he had raigned 13. yeares 1100. Hen. â— the youngest sonne of William â— raigned 35. yeares 4 monthes whose sonnes Wul Ricboâ—rg drowned on the Sâ—aâ— heleâ—â—â—â— the Crow to Maude first maried to the Emperour Hen. 4 and after to Goffrey Plantagenes E. of Anion 1135. Stephen son to the E. of Bloys Adela daughter to Wil I. inuades the kingdoÌ„e coÌ„teÌ„des with Maude the Empresse for the succession and raigned tumuleuarely 18. yeares and 10. monâ—thes 1154. Hen. 2. sonne of Geffry Plantagenet E. of Aiâ—s Maude the Empresse associated his sonne Hen. In the Crowne and gouerment which learned to his great disturbance and set all his sonnes Henry Richard Geffrey Iohn against hon lie raigned 34. yeares 7. months 1189. Richard went to the Holy warres was king of Ierusalem whiles his brother Iohn by the help of the King of France vsurpt the crown of England Hee was detained prisoner in Austria redeemed and reigned nine years 9. months 1199. K. Iohn vsurps the right of Arthur sonne to Goffrey his elder brother and raignes 17 yeares Hee had warres with his Barons who elected Lewis Sonne to the K. of France 1216. Hen. 3. at 9. yeares of age was Crowned King and raigned 6 yeares 1272. Ed. 1. had the dominion ouer this whole Iland of Britaine and raigned gloriously 34. yeeres 7. Moneths 1307. Edward 2. abused by his Minions debaushed by his owne weaknesse was deposed froÌ„ his gouernment when he had reigned 19. yeares 6. moneths and was murthered in prison 1326. Edw. 3 Edward the black prince who died before his father Richard 2. being but 11. yeares of age was crowned K. of England 1377 Richard the 2. son to the blacke prince The D. of Lancaster intitled K. of Castile in the right of his wise Constance eldest daughter to K. Peter Edmond Langly Earle of Cambridge after created D. of Yorke Thomas of Woodstocke after made D. of Glocester Robert Veere Duke of Ireland Ann. Reg. 11. the D. of Gloster with the E E. of Darby AruÌ„del Nottingham Warwicke other L I. hauing forced the K. to put from him all his officers of Court at this ParliameÌ„t caused most of theÌ„ to be executed as Iohn Beauchamp L. Steward of bâ—shâ—use Sir Simon Burley L. Chamberlaine with many other Also the L. chief Iustice was here executed and all the Iudges condeÌ„ned to death for maintaining the Kings prerogative against these L L. these constitutions of the last Parliament in Ann. 10 Ann. Reg. 18. Ann. 20. Isabel daughter to Charles 6. Vulovan E. of S. Paule who had maried the kingshalfe sister At the parliament in Anno 11. the L L. of the league with Gloster being pardoned for their opposing against the â—ings proceedings were quiet till Anno 21 when vpon report of a new confederacie they were surprised Mowbray E. Marshal after made Duke of Norfolie had the charge of dispatching the D. of Gloster at Calice The K. had by Parliament before pardoned the D and those two Earles yet was the pardon reuoked Nihil est quod credere de se non possit cum laudatur dijs quâ—â— potestas Hen. Bollingbroke of Hereford Tho. Mowbray D. of Norfolke Mowbray was banished the very day by the course of the yeere whereon he murthered the D. of Glocester An. Reg. 22. The D. being banished in SepteÌ„ber landed in the beginning of Iulie after at Rauenspurre in Yorkeshire some say but with 60. men other with 3000 and 8 shippes set forth and furnished by the Duke of Brittaine Ann. Reg. 22. The Genius of England appeares to Bullingbrooke The D. put to death VVilliaÌ„ Scroope E. of Wiltshire Treasurer of Eng. with Sir Hen. Greene Sir Iohn Bushy for misgouerning the king and the Realme Th. Arundel Archbish. of Canterburie Bis peccat qui pretextu Religionis peccat Edward D. of Aumerie Sonne to the D. of Yorke Conway Castle in Wales Montague E. of Salisburie This Percie was Earle of Worster brother to the Earle of Northumberland and steward of the Kings house The D. of Yorke left Gouernour of the Realm in the abseÌ„ce of the king hauing leuied a great Army as if to haue opposed against Bullingbrooke brought most of the Nobilitie of the kingdome to take his part The E. of NorthuÌ„berland sent to the king from Hen. Builingbrooke nor D. of Lancaster The Bishop of Carlile Montague Earle of Salisbury This was sir Peter Leighs Auncitor of Lime in Cheshire that now is Ienico a Artois a Gascoin The Earle of Salsbury his speech to K. Richard The Bishop of Carlile Lex Am. nestia The Owle is said to bee Mineruas bird The Archbishop of