Henry the 2d. surnam'd Short mantle King of England Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine Earle of Poicteres and Anjou Lord of Ireland c THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SECOND Written in Seaven Bookes By his Majesties Command Invalidas vires Rex excitat juvat idem Qui jubet obsequium sufficit esse meum Auson LONDON Printed by A. M. for Benjamin Fisher dwelling in Aldersgate-streete at the signe of the Talbot 1633. TO THE SACRED MAIESTIE OF CHARLES BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITTAINE FRANCE AND IRELAND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH c. THIS HISTORICALL POEM BORNE BY HIS COMMAND AND NOT TO LIVE BVT BY HIS GRATIOVS ACCEPTATION IS HVMBLY DEDICATED BY THE AVTHOR His Majesties most obedient Subject and Servant THO. MAY. THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The First Booke The Argument of the first Booke The happy part of Henry's reigne is showne His first Triumphant yeares and high renowne His peace and power Enyo grieves to see And to disturbe his long tranquillity Descending downe to Lucifer below She craves some Vices aide to overthrow The causes of it there those tragike times Of Stephens reigne and Englands civill crimes So lately past Enyo does relate And shewes with griefe King Henry's present state The Fiend foretells what suddaine change shall be Of Englands peace and his felicity THe Second Henry first Plantagenet The first of Englands royall Kings that set Victorious footing on the Irish-shore And taught that warrelike nation to adore A forreine Scepter sound ye Muses foorth Declare how much his high Heroike worth By stormes of spitefull fortune oft assail'd As oft'gainst fortunes spitefull stormes prevail'd His glorious reigne but wrapt in various fate And though triumphant yet unfortunate How his great Vertues were too saddly try'de By rebell Subjects by the Papall pride And his owne Childrens strange impiety By opposition to ecclipse his high And great Renowne or higher to advance The fame of his undaunted puissance Vouchsafe dread Soveraigne Charles with that most cleare And gracious eye with which you use to cheare Poore suppliants while destinyes attend Your royall doome to view these lines and lend Your favours influence which can infuse Vertue alone into an English Muse. Shee else would tremble to approach too nigh So pure a minde so great a Majesty Vouchsafe to read the actions of a King Your noble Ancestour and what we sing In Henry's reigne that may be true renowne Accept it Sr. as Prologue to your owne Vntill this Muse or some more happy strayne May sing your Vertues and unaequall'd Reigne Those civill swords that did so lately stayne The land with slaughter now were sheath'd againe The rents of State were clos'd the wounds were cur'de Peace by victorious Henry was secur'de And justice waited on his awfull throne Without controll all feares all faction That tooke beginning with King Stephen's reigne With him descended to the grave againe Stephen deceas'd the Crowne of England now Came by accord t'empale young Henry's brow Which was before by right of birth his due But he least England too too long should rue In blood and slaughter their ambitious strife Came to accords of peace and during life Of Stephen respited his royall right Now like bright Phaebus to the longing sight Of all the People did young Henry riâ—…e Before whose rayes all past calamities Like mists did vanish no sadd clouds accloy The aire of England with loud showtes of joy The People flock the Peeres their wealth display To grace his wish'd-for Coronation day His brave atchievements and that early fame Which he in France had gain'd had made his name Already lov'd in England and admir'd Him all the people for their Lord desir'd And now possest of him take faire presage Such youth would end in a triumphant age Then as when once the charriot of the Sunne Had beene misguided by bold Phaëton Iove walk'd the round and veiw'd with carefull eye If heaven were safe then from the starry sky Descending downe survey'd the scorched ground And there repair'd the ruines that he found To their dry channells he call'd backe the floods And with fresh verdure cloath'd the seindged woods Renew'd the herbage and redresse ordain'd For all that wronged Nature had sustein'd So Henry stablish'd in the Regall throne Iove-like surveyes his large dominion To see what parts of state might be decay'd What rents so long a civill warre had made With physicke fit he purges from the State Those humours that did stirre and swell so late Digests the reliques and by Princely arts And policy corroborates the parts And first of all those troopes of forreiners That from all parts during the civill warres Resorted hither to seeke spoyle and prey He banishes that at th' appoynted day Within the coasts no strangers did remaine Restoring England to it selfe againe And least the Crowne should want for that expence That must support the high magnificence Of such a Monarchy into his hands He boldly seizes all the royall lands Which either greatest men did uncontroll'd In those tumultuous times unjustly hold Or else King Stephen to support so badd And weake a title as they knew he had Had given freely as rewards to tye Their truth to him against their loyalty Nor did King Henry vindicate alone The state and wealth of his Imperiall Crowne But the just power and with a puissant hand Setled that sure obedience through the land That to his awfull Scepter did belong The greatest Peeres that were before too strong To be commanded he by force compell'd To yeild to him the Castles that they held And all the midland forts he rased downe The strength of nothing but rebellion Nor though as yet presumptuous Mortimer Had not forgot the late licentious warre But strove to guard against his Soveraigne By lawlesse armes the strength that he had tane Could he resist the King enforc'd to yeild To him those three strong Castles that he held Well did this reformation suite the thought Of such a great Heroike King who brought Besides his persons worth and true esteeme So lov'de a title to the Crowne with him Not from the Norman Conquerour did he Deduce alone his royall pedegree But from the ancient Saxon Kings beside As lineall heire to Edmund Ironside And in his happy birth did so conjoyne The conquering Norman and old Saxon line Which hearty love and reverence to his throne From all the English people justly wonne Who now forgate pleas'd with his lawfull power That they were servants to a Conquerour Great Grand-childe by the Femall side was he To Margaret the Queene of Scotland she Daughter to Edward sonne to Ironside Whose royall birth and blood was dignify'd By twenty faire descents of Saxon Kings All which the happy birth of Henry brings The more to England to endeare his reigne And heere your selfe most Gracious Soveraigne Your ancient right to Englands Crowne may see In Scotlands royall blood your pedegree Is farther drawne and no knowne king as you
to the place Which by those factious stirres that must ensue Shall both the King himselfe and Becket rue But now when hee deny'de to give assent Vnto those lawes proposde in Parliament The King was moov'de the other Bishops all Fearing his wrath from Becket's party fall Hee stiffely stands alone although to gayne Him to his side the King had striv'de in vayne Pope Alexander though hee knew the cause To bee his owne and gâ—…eatly fear'd those lawes Yet since his Papall diadeâ—… did stand On doubtfull teâ—…mes and th' Emperours strong hand Did then support the Antipope he strove In every thing to keepe King Henryes love He therefore wrote to Becket to assent Without all clauses to the Kings entent Becket repaires to Woodstock to the King Humbly submits himselfe and promising That he now freely without any clause Of reservation would accept the Lawes Is by the King receiv'd to grace againe Who much rejoyces thinking that the maine Opposer of him now was growne his owne A Councell straight he calls at Clarendon Assur'd that all the Bishops now would signe What he propos'd to them the rest encline To his desire Becket revolts againe Seemes to repent his promise to complaine That he in that had rashly sinn'd before Aâ—…d in that kinde resolues to sinne no more The King deluded and enrag'de at this So unexpected a revolt of his Threatens th' Archbishop but a Princes threats Cannot prevaile with him nor all th' entreats Ofth ' other Bishops and those Peeres that love The quiet of the State have power to moove His resolution now the fatall wound Was growne past cure nor must this kingdome bound The maladyes of such a spreading sore King Henry's fill'd with grâ—…efe and scorne the more His great soule weighs the meannesse of his foe The more his wrath fed by disdaine doth grow He grieves yet scornes to grieve so when a net Which treacherous hunters in the woods