priuiledg'd from hie Hath this large Patent of her dignitie 48 This charge the Goddesle gaue when ready straight The subtill messenger accompayned With all hercrew of Artes that on her wait Hastes to effect what she was counsailed And out she pours of her immense conceit Vpon such searching spirits as trauayled In penetrating hidden secrecies Who soone these meanes of miserie deuise 49 And boldly breaking with rebellious minde Into their mothers close-lockt Treasurie They Mineralls combustible do finde Which in 〈◊〉 concaues placed cunningly They fire and fire imprisoned against kinde Teares out a way thrusts out his enemie Barking with such a horror as if wroth With man that wrongs himselfe and Nature both 50 And this beginning had this cursed frame Which Yorke now planted hath against his King Presuming by his powre and by the same His purpose vnto good effect to bring When diuers of the grauest Councell came Sent from the King to vnderstand what thing Had thrust him into these proceedings bad And what he sought and what intent he had 51 Who with words mildly-sharpe gently-seuere Wrought on those wounds that must be toucht with heed Applying rather salues of hope then feare Least corrasiues should desperat mischiefes breed And what my Lord sayd they should moue you here In this vnseemely manner to proceed Whose worth being such as all the Land admires Hath fairer wayes then these to your desires 52 Wil you whose means whose many friends whose grace Can worke the world in peace vnto your will Take such a course as shal your Blood deface And make by handling bad a good Cause ill How many hearts hazard you in this case That in all quiet plots would ayde you still Hauing in Court a Partie farre more strong Then you conceiue prest to redresse your wrong 53 Phy phy forsake this hatefull course my Lord Downe with these Armes that will but wound your Cause What Peace may do hazard not with the Sword Lay downe the force that from your force with-drawes And yeeld and we will mediate such accord As shal dispense with rigor and the lawes And interpose this solemne fayth of our Betwixt your fault and the offended Power 54 Which ingins of protests and proffers kinde Vrg'd out of seeming griefe and shewes of loue So shooke the whole foundation of his Minde As they did all his resolution moue And present seem'd vnto their course inclin'd So that the King would Sommerset remoue The man 〈◊〉 most intolerable pride Trode downe his worth and all good mens beside 55 Which they there vow'd should presently be done For what will not peace-louers willing graunt Where dangerous euents depend thereon And men vnfurnisht and the State in want And if with words the conquest will be won The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 small and who holds breath so scant As then to spare though with indignitie Better descend then end in Maiestie 56 And here-upon the Duke 〈◊〉 his force Submits him to the King on publique vow The rather too presuming on this course For that his sonne the Earle of March was now With mightier powers abroad which would inforce His peace which else the King would not allow For seeing not all of him in him he hath His death would but giue life to greater wrath 57 Yet comming to the King in former place His 〈◊〉 the Duke of Sommerset he findes Whom openly reproching to his face Hee charg'd with treason in the highest kindes The Duke returnes like speeches of disgrace And fierie wordes bewray'd their flaming mindes But yet the triall was for them deferd Till 〈◊〉 time allow'd it to be heard 58 At Westminster a Counsell sommoned Deliberates what course the Cause should end Of th' apprehended Duke of Yorke whose head Doth now on others doubtfull breath depend Law fiercely vrg'd his act and found him dead Friends fayl'd to speake where they could not defend Onely the King himselfe for mercy stood As prodigall of life niggard of blood 59 And as if angrie with the Lawes of death Ah! why should you sayd hee vrge things so far You that inur'd with mercenarie breath And hyred tongue so peremptorie are Brauing on him whom sorrow prostrateth As if you did with poore Affliction warre And prey on frayltie folly hath betray'd Bringing the lawes to wound 〈◊〉 to ayd 60 Dispense sometime with sterne seueritie Make not the Lawes still traps to apprehend Win grace vpon the bad with clemencie Mercie may mend whom malice made offend Death giues no thankes but checkes authoritie And life doth onely Maiestie commend Reuenge dies not Rigor begets new wrath And blood hath neuer glorie Mercy hath 61 And for my part and my part should be chiefe I am most willing to restore his state And rather had I win him with reliefe Then lose him with despight and get more hate Pittie drawes loue blood-shed is natures griefe Compassion followes the vnfortunate And losing him in him I lose my power We rule who liue the dead are none of our 62 And should our rigor lessen then the same Which we with greater glorie should retaine No let him liue his life must giue vs fame The childe of mercie newly borne againe As often burials are Physicians shame So many deaths argue a Kings hard Raigne Why should we say The Law must haue her vigor The Law kills him but quits not vs of rigor 63 You to get more preferment by your wit Others to gaine the spoyles of miserie Labour with all your powre to follow it Shewing vs feares to draw-on crueltie You vrge th' offence not tell vs what is fit Abusing wrong-informed Maiestie As if our powre were onely but to slay And that to saue were a most dangerous way 64 Thus out of Pittie spake that holy King Whom milde affections led to hope the best When Sommerset began to vrge the thing With words of hotter temper thus exprest Deare soueraigne Lord the Cause in managing Is more then yours t'imports the publique rest We all haue