I spake Bloys hearing what was don By him and how he sieged strong Alroy And with sharpe war the countrie doth destroy Told king Charls who aiding cosen Bloys Sent sir Bertram Glesquine who doth intreat Knights such he knew of whom he had good choyse Him to assist in ventrous warlike feat Sir Bertrams praises now were waxen great King Charls him had in reuerence and account In praisfull vertues cause he doth surmount Yoong Earle Mountfort of their assemblie hard Seald letters into Acquitaine doth send To some good knights telling how he fard Especially he writ to me his frend Willing my presence helpfull to defend His heritage I soone agreed to go If my good prince would say it should be so I licence craue for this departaunce If that thereby I might not breake the peace The prince said no breach and releasaunce Gaue vnto me and others who not cease Him to beseech my numbers to increase Through Xanton Poyictow I passe vnto Alroy Friendly welcomd with no little ioy Of Earle Iohn and many a valiant knight Accouting all themselues in safetie now So long as me amongst them haue they might My counsaile their opinions so allow And t was not long ear some plaine told hus how Sir Charls Bloys accompaned doth aduaunce In best appoint that hath been seene in Fraunce And faste approcht which newes when so I knew I placed me where comming I behold A seemely band as eie did euer vewe And goodly dight as hart desier cold Oftlie returning vnto freends I told That I had seene of noblenes the flower For discipline in ordring of a power One cannot cast a gloue from off his hand But it on Launce will or on basnet light So properly in order plast they stand Their leader is a Lord of great insight They haue vs taught our battails soone to dight My friends then said sir you our Chieftaine are Please you command and all we will prepare Though yoong Earle were soueraine in the place To Martiall buisnesses yet I tend By princely letters from King Edwards grace To me he wild the Earldome to defend Heedy for this my time here well to spend Three battails then I ordred with good hast And in the first sir Robert Canole plast Lord of Duriuall hardie Britton borne Sir Oliuer Clisson the next doth guide Whom Lion white in red crownd doth adorne The third fresh Earle with whom my selfe abide Him well t' aduise for doute what might betide Reregard of fiue hundred men I made To sir Hugh Caueley these few words I said Sir knight this companie I appoint to you Withdraw your selfe and chuse some peece of ground From thence not buge vnlesse you plainly vewe Vs to disrout then hasting in that stound Vs reunited to place retier you round Lately left there tending like do stay More better seruice can no man do this day When stout sir Hue all hard my speeches passe Right shamefast waxt and thus in haste replide Such charge to take he neuer minded was With feruent words flatlie the same denide Halfe angrie asking what weaknes I espide In bodie his with foremost not to fight Willing the gifter to some other wight Aduisedly to him I answered Your valour sir I passing tried know Your high desiers I throughly measured Strong ablenes to fight in foremost row Bicause right sage and wise your selfe I know This charge I giue wishing you that place In which you shall acquier thankefull grace With honor and applause amongst the best And furthermore I faithfull promise giue To you sir knight to grant the first request You shall demaund if that Iohn Chandos liue My rightfull treating herein do not depriue This noble soldier too kt still in dispite He might not in the front of battaile fight Whose setled minde to see well neare I weepe Him to that passe it commen was I told He or my selfe the reregard must keepe Which better was allow his iudgement should Confusd he staid yet take the charge he would For which salt teares distill from manly eies Departs to ground that fittest he espies A Baron rich in Britton there did dwell Lord Beumanoyr a prisoner safely sworne Vs English too which thought he might do well Spending his time fell strife might out be worne To passe between of both sides was he borne By his spent trauell so much he brought to pas As one whole day and night of truce there was Gay Phoebus lodgd faire Luna prest in place Our English soldiers most requested me Largely telling the poorenes of their case With much expence that I should not agree To peace determined to win or die By battaile to whom I easely giue consent As one thereto by inclination bent Chast Cynthia gon Aurora blushed Lord Beumanoyr betime was stirring From his campe toward vs his footings sped In hope to speed I soon departing We salued at our first incountring He wild I would indeuor to accord These parties for the goodnes of our Lord. Contrarie to his iust desiering I answered good sir of Beumanoyr I counsell that you haste retiering From whence you came our companies deuoyr Is you t' inclose and slaie as destroier Of their desiers they so hate talke of peace Therefore herein your best is for to ceace And furthermore tell to sir Charls of Bloys Earle Iohn this day will Duke of Britton be Or slaine abide shunning other choise When this rich Baron hard these words of me Said Chandos Chandos as good will as yee Or your yoong Lord my Lord hath to the fray Calme peace yet offereth if you said not nay We both depart and both to friends returne I scarcely ariud Earle Mountfort asked What newes for he in longing thoughts doth burne I told him now that he was hardly tasked But fairest truth I fouliest masked Lord Beumanoyr hath sent you word by me This day your foe will Duke of Britton be Or else this day he will not breath at all Which message told he colour seemd to change Willed t' aduance and streight to battell fall T' inflame his courage I from truth did range Somwhat to make the matter seeme more strange I said aduise whether you will fight or leaue Yes by Saint George our banner forward heaue Lord Beumanoyr his answer likewise framd Saying he had the prowdest langage hard Of me that euer erst foorth to Bloys he namd What were my words but more he plain declard How that all right I said clean him debard From truest title to great dukedome quite He doth reply God knowes whose is the right The Ermine banners of the dukedome right Were placed ech gainst other orderly To see braue Lords vnder their pennons dight All beat with Arms bedecked properly So feateously both battels beautify As to the gaser well it might appeere That all the Vallewer in the world was heere As raging tides about some Ilsland meet In stredned channell forced by a prime With like incounter both our battels greet Like bustling rage was shewed at
