ashamed of their differences but laide them foorth largely to the view neither do I esteeme it a shame wherby any man should couet to hide the same to be descended as a yoonger brother sithence that euerie brother hauing the like parents is as well descended as the eldest and therefore as good a Gentleman though not so rich as he And the more is his honor if without the helpe which by reason of his patrimonie the elder hath he can aduance himselfe into place of office or dignitie whereby he may raise an other florishing familie of the same surname And therefore you my masters that be yoonger brothers neuer hide your differences by putting foorth a little cressant or a peeping mollet but vse some faire large deuise sithence in truth your estimation is by your rising to be had in as good a regard as if you were the elder And now being in speech of yoonger brothers and their differences I haue obserued two kinds of them which the antiquitie vsed besides the aforesaid one was that such as were aduanced by Kings Princes or other great Lords did manie times beare some part of the deuise of him who aduanced them by way of addition vnto the marke of their owne familie which serued verie aptlie to distinguish them from their elder house The other was that diuers did adde vnto the marke of their owne house some part of the deuise of that familie from which their mothers descended and both these two kinds of differings are in my minde greatly to be commended not onely for that they may be made large and apparent and for that cause serue very properly to the vse for which Badges are ordained but also that the one makes manifest a gratefull minde in him that is aduanced to his prince or lord of whom he receiued benefit and by reason thereof linketh them togither in a kinde of amitie which seldome or neuer is worne out and by that meanes a great strengthening it is vnto both houses The other not onely serueth to vnite the families which haue matched togither in the foresaid loue and amitie and thereby worketh the like effect but besides it sheweth the certainty of the dessending of the said yoonger brother out of both the said houses and also giueth knowledge of the time thereof whereby if any title of inheritance be at any time cast vpon the yoonger brother either descending from ancestor of the fathers side or mothers it giues him a testimonie of his title and witnesseth vnto the world the truth of his descent by the continuall bearing of that deuise so that this kind may many times worke profit to the bearer and auoid many troubles and sutes and therefore into one of these kind of differings could I wish our yoonger brothers which from hencefoorth shal be aduanced to inuest them selues as being both honorable faire certaine and profitable But now it may be obiected that the order in vse sheweth plainly ynough the diuersitie of brothers as the cressant a second the mollet the third that by this means the matters are made certaine to this I answere that first the time is not by this means signified neither can it be known which of the Cressant bearers was the vncle or nephew And further it is a very vsuall matter for euery new Riser at this day if he can find that there is any of the like Surname that beareth marke presently to vsurpe the same with a Cressant or some such difference so that for my owne part I do seldome credit such kinde of differinges nor their bearers vnles it be by some other testimony or proofe made manifest which cannot be counterfetted so well in the other deuise except the riser should be throughly acquainted with the descent of him whose line he seeketh to intrude himselfe into and besides it may be the sooner espied by them of the true line forbidden nor the other dare for feare thereof so soone venter the committing of a falsitie But what a confusion is it when you shall see the second of a second brother and sometimes an other second from him to cluster one Cressant vpon an other many times three or foure one on horsebacke vpon an other where as by the aforesaid bearing of the difference from the Prince Lord or mothers family a man may better distinguish the brothers and set downe for a second a third and fourth c. And after from those againe in a fairer larger and more apparent manner And the more apt am I to speake against these ordinary differences as they are called knowing them to be but new inuentions and any of them as ordinaries in fashion as now they are neuer vsed before the time of King Henrie the sixt before which time men were much more warie and discreet in bearing of their marks and in foreseeing that no intruders should enter into their families nor that any should lay away or remoue their differings without speciall warrant or license of them that thereby might be preiudiced for a Labell being much in