have set To bâ—…â—… snare for smaller beasts doth stay By chance a noble Lyon in his way The royall beast with greater shame then greife Teares his base bonds and almost scornes releife The more King Henry calls to minde how he Had raisd this Becket from a low degree Against the wills of all he still doth finde More fuell for his wrath-enflamed minde At last resolv'd he cites him to appeare Before his Iudges and to answer there Vpon accompt for such large summes as he When Chancellour of England formerly Had from the King detayn'd for Seignioryes Vnjustly held for proud enormityes And disobedience in a high degree Vnto the King his state and dignity To these will Becket scarse vouchsafe replyes But being no Layman at their Courts denyes At all to answere or obey their doome From thence appealing to the Court of Rome But that discharg'd him not the Parliament Then at Northhampton did with one consent Confiscate all his goods the Bishops there Pronounc'de him by the mouth of Chichester To be a perjur'd and a factious man Disclaim'd him for their Metropolitan And all obedience to him Becket now Weary'd with these calamityes that grow And fearing worse disgraces every day 〈◊〉 secret meâ—…nes at last to scape away And from the kingdome in disguise is gone To plead his cause before the Papall throne Oh what unwearyed Muse at large cantell Each severall jarre that from that day befell How Beckeâ—… to the Pope resign'd his Pall How in his wrath king Henry banish'd all Beckets allyes and kinne how oft 'gainst Rome In contestation he was forc'd to come The Papall power against the royall right How oft it was debated in the sight Of Christendome how Henry by entreats Sometimes and sometimes like a King with threats Mainâ—…ain'd his cause how oft the dreadfull doome And interdicting thunderbolt of Rome Was fear'd in England and for Beckets jarre Whole nations likely to be drawne to warre How oft did forraigne Princes interpose Some to increase the wound and some to close How many vaine Commissions had beene spent How many fruitlesse Legacies were sent How many dayes of bootlesse parleys set How ofâ—… with him the King in person met Seven yeares had past since this debate beganne Sixâ—… yeares had Beckeâ—… as a banish'd man At Pontinew and Saint Columba liv'd Maintain'd by Lewis of France who oft had striv'd Or seem'd to strive and so had Flanders Lord In vaine till now in making this accord But now accord although in vainâ—… is made For though King Lewis and Bloyâ—…es Earle perswade King Henry all offences to forget That paâ—…t before and Becket to submit Though both agreement make and Becket bee With Henry's leave returned to his See The Church from thence no lasting concord findes Seldome is factious fire in haughty mindes Extinguish'd but by death it oft like fire Supprest breakes forth againe and blazes higher This end ends not the strife nor drawes more nigh The Churches peace but Beckets tragaedy THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Fourth Booke The Argument of the fourth Booke Th' oâ—…casion heere and Noble deeds are showne That first brought Ireland to the English Crowne From Wales Earle Strongbow and Fitz-Stevans bring In aide of Dermot Leinsters banish'd King Their forces ore Archbishop Becket slayne Dâ—…oes with his blood his owne Cathedrall staine King Henry sends to plead his innocence Before the Pope to England goes from thence Himselfe in person into Ireland sailes In which his power without a warre prevailes And gaines that land without the aide of swords In royall state he feasts the Irish Lords And heares the wâ—…nders of that I le thence he To England sailes and thâ—…nce to Normandy FAire Floras pride into the Earth againe Was sunke cold Winter had begun his reigne And summond beautious daylight to restore To night those howers which he had stol'n before King Henry then in Normandy resolv'd To make abode and in his thoughts revolv'd Th'aâ—…aires of Ireland tidings daily came From thence and spread his valiant servants fame What noble actions they had there atchiev'd How many townes already were receiv'd By that small strength which they transported ore From Southerne Wales unto the Irish shore Fame had already fill'd his Princely eare With what Fitz-Stephens what Fitz-Girald there What noble Raimond had with handfulls wonne And private men against a Land had done Beâ—…des what great Earle Strongbow's actions were 〈◊〉 was already growne the Ilands feare Fame is not onely due though lowder farre She needes must speake of those to deedes that are By potent Monarchs or huge armies done That change the worlds estate and overrunne With speed the farthest spreading Emperies No deedes of worth can fame at all despise Though done by few and those the meanest men Nor did she onely sound Romes glories then When Pompeys lawrell'd Charriot show'd at once The vanquish'd VVest and Easterne nations Nor when great Caesar's triumphs did extend Fâ—…om farthest Thule to Cyrenes end She did record Romes infant honours too What poore
France would oft avow He thought King Henry did not goe but fly Prepares to crosse the seas from Nâ—…rmandy And takes aboord besiâ—…es his faithfull men Those Lords with him that were his prisoners theâ—… Leister and Chesters Earles with many moe But when he hoys'd his sailes crosse windes gan blow The Seas grow rough as if the Seas conspir'd And windes to crosse what he so much desir'd King Henry sighes and lifting his sad eyes To heaven thus speakes oh God thou onely wise If my entents in Eâ—…gland may succede If her afflicted state my preâ—…ence neede And that my safe arrivall there may be Her health and cure of all her malady Then grant me passage thou whose onely becke Has power the windes and swelling Seas to checke But if my presence to her coast may prove More cause of woes and fiercer tumults move If my revenging hand may launce the sore Too deepe and make it greater then before Let these crosse windes still keepe me from that shore Oh let me never see my England more Rather then these my armes should onely gaine My right and not the nations peace maintaine Let me loose all and my unthankefull sonne Before his time poâ—…sesse her as his owne Rather then seat a long and tragicke warre Within her bleeding bosome farre oh farre Let my sad state from thence be banished Too much already has that Iland bled For Princes strifes and Soveraigneties dire love Oh if my landing may auspicious prove For Englands peace and quench all factious fire Let windes and Seas consent to my desire His pious prayer was heard the swelling Maine Smooth'd his rough face the wind turn'd faire againe And gave presage to his rejoycing minde Of what successe he should in England finde By which his navy soone is wafted ore And at Southampton safely set on shore Departing thence before he seeke his foes Or realmes sicke parts in Pensive wise he goes Himselfe to visite slaughter'd Becket's shrine Whether the Legaâ—…es did before enjoyne That paenitence or that 't were voluntary At three miles diâ—…ance off from Canterbury The King himselfe alighting from his horse Does barefoote thither take his pensive course Whil'st paines with his humiliation meete And ruthlesse stones doe cut his tender feete Leaving the peoples wondring eyes from thence A bloody tracke of his sharpe paenitence But when he came to slaughter'd Becket's shrine Oh there could worship greater then divine Have beene he had perform'd it on his face He prostrate fell and weeping kiss'd the place Which yet of Becket's murder bore the staine There with submissive prayeâ—…s he strove to gaine Pardon for that which others wrought and he Was guilty of but accidentally But yet as if no teares could expiate Nor prayers could cleanse so foule a crime as that To such esteeme in that blind age's thought Was this supposed Martyr Becket brought The pensive King goes farther bares his backe And on his flesh refuses not to take Rod-stripes from each blind Monke that there did live Which they as freely to their Soveraigne give A strange example sure but let the sage Nor censure them nor Henry but the age But ere great Henry from that city went More glorious newes as if chang'd Fortune meant To recompence him for her threats so late And now on all sides make him fortunate Was thither brought to his rejoycing eare That Scotlands King was taken prisoner The warlike William who had made almost Without resistance on the Northerne coast So many inrodes such rich spoiles had wonne And so much wracke in severall places done Huge was his army but by different wayes Dâ—…spers'd they sought securely for their preyes Ranging abroad and pillaging without Controll the townes and hamlets round about Five gallant Yorkshire Knights whom glorious Fame Was pleas'd to grace to Alnwicke Castle came To enter thither secretly they meant The misty weather favour'd their intent Vnseene they