durs sages Combatants à bonnes certes ia pour mourir plain pie nen fuiront c. LORD CHANDOS THE GLORIOVS LIFE AND HONORABLE DEATH OF SIR IOHN CHANDOS LORD OF SAINT Saluiour le Vicount great Seneschall of Poyctow high Constable of Acquitaine Knight of the honorable order of the Garter elected by the first founder king Edward the third at his institution thereof LET none reioice too much in fortunes state Reading the storie of my tragike death But watchfull be t' attend some turning fate Which like wild whirlwind all our dooings sweath For as graue Senec in wise morals seath No mortall man with Gods gaine fauor might Of warrantice to see next mornings light No earthly one how goodly so he seeme Fine faire or perfect how so he appear Renowmed rich of excellent esteeme That firmly stands and fixed forme doth bear For wauing fortune so the ship will stear With giddie guiding to hir fond intent Nor wit nor prowesse can bad rule preuent Vncertaine more than is slow Lidian brooke Which dallieth his winding banks within Fast forward hasts then doth regardant looke Staying in doubt th' ocean t' enter in Or to reslide where first it did begin Yet suddenly quicke plungeth in amaine After much showe turnes backe to springs againe No whistling fowler hath so many gins No wading fisher halfe so many baits No nimble spider threeds so many spins No toiling hunter tenth part of deceits That fortune hath of woondrous ticing feats Training men on triumphing in their fall Shewing them honie poisning them with gall As AEacus imagind was to deale With Tantalus deluded with the pray Of hungers ease and scalding thirsts assaile Whom wearie proffers make to emptie way Yet near vncaught the luring frute doth stay So are they fed high honors seeke to gaine Shee l manies blood and purpose not obtaine When fortune shewes hir friendly countenance What mightie ones in selfe conceits we seeme Weightie affaires dispose by ordinance As what we list to bring to passe we deeme In our owne reach ech thing we do esteeme We him appoint to death and him we â—ease Welding whole world as doth our liking please Led onward with hope of long assurance We neuer thinke of fortunes frowning But high honors plant as if perdurance had promised continuall showring Fresh still to increase increased springing But long before proud honor taketh roote Wisest forecasting proued is no boote Oft when we are most busie tampering Some foes to trap within our plotted snares Not him vnlike who pit is digging Headlong into it fals himselfe vnwares So we surprised in our owne affaires For fortune that attendeth worldlie chaunce Where smooth she smild now blinketh wide askaunce For proofe marke me of hir deare darlings one That seemd to haue hir fettred fast in giues It might be thought that onely I alone Faire fauor had and thus she daily striues To haue the chiefest regement of our liues That when she list to knit the brows and frowne He standing high is quickly tumbled downe When first that woorthy golden booke began For Magistrates bright mirror cleare indeed Through which eternall praise the Authors wan Streight I beleeud as truly as my Creed My hard mishap so happely would speed As that some one of those rare learned men My blis and bale would haue vouchsaft to pen. In perfect die could they haue pictured False turncote with true shadowes in true kind Hir fained shew of truth and truest falshed Hir glosing face and hir vnconstant mind And hir continuall foe-mate still I find Since fates she driues my spent life to rehearse In lowly rimes refuse of loftie verse Outragious she slayeth without remorse Alike most woorthy and vnwoorthy wight As roling waue that needs must haue the force Tossing light things subiected to great might Respectles where or when so ere they light So careles she not caring when or how She casteth downe or maketh low to bow What time King Edward first inuaded France With good aid of th'erle of Henauld won Friend fortune then mine actes seemd to aduance So euenly my silken threed did run High enterprise what I attempt was done With shining glory and faire honors name As golden trumpe shield foorth Iohn Chandos fame Then as my King by Cambray Cittie past I armd approchd the barriers of the towne There lept I in my foes some wondred fast To see my deed a Squier of renowne Iohn de saint Ager stroue to beat me downe Right strong we coped with sterne courage bold Our mightie bufs some ioyed to behold Ecchoing stroks on eithers helmet lights With sparkling fier thundering mightilie All for glorious praises both our fights Stird with youths heat and mindfull dignitie Th'assailed strikes and both incessantly Imprinting dents do yeald so I at last Returnd with praise on with the Armie past When as the French had gathered mightie power Came to Vironfosse where treatie ended war Froisard me recounts among the flower Of English Squiers sets my fame full far In his large booke is shone how much we are In reuerence bound vnto such learned clarks As with their paine eternize broad our warks For if none should register noble deed Ther 's none would striue to shew his noblenes Or presse in vertues others to exceed If memorie none made were of valiantnes Freshlie burgening to future ages This pricking spur doth harts heroick heaue To thinke fell death faire Fame cannot bereaue Some sots there be so scrupulous that nought At all beleeue but what themselues do see These coy iudgers haue seld or nener thought Of times forepast what mightie men might be Of others deem by thimbecilitie Found in themself recall in question when Our acts memorizd are by learned men This truce expirde King Edward new prepard puissantly to passe the foming flud Which gate king Phillip strongly thought t' aue bard Decking a fleete thick seeming like a wood Whereof had charge three captaines seamen good Sir Hugh Kyriell Babuchet Barbnoire With stretched sailes the narrow seas do scower These Chieftaines fortie thousand men command Laid by French King to stop vs if they could Which when our King had spide he doth demand What masts they were so thicke he doth behould His Pylot named them and well he tould These were the foes that so his costes anoid Southamton towne and th'yle of Wight destroid Replide the king Saint George God be our guide I much desire with yonder fleete to fight A looffe to winde-ward all our Nauie wride To view the turne right goodlie was the sight Banners pensils stremers wauing bright Ladies we had whose minds these sights might daunt Going to see the Queene brought bed at Gaunt Whose presences fresh minds incouraged With double flame t'assaile the enimie For trustie seruants oft had vowed For their sweete sakes t'prooue all extremitie T'fight for his Ladie knights felicitie hot feruent loue makes coldest coward bold desirous much gaie Ladies grace to hold In front the French foorth plast a goodly