vse for the heire apparent to wear as his difference during his fathers life was seldome remooued to the second brother but when the inheritance went vnto the daughters of the elder brother and then the second was permitted to beare the same for his difference as being the heire male of his familie and as one that remained in expectancie yet might not the second brother vse to intrude himselfe into the absolute signes of his house the inheritance being in his neeces or kinswomen as appeared in the case betweene Gray of Ruthine and Hastings which was this Iohn Lord Hastings married to his first wife Izabell one of the sisters and heires of Almerie de vallence Earle of Penbrooke by whom he had issue Iohn Hastings after Earle of Penbrooke Elizabeth married to Roger Lord Gray of Ruthin and some other children which needs not to be spoken of for that as I take it al the lines of them failed before the extinguishing of the line of the said Iohn Earle of penbrooke after such issue being had the said Izabell Vallence died and the said Iohn Lord Hastings tooke to a second wife Izabell the daughter of Hugh Spenser by whom he had issue Hugh Hastings and Thomas and then died and left as heire Iohn his son by his first wife who was Earle of Penbrooke as I haue said erected by reason of his mothers inheritance which Iohn Earle of Penbrooke married and had issue an other Earle of Penbrooke who also married and had issue a third Earle of Penbrooke but in the end all the line of the said Iohn Hastings first Earle of Penbrooke of that familie fayling there arose a question betwixt the heires of Roger Gray and Elizabeth his wife being sister of the whole blood and the heires of Hugh Hastings brother of the halfe blood to the said Iohn Earle of Penbrooke for the inheritance of the Hastings But Gray recouering the same by the law
common sort With sir Reignald Cobham three Heraulds sent Searching the fields of truth to giue report For to be slaine so fully were we bent To fight when as we hard the Kings intent Some Knights yet thought he dealt but ouer hard That of his succour we were so debard This happie day by noble valiantnes We vanquished immortall fame we gaind And so the King held on his purposes To Callis where as we long time remaind That stoutest Knights garding the towne constraind Surrender make of Callis to his will All which he doth with English people fill Duke Hanniball when as graue senate sent And him home cald to aid his natiue soyle From Italy with no lesse anguish went Then did Duke Iohn from Aguillon recoyle Long hauing lean was loth to suffer foyle But his sad father wild him thence in hast Vs to resist that much his Countrie wast How turning times do trauerse humane course From ruffling war to calmest quietnes And doth allay the mightiest rage and force Appearing plesant temperat stilnes Freed of Tumult stur or buisnes For clanging trumpet and harsh armors sound Daintie blis and meriment is found For Cardnall Guy of Bullen he was sent As legate into Fraunce well doth intreat Firme peace between the kings vntill was bent Their raged minds t' endure without deceat Twixt them and theirs till two yeers out were beat Home went our king but Britton was except Where two braue Ladies cruel wars they kept The one of Mountfort intitled Countesse Whose husband dide a prisoner late in France Redoubted Lady of great valientnes Sharp wars maintaind for all hir Lords mischance Amason like would ride with sheild and Launce Defend hir selfe with battelous axe in fist Threatning blowes bestow and well resist On swelling seas puissance hath she tride In stormie fight amongst the mightiest With enimies blood the marble waters dide With braue Bundutia or Viragoes best Great Edelsleda or the woorthiest Of manly dames that wouen maile haue worne She may compare for valerous adorne Th' other possest a Lions hart in brest Little Inferiour to hir couragious foe Sir Charls of Bloys hir husband now did rest A prisoner fell fortune would it so Gainst whom she oft hir mightie power did shoe These warlike dames hard wars do still maintaine T'on for hir sonne th' other for husbands gaine The two yeers truce expierd King Phillip died And Iohn his sonne was Crowned in his sted Our Prince of Knights when he his time espied Surnamed blacke from England is he sped And into Gascoine warlike Knights he led Whose vertue good and courage did abound And for no death would flee on foote of ground To Thoulous and Carcasson led his host Late before the Riuer of Garron past Hauing burned and spoyled all the cost With pillage store and prisners fiaunct fast To Burdeux safe returned at the last Tho th' earle of Arminack and th' earle of Fois Had Countries charge with soldiers of some chois The prince fresh in the flowers of his youth So much desierd to follow martiall deeds As