came although the strength were small For but foure hundred horse were they in all Such prize to them did friendly fame ordaine As greatest armies have beene proud to gaine A captive Monarch from the Castle towers They view'd farre off the scatter'd Scottish powers Whose armie 's greatest part from thence was gone And led by severall Captaines marched on To spoyle some other parts the Knights at last Who in their active thoughts did hourely cast Some brave designes by scouts that had descry'd The Scotts proceedings all were certify'd Which way King William with small guards abroade Was gone and thither with their troopes they rode Oretooke and charg'd him there the King although Amaz'd to meete so suddainly a foe Did not forget he was a King but made As brave resistance as the strength he had Would give him leave the trumpets sound in vaine To draw to rescue of their Soveraigne His stragling troopes whom sweetnesse of the prey Had carryed thence and scatter'd every way The Knights prevaile the King 's surprised there And to New-castle borne a prisoner Oh mocke of fortune he that enter'd late The English bounds so strong a Potentate Guarded with fourescore thousand Souldiers As if he sought to gaine by 〈◊〉 warres The Kingdome 's conquest not a meaner prey By this small troope is captive borne away Pleas'd with this newes triumphant Henry goes From thence to London where with all true showes Of joy and duty they receiv'd their King And with an army marches thence to bring The realmes sicke parts unto their former state No towne no fort how proud so ere of late And strongly mann'd durst now resist or stay His course fame opens him a bloodlesse way Huntingdon Castle 's yielded to his hands Nor durst Earle Bigot with his Flemmish bands That lately strooke such terrour through the land Resist his Lord but into Henry's hand Did freely yield Bungay and Fremingham His two strong forts and humbly kneeling came To sue for mercy which he there obtain'd The like did Ferrers Darbies Earle and gain'd His pardon too contented now to yield Those two strong Castles which he long had held As much stout Mowbray was enforc'd to doe And with himselfe resign'd his Castle too So did the forts then kept in Leisters name And to Northampton Duresmes Prelate came To give three Castles freely to the King Thither did then the Knights of Yorkeshire bring Their royall captive Scotlands King and there Presented him as Henry's prisoner Who could have hop'd to finâ—…e such blest successe From such a warre what greater happinesse Could ore-joy'd Henry in his largest thought Have wish'd to see or all the starres have wrought So high a conquest gain'd by fame alone So many Castles without slaughter wonne No blood in purging of rebellion shed And in three weekes all England qâ—…ieted Without the sword no fields with slaughter stain'd What Prince ore sonnes and subjects ever gain'd So just and true a triumph or could see In civill warre a joyfull victory This conquest was ore hearts not
had promis'd her to see Some high exploit some royall victory As that when once he made imperiall Iove Lough like a Bull for faire Europaes Love Or when he made rough Neptune â—…eele his fire Or warm'd chast Cynthiaes bosome with desire And made her court the Shepheard suâ—…h a one Loves Queene now look'd for from her conquering sonne Nor was her expectation voyd she found As much as she could hope a royall wound No lesse then Henry's noble breast must be The trophee of her Cupids victory Henry's pleas'd eyes now wander'd every where Among those Starres that made his Court their Sphaere For such they seem'd and no lesse bright they shew'd Although of different light and magnitude Oft could he change the oâ—…jects of his eye With fresh delight praise the vâ—…riety Without distracted thoughts till like the Queene Of light faire Cinthia Rosamund was seene There did he fixe there his amazed eye Forgot all pleasure of variety And gaz'd alone upon her matchlesse hew False Cupid laugh'd and thence in triumph slew Too much alas found Henry's wounded brest How much her beauty did outshine the rest So golden Venus 'mongst the Sea-nymphs so Did Deidamia 'mongst her sisters show When she inflam'd the young Achilles heart As Rosamund appear'd each single paâ—…t Of Loves rich dower which she alone possest Had beene enough to fire a vulgar brest And in another raise high beauties fame Into her forme all severall Cupids came And all the Graces their perfection show'd Nature confest she had too much bestow'd On one rich mixture which alone must weare All her faire liveries pure whitenesse there Nor red alone must beauties colours show Blew pleads a title since her veines are so Even blacke it selfe plac'd in her eye is bright And seemes to be the colour of the light As they are hers all â—…ormes all colours please Henry the more he lookes does more encrease His flame and whether he should checke desire And goe about to quench so sweet a fire Or feede the flame he cannot yet resolve A thousand thoughts does his sicke breast revolve Sometimes he seekes to cure the wound and cast Out Cupidsâ—…atall â—…atall shaft but still more fast The arrow stickes and goes more deepe into His wounded heart ensnared fishes so When they have once receiv'd the baited hooke The more they plunge the deeper still are strooke So when by chance the stately Stag is shot In vaine he strives 'gainst fate it bootes him not Through all the â—…orrests lawnes and feilds to take His speedy course no force no flight can shake The mortall shaft out of his wounded side It bootes not Henry to survey the pride Of other beauties now conveâ—…se with all The Princes met at his great festivall Or fixe himselfe on the solemnities The sports and revells of his court His eyes Can recompense him with no sight at all Nor yeild him pleasure aequall to the thrall They brought him to by sight of Rosamund No thoughts of state have power t' allay his wound Sometimes he yeilds to Loves imperiall flame Resolves to couâ—…t her favour straight but shame Restraines that thought His servants all discerne A change but are afraide the cause to learne T is not the crowning Henry of thy sonne Though that shall breed â—… sad confusion Can make thee lesse then king or dis-inthrone Thee halfe so much as love of her has donâ—… That makes thee humbly sue makes thee become Thy selfe a subject forc'd t' abide the doome That soveraigne beauty shall be pleas'd to give Thou mighty Prince whose high Prerogative Aequall to fate it â—…elfe us'd to bestow Or death or life on suppliants art now Thy selfe an humble suppliant and bound To sue for health to beautious Rosamund While thus the Princes met doe celebraâ—…e In feasts and revells young king Henry's staâ—…e And London's fill'd with severall jollityes Swift-winged fame from thence to Paris flies Where then the French king Lewis kept his 〈◊〉 And fill's his jealous eares with this repoâ—… Young Henry on the royall throne is set Without his wife the Princesâ—…e 〈◊〉 Though Lewis his daughter jeâ—…lousy can 〈◊〉 A reason quickly to torment his mind That reason flattering Couâ—…tiers aggravate And those that love the troubles of a State The factious spirits that seeke from thence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What other reason can there be say they Vnlesse contemptuous scorne of thee and France That Henry singly should his sonne advance Without his wife nor let young Margaret be A sharer in her husbands dignity What end of his or what designe had beene Made frustrate else had she beene crowned Queene These slight surmiâ—…es are too soone approv'd And for just reasons tane the King is mov'd To gâ—…ound a warre on these resolv'd although No hopes invite him to be Henry's foe Forc'd by miscalled honour to pursue What most of all he would himselfe eschew Honour is to a man a tyrant then When honours lawes he seekes from other men Not findes them in himselfe when he attends Not reall truth but fame which still depends On others breaths yet makes a man to goe ' â—…ainst his owne passions and his reason too Nor must king Lewis his fury stay so long As fairely to expostulate the wrong To send his grievance first then to defy And be a just and royall enemy Those fiery spirits that too much feare a peace That discontents betwixt the Kings would cease And no swords drawne at all if that were done Still urge king Lewis with speed say they goe on There 's no advantage in a course so slow T is best to be before you seeme a foe Before the newes to Henry's eare can fly With fire and sword invade his Normandy Meane time king Henry fearelesse of the blow Of warre was master'd by a greater foe Enforc'd to yeild to Cupids powerfull bow The triumphs all were done king William now Had with Prince David tane their leaves and from The court of England were returning home By English Lords attended on their way The court seem'd nak'd robb'd of that bright array And beautious splendour it so lately wore How much unlike the place it was before How solitary now but Henry's minde That change which others thinke of cannot finde No other absence can he feele but one His dearest life faire Rosamund was gone To grace the countrey with her presence now The wounded lover did by this time know Her birth and countrey thither flyes his heart And from his palace nay himselfe would part Or else contrives to bring a gemme so bright To court and place her neerer to his sight No kingly pleasures no magnificence Can tast no musicke 's sweete while she is thence So when the faire Calisto did remaine In woods a huntresse of Dianaes traine And wore her quiver when enamour'd Iove Beheld her matchlesse beauty from above â—…he woods before heavens palace please his eye Before the starry regions of the sky He loves th' Arcadian forrests to survay Not those bright