part it toucheth all our good And life 's ill spar'd that 's spar'd to cost more blood 65 Compassion here is crueltie my Lord Pittie will cut our throates for sauing so What benefite enioy we by the sword If mischiefe shall escape to draw-on mo Why should we giue what Law cannot afford To be accessaries to our proper wo Wisedome must iudge 'twixt men apt to amend And mindes incurable borne to offend 66 It is no priuat Cause I do protest That moues me thus to prosecute his deede Would God his blood and mine had well releast The dangers that his pride is like to breed Although at me hee seemes to haue addrest His spight 't is not the end hee hath decreed I am not he alone hee doth pursue But thorow me he meanes to shoot at you 67 For thus these great Reformers of a State Aspiring to attaine the Gouernment Still take aduantage of the peoples hate Who euer hate such as are eminent For who can great affaires
the King but to propound Confirm'd the Crowne to him and to his seed And by their oath their due obedience bound Which was the powre that stood him best in steed And made what-euer broken courses sound For what he got by fortune fauour might It was the State that now must make his right 20 Here was agreed to make all more secure That Richard should remaine for euermore Close-prisoner least the Realme might chaunce indure Some new reuolt or any fresh vp-rore And that if any should such broyle procure By him or for him he should die therefore So that a talke of tumult and a breath Would serue him as his passing-bell to death 21 Yet reuerent Carlile thou didst there oppose Thy holy voyce to saue thy Princes blood And freely checktst this iudgement and his foes When all were bad yet thou dar'dst to be good Be it inrold that time may neuer lose The memorie how firme thy courage stood When powre disgrace nor death could ought diuert Thy glorious tongue thus to reueale thy heart 22 Graue reuerent Lords since that this sacred place Our Auentine-Retire our holy hill This place soule of our State the Realmes best grace Doth priuiledge me speake what reason will Let me but say my conscience in this case Least sinne of silence shew my hart was ill And let these walles witnesse if you will not I do discharge my soule of this foule blot 23 Neuer shall this poore breath of mine consent That he that two and twentie yeeres hath raignd As lawfull Lord and King by iust descent Should here be iudg'd vnheard and vnarraignd By Subiects too Iudges incompetent To iudge their King vnlawfully detaind And vnbrought-foorth to plead his guiltless Cause Barringth ' Annoynted libertie of lawes 24 Haue you not done inough with what is done Must needes disorder growe from bad to worse Can neuer mischiefe end as it begunne But being once out must farther out of force Thinke you that any meanes vnder the Sunne Can aslecure so indirect a course Or any broken cunning build so strong As can hold out the hand of vengeance long 25 Stopt there was his too vehement speech with speed And he sent close to warde from where he stood His zeale vntimely deem'd too much t' exceed The measure of his wit and did no good They resolute for all this do proceed Vnto that iudgement could not be withstood The King had all he crav'd or could compell And all was done let others iudge how well 26 Now Muse relate a wofull accident And tell the blood-shed of these mightie Peeres Who lately reconcil'd rest discontent Griev'd with disgrace remayning in their feares How-euer seeming outwardly content Yet th' inward touch that wounded honor beares Rests closely rankling and can finde no ease Till death of one side cure this great disease 27 Meanes how to feele and learne each others hart By th' Abbots skill of Westminster is found Who secretly disliking Henries part Inuites these Lords and those hee meant to sound Feasts them with cost and drawes them on with art And darke and doubtfull questions doth propound Then playner speakes and yet vncertaine speakes Then wishes well then off abruptly breakes 28 My Lords saith he I feare we shall not finde This long-desired King such as was thought But yet he may do well God turne his minde T is yet new dayes but Ill bodes new and nought Some yet speed well though all men of my kinde Haue cause to doubt his speech is not forgot That Princes had too little we too much God giue him grace but 't is ill trusting such 29 This open-close apparent-darke discourse Drew-on much speech and euerie man replies And euery man addes heate and words inforce And vrge out wordes For when one man espies Anothers minde like his then ill breedes worse And out breaks all in th' end what closest lies For when men well haue fed th'blood being warme Then are they most improuident of harme 30 Bewray they did their inward boyling spight Each stirring other to reuenge their cause One sayes he neuer should indure the sight Of that forsworne that wrongs both Land and lawes Another vowes the same of his minde right A third t' a point more neere the matter drawes Sweares if they would he would attempt the thing To chace th' vsurper and replace their King 31 Thus one by one kindling each others fire Till all inflam'd they all in one agree All resolute to prosecute their ire Seeking their owne and Countries cause to free And haue his first that their blood did conspire For no way else they sayd but this could be Their wrong-detained honor to redeeme Which true-bred blood should more then life esteeme 32 And let not this our new-made faithless Lord Sayth Surry thinke that we are left so bare Though bare inough but we wil finde a sword To kill him with when he shal not beware For he that is with life and will instor'd Hath for reuenge inough and needes not care For time brings meanes to furnish him withall Let him but way te occasions as they fall 33 Then of the manner how