his Towers and Castles set on fire Knitting vp her Epistle with a great and constant resolution Though Dunmow giue no refuge heere at all Dunmow can giue my body buriall FINIS To the vertuous Lady the Lady Anne Harrington wife to the honourable Gentleman Sir Iohn Harrington Knight MY singuler good Lady your many vertues knowne in generall to all and your gracious fauours to my vnwoorthy selfe haue confirmed that in mee which before I knew you I onelie sawe by the light of other mens iudgements Honour seated in your breast findes herselfe adorned as in a rich pallace making that excellent which makes her admirable which like the Sunne from thence begetteth most precious things of this earthly worlde onely by the vertue of his rayes not the nature of the mould VVorth is best discerned by the worthie deiected mindes want that pure fire which should giue vigor to vertue I referre to your great thoughts the vnpartiall Iudges of true affection the vnfained zeale I haue euer borne to your honorable seruice and so rest your Ladiships humbly to commaund Mich Drayton Queene Isabell to Mortimer ¶ The Argument Queene Isabell the wife of Edward the second called Edward Carnaruan beeing the daughter of Phillip de Beau King of Fraunce forsaken by the King her husband who delighted onely in the companie of Piers Gaueston his minion and fauorite and after his death seduced by the euill counsaile of the Spensers This Queene thus left by her husband euen in the glory of her youth drewe into her especiall fauour Roger Mortimer Lorde of VVigmore a man of a mightie and inuinsible spirit This Lord Mortimer rising in armes against the King with Thomas Earle of Lancaster and the Barons was taken ere he could gather his power and by the King committed to the Tower of London During his imprisonment he ordained a feast in honour of his birth-day to which he inuited Sir Stephen Segraue Lieutenant of the Tower and the rest of the officers where by meanes of a drinke prepared by the Queene hee cast them all into a heauie sleepe and with Ladders of cords beeing ready prepared for the purpose he escapeth and flieth into Fraunce whether shee sendeth this Epistle complaining her owne misfortunes and greatly reioycing at his safe escape THough such sweet comfort comes not now from her As Englands Queene hath sent to Mortimer Yet what that wants which might my power approue If lines can bring thys shall supply with loue Me thinks affliction should not fright me so Nor should resume these sundry shapes of woe But when I faine would find the cause of this Thy absence shewes me where the errout is Oft when I thinke of thy departing hence Sad sorrow then posseth ' euery sence But finding thy deere blood preseru'd thereby And in thy life my long-wish'd libertie vvith that sweet thought my selfe I onely please Amidst my griefe which somtimes giues me ease Thus doe extreamest ils a ioy possesse And one woe makes another woe seeme lesse That blessed night that milde-aspected howre vvherein thou mad'st escape out of the Tower Shall consecrated euer-more remaine VVhat gentle Planet in that howre did raigne And shall be happy in the birth of men vvhich was chiefe Lord of the Ascendant then O how I feard that sleepy iuyce I sent Might yet want power to further thine intent Or that some vnseene misterie might lurke vvhich wanting order kindly should not worke Oft did I wish those dreadfull poysoned lees That clos'd the euer-waking Dragons eyes Or I had had those sence-bereauing stalkes That grow in shady Proserpines darke walkes Or those blacke weedes on Lethe bankes below Or Lunary that doth on Latmus flow Oft did I feare this moist and foggie clime Or that the earth waxt barraine now with time Should not haue hearbes to help me in this case Such as doe thriue on Indias parched face That morrow when the blessed sunne did rise And shut the lids of all heauens lesser eyes Forth from my pallace by a secret stayre I steale to Thames as though to take the ayre And aske the gentle flood as it doth glide Or thou didst passe or perrish by the tide If thou didst perrish I desire the streame To lay thee softly on her siluer teame And bring thee to me to the quiet shore That with her teares thou might'st haue some teares more VVhen suddainly doth rise a rougher gale vvith that me thinks the troubled waues looke pale And sighing with that little gust that blowes vvith this remembrance seeme to knit theyr browes Euen as this suddaine passion doth affright me The cheerefull sunne breakes from a clowde to light mee Then doth the bottome euident appeare As it would shew me that thou wast not there VVhen as the water flowing where I stand Doth seeme to tell me thou art safe on land Did Bulloyne once a festiuall prepare For England Almaine Cicile and Nauarre vvhen Fraunce enuied those buildings onely blest Grac'd with the Orgies of my bridall feast That English Edward should refuse my bed For that incestuous shameles Ganimed And in my place vpon his regall throne To set that girle-boy wanton Gaueston Betwixt the feature of my face and his My glasse assures me no such difference is That a foule witches bastard should thereby Be thought more worthy of his loue then I. VVhat doth auaile vs to be Princes heyres vvhen we can boast câ—r birth is onely theyrs vvhen base dissembling flatterers shall deceiue vs Of all our famous Auncestors did leaue vs And of our princely iewels and our dowers vvee but enioy the least of what it ours vvhen Minions heads must weare our Monarchs crownes To raise vp dunghils with our famous townes vvhen beggers-brats are wrapt in rich perfumes Their buzzard wings impt with our Eagles plumes And match'd with the braue issue of our blood Alie the kingdome to theyr crauand brood Did Longshanks purchase with his conquering hand Albania Gascoyne Cambria Ireland That young Caernaruan his vnhappy sonne Should giue away all that his Father wonne To backe a stranger proudly bearing downe The braue alies and branches of the crowne And did great Edward on his death-bed giue This charge to them which afterwards should liue That that proude Gascoyne banished the Land No more should tread vpon the English sand And haue these great Lords in the quarrell stood And seald his last will with theyr deerest blood That after all this fearefull massaker The fall of Beauchamp Lasy Lancasterâ— Another faithlesse fauorite should arise To cloude the sunne of our Nobilities And gloried I in Gauestons great fall That now a Spenser should succeede in all And that his ashes should another breed vvhich in his place and empire should succeede That wanting one a kingdoms wéalth to spend Of what that left thys now shall make an end To wast all that our Father won before Nor leaue our sonne a sword to conquer more Thus but in vaine we fondly doe resist vvhere power can doe