Cant. takes his text out of the first booke of the Kings cap. 9. Vir dominâ—â— bitur in populo The Nobilitie accused for the death of Thomas of Woodstocke D. of Gloster The Dukes of Surry Excester and Aumarle The Earles of Salesburie and Gloster the Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and other were the parties accused for the death of the D. of Gloster Thom. late Duke of Surry Sir Thom. Blunt This Knight was Sir Pierce of Exton Primus imperium communicauit posuit Dioclesianus inco ponendo dixisse fertur Recipe Iupiter imperium quod mihi commodasti The Corpe was coâ—â—â—easrons Ponâ—â—â—es to LondoÌ„ whereas say withoâ—â—â— sace in Pauâ—es â— dayes and after a sile nine aâ— sequ'e was had to Lingley and there meanely â—â—â—â—ed K. Ric. bruted to be alive asieâ— he was thus murthered which begar a conâ— Conspiracie for the which Sir Roger Clarindon supposed to be the base sonne of the blacke Prince was executed with diuers Frier Hee hâ—d in his Courte 1000. persone in ordinarie alowance of diet 300 soruitous sin his Kitchen aboue 100. Ladâ— Chambeteri and Landeoers Hâ—asswell Shomptueus and so was it generaly in his time bee lod one Core of gold and stone valued as 3000. markes One interuiew with the Fr. King at Arde when his wife Isabel was deliuered vnto him cost 300000. markers Hon. q. remeketh al letters patents of Anvitâ—â—gies granted by K. Ed. and K. Ric Ann. reg 6. When he was first surpris'd in Wales the D. of Lancaster had in Holt Castle â—00000 markes in coyne and 200000 markes in Iewels and at his Reignation in â—â— Towre 300000 pouÌ„d in coyne beside plates and Iewels A Prince excessiue in gifts makes his subiects excessiue in suces Commisioners are sect to forreine Princes to excuse iustifie the Kings proceedings In this time of Charles 6. began the ciuile warres Fraunce between he Dukes of Orlaus and Burgoigne The Truce made with Ric. 2. renewd for 30 yeares but broken the next yeare after vpon their part sending laques de Burbon with forces into Wales to the ayde of Glendour The King labors to haue Q. Isabel matcht to his sonne Henry Prince of Wales Queene Isabel was maried to Charles sonne to Loyse D. of Orleans Thom. Percy E. of Worcester was sent into Gascony with 200. men at Armes
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
now wil lend their hand To hould him vp seeing himselfe can stand 64 And thus he prospers whiles the King here spent Much time to leuie treasure to maintaine His charge abrode which with that discontent That murmure those denyals hee doth gaine As that hee findes it euen as turbulent To warre for it as with it all his Raigne Though hee had those inforcements of expence Both for offence retaynements and defence 65 For here beside these troubles in the Land His large Dominions held abrode require A plentiful and a prepared hand To guard them where so mightie men aspire T' assaile distract and trouble his Command With hopes with promises with sword and sire And then as deepe importes his Coastes to cleere Which by his neighbors much infested were 66 The Flemings Britaines with the French and all Attempt incursions and worke much despight Orleance for Guien and here the Conte Saint Paul For Calais labours and the I le of Wight Wherein though neither had successe at all Yet Cleremont ouercame and wonne by fight Important Holdes in Gasconie the-while And did the English much distresse and spoyle 67 All which require prouisions to withstand And all are succord with great prouidence A Nauie to secure the Seas is mann'd And forces sent to Calais for defence And wherein other parts defectiue stand They are supply'd with carefull diligence So that his subiects could not but well knowe That what they granted he did sure bestowe 68 Nor did hee spare himselfe nor his but bent All-wholly vnto actiue Worthynesse The Prince of VVales vnto his Prouince sent Where hee was sure hee should not take his ease His second sonne is with the Earle of Kent Imployd as Gouernour to keepe the Seas A third though very yong likewise sent forth With VVestmerland attends vnto the North. 