t' effect the thing Consulted was and in the ende agreed That at a Maske and common Reuelling Which was ordain'd they should performe the deed For that would be least doubted of the King And fittest for their safetie to proceed The night their number and the soddaine act Would dash all order and protect their fact 34 Besides they might vnder the faire pretence Of Tilts and Turnements which they intend Prouide them horse and armour for defence And all things else conuenient for their end Besides they might hold sure intelligence Among themselues without suspect t' offend The King would thinke they sought but grace in Court With all their great preparing in this sort 35 A solemne oath religiously they take By intermutuall vowes protesting there This neuer to reueale nor to forsake So good a Cause for danger hope or feare The Sacrament the pledge of faith they take And euerie man vpon his sword doth sweare By Knighthood honor or what else should binde To assecure the more each others minde 36 And when all this was done and thought well done And euerie one assures him good successe And easie seemes the thing to euerie one That nought could crosse their plot or them suppresse Yet one among the rest whose minde not wonne With th'ouer-weening thought of hot excesse Nor headlong carryed with the streame of will Nor by his owne election led to ill 37 Iudicious Blunt whose learning valor wit Had taught true knowledge in the course of things Knew dangers as they were and th'humerous fit Ofware-lessediscontent what end it brings Counsels their heat with calme graue words and fit Words wellfore-thought that from experience springs And warnes a warier cariage in the thing Least blind presumption worke their ruining 38 My Lords sayth he I knowe your wisedomes such As that of mine aduice you
off his Hood And welcomd him though wisht him little good 59 To whom the Duke began My Lord I knowe That both vncall'd and vnexpected too I haue presumed in this sort to showe And seeke the right which I am borne vnto Yet pardon I beseech you and allow Of that constraint which driues me thus to doo For since I could not by a fairer course Attaine mine owne I must vse this of force 60 Well so it seemes deare Cosin said the King Though you might haue procur'd it otherwise And I am here content in euery thing To right you as your selfe shal best deuise And God voutsafe the force that here you bring Beget not England greater iniuries And so they part the Duke made haste from thence It was no place to ende this difference 61 Straight towards London in this heate of pride They forward set as they had fore-decreed With whom the 〈◊〉 King constraind mustride Most meanely mounted on a simple Steed Degraded of all grace and ease beside Thereby neglect of all respect to breed For th'ouer-spreading pompe of prouder might Must darken vveaknes and debase his sight 62 Approaching neere the Cittie hee was met With all the sumptuous shewes ioy could deuise Where new-desire to please did not forget To pasle the vsuall pompe of former guise Striuing applause as out of prison let Runnes-on beyond all bounds to nouelties And voyce and hands and knees and all do now A strange deformed forme of welcome showe 63 And manifold confusion running greetes Shoutes cries claps hands thrusts striues and presses neere Houses impov'risht were t' inrich the streetes And streetes left naked that vnhappie were Plac't from the sight where ioy with wonder meetes Where all of all degrees striue to appeare Where diuers-speaking zeale one murmure findes In vndistinguisht voyce to tell their mindes 64 He that in glorie of his fortune sate Admiring what hee thought could neuer be Did feele his blood within salute his state And lift vp his reioycing soule to see So many hands and hearts congratulate Th' aduancement of his long-desir'd degree When prodigall of thankes in passing by He resalutes them all with chearefull eye 65 Behind him all aloofe came pensiue on The vnregarded King that drooping went Alone and but for spight scarce lookt vpon Iudge if hee did more enuie or lament See what a wondrous worke this day is done Which thimage of both fortunes doth present In th' one to shew the best of glories face In th' other worse then worst of all disgrace 67 Novv Isabell the young afflicted Queene Whose yeares had neuer shew'd her but delights Nor louely eyes before had euer seene Other then smiling ioyes and ioyfull sights 〈◊〉 great matcht great liv'd great and euer beene 〈◊〉 of the worlds best benefits 〈◊〉 plac't her selfe hearing her Lord should passe 〈◊〉 way where she vnseene in secret was 68 Sicke of delay and longing to behold Her long 〈◊〉 Loue in fearefull ieoperdies To whom although it had in sort beene told Of their proceeding and of his surprize Yet thinking they would neuer be so bold To lead their Lord in any shamefull wise But rather would conduct him as their King As seeking but the States reordering 69 And foorth shee lookes and notes the formost traine And 〈◊〉 to view some there she wisht nor there Seeing the chiefe not come stayes lookes againe And yet she sees not him that should appeare Then backe she stands and then desires as faine Againe to looke to see if hee were neere At length a glittering troupe farre off she spies Perceiues the throng and heares the shouts and 〈◊〉 70 Lo yonder now at length he comes sayth shee Looke my good women where he is in sight Do you not see him yonder that is hee Mounted on that white Courser all in white There where the thronging troupes of people bee I know him by his seate he sits s vpright Lo now he bowes deare Lord with what sweet grace How long haue I longd to behold that face 71 O what delight my hart takes by mine eye I doubt me when he comes but something neere I shall set wide the window what care I Who doth see me so him I