do spend For where t'euacuate no imployments were Wider th'vnwieldy burthen doth distend Men wholly vs'd to warre peace could not beare As knowing no other course whereto to bend For brought vp in the broyles of these two Reames They thought best fishing still in troubled streames 83 Like to a Riuer that is stopt his course Doth violate his bankes breakes his owne bed Destroyes his bounds and ouer-runs by force The neighbour-fieldes irregularly spred Euen so this sodaine stop of Warre doth nurse Home broyles within it selfe from others led So dangerous the change hereof is tri'd Ere mindes ' come soft or otherwise imploid 84 But all this makes for thee ô Bulling brooke To worke a way vnto thy Soueraintie This care the Heauens Fate and Fortune tooke To bring thee to thy 〈◊〉 easily Vpon thee fall's that hap which him forsooke Who crownd a King a King yet must not die Thou wert ordaind by Prouidence to rayse A quarrell lasting longer then thy dayes 85 For now this absent Lord out of his Land Where though he shew'd great sprite and valor then Being attended with a worthy band Of valiant Peeres and most couragious men Gaue time to them at home that had in hand Th'vngodly worke and knew the season when Who faile not to aduise the Duke with speed Solliciting to what hee soone agreed 86 Who presently vpon so good report Relying on his friends fidelitie Conueyes himselfe out of the French Kings Court Vnder pretence to go to Britannie And with his followers that to him resort Landed in England Welcom'd ioyfully Of th'altring vulgar apt for changes still As headlong carried with a present will 87 And com'n to quiet shore but not to rest The first night of his ioyfull landing here A fearefull vision doth his thoughts molest Seeming to see in reuerent forme appeare A faire and goodly woman all distrest Which with full-weeping eyes and rented haire Wringing her hands as one that griev'd and prayd With sighes commixt with words vnto him said 88 O whither dost thou tend my vnkinde Sonne What mischiefe dost thou go-about to bring To her whose Genius thou here lookst vpon Thy Mother-countrey whence thy selfe didst spring Whither thus dost thou in ambition run To change due course by foule disordering What bloodshed what turmoyles dost thou commence To last for many wofull ages hence 89 Stay here thy foote thy yet vnguilty foote That canst not stay when thou art farther in Retire thee yet vnstain'd whil'st it doth boote The end is spoyle of what thou dost begin Iniustice neuer yet tooke lasting roote Nor held that long Impietie did win The babes vnborne shall ô be borne to bleed In this thy quarrell if thou do proceede 90 This said she ceast when he in troubled thought Griev'd at this tale and sigh't and thus replies Deare Countrey ô I haue not hither brought These Armes to spoyle but for thy liberties The sinne be on their head that this haue wrought Who wrongd me first and thee do tyrannise I am thy Champion and I seeke my right Prouok't I am to this by others spight 91 This this pretence saith shee th' ambitious finde To smooth iniustice and to flatter wrong Thou dost not know what then will be thy minde When thou shalt see thy selfe aduanc't and strong When thou hast shak't off that which others binde Thou soone forgettest what thou learnedst long Men do not know what then themselues will bee When-as more then themselues themselues they see 92 And here with all turning about he wakes Lab'ring in spirit troubled with this strange sight And mus'd a while waking aduisement takes Of what had past in sleepe and silent night Yet hereof no important reck'ning makes But as a dreame that vanisht with the light The day designes and what he had in hand Left it to his diuerted thoughts vnscand 93 Doubtfull at first he warie doth proceed Seemes not affect that which he did effect 〈◊〉 else perhaps seemes as he meant indeed Sought but his owne and did no more expect Then Fortune thou art guiltie of his deed That didst his state aboue his hopes erect And thou must beare some blame of his great sinne That 〈◊〉 him worse then when he did beginne 94 Thou didst conspire with Pride and with the Time To make so easie an ascent to wrong That he who had no thought so hie to clime With sauouring comfort still allur'd along Was with occasion thrust into the crime Seeing others weakenes and his part so strong And who is there in such a case that will Do good and feare that may liue free with ill 95 We will not say nor thinke O Lancaster But that thou then didst meane as thou didst sweare Vpon th'Euangelists at Doncaster In th' eye of heauen and that assembly theare That thou but as an vpright orderer Sought'st to reforme th' abused Kingdome here And get thy right and what was thine before And this was all thou would'st attempt no more 96 Though we might say and thinke that this pretence Was but a shadow to the intended act Because th' euent doth argue the offence And