was Venus or else bred In all her arts and subtle sure as she Who now by Henry was employ'd to be The chiefest Agent in his amorous ends Vpon whose skill his sweetest hope depends No farther distance then at ease a day Might reach from London stood the place which they Had chose for beautious Rosamund to bide Within a forrest rarely beautify'd Without by all that nature could afford Within the house it selfe was richly stor'd As guesse you may with what a bounteous King To please his dearest Mistres eye would bring The place it selfe did seeme his sute to move And intimate a silent plea for love Such was that bower where oft the Paphian Queene With young Anchises was on Ida seene About this house such groves springs gardens were As Poëts placed in Loves region where The Westwinds ever blow faire youth doth stay And keepes from thence old age and care away To this delicious countrey house is she Conducted by a trusty company Appointed by the King on her to waite And doe her service in the higest state While Henry's love is in such gifts exprest As might have power to tempt the chastest brest And each day courts her with a richer shower Then rain'd on Danae in the brazen tower The subtle Dame that waited on her there On all occasions fill'd her tender eare With Henry's praise and fame striving t'endeare His bounty and unaequall'd love to her Into a spatious gallery they went Where well-wrought pictures did to life present Those things which ancient tales or stories told Which whilest faire Rosamund did pleas'd behold And entertain'd with fresh variety To severall pictures oft remov'd her eye The cunning Dame pick'd some nor would she name Those beauties that had beene of loosest fame But chose the coyest out behold quoth she My noble daughter the severity Of Dian ' there by which Actaeon dy'd Cause unawares her naked limbs he spy'd Yet this forsooth soure Goddesse turne your eye The tother way by Pan of Arcady Is caught and with a toy of no esteeme A white-fleec'd Ramme see how she followes him Into the grove and does not there disdaine In kindest sort to ease a Lovers paine See Atalanta the swift running maide Whose cruell beauty to sad death betray'd So many noble youths at last by one For three gold apples willingly is wonne And yeilds her beauty to Hippomenes Oh Gods what pretious gifts indeed are these What is a white fleec'd Ramme or golden ball Compar'd to what the greatest Lord of all This Westerne world great Henry can bestow Nay blush not faire one this conceit just now Runne crosse my brest nor was it in my thought That gifts could merit or true love be bought But where true love doth reigne guifts may expresse And that alone is great mens happinesse That by so brave a way as gifts can show That love that poore ones are enforc'd to doe By sighes and teares and many times too late By pining death behold that cruell fate In Iphis there that hangs himselfe and see The faire but scornesull Anaxarete Who with dry eyes beholds poore Iphis death Whom onely love of her had reft of breath The Gods themselves were mov'd her spite to see And in revenge of such a cruelty Turn'd her to stone replyes faire Rosamund If love have power to make so deepe a wound Has he not justice too those two should be Inseparable in a Deity Why fits he not his shafts to both the parts And wounds reciprocally Lovers hearts That sure were justice I remember I Once read and pittyed Iphis tragedy And wonder'd that her cruelty was such To kill a heart to whom she ow'd so much And thought what I in such a case should doe The subtle Dame straight answers and would'st thou Be juster faire one since we here are free I le boldly speake a Monarch pines for thee And what the difference is 'twixt slighting him And vulgar loves weigh in a just esteeme I doe not speake it onely 'cause a King in power a greater recompense can bring For love then others juster reasons farre And truer fairest Rosamund there are As kings have greater soules so they in love Doe feele farre stronger passions then can move A private brest besides those spirits that raigne Ore other people lesse can brooke disdaine It therefore double cruelty must prove To give a sterne repulse to those whose love Is both in nature strongest and beside Lesse patient a denyall to abide But most of all consider at how great And high a value Monarchs lives are set If they should dye for love that sway the fate Of nations borne to change the worlds estate Or settle it to judge of peace and warre Oh what respects of private honour are To be in ballance put with these but let Me speake in more particular as great As high a fortune would from Henry's love Accrew to Rosamund should death remove Queene Elianor away as Englands thronâ—… And royall title nor can death alone Divide her from him a divorce may doe it And her unkindnesses may move him to it She was divorc'd before from Lewis of France He brook'd her not great Henry did advance Her lessen'd state agayne to royalty By leave obtein'd from Rome and may not he Againe reject her may not Rome be wonne And that for Henry which for Lewiâ—… was done Oh could'st thou Fortunes gratious proffers use While thus alone they were discoursing newes Was brought them up the King was lighted there Faire Rosamund was strooke with suddaine feare Yet such a feare as did containe a kinde Of joy and twixt the two perplex'd her minde Nor had she leisure to dispute the case The King himselfe so soone appear'd in place Who with so sweete a kisse salutes his love That in his lipps his soule did seeme to moove And meete the object it desir'd so much His powerfull language Cupid aides and such His whole deportment was as most might moove And seeme to challenge by desert a love Oh what beseidged chastity could long Hold out against so many and so strong Assaults such cruell snares as there were lay'd What beauty could escape the noble Maide At last alas is wonne to his delight Within whose armes he spends the wanton night Th' unlawfull fruite of his desires he tasts And by that action with dishonour blasts The pity'd sweetnesse of so fresh a Rose Yet thence when time maturely shall disclose Her burden'd wombe the fates had so decree'd A brave and Noble offspring must proceede William surnamed Long-sword after by His right of Marriage Earle of Salisbury And made the happy father of a faire And Noble issue by that Earle domes heire Great Henry now possest of that bright gemme Which almost aequall to his Diadem His longing fancy oft had priz'd before In this sweete trance could slumber evermore Heere could he dwell arrived at the height Of his desires and ravish'd with delight Contemning fame could be a while content To lay