courage foes pursues apace And many knights beares he downe in chase No heed tooke I good prisoner rich to gaine But had regard the prince so well to guide Hot fresh and yoong wherfore I ply my paine As dutie would lest harme should him betide His owne desier was I should abide His person near in thickest of the fraies He credits what I speake to my great praise All as we would glad prince did franke bestow A stately supper t'prisoner king and praid His good content though buisnes gainst him goe For your owne selfe renowmed king he said Your prowes past all those to you obaid by th true censure of our best skilled knights The soueraigne praise you wan in all the fights What triumphing in England knowne these newes At Burdeux what great reioicing seene In forren courts how honored all our crewes Where they became my seruice as I weene That heere I did was highly in esteeme About a prince men thought me meet to be As well for counsell as for cheualrie King Iohn int'England gladly was conueid On trampling steed through London doth he ride Note fortunes change a king that scepter sweid With large command through noble Fraunce doth bide In forren land there pricking him beside His conquerer on cole black hobbie plast On whom the woondring vulgars praises blast No Romain in his triumphs glorious Through citie passing with trumpets sounding More apparant appeered victorious Than our braue prince by modest riding At peoples plause with ioy abounding Remembring those high words he earst did say Neuer shall England ransome for me pay Betwixt the kings there grew agreement And if performd then backe Iohn should retier The peeres of Fraunce denide their kings intent Wherat king Edward stormd with furious yer And vowd their plague with wastfull sword and fier Vntill they grant the thing which he thought good Strongly prepard he past the swelling flud Lands at Callis thence marcheth in aray With brauerie such and shew of martiall might In goodly armors dect so fine and gay All beat with Arms fine banners tossing light On vs dan Phoebus ioyd to haue a sight With fauning face he seemd on vs to smile We fresh be seen reflexion cast the while Vndoubtedly in all the world was not More noble band than heer were present now What knight was he that honor had not got In some strange land well shone his vertue how For leader good a man might him allow Most happie realme thrise happie is that king Whose subiects fame in forren regions ring First if the prince of Wales I should recite Or Henrie Duke late Darbie Earle before Or Reignald Cobham that much renowmed knight Lord Mowbray Manny Basset with great store Lord Audley Willoughby and many more Than now I shew what if I tell my name And say that Chandos was not lest in fame Fame our names imblasoned not so far For tennise plaie or handling of a lute Nor dauncing fine or glistering as a star As women drest in most vnseemly sute Our chiefest musicke trumpe and checking flute Our daunce our march our tennise oft to feele Thundring blowes our clothing tried steele Through Picardie and Artoys spoyld we passe Int fertile Cambray making there some stay In former places found we little grasse Toward Thyriach we martch anone away Till foulding siege to Cittie Reames we lay Which countrie was so wasted and so foild That all our horse for want wel ny wer spoyld Sir Barthelmew Burwash whilst siege doth hold My selfe Lord Audley and Lord Mucedent Sir Richard Pontchardon a prudent knight and bold agreed all fowr and with our troups we went To Chalous in Campayne for ventures bent We approcht strong Cragney a castle hey Whereas two knights couragious captaines be Ton Caples cald who bare in golden sheild An ancred crosse of sables we asseild Rudely the hold from whence some one did weild A mightie stone that head a peeces peild Of Lord Mucedent but it was not feild For to reuenge his hard mischance againe Tooke the hould and all the soldiers slaine Seauen weeks at Reames the king made his abode and forrage faild and men began to want For still we knights the countrie ouer rode Whereby ech thing waxed exceeding scant Then to remooue the king and nobles mant Chalous Troys and countries neere we wast Passing the riuer Muson at the last So foorth we marcht keeping same ordinance At first ordaind to Aguyllon we came Did hauke and hunt passing in pleasaunce Oft tride our horse and vsed warlike game Which still among much did the Frenchmen tame Nothing vnlesse too hot for vs could staie T'heauie or cold but we did beare away Sweeping from hence to Paris ward apace The countie of Neuers and Gastenoys we waste Raunge at our wils continuing foorth our race Vntill that we at Burge le royne were plast Two leagues fro Paris and so the towne we facst Well famed Fraunce might waile for nought but flame Was to be found in bowels of the same Where Meroue puissant warrier raind Whom fierce Attila ouerthrew in fight Where Charls le main that many kingdomes gaind In all Europa feared for his might Vnconstant fortune taking so far flight Sometimes the yoke on others shoulders laid With biting snaffle now are strongly staid From Burg le royne to Mont le herri we In sightly wise our battailes all do draw Our constant dealing when the french Lords see Perseuering still in Fraunce to make a flawe Consuming all as fier doth the strawe Vnto a peace to mooue our king they ment Their Chaunclor and their learned counsaile sent They vnderstood our king would not depart Till pleasing peace he conquerd as he voud Which thing neere toucht duke Charls his tender hart And nobles for owne harmes too hawtie proud Faire conditions twixt them were aloud By thundring storme which God from heauen sent And knotted haile our king doth first relent A written deed at Charters there was framd Betwixt the kings their heires allies and friends In which faire townes strong castles all were namd toth king and his were giuen for amends For passed paine and so the strife it ends More Castles Townes more Cities and more ground Were giuen then in England could be found Some speeches were braue dukedome to inclose Of Britton in the charter of this peace Yet do they not of it so well dispose So as fresh wars in that place did not cease How track of time hard bound doth of release Charls thoughts vpbound within his stubborne brest Them foorth to loose supposed now his best Home went his grace soone I repasse the seas As regent and lieuetenant for my king Taking the othes possessions and the keas Of Lords Cities Castles which did wringe Some Frenchmens harts like percing adders sting Great griefe it was subiuged to be bound To strangers most vncurteous they had found I stewards bailifes and captaines do ordaine As liked me and this when I had done Came to Nyort there purposd to