plainely seemes to manifest the fact For that hereby thou mightst win confidence With those whom else thy course might hap distract And all suspicion of thy drift remoue Since easily men credit whom they loue 97 But God forbid wee should so neerly pry Into the lowe-deepe-buried sinnes long past T' examine and conferre iniquitie Whereof faith would no memorie should last That our times might not haue t'exemplifie With aged staines but with our owne shame cast Might thinke our blot the first not done before That new-made sinnes might make vs blush the more 98 And let vn wresting Charitie beleeue That then thy oath with thy intent agreed And others faith thy faith did first deceiue Thy after-fortune forc't thee to this deed And let no man 〈◊〉 idle censure giue Because th' euent proues so 't was so decreed For ost our counsels sort to other end Then that which frailtie did at first intend 99 Whil'st those that are but outward lookers on Who sildome sound these mysteries of State Deeme things were so contriv'd as they are done And hold that policie which was but fate Imagining all former acts did
off his Hood And welcomd him though wisht him little good 59 To whom the Duke began My Lord I knowe That both vncall'd and vnexpected too I haue presumed in this sort to showe And seeke the right which I am borne vnto Yet pardon I beseech you and allow Of that constraint which driues me thus to doo For since I could not by a fairer course Attaine mine owne I must vse this of force 60 Well so it seemes deare Cosin said the King Though you might haue procur'd it otherwise And I am here content in euery thing To right you as your selfe shal best deuise And God voutsafe the force that here you bring Beget not England greater iniuries And so they part the Duke made haste from thence It was no place to ende this difference 61 Straight towards London in this heate of pride They forward set as they had fore-decreed With whom the 〈◊〉 King constraind mustride Most meanely mounted on a simple Steed Degraded of all grace and ease beside Thereby neglect of all respect to breed For th'ouer-spreading pompe of prouder might Must darken vveaknes and debase his sight 62 Approaching neere the Cittie hee was met With all the sumptuous shewes ioy could deuise Where new-desire to please did not forget To pasle the vsuall pompe of former guise Striuing applause as out of prison let Runnes-on beyond all bounds to nouelties And voyce and hands and knees and all do now A strange deformed forme of welcome showe 63 And manifold confusion running greetes Shoutes cries claps hands thrusts striues and presses neere Houses impov'risht were t' inrich the streetes And streetes left naked that vnhappie were Plac't from the sight where ioy with wonder meetes Where all of all degrees striue to appeare Where diuers-speaking zeale one murmure findes In vndistinguisht voyce to tell their mindes 64 He that in glorie of his fortune sate Admiring what hee thought could neuer be Did feele his blood within salute his state And lift vp his reioycing soule to see So many hands and hearts congratulate Th' aduancement of his long-desir'd degree When prodigall of thankes in passing by He resalutes them all with chearefull eye 65 Behind him all aloofe came pensiue on The vnregarded King that drooping went Alone and but for spight scarce lookt vpon Iudge if hee did more enuie or lament See what a wondrous worke this day is done Which thimage of both fortunes doth present In th' one to shew the best of glories face In th' other worse then worst of all disgrace 67 Novv Isabell the young afflicted Queene Whose yeares had neuer shew'd her but delights Nor louely eyes before had euer seene Other then smiling ioyes and ioyfull sights 〈◊〉 great matcht great liv'd great and euer beene 〈◊〉 of the worlds best benefits 〈◊〉 plac't her selfe hearing her Lord should passe 〈◊〉 way where she vnseene in secret was 68 Sicke of delay and longing to behold Her long 〈◊〉 Loue in fearefull ieoperdies To whom although it had in sort beene told Of their proceeding and of his surprize Yet thinking they would neuer be so bold To lead their Lord in any shamefull wise But rather would conduct him as their King As seeking but the States reordering 69 And foorth shee lookes and notes the formost traine And 〈◊〉 to view some there she wisht nor there Seeing the chiefe not come stayes lookes againe And yet she sees not him that should appeare Then backe she stands and then desires as faine Againe to looke to see if hee were neere At length a glittering troupe farre off she spies Perceiues the throng and heares the shouts and 〈◊〉 70 Lo yonder now at length he comes sayth shee Looke my good women where he is in sight Do you not see him yonder that is hee Mounted on that white Courser all in white There where the thronging troupes of people bee I know him by his seate he sits s vpright Lo now he bowes deare Lord with what sweet