and 400. Archers to a first Sir Robert knoles Lieutenant there where he pacified that Country being incensed by the French to reuolt upon their discontentment for the death of King Ric. whom they especially loued for being borne at Burdeux George Dunbar E. 〈…〉 Owen Glendour an Es. 〈◊〉 in North-Wales conâ—â—â—â— with the L. Gray of Ruthen for certaine â—audeâ— which hee laymed by inheritance and being not powerful enough by his owne meanes to recouer them procur'd force and onade war vpon the L. Gray and after atremoâ—â— for the principalitie of that Countrey Ann. Reg. 3. Ann Reg. 3. In this battell of Homeldon the L Hen. Percie surnamed Hot-spar accompanied with George Dunbar E. of March ouerthrew the Scottish forces where were slaine 23 Knights and 10000 of the CoÌ„ment the EE of Fise Murry Augus with 500. other of meaner degree taken prisoners In the 9. yeere of the raigne of King Richard 2. was by Parlement ordained Roger E. of March heir apparent to the Crowne This Roger was the sonne of Edmond Mortimer who married Phillippa the only daughter of Leonel D. of Clarence the third son of King Ed. 3. who by her had issue this Roger Elizabeth Roger had issue 4. children all which saue only Anne dyed without issue Anne was maried to Rich. E. of Cambridge second sonne to Edmond D. of Yorke This Rich. beheaded at South-hampton had issue by Anne Richard surnamed Plantagenet after Duke of Yorke The Percles article against Hen. 4. Ann. Reg. 4. The K. hastened forward by George Dunbar was in sight of his enemies lyinge Campenier so threw barie sooner then hee was exspected for the Percies supposed he would haue stayde longer then hee did at burie â— vpon Trent for the comming of his Councell with other forces which were there to meete him Whereupon they left to assaile the Towne of Shrewsbury and prepared to encounter the kings sorces Ann. Reg. 4. The Abbot of Shrewsbury and one of the Clearks of the primie seale were seÌ„t from the K. to the Percies to offer them pardon if they wold come to any reasonable agreement Wherupon the E. of Worcester commâ—ng to the K. receiued many kind proffers and promising to moue his Nephew therin did at his returne as is sayd conceale them and hastened on the battel which was fought neer Shrewsbury An. Reg. 4. Prince Henry at this Battel was now 17 yeares of age Edmond E of Stafford Constable of England The Percie E. of Worcester with Sir Richard Vernon and the Baron of Kinderton were taken in the Battell and beheaded The Fr. K. sendes aide to Owen Glendour with 140. shippes which landed at Milford Hauen An. Reg. 6. An. Reg. 6. with much adoe the Laitie granted 2 fifteenes vpon condition that the L. Furniuall should receive all the mony and see it to bee spent in the K. warres The D. of Orleans with in Army of 6000. men entred into Guien and besieged Vergi the space of 3 moneths return'd without obtaining 1. An. Reg. 5. The Conte Cleremont Sonne to the D. of Buâ—bon with Men de la Bret wonne diuers Castles in Gascouâ—â— The same time the Conte Sa. Paul innadeth the â—le of Wight with 1600 men An. Reg. 6. The Conte Saint Paule bâ—sie to the Castle of Marke within 3. miles of Calais The Britaine 's vnder the conduct of the L. of Caâ—â—ills spoyled and burnt the Towne of Plimmouth The K. sends 4000 men to Calais and 3000 to the Sâ—tâ— vnder the conduct of his second sonne Tho. of Lancaster after D. of Clarence Iohn after D. of Bedford sent with Ralph Newle E. of Westmerland â—nto the North. The Lady Spencer sister to Edward D. of Yorke daâ—e wife to The L. Spencer executed at Bristow An. Reg. 1 accused her brother to be the chief author of conuaying away the E. of Marches soâ— out of the Town of Windsor Hen. Percie E. of North againe conspirer against thâ— K. with Rich. Scroope Archbishop of Yorke The Mowbrâ—se E Marshal Tho. L Badoâ—pâ— and others They assembled the Cuiâ—ine of Yorke with the Country adioyning to take their part for the commodity of the Realme They divulge grieuous Articles against the King The Archb. of York offers pardon to all that take their part against the King The E. of Westmerland with Iohn D. of Lancaster gathered an Armes against the conspiratours whose power being too great for theÌ„ the E. made semblance to ioyne with the Archb. for redresse of such greuances as he pretended and so circumuented and disfurnisht him of his forces An. Reg. 6. The Archb. was brother to William Scroope E of Wiltshire Treasureâ— of England before beheaded The Mowbray E. Marshall sonne to the Duke of Narfolke ban shedaâ—ont the quarrell with H. Bullingbrooke The E. of North returning out of Wales recouers new forces in Yorkeshire and is with the L. Bardolph ouercome at Bramham Moore and slaine in the Battail An. Reg. 9 The K. growes iealous of his sunne Hen. Prince of Wales who with a better minde then fashion came to his Father and â—leâ—ed himself An. Reg. 13 Ann. dom 14. 12. the K. died in the 46. yeare of his age when he had raigned 13 yeeres 6 moneths and left 4 sonnes Hen. after him K. The D. of Clarence Iohn D. of Bedford and Humfrey D. of Gloster Henry S. began his raigne the 20 of March An. 1412 The Courtes of Iustice Docet tolerare leberes Non â—â—biâ— Richard E. of Cambridge the second sonne to Edmond Langly Duke of Yorke maried Anne the daughter of Roger Mortimer Earl of March descended from Lionell D. of Clarence the third sonne too K Ed. S. â— whose right Richard D. of Yorke sonne to this E. of Cambridge oftenwards câ—aymet the Crowne The E of CaÌ„bridge conspiring the death of the King was with Hen. Scroope Lord Treasurer Sir Thomas Gray executed as South-hampton Ann. 3. Reg. At Southhampton Richard Duke of Yorke sonne to the E. of Cambridge by Anne daughter in the Earle of March made his claime in 30. yeere of Hen. 6. Hen. 5. raigned 9. yeares and ten moneths and died in the 36 yeare of his age Hen. 6. scarce one yeere old when hee â—egon his raigne was committed to â—he charge of the â—wo good Dukes Bedford and Gloâ—â—er his Vncles The D. of Yorke made Regent in Fraunce after the death of the D. of Beds Edmond Duke of Sommerset a great enemie of the Duke of Yorke This Rayner was Duke of Aniou onely enioyed sicle of the K. of Siciba William de la Tole E. of Suffolke after created D. of Suff. the chiefest instrumeÌ„t in this mariages which was solemnized An. Reg. 23. betweene the King the Lady Margaret daughter to Rayner D. of Aniou to whom was deliuered vp the Duchy of Aniou the Conty of Maine vpon the conclusion of this match The pride and hautinesse of this Queene Margaret gaue the first originall to the mischiefs that followed by the death of Humfrey