himselfe which soone Vnto the height of his desires was done At Milford-haven by the Kings command His whole retinue met a gallant band Of English gentry waited on the shore In glittering armes to follow Henry ore Whose lustre might to those rude Irish bring Astonishment and shew how great a King Dâ—…d now arrive to take possession there Whose name before they had beene taught to feare By what Earle Strong-â—…ow in that region And brave Fitz Stephans with the rest had done Bâ—…t oh too cruell chance how neere almost Had all that valour and themselues beâ—…ne lost Bâ—… Henry's former jealousies he heard Of their renown'd and prosperous deedes and fear'd That so much puissance by them was showne Not to advance his honour but their owne And for themselues that they had conquer'd there Some envious spirits fed his jealous feare â—…or which he made a Proclamation No Victualls Armour or Munition Should from his Kingdomes be transported ore For Strongbow's succour to the Irish shore And that his Subjects that did there remaine â—…efore next Easter should returne againe This Proclamâ—…tion had so much distrest Not long before â—…arle Strongbow and the rest Thâ—…t all which had bin conquer'd in that coast Aâ—…d theâ—… themselues had uâ—…terly beene lost If 〈◊〉 valour had not strove with fate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them what neede I heere relate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Râ—…imond and Fitz Girald were 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 and their action there Whâ—…n 〈◊〉 great Kings with all the strength almost That could be levy'd in th'adjoyning coast 〈◊〉 these worthies how they issâ—…'d out With courages miraculously stout Aâ—…d with succâ—…sse as high and march'd that day 〈◊〉 all their foes with victory away Or how Miles Cogan chas'd the King of Meth Away from Dublin walls and in the death Of many thousands seal'd his victory Or how Fitz-Stephans with a company Too small almost to be beleev'd did guard His fort neere Wexford towne besiedged hard By full three thousand Irish when no strength No force could make him yeild untill at length A false report the perjâ—…r'd foes devis'd And with the hazard of tâ—…eir soules surpris'd Fitz-Stephans body these calamityes Did through King Henry's jealousies arise Gainst those that planted first that Irish coast And time it was ere all againe were lost The King himselfe upon that shore should land Whose force no Irish Princes durst withstand Novembers cold had rob'd the forrest trees Of all their dresse and Winter gan to freeze Small lakes when not the season of the yeare Though judg'd by some untimely nor the feare Of those rough Irish Seas had power to keepe The King from passing ore into the deepe They put and hoised sailes the Easterne winde Blew faire and further'd what the King design'd By whose auspicious gales he safely câ—…me To land at Waterford when swiftest Fame Through every part of Ireland flyes to bring The fear'd arrivall of so greaâ—… a King And what that fame had wrought was quickly seene So soone came Irelands greatest Princes in Dermon Mac Arth the Prince of Corke while yet The King stay'd there came freely to submit Himselfe a subject to him and the like Did Dâ—…nold doe the Prince of Limericke Who to procure his peace swore fealty Both whom great Henry sent away with high And rich rewards and placed in the Townes Of Corke and Limricke English Garrisons The King when this at Waterford was done Leaving Fiâ—…z-Barnard to maintaine the towne March'd with his gallant troopes in faire array â—…o Dublin ward where ere he made his stay The greatest Lords of all the Countryes nigh As Ophelan the King of Ossory And Ororike of Meth to Henry came With other Princes of the highest name As Mac Talewie O Carell Ochadese Othwely Gillmeholoch all of these In person did submit themselues agree To be his vassalls and sweare fealty But Rotherike that â—…ore the Monarchs name And King of Connaught then no neerer came Then to that famous river Shenin's side Which his rough Connaught doth from Meth divide And there was met by Hugh de Lacy and Fitz-Aldeline sent by the Kings command To take his hostages which freely there He did deliver and allegeance sweare By his example all the greatest Lords Did freely yield to Henry's name no swords To gaine that land were drawne no blood was lost No warre so great an Ilands conquest cost Now Christmas was which in all heights of state The royall Henry strove to celebrate That those rude Irish people there might see And reverence so great a Majesty Who flocke in greatest companies to gaze At this unusuall lustre with amaze They see his great attendance and admire His sumptuous plate his servants rich attire While plentious Ireland to their feasting boords The Seas provisions and the lands affoords Downe with the Irish Kings great Henry sate So show'd of old Imperiall Caesars state When barbarous kings great Rome did entertaine Who view'd with wonder such a Monarch's traine And gorgeous court such did old Poets strive To make those feasts which Iove was pleas'd to give To rurall Deities and to admit The Sylvans rough and rusticke Faunes to sit At his caelestiall boord while wondring they The radiant glories of great Iove survay VVhile they behold the beautious Trojan stand A waiter by and from his snow-white hand Give cups and ravish'd with the sound admire To heare bright Phoebus and the lovely quire Of his nine daughters to heavens glorious King The Pallenaean triumphs sweetly sing As much as those rude people wondred at King Henry's sumptuous court and royall state As much the English Courtiers did admire The Irish Princes fashions and attire Their different garbes and gestures while each eye Is pleas'd in viewing such variety And to each other both afford delight VVhen wine and Cates had weakened appetite The noble Henry with a smiling cheere Offers discourses longing much to heare More of their countreys nature thus at last To Dublins reverend Prelate who was plac'd Not farre from him at boord the King beganne Grave Father since I know your wisedome can Dive deepe into the qualities and state Of things and search what old records relate Too much abstruse for vulgar braines to finde From your deepe skill informe our longing minde Of what wise Nature for this spatious I le Has wrought in tempers of the aire and soile And those fam'd wonders where she does display Prodigious power and leaves her usuall way As if she meant to mocke the purblinde eye And feeble search of our Philosophy Loud fame has spread them though obscurely ore All parts of this our Westerne world nor more Was scorched Africke fam'd by elder time For breeding wonders then your Irish clime Has beene to us renowned for her rare And strange endowments to our eare declare What you grave Father by tradition Or by experience know the King had done Attentive silence all the Princes make When thus the Bishop humbly bowing spake If I relate by Henry's high command The wondrous treasures of
Lest noble Henry should triumph ore none But onely sonnes and subjects of his owne And you most gracious Soveraigne borne to be Th'admir'd example of true piety To your deceased Father with an eye Secure may read your vertues contrary In Henry's sonnes and read it Sir true story That brands their names will sound your endlesse glory King Iames whilest living did behold and blest Your piety of what you since exprest No little part the wondring people all Beheld and honour'd at his funerall But most of all is what we daily see Your pious truth to his deare memory So may our Princely Hope let God above Be pleas'd young Charles by your example prove And such unto your selfe hereafter be As you to blessed Iames in piety The foes in this great combination ty'd Invade King Henry's lands on every side While Scotlands King fall's on Northumberland While Chesters Earle and Fulgiers armed stand To seaze the townes of Brittaine Lewis of France With young King Henry all their force advance For Normandy attempting to surprise Vernoul a towne that in the confines lyes Thus like a Lyon rows'd on every side Old Henry's prudence must at once provide For all assaults and first in person he To succour Vernoul martches speedily Which Lewis of France by treachery that day Had tane but left it straight and fled away The English King pursues and in his course Surprises many forts of his by force Nor durst the King of France of all the time That warre endur'd in field encounter him But making short incursions as for prey Would never stand the tryall of a day From thence with winged speed old Henry goes To meete in Brettaine with his rebell foes But Chesters Earle and â—…ulgiers durst not bide His puissance but fled and fortify'd Themselves within the castle Dole which he Strâ—…ightly besieg'd and wonne it speedily There Chesters Earle into his hands he got With fourescore other prisoners of note While thus in France the conquering King proceedes Heavens potent hand assists their valiant deedes That loyall warres for him in England made The Northerne parts does Scotlands King invade To whose resistance their most able men The noble Lucy Lord chiefe Iustice then And Bohun Constable of England bring And stay the progresse of that warrelike King There whilest with loyall and couragious hearts They guard the North in Englands Easterne parts Arise warrâ—…s fiercer where with numerous bands Of warlike Flemmings furious Leister lands With him does Bigot Earle of Norfolke joyne There their rebellious forces they combine To wast their native soyle the wofull fame Of which to brave Bohun and Lucy came Who heaâ—…ing this conclude with Scotlands King A speedy truce and all their forces bring Into the Easterne parts where fates provide Fresh strength to succour injur'd Henry's side The loyall Earles of Gloster Arundel And Cornewall there are met provided well Of all munition in their just designe With noble Lucy and Bohun to joyne The Lords all met to Farneham march away There was the tryall of that bloody day Ordain'd there Leister with his Flemish troopes Comes to encounter them with different hopes Though aequall fury the two armies