t'high mountaine land Horse nor man scarce on their feete might stand Our armie closd in three we do deuide That one might passe whilst other two abide On munday armd like youthfull Troyilus And fresh as he in all his iolitie As stirring weldie and as cheualrous As Chaucer makes him in felicitie Past Iohn of Gaunt and with him passed I Twelue hundred pensils vnder me remaine Wrought with my armes that glisteren on the plaine On twesday past our Hector princelie Spanish Peter and Charls king of Nauare Lewis Harcourt in barons dignitie Sir Thomas Phelton well drest for war His brother William of selfe had little care King of Malorques on wensday ouer came Accompaned with Lords of peereles fame Erle Arminak Dalbreth bold Gascoynes all Pomiers Gomigines and stout Mucident And of Buiff couragious capitall Lord Clisson and sir Robert Canol went Barnerdle Sall that was to scaling bent Of Rounceuauls we haue forsake the streights Which flieng Fame to bastard Henrie beits And more how we strong Sauatar had won Placed at the entrie into Spaine When storming king all hard what we had don He sommons forst and doth such numbers gaine Entring in armes into the open plaine Which newes foreriders to the prince haue tould Who saith the bastard valiant is and bould The cherefull trumpet soundeth to addres Fresh knights furbishen armors hastelie And many squiers to stirre vp hardines The noble prince doth knight immediatelie Some made the duke and some were made by me But th'ennimie battaile doth denie before Braue Frenchmen come in number fortie score Right warlike band which bold sir Bertram led And wise sir Arnole Cleped Dandrehen With heedie toiling wairie iourney sped At Spannish campe ariuing with their men It hapt vnto king Henries brethren when They new were come to ride our hoste to vew With the attempt some haples ouerthrew Strike fierce into the Canton where I set The watch I stirring they recoile with speed Returning they with both the Pheltons met Which foorth were rid to do some valiant deed With hundreds two well Armed for their need Sir Richard Cauton sir Hugh Hastings With other knights of faire proceedings These Spaniards six thousand were no lesse And when our English once they had espide Which little mountaine t' aue had in distresse With shooting ioy amaine they toard them ride Where many a skilfull feat of war was tride But in the end they were all take but one And he too rash doth lose himselfe alone For when he saw proud Spaniards placed In leueld plaine his sharp gleiue he taketh His hard resisting sheild he soone imbraced Towards the thickest speedie hast he maketh One stroke he dead then bright sword he shaketh So vigorously in his threatning hand And stroke and foynd and lasht whilst he might stand Armed he was in red most glorious Two Ermin Lions passant crowned gold With Scottish treasure diffrence spatious His brother and his friends the fight behold And saw his ending too aduenterous bold Raging furor fair knighthood doth confound Sir William Phelton brought dead to ground Spaniards of faire aduenture ioyious The leaders were king Henries bretheren Their iourney to their brother prosperous They glad declare shew prisoners taken Great thanks he gaue and residue threaten Soft stepped foorth a soldier bold and wise Praying the king heerin to take aduise Sir saue your grace your speech I not gain say But yonder 's armed manie a prooued knight As euer rangde in battelous affray Hardie in Arms and matchles in strong might If with stout prince you do assemble fight You l find no fliers what so ere betide Twixt life and death toth vntraunce thei le abide In reuerent sort vnto your grace I speake Abstain from war let fierce enimies be Contagious aire will make their strongest weake Your countrie left behind them shall you see They pincht with want it so will chaunce that we May fight with them who present are the flower Of cheualrie of wisdom and of power Marshall replide the king I so desier The princes power with good power to meet He shall not by my fathers soule retier Till him I do in ioined battell greet Seuen thousand I haue armed head and feet Of genetors full twentie thousand more And threescore thousand which haue truly swore Me not to faile therefore sir Arnole I A basht to be may seeme to haue no cause Stout willing numbers vowd haue with me to die Yet full six daies vpon these things they pause We forward come compeld by hungers lawse The swift riuer near to the groyne we passe Where as we find a better soile for grasse At entrance first when we approched Spaine King Henrie seald letter sent our Prince Requesting knowledge and the title plaine Why so with power he sought him to conuince The Herauld was retained euer since He came till now wherein seuen weeks spent Now backe by him his answer thus he sent That his true cosen he was come to aide In rightfull cause as iustice doth desier Therefore quoth he Earle Cristmer hauing waid Your great wrong thus to the Crowne t'aspier Am come in armes but yet I faire requier You both t' accord right king to haue the crowne Your selfe rich lands but if at this you frowne Then you chiefe cause of slaughter spoile and blood Which I God knowes am passing loth to shee l I wish you would well ponder of the good We offer and not trust th' uncertaine speed Of fickle chaunce so careles in hit heed Here rest your frends if that you say not nay Dated from Groyne in March the thirtith day This Herauld gon his letters red with all Sir Bertram said now shortly shall we haue A doo therefore O noble King let call Ech officer his charge to order braue The hawtie prince doth nought but battaile craue Replide the king I little do him dreed Good hope is of a furtherance to the speed Int ' three their fights the first sir Bertram lad Aduentrous French and strangers where with him Th'erls of Dancell and sanxes second had Greatly renowmed cause they late did win The third stout King martiall passing trim A hundred thousand the one and other were Right noblie seene before vp deckt appere As busie king pricketh from ranke to ranke Neerer Naueret we a little drew Where they behold vs raised on a banke From vnder which we all the vallies vew Couerd with helms whose banners some I knew Gainst me ear this reasd had they been and borne Taken and beat and all too peeces torne Sir Bertram Glesquine thimperiall egle bare In siluer gulie baston ouer all Sixe white spur rowels Dandrahen doth reare In field of red a checkered fes doth stall Of th'on and th' other colour then I call My banner for vproled I hit bring Vnto my Prince in presence Spanish king Beloued Lord behould my banner hear Vouchsafe the pains it to vnfould for me Graunting licence this day it vp to rear Thanks good Father yours