69 Thus were they bred who after were to bee Men amongst men here with these graue Adioynts These learned Maisters they were taught to see Themselues to read the world and keep their points Thus were they entred in the first degree And Accedence of action which acquaints Them with the Rules of Worth and Nobleness Which in true Concord they learn'd well t' expresse 70 And whiles h'attends the State thus carefully The Earle of Marches children are conuay'd Out of the Towre of VVindsor secretly Being prisoners there not for their merit lay'd But for their Bloud and to the ende whereby This Chayne of Nature might be interlay'd Betweene the Father and his high intents To hold him backe to saue these innocents 71 For which attempt though it were frustrated By their recouerie who were got againe Aumarle now Duke of Yorke is chalenged By his owne sister to haue layd that trayne Who late her Lord with others ruined In secretly betraying them t' obtaine His grace and peace which yet contents him not For Who hath grace and peace by treason got 72 So much did loue t' her executed Lord Predominate in this faire Ladies hart As in that region it would not afford Nature a place to rest in any part Of her affections but that she abhord Her proper blood and left to doo the part Of sisterhood to doo that of a wife T' auenge a Husbands death by Brothers life 73 Vpon which accusation presently The Duke committed is without much stirre Or vulgar noyse for that it tenderly Did touch the secretst wounds of Lancaster When streight another new conspiracie As if it were a certaine successor Ally'd to this ingendred in the North Is by th'Archbishop Scroope with power brought forth 74 And with faire zeale and pietie approv'd To be forth vniuersall benefit And succour of the people who soone mov'd By such perswaders as are held vpright And for their zeale and charitie belov'd Vse not t' examine if the Cause be right But leap into the toyle and are vndon By following them that they rely'd vpon 75 Here new aspersions with new obloquies Are layde on old deserts and future ill On present suffrings bruted to aryse That farther grieuances ingender wil. And then concussion rapine pilleries Their Catalogue of accusations fill Which to redresse they doo presume to make Religion to auow the part they take 76 And euen as Canterburie did produce A Pardon to aduance him to the Crown The like now Yorke pronounces to induce His faction for the pulling of him down Whilst th' ignorant deceiv'd by this abuse Makes others ends to be as if their owne But what wold these haue don against the crimes Oppressions iyots wastes of other times 77 Since now they had a Monarch and a man Rays'd by his worth and by their owne consent To gouerne them and workes the best he can T' aduance the Crowne and giue the State cōtent Commits not all to others care nor ran An idle course or on his Minions spent But thus the Horse at first bites at the Bit That after is content to play with it 78 Growne to a mighty powre attending now Northumberland with his prepared ayde The Bishop by a parle is with a showe Of combination cunningly betrayde By Westmerland whose wit did ouerthrowe Without a sword all these great feares and stayd The mightiest danger that did euer yet Thy Crowne and State disturbed Henrie threat 79 For which this reuerent Priest with Mowbray dyes Who both drawne on with passion of despight To vndertake this fatall enterpise The one his brothers bloud-shed to requite The other for his fathers iniuries Did wrong themselues and did not others right For who through th' eyes of their affections looke And not of iudgement thus are ouer-tooke 80 Whereof when newes came to Northumberland Who seldome other then of miserie Seemes borne to heare being euer behind hand With Fortune and his opportunitie To Scotland flyes where giuen to vnderstand Of some intrapment by conspiracie Gets into VVales whence hee aduentured T' attempt another day and lost his head 81 Whereby once more those Parts are quieted When-as the King who neuer had his brow Seene free from sweat nor hart from trouble rid Was with suspicion that his sonne grew now Too popular and forward so much fed By wicked instruments who well knew how To gaine by Princes feares as he thereby Fell in his griefe to great extreamitie 82 Which when that vertuous Prince who borne to bee The module of a glorious Monarch heard With humble protestations did so free His fathers feares and his owne honor cleer'd As that he plainely made the world to see How base Detraction and Deceipt appeard And that a hart so nobly built could not Containe within a thought that wore a blot 83 Wherewith the king betakes him to some peace Yet to a peace much like a sicke-mans sleep Whose vnrelenting paines do neuer cease But alwayes watch vpon his weakenes keepe That neuer any Sabaoth of release Could free his trauailes and afflictions deepe But still his cares held working