grace How long haue I longd to behold that face 71 O what delight my hart takes by mine eye I doubt me when he comes but something neere I shall set wide the window what care I Who doth see me so him I may see cleare Thus doth false ioy delude her wrongfully Sweete Lady in the thing she held so deare For neerer come she findes she had mistooke And him she markt was Henrie Bullingbrooke 72 Then Enuie takes the place in her sweet eyes Where Sorrow had prepar'd her selfe a seat And words of wrath from whence complaints should rise Proceed from egre lookes and browes that threat Traytor saith shee ist thou that in this wise To braue thy Lord and King art made so great And haue mine eyes done vnto me this wrong To looke on thee for this staid I so long 73 Ah haue they grac't a periur'd Rebell so Well for their errour I will weepe them out And hate the tongue defil'd that praysde my foe And loath the minde that gaue me not to doubt What haue I added shame vnto my woe I le looke no more Ladies looke you about And tell me if my Lord be in this traine Least my betraying eyes should erre againe 74 And in this passion turnes 〈◊〉 selfe away The rest looke all and carefull note each wight Whil'st she impatient of the least delay Demaundes againe And what not yet in sight Where is my Lord What gone some other way I muse at this O God graunt all goe right Then to the window goes againe at last And sees the chiefest traine of all was past 75 And sees not him her soule desir'd to see And yet hope spent makes her not leaue to looke At last her loue-quicke eyes which ready be Fastens on one whom though she neuer tooke Could be her Lord yet that sad cheere which hee Then shew'd his habit and his woful looke The grace he doth in base attire retaine Caus'd her she could not from his sight refraine 76 What might he be she said that thus alone Rides pensiue in this vniuersall ioy Some I perceiue as well as we do mone All are not pleas'd with euery thing this day It may be hee laments the wrong is done Vnto my Lord and grieues as well he may Then he is some of ours and we of right Must pittie him that pitties our said plight 77 But stay 〈◊〉 not my Lord himselfe I see In truth if 't were not for his base aray I verily should thinke that it were hee And yet his basenes doth a grace bewray Yet God forbid let me deceiued be And be it not my Lord although it may Let my desire make vowes against desire And let my sight approue my sight a lier 78 Let me not see him but himselfe a King For so he left me so he did remoue This is not he this feeles some other thing A passion of dislike or else of loue O yes 't is he that princely face doth bring The euidence of Maiestie to prooue That
and on the shore Reacht yet vnto the centre of the Land Searcht all those humors that were bred before Shakes the whole frame whereon the State did stand Affection pittie fortune feare being more Farre off and absent then they are at hand Pittie becomes a traytor with th' opprest And many haue beene rays'd by being supprest 49 For they had left although themselues were gone Opinion and their memorie behinde Which so preuayles that nought could here be done But straight was knowne as soone as once design'd Court Councell-chamber Closet all were won To be reuealers of the Princes minde So false is Faction and so smooth a lyer As that it neuer had a side entire 50 Whereby th'exil'd had leasure to preuent And circumuent what-euer was deuiz'd Which made that Faulconbridge to Sandwich bent That Fortresse and the Gouernour surpriz'd Who presently from thence to Calais sent Had his vnguiltie blood there sacrifiz'd And Faulconbridge returning backe relates Th' affection here and zeale of all estates 51 Drawne with which newes and with a spirit that dar'd T' attempt on any likelihood of support They take th' aduantage of so great regard Their landing here secur'd them in such sort By Faulconbridge the fatall bridge prepar'd To be the way of blood and to transport Returning furie to make greater wounds Then euer England saw within her bounds 52 And but with fifteene hundred men do land Vpon a Land with many millions stor'd So much did high-presuming Courage stand On th' ayde home-disobedience would afford Nor were their hopes deceiv'd for such a hand Had Innouation ready for the sword As ere they neere vnto the Cittie drew Their powre beyond all former greatnesse grew 53 Muse what may we imagine was the Cause That Furie workes thus vniuersally What humor what affection is it drawes Sides of such powre to this Nobilitie Was it their Conscience to redresse the Lawes Or malice to a wrong-plac't Sov'raintie That caus'd them more then wealth or life desire Destruction ruine bloud-shed sword and fire 54 Or was the Powre of Lords thus inter-plac't Betwixt the height of Princes and the State Th' occasion that the people so imbrac't Their actions and attend on this Debate Or had their Greatnesse with