may see cleare Thus doth false ioy delude her wrongfully Sweete Lady in the thing she held so deare For neerer come she findes she had mistooke And him she markt was Henrie Bullingbrooke 72 Then Enuie takes the place in her sweet eyes Where Sorrow had prepar'd her selfe a seat And words of wrath from whence complaints should rise Proceed from egre lookes and browes that threat Traytor saith shee ist thou that in this wise To braue thy Lord and King art made so great And haue mine eyes done vnto me this wrong To looke on thee for this staid I so long 73 Ah haue they grac't a periur'd Rebell so Well for their errour I will weepe them out And hate the tongue defil'd that praysde my foe And loath the minde that gaue me not to doubt What haue I added shame vnto my woe I le looke no more Ladies looke you about And tell me if my Lord be in this traine Least my betraying eyes should erre againe 74 And in this passion turnes 〈◊〉 selfe away The rest looke all and carefull note each wight Whil'st she impatient of the least delay Demaundes againe And what not yet in sight Where is my Lord What gone some other way I muse at this O God graunt all goe right Then to the window goes againe at last And sees the chiefest traine of all was past 75 And sees not him her soule desir'd to see And yet hope spent makes her not leaue to looke At last her loue-quicke eyes which ready be Fastens on one whom though she neuer tooke Could be her Lord yet that sad cheere which hee Then shew'd his habit and his woful looke The grace he doth in base attire retaine Caus'd her she could not from his sight refraine 76 What might he be she said that thus alone Rides pensiue in this vniuersall ioy Some I perceiue as well as we do mone All are not pleas'd with euery thing this day It may be hee laments the wrong is done Vnto my Lord and grieues as well he may Then he is some of ours and we of right Must pittie him that pitties our said plight 77 But stay 〈◊〉 not my Lord himselfe I see In truth if 't were not for his base aray I verily should thinke that it were hee And yet his basenes doth a grace bewray Yet God forbid let me deceiued be And be it not my Lord although it may Let my desire make vowes against desire And let my sight approue my sight a lier 78 Let me not see him but himselfe a King For so he left me so he did remoue This is not he this feeles some other thing A passion of dislike or else of loue O yes 't is he that princely face doth bring The euidence of Maiestie to prooue That
face I haue conferr'd which now I see With that within my heart and they agree 79 Thus as she stood assur'd and yet in doubt Wishing to see what seene she griev'd to see Hauing beliefe yet faine would be without Knowing yet striuing not to know 't was hee Her heart relenting yet her heart so stout As would not yeeld to thinke what was could be Till quite condemn'd by open proofe of sight Shee must confesse or else denie the light 80 For whither loue in him did sympathize Or chaunce so wrought to manifest her doubt Euen iust before where she thus secret pries He stayes and with cleare face lookes all about When she T is ô too true I know his eyes Alas it is my owne deare Lord cries out And with that crie sinks downe vpon the flore Abundant griefe lackt words to vtter more 81 Sorrow keepes full possession in her heart Lockes it within stops vp the way of breath Shuts senses out of doore from euerie part And so long holdes there as it hazardeth Oppressed Nature and is forc't to part Or else must be constrain'd to stay with death So by a sigh it lets in sense againe And sense at length giues words leaue to complaine 82 Then like a torrent had beene stopt before Teares sighes and words doubled togither flowe Confus'dly striuing whether should do more The true intelligence of griefe to showe Sighes hindred words words perisht in their store Both intermixt in one together growe One would do all the other more then 's part Being both sent equall Agents from the hart 83 At length when past the first of sorrowes worst When calm'd confusion better forme affordes Her heart commands her words should passe out first And then her sighes should interpoint her words The whiles her eyes out into teares should burst This order with her sorrow she accordes Which orderless all forme of order brake So then began her wordes and thus she spake 84 What dost thou thus returne againe to mee Are these the triumphs for thy victories Is this the glorie thou dost bring with thee From that vnhappie Irish enterprise And haue I made so many vowes to see Thy safe returne and see thee in this wise Is this the lookt-for comfort thou dost bring To come a Captiue that wentst out a King 85 And yet deare Lord though thy vngratefull Land Hath left thee thus yet I will take thy part I doo remaine the same vnder thy hand Thou still dost rule the kingdome of my hart If all be lost that gouernment doth stand And that shall neuer from thy rule depart And so thou bee I care not how thou bee Let Greatnes goe so it goe without thee 86 And welcome come how-so vnfortunate I will applaud what others do despise I loue thee for thy selfe not for thy State More then thy selfe is what without thee lies Let that more goe if it be in thy fate And hauing but thy selfe it will suffize I married was not to thy Crowne but thee And thou without a Crowne all one to mee 87 But what do I heere lurking idlie mone And wayle apart and in a single part Make seuerall griefe which should be both in one The touch being equall of each others hart Ah no sweet Lord thou must not mone alone For without me thou art not all thou art Nor my teares without thine are fully teares For thus vnioyn'd sorrow but halfe appeares 88 Ioyne then our plaints and make our griefe full griefe Our state being one let vs not part our care Sorrow hath onely