we iudg'd with an vnpartiall hart 39 And first for you my Lord in griefe we see The miserable case wherein you stand Voyde here of succour helpe or maiestie On this poore promontorie of your Land And where how long a time your Grace may be Expecting what may fall into your hand Wee know not since th' euent of things do lie Clos'd vp in darkenes farre from mortall eye 40 And how vnfit it were you should protract Long time in this so dangerous disgrace As though that you good spirit and courage lackt To issue out of this opprobrious place When euen the face of Kings do oft exact Feare and remorse in faultie subiects base And longer stay a great presumption drawes That you were guilty or did doubt your cause 41 What Subiects euer so inrag'd would dare To violate a Prince t' offend the blood Of that renowmed race by which they are Exalted to the height of all their good What if some things by chaunce misguided were Which they haue now rebelliously withâ—â—ood They neuer will proceed with that despight To wracke the State and to confound the right 42 Nor doe I thinke that Bullingbrooke can bee So blind-ambitious to affect the Crowne Hauing himselfe no title and doth see Others if you should fayle must keepe him downe Besides the Realme though mad will neuer gree To haue a right succession ouerthrowne To rayse confusion vpon them and theirs By preiudicing true and lawfull heires 43 And now it may be fearing the successe Of his attemptes or with remorse of minde Or else distrusting secret practises He would be glad his quarrell were resign'd So that there were some orderly redresse In those disorders which the Realme did finde And this I thinke he now sees were his best Since farther actions further but vnrest 44 And for th'impossibilitie of peace And reconcilement which my Lord obiects I thinke when doying iniurie shall cease The cause pretended then surcease th' effects Time and some other Actions may increase As may diuert the thought of these respects Others law of forgetting iniuries May serue our turne in like calamities 45 And for his oath in conscience and in sense True honour would not so be found vntrue Nor spot his blood with such a foule offence Against his soule against his God and you Our Lord forbid that euer with th' expence Of heauen and heauenly ioyes that shall insue Mortalitie should buy this little breath T' indure the horror of eternall death 46 And therefore as I thinke you safely may Accept this proffer that determine shall All doubtfull courses by a quiet way Needfull for you fit for them good for all And here my Sov'raigne to make longer stay T' attend for what you are vnsure will fall May slippe th' occasion and incense their will For Feare that 's wiser then the truth doth ill 47 Thus he perswades out of a zealous minde Supposing men had spoken as they ment And vnto this the King likewise inclin'd Avwholly vnto peace and quiet bent And yeeldes himselfe to th' Earle goes leaues-behind His safetie Scepter Honor Gouernement For gone all 's gone he is no more his owne And they rid quite of feare he of the Crowne 48 A place there is where proudly rais'd there stands A huge aspiring Rock neighb'ring the Skies Whose surly brow imperiously commaund The Sea his boundes that at his proud feete lies And spurnes the waues that in rebellious bands Assault his Empire and against him rise Vnder whose craggy gouernment there was A niggard narrow way for men to pasle 49 And here in hidden cliffes concealed lay A troope of armed men to intercept The vnsuspecting King that had no way To free his foote that into danger stept The dreadfull Ocean on the one side lay The hard-incroching Mountaine th' other kept Before him he beheld his hateful foes Behind him trayterous enemies inclose 50 Enuiron'd thus the Earle begins to cheere His al-amased Lord by him betrayde Bids him take courage ther 's no cause of feare These troopes but there to guard him safe were layd To whom the King What neede so many here This is against your oath my Lord he said But now hee sees in what distresse he stood To striue was vaine t' intreat would do no good 51 And therefore on with careful hart he goes Complaines but to himselfe sighes grieues and freats At Rutland dines though feedes but on his woes The griefe of minde hindred the minde of meats For sorrow shame and feare scorne of his foes The thought of what he was and what now threats Then what he should and now what he hath done Musters confused passions all in one 52 To Flint from thence vnto a restless bed That miserable night he comes conuayd Poorely prouided poorely followed Vncourted vnrespected vnobayd Where if vncertaine sleepe but hoouered Ouer the drooping cares that heauy weigh'd Millions of figures fantasie presents Vnto that sorrow wakened griefe augments 53 His new misfortune makes deluding sleepe Say 't was not so False dreames the trueth denie Wherewith he starts feels waking cares do creepe Vpon his soule and giues his dreame the lie Then sleepes againe and then againe as deepe Deceites of darknes mocke his miserie So hard believ'd was sorrow in her youth That he thinks truth was dreams dreams were truth 54 The morning light presents vnto his view Walking vpon a