their Worth imbas't The Touch of Royaltie to so lowe rate As their opinion could such tumults moue Then Powre and Virtue you contagious proue 55 And Perianders leuell'd Eares of Corne Shew what is fittest for the publique Rest And that the hyest Minions which adorne A Common-weale and doo become it best Are Zeale and Iustice Law and Customes borne Of hye descent that neuer do infest The Land with false suggestions claymes affrights To make men lose their owne for others rights 56 But now against this disproportion bends The feeble King all his best industrie And from abrode Skales Louell Kendall sends To hold the Cittie in fidelitie The Cittie which before for others ends Was wrought to leaue the part of Royaltie Where though the Kings commaund was of no powre Yet worke these Lords so that they tooke the Towre 57 And from thence labour to bring-in againe The out-let will of disobediencie Send terror threates intreaties but in vaine VVarwicke and March are with all iollitie And grace receiv'd The Citties loue did gaine The best part of a Crowne for whose defence And intertaining still stayes Salsburie Whil'st March and VVarwicke other fortunes try 58 Conducting their fresh troupes against their King Who leaues a woman to supply his steed And neere Northhampton both imbattailing Made now the very heart of England bleed Where what strange resolutions both sides bring And with what deadly rancour they proceed Witnesse the blood there shed and fowlly shed That cannot but with sighes be registred 59 There Buckingham Talbot and Egremont Bewmont and Lucy parts of Lancaster Parts most important and of chiefe account In this vnhappy day extinguisht are There the Lord Grey whose fayth did not amount Vnto the trust committed to his care Betrayes his King borne to be strangely tost And late againe attain'd againe is lost 60 Againe is lost this out-side of a King Ordain'd for others vses not his owne Who to the part that had him could but bring A feeble body onely and a Crowne But yet was held to be the dearest thing Both sides did labor-for so much to crowne Their Cause with the apparency of might From whom and by whom they must make their Right 61 When he himselfe as if he nought esteem'd The highest Crowne on earth continues one Weake to the world which his Religion deem'd Like to the breath of man vaine and soone gone 〈◊〉 the stout Queene by speedy flight redeem'd The safety of her selfe and of her Sonne And with her Sommerset to Durham fled Her powres supprest her heart vnuanquished 62 So much for absent Yorke is acted here Attending English hopes on th' Irish coast Which when vnlookt-for they related were Ambition still on horse-backe comes in poast And seemes with greater glory to appeare As made the more by be'ing so long time lost And to the Parlement with state is led Which his associates had fore-summoned 63 And com'n into the Chamber of the Peeres He sets himselfe downe in the chayre of State Where such an vnexpected face appeares Of an amazed Court that gazing sate With a dumbe silence seeming that it feares The thing it went about t'effectuate As if the Place the Cause the Conscience giue Barres to the words their forced courso should haue 64 T is strāge those times which brought such hāds for blood Had not bred tongues to make good any side And that no prostituted conscience stood Any iniustice to haue iustifid As men of the forelone hope onely good In desperatest acts to be imploy'd And that none in th' assembly there was found That would t'ambitious descant giue a ground 65 That euen himselfe forc't of necessitie Must be the Orator of his owne Cause For hauing viewd them all and could espie None proff'ring once to speake all in a pause On this friend lookes with an inuiting eye And then on that as if he woo'd applause Holding the cloth of State still in his hand The signe which he would haue them vnderstand 66 But se'ing none moue with an imperiall port Gath'ring his spirits he ryses from his seat Doth with such powre of wordes his Cause support As seemes all others Causes to defeat And sure who workes his Greatnesse in that sort Must haue more powres then those that are borne great Such Reuolutions are not wrought but when Those spirits doe worke which must be more then men 67 He argues first his Right so long with-held By th'vsurpation of the Lancasters The Right of a direct Line alwayes held The sacred course of Blood our Ancestors Our Lawes our reuerent Customes haue vp-held With holy hands Whence when disorder crres What horrors what confusion do we see Vntill it be reduc't