increast They still increast outragious waxed Neuer meaning from mischiefe to haue ceast But practised who should be likst a beast Of their bad horrible acts one I le recite To shew the substance of their vile delight Within his house they tooke a woorthy knight And on a broch they thrust his murthered corse Then rosted him in wife and childrens sight Now after twelue had rauisht hir perforse To eate the scorched flesh without remorse Of hir deare Lord they did compell then slew Hir piteous selfe that lothed life to vewe What cruell Atreus might the like deuise What bloodie Progne like torture could inuent Nor he nor she nor Diuell I surmise Might haue bethought more dierfull bad euent Or worken thing of more astonishment Most villanous doer of wicked thing Their hellish voice make him their beastly king At Chalons occasion offered stay In our returne from Pruce to enter Fraunce Of these helhounds we heard the people say How diuers Ladies like were to mischaunce In Meulx for these dogbolt crewes aduaunce Thither enragd with spoile and rauishment Sad murther cause of wofull pale lament Which newes foorth told the Earle and I accord To rescue them or do our best deuoyre There once ariud vs welcoms they afford Most glad the Ladies of their present power Ioy makes their tears distill like siluer shower Faire Duches of Normandie and Orleance With more three hundred all in like mischance Though I were English yet tender pitie mooud My melting hart to fauor their distresse Twixt both the kings peace for a space was prooud If not what armed knight could haue done lesse Than to comfort chast Ladies comfortlesse Against such feends sterne bent to rude vprore Nine thousand thought yea som did number more And to the gates of Meulx inragd they came Which opened were by th villains of the towne Full were the streets with catiues void of shame With chilling fear the Ladies swapped downe In deadly sownd to heare ech rakehell clowne Yeall showting threts which made our house to shiuer Compasd part with Marne the gentle riuer Against their rage our gates we open wide Wherin there stood in glorious arms so bright The Earle of Foix and goodly armd beside Him stands the Duke of Orleance warly dight Their noble banners before them both they pight Foix bare gold three pales of streaming blood Thother Fraunce with faire large difference good With thretning Axe in hand I was at hand And my disuelopt pennon me before Thus when these clowns perceiud vs fearles stand Purposely Armd their filthie corps to gore As cewting Curs trudge when the lions rore So hartlesse clowns fled from our tried might Base clowns base thoughts and basely take their flight We slew the beas till wearie conquering tooles Were foule distaind with filthie rascald blood This dunghill broode these brainsicke fuming fooles That furies rage incensed raging wood Of their wild gore we make a gushing flood Of these base slaues we seuen thousand slew Fetherd with fear the rest fast nimbly flew Lothing the slaughter of this rascald rout Cause chaffering townsmen taken had their part Bright flaming fier we cast the towne about To teach them learne more ciuill kind of art The Ladies court vs with freed willing hart High praises ring of this that we had wrought Clownish practise soon are to ending brought A speciall time for valure to be shone A rare aduenture for heroique spirits Heer was that boyling valure might be shone We ours extend and giue vs but our rights The clowns nine thousand gatherd in our sights My cosen Foix and selfe had threescore launce With them we did atchiue this happie chaunce In such a cause for noble knight to die And sacrifice himselfe for iust defence Of Ladies truth beleeue it suer will I Of mightie God he shall haue recompence And in some sort for other sins dispence Braue knight chast Ladie bound is to defend Chast dame braue knight in honor to attend Ech knight that clothes himselfe in burnisht steele For Ladies truth and noble damsels right Least that reproch and bashfull shame he feele Must hazard life and enter dangerous fight As heer did we Ioue abled much our might These rascald peasants like to mad dogs slaine With thanks rewards remercied was our paine About this time from Parris safe was fled By cunning sleight king Charls king of Nauare His buisnes slie so craftily he sped Or that the busie regent were aware Spitefull defiance to him he doth declare And to the mightie realme in generall The like and then he ward vnto them all His part I tooke with those of my retaine He frankly paid and we did freshly serue Stoutest Frenchmen we mightily constraine For hunger many readie were to sterue The earth vntild none did the vineyard carue We patisd all the countrie to and fro That no man durst without our pasport go Thus of the fields and of the riuers Lords Faire castles towns we daily wan and tooke Vntill the Legate Cardnals set accords Between the Regent and the king who tooke His oth to be bon Francoys on a booke Before Melune his brother Philip was All malecontent from thence he soon did pas Int Normandie he and I to Cleremount For iarring wars were thundred openly To Fraunce for that they held not of account The treatise made in England sincerely In Beauesine I warred right fiercely Till Edward king safe past the raging streames Fully resolude to place his siege to Reames For me he sent I speedily obeyed Hauing wadge war to all the countrie round And came in time when as his siege he leayd To th' intended towne and all the prochaine ground We rifled and toth siege brought what we found The countries neere were growne so passing pore With thriftie hand the creasing yearth none store From thence the king remoud to Aguylon Staid there the lent for that an English squier Had tane Flauigni cald Iohn Dalison Wherein prouision was of great acquier With as good wine as need would well desier The squier was armed all in trustie blew A shining siluer scuchion faire to vew From thence toward Parris with consuming waste No costly building from our wrathfulnes Ech thing almost we turne vnto degaste Proud Frenchmens ioy we bring to balefulnes Their arbors spoile and vineyards pittiles That fairest buildings make we fowlest place And goodliest worke we batter breake and race Neere to the citie when the king was plast Commands a Herauld to him speedilie Toth regent Charls he said depart in hast And shew him here is staid his enimie That much desiers him and his knights to see In warding arms as noble knighthood should Defend his countrie by his courage bould This messenger performs commanded charge But Charls in battaile so to trie ne ment Some noble Lords hearing this message large To issue out for fight were fully bent But th'regent staid them dreading detriment For by experience had he learned late In pitched feilds that little