turret of the place The trueth of what hee sees is prov'd too true A hundred thousand men before his face Came marching on the shore which thither drew And more to aggrauate his great disgrace Those he had wrongd or done to them despight As if they him vpbrayd came first in sight 55 There might hee see that false forsworne vile crue Those shameless agents of vnlawfull lust His Pandars Parasites people vntrue To God and man vnworthy any trust Preacing vnto that fortune that was new And with vnblushing faces formost thrust As those that still with prosperous fortune sort And are as borne for Corte or made in Cort. 56 There hee beheld how humbly diligent New Adulation was to be at hand How ready Falsehood slept how nimbly went Basepick-thank Flattery and preuents Command Hee saw the great obay the graue consent And all with this new-rays'd Aspirer stand But which was worst his owne part acted there Not by himselfe his powre not his appeare 57 Which whilst he view'd the Duke he might perceiue Make towards the Castle to an interview Wherefore he did his contemplation leaue And downe into some fitter place withdrew Where now he must admitte without his leaue Him who before with all submission due Would haue beene glad t' attend and to prepare The grace of audience with respectiue care 58 Who now being come in presence of his king Whether the sight of Maiestie did breed Remorse of what he was in compassing Or whether but to formalize his deed He kneeles him downe with some astonishing Rose kneeles againe for craft wil still
seene our Princes slaughtred Peeres destroyd Then hadst not thou deare Countrie com'n to vvage Warre vvith thy selfe nor those afflictions try'd Of all consuming discorde here so long Too mightie novv against thy selfe too strong The ende of the second Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE Henrie the fourth the Crowne established The Lords that did to Glosters death consent Degraded do rebell are vanquished King Richard vnto Pomfret Castle sent Is by a cruell Knight there murthered After the Lords had had their punishment His Corps from thence to London is conuayd And there for all to view is open layd 1 NOw risen is that Head by which did spring The birth of two strong Heads two Crownes two rights That monstrous shape that afterward did bring Deform'd confusion to distracted wights Now is attain'd that dearely purchast thing That fill'd the world with lamentable sights And now attain'd all care is how to frame Meanes to establish and to hold the same 2 First he attends to build a strong conceipt Of his vsurped powre in peoples mindes And armes his cause with furniture of weight Which easily the sword and Greatnesse findes Succession Conquest and election straight Suggested are and prov'd in all their kindes More then ynough they finde who finde their might Hath force to make all that they will haue Right 3 Though one of these might verie well suffise His present approbation to procure But who his own cause makes doth stil deuise To make too much to haue it more then sure Feare casts too deepe and euer is too wise No vsuall plots the doubtfull can secure And all these disagreeing Claymes he had With hope to make one good of many bad 4 Like vnto him that fears and faine would stop An inundation working-on apace Runs to the Breach heapes mightie matter vp Throwes indigested burthens on the place Lodes with huge weights the out-side the top But leaues the inner partes in feeble case Whil'st th'vnder-searching water working-on Beares proudly downe all that wasidly don 5 So fares it with our indirect desseignes And wrong contriued labors at the last Whil'st working Time and iustice vndermines The feeble frame held to be wrought so fast Then when out-breaking vengeance vncombines The ill-ioyn'd plots so fayrely ouer-cast Turnes vp those huge pretended heapes of showes And all these weake illusions ouer-throwes 6 But after hauing made his title plaine Vnto his Coronation he proceedes Which in most sumptuous sort to intertaine The gazing vulgar whom this splendor feeds Is stately furnisht with a glorious traine Wherein the former Kings he far exceedes And all t' amuse the world and turne the thought Of what how 't was done to what is wrought 7 And that he might on many props repose He strengths his owne who his part did take New Officers new Councellors he chose His eldest sonne the Prince of Wales doth make His second Lord high Steward and to those Had hazarded their fortunes for his sake He giues them charge as merites their deseart And rayses them by crushing th' aduerse part 8 So that hereby the vniuersall face Of Court with all the Offices of State Are wholly chang'd by death or by disgrace Vpon th' aduantage of the peoples hate Who euer enuying those of chiefest place Whom neither worth nor vertue but their fate Exalted hath doo when their Kings doo naught Because it 's in their powre iudge it their faute 9 And in their steed such as were popular And wel-deseruing were aduanc't by grace Graue Shirley he ordaines Lord Chancelor Both worthy for his vertues and his race And Norburie hee appoints for Treasurer A man though meane yet fit to vse that place And others t'other roomes whom people hold So much more lov'd how much they loath the old 10 And it behoues him now to doo his best T' approue his vow and oath made to the State And many great disorders he redrest Which alwayes Vsurpation makes the gate To let it selfe into the peoples brest And seekes the publike best t'accommodate Wherein Iniustice better doth then Right For who reproues the lame must go vpright 11 Though it be easie to accuse a State Of imperfection and misgouernment And easie to beget in people hate Of present Rule which cannot all content And fewe attempt it that effect it not Yet t'introduce a better gouernment In steed thereof if we t'example looke The vnder-takers haue beene ouer-tooke 12 Then against those he