doe is done 108 And nothing now but to confirme him king Remaines which must not long remaine to do The present heate doth strait dispatch the thing With all those solemne rites that long thereto So that what Yorke with all his trauay ling Force and intrusion could not get vnto Is now thus freely layd vpon his sonne Who must make faire what 〈◊〉 was begunne 109 Whos 's end attayn'd had it here made an end Of foule destruction and had stay'd the bloud Which Towton Exham Tewksbury did spend With desp'rate hands and deeper wounds with stood And that none other Crowne brought to contend With that of his had made his seeme lesse good How had this long-afflicted Land been blest Our sighes had ended and my Muse had rest 110 Which now but little past halfe her long way Stands trembling at the horrors that succeed Weary with these embroylements faine would stay Her 〈◊〉 course vnwilling to proceed And faine to see that glorious holy-day Of Vnion which this discord reagreed Knowes not as yet what to resolue vpon Whether to leaue-off here or else go-on The end of the seauenth Booke THE EIGHTTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Edward Powre against King Henry led And hath at Towton-field the victory From whence King Henry into Scotland fled Where he attempts his States recouery Steales into England is discouered Brought Prisoner to the Towre disgracefully And Edward whiles great Warwick doth assay A Match in France marries the Lady Grey 1 ON yet sad Verse though those bright 〈◊〉 from whence Thou hadst thy light are set for euermore And that these times do not like grace dispense To our indeuours as those did before Yet on since She whose beames do reincense This sacred fire seemes as reseru'd in store To raise this Worke and here to haue my last Who had the first of all my labours past 2 On with her blessed fauour and relate With what new bloud-shed this new chosen Lord Made his first entry to th' afflicted State Past his first Act of publique with the sword Ingor'd his new-worne Crowne and how he gat Possession of affliction and restor'd His Right vnto a Royall miserie Maintained with as bloudy dignitie 3 Shew how our great Pharsalian Field was fought At Towton in the North the greatest day Of ruine that 〈◊〉 euer brought Vnto this Kingdom where two Crownes did sway The worke of slaughter two Kings Causes wrought Destruction to our People by the waie Of their affections and their loyalties As if one for these ills could not suffise 4 Where Lancaster and that couragious side That noble constant Part came furnished With such a Powre as might haue terrifi'd And ouer-run the earth had they been led The way of glory where they might haue tri'd For th' Empire of all Europe as those did The Macedonian led into the East Their number being double at the least 5 And where braue Yorke comes as compleatly mand With courage valour and with equall might Prepar'd to trie with a resolued hand The metall of his Crown and of his Right Attended with his fatall fier-brand Of Warre Warwicke that blazing starre of fight The Comet of destruction that portends Confusion and distresse what way he tends 6 What rage what madness England do we see That this braue people in such multitude Run to confound themselues and all to be Thus mad for Lords and for meere Seruitude What might haue been if Roman-like and free These gallant Spirits had nobler ends pursu'd And strayn'd to points of glory and renowme For good of the Republique and their owne 7 But here no Cato with a Senate stood For Common-wealth nor here were any sought T'emancipate the State for publique good But onely headlong for their faction wrought Here euery man runs-on to spend his bloud To get but what he had already got For whether Pompey or a Caesar wonne Their state was euer sure to be all one 8 And first before these fatall Armies met Had forward Warwicke lay'd the passage free At Ferry Brigges where the Lord Clifford set With an aduentrous gallant companie To guard that streight Yorkes farther march to let Began the Scene to this great Tragedie Made the first entrance on the Stage of blood Which now set wide for wounds all open stood 9 When Edward to exhort his men began With words where to both spirit and Maiestie His pers'nage gave for-that he was a man Besides a King whose Crowne sate gracefully Com'n is the day sayd he wherin who can Obtaine the best is Best this day must try Who hath the wrong and whence our ills haue beene And t is our swords must make vs honest men 10 For though our Cause by God and men allow'd Hath in it honor right and honestie Yet all as nothing is to be avow'd Vnless withall we haue the victorie For Iustice is we see a virtue proud And leanes to powre and leaues weake miserie And therefore seeing the case we now stand in We must resolue either to dy or winne 11 So that if any here doth finde his heart To fayle him for this noble worke or stands Irresolute this day let him depart And leaue his Armes behind for worthier hands I knowe e now will stay to doo their part Here to redeeme themselues 〈◊〉 children landes And haue the glory that thereby shall rise To free their Country from these miseries 12 But here what needed wordes to blowe the fire In flame already and inkindled so As when it was proclaym'd they