power this outrage to represse vvhich might thy zeale and sanctitie enrole Come thou in purenes meekely with the word Lay not thy hand to the vnhallowed sword 7 Blood-thirsting warre arising first from Hell And in progression ceazing on this I le vvhere it before neere forty yeeres did dwell And with pollution horribly defile By which so many a worthy English fell By our first Edward banished awhile Transferd by fortune to the Scottish meare To ransack that as it had rauin'd heere 8 VVhere houering still vvith inauspicious vvings About the verge of thâ—se distempered climes Returning now new error hether brings To stir vs vp to these disastrous crimes vveakeneth our power by oft diminishings And taking hold on these vnsetled times Forcing our frailty sensually at length Crackt the stiffe nerues that knit our auncient strength 9 vvhose frightfull vision at the first approach vvith violent madnes strooke that desperate age So many sundry miseries abroach Giuing full speede to their vnbrideled rage That did our auncient libertie encroach And in these stronge conspiracies ingage The worthiest blood the subiects losse to bring By innaturall wrongs vnto their naturall king 10 VVhen in the North whilst horror yet was young These dangerous seasons swiftly comming on vvhilst o're our heads portentious meteours hung And in the skyes sterne Comets brightly shone Prodigious births oft intermixt among Such as before to times had beene vnknowne In bloody issues forth the earth doth breake vveeping for vs whose woes it could not speake 11 vvhen by the ranknes of contagious ayre A mortall plague inuadeth man and beast vvhich soone disperst and raging euery where In doubt the same too quickly should haue ceast More to confirme the certaintie of feare By cruell famine haplesly encreast As though the heauens in their remisful doome Tooke those best lou'd from worset dayes to come 12 The leuell course that we propose to goe Now to th' intent you may more plainly see And that we euery circumstance may show The state of things and truly what they be And with what skill or proiect we bestow As our accurrents happen in degree From these portents we now diuert our view To bring to birth the horrors that ensue 13 The calling backe of banisht Gaueston Gainst which the Barrons were to Longshanks sworne That insolent lasciuious Minion A Soueraignes blemish and a countries scorne The signiories and great promotion Him in his lawlesse courses to subborne Stirres vp that hatefull and outragious strife That cost ere long so many an English life 14 O worthy Lacy hadst thou spar'd that breath vvhich shortly after nature thee deny'd To Lancaster deliuered at thy death To whom thy onely daughter was affy'd That this sterne warre too quickly publisheth To ayde the Barrons gainst that Minions pride Thy Earldoms lands and titles of renowne Had not so soone returnd vnto the Crowne 15 The Lordships Bruse vnto the Spensers past Crossing the Barrons vehement desire As from Ioues hand that fearefull lightning cast vvhen fifty townes lay spent in enuious fire Alas too vaine and prodigall a wast The strong effect of theyr conceiued ire Vrging the weake King with a violent hand T' abiure those false Lords from the troubled land 16 VVhen the fayre Queene that progressing in Kent Lastly deny'd her entrance into Leeds vvhom Badlesmere vnkindly doth preuent vvho gainst his Soueraigne in this course proceeds As adding further to this discontent One of the springs which this great mischiefe feeds Heaping on rage and horror more and more To thrust on that which went too fast before 17 VVhich more and more a kingly rage increast Moou'd with the wrongs of Gaueston disgraded vvhich had so long beene setled in his breast That all his powers it wholy had inuaded Giuing the Spensers an assured rest By whom his reasons chiefly are perswaded By whose lewd counsels he is onely led To leaue his true Queene and his lawfull bed 18 That now herselfe who while she stood in grace Applied her powers these disoords to appease vvhen yet confusion had not fully place Nor former times so dangerous as these A party now in theyr afflicted case A willing hand to his destruction layes That time whose soft palme heales the wound of warre May cure the soare but neuer close the scarre 19 In all this heate his greatnes first began The serious subiect of our sadder vaine Braue Mortimer that euer-matchlesse man Of the old Heroes great and God-like straine For whom invention dooing best it can His weight of honour hardly can sustaine Bearing his name immortaliz'd and hie vvhen he in earth vnnumbred times shall lie 20 That vncle now whose name this Nephew bare The onely comfort of the wofull Queene vvho from his cradle held him as his care In whom the hope of that great name was seene For this young Lord now wisely doth prepare vvhilst yet this deepe hart-goaring wound is greene And on this faire aduantage firmly wrought To place him highly in her princely thought 21 At whose deliberate and vnusuall byrth The heauens were said to counsell to retire And in aspects of happines and mirth Breath'd him a spirit insatiatly t' aspire That tooke no mixture of the ponderous earth But all comprest of cleere ascending fire So well made vp that such an one as he Ioue in a man like Mortimer would be 22 The temper of that nobler moouing part vvith such rare purenes rectified his blood Raysing the powers of his resolued hart Too proud to be lockt vp within a flood That no misfortune possibly could thwart vvhich from the natiue greatnes where it stood Euen by the vertue of a piercing eye Shew'd that his pitch was boundlesse as the sky 23 VVorthy the grand-child of so great a Lord vvho whilst first Edward fortunately raign'd Reedifi'd great Arthurs auncient boord The seate at goodly Kennelworth ordain'd The order of old Knighthood there restor'd To which a hundreth duly appertain'd vvith all the grace beauties of a Court As best became that braue and martiall sport 24 The hart-swolne Lords with fury set on fire vvhoÌ„ Edwards wrongs to vengeance still prouoke vvith Lancaster Hartfoord now conspire No more to beare the Spensers seruile yoke And thus whilst all a mutuall change desire The auncient bonds of their allegeance broke Resolu'd with blood their liberty to buy And in this quarrell vow'd to liue and dye 25 VVhat priuiledge hath our free birth say they Or in our blood what vertue doth remaine To each lasciuious Minion made a pray That vs and our nobilitie disdaine vvhilst they tryumphing boast of our decay Either those spirits we doe not now retaine That were our fathers or by fate we fall Both from their greatnes liberty and all 26 Honour deiected from that soueraigne state From whence at first it challenged a beeing Now prostitute to infamy and hate As with it selfe in all things disagreeing So out of order disproportionate From her faire course preposterously flying vvhilst others