this poore bare reliefe To be bemon'd of such as wofull are And should I rob thy griefe and be the thiefe To steale a priuate part and seuerall share Defrawding sorrow of her perfect due No no my Lord I come to helpe thee rue 89 Then foorth she goes a close concealed way As grieuing to be seene not as she was Laborst ' attaine his presence all she may Which with most hard a-do was brought to passe For that night vnderstanding where he lay With earnest treating she procur'd her Passe To come to him Rigor could not denie Those teares so poore a suite or put her by 90 Entring the chamber where he was alone As one whose former fortune was his shame Loathing th'vpbrayding eye of any one That knew him once and knowes him not the same When hauing giuen expresse command that none Should presse to him yet hearing some that came Turnes angerly about his grieued eyes When lo his sweete afflicted Queene he spyes 91 Straight cleares his brow and with a borrowed smile What my deare Queene welcome my deare he sayes And striuing his owne passion to beguile And 〈◊〉 the sorrow which his eye betrayes Could speake no more but wrings her hands the while And then Sweet Lady and againe he stayes Th' excesse of ioy and sorrow both affordes Affliction none or but poore niggard wordes 92 Shee that was come with a resolved hart And with a mouth full stor'd with wordes well chose Thinking This comfort wil I first impart Vnto my Lord and thus my speach dispose Then thus I le say thus looke and with this art Hide mine owne sorrow to relieue his woes When being come all this prov'd nought but winde Teares lookes and sighes do only tell her minde 93 Thus both stood silent and confused so Their eyes relating how their hearts did morne Both bigge with sorrow and both great with wo In labour with what was not to be borne This mightie burthen where withall they goe Dies vndeliuered perishes vnborne Sorrow makes silence her best Orator Where words may make it lesse not shew it more 94 But he whom longer time had learn'd the art T' indure affliction as a vsuall touch Straines foorth his wordes and throwes dismay apart To rayse vp her whose passions now were such As quite opprest her ouercharged hart Too small a vessell to containe so much And cheeres and mones and fained hopes doth frame As if himselfe beleeu'd or hop't the same 95 And now the while these Princes sorrowed Forward ambition come so neere her ende Sleepes not nor slippes th' occasion offered T' accomplish what it did before intend A Parlement is foorth with summoned In Richards name whereby they might pretend A forme to grace disorder and a showe Of holy right the right to ouerthrowe 96 Order how much predominant art thou That if but onely thou pretended art How soone deceiv'd mortalitie doth bow To follow thine as still the better part T is thought that reuerent forme will not allow Iniquitie or sacred right peruart Within our soules since then thou dwell'st so strong How ill do they that vse thee to do wrong 97 So ill did they that in this formall course Sought to establish a deformed right Who might as well effected it by force But that men hold it wrong what 's wrought by might Offences vrg'd in publique are made worse The shew of iustice aggrauates despight The multitude that
looke not to the cause Rest satisfied so it seeme done by lawes 98 And now they diuerse articles obiect Of rigor malice priuate fauourings Exaction riot falsehood and neglect Crimes done but sildome answered by Kings Which Subiectes doelament but not correct And all these faults which Lancaster now brings Against a King must be his owne when hee By vrging others sinnes a King shall be 99 For all that was most odious was deuis'd And publisht in these articles abrode All th'errours of his youth were here compris'd Calamitie with obloquie to lode And more to make him publikely despis'd Libels inuectiues rayling rimes were sow'd Among the vulgar to prepare his fall With more applause and good consent of all 100 Looke how the day-hater Mineruas bird Whil'st priuiledg'd with darknes and the night Doth liue securet ' himselfe of others feard If but by chaunce discouered in the light How doth each little Fowle with enuie stirr'd Call him to iustice vrge him with despight Summon the feathered flockes of all the wood To come to scorne the tyrant of their blood 101 So fares this King layd open to disgrace Whil'st euerie mouth full of reproche inuayes And euerie base detractor in this case Vpon th' aduantage of misfortune playes Downe-falling Greatnes vrged on apace Was followed-hard by all disgracefull wayes Now in the point t' accelerate an end Whil'st miserie had no meanes to defend 102 Vpon those articles in Parlement So haynous made inforc't and vrg'd so hard He was adiudg'd vnfit for gouernment And of all regal powre and rule debarr'd For who durst contradict the Dukes intent Or if they durst should patiently be heard Desire of change old wrongs new hopes fresh feare Being far the maior part the cause must beare 103 Yet must we thinke that some which saw the course The better fewe whom passion made not 〈◊〉 Stood careful lookers-on with sad commorse Amaz'd to see what headlong rage design'd And in a more considerate discourse Of tragicall euentes thereof diuin'd And would excuse and pittie those defects Which with such hate the aduerse parts obiects 104 Say'ing better yeeres might worke a better care And time might well haue cur'd what was amisse Since all these faults fatall to Greatnes are And worse deserts haue not beene punisht thus But yet in this the heauens we feare prepare Confusion for our sinnes aswell as his And his calamitie beginneth our For he his owne and we abus'd his powre 105 Thus murmur'd they when to the king were sent Certaine who might perswade him to for sake And leaue his Crowne and with his