good he gate Sir Walter Mannie toth barriers went Conducting fresh yoong knights new made before Full of proud courage through new aduancement Fierce was the fraie and many wounded sore In Parris were of prooued knights good store When time he spide faire backe his fighters drue Full soberlike rash perils to eschue Like aged Pylote tride in many a flawe High towering fleet hath in charge to guide Leads foorth by counsaile and sad sober sawe Aduising turne of winde and change of tide Sholes sands and rocks that vnder water bide Performes his voyage by his warie heed Such at Parris prooued Lord Mannies deed The king remooud most surely I thought And counsaile tooke with sixe of my accord That gaie yoong knights such as aduentures sought Whereof in Parris numbers great there hord Some issue after vs they would afford This thought of mine did come to good effect The French do sallie as I did suspect A valiant troupe that prowesse tride professe On stamping coursers properlie prepard Careles come on some hoping to conuince That scatter should from out their battaild ward Or whom t' incounter nought at all they card They past the busment we had closely laid They past we glad and little time we staid Three Gascoins we three English were the rest Lord Moubrey armed in desierous red A siluer Lion ramping reddie prest To raise his foe Lord Neuill forward sped In glistering Armes most goodly clothed In guelie shield he siluer saltier bare Stout Pounchardon we six the Christains were Of this attempt two hundred we command In ruinous house sequestred from the way We ambuscade where one might well haue paund His life no foes would there haue made astay With bustling noise we bustle to the fray Like furious tempest foorth we rushen fast The French lookt backe amased at our hast With wonderment from whence we issue could Turning their reains our fury to withstand Strongly our points ariue with courage bould Ech against foe direct with leueld hand That from their seats some tumbled to the land Some horse and man reuersed ouer quite So fell enragd so strongly some do smite When as we had our course with courage run Ech drew his sword where many a proper feat And practise of faire Armes was brauely dun Sometimes it seemd the Frenchmen had the bet And straight againe it seemd that we did get Of all our coast I wan the soueraine praise With Lord Compreney on the French it staies Who noblie fought vnder his banner faire A Beucle red in siluer plast betweene Six martlets blacke slaine he that did it beare The Lord himselfe was taken on the greene And all these troups are now disparted cleene The most there dide some into Parris ran Or else they had been taken euery man Valiant harts whose thoughts to honor bend Sleepe not in rest but daily do deuise New matters and strange accidents to send Their praises foorth in golden sounding wise Whilst sluggish knight in sloth and slumber lies Vnwoorthie arms who doth not vse the same Foule wight that brings fair honors marks to shame What booteth it of Gentries brag to boast What vaileth it old ensignes foorth to show To tell how grandsiers whon in many a coast When we our selues no warlike practise trow But rest our selues with this old idle know Our shields the signes of Antique moniments We maken babish lothly instruments Well when we had our buisnes brought to passe And in good couenant all our prisoners bound We marcht where as the king of England was Our welcoms do with hartie praise abound Prisoners vs their maisters courteous found Foorth on we hold vntill that peace was toke At Charters and our Armie vp it broke Our king this Charter in October gaue At Callis on the fowr and twentith day After the virgins sonne was come to saue All mankind lost and wandred far astray One thousand three hundred threescore I reckon may Now on the king in t ' England I attend Where good intreatie much I might commend Yet staid not long but into Bearne I sped To Ortoys where I found the Earle of Foys Letters I receiud and speedily red From Naueroys king who gladly did reioise For wide it bruted was by common voice That Iohn of Fraunce was now in England ded And he thought long till Fraunce he harrowed Sendeth for me as chiefetaine to attend His wars by guidment of my prooued skill To his intreatie soone I condescend Requesting other knights vnto my will Imbarkt and wind so well our sailes doth fill As safe at Cherbroke we descend to shore Men at arms and soldiers twentie score Breathing life toth melancolious thought Of this sad king because he late had lost Maunt and Meulanc both by th treason sought Of Bouciquall and Glesquins brittish host T' haue sweete reuenge he spare would for no cost Right glad was I that th'youthfull Regent Should haue some newes against his corwnment At Eureux then I made my chiefe amasse And found I had full seauen hundred speares Three hundred archers fiue hundred there was Of brigands to hus most willingly appeares Captaines companions not dreading future feares But he that brought greats numbers to our aide Of armed heds for enterprise araide Was sir Iohn Ionel a valiant English knight And sir Iames Planchine with him did resort Against our foes we strong and freshlie dight For our delights consist in warlike sport With courage good we march foorth in effort T' incounter foe is plast our whole intent Much wishing triall of his hardiment To Passie ward and to the brig of Tharch We drew casting the warie Frenchmen would The riuer of Sene ore passe at that same arch Pretended iorney if they onward hould Transierd they were as it was to me tould For as we rode the twesday in Whitson weeke I met a Herauld who well for me did seeke Surnamed Faulcon I knew him passing well For he toth king of England doth pertaine In haste I asked if he could foorth tell Newes of the French faire I him entertaine He answere framd in reuerent sort againe I came my Lord from where they do abide Expecting your approching at this tide What haue they past the riuer yea or no On this same side they rest he doth replie Neere vnto Passie they do abide I tro What numbers and what captains to discrie I will him and then plainly sheweth he Fifteene hundred of fighting men they were That Bertram Glesquine cheefest rule did beare Lord Aucer was and Vicount Beumont there Maister ofth crosbowes Lord Chalon and Beweu Tharchpriest and sir Edward Remie were These French and Brittons there my selfe did vewe Of your owne countrie some knights I also knewe There is the Lord Dalbreth his companie Properly armd a valiant meanie Sir Aymone of Pomiers the soldich Lord of Lestrayt then gan I angerly To waxen red and much in minde I wish Reuenge to those I hard so busely Though frends to seeke me as an enimy