that which came as Epilogue to all Lastly his fearefull and so violent fall 67 VVhich to their hope giues time for further breath As the first pause in this their great affaire That yet awhile deferr'd this threatning death Trusting this breach by leysure to repayre And heere awhile this fury lymetteth VVhilst in this manner things so strangely fare Horror beyond the wonted bounds doth swell As the next Canto dreadfully shall tell The end of the First Canto The second Booke of the Barrons warres The Argument At Burton-bridge the puisant Armies met The forme and order of the doubtfull fight VVhereas the King the victory doth get And the proud Barrons lastly forc'd to flight How they againe towards Burrough forward set VVhere then the Lords are vanquished out-right Lastly the lawes doe execute theyr power On those the sword before did not deuour 1 THis chance of warre that dreadfully had swept So large a share from their full-reck'ned might VVhich their proud hopes so carefully had kept vvhilst yet theyr state stoode equally vpright That could at first so closely intercept That should haue scru'd them for a glorious fight Musters supplies of footmen and of horse To giue a new strength to their ruin'd force 2 Th'inueterate griefe so deepe and firmly rooted Yet slightly cur'd by this short strengthlesse peace To essay t'remoue since it but vainly booted That did with each distemprature increase And beeing by euery offer'd cause promooted Th' effect too firmly setled to surcease VVhen each euasion sundry passions brought Strange formes of feare in euery troubled thought 3 And put in action for this publique cause vvhilst euery one a party firmly stood Tax'd by the letter of the censuring lawes In the sharpe taynder of his honoured blood And he that 's free'st entangled by some clause vvhich to this mischiefe giues continuall food For where confusion gets so strongly hold Till all consum'd can hardly be controld 4 VVher now by night euen when pale leaden sleepe Vpon their eye-lids heauily did dwell And step by step on euery sence did creepe Mischiefe that black inhabitant of hell VVhich neuer failes continuall watch to keepe Fearefull to thinke a horred thing to tell Entred the place where now these warlike Lords Lay mayld in Armour girt with irefull swords 5 Mischiefe with sharpe sight and a meager looke And alwaies prying where she may doe ill In which the fiend continuall pleasure tooke Her starued body plenty could not fill Searching in euery corner euery nooke vvith winged feete too swift to worke her will Hung full of deadly instruments she went Of euery sort to hurte where ere she ment 6 And with a viall fild with banefull wrath Brought from Cocytus by this cursed spright vvhich in her blacke hand readily she hath And drops the poyson vpon euery wight For to each one she knew the ready path Now in the mid'st and dead-time of the night vvhose enuious force inuadeth euery Peere Stryking with fury and impulsiue feare 7 The weeping morning breaking in the East vvhen with a troubled and affrighted mind Each whom this venom lately did infest The strong effect soone inwardly doe find And lately troubled by vnquiet rest To sad destruction euery one inclind Rumors of spoile through eu'ry eare doth flye And fury sits in eu'ry threatning eye 8 This doone in hast vnto King Edward hies vvhich now growne proude vpon his faire successe The time in feasts and wantonnesse implies vvith crowned cups his sorrowes to redresse That on his fortune wholly now relies And in the bosome of his Courtly presse Vaunting the glory of this late wonne day vvhilst the sick Land with sorrow pines away 9 Thether she comes and in a Minions shape Shee creepeth neere the person of the King vvarm'd with the verdure of the swelling grape In which she poyson secretly doth â—ting Not the least drop vntaynted doth escape To which intent she all her store did bring vvhose rich commixture making it more strong Fills his hote vaines with arrogance and wrong 10 And hauing both such courage and such might As to so great a busines did belong Neuer considering theyr pretended right Should be inducement to a trebled wrong vvhen misty error so deludes their sight VVhich still betwixt them and cleere reason hong By which opinion falsly was abusd As left all out of order all confusd 11 Now our Minerua tells of dreadfull Armes Inforc'd to sing of worse then ciuill warres Of Ambuscados stratagems alarmes Vnkind discentions fearefull massacarrs Of gloomy magiques and benumming charmes Fresh-bleeding wounds and neuer-healed skarrs And for the sock wherein she vsd to tread Marching in greaues a helmet on her head 12 VVhilst hate and griefe their weakned sence delude The Barrons draw theyr forces to a head vvhom Edward spurd vvith vengeance still pursude By Lancaster and noble Herford led This long proceeding lastly to conclude VVhilst now to meet both Armies freshly sped To Burton both incamping for the day vvith expectation for a glorious pray 13 Vpon the East from Needwoods bushy side There riseth vp an easie climing hill At whose faire foote the siluer Trent doth glide vvith a deepe murmur permanent and still VVith liberall store of many Brooks supplide Th' insatiate Meades continually doe fill Vpon whose streame a Bridge of wondrous strength Doth stretch it selfe in forty arches length 14 Vppon this Mount the Kings pauillion fiâ—t And in the towne the foe intrench'd in sigh vvhen now the flood is risen so betwixt That yet a while prolong'd th' vnnaturall fight vvith trybutarie waters intermixt To stay the furie dooing all it might Things which presage both good and ill there be vvhich heauen fore shewes but mortals cannot see 15 The heauen euen mourning o're our heads doth sit As greeu'd to see the time so out of course Looking on them who neuer looke at it And in meere pitty melting with remorce Longer from teares that cannot stay a whit vvhose confluence on euery lower sourse From the swolne fluxure of the clouds doth shake A ranke Impostume vpon euery Lake 16 O warlike Nation hold thy conquering hand Euen sencelesse things admonish thee to pause That Mother soyle on whom thou yet doost stand That would restraine thee by all naturall lawes Canst thou vnkind inuiolate that band vvhen euen the earth is angry with the cause Yet stay thy foote in mischiefes vgly gate Ill comes too soone repentance still too late 17 And can the clouds weepe ouer thy decay And not one drop fall from thy droughty eyes See'st thou the snare and wilt not shun the way Nor yet be warn'd by passed miseries T is yet but early in this fatall day Let late experience learne thee to be wise Mischiefe foreseene may easly be preuented But hap'd vnhelp'd though nere enough lamented 18 Cannot the Scot of your late slaughter boast And are you yet scarce healed of the sore I st not enough you haue already lost But your owne madnes needsly make it more VVill you