so controwl'd That others should his Rule preiudicate Charg'd Herford thesewithall who re-accus'd Norfolke for words of treason he had vs'd 61 Norfolke denies them peremptorily Herford recharg'd and supplicates the king To haue the combate of his enemie That by his sword hee might approue the thing Norfolke desires the same as earnestly And both with equall courage menacing Reuenge of wrong that none knew which was free For times of faction times of slaunder bee 62 The combate granted and the day assign'd They both in order of the field appeare Most richly furnisht in all Martiall kinde And at the point of intercombate were When lo the king chang'd sodainely his minde Casts downe his warder to arrest them there As being aduis'd a better way to take Which might for his more certaine safetie make 63 For now considering as it likely might The victorie should hap on Herfords side A man most valiant and of noble sprite Belov'd of all and euer worthy tri'd How much he might be grac't in publique sight By such an act as might aduance his pride And so become more popular by this Which he feares too much he already is 64 And therefore he resolues to banish both Though th' one in chiefest fauour with him stood A man he dearely lov'd and might be loth To leaue him that had done him so much good Yet hauing cause to do as now he doth To mitigate the enuie of his blood Thought best to lose a friend to rid a foe And such a one as now he doubted so 65 And therefore to perpetuall exile hee Mowbray condemnes Herford but for ten yeares Thinking for that the wrong of this decree Compar'd with greater rigour lesse appeares It might of all the better liked bee But yet such murmuring of the fact he heares That he is faine foure of the ten forgiue And iudg'd him sixe yeares in exile to liue 66 At whose departure hence out of the Land How did the open multitude reueale The wondrous loue they bare him vnder-hand Which now in this hote passion of their zeale They plainely shew'd that all might vnderstand How deare he was vnto the common weale They feard not to exclaime against the King As one that sought all good mens ruining 67 Vnto the shore with teares with sighes with mone They him conduct cursing the bounds that stay Their willing feete that would haue further gone Had not the fearefull Ocean stopt their way Why Neptune Hast thou made vs stand alone Diuided from the world for this say they Hemd-in to be a spoyle to tyrannie Leauing affliction hence no way to flie 68 Are we lockt vp poore soules heere to abide Within the waterie prison of thy waues As in a fold where subiect to the pride And lust of Rulers we remaine as slaues Here in the reach of might where none can hide From th' eye of wrath but onely in their Graues Happie confiners you of other landes That shift your soyle and oft scape tyrants hands 69 And must we leaue him here whom here were fit We should retaine the pillar of our State Whose vertues well deserue to gouerne it And not this want on young effeminate Why should not he in Regall honour sit That best knowes how a Realme to ordinate But one day yet we hope thou shalt bring backe Deare Bullingbrooke the Iustice that we lacke 70 Thus muttred loe the male contented sort That loue Kings best before they haue them still And neuer can the present State comport But would as often change as they change will For this good Duke had wonne them in this sort By succ'ring them and pittying of their ill That they supposed streight it was one thing To be both a good Man and a good King 71 When-as the grauer sort that saw the course And knew that Princes may not be controld Lik't well to suffer this for feare of worse Since many great one Kingdome cannot hold For now they saw intestine strife of force The apt-diuided State intangle would If he should stay whom they would make their head By whom the vulgar body might be led 72 They saw likewise that Princes oft are faine To buy their quiet with the price of wrong And better 't were that now a few complaine Then all should mourne aswell the weake as strong Seeing still how little Realmes by chaunge do gaine And therefore learned by obseruing long T' admire times past follow the present will With for good Princes but t' indure the ill 73 For when it nought auailes what folly then To striue against