might retire Who found vnwillingnes to vnder-goe That ventrous worke they all did so conspire To stand out Fortune that not one would goe To beare away a hand from bloud not one Defraud the Field of th' euill might be done 13 Where VVarwicke too producing in their sight An argument whereby he did conclude There was no hope of 〈◊〉 but by fight Doth sacrifize his horse to Fortitude And thereby did the least conceipt of flight Or any succour by escape exclude Se'ing in the streight of a necessitie The meanes to win is t' haue no meanes to flye 14 It was vpon the twi-light of that day That peacefull day when the Religious beare The Oliue-branches as they go to pray And we in lieu the blooming Palmes vse here When both the Armies ready in array Forth ' early sacrifize of blood appeare Prepar'd formischiefe ere they had full light To see to doo it and to doo it right 15 Th' aduantage of the time and of the winde Which both with Yorke seeme as retayn'd in pay Braue Faulconbridge takes hold-on and assign'd The Archers their flight-shafes to shoote away Which th' aduerse side with sleet and dimnesse blinde Mistaken in the distance of the way Answere with their sheafe-arrowes that came short Of their intended ayme and did no hurt 16 But gath'red by th'on-marching Enemy Returned were like clowdes of steele which powre Destruction downe and did new-night the sky As if the Day had fayl'd
to keepe his howre Whereat the ranged horse breake-out deny Obedience to the Riders scorne their powre Disrank the troupes set all in disarray To maketh ' Assay lant owner of the day 17 Thus thou peculiar Ingine of our Land Weapon of Conquest Maister of the Field Renowmed Boaw that mad'st this Crowne command The towres of Fraunce and all their powres to yeeld Art made at home to haue th' especiall hand In our dissensions by thy worke vp-held Thou first didst conquer vs then rays'd our skill To vanquish others here our selues to spill 18 And now how com'st thou to be out of date And all neglected leav'st vs and art gone And with thee th' ancient strength the manly state Of valor and of worth that glory wonne Or else stay'st thou till new-priz'd shot abate That neuer shall affect what thou hast don And oneiy but attend'st some blessed Raigne When thou and Virtue shalt be grac't againe 19 But this sharp tempest draue Northumberland Who led the vant-guard of king Henries side With eger heatioine battaile out of hand And this disorder with their swords to hide Where twice siue howres these furious armies stand And Fortunes Ballance weigh'd on neither side Nor either did but equall bloud-shed gayne Till Henries chiefest leaders all were slaine 20 Then lo those spirits which from these heads deriue Their motions gaue off working and in haste Turne all their backs to Death and mainely striue Who from themselues shall run-away most fast The after-slyers on the former driue And they againe by the pursuers chac't Make bridges of their fellowes backs to pass The Brooks and Riuers where-as danger was 21 Witnes O cleare-stream'd Cock within whose banks So many thousand crawling helpless lay With wounds and wearinesle who in their rankes Had valiantly behav'd themselues that daie And might haue had more honour and more thankes By standing to their worke and by their stay But men at once life seeme to loue and loath Running to lose it and to saue it both 22 Vnhappy Henrie from a little Hill Plac't not 〈◊〉 off whence he might view the fight Had all th' intire full prospect of 〈◊〉 ill With all the scattered slaughter in his sight Saw how the victorrag'd and spoil'd at wil And left not off when all was in his might Saw with how great adoo himselfe was wonne And with what store of blood Kings are vndone 23 We are not worth so much nor I nor he As hath beene spent for vs by you this day Deare people said he therefore O agree And leaue off mischiefe and your malice stay Stay Edward stay They must a People bee When we shall not be Kings and it is they Who make vs with their miseries Spare them For whom thou thus dost seeke a Diadem 24 For me I could be pleas'd t' haue nought to doe With Fortune and content my selfe were ill So England might be well and that t' vndoe Me might suffice the sword without more ill And yet perhaps these men that cleaue vnto The parts of Princes with such eger will Haue likewise their owne ends of gaine or hate In these our strifes and nourish this debate 25 Thus stood he drawing lines of his discourse In contemplation when more needfully It did import him to deuise a course How he might shift for his recouery And had beene taken had not some by force Rescu'd and drawne him off more speedilie And brought him vnto Yorke in all maine poste Where he first told his Queen the daie was lost 25 Who as compos'd of that firme temp'rature Which could not bend to base complaynts nor wayle As weakenes doth fore-knowing howt'indure Fayl'd not hersolfe though Fortune