duly to recount of him the truth His noble thought thereon he onely feeds Right busie Lord to sow wilde otes his seeds A second rode doth into Berry make And countrie round at pleasure spoile and take King Iohn informed of our chevachaunce His sommons cald but first of all he sent Three Barons wise t' aduise our ordinaunce Lord Craon Bowciqualt and the Herment Cald of Chaumount who ordred their intent Vs to intrap abushment one they plast From which we droue them to a castle fast Cald Remorentine the prince doth me command To go persuade these foresaid knights to yeeld I salued them which done I do demand Surrender of the castle which they held Vnto my Lord that matters so would weld Of curtesie vnto his rendred foe Of custome vsed in like case to shoe This rendring mart they thought too bad to make All three men of prooued valure much In silken white that puffing blast did shake Blacke egle spred whose either head doth tuch The banners sides sir Bowcequalts was such That foorth he hoised wefting in the winde Thinking he doth himselfe in safetie finde Plaine said he would no follie such commit As to become a prisner without cause Trusting right well himselfe for to acquit But morrow morne they yeelded without pause Thereto compeld by raging fiers lawes Of well conceiued hope they were beguild Their fortresse left forsaken and exild Like sparkling lightning droue by southern blast Scorching all it findeth in hit power The valerous prince proceedeth with like waste In burning Townes in raising many a Tower Such hideous stormes he on the French doth shower Rich spoiles we gained and great booties wone Without controle of ought which we had done The valiant and renowmed king of Fraunce When as he hard our Prince in field to be Vowed to fight in armes to prooue his chaunce And carefull was by Poyicters towne least we Should there repasse or that he should vs see Woorthie king most woorthie glorious crowne Right valiant Lord though Fortune now did frowne He sommoned braue Dukes stout Earles and Lords In batteled armes before him to appeere With so much haste as hastie speed affords Encountring strength against vs foes to reare Resolud to fight as one deuoid of feare No spare of coste to furnish his intent Loftie thoughts on vengfull battaile bent When this great masse of men all mustered were The battailes three ordained out of hand Gay duke of Orleaunce first well gouernd there Where sixe and thirtie wauing banners stand Long pennons twice so many there were fand Beate with fine armes of euerie Lord and knight Most glorious vnto the gasers sight Charls duke of Normandie had second guiding The third stout king and there drest to behold Faire knights in glistering armors shining Proud stamping steeds richly trapt in gold High placed crests that hautie helme doth hold Trim flower of France in their braue araie For gallantnes here present were full gaie Ordred did mount on steed as white as snowe Of courage like the king that on him sate Knightly armd ride foorth from ranke to rowe With smiling grace his men to animate Did pleasing and right stirring words relate So Castor like with kingly resemblaunce And kindled heat his speech he did aduaunce My Lords in parle at Parris when you be Your English foes you stoutly menace Desiring that so happie day to see To find them ranged in some open place Heere is the thing apparant to your face The onely thing that you so much did craue The English plast in open field you haue And as the king was in this parlaunce Lord Ribamount who had our battels seen Sent for that cause to view our guidaunce Approcht the king saying sir as I ween Your enimies in one battell placed been Are men at arms two thousand as I gesse Fiue thousand fiue hundred archers no lesse Right sagely they and warily ordred ar With bowmen they
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
this time Red sprinkling bloud our weapons doth begrime A brauer battell better fought by skill Was neuer seene our present age vntill Our enimies more than we in number were And opened vs by strength of fighting well Sir Hugh Caueley quickly succord there Beat backe fierce foes eger stout and fell Four times that the very truth to tell His siluer banner with gulie fes in sight Between three calues of sables set vs right Like armed Mars with weldie axe in hand Complet formd and full of valiantnes In hammered steele strongly do I stand Full fraught with strength as well as hardines Few durst abide me in my furiousnes The Earl I wild to do now this or that He me beleeud wherby much fame he gat On th'erle of Aucer and fierce French I set With courage such as they discomfit were To say the truth right valiant knights we met As by prooud vertue plaine they made appere Which nought auaild by strength was taken there Th'erle of Aucer Iognie and Lord of