the current of the time Who will throwe downe himselfe for other men That make a ladder by his fall to clime Or who would seeke t' imbroyle his Country when He might haue rest suffering but others crime Since wise men euer haue preferred farre Th'vniustest peace before the iustest warre 74 Thus they considered that in quiet sate Rich or content or else vnfit to striue Peace-louer wealth hating a troublous State Doth willing reasons for their rest contriue But it that all were thus considerate How should in Court the great the fauour'd thriue Factions must be and these varieties And some must fall that other-some may rise 75 But long the Duke remain'd not in exile Before that Iohn of Gaunt his father dies Vpon whose state the king seis'd now this while Disposing of it as his enemies This open wrong no longer could beguile The world that saw these great indignities Which so exasperates the mindes of all That they resolv'd him home againe to call 76 For now they saw t' was malice in the King Transported in his ill-conceiued thought That made him so to prosecute the thing Against all law and in a course so naught And this aduantage to the Duke did bring More sit occasions whereupon he wrought For to a man so strong and of such might He giues him more that takes away his right 77 The King in this meane time I know not how Was drawne into some actions foorth the Land T' appease the Irish that reuolted now And there attending what he had in hand Neglects those parts from whence worse dangers growe As ignorant how his affayres did stands Whether the plot was wrought it should be so Or that his fate did draw him on to go 78 Most sure it is that hee committed here An ignorant and idle ouersight Not looking to the Dukes proceedings there Being in the Court of Fraunce where best he might Where both the King and all assured were T' haue stopt his course being within their right But now he was exil'd he thought him sure And free from farther doubting liv'd secure 79 So blindes the sharpest counsels of the wise This ouershadowing Prouidence on hie And dazleth all their clearest sighted eyes That they see not how nakedly they lie There where they little thinke the storme doth rise And ouercasts their cleare securitie When man hath stopt all wayes saue onely that Which as least doubted Ruine
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
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 negotiat And all a wayward multitude content And then these people-minions they must fall To worke-out vs to work themselues int'all 68 But note my Lord first who is in your hand Then how he hath offended what 's his end It is the man whose Race would seeme to stand Before your Right and doth a Right pretend Who Traitor-like hath rais'd a mightie Band With colour your proceedings to amend Which if it should haue hapned to succeed You had not now sate to adiudge his deed 69 If oftentimes the person not th' offence Haue beene sufficient cause of death to some Where publique safety puts in euidence Of mischiefe likely by their life to come Shall hee whose fortune and him insolence Haue both deserv'd to die escape that doome When you shall saue your Land your Crowne thereby And since You cannot liue vnlesse He die 70 Thus spake th'aggrieued Duke that grauely saw Th'incompatible powers of Princes mindes And what affliction his escape might draw Vnto the State and people of all kindes And yet the humble yeelding and the aw Which Yorke there shew'd so good opinion findes That with the rumor of his Sonnes great strength And French affaires he there came quit at length 71 For euen the feare t'exasperat the heat Of th' Earle of March whose forward youth and might Well follow'd seem'd a proud reuenge to threat If any shame should on his Father light And then desire in Gascoyne to reget The glorie lost which home-broyles hinder might Aduantaged the Duke and sav'd his head Which questionlesse had else beene hazarded 72 For now had Burdeux offered vpon ayd Present reuolt if we would send with speed Which faire aduantage to haue then delay'd Vpon such hopes had beene a shamefull deed And therefore this all other courses stayd And outwardly these inward hates agreed Giuing an interpause to pride and spight Which breath'd but to breake-out with greater might 73 Whil'st dreadfull T'albot terror late of Fraunce Against the Genius of our Fortune stroue The downe-throwne glorie of our State t' aduance