bestow vvhich as a quarry on the soyld earth lay Seasd on by conquest as a glorious pray 58 Heere noble Bohun that braue-issued peere Herford so hie in eu'ry gracious hart Vnto his country so receiu'd and deere vvounded by treason in the lower part As o're the bridge his men returning were Through those ill-ioyn'd plancks by an enuious dart But Lancaster whose lot not yet to die Taken reseru'd to greater infamie 59 O subiect for some sadder Muse to sing Of fiue great Earldoms happily possest Of the direct line of the English King vvith fauours friends and earthly honours blest If so that all these happines could bring Or could endowe assurednes of rest But what estate stands free from fortunes power The Fates haue guidance of our time and howre 60 Some few themselues in sanctuaries hide In mercie of that priuiledged place Yet are their bodies so vnsanctifi'd As scarce their soules can euer hope for grace vvhereas they still in want and feare abide A poore dead life this draweth out a space Hate stands without and horror sits within Prolonging shame but pard'ning not their sin 61 Here is not death contented with the dead As though of some thing carelesly deni'd Till which might firmly be accomplished His vtmost fully were not specifi'd That all exactly might be perfected A further torment vengeance doth prouide That dead men should in misery remaine To make the liuing die with greater paine 62 You soueraine Citties of th' afflicted Ile In Cipresse wreaths and widowed attire Prepare yee now to build the funerall pile Lay your pale hands vnto this latest â—â—re All mirth and comfort from your streets exile Till you be purg'd of this infectious â—â—e The noblest blood yet liuing to be shed That euer dropt from your rebellious dead 63 VVhen this braue Lord great Lancaster who late This puisant force had now thus long retayn'd As the first Agent in this strange debate At fatall Pomfret for these facts aâ—ayn'd Gainst whom of all things they articulate To whom these factions chiefly appertain'd vvhose proofes apparant so directly sped As from his body reâ—t a reuerent head 64 Yet Lancaster it is not thy deere breath Can raunsome back the safety of the Crowne Nor make a league of so great power with death To warrant what is rightfully our owne But they must pay the â—orfait of their faith vvhich fondly broke with their ambiâ—ion vvhen now reueâ—ge vnto the vtmost rack'd The Agents iustly suffer with the actâ— 65 Euen in that place where he had lately led As this darke path vnto the rest to show It was not long ere many followed In the same steps that he before did goe London thy freedome is prohibited The first in place ô would the first in woe Others in blood did not excell thee farre That now deuour the remnant of this warre 66 O parents ruthfull and hart-renting sight To see that sonne thy tender bosome fed A mothers ioy a fathers sole delight That with much cost yet with more care was bred A spectacle euen able to affright Th'most sencelesse thing and terrifie the dead His blood so deere vpon the cold earth powr'd His quarter'd coarse of birds and beasts deuour'd 67 But t is not you that beere complaine alone Or to your selues this fearefull portion share Heer 's choyce and strange varietie of moane Poore childrens teares with widdowes mixed are Many a friends sigh many a maydens grone So innocent so simply pure and rare As though euen nature that long silent kept Burst out in playnts and bitterly had wept 68 O wretched age had not these things beene done I had not now in these more calmer times Into the search of former troubles runne Nor had my virgine impoluted rimes Altred the course wherein they first begun To sing these bloody and vnnaturall crimes My layes had still beene to Ideas bower Of my deere Ankâ—r or her loued Stoure 69 Or for our subiect your faire worth to chuse Your birth your vertue and your hie respects That gently dayne to patronize our Muse vvho our free soule ingeniously elects To publish your deserts and all your dues Mauger the Momists and Satyrick sects vvhilst my great verse eternally is song You still may liue with me in spight of wrong 70 But greater things reserued are in store Vnto this taske my Armed Muse to keepe Still offering me occasion as before Matter whereof my tragick verse may weepeâ— And as a vessell beeing neere tâ—e shore By aduerse winds enforced to the deepe Am driuen backe from whence I came of late Vnto the bus'nes of a troubled state The end of the second Canto The third Booke of the Barrons warres The Argument By a sleepie potion that the Queene ordaines Lord Mortimer escapes out of the Tower And by false slights and many subtile traines Shee gets to Fraunce to raise a â—orraine power The French King leaues his sister need constraines The Queene to Henault in a happy bowre Edward her sonne to Phillip is affi'd And for iâ—uasion presently prouide 1 SCarce had these passed miseries their ends vvhen other troubles instantly begun As still new matter mischiefe apprehends By things that inconâ—id'ratly were done And further yet this insolence extends vvhilst all not yeelded that the sword had wonneâ— For some there were that â—ecretly did he That to this bus'nes had a watchfull eye 2 VVhen as the King whilst things thus fairely went VVho by this happy victory grew strong Summons at Yorke a present Parlement To plant his right and helpe the Spensers wrong By which he thinks t' establish his intent vvhence more and more his Mineons greatnes sprong vvhose counsels still in all proceedings crost Th' inraged Queene whom all misfortunes tost 3 VVhen now the eld'st a man extreamly hated vvhom yet the King not aptly could prefer The edge of their sharpe insolence abated This parlement makes Earle of VVinchester vvhere Herckley Earle of Carlell is created And Baldock likewise is made Chauncelor One whom the King had for his purpose wrought A man as subtile so corrupt and naught 4 VVhen now mishapp's that sildome come alone Thicke in the necks of one another fell The Scot pretends a new inuasion And Fraunce doth thence our vse-full power expell Treasons suspected to attend his throne The greeued Commons eu'ry day rebell Mischiefe on mischiefe curse doth follow curse One ill scarse past when after comes a worse 5 For Mortimer this wind yet fitly blew Troubling theyr eyes which else perhaps might see vvhilst the wise Queene who all aduantage knew Is closly plotting his deliuery vvhich now she doth with all her powers pursue Aptly contryu'd by her deepe pollicie Against opinion and the course of might To worke her will euen through the iawes of spight 6 A sleepie drinke she secretly hath made vvhose operation had such wonderous power As with cold numnes could the sence invade And mortifie the patient by an howre The liuelesse corse in such a slumber layd As