free consent A voluntarie Resignation make Since that he could no other way preuent These dangers which he else must needes partake For not to yeeld to what feare would constraine Would barre the hope of life that did remaine 106 And yet this scarce could worke him to consent To yeeld vp that so soone men hold so deare Why let him take sayd he the gouernement And letme yet the name the title beare Leaue me that shewe and I wil be content And let them rule and gouerne without feare What can they not my shadow now indure When they of all the rest do stand secure 107 Let me hold that I aske no other good Nay that I will hold Henrie do thy worst For ere I yeeld my Crowne I 'le lose my blood That blood that shall make thee and thine accurst Thus resolute a while he firmely stood Till loue of life and feare of being forc't Vanquisht th' innated valour of his minde And hope and friends so wrought that he resign'd 108 Then to the Towre where he remained went The Duke with all the Peeres in company To take his offer with his free consent And this his Resignation testifie And thereof to informe the Parlement That all things might be done more formally And men thereby rest better satisfide As of an act not forc't or falsifide 109 And forth h 'is brought vnto th' accomplishment Deckt with the Crowne in princely robes that day Like as the dead in other Landes are sent Vnto their Graues in all their best aray And euen like good did him this ornament For what he brought he must not beare away But buries there his glory and his name Intomb'd both in his owne and others blame 110 And there vnto th' assembly of these States His sorrow for their long indured wrong Through his abus'd authority relates Excuses with confessions mixt among And glad he sayes to finish all debates He was to leaue the Rule they sought-for long 〈◊〉 if it might be for their good He would as gladly sacrifice his blood 111 There he his Subiectes all in generall Assoyles and quites of oath and fealtie Renounces interest 〈◊〉 right and all That appertained to kingly 〈◊〉 Subscribes thereto and doth to witnesse call Both heauen and earth and God Saints on hie To testifie his act and doth professe To do the same with most free willingnesse 112 This said with his owne hands he gaue the Crowne To Lancaster and wisht to God he might Haue better ioy thereof then he had knowne And that his power might make it his by right And furthermore he crav'd of all his owne But life to liue apart a priuate wight The vanity of Greatnes he had tri'd And how vnsurely standes the foote of pride 113 This brought to passe the Lords returne with speed The Parlement hereof to 〈◊〉 Where they at large publisht the Kings owne deed And forme of his resignement verbally And thereupon doth Lancaster proceede To make his claime vnto the Monarchie And shewes the right he hath both by descent And by recouerie to the gouernement 114 Which being granted Canterburie rose And animates them by the sacred word In this their course and by his Text he showes How well they made their choyce of such a Lord Who as a man was able to dispose And guide the State and how the royall sworde Ought to be at a mans commandement Not at a childes or one as impotent 115 Since when the greatnes of his charge exceedes The smallnesse of his powers he must collate The same on others whence sayes he proceedes This 〈◊〉 expilation of the State Whence no man any more the publike heedes Then so much as imports his priuate state Our Health is from our head if that be ill Distemp'red faint and weake all the rest will 116 Then to the present all his speach he drawes And shewes what admirable parts abound In this braue Prince being fit to giue them lawes Fit for his valour fit for iudgement sound And Lancaster indeed I would thy cause Had had as lawfull and as sure a ground As had thy vertues and thy noble hart Ordaind and borne for an Imperial part 117 Then had not that confus'd succeeding Age Our fieldes ingrayn'd with bloud our riuers dy'd With purple-streaming woundes of our owne rage Nor seene our Princes slaughtred Peeres destroyd Then 〈◊〉 not thou deare
and on the shore Reacht yet vnto the centre of the Land Searcht all those humors that were bred before Shakes the whole frame whereon the State did stand Affection pittie fortune feare being more Farre off and absent then they are at hand Pittie becomes a traytor with th' opprest And many haue beene rays'd by being supprest 49 For they had left although themselues were gone Opinion and their memorie behinde Which so preuayles that nought could here be done But straight was knowne as soone as once design'd Court Councell-chamber Closet all were won To be reuealers of the Princes minde So false is Faction and so smooth a lyer As that it neuer had a side entire 50 Whereby th'exil'd had leasure to preuent And circumuent what-euer was deuiz'd Which made that Faulconbridge to Sandwich bent That Fortresse and the Gouernour surpriz'd Who presently from thence to Calais sent Had his vnguiltie blood there sacrifiz'd And Faulconbridge returning backe relates Th' affection here and zeale of all estates 51 Drawne with which newes and with a spirit that dar'd T' attempt on any likelihood of support They take th' aduantage of so great regard Their landing here secur'd them in such sort By Faulconbridge the fatall bridge prepar'd To be the way of blood and to transport Returning furie to make greater wounds Then euer England saw within her bounds 52 And but with fifteene hundred men do land Vpon a Land with many millions stor'd So much did high-presuming Courage stand On th' ayde home-disobedience would afford Nor were their hopes deceiv'd for such a hand Had Innouation ready for the sword As ere they neere vnto the Cittie drew Their powre beyond all former greatnesse grew 53 Muse what may we