Where Fraunce for more then Fraunce he now doth proue For friends opinion and succeeding chaunce Which wrought the weake to yeeld the strong to loue Were not the same that he had found before In happier times when lesse would haue done more 74 For both the Britaine and Burgonian now Came altred with our lucke and won with theirs Thoâ—e bridges and the gates that did allow So easie passage vnto our affaires Iudging it safer to endeuour how To link with strength then leane vnto despaires And who wants friends to backe what he begins In Lands far off gets not although he wins 75 Which too well prov'd this fatall enterprize The last that lost vs all wee had to lose Where though aduantag'd by some mutinies And petrie Lords that in our Cause arose Yet those great fayl'd whose ready quick supplies Euer at hand cheer'd vs and quail'd our foes Succours from far come seldome to our minde For who holds league with Neptune and the winde 76 Yet worthy Talbot thou didst so imploy The broken remnants of disscattered power That they might see it was our destiny Not want of spirit that lost vs what was our Thy dying hand sold them the victorie With so deare wounds as made the conquest sowre So much it cost to spoyle who were vndon And such adoe to win when they had won 77 For as a fierce courageous Mastiue fares That hauing once sure fast'ned on his foe Lyes tugging on that hold neuer forbeares What force soeuer force him to forgo The more he feeles his woundes the more he dares As if his death were sweet in dying so So held his hold this Lord whil'st he held breath And scarce but with much blood le ts goe in death 78 For though he saw prepar'd against his side Both vnlike fortune and vnequall force Borne with the swelling current of their pride Downe the maine streame of a most happy course Yet standes he stiffe vndesht vnterrifi'd His minde the same although his fortune worse Virtue in greatest dangers being best showre And though opprest yet neuer ouer-throwne 79 For rescuing of besieg'd Chatillion Where hauing first constraind the French to fly And following hard on their confusion Comes lo incountred with a strong supply Of fresh-arriuing powers that backe thrust-on Those flying troupes another chaunce to trie Who double arm'd with shame and fury straine To wreake their foyle and win their fame againe 80 Which seeing th' vndaunted Talbot with more might Of spirit to will then hands of power to do Preparing t' entertaine a glorious fight Cheeres-vp his wearied Souldiers thereunto Courage sayth hee those brauing troupes in sight Are but the same that now you did vndo And what if there be come some more then they They come to bring more glory to the day 81 Which day must either thrust vs out of all Or all with greater glorie backe restore This day your valiant worth aduenture shall For what out Land shall neuer fight for more If now we faile with vs is like to fall All that renowne which we haue got before This is the last if we discharge the same The same shall last to our eternall fame 82 Neuer had worthy men for any fact A more faire glorious Theater then we Whereon true Magnanimitie might act Braue deedes which better witnessed could be For lo from yonder Turrets yet vnsackt Your valiant fellowes stand your worth to see T' auouch your valour if you liue to gaine And if we die that we di'd not in vaine 83 And euen our foes whose proud and powreful might Would seeme to swallow vp our dignitie Shall not keep-backe the glory of our right Which their confounded blood shall testifie For in their wounds our goarie swords shall write The monumentes of our eternitie For vile is honor and a title vaine The which true worth and danger do not gaine 84 For they shall see when we in carelesse sort Shall throwe our selues on their despised speares T is not despaire that doth vs so transport But euen true Fortitude that nothing feares Sith we may well retire vs in some sort But shame on him that such a foul thought beares For be they more let Fortune take their part Wee 'll tugge her too and scratch her ere we part 85 This sayd a fresh infus'd desire of fame Enters their warmed blood with such a will That they deem'd long they were not at the game And though they marcht apace thought they stood still And that their lingring foes too slowely came To ioyne with them spending much time but ill Such force had wordes fierce humors vp to call Sent from the mouth of such a Generall 86