it that time celestiall signes hath done 2 VVhilst our ill thriuing in those Scottish broyles Theyr strength and couâ—age greatly doth aduaunce That beeing made fat and wealthy by our spoyles vvhen we still weakned by the iarres in Fraunce And thus dishartned by continuall foyles Yeelds other cause whereat our Muse may glaunce And Herckleys treasons lastly brings to view vvhose power of late the Barrons ouerthrew 3 Now when the Scot with an inuasiue hand By daily inroads on the borders made Had spoyld the Country of Northumberland The buildings leuell with the ground weare layd And finding none that dare his power withstand vvithout controlement eu'ry where had pray'd Bearing with pride what was by pillage got As our last fall appointed to theyr lot 4 For vvhich false Herckley by his Soueraigne sent T' intreate this needfull though dishonored peace Cloking his treasons by this fayn'd intent Kinling the warre which otherwise might cease And with the Scot new mischiefes doth inuent T' intrap King Edward and their feare release For which their faith they constantly haue plight In peace and warre to stand for eithers right 5 For which the King his sister doth bestow Vpon this false Lord which to him affy'd Maketh too plaine and euident a show Of what before his trust did closely hide But beeing found from whence this match should grow By such as now into their actions pry'd Displayes the treasons which not quickly crost vvould shed more blood then all the warres had cost 6 VVhether the Kings weake counsels causes are That eu'ry thing so badly forteth out Or that the Earle did of our state despaire vvhen nothing prosper'd that was gone about And therefore carelesse how these matters fare I le not define but leaue it as a doubt Or some vaine title his ambition lackt Hatch'd in his breast this treasonable act 7 VVhich now reueal'd vnto the iealous King For apprehension of this tray't rous Peere To the Lord Lucy leaues the managing One whose knowne faith he euer held so deere By whose dispatch and trauell in this thing He doth well worthy of his trust appeare In his owne Castell carelesly defended The trecherous Herckley closely apprehended 8 For which ere long vnto his tryall led In all the roabes befitting his degree VVhere Scroope chiefe Iustice in King Edwards sted vvas now prepar'd his lawfull Iudge to be Vrging the proofes by his enditement red vvhere they his treasons euidently see vvhich now themselues so plainly doe expresse As might at first declare his bad successe 9 His honor'd title backe againe restord Noted with tearmes of infamie and scorne And then disarmed of his knightly sword On which his faith and loyaltie was sworne And by a varlet of his spurres dispur'd His coate of Armes in peeces hal'd and torne To tast deserued punishment is sent T'a trayterous death that trayterously had ment 10 VVhen such the fauorers of this fatall war vvhom this occasion doth more sharply whet Those for this cause thet yet impris'ned are Boldly attempt at liberty to set vvhose purpose frustrate by the others care Doth greater wounds continually beget vvarning the King more strictly looke about These secret fires still daily breaking out 11 And Hereford in Parlement accusd Of treasons which apparantly were wrought That with the Queene and Mortimers were vsd vvhereby subuersion of the Realme was sought And both his calling and his trust abusd vvhich now to aunswere when he should be brought Ceaz'd by the Clergy in the Kings despight Vnder the colour of the Churches right 12 VVhilst now the Queene from England day by day That of these troubles still had certaine word vvhose friends much blam'd her tedious long delay vvhen now the time occasion doth afford vvith better hast doth for herselfe puruay Bearing prouision presently abord Ships of all vses daily rigging are Fit'st for inuasion to transport a warre 13 The Earle of Kent by 's soueraigne brother plac'd As the great Generall of his force in Gwine vvho in his absence here at home disgra'st And frustrated both of his men and coyne By such lewd persons to maintaine theyr wast From the Kings treasúres ceas'd not to proloyne Th'lasciuious Prince though mou'd regardlesse still Both of his owne losse and his brothers ill 14 VVhos 's discontentment beeing quickly found By such as all aduantages await That still apply'd strong corsiues to the wound And by their sharpe and intricate deceit Hindred all meanes might possibly redound This fast-arising mischiefe to defeate Vntill his wrongs vvere to that fulnesse growne That they haue made him absolute their owne 15 VVhose selfe-like followers in these faithlesse warres Men most experienc'd and of worthiest parts vvhich for their pay receaued onely scarres vvhilst the inglorious reap'd their due desarts And Mineons hate of other hope debarres vvith too much violence vrg'd their grieued harts On Iohn of Henault wholy doe rely vvho led a great and valiant company 16 That in this conquest doe themselues combine The Lords Pocelles Sares and Boyseers Dambretticourt the young and valiant Heyn Estoteuill Comines and Villeers Others his Knights Sir Michaell de la Lyne Sir Robert Balioll Boswit and Semeers Men of great power whom spoile and glory warmes Such as were wholly dedicate to Armes 17 Three thousand souldiers mustred men in pay Of French Scotch Almaine Swiser and the Dutch Of natiue English fled beyond the Sea vvhose number neere amounted to asmuch VVhich long had look'd for this vnhappy day vvhom her reuenge did but too neerely tuch Her friends now ready to receaue her in And new commotions eu'ry day begin 18 VVhen she for England fitly setting forth Spreading her proud sayles on the watry plaine Shaping her course directly to the North vvith her young Edward Duke of Aquitaine vvith th' other three of speciall name and worth The destain'd scurges of his lawlesse raine Her souldier Beumount with the Earle of Kent And Mortimer that mighty malcontent 19 A for-wind now for Harwich fitly blowes Blow not too fast to kindle such a fire vvhilst with full saile and fairer tide she goes Turne gentle wind and force her to retire The fleet thou driu'st is fraughted with our woes But winds and seas doe Edwards wracke conspire For when iust heauen to chastice vs is bent All things conuert to our due punishment 20 Thy coasts be kept with a continuall ward Thy Beacons watch'd her comming to discry O had the loue of subiects beene thy guard T 'had beene t' effect that thou didst fortifie But whilst thou stand'st gainst for raine foes prepard Thou art betrayd by thy home enemy Small helpe by this thou art but like to win Shutting death out thou keep'st destruction in 21 VVhen Henry brother to that haplesse Prince The first great engine of this ciuill strife Deere Lancaster whom law did late conuince And that at Pomfret left his wretched life This Henry in whose great hart euer since Reuenge lay couer'd smoother'd vp in griefe Like fire in some fat