strictly doth proceed Who chiefe of Glosters death were guiltie thought Not so much for the hatred of that deed But vnder this pretext the meanes he sought To ruine such whose might did much exceed His powre to wrong nor else could well be wrought Law Iustice blood the zeale vnto the dead Were on his side and his drift coloured 13 Here many of the greatest of the Land Accus'd were of the act strong proofes brought out Which strongly were refell'd the Lords all stand To cleare their Cause most resolutely stout The King perceiuing what he tooke in hand Was not with safety to be brought-about Desists to vrge their death in any wise Respecting number strength friends and allies 14 Nor was it time now in his tender raigne And infant-young-beginning gouernement To striue with blood when lenitie must gaine The mightie men and please the discontent New Kings do feare when old Courts farther straine Establisht States to all things will consent He must dispense with his will and their crime And seeke t' oppresse and weare them out with time 15 Yet not to seeme but to haue some thing done In what he could not as he would effect To satisfie the people that begun Reuenge of wrong and iustice to expect He caus'd be put to execution one Who to performe this murther was elect A base companion few or none would misse Who first did serue their turne and now serues his 16 And to abase the too high state of those That were accus'd and lessen their degrees Aumarle Surry Exceter must lose The names of Dukes their titles dignities And whatsoeuer profits thereby rise The Earles their titles and their Signories And all they got in th' end of Richards raigne Since Glosters death they must restore againe 17 By this as if by Ostracisme t' abate That great presumptiue wealth whereon they stand For first hereby improv'rishing their state He killes the meanes they might haue to withstand Then equals them with other whom they hate Who by their spoyles are rais'd to hie command That weake and enuied if they should conspire They wracke themselues and he hath his desire 18 Yet by this grace which must be held a grace As both they and the world are made beleeue He thinks t' haue dealt benignly in this case And left them state ynough to let them liue And that the taking from thē meanes place Was nothing in respect what hee did giue But they that knowe how their owne reckning goes Account not what they
Yet most it seem'd the French King to import As sharer in his daughters iniurie Though bloud in Princes links not in such sort As that it is of any powre to tye Where their estates may seeme t'aduenture hurt Or where there is not a necessitie That doth combine them with a stronger chaine Then all these great Alliances containe 5 For though this King might haue resentiment And will t' auenge him of this iniurie Yet at that time his State being turbulent Factious and full of partialitie And oftentimes he him selfe impotent By meanes of his Phreneticque maladie It was not likely any good could rise By vndertaking such an enterprise 6 And therefore both sides vpon entercourse As fitted best their present termes agreed The former truce continue should in force According as it had beene fore-decreed Vpon the match with Richard and a course For Isabel with all conuenient speed Prouided with an honorable Traine Suting her state to be sent home againe 7 Whome willingly they would haue still retain'd And matcht vnto the Prince but shee though yong Yet sensible of that which appertain'd To honor and renowne scornd any tongue That offred such a motion and disdaynd To haue it thought she would but heare that wrong Mov'd to her of her Lord and husband dead To haue his murtherers race inioy his bed 8 Besides the French doubting the Gouernment Thus gotten would be subiect still to strife Not willing were to vrge her to consent T' accept a troublous and vncertaine life And being returnd she grew in th' end content To be at home a Duke of Orleance wife Scap't from such stormes of powre holding it best To be belowe her selfe to be at rest 9 And so hath Henrie assecur'd that side And therewithall his State of Gasconie Which on th' intelligence was notifi'd Of Richards death were wrought to mutinie And hardly came to be repacifi'd And kept to hold in their fidelitie So much to him were they affectioned For hauing beene amongst them borne and bred 10 These toyles abtode these tumults with his owne As if the frame of all disioynted were With this disordred shifting of the Crowne Fell in the reuolution of one yeare Beside the Scotte in discontentment growne For the detayning and supporting here The scourge of all that kingdome George Dunbar With sire and sword proclaymes an open war 11 Taking their time in these disturbances And newneâ—â—e of a wauering Gouernment T' auenge them of their former grieuances And by our spoyles their fortunes to augment Against whose forces Henry furnishes A powrefull Army and in person went But warres with a retyring enemy With much more trauaile then with victorie 12 And being by sharp deformed Winters force Caus'd to retire he sindes new stormes at home From other Coasts arysing that prov'd worse Then those which now hee was returned from In VVales a Cause of Law by violent course Was from a variance now a warre become And Owen Glendour who with Gray of late Contests for priuate landes now seekes a State 13 Whom to represse he early in the Spring With all prouisions fit doth forward set When straight his enemies not purposing To hazard battaile to the mountaines get Where after long and weary trauayling Without performing any great defeat He onely their prouisions wastes and burnes And with some prey of Cattell home returnes 14 Wherewith the Rebell rather was the more Incourag'd then addaunted and begun T'aduenture farther then he did before Seeing such a Monarch had so little done Being com'n in person with so great a powre And