did her fayle But rather casts-about how to procure Meanes to reserue her part and to preuaile Of that poore time left her to saue her owne As one though ouer-come not ouer-throwne 26 Now when she had of fatall Lancaster Seene all the pillars crusht and ruined That vnder-set it all that followed her Of those heroicke personages dead Saue onely Sommerset and Excester Who from this last destruction hardly fled And saw all lost and nothing in her might But onely that which must be sav'd by flight 27 Now when there was no North left of their owne To draw vnto no side to gather head No people to be rays'd t'an emptie Crowne Nor yet the ground their owne whereon they tread When yet your faith worthy of all renowne Constant Northumbrians firme continued And though you could not render succors fit Vnto your Sov'raigne you would saue him yet 28 And be as few men in this world are true Vnto affliction and to miserie And would not basely purchace and renew Your peace and safetie by 〈◊〉 But wrought that though the Victor did pursue With greedy care and egre industrie To haue surpriz'd him yet was all in 〈◊〉 Till he recouered Berwicke with his 〈◊〉 29 Where now he was at some more vacancie To vnderstand and see himselfe vndone Which in this sodaine-comming misery He had no leasure to consider-on And now 〈◊〉 he that poore company Attending on himselfe his wife and sonne Sees how that all the State which serv'd his Crowne Was shut within the walls of one small towne 30 〈◊〉 there what a poore distressed thing A King without a people was and whence The glory of that Mightinesse doth spring That ouer-spreds with such a reuerence This vnder-world whence comes this furnishing And all this splendor of Magnificence He sees what chayre so-euer Monarch sate Vpon on Earth the People was the State 31 And yet although he did contayne no more Then what he saw yet saw a peece so small Could not containe him What he was before Made him vncapable of any wall To yeeld him succour now he must haue more Then onely this small Holde or none at all And therefore this se'ing it auayl'd him not Nor could he keepe he renders to the Scot 32 As th' Earnest to confirme and ratifie The league betweene them two newly begun Whereof to make more sure and faster tye He promist too th' alliance of his sonne And all that might secure their amity With willingnesse on either side was done And heere they practise all they can deuise To turne reuenge vpon their Enemyes 33 Thus England didst thou see the mightiest King Thou euer hadst in Power and Maiesty Of State and of Dominions gouerning A most magnificent Nobility With an aduent'rous people flourishing In all the glories of felicitie Chac't from his kingdom forc't to seeke redresse In parts remote distrest and succourlesse 34 Now Bullingbrook these miseries heere showne Doo much vnlode thy sinne make thy ill good For if thou did didst by wrong attaine the Crowne T' was without cryes it cost but little bloud But Yorke by his attempt hath ouer-throwne All the best glorie wherein England stood And did his state by her vndooing winne And was though white without yet red within 35 And thus he hath
honor aboue Greatnes prise And so being full of what she did conceiue Desires to be dismist and takes her leaue 75 Here Mary Pembrooke by whose generous brow And noble graces I 〈◊〉 These shapes of others virtues could I showe In what a desperat and confus'd estate She left this disappointed King and how Loue and Ambition in their glory sate And tyranniz'd on his diuided hart Warring each other with a powrefull part 76 How first Loue vnderneath his Colours brought The strength of all her gracefull worthinesse And sets them in th' aduantage of his thought Vpon the side of Youth and Wantonnesse Then how Ambition that for glory wrought Comes with his State his Crowne and Powrfulnes And plants her on the side of prouidence To beat vnfit Affections off from thence 77 But I must ouer-goe these passages And hasten-on my way to ouer-take Mine endes in sad and grauer businesses Wherof I shall to you relation make And yet my zeale here forc't mee thus t' expresse Elizabeth forour Elizaes sake Who grac't the Muses which her Times became For they who giue them comfort must haue fame 78 And I must tell you now when this great fight Of counter-passions had beene throughly try'd How in the ende the victorie did light Vpon Loues forces as the stronger side And beat downe those respects of benefite Of honor greatnes strength and all beside And neuer graunted rest vnto his strife Till mariage rites had her confirm'd his wife 79 Which that place where he saw her first saw donne Ere he remov'd his foot for Loue is stil In haste and as a Lord that rules alone Admittes no Counseller in good norill For He and Kings gladly giue eare to none But such as smooth their wayes and sooth their will And who will not desire to giue his voyce Be what it will to prayse a Princes