controld Their earthly weaknes euermore explaines Exalting whom they please not whom they should vvhen their owne fall showes how they fondly er'd Procur'd by those vnworthily prefer'd 62 Merit goes vnregarded and vngrac'd vvhen by his fauters ignorance held in And Parasites in wisemens roomes are plac'd Onely to sooth the great ones in their sin From such whose gifts and knowledge is debac'd There 's many strange enormities begin Forging great wits into most factious tooles vvhen mightiest men oft proue the mightiest fooles 63 But why so vainly doe I time bestow The foule abuse of th'wretched world to chide vvhose blinded iudgement eu'ry howre doth show vvhat folly weake mortality doth guide vvise was the man that laugh'd at all thy woe My subiect still more sorrow doth prouide And this late peace more matter still doth breed To hasten that which quickly must succeed The end of the fourth Canto The fifth Booke of the Barrons warres The Argument Th' imprisoned King his gouernment forsakes And to the Peeres his weakenes so excused VVho him ere long from Leisters keeping takes That with much woe his soueraigne Lord refused◠His torturer of him a mockery makes And basely and reprochfully abused By secret wayes to Berckley beeing led And cruelly in prison murthered 1 THe wretched King vnnaturally betrayd By lewd corruption of his natiue Land From thence with speede to Kenelworth conuayd By th' Earle of Leister with a mighty band Some few his fauourers quickly ouer-wayd And now a present Parlement in hand To ratifie the generall intent His resignation of the gouernment 2 Falne through the frailty of intemperate will That with his fortunes it so weakely far'd To vndergoe that vnexpected ill For his deserued punishment prepar'd The measure of that wretchednes to fill To him alotted as a iust reward Armes all with malice either lesse or more To strike at him that strooke at all before 3 And beeing a thing the commons daily craue To which the great are resolutely bent Such forward helpes on eu'ry side to haue T' effect their strong and forcible intent vvhich now that speede vnto their action gaue That ratifi'd by generall consent Still hastneth on to execute the thing vvhich for one ill twoworse should shortly bring 4 Bishops Earles Abbots and the Barrons all Each in due order as becomes the state Set by the Heraults in that goodly hall The Burgesses for places corporate vvhom this great busnes at this time doth call For the Cinque-ports the Barrons conuocate And other Knights for the whole body sent Both on the South and on the North of Trent 5 From his impris'ning chamber clad in blacke Before th' assembly sadly he is brought A dolefull hearse vpon a dead-mans backe vvhose heauy lookes might tell his heauier thought In which there doth no part of sorrow lacke Nor fained action needs to greefe be taught His funerall solemniz'd in his cheere His eyes the mourners and his legges the Beere 6 Torleton as one select to this intent The best experienc'd in this great affaire A man graue subtill stout and eloquente First with faire speech th' assembly doth prepare Then with a voyce austeere and eminent Doth his abuse effectually declare As winnes each sad eye with a reuerent feare vvith due attention drawing eu'ry eare 7 The great exactions raised by the King vvith whose full plenty he his Mineons fed Himselfe and subiects so impourishing And that deere blood he lauishly had shed vvhich desolation to the Land should bring And the chiefe cause by his leud riots bred The losse in warre sustained through his blame The during scandall to the English name 8 Proceeding forward to the future good That their dissignments happily intend And with what vpright pollicie it stood No after hopes their fortunes to amend The resignation to his propper blood That might the action lawfully defend The present need that wild it strictly so vvhose imposition they might not forslow 9 Pardon me art that striuing to be short To this intent a speech deliuering And that at full I doe not heare report Matters that tuch deposing of the King My faithfull Muse ô doenot thou exhort The after times to so abhord a thing To show the reasons forcibly were layd Out of thy feelings what he might haue said 10 The strong deliu'ry of whose vehement speech Borne with a dauntlesse and contracted brow That with such sterne seuerity did teach His reasons more autentique to alow vvhich the more easly made the dangerous breach By the remembrance of a generall vow To which they here must openly contest vvhen Edward comes to consumate the rest 11 His faire cheeke couer'd in pale sheers of shame And as a dumbe shew in a swoune began vvhere passion doth such sundry habits frame As eu'ry sence a right tragedian Truly to show from whence his sorrow came Beyond the compasse of a common man vvhere nature seemes a practiser in art Teaching dispaire to act a liuely part 12 Ah pitty doost thou liue or wert thou not Mortals by such sights haue to flint beene turned Or what men haue beene hath their seede forgot Or was it neuer knowne that any mourned In what so strangely are we ouer-shot Against our owne selfe hath our frailty spurned Or teares hence forth abandon humane eyes And neuer-more to pitty miseries 13 He takes the crowne yet scornefully vnto him vvith slight regard as scarcely thinking on it As though not sencelesse that it should forgoe him And sildome casts a scornefull eye vpon it vvould seeme to leaue it and would haue it woe him Then snatching it as loth to haue forgone it Yet putsit from him yet he will not so vvould faine retaine what faine he would forgoe 14 In this confused conflict of the mind Teares drowning sighes and sighes confounding teares Yet when as neither libertie could find Oppressed with the multitude of feares Stands as a man affrighted from his kinde Greefe becomes sencelesse when too much it beares vvhilst speech silence striues which place should take From his full bosome thus his sorrowes brake 15 If that my title rightfully be planted Vpon a true indubitate succession Confirm'd by nations as by nature granted That freely hath deliuerd me possession Impute to heauen sufficiency t' haue wanted vvhich must denie it power or you oppression VVhich into question by due course may bring The grieued wrongs of an annointed King 16 That hallowed vnction by a sacred hand vvhich once was powr'd on this emperious head vvhich wrough th'indument of a strict commaund And round about me the rich verdure spred Either my right in greater sted must stand Or why in vaine was it so idely shed vvhose prophanation and vnreuerent tuch Iust heauen hath often punish'd alwayes much 17 VVhen from the bright beames of our soueraine due Descends the strength of your enated right And prosperously deriues it selfe to you As from our fulnes taking borrowed light vvhich to your safeties alwaies firme and true vvhy thus repugne you by