sodainely againe retyr'd and gone For in this case they helpe who hurt so small And he hath nothing done that doth not all 15 But now behold other new heads appeare New Hidra's of rebellion that procure More worke to doo and giue more cause of feare And shew'd that nothing in his State stood sure And these euen of his chiefest followers were Of whome he might presume him most secure Who had th' especiall ingins beene to reare His fortunes vp vnto the State they were 16 The Percies were the men men of great might Strong in alliance and in courage strong Who now conspire vnder pretence to right Such wrongs as to the Common wealth belong Vrg'd either through their conscience or despight Or finding now the part they tooke was wrong Or else Ambition hereto did them call Or others enuy'd grace or rather all 17 And such they were who might presume t' haue done Much for the king and honour of the State Hauing the chiefest actions vnder-gone Both forraine and domesticall of late Beside that famous day of Homeldon Where Hotspur gaue that wonderfull defeat Vnto the Scottes as shooke that kingdome more Then many Monarchs armies had before 18 Which might perhaps aduance their mindes so farre Aboue the leuell of subiection as T'assume to them the glory of that war Where all things by their powre were brought to passe They being so mightie and so popular And their command so spacious as it was Might in their State forget how all these things That subiects doo effect must be their Kings 19 And so sell after into discontent For that the king requir'd to haue as his Those Lords were taken prisoners whome they ment To hold still as their proper purchases Then that he would not at their sute consent To worke their Cosin Mortimers release Out of the Rebell Owen Glendour's hands Who held him prisoner in disgracefull bands 20 But be what will the cause strong was their plot Their parties great meanes good the season fit Their practise close their faith suspected not Their states far off and they of wary wit Who with large promises so wooe the Scot To aide their Cause as he consents to it And glad was to disturne that furious streame Of warre on vs that else had swallowed them 21 Then ioyne they with the Welsh who now wel train'd In Armes and action dayly grew more great Their Leader by his wiles had much attaynd And done much mischiefe on the English State Beside his prisoner Mortimer he gain'd From being a foe to b'his confederate A man the King much fear'd and well he might Least he should looke whether his Crowne stood right 22 For Richard for the quiet of the State Before he tooke those Irish warres in hand About Succession doth deliberate And finding how the certaine Right did stand With full consent this man did ordinate The heyre apparent to the Crowne and Land Whose competencie was of tender touch Although his might was small his right was much 23 With these the Percies them confederat And as three heads conioyne in one intent And instituting a Triumuirate Do part the Land in triple gouernment Diuiding thus among themselues the State The Percies should rule all the North from Trent And Glendour VVales the Earle of March should be Lord of the South from Trent and so they'gree 24 Then
and more They adde fresh guilt to mischiefes done before 7 And yet se'ing all this sorting to no end But to their owne no promis'd ayde t' appeare No such partakers as they did attend Nor such successes as imagin'd were Good men resolv'd the present to defend Iustice against them with a brow seuere Themselues feard of themselues tyr'd with excesse Found mischiefe was no fit way to redresse 8 And as they stand in desperat comberment Enuirond round with horror blood and shame Crost of their course despayring of th' euent A pardon that smooth bait for basenesse came Which as a snare to catch the impotent Beeing once pronounc't they straight imbrace the same And as huge snowy Mountaines melt with heat So they dissolv'd with hope and home they get 9 Leauing their Captaine to discharge alone The shot of blood consumed in their heate Too small a sacrifice for mischiefs done Was one mans breath which thousands did defeat Vnrighteous Death why art thou but all one Vnto the small offender and the great Why art thou not more then thou art to those That thousands spoyle and thousands liues do lose 10 This furie passing with so quick an end Disclos'd not those that on th' aduantage lay Who seeing the course to such disorder tend With-drew their foote asham'd to take that way Or else preuented whil'st they did attend Some mightier force or for occasion stay But what they meant ill-fortune must not tell Mischiefe be'ing oft made good by speeding well 11 Put-by from this the Duke of Yorke dessignes Another course to bring his hopes about And with those friends affinitie combines In surest bonds his thoughts he poureth-out And closely feeles and closely vndermines The faith of whom he had both hope and doubt Meaning in more apparant open course So try his right his fortune and his force 12 Loue and alliance had most firmly ioynd Vnto his part that mighty Familie The faire distended stock of Neuiles kind Great by their many issued progenie But greater by their worth that clearely shin'd And gaue faire light to their nobilitie So that each corner of the Land became Enricht with some great Worthy of that name 13 But greatest in renowne doth Warwicke sit That braue King-maker Warwicke so farre growne In grace with Fortune that he gouerns it And Monarchs makes and made againe puts downe What reuolutions his first-mouing wit Heere brought about are more then too well knowne The fatall kindle-fire of those hot daies Whose worth I may whose worke I cannot praise 14 With him with Richard Earle of Salisbury Courtny and Brooke and other his deare friends He intimates his minde and openly The present bad proceedings discommends Laments the State the peoples misery And that