fought The Flemmings prey the English freedome sought To chase from thence the forreiners away Long doubtfull stood the tryall of the day When thus the loâ—…all Lords their souldiers cheere Now let your truth and loyalty appeare Brave Englishmen nor is it Henry's right 'Gainst rebells armes for which alone you fight And to revenge your wronged Prince although That were engagement great and high enough You fight lest England should be made a spoyle To vagrant theeves or more your native soyle Here suffer conquest by a forreine sword And after ages in blacke leaves record The fatall field of Farneham fortune meant In this to keepe your valours innocent Though rebell Leister make a civill warre He frees you from it since his souldiers are All forreiners in fight you neede not feare To wound at all your native countrey there Nor shed your kindreds blood the foe frees you From those foule crimes which he intends to doe Fight 'gainst his Soveraigne friends and native land What great advantage on our side doth stand Our armes are loyall 'gainst a forreine foe His warres both civill and rebellious too Such speeches from the Lords had raysed high The English vertue they all wish'd to dye Rather then see what else they sadly fear'd On one side Englands woefull state appear'd On tother side the justice of so brave A cause fresh vigour to their spirits gave The Flemmings armed with resolve as great Whose desperate fortunes on that day were set And no hope left beyond came fiercely on Breathing out nothing but destruction To gaine the price of their adventures there Or to their foes to leave a conquest deare So neere the flockes fight hungry beasts of prey So fight brave dogs to chase the wolves away As then the English and the Flemmings fought How many tragedies that day were wrought How were the fields with slaughter cover'd ore How was th'adjoyning river stain'd with gore At last bright â—…ustice rose and by the lawes Of God and nature ballancing the cause Gave a full conquest to the English side But so the desperate Flemmings fell and dy'd As in their deaths it plainely might appeare With what resolves they had encountred there Ten thousand of them in the field were slaine Their great Commander Leisters Earle was tane With him his Amazonian Countesse too Was taken prisoner and many moe Who by the conquering Earles were speedily Sent out of England into Normandy And to old Henry brought where then he lay With joyfull newes of that victorious day One of the strongest propps young Henry had And bold'st supporter of a warre so bad Is now remov'd ambitious Leister he Who most had sooth'd the sonnes impiety And 'gainst the father beene most insolent Is at his mercy now a prisoner sent The King forbeares revenge and does disdaine With any show of cruelty to staine The joy of this successe but keepes him there As warre had made him onely prisoner But Englands wretched state by one successe Could not be rescu'd wholly from distresse Gainst which so great conspiracies did aime For second newes from thence to Henry camâ—… By Richard then elect of Winchâ—…ster That other forces had arrived there By that rebellious Earle of Norfolke brought By whom outragious mischiefes had beene wrought And th' Easterne parts of England much annoy'd That stately Norwich was with fire destroy'd That greater woes are feared every day That th' Earle of Flanders then at Gravelin lay With young King Henry purpos'd to invade England with all the strength that they had made The King is mov'd to heare his countreys woe And to her rescue straight resolves to goe In person then with his accustom'd speede By which he found his actions still succeede For all his acts and marchâ—…s still did show Such speede that Lewis of
betray'd Her Ladyes life and while she doubting fear'd Too soone the fatall certainty appear'd For with her traine the wrathfull Queene was there Oh who can tell what cold and killing feare Through every part of Rosamund was strooke The rosie tincture her sweete cheekes forsooke And like an Ivory statue did she show Of life and motion reft had she beene so Transform'd in deede how kinde the fates had beene How pitifull to her nay to the Queene To free her guilty hand from such a cryme So sadd and foule as no succeeding time But shall with griefe condemne yet had she beene A Statue and look'd so the jealous Queene Perchance on that her cruelty had showne Least Henry should have turn'd Pygmalion And for a Stâ—…tues love her bed forsooke The Queenes attendants with remorse are strooke Even she herselfe did seeme to entertaine Some ruth but straight Revenge return'd againe And fill'd her furious breast Strumpet quoth She I neede not speake at all my sight may be Enough expression of my wrongs and what The consequence must proove of such a hate Heere take this poyson'd cup for in her hand A poyson'd cup she had and doe not stand To parley now but drinke it presently Or else by tortures be resolv'd to dye Thy doome is set pale trembling Rosamund Receives the cup and kneeling on the ground When dull amazement somewhat had forsooke Her breast thus humbly to the Queene she spoke I dare not hope you should so farre relent Great Queene as to forgive the punishment That to my foule offence is justly due Nor will I vainely plead excuse to shew By what strong arts I was at first betray'd Or tell how many subtle snares were lay'd To catch mine honour these though nere so true Can bring no recompence at all to you Nor just excuse to my abhorred crime Instead of suddaine death I crave but time Which shall be stil'd no time of life but death In which I may with my condemned breath While griefe and pâ—…nnance make me hourely dye Poure out my prayerâ—… for your pâ—…osperity Or take revenge on this offâ—…ding face That did procure your wrong and my disgrace Make poysonous leprosies orespread my skinne And punish that that made your Henry sinne Better content will such a vengeance give To you that he should loath me whilest I live Then that he should extend if thus I dye His lasting pity to my memory And you be forc'd to see when I am dead Those teares perchance which he for me will shed For though my worthlesse selfe deserue from him No teares in death yet when he weighs my crime Of which he knowes how great a part was his And what I suffer as a sacrifice For that offence t will grieve his soule to be The cause of such a double tragaedy No more reply'd the furious Queene have done Delay no longer least thy choyse be gone And that a sterner death for thee remaine No more did Rosamund entreat in vaine But forc'd to hard necessity to yeild Drunke of the fatall potion that she held And with it enter'd the grimme tyrant death Yet gave such respite that her dying breath Might begg forgivenesse from the heavenly throne And pardon those that her destruction Had doubly wrought forgive oh Lord said she Him that dishonour'd her that murder'd me Yet let me speake for truths sake angry Queene If you had spar'd my life I might have beene In time to come th' example of your glory Not of your shame as now for when the story Of haplesse Rosamund is read the best And holyest people as they will deteâ—…t My crime and call it foule they will abhorre And call unjust the rage of Elianor And in this act of yours it will be thought Hing Henry's sorrow not his love you sought And now so farre the venoms force assail'd Her vitall parts that lifâ—… with language fail'd That well built palace where the Graces made Their chiefe abode where thousand Cupids plai'd And cowch'd their shafts whose structure did delight Even natures selfe is now demolish'd quite Nere to be rais'd againe th' untimely stroake Of death that pretious Cabinet has broake That Henry's pleased heart so long had held With suddaine mourning now the house is fill'd Nor can the Queenes attendants though they feare Her wrath from weeping at that sight forbeare There well they could while that faire hearse thy view Believe the ancient embleme to be true And thinke pale death and winged Cupid now Their quivers had mistooke untimely so By rough North blasts doe blooming Roses fade So crushed falls the Lillyes tender blade Her hearse at Godstow Abbey they enterre Where sad and lasting monuments of her For many yeeres did to the world remaine Nought did the Queene by this dire slaughter gaine But more her Lords displeasure aggravate And now when he return'd in prosperous state This act was cause togeâ—…her with that crime Of raising his unnaturall sonnes 'gainst him That she so long in prison was detain'd And whilest he liv'd her freedome never gain'd But Henry's troubles finde not yet an end Whose cares beyond the English shores extend As if one kingdomes burden could not be Enough for his great magnanimity The yet-perplex'd affaires of Normandy Invite his presence next where fates decree Almost as easie peace shall be obtain'd As England late