iust wise and sage In all things happy but in him his sonne For whom euen nature did herselfe engage More then in man in this Prince to haue done VVhose happy raigne recur'd the former rage By the large bounds he to his Empire wone As the first Edward had the second beene O what a flow of glory had we seene 58 Turning the leafe as finding vnawares vvhat day young Edward Prince of VVales was borne vvhich letters seeme like magique charracters Or to despight him they were made in scorne Marking the paper like dis-figuring stars O let that name quoth he from bookes be torne Least in that place the sad displeased earth Doe loathe it selfe as slandered with my birth 59 From thence heereafter humaine birth exil'd By th' earth deuour'd or swallowed by the sea And fame enquiring for that lucklesse child Say t was abortiue or else stolne away And least ô time thou be therewith defil'd In thy vnnumbred course deuoure that day Let all be done that power can bring to passe Onely forget that such there euer was 60 The troubled teares now standing in his eyes Through which as glasses he is forc'd to looke Make letters seeme as rondlets that arise By a stone cast into a standing brooke Appearing to him in such various wise And at one time such sundry fashions tooke vvhich like deluding Monsters doe affright And with their foule shapes teâ—rifie his sight 61 VVhen on his saint bed falling downe at last His troubled spirit foretelling danger nie vvhen forth the doores a fearefull howling cast To let those in by whom a King should die vvhereat he starts amazed and agast These ruthlesse villaines all vppon him flie Sweet Prince alas in vaine thou call'st for ayde By these accursed homecides betrayd 62 O be not authors of so vile an act My blood on your posteritie to bring which after times with horror shall distract vvhen fame euen hoarce with age your shame shall ring And by recounting of so vile a fact Mortalitie so much astonishing That they shall count theyr wickednes scarce sinne To that which long before their time hath beene 63 And if your hate be deadly let me liue For that aduantage angry heauen hath left That except life takes all that it could giue But for iust vengeance should not quite bereft Me yet with greater misery to grieue Reserue a while this remnant of their theft That that which spent from th' rest should interdict me Alone remaining doth withall afflict me 64 Thus spake this wofull and distressed Lord As yet his breath found passage to and fro vvith many a short pant many a broken word Many a sore grone many agrieuous throw vvhilst yet his spirit could any strength affoord Though with much paine disburd'ning of his woe Till lastly gasping by their maist'ring strength His kingly hart subiects it selfe at length 65 VVhen twixt two beds they close his wearied corse Basely vncou'ring of his secret part vvithout all humane pitty and remorce vvith burning yron thrust him to the hart O that my Muse had but sufficient force T'explane the torment in the which thou art vvhich whilst with words we coldly doe expresse Thy paine made greater that we make it lesse 66 VVhen those in dead and depth of all the night Good simple people that are dwelling neare From quiet sleepe whom care did now affright That his last shreeke and wofull cry doe heare Euen pittying that miserable wight As twixt compassion and obedient feare Lift theyr sad eyes with heauy sleepe opprest Praying to heauen to giue the soule good rest 67 Still let the buildings figh his bitter grones And euermore his sad complaints repeate And let the dull walls and the sencelesse stones By the impression of his torment sweat As wanting sounds where-with to shew his mones vvith all sharpe paine and agony repleate That all may thether come that shall be told it As in a mirror cleerely to behold it 68 VVhen now the Genius of this wofull place Beeing the guide to his affrightfull ghost vvith hayre disheueld and a gastly face Shall haunt the prison where his life was lost And as the denne of horror and disgrace Let it be fearefull vnto all the coast That those heereafter that doe trauell neere Neuer behold it but with heauy cheere The end of the fith Canto The sixth Booke of the Barrons warres The Argument Lord Mortimer made Earle of March when he And the faire Queene rule all things by their might The pompe wherein at Notting ham they be The cost wherewith their amorous court is dight Enuide by those their hatefull pride that see The King attempts the dreadfull Caue by night Entring the Castell taketh him from thence And March at London dies for the offence 1 INforc'd of other accidents to sing Bearing fayre showes of promised delite Somewhat to slacke this melancholy string That new occasions to our Muse excite To our conceit strange obiects fashioning Doth our free numbers liberally inuite Matter of moment much to be respected Must by our pen be seriously directed 2 And now the time more cunningly redeeming These fraudfull courses fitly to contriue How ill so ere to beare the fayrest seeming For which they now must diligently striue Casting all waies to gaine thesame esteeming That to the world it prosperously might thriue This farre gone on now with the hand of might Vpon this wrong to build a lasting right 3 The pompous synod of these earthly Gods At Salsbury selected by theyr King To set all euen that had beene at ods And into fashion their dissignes to bring And strongly now to settle their abodes That peace might after from their actions spring Firmly t' establish what was well begone Vnder which colour mighty things were done 4 VVhen Mortimer pursuing his desire VVhilst eu'ry engine had his temperate heate To b'Earle of March doth suddainly aspire T' increase the honour of his auncient seate That his commaund might be the more entire VVho now but onely Martimer is great vvho knew a kingdome as her lot was throwne vvhich hauing all would neuer starue her owne 5 Now stand they firme as those celestiall Poles Twixt which the starres in all their course doe moue vvhose strenght this frame of gouernment vpholds An argument their wisedomes to approue vvhich way so ere the time in motion roles So perfect is the vnion of their loue For might is still most absolute alone vvhere power and fortune kindly meete in one 6 VVhilst Edwards nonage giues a further speede To th' ancient foe-man to renew the warre vvhich to preuent they must haue speciall heede Matters so strangly manag'd as they are vvhich otherwise if their neglect should breede Nothing yet made it might not easily marre vvhich with the most reseruing their estate Inforc'd to purchase at the deerest rate 7 So much t'release the homage as suffic'd Mongst which that deed nam'd Ragman of renowne By which the Kings of Scotland had deuisd Their fealty vnto the English crowne