imagine was the Cause That Furie workes thus vniuersally What humor what affection is it drawes Sides of such powre to this Nobilitie Was it their Conscience to redresse the Lawes Or malice to a wrong-plac't Sov'raintie That caus'd them more then wealth or life desire Destruction ruine bloud-shed sword and fire 54 Or was the Powre of Lords thus inter-plac't Betwixt the height of Princes and the State Th' occasion that the people so imbrac't Their actions and attend on this Debate Or had their Greatnesse with their Worth imbas't The Touch of Royaltie to so lowe rate As their opinion could such tumults moue Then Powre and Virtue you contagious proue 55 And Perianders leuell'd Eares of Corne Shew what is fittest for the publique Rest And that the hyest Minions which adorne A Common-weale and doo become it best Are Zeale and Iustice Law and Customes borne Of hye descent that neuer do infest The Land with false suggestions claymes affrights To make men lose their owne for others rights 56 But now against this disproportion bends The feeble King all his best industrie And from abrode Skales Louell Kendall sends To hold the Cittie in fidelitie The Cittie which before for others ends Was wrought to leaue the part of Royaltie Where though the Kings commaund was of no powre Yet worke these Lords so that they tooke the Towre 57 And from thence labour to bring-in againe The out-let will of disobediencie Send terror threates intreaties but in vaine VVarwicke and March are with all iollitie And grace receiv'd The Citties loue did gaine The best part of a Crowne for whose defence And intertaining still stayes Salsburie Whil'st March and VVarwicke other fortunes try 58 Conducting their fresh troupes against their King Who leaues a woman to supply his steed And neere Northhampton both imbattailing Made now the very heart of England bleed Where what strange resolutions both sides bring And with what deadly rancour they proceed Witnesse the blood there shed and fowlly shed That cannot but with sighes be registred 59 There Buckingham Talbot and Egremont Bewmont and Lucy parts of Lancaster Parts most important and of chiefe account In this vnhappy day extinguisht are There the Lord Grey whose fayth did not amount Vnto the trust committed to his care Betrayes his King borne to be strangely tost And late againe attain'd againe is lost 60 Againe is lost this out-side of a King Ordain'd for others vses not his owne Who to the part that had him could but bring A feeble body onely and a Crowne But yet was held to be the dearest thing Both sides did labor-for so much to crowne Their Cause with the apparency of might From whom and by whom they must make their Right 61 When he himselfe as if he nought esteem'd The highest Crowne on earth continues one Weake to the world which his Religion deem'd Like to the breath of man vaine and soone gone 〈◊〉 the stout Queene by speedy flight redeem'd The safety of her selfe and of her Sonne And with her Sommerset to Durham fled Her powres supprest her heart vnuanquished 62 So much for absent Yorke is acted here Attending English hopes on th' Irish coast Which when vnlookt-for they related were Ambition still on horse-backe comes in poast And seemes with greater glory to appeare As made the more by be'ing so long time lost And to the Parlement with state is led Which his associates had fore-summoned 63 And com'n into the Chamber of the Peeres He sets himselfe downe in the chayre of State Where such an vnexpected face appeares Of an amazed Court that gazing sate With a dumbe silence seeming that it feares The thing it went about t'effectuate As if the Place the Cause the Conscience giue Barres to the words their forced courso should haue 64 T is strāge those times which brought such hāds for blood Had not bred tongues to make good any side And that no prostituted conscience stood Any iniustice to haue iustifid As men of the forelone hope onely good In desperatest acts to be imploy'd And that none in th' assembly there was found That would t'ambitious descant giue a ground 65 That euen himselfe forc't of necessitie Must be the Orator of his owne Cause For hauing viewd them all and could espie None proff'ring once to speake all in a pause On this friend lookes with an inuiting eye And then on that as if he woo'd applause Holding the cloth of State still in his hand The signe which he would haue them vnderstand 66 But se'ing none moue with an imperiall port Gath'ring his spirits he ryses from his seat Doth with such powre of wordes his Cause support As seemes all others Causes to defeat And sure who workes his Greatnesse in that sort Must haue more powres then those that are borne great Such Reuolutions are not wrought but when Those spirits doe worke which must be more then men 67 He argues first his Right so long with-held By th'vsurpation of the Lancasters The Right of a direct Line alwayes held The sacred course of Blood our Ancestors Our Lawes our reuerent Customes haue vp-held With holy hands Whence when disorder crres What horrors what confusion do we see Vntill it be reduc't