had by his presence gain'd Now did King Lewis and young King Henry lye Beseiging faithfull Roane in Normandy To whose reliefe the brave old Henry goes But first with care and prudence does dispose The setled state of England to his minde And loath to leave at liberty behinde So great a firebrand as his jealous Queene Fierce Elianor in this late warre had beene Commits her person to close custodie Then musters all his martiall company And Caesar-like transporting all his â—…tore Of great and princely prisoners crosses ore As if he went to triumph not to fight Nor proov'd it lesse indeede for even the sight Alone of so renown'd and fear'd a Chiefe As old King Henry was faire Roanes reliefe King Lewis of France no longer meant to stay Nor on the tryall of one doubtfull day To set his fortunes yet asham'd that he Should seeme to flye before his enemy And fearing that disgrace encamped lay Himselfe a while and first convey'd away From thence the sicke and weakest of his men And with the rest in order followed then For uncontroll'd had Henry enter'd Roane Set ope the gates and beate the rampiers downe Levell'd the trenches all that stopp'd the way And dar'd the French to tryall of the day But Lewis retir'de and weighing in sadd thought What small advantage his designes had wrought Or for himselfe or those whom he entended To aide now wish'd this bootelesse warre were ended And thoughts of peace he wholly entertain'd And since he knew a peace might be obtain'd As then it stood with ease from Englands King And love besides in labouring to bring The sonnes in too
his Lands in England and in France And to that end that homage should be done By all the Lords that Iohn his yoâ—…nger sonne To whom the father's favour did encline Should straight be sent to warre in Palaestiâ—… To these demands whilest Henry does refuse To yeeld assent a sadder woe ensues In indignation Richard straight forsakes His aged Father and himâ—…elfe betakes Wholâ—…y to Philip King of France his side And firmest friendship 'twixt these two is ty'd With Richard many of the Barons goe 〈◊〉 her selfe forsakes old Henry too When now proud Philip in disdaine that from This enterview no peacâ—… at all dâ—…d come Fels downe that aged Flme whose spreading shade So oft the place of parley had beene made 'Twixt France and Englaâ—…d's mighty Kingâ—… and swore That place should never hold a parley more Sad did the ruines of so fam'd a tree To all the pittying people seeme to be Whose honour'd shade had many ages beene More then a royall Court where oft was seene Such state as one Impâ—…riall house although Of gorgeous structure could but seldome show Nor one whole kingdome at â—… time contâ—…ine Two rivall Kings together to remaine Beneath the covert of a shady tree Where onely Nature made their Canopy Those old religious trees that heretofore Great Conquerours spoyles and boasting trophees bore Sacred to Mars or to 〈◊〉 name Were not more honâ—…ur'd or indeâ—…t to Fame Then was this stately Elme not 'cause that there The Druides when Druidâ—…s there were Among the ancient Gaules had pray'd or done Their barbarous rites and superstition Nor that the Fawnes and Dryades hâ—…d made Their nightly bowers and iporâ—…ed in the shade But 'cause the peopleâ—… pride had lov'd to shew The place where Kings did stand at enterview This Elâ—…e was fell'd by Philip in his râ—…ge Of Henry's following death a sâ—…d presage Now too too weake is old King Henry's side For those proud â—…oes that so unjâ—…stly ty'd In combination threaten his estate By his owne sonne and souldiers left of late And by those weapons wounded that should guard His royall person While the Fates so hard Opprest his grieved soule in discontent To his beloved City Mauns he went Hiâ—… place of birth and high in his esteeme Buâ—… angry Fortune will not leave to him That City now Mauns must be tane away Thither while he does with small forces stay For but seven â—…undred souldiers guard their King Philip of France and furious Richâ—…rd bring A potent army For the townes defence The King too weake is forc'd to flye from thence And to abandon that beloved Towne He that had never fled before nor knowne What 't was to feare pursuing enemies From his owne sonne and young King Philiâ—… flyes And looking backe on that forsaken Towne Curses the impious prowesse of his sonne Philip and Richards unresisted powers March further up with ease surprising Tours Vpon which losse another daâ—… is set For â—…nterview and both the Kings are met Not farre from Turwâ—…n Where although that cleare The Sky at their first meeting did appeare Yet on thâ—… sudden from a swelling cloud The thunder issu'd with report so loud It stâ—…ooke a terror into every heart Ore all the fields and twice they say did part The Kings a sunder once with such a force King Henry there had fall'n from off his horse Had not his servants held him up How ere It was decreed that Henry's honour there Should â—…all farre lower and he suffer more Then all his puissant reigne had felt before He that had given conditions still that ne're Had taken any from what foe soe're Yeelds now to all conditions they demand Yeelds to deliver into Philip's hand Adela now and for those Provinces Which in that continent he did possesse To doe him homage lets his Barons sweare Allegiance to his sonne Prince 〈◊〉 there Anâ—… yeelds to pay for â—…harges of the warre Two thousand marks to Philip aâ—…d so farre His Nâ—…ble heart not us'd to bow was broke That his griev'd spirit within three dayes forsooke The earthly mansion For a Feaver joyn'd Wiâ—…h the afflicting anguish of his minde Whose forces soone disâ—…olv'd that house of clay Aâ—… Châ—…non then this dying Monarch lay When to encrease the anguish of his thought And more disturbe his peace a scrowle was brought And by ill fate presented to him there Containing all their names that did adhaere In this conspiracy to Philip's side Where first of all his haplesse eye espy'd The name of Iohn his sonne whither that he Were truly one of that conspiracy Or some of Richard's followers to remove Before King Henry dy'd that wondrous love Which towards Iohn he seem'd of late to beare Above the other falsely wrote him there From thence extremity of passions Surpris'd his soule He curst his impious sonnes Curst his owne birth and had despairing dy'd Had not Diviner counsell come to guide His griefes aright and by Religions lawes Direct his wounded conscience to the cause Of those his suffrings making the disease The cure and troubled thoughts the way to peace Wailing his sinnes into the Temple there He bids thâ—…m his yet-living body beare Where he before the holy altar plac'd In humble 〈◊〉 breaths out his lâ—…st And of so great a Monarch now remaines No more on earâ—…h then what a tombe containes Who lately ore so many Lands did reigne From Scotlands bounds to farthest Aquitaine A Prince in peace of highest Majesty In warre too great to finde an enemy In power above his neighbour Princes farre Who though his sword were often â—…rawne to warre His owne conditions without battels wrought Liv'd still victorious though he seldome fought And might have seem'd above the reach of Fate But that himselfe his greatest foes begate Wrong'd by that power which he had made and crost By those of whom he had deserved most Blest oâ—…t miraculously oâ—…t againe Beyond beleefe deprest his various reigne Temper'd with all extremities of Fate And though triumphant yet unfortunate FINIS THE DESCRIPTION OF KING HENRY THE SECOND WITH A SHORT SURVEY of the changes in his REIGNE IT has beene a custome of old Historians when they record the actions of great Princes to deliver also some Characters of their persons and peculiar dispositions that the curiositie of succeeding times who pry deepely into those men whose lives were of so great moment in the world might beefully satisfied and delighted It will not therefore bee amisse to deliver a Character of King Henry the Second a Monarch greater in Fame and Territories than any Christian King that then lived Hee was a man as we finde recorded of a just stature a strong and healthfull constitution but somewhat grosse more by the inclination of Nature then by any fault either of intemperance or sloth For besides the sparenesse and sobrietie of his dyet he vexed his bodie with continuall labour and to ouercome his naturall fatâ—…esse was almost immoderate in all his exercises Hee was of a ruddy complexion