should touch the halowed shrine To surfet sicknes on the sound mans diet To rob Content yet still to liue vnquiet And hauing all to be of all beguild And yet still longing like a little childâ— VVhen Marques Dorset and the valiant Grayes To purchase fame first crost the narrow Seas vvith all the Knights that my associates went In honour of thy nuptiall turnament Thinkst thou I ioy'd not in thy Beauties pride vvhen thou in triumph didst through Paris ride vvhere all the streets as thou didst pace along vvith Arras Bisse and Tapestry were hong Ten thousand gallant Cittizens prepar'd In rich attire thy princely selfe to guard Next them three thousand choise religious men In golden vestments followed on agen And in procession as they came along vvith Hymeneus sang thy marriage song Then fiue great Dukes as did theyr places fall To each of these a Princely Cardinall Then thou on thy imperiall Chariot set Crown'd with a rich imperled Coronet vvhilst the Parisian Dames as thy traine past Their precious Incence in aboundance cast As Cinthia from the waue-embatteld shrouds Opening the west comes streaming through the clouds vvith shining troupes of siluer-tressed stars Attending on her as her Torch-bearers And all the lesser lights about her throne VVith admiration stand as lookers on vvhilst shee alone in height of all her pride The Queene of light along her spheare doth glide VVhen on the tylt my Horse like thunder came No other signall had I but thy name Thy voyce my trumpet and my guide thine eyes And but thy beautie I esteem'd no prize That largeâ— limd Almaine of the Gyants race vvhich bare strength on his breast feare in his face vvhose sinewed armes with his steele-tempered blade Through plate and male such open passage made Vpon whose might the French-mens glory lay And all the hope of that victorious day Thou saw'st thy Brandon beate him on his knee Offring his shield a conquered spoile to thee But thou wilt say perhaps I vainely boast And tell thee that which thou alreadie know'st No sacred Queene my valour I denie It was thy beautie not my chiualry One of thy tressed curles vvhich falling downe As loth to be imprisoned in thy Crowne I saw the soft ayre sportiuely to take it To diuers shapes and sundry formes to make it Now parting it to foure to three to twaine Now twisting it and then vntwist againe Then make the threds to dally with thine eye A sunny candle for a golden flie At length from thence one little teare it got vvhich falling downe as though a star had shot My vp-turnd eye pursues it with my sight The which againe redoubleth all my might T is but in vaine of my descent to boast vvhen heauens Lampe shines all other lights be lost Faulcons gaze not the Eagle sitting by vvhose broode suruayes the sunne with open eye Else might my blood finde issue from his force In Bosworth plaine beate Richard from his horse vvhose puissant Armes great Richmond chose to weeld His glorious colours in that conquering feeld And with his sword in his deere soueraignes fight To his last breath stood fast in Henries right Then beautious Empresse thinke this safe delay Shall be the euen to a ioyfull day Fore-sight doth still on all aduantage lie vvise-men must giue place to necessity To put backe ill our good we must forbeare Better first feare then after still to feare T were ouer-sight in that at which we ayme To put the hazard on an after-game vvith patience then let vs our hopes attend And till I come receiue these lines I send Notes of the Chronicle Historie When Longauile to Mary was affied THE Duke of Longauile which was prisoner in England vpon the peace to be concluded between England France was deliuered and maried the Princesse Mary for Lewes the French king his masterâ— How in a storme thy well rigg'd ships were tost And thou c. As the Queene sayled for Fraunce a mighty storme arose at sea so that the Nauy was in great danger was seuered some driuen vpon the coast of Flanders some on Brittaine the ship wherin the queene was was driuen into the Hauon at Bullen with very great danger When thou to Abuile heldst th' appointed day King Lewes met her by Abuile neere to the Forrest of Arders and â—rought her into Abuile with great solemnitie Appear'dst vnto him like the Queene of Light Expressing the sumptuous attire of the Queene her traine attended by the chiefe of the Nobilitie of England with 36. Ladies all in cloth of siluer their horses trapped with Crimson veluet A cripple King laid bedrid loâ—g before King Lewes was a man of great yeeres troubled much with the gout so that he had of long time before little vse of legs When Marques Dorset and the valiant Grayes The Duke of Suffolk when the proclamation came into England of Iusts to be holden in Fraunce at Paris he for the Queenes sake his Mistres obtained of the King to goe thither with whom went the Marques Dorcet and his foure brothers the Lord Clynton Sir Edward Neuell Sir Gyles Chappell Tho. Cheyney which went all ouer with the Duke as his assistants When thou in triumph didst through Paris ride A true description of the Queenes â—ntring into Paris after her coâ—onation performd at S. Dennis Then fiue great Dukes as did their places fall The Dukes of Alansoon Burbon Vandome Longauile Suffolke with fiue Cardinals That large-limd Almaine of the Gyants race Frauncis Valoys the Dolphin of France enuying the glory that the Englishmen had obtained at the tilt brought in an Almaine secretly a man thought almost of incomparable strength which encountred Charles Brandon at Barriers but the Duke grappling with him so beaâ— him about the head with the pomel of his sword that the blood came out of the sight of his Caske Else might my blood find issue from his force In Bosworth c. Sir William Brandon standard-beater to the Earle of Richmond after Henry the 7. at Bosworth field a braue and gallant Gentleman who was slaine by Richard there this was Father to this Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke FINIS To my most deere friend Maister Henry Lucas sonne to Edward Lucas Esquire SIR to none haue I beene more beholding then to your kind parents far I must truly confesse aboue the measure of my deserts Many there be in England of whom for some particularitie I might iustly challenge greater merit had I not beene borne in so euill an houre as to be poisoned with that gaule of ingratitude to your selfe am I ingaged for many more curtesies then I imagined could euer haue beene found in one of so few yeares nothing doe I more desire then that those hopes of your toward and vertuous youth may prooue so pure in the fruite as they are faire in the bloome long may you liue to their comfort that loue you most and may I euer wish you the encrease of all good fortunes Yours