Preer Rich Norman baron ransome cost him deer Their banners torne and cast down to the ground Their companie in maruels mischiefe then In battell if that one to flee be found He causeth three if three there flieth ten If ten twentie and then a hundred men When giuen them was this stronge ouerthro On Glesquine I and sturdie Brittons go Where many a mightie feat of Arms was doon Where many heauie sounding blow was giuen Where many a prisoner rescude was and woon Where many a basnet was a sunder riuen Where many a man dead to the earth was driuen Hote Earle of Raix who maruels wrought that day I prisoner tooke and swore with me to stay Vnder my pennon was brauely taken heer Sir Bertram Glesquine then all fled that might Excepting some that held their Lord full deer Which strong vnite and sharply gan to fight But thither streight my selfe and power I dight Then was atchieued many a feat of Arms Slaine were our foes and beaten downe by swarms Heer murthered was Right noble gentle knight Sir Charls of Bloys his face towards his foes For so it was determind ouer night Ton of these Earls vnto his ending goes Our enimies the selfesame thing dispose Both parts resolud this day should be the last Betwixt these Earls and so the dice were cast No man of honor almost doth escape For when they forced were to fearfull flight Much mischiefe fell for many knights mishape For cruell slaughter happened in this fight The scambling chace eight leags endurd right Ending almost at the gate of Reans And som our friends in it good booties geans This battell finisht was neer to Alroy Whilst Phoebus in the ballance wandred The present yeer of mans eternall ioy A thousand threescore and three hundred And single four as some haue numbred Earle Montforts banner on high bush was pight Returning friends of it might haue a sight As ech commander foes left to pursue From weary chase he thither might him get Long time it was or all togither drew Much ioy was made when as we all were met My Guydhome next vnto th'earls Ermins set Sir Eustace Dabscote sir Mathew Gorney Bare palie gold and Azure euenley Sir Robert Canole sir Iohn Bouchier came Sir Walter Huet sir Hue Caueley stout For this daies seruice woorthie lasting fame Who ordred vs we ginning to disrout From mongst his friends strong foes he beateth out I wild the Earl to ioy at his good hap Since he was placed in dame Fortunes lap He said your prowes it sir knight atchiud all knights so thinke that here with vs remaine Deserued honor ought not to be depriud Next vnto God by you I battaile gaine And drinking recht a flagon glad and faine To me and said drinke now to our good speed And thus on conquest gladed thoughts do feed As ioyfull meriment was in making nowe All chaffed from the chase like wounded bore Sir Oliuer Clisson with eie beate from his browe Comes bringing with him prisners noble store Though his great wound did greeue him very sore Approching yet light from his courser downe Et fut receue cōme cheualier asses boune Now to Duke Iohn by Heraulds word was brought His late riuall dead they saw to lie Then said the Duke he shall of me be sought I rather would in such estate him spie Then for the Dukedome striuing armd to bee When slaine he sawe him couered with his shield He wept but soone I tooke him from the field More needfull cause had I to weepe alas Then he because I caused so his death And from that place I willed him to pas For sir quoth I euen thus the matter swaieth By this mans end the Dukedome with you staieth On these great Lordships fie vpon them all That are possest by others deadly fall To Guingant Towne good Earle of Bloys was borne In reuerent sort he there entombed lies Whose name the Clargie do so much adorne With martiers crowne for truths defence that dies A heauie clog might on my conscience pries That would no peace vntill this Earle were ded Almightie God causd me with like be sped For measure such as we to other meat Is oft vnlookt remeasured againe By iustest God from his tribunall seat Wherefore great Lords that now in world do raine Warelie heed what harme to selues you gaine And all your dooings peasd with temperaunce Brings quiet end freed from anoyaunce This valerous hap soone blasted was abroad How by my counsaile had Lord Mountfort don Which caused many me with praise to load When knowne how knightly we the battaile won Displeasd king Charls fraile Fortune so did run Much sorrow he for cosen Bloys doth make And much for Glesquine and for others sake Duke Mountfort letters writ of credence Vnto king Edward ioifully he sent By a Poursuuant performing diligence Found the king and shewd how buisnes went For which good newes he so his fauor bent As for a Herauld true he him allowd Surnamed Windsore fairely him indowd We hold the fields win Townes and Castles strong Wasting spoiling