Lord Mowbray and divers others No part of al his large dominions was free from warre Normandy invaded by Lewis of France and young King Henry Aquitaine by his Sonne Richard possessed against him as the Dutchy of Brittaine was by Geoffrey The Northern parts of England were all wasted by the great strength of William K. of Scotland the Easterne parts much afflicted by those mercenary troops of Flemmings which the Earle of Leister brought over besides the forces of the Earl oâ—… Norâ—…olk This great Monarch whose felicitie was so lately the envie of his neighbour-Princes is now become the pittie of them all and the injuries done to his estate and person are much lamented by some Princes too farre off to lend him succour But be hold the turning of Fortune againe it pleased God againe to lift him from this depth of calamitie to the height of honour Hee now found the benefit of his frugality and that large treasure which hee before had gathered was his great assistance in procuring mercenarie souldiers to his side besides some faithfull Lords there were whom we have named in the storie that were deeply moved at their masters injuries and so Nobly served him that within three yeares after the beginning of these combustions King Henry according to his owne wishes beheld a happy and victorious end of them as is before expressed Let the fourth Act continue about seven yeares that next ensued a time of honour and highest happinesse to this great King after his troubles were allended according to his wish the King of France daunted the martiall King of Scotland his prisoner all rebels under his feet his Sonnes brought to acknowledge their duty and all his large dominions in great securitie While the mightiest Monarchs of the Christian world admired his wisedome and great successe astonished almost at so wonderfull a change as they now beheld His sumptuous Court was filled with congratulating Ambassadours of whom at one time there were moe seene then ever had beene together in the Court of England as namely from the two Christian Emperours Manuel of Constantinople and Frederike of the Romans from the Kings of Navarre and Aragon â—…om the Archbishop of Triers and the Earle of Flanders During the time of this happinesse hee marryed his two youngest daughters for the eldest was married before to the Duke of Saxony to the Kings of Sicily and Arragon Hee called Parliaments in which according to his minde hee was furnished with treasure he wisely setled the estates of Church and Common-wealth and besides many other wholsome happy constitutions he first appointed Iudges Itinerant for the six circuits of the Realme of England The last and tragicall Act may be considered in the five following yeares untill the end of his reigne and lifâ—… The date of his felicitie was now expired and nothing followed but trouble and calamitie The beginning of which was a second revolt of his two Sonnes Henry and Geoffrey which was soone taken off by the untimely death of both the Princes as is before declared in the Poëm besides the ill successe in the affaires of Ireland under the government of Iohn his youngest sonne Those troubles that arose from Philip King of France and prevailed against Henry in his old age more then any enemy had beene able to doe before which had not fallen so heavily upon him if Richard then his eldest sonne had not unnaturally forsaken his father and joyned in confederacy with King Philip. That miserable dissention broke the heart of old King Henry and was the end both of his reigne and life FINIS THE SINGLE AND COMPARATIVE CHARACTERS OF HENRY the Sonne and RICHARD LEt it not seeme impertinent if the Reader therby may be informed or delighted to deliver the Characters of these two Princes the eldest Sonnes of King Henry the Second who bore so great and stirring parts in the history of their fathers reigne They were Princes of greatest eminence in those times and upon whom the eyes of Christendome were most set a large Stage they had to act upon and early occasions to discover their worth They were both tall of stature beyond the ordinary height of men of comely visage and majesticall presence for courage and magnanimity they were thought equall and both admired for royall vertue though of a nature different Henry was beloved for his sweetnesse Richard honour'd for his graviâ—… Henry was affable and wondrous liberall Richard severe and full of constancy Henry was addicteâ—… to martiall sports and pastimes Richard more inclined â—…o warre it selfe One was Courtly the other serious One beloved for mercy the other feared for Iustice. The one a refuge the other a terror to all offenders Two Princes brothers of so great worth and yet so diverse have seldome beene observed Yet well might they spring from one root their father Henry in the mixture of his nature was knowne to containe both their different Characters and iudged to have a minde as one â—…peakes of Augustus Caesar full of varietie How much the sweetnesse and lovely carriage of young King Henry had wonne upon the world let one observation which some of his owne time thought like a miracle teach us to judge How strange was it that a young Prince rising in armes against his father possessed neither of lands nor treasure much lesse of a good or just cause was followed almost by all the neighbouring world against a King of so large a territory and so full of treasure that in this great defection from him hee was able almost with mercenary souldierâ—… to vindicate his right against all those potent enemies This young Pâ—…ince had gained to his side not onely his brothers Richard and Geoffrey and most of the great Nobility of England but the Kings of France and Scotland the Earle of Flanders and many other great forraigne Princes So many rich gifts of minde and body were heaped on this young Henry saith a Writer of his time that Nature as it were envying what she had bestowed soyled it againe with one staine the vice of ingratitude and disobedieuce to so good a father Which sinne of his was thought the cause that plucked downe Divine vengeance and untimely cut off that flourishing youth which was judged worthy if God had prolonged it to have ruled a greater Empire The severity and industrious courage of Richard the second Sonne let this declare the Earledome of Poictou and the Dutchy of Aquitaine which were the inheritance of his mother Eleanor were committed to his government whilest he was very young Yet in that tender age so manly were his vertues so awefull was the hand which he carried over the rebellious and stubborne subjects of those Countryes that he soone reduced them to a more quiet state and setled obedience then any of their former Princes had ever done As he was stout in the action of warre so was hee constant and unwearied in pursuing his fortune and making the full use of any successe according to that marke that Lucan gives of Iulius Caelar Nil credens actum cum quid superesset agendum Hee was so severe in punishing their offences that hee began so great a resemblance sometimes has vice with vertue to be taxed of cruelty till the wiser sort had fully considered the quality of his actions and the necessity of such proceedings How prevalent he was in the managing of warres to omit those great high exploits which he afterwards atchieved when hee was King of England by this one sad observation we may somewhat iâ—…dge after the untimely deaths of his two brothers Henry and Geoffrey when hee onely of the Sonnes was left at mans estate and unnaturally warred against his father assisted onely by Philip King of France hee more prevailed then his brother Henry with a farre greater confederacy had beene able to doe in the foregoing warres Henry the Sonne had many and great Princes as â—…efore wee shewed that sided with him And yet so victorious an end did old King Henry make of that businesse that hee saw his greatest and most glorious times after the conclusion of that warre but when Ricâ—…ard revolted from him assisted onely by Philip of France the father was inforced to suffer more and stoope lower than any imagined that a Prince of so great a spirit and power could ever have bin brought unto By which finally his heart was broken and a period set to all his worldly glory Richard in that was more unhappy than his brother Henry that his unnaâ—…urall wars weâ—…e able to give so deepe and uncurable a wound to his fathers heart and lent him no time at all to obtaine his pardon as Henry had done nor could the father liue to bee a witnesse of Richards forrow and true repentance as hee had beene of the others Which notwithstanding was many wayes after the death of old King Henry testified by Richard and last of all when himselfe was dying he commanded his servants to bury him at Fonteverard and lay him acrosse at his fathers feet to whom his disloyalty and unnaturall revolt as hee with griefe acknowledged had beene so great a crosse FINIS * Polydore Viâ—…gil in H. 2 * The Monke of Nuborough lib. 2. has all this * The Monke of Nuborough Ibidem * Hovden Chronicon de passione miâ—…aculis Thomae a Math. Paris b Gervase of Dover * Aurea legenda in vita Thomae * Silu Giraldus Cambr. relates all these wonders * Hovedâ—…n * William Parvus * Stoutvile Glanvile Vrsy Ballioll Vinfriville * Will. Parvâ—… * William Archbishop of Try