For Dalbreth selfe I aske and he replide With Charls the Regent now he doth abide Who sunday next to Reams t' be crownd is led And after that I studied had a space I laid my hand vpon my buissie hed Be there quoth I such Gascoyne Lords in place Yes suer he said I tooke it in disgrace Gascoyne thus gainst Gascoyne then I swore By that same cap that saint Anthony wore My Lord said Faulcon a herauld by doth stay From tharchpriest sent of message vnto you That herauld French let pack him hence away For not at all my person shall he vewe Tharchpriest his master is a knight vntrew Then sir Iohn Ionell wild he should be brought But I said no his message is for nought His master faine our dealing would descrie And for no other would he hither come Iangle and prate he would so many a lie That paine it were to heare him part or some When Faulcon thus had hard my settled dome He went whereas the herauld French doth staie Faire answer gaue the other went his waie For otherwise then I in choler spake This modest herauld smoothly me excusd In peacefull maner he the best did make As one that strife and discord flat refusd Peace meeknes loue his ciuill hart had vsd For rancor malice pale enuie and wrong Vnto no heraulds office doth belong Throughly waieng euery thing at large Being buisnes of so great a substance As valiant foes as welden sheild or targe Were named and of as good approuance That thus gainst me were come in ordnance To praise the foes doth honors owne aduance What seuer is theuent of battailes chaunce If one reproch his foe of cowardise And with base words him greatly doth defame Afterwards doth of hoped purpose misse Being ouerthrowne much to his owne shame Hath he foorth told foes honorable name Doth conquest make right great and glorious And abiect triumphs more lesser famous Who can assure himselfe of victorie That is but flesh and blood as others are Then foule is it and too great infamie The basenes of the foe for to declare Which often hurts owne selfe at vnaware Mean conquest is it base rascolds to subdue Vnto the foe giue then faire praises due Thus both we parties of ech other hard By both these heraulds presently I sent To Eureux shewing the captain how I fard Willing him all such to fight that ment To send them foorth to me incontinent Which if performd I then do vow to fight With these French troupes attain them if I might Directed by this heraulds warie guide It hapned that the four and twentith day In pleasants month of all faire Vernas pride To Chocherell ward we light into the way Where we behold foemats provd display So many banners wefting in the aire They seemed twise the number that they were Whose glistering marks when as I do behold And many knew whom faithfull friends I thought I thought gainst me they neuer raise them would As great a matter percing coine hath wrought My countrimen should no such gaine haue sought And leagmen to one king and soueraine But kingly rule no louing harts doth gaine They made three battels and a reregard The first had Glesquine and his Brittons bold The Earle of Aucer ruld the second ward Th'archpriest did their tertian battell hold The Gascoins held the rergard that I told Led by Pomiers the souldish and Curtone Perducas Dalbreth my neighbors euerie one When as they busie were in marshalling Themselues to fight within the meddowes faire On Itons banks which doth neere Couches spring Shoring a hill we plainly do appeer By a little wood and to our enimies neere Into the which our boies and carriage went Lest in the fight they suffer detriment We egal battails gainst our foes ordaine Except a reregard and with his English crew Sir Iohn Ionell our first did well deraine The second rightly plast in order dew I ruld my selfe the third as faire to vew The Marnel held my banner high was pight Vpon a bush appeering plaine in sight That if our men were scattered in the fray Thither they might as time would serue retier Twice twentie men about mine ensigne stay It to defend and honor to acquier Thus how to win I plast my whole desier And vantage tooke ofth ' hill for more auaile Purposd to let my enimies me assaile Which they perceiuing drew to counsaile all Many of them that day had eate no meat Thinking betimes to fight which I did stall Some thirstie were nigh sweltred with the heat Some scorcht almost and choked with their sweate Some presently would fight without delay The wiser some that thing would flat denay Of weightie affairs as thus they hould debate And counsailes hard and verdits too and fro The Gascoyns who perused well my state Taught by triall my dealing for to kno Said Lords aduise ear forward that yee go A better knight found is there in no land Then is the Captall for to lead a band First do ordaine some men of armes t'assaile Those that his banner haue in charge to gard Much heedie care in this for to preuaile Then thirtie of the best that may be spard Mounted well and so to take regard For nothing else but suerly to aduise To take the Captall prisoner for a prise And carrie him straight from out the field amaine For otherwise so long as he may bide To win the same it will be passing paine The Captall is a knight so nobly tride But of his men when his surprise is spide They sodenly will so discomfort be As ours you shall the iorney present see Beshrew his hart that there did praise me so For by his counsaile was I ouertane And for that I mine enimies wise do kno And heedy were to bring me to my bane I held the hill which made them nothing faine For by no art or policie they could Me there assaild vnlesse be lost they would When they perceiud me plast in such a strength New counsaile then these gallants new deuise Ech thing well waid they all accord at length That me t' attempt they might be thought vnwise High mounting Phoebus blasing hotly fries Some of them faint and neither bread nor wine Nor no auitaile had they for to dine Good policie it oft is to refuse And warie deale when foes strong numbers beene Sir Bertram slie our doings doth peruse Which smally pleasing were to him I weene And then he said Lords I do suerlie deeme If we make shoe back ore the brig t'retier Our foes will soone descend in great desier And thinke we le flie then round vpon the plaine We may returne in order duly pight With wishing courage set on them amaine Obseruing former constitutions right This counsell liked was of euery knight They execute which when I do espie Fine cunning working easly I descrie But sir Iohn Ionel hastily to me said Sir see you not how yonder Frenchmen flee Yes sure quoth I their doings I