choyce 80 Which was indeed in virtue beautie grace And all but fortune worthy of his bed And in that too had hee but liv'd the space Thaue seene her plentious issue fully bred That they might haue collated strength and grace On her weake side which 〈◊〉 and maliced Lay-open vndefenc't apt to b'vndon By proud vsurping Powre when he was gon 81 But now when fame of this home-chosen Match Arriu'd in France for there it did arriue Ere they could heere attend to make dispatch T' impart the same to Warwick or contriue Some colour that in any sort might fetch Him fayrely off and no dishonor giue It so much stird the humors in those parts As marr'd the whole complexion of their hearts 82 The French King scornes such an indignity VVarwick disdaines imployment in this case The Queene inrag'd with extreame vehemency Stormes at her sisters and her owne disgrace The Lady Bona takes most tenderly To be so mockt with hope of such a Place And all blame Warwick and his fraud condem Whil'st he himself deceiu'd suffers with them 83 And could not by all meanes might be deuiz'd Vntaste them of this violent disgust But that they still held something lay disguis'd Vnder this treaty So that now he must Bring-home his reputation cauteris'd With th' idle marke of seruing others lust In friuolous imployments or be sent Out of the way to colour some intent 84 Which to himselfe made him with griefe inueigh Against distemp'red kings who often are Ill warrants for their owne affaires and waigh Their lusts more then their dignity by far And what a miserie they haue that sway Their great designes what danger and what care And often must be forc't be'ing at their becks To crack their reputation or their necks 85 How their high fauours like as fig-trees are That growe vpon the sides of rocks where they Who reach their fruit aduenture must so far As t' hazard their deep down-fall and decay Their grace not fixt but as a blazing star Burnes out the present matter and away And how the world could too wel witnesse 〈◊〉 That both their loues and hates like dangerous were 86 Thus he complaynes and makes his home-retire All disappointed of his purposes For hoping by this Match to hold intire That Lady with her great alliances And haue the King more 〈◊〉 to his desire By managing of both their bus'nesses He by this Match thus made without his mean Comes barr'd from al those tying int'rests cleane 87 For well he knew that all his seruice past Was past and would not be a future tye To hold him in vnlesse that he could cast To introduce some neerenecessity Of his imployment that were like to last And shut-out all other concurrency Without which nor his Greatnes nor his Wits Could ward him from the Kings vnconstant fits 88 Which more perplext him and in neerer sort Then what France might by his ambassage ghesse Or England deeme But being arriu'd at Cort He drawes a Trauerse 'twixt his greeuances Lookes like the time his eye made not report Of what he felt within nor was he lesse Then vsually he was in euery part Wore a cleere face vpon a clowdy hart 89 Congratulates the Queene commends the King For his rare choice protesting her to be Far beyond all the world beside could bring To fit his liking and that he did see The Lady Bona was a peeuish thing Sullayne and proud and would in no degree Haue pleas'd his humor or in any sort Haue satisfi'd the Ladies of this Cort. 90 And after hauing finisht all the rite Of complement and interuisiting He humbly craues 〈◊〉 that he might Retyre a while t' attend the managing And setting of his country-bus'nesse right Whereby the better to attend the King From whom he parts and neuer seem'd more deere More 〈◊〉 nor yet himselfe offre'er cheere 91 First VVarwick-Castle that had seldome knowne The Maister there he visits and from thence Goest ' other goodly Mannours of his owne Where seene with ioy with loue with reuerence King of him selfe he findes that there is show'n The vse of life the true magnificence 〈◊〉 his Greatnesse which at Corte in vaine Mentoyle-for and yet neuer doo attaine 92 Which his religious Confessor who best Could cast with what a violent accesse This seuer of Ambition did molest His still-sick minde takes hold-on to addresse Vpon th' aduantage of this little rest Some lenitiues t' allay the firynesse Of this disease which as a maladie Seiz'd in the Spirits hath seldom remedy 93 And thus sets on him See my Lord how heere Th' eternall Prouidence of God hath brought You to the Shore of safetie out of feare From all the waues of misery that wrought To ouer-whelm you and hath set you cleare Where you would bee with hauing which you sought Through all these hazards of distresse a King Of your owne making and establishing 94 And now my Lord I trust you will sit downe And rest you after all this passed thrall And be your selfe a Prince within your owne Without aduent'ring any more at all Your state in others Bottomes hauing knowne