conquering as we go Colde king of Fraunce tooke counsaile ear too long Wise message sent Earle Mountforts minde to kno The Dukedome whether he would hold or no Of him but then Lord Latimear was sent Int ' England for to know the kings intent Which vnderstood these parties do accord That our yoong Earl should Duke of Britton be But lowly homage now he must afford Vnto king Charls and so they all agree Without heirs mals if that he hap to die It shall descend vnto the Bloys his son Still quiet now and brawling wars are done Our Irish seas do neuer rage so rough When northern windes doth on their billows smite As though they would the threatning rocks so tough Make leuell with their calmnes for dispite And ouldest pilote from passage doth affright Yet brething Zephirus can their raging slake As gentle as the meanest standing lake How soone great God can
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
conueid To England where great ransom he desiers When Chatelon his mischaunce had weid Back in a ship in stealing wise he streid This same the cause why he so swift did pas From friends when medling with Gomigines was King Edward his death I heard reported Who gloriously in knightly dignitie Had raind first noble sonne departed Which Hector like with great triumphancie Had conquerd kings through magnanimitie Then followed father woorthie such a sonne A shining sun which still bright glorie won The founder of our high fraternitie The fortresse of a firme concordance The fauor of right noble soueraintie The perfect pledge of true assurance The constant gage of goodly ordenance The founder of the Azurd garter dide With honor Ioue so long let th' order bide The strong incursions sir Hue Caueley made Then Callis captaine were vnto me told How sir Iohn Harleston doth fierce inuade Captaine of Guins some did to me vnfold And how at Arde Gomigines did hold Exploiting well of braue attempts I hard But oh my selfe from fair atchiuements bard My closure I with great impatience tooke Perplexed thoughts oppresse me euery hower This vile restraint I heauily do brooke And bitter sighes continuall foorth I power Right safely shut within this warding tower Still in danger euery day of death Least melancholious griefe would stop my breath If thousand marchants venter into Ind Seeking forraine stroud for wished gaine And only one his ship hath left behind Through wrack which peeuish fortune did constraine How could it choose but inly breed his paine To see the rest in such a reioicing For that he hopt now greeues at the loosing For fellowes many in distressednes Is to the greeuance much releasment Far lesse by ods he thinks his wretchednes That sees with his the tears of many spent To saddest woes it is much easement When others with like griefe as ours do mone And that we are not wracked all alone All other captains my selfe excepting Of ech calling had their deliuerie Though somtimes they staid th'expecting Being not wrought to wish most speedilie Yet ear the end it chaunced still to be It was my fortune and not deseruing That thus I lay in prison staruing Past hope I make a vertue of my need With pining patience I my griefe support Desiered death comes on with wished speed I drooping passe as one stroke alemort This hard restraint was vnto me more tort Than sharpest death that tirant might deuise My swelling mind could halfe so sore agrise Thus long I liud I thought it was too long All hopeles of relinquishing my care Or relaxment from loth prison strong Vnles on booke I would full solemn swear Against the crowne of Fraunce no Arms to bear I flat refusd me leuer were to die Than to abiure my English loyaltie Heere prooud I plaine that force no harts could win Heere tride I true that proffers nought preuaile Heere was it seen loue forst not of a pin Sweet libertie the mind her greats assaile No luerments wrought my constant mind to faile No no my Gascoine bodie bare an English hart Not mooueable by fortunes ouerthwart And in my smart it oft did straine a smile To thinke how Charls my libertie did dreed He doubted least I would within a while Some broiling wars and battels newly breed For quaking fear his hart did euer feed How much the English excelled in the war So much the French in treaties past them far For by the Parley still they somewhat got I leading foorth my life all malecontent In smoking sighs which out I daily shot But for my soule I thought it pertinent Which giuen was and must be permanent Most quiet and sweet harmonie to make Of discords all and all the world forsake Fore passed life I ouer canuassing Found my great sins exceeding numberous Subiected to fraile natures trauasing Ore whelmd vnlesse by mercie wonderous We saued were in world so comberous By sweetely Lord that straied sinners sought And perisht soules through blessed