which such a pitier seldom mends Oppression that sharp two-edged sword That others wounds and wounds likewise his Lord. 15 My Lords saith he how things are caried heere In this corrupted State you plainely see What burthen our abused shoulders beare Charg'd with the waight of imbecillitie And in what base account all we appeare That stand without their grace that all must be And who they be and how their course succeedes Our shame reports and time bewraies their deedes 16 Anion and Maine the maime that foule appeares Th' eternall scarre of our dismembred Land Guien all lost that did three hundred yeares Remaine subiected vnder our Commaund From whence mee thinks there sounds vnto our eares The voice of those deare ghosts whose liuing hand Got it with sweat and kept it with their blood To doe vs thankless vs their of-spring good 17 And seeme to cry What can you thus behold Their hatefull feete vpon our Graues should tread Your Fathers Graues who gloriously did hold That which your shame hath left recouered Redeeme our Tumbs O spirits too too cold Pull-backe these Towres our Armes haue honored These Towres are yours these Forts we built for you These walles doe beare our names and are your due 18 Thus well they may vpbraid our retchlesnes Whil'st wee as if at league with infamie Ryot away for nought whole Prouinces Giue-vp as nothing worth all Normandie Traffique important Holdes sell Fortresses So long that nought is left but misery Poore Calais and these water-walles about That basely pownd vs in from breaking out 19 And which is worse I feare we shall in th' end Throwne from the glory of inuading Warre Be forc't our proper limits to defend Where euer men are not the same they are The hope of conquest doth their spirits extend Beyond the vsuall powres of valour farre For more is he that ventureth for more Then who fights but for what hee had before 20 Put-to your hands therefore to reskew now Th'indangered State deare Lords from this disgrace And let vs in our honour labour how To bring this scorned Land in better case No doubt but God our action will allow That knowes my right and how they rule the place Whose weakeness calls-vp our vnwillingnesse As opening euen the doore to our redresse 21 Though I protest it is not for a Crowne My soule is moov'd yet if it be my right I haue no reason to refuse mine owne But onely these indignities to right And what if God whose iudgements are vnknowne Hath me ordain'd the man that by my might My Country shall be blest If so it be By helping me you raise your selues with me 22 Those in whom zeale and amity had bred A sore-impression of the right he had These stirring words so much incouraged That with desire of innouation mad They seem'd to runne-afore not to be led And to his fire doe quicker fuell adde For where such humors are prepar'd before The opening them makes them abound the more 23 Then counsell take they fitting their desire For nought that fits not their desire is waigh'd The Duke is straight aduised to retire Into the bounds of Wales to leauie ayd Which vnder smooth pretence he doth require T'amoue such persons as the State betray'd And to redresse th' oppression of the Land The charme which Weakenesse seldome doth withstand 24 Ten thousand straight caught with this bait of breath Are towards greater lookt-for forces led Whose power the King by all meanes trauaileth In their arising to haue ruined But their preuenting Head so compasseth That all ambushments warily are fled Refusing ought to hazard by the way Keeping his Greatnesse for a greater day 25 And to the Citte straight directs his course The Cittie seate of Kings and Kings chiefe grace Where hauing found his entertainement worâ—e By farre then he expected in that place Much disappointed drawes from thence his force And towards better trust marcheth apace And downe in Kent fatall for discontents Neere to thy bankes faire Thames doth pitch his tents 26 And there intrencht plants his Artillerie Artillerie th' infernall instrument New-brought from hell to scourge mortalitie With hideous roaring and astonishment Engine of horrour fram'd to terrifie And teare the Earth
but to see this exercise Of blood and wounds endes ere he did beginne Whose teares whose mone whose lamentable cryes Could neither mercie nor compassion winne The branch of such a tree though tender now Was not thought fit should any longer growe 88 Which turning Chaunce t' a long vngraced side Brings backe their almost quayled hopes againe And thrust them on to vse the present Tide And Flowe of this occasion to regaine Th'inthralled Monarch and to vndecide The late concluded Act they held for vaine And mooues their Armies new refresht with spoyle For more confusion and for more turmoyle 89 Victoriously proceeding vnwithstood Till at S. Albones VVarwicke forc't a stand Where-as to make his owne vndooing good The King is brought against himselfe to band His Powre and Crowne is set against his Blood Forc't on the side not of himselfe to stand Diuided King in what a case thou art To haue thy hand thus bent against thy hart 90 And here this famous fatall place againe Is made the stage of blood againe these streets Imbru'd with slaughter cov'red with the slaine Witness what desp'rat wrath with ranâ—or meets But Fortune now is in an other vaine Another side her turning fauour greets The King heere lately lost is now heere won Still sure t' vndoe the side that he was on 91 VVarwicke with other Genius then his owne Had heere to doe which made him see the face Of sad misfortune in the selfe same Towne Where prosp'rous winning lately gaue him grace And Marg'ret heere this Martiall Amazon Was with the spirit of her selfe in place Whose labors Fortune euen to pittie stir And being a woman could but giue it her 92 The reputation and incouragement Of VVakefield glory wakened them to this And this seemes now the full accomplishment Of all their trauell