sodaine passion might haue there More 〈◊〉 then he would wish to haue He tooke vp his desires which posting were Beyond their stages and this answere gaue Madam we will our selfe take time to heare Your Cause at large wherein we wil you haue No other reference but repaire to vs Who will accommodate this businesse 56 She that expected present remedie Hearing this dilatory answer thought The King found scruple in the equitie Of her request and thereupon he sought To put her to delayes of Court whereby She might be tyr'd and in the end get nought And that which her opinion made more strong Was that he studied and was mute so long 57 Which forc't from her these wordes My Lord Let not my being a Lancastrian bred Without mine owne election disafford Me right or make my Cause disfigured Since I am now the subiect of your sword Which God hath with your Right established To doo vs right and let not what wee were Be now the cause to hurt vs as we are 58 Ladie mistake me not neuer did I Make war with women nor vs'd womens war Reuenge but prosecuted honestly My Right not Men. My quarrels ended are With my obtayning of the victorie And Lady knowe your Cause moues me thus far As you shall finde sayd hee I doo desire To doo you greater right then you require 59 With this they part both with their thoughts full charg'd She of her sute in hand and he of her Wherein he spends that night and quite discharg'd All other cogitations to confer First how he might haue her estate inlarg'd Then in what sort her seruice to prefer Vnto his new exspected Wife and Queene Then how to maske his loue from being seene 60 For yet Lust was not growne to that degree To haue no limits but that shame kept-in The greatest Greatnes from this being free To hold their Wantonness to be no sinne For though Kings cannot ouer-maistred bee They will be ouer-lookt and seene within And though they could their 〈◊〉 make sure Yet crymes though safe can neuer be secure 61 Sometimes he thinks it better to prouide A place retyr'd and haue her from the Court And then with what pretentions he might hide His priuat comming and his oft resort Then by his Queene if it should be espid How he might cleare with her and stop report And thus consumes the night and if hee slept He slept those thoughts that with these 〈◊〉 kept 62 The morning being com'n and glad he was That it was com'n after so long a night He thought would haue no morning time did passe So 〈◊〉 and his desires ran-on so light A 〈◊〉 with speed dispatched was Of speciall trust this Lady to inuite To come t' his presence though before the time That Ladies rise who rarely rise betime 63 Yet soone shee hastes and yet that soone seem'd long To him whose longing went so swift a pase And frets that such attyring should belong To that which yeelds it selfe sufficient grace Consid'ring how these ornaments may wrong The set of beautie which we see doth grace Th' attire it weares and is not grac't thereby As be'ing that onely which doth take the eye 64 But now be'ing com'n that quarrell of delay Streight ended was her presence satisfies All what Expectance had layd out for stay And he be held more sweetnesse in her eyes And saw her more then she was yesterday A cheerliness did with her hopes arise That lamped 〈◊〉 then it did before And made her spirit and his affections more 65 When those who were about him presently Voyded the roome and left him to confer Alone with his faire Suter priuatly As they who to his courses conscious were And he began Madame the remedie Which you in your Petition sue-for here Shall be allow'd to th' vtmost that you craue With th'expedition you would wish to haue 66 And here I haue another sute to you Which if you please to grant wee both shall now Rest equally content Wherewith there grew That sodaine alteration in her brow As all were ouer-cast and so with-drew That freedome from her lookes least they should ' low More then her heart might meane as they reflect A narrower and a carefuller aspect 67 That when he saw this barrier of dislike Thus inter-set to keepe his forwardnes Backe from presumptiue pressing it did strike That reuerence as it staide him to expresse His farther will And she replies 'T is like When Kings to subiects sue they meane no less Then to command nor must they be withstood For-that good Kings will seeke but what is good 68 And in that faire respect your Maiestie According to your will both must and may Command my seruice who most reuerently Your royall pleasure euer shall obay With which word pleasure though it doubtfully In that hard 〈◊〉 of condition lay Vnder the locke of goodnesse he was cast In hope he might obtaine the same at last 69 And thus 〈◊〉 My pleasure only shall Be Madame for your good please it but you To make it so And here to tell you all I loue you and therein I tell you true What honour may by Kings 〈◊〉 fall Must light vpon your fortunes as your due And though France shall a Wife for fashion bring You must be th' onely mistress of the King 70 Streight might you see how Scorne and Feare Shame All intermixt in one aspect returne The message of her thoughts before words came And first within her brow in state sate Scorne Shame in her Cheekes where also Feare became An In-mate too and both appeare by turne Blushes did paleness paleness blushes chace As scorning fearing shaming such disgrace 71 She scornes to be addeem'd so worthlesse-base As to bee mov'd to such an infamie She shames to thinke that ought within her face Should breed th' opinion of immodestie Shee feares the 〈◊〉 daunger of the place Her'loneness and the powre of Maiestie And so confus'd in feare in shame in scorne This Answere to his Motion doth returne 72 My sov'raigne Lord it grieues me that you deeme Because I in this sort for Iustice sue I would the same with mine owne wrong redeeme And by dishonour reobtaine my due No I would hate that right which should but seeme To be beholding to a wanton view Or motiue of my person not my Cause That craues but right from Iustice and your lawes 73 And knowe great Monarch that I more doo waigh My Distaffe with mine honour then I doo The mightiest Scepter King did euer sway Vpon the earth or Nations bow'd vnto I owe 〈◊〉 which I humbly pay With all the out ward seruice I can doo But Sov'raigne in the region of my hart I raigne sole 〈◊〉 no King can force a part 74 Here 〈◊〉 a little interpos'd a touch To warne her violence to temporize With Powre and State and she concludes her speach With crauing pardon in more humble wise Yet in proud humble wise which shew'd how much She did her