torment bought And he diuers waies deuinely worketh To bring vs in the compas of his fold Out of the which what worldling dieth Perisheth as sage deuines haue told He grant vs all our selues therein to hold Which made himselfe a subiect for our sin Yet Lord of heauen earth and all therein Oh how good God vs often suffereth With worldly wit our selues to iniurie Chaffring as occasion offereth Respecting not the end till sodainely Repentaunce comes our frendly enimie And then we crie if this had not been don Then had not fates so foule against vs run If I had not perswaded Iohn of Gaunt For to make choise to Spanish marriage Which thing our buisnes French did greatly daunt For he tended as is common vsage To owne aduancement and aduantage I had not lean he me would haue redeemd How difficult so ear the matter seemd And from first time I welded glorious arms Full carefull I least murther should attaint My fame with bad and blacke reprochfull charms Of hellish rumors to ages to depaint Through murther many captains are distaint This prouerbe vsd mongst some I highly hate A hedlesse man doth seldome breed debate But often times for cruell murther don God stirreth vp our friends vnto our harme And father hath been slaughtered by his son And brother slaine with brothers blouddy arme Oft for one murther thousand men will swarme Whom greatest God doth vse as instruments For sharpe reuenge of murtherers torments Most happie knight that vseth temperance So in past life that he be not defilde With murtherers name which works anoyance Through world of ages badly be reuilde And lasting heaps of slander hath vp pilde In quarrels iust whilst foes resisting bin To slay them then in fighting is no sin No man of life I euer did depraue In my cold bloud when striuing fight was don In hottest wars I willed bloud to saue Whereby among my foes great praise I won The cheefst thing God hateth vnder sun Is murther and for mercy bloud to spill Bloud crieth for bloud the prouerbe runneth still Reuenge on hatefull murther doth attend And slie occasion doth so warely watch As bloud for bloud with earth doth fouly blend Merciles plagues this blacke reuenge doth hatch When parties selfe of plagues tasts but a smatch To generations three or fower they run Till all the brood and ofspring be vndun Oh heauenly God that long didst lend me space My former faults committed to deplore Fiue yeeres I did in lothed prison pace Which my proud nature did too much abhore That so I tamed was I thee addore I mercy loud and thou didst mercy lend Sweet mercy far more then man may offend Receaue my soule Lord to thy gouernance Most richly since from hell thou it redeemd I flat renounce all worldly pleasance Yea those vaine ioies that I so high esteemd How lothsome now that earst so likefull seemd Lord since I come thy promise is not old Receaue me where the ioies may not be told LENVOY Thus closed was his burning lampe of life That glorious shone in knightly dignitie Here was the period set of all his strife Conclusion of his fatall destinie Lanterne sometime of noble cheualrie Dreaded champion whilst the fraie did last Louely conqueror at th end of battails blast In prison dide this most valiant knight Renoumd and dred for magnanimitie His funerall king Charls causd be dight At Parris in estate most solemnly Of barrons knights and praieng clergie A nobler one could scarcely there be found Within the French or in the English ground The king of England lost a trustie hart The king of Fraunce a stout couragious fo The warlike countrie Gascoine cheefest part When thou braue knight wast reft her bowels fro Thy glistering fame about the world shall glo As bright as star set in faire welkings face The starrie skie thy fittest dwelling place For vertue good transcends the decked skie Enstalde in throne beond ech twinckling star No time day night obscures hir glorious eie Ech vading substance so she passeth far Mongst cheefest knights extold for noble war Thou houldst thy seat within sweet heauens rest In paradice prepared for the blest Almightie God that oft hast England blest With glorious triumphs ouer enimie In thy puissance victorie doth rest And not in mans weake plotting policie Giue t' our Captains in their true cheualrie Like constant vertue truth and courage bold That Chandos and the Captall true did hold FINIS WILLIAM WYRLEY Act. Apost Cap. 28. Num. cap. 2. Num. ca. 31. Num. cap. 16. Iosue lib. cap. 4. Num. cap. 27. Num. cap. 26. Counter changed to Sir Walter Deuereux the elder house Arnaldin Barnardine Sir Aimon de Pommiers the Lord of Courton Sir Balwine Danekin Sir Arnole Canole brother to sir Robert Canole Yoonger brother to sir Lewis Robersart Sir Iohn Deuereux and sir Eustace Dabscote Meignill of the north Of Poiwike Edward the 3. first founder of the noble order of the Garter