all their combrances For what can more disturbe this Gouernment When Yorke extinct VVarwick conquered is Directing Salsburre left without a head What rests there now that all 's not finished 93 Thus for the sicke preseruing Nature striues Against corruption and the loathsome Graue When out of Deaths colde hands she backe repriues Th'almost confounded spirits she faine would saue And them cheeres vp illightens and reuiues Making faint Sickenesse words of health to haue With lookes of life as if the worst were past When strait comes dissolution and his last 94 So fares it with this late reuiued Queene Whose Victories thus fortunately wonne Haue but as onely lightning motions beene Before the ruine that ensu'd thereon For now another springing powre is seene Whereto as to the new arysing Sunne All turne their faces leauing those lowe rayes Of setting Fortune which no Climer waighes 95 Now is yong March more than a Duke of Yorke For youth loue grace and courage make him more All which for Fortunes fauour now do worke Who graceth freshest Actors euermore Making the first attempt the chiefest worke Of any mans designes that striues therefore The after-seasons are not so well blest For those first spirits make their first actions best 96 Now as the Libyan Lion when with paine The wearie Hunter hath pursu'd his prey From Rockes to Brakes from Thickets to the Plaine And at the point thereon his hands to lay Hard-by his hopes his eye vpon his gaine Out-rushing from his denne rapts all away So comes yong March their endes to disappoint Who now were growne so neere vnto the point 97 The loue of these important southerne parts Of Essex Surry Middle sex and Kent The Queene had wholly lost as they whose hearts Grew ill affected to her gouernment Vpon th'vnciuile and presumptuous parts Play'd by the Northerne troupes growne insolent Whomâ— though she could not gouerne otherwise Yet th' ill that's wrought for her vpon her lies 98 So wretched is this execrable Warre This ciuile Sworde wherein though all wee see Be foul and all things miserable are Yet most distresse-full is the victorie Which i not onely th'extream ruiner Of others but her owne calamity Where who obtains what he would cannot do Their powre hath part who holpe him thereunto 99 The Citty whose good will they most desire Yet thereunto durst not commit their state Sends them not those prouisions they require Which seem'd restrained by the peoples hate Yet Marches help farre off and neere this fire So winne them time forc't them to mediate A reconcilement which well entertain'd Was fairely now growen-on and neerely gain'd 100 When with a thousand tongs twist-wing'd Fame coms And tells of Marches gallant Victories Who what withstands subdues all ouercomes Making his way through fiercest enemies As hauing now to cast in greater Summes The Reckning of his hopes that mainly rise His fathers death giues more life vnto wrath And vexed valour greater courage hath 101 And now as for his last his lab'ring worth Works on the coast which on faire Seuerne lyes Whereto his Father passing to the North Sent him to leuie other fresh supplies But hearing now what Wakefield had brought forth Imploring ayde against these iniuries Obtains from Gloster Worster Shrewsburie Important powres to worke his remedie 102 Which he against Pembrooke and Ormond bends Whom Margaret now vpon her victory With all speed possible from VVakefield sends With hope to haue surpris'd him suddenly Wherin though she all meanes all wit extends To th' vtmost reach of wary policie Yet nothing her avayles no plots succeed T' avert those mischiefes which the heauens decreed 103 For neere the Grosse ally'd vnto his name He croslt those mighty forces of his foes And with a spirit or day'nd for deeds of fame Their eager-fighting Army ouer-throwes Making all cleer behind from whence he came Bearing-downe wholly what before him rose Like to an all-confounding Torrent seemes And was made more by VVarwicks mighty streames 104 With th'inundation of which Greatnesse he Hauing no bounds of powre to keepe him backe Marcht to the Citie at whose entrance free No signes of ioy nor no applaudings lacke Whole neere approach when this sad Queene did see T' auoyde these rocks of her neere threatning wrack With her griev'd troupes North-ward she hence departs And leaues to Youth and Fortune these South-parts 105 Glory with admiration entring now Opened that easie doore to his intent As that there needes not long time to allow The Right he had vnto the Gouernement Nor Henries iniuries to disauow Against his oath and th' Act of Parlement For heere the speediest way he takes t' accord Difference in law that pleades it with the Sword 106 Gath'red to see his mustred Companies Stoode all the flocking troopes of London streets When Faulconbridge with gentle feeling tries How strong the pulse of their affection beates And reckning vp the grieuous miseries And desolation which the Country threats Askt them whom they would haue to be their King To leade those troopes and State in forme to bring 107 Whereto with such an vniuersall showr The Earle of March the multitude