haue waid They thinke to vs no good I easly see But tole vs from the strength wherin we bee Suddenly back vnto his men he hide And fight he would whatseuer should betide And boldly spake such as my person loue Rest not behind with battelous glaue in fist He forward floong but when I saw him moue Of great presumption that deed I tooke and wist The knight too far the enimies meaning mist I frowning said he fights not without me Our foes in order swiftly turned be This English knight right brauely dealt his blowes Amongst the Brittons with couragious stower With mightie force he many ouerthrowes In haste I came to aid him with my power At first our foes do find their turning sower Saint George we cride our Ladie Glesquine they So fell and bitter gan this mortall frey Now when the battel 's strong assembled were Th'arch priest streight departed from the field Willing his men his banner on to bere And crie his cries as if his place he held Gainst me himselfe his Arms would neuer weld He promise kept well made to me before For which of treasons some accusd him sore Sir Iohn Ionel who first this fray began Payed for rashnes at too high a rate Mad furie that confoundest euery man Who wisdome wants thy raging to abate Doth oft too soone his error find too late When strength and blood and life and all is lost Purchast too deare the wit that so much cost Who wars doth vse must nought at all be greeud To haue the worse or conquerd be in field For he that triumphs most of all atcheeud Hath eftsoons lost his strong resisting shield Vnconstant fortune is constant very sield Losse is no shame nor to be lesse then foe As selfe esteemes ech man is euen soe This hardy knight sore wounded was and dide Who had before delt thundring strokes amaine Lord Beumont French among the dead doth bide Sir Baldwine Danekine here likewise slaine They bought it deare before the place they gaine My ventrous men stroue with commended pride Presuming victory would with them abide Th'instructed thirtie found me where I deale So huge and mightie bloes as that no plate No hardned steele no quilt nor warped meale Could make resist but yeelded open gate To my sharpe axe my bloes so heuie sate But here these thirtie sease me in the fray And by fine force they bear me thence away Fast to the rescue crie my friends apace When they perceud me rauisht in this wise Much broyling there much foyning for a space Forth ' rescue some and some to saue their prise But foes preuaile as earst they did deuise To Vernon then I was transport in hast And there in saftie strong and suerly plast As much respect they tooke to win the field Such heedie care was had lest I were slaine The noble mind with murther very seld His fame and estimation will distaine His foe may liue and ransome yeeld againe To saue when one may slay an enimie Is chiefest vertue praisd in cheualrie From Vernon t'Parris with ioy I was conueid Where tharchpriest of the king is fouly blamde For his depart but all the matter weid Although the Lords of Fraunce him much defamde Yet holpe I much t' excuse him badly namde The matter furthered for that he lately had In Burgoyne slaine foure hundred robbers bad What harme tooke I through much mistrustfulnes Toward him that did my faithfull friend remaine Calling his truth in question questionles That faire my fauor sought to entertaine His carefull message flatly I disdaine Preiudicating his intendiment Was for to worke me some foule bad euent Yet time discouered his fidelitie And my outragious rash mistrusting Great mischiefe bred through wicked ielousie Of frendly honest thoughts often working The minde from truth by bad misdeeming The friend suspected without giuing cause Is breach sometime of truest trueloues lause Tharchpriest he sent vnto me for my good But I refused to heare his message Being distempered in my cholericke moode Which bare the rule then vnto my dommage Reason I taste the follie of my rage Yet now we talked at Parris being And good leasure had of cold agreeing For by the meanes of Lord Dalbreth I went About the citie where I pleased best The coward Charls so cruellie was bent Against Lord Saqueuile with me distrest As he cut off his noble cheefest crest Lord Ganuile at that present time had dide But that his sonne a meane did well prouide Who notice gaue vnto this king of Fraunce That if he vsd t' is father any tort Or that he died reprocht with sad mischaunce The Lord Lauall a man of great resort His prisoner now would vse in equall sort By this braue deed this noble sonne did saue His fathers life they sought for to depraue Renowmed act well woorthie woorthie sonne For parents life to hazard life and all Careles striuing owne selfe to be vndon Rather then suffer so his fathers fall No danger strange he danger ought to call That sonne or friend desireth to be namd Suffering father friend by death defamd I well haue seene a master guide his barke When blustring winds and tumbling waues did rage Sauing himselfe and friends with care and carke Vntill the swelling surges did aswage This skyphier haue I seene through dotage To sand his ship in calme and quiet floud When neither blasts nor tides his course withstood More harder much in compas good to liue When careles heed our minde hath whole possest And sense to daintie pleasure quite is giue Then when we are with anguishment distrest In troublous times we hide our guidment best For hundred vice the thoughts doth conquerd make When bathing hart doth floting pleasure take As by my selfe a patterne of reproofe Who well did saile when fretting tide did thret From sholes and flats I warie lay aloofe No gaping fish no hoped praie could get My leueld course by carde and compas set Yet did I ground when least was winde and tide Strike on the cliues in danger to haue dide For whilst at Parris prisoner I remaine In banding pleasure void of warines The king and nobles me sweetly entertaine So that I furthered much their buisnes Holpe to perswade a band of sikernes And peace betwixt the Kings Nauare and Fraunce So was I quite of ransome and finaunce The Lord Dalbreth full often for me spoke And greatly holpe the battaile of Alroy Which was performd with manie a blooddie stroke Which to king Charls brought little cause of ioy Yet treaties had and faire exchanges coy Which all fell out to further my desier I was redeemd as prisoner could requier Subtile Charls shewed me great signes of loue Castle Denemoux with thappurtnance gaue Willing my seruice for his more behoue His pension rich far more then I did craue I homage yeeld for these rewards I haue Into Acquitaine to the prince I came Who hearing this full sharpely doth me blame And said I was too woondrous couetous Lands to