replyes As the rebounding Eccho streight through-out From Towre to Towre reuerberated flyes To th' eares of those great Lords who sate about The consultation for this enterprise Whose care is sav'd which most they stood vpon For what they counsell how too doe is done 108 And nothing now but to confirme him king Remaines which must not long remaine to do The present heare doth strait dispatch the thing With all those solemne rites that long thereto So that what Yorke with all his trauayling Force and intrusion could not get vnto Is now thus freely layd vpon his sonne Who must make faire what fowlly was begunne 109 Whos 's end attayn'd had it here made an end Of foule destruction and had stay'd the bloud Which Towton Exham Tewksbury did spend With desp'rate hands and deeper wounds withstood And that none other Crowne brought to contend With that of his had made his seeme lesse good How had this long-afflicted Land been blest Our sighes had ended and my Muse had rest 110 Which now but little past halfe her long way Stands trembling at the horrors that succeed Weary with these embroylements faine would stay Her farther course vnwilling to proceed And faine to see that glorious holy-day Of Vnion which this discord reagreed Knowes not as yet what to resolue vpon Whether to leaue-off here or else go-on The end of the seauenth Booke THE EIGHTTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Edward Powre against King Henry led And hath at Towton-field the victory From whence King Henry into Scotland fled Where he attempts his States recouery Stea'es into England is discouered Brought Prisoner to the Towre disgracefully And Edward whiles great Warwick doth assay A Match in France marries the Lady Grey 1 ON yet sad Verse though those bright starres from whence Thou hadst thy light are set for euermore And that these times do not like grace dispense To our indeuours as those did before Yet on since She whose beames do reincense This sacred fire seemes as reseru'd in store To raise this Worke and here to haue my last Who had the first of all my labours past 2 On with her blessed fauour and relate With what new bloud-shed this new chosen Lord Made his first entry to th' afflicted State Past his first Act of publique with the sword Ingor'd his new-worne Crowne and how he gat Possession of affliction and restor'd His Right vnto a Royall miserie Maintained with as bloudy dignitie 3 Shew how our great Pharsalian Field was fought At Towton in the North the greatest day Of ruine that dissension euer brought Vnto this Kingdom where two Crownes did sway The worke of slaughter two Kings Causes wrought Destruction to our People by the waie Of their affections and their loyalties As if one for these ills could not suffise 4 Where Lancaster and that couragious side That noble constant Part came furnished With such a Powre as might haue terrifi'd And ouer-run the earth had they been led The way of glory where they might haue tri'd For th' Empire of all Europe as those did The Macedonian led into the East Their number being double at the least 5 And where braue Yorke comes as compleatly mand With courage valour and with equall might Prepar'd to trie with a resolued hand The metall of his Crown and of his Right Attended with his fatall fier-brand Of Warre Warwicke that blazing starre of fight The Comet of destruction that portends Confusion and distresse what way he tends 6 What rage what madness England do we see That this braue people in such multitude Run to confound themselues and all to be Thus mad for Lords and for meere Seruitude What might haue been if Roman-like and free These gallant Spirits had nobler ends pursu'd And strayn'd to points of glory and renowme For good of the Republique and their owne 7 But here no Cato with a Senate stood For Common-wealth nor here were any sought T'emancipate the State for publique good But onely headlong for their faction wrought Here euery man runs-on to spend his bloud To get but what he had already got For whether Pompey or a Caesar wonne Their state was euer sure to be all one 8 And first before these fatall Armies met Had forward Warwicke lay'd the passage free At Ferry Brigges where the Lord Clifford set With an aduentrous gallant companie To guard that streight Yorkes farther march to let Began the Scene to this great Tragedie Made the first entrance on the Stage of blood Which now set wide for wounds all open stood 9 When Edward to exhort his men began With words whereto both spirit and Maiestie His pers'nage gave for-that he was a man Besides a King whose Crowne sate gracefully Com'n is the day sayd he wherin who can Obtaine the best is Best this day must try Who hath the wrong and whence our ills haue beene And t is our swords must make vs honest men 10 For though our Cause by God and men allow'd Hath in it honor right and honestie Yet all as nothing is to be avow'd Vnless withall we haue the victorie For Iustice is we see a virtue proud And leanes to powre and leaues weake miserie And therefore seeing the case we now stand in We must resolue either to dy or winne 11 So that if any here doth finde his heart To fayle him for this noble worke or stands Irresolute this day let him depart And leaue his Armes behind for worthier hands I knowe e now will stay to doo their part Here to redeeme themselues wiues children landes And haue the glory that thereby shall rise To free their Country from these miseries 12 But here what needed wordes to blowe the fire In flame already and inkindled so As when it was proclaym'd they might retire Who found vnwillingnes to vnder-goe That ventrous worke they all did so conspire To stand out Fortune that not one would goe To beare away a hand from bloud not one Defraud the Field of th' euill might be done 13 Where VVarwicke too producing in their sight An argument whereby he did conclude There was no hope of safetie but by fight Doth sacrifize his horse to Fortitude And thereby did the least conceipt of flight Or any succour by escape exclude Se'ing in the streight of a necessitie The meanes to win is t' haue no meanes to flye 14 It was vpon the twi-light of that day That peacefull day when the Religious beare The Oliue-branches as they go to pray And we in lieu the blooming Palmes vse here When both the Armies ready in array For th' early sacrifize of blood appeare Prepar'd for mischiefe ere they had full light To see to doo it and to doo it right 15 Th' aduantage of the time and of the winde Which both with Yorke seeme as retayn'd in pay Braue Faulconbridge takes hold-on and assign'd The Archers their flight-shafts to shoote away Which th' aduerse side with sleet and dimnesse blinde Mistaken in the distance of