aside the cares of governement And only feast on Loves transporting joyes But soone a weighty businesse destroyes His short delight the Pope is discontent That Becket suffers so long banishment And intermixing threats requires an end Of this debate King Lewis of France a friend To Becket's side and other Princes too Are forward for their owne respects to show Themselues complyers to the Popes desire Hence Henry's wisedome feares some raging fire Of warre while he is absent might breake foorth Beyond the seas and thinkes it therefore worth His passage ore assured that the sight Of him in armes would those weake Princes fright But yet before the King from hence depart For thee the dearest jewell of his heart Faire Rosamund as fearing where to hyde So sweete a pledge his loving cares provide A sumptuous bower did he at Woodstock build Whose structure by Daedalian art was fill'd With winding Mazes and perplexed wayes Which who so enters still deceived strayes Vnlesse by guidance of a clew of thread Through those obscure Maeanders he be led There with all objects that delight might lend And with such chosen servants to attend And guard her as had still beene faithfull knowne Dooes Henry leave this beautious Paragon And swiftly passing into Normandy Findes there no stirres in peace and amity King Lewis and th' Earle of â—…loys neere Ambois were Both met to parley with King Henry there And mediate with him for Becket's peace That all dissention now at last might cease Sixe yeares in exile had the Prelate liv'd By France supported since he first had striv'de Against his King and for the Clergy cause Oppos'de himselfe against the royall lawes Which made the name of Becket sound so farre Declare my Muse from whence this fatall jarre Arose and from th' originall relate By what degrees it had disturb'd the State The English Clergy if we trust record Of Monkes then living at that tyme was stord With all the blessings temporall they flow'd In wealth with strange immunityes endow'd And wanted nought but what they ought to have Knowledge and piety which essence gave First to that sacred stile of Clergymen Who dooes not know what fatall darkenesse then The mourning face of Europe had orespread How all thâ—… Arts and Sciences were fled And learnings sunne to these darke regions set Was not recover'd from Arabia yet As much did wisest writers of those times Complayne of their licentious Clergyes crimes The powerfull Prelates strove not to correct The vices of their Clerkes but to protect Their persons 'gainst the justice of the State And to affrout the civill Magistrate And pleading priviledge oppos'd to stand Not 'gainst the Vice but Iustice of the Land The meaner Clerkes by this impunity With greater boldnesse durst offend that high And sacred order so it ought to be Was growne a refuge for impiety And not a burden but an ease to men Which worst of people sought and thither then As to a place of safety Vices fledd And Iustice only thence was banished An hundred murders done by Clergymen And more in those nine yeares that Henry then Had reign'd ore England were before him proov'd At which King Henry was in justice moov'd Since it appear'd no punishments at all Or those too unproportionably small Too slight for that abhorr'd and crying sinne On the delinquents had inflicted beene By those that claim'd the power to punish them King Henry weighing in a just esteeme How much the Land and State was wronged then By this pretended power of Clergymen Strove to revive those ancient Lawes which were Establish'd by his Royall Grandfather Wise Henry Beauclarke to secure the State And from the Papall claymes to vindicate The Royall power those Lawes while Stephen kept Vnjustly Englands Crowne a while had slept Nor durst that King that had so weake a cause So bad a title to maintaine those Lawes In contestation 'gainst the power of Rome Then is the time for Papall claymes to come When Kings estates are in distresse and stand On doubtfull tearmes as almost every land Of Christendome has beene too sadly taught King Stephen knew not against whom he fought He thought the Empresse Maude alone had beene The foe to his estate but Rome stept in So in the age that follow'd when King Iohn Vnjustly did ascend the Regall throne And Englands Peeres in armes against him rose King Iohn suppos'd he had no other foes But only them 'gainst them his strength he bent But found a sterner foe Pope Innocent T was he that watch'd their tryalls and his prey That side was sure to be that lost the day So Crowes on Armyes waite because King Iohn Could not 'gainst them guard his usurped Crowne The Pope claymes that which whenthe King resignes His Holynesse straight to the King enclines Whom he before had curst the right was try'de When the Popes power and ends were ratify'd To Arthur and the realme the wrong was done To Innocent the satisfaction Those wholesome Lawes the noble Henry striv'de To have by act of Parliament reviv'de Which he had therefore call'd at Westminster The Prelates there and Peeres assembled were The Peeres and Commons all approov'de the Lawes Some Prelates only judging that the cause Of holy Church would be impeach'd thereby Refus'd by their assent to ratifie The Kings desire others more moderate Who weigh'd how great a profit to the State Losse of a shadow from the Church would be Would gladly yeild 'mongst those that did deny Becket was stoutest in resolue as he Was highest farre in place and dignity He was the stay of all and kept the rest From then assenting to the Kings request But how this famous Becket grew in state And whence he sprung Calliope relate A London Citizen by birth he was But of an active spirit and for place Of high employments ever seem'd to be By nature moulded borne for dignity The gratious fortunes of his youth had brought Him first to Court attendance and there taught Him all those wily garbes from thence the warre Receiv'd him as an able Souldier In which he came to be implanted high In Henryes grace then Duke of Normandy Who when he first gain'd Englands royall power Created Becket his Lord-Chancellour Oh haddst thou there great Henry stay'd thy grace And not advanc'd him to that higher place More happy farre perchance had Becket liv'd Nor on those termes had King and Clergy striv'd Thou hadd'st not then that sad example beene Of paenitence nor had Religion seene Those fooleryes that heathens may deryde When Becket was so strangely Deify'de But Canterburyes Prelate Theobald dead The King promoted Becket in his stead Though the wise Empresse whose direction In other things was followed by her sonne Mislik'de the choyse so all the Clergy did As then their speech and writings testify'de That he a Courtier and a Souldier Not learn'd enough was farre unfit to weare So high a Mitre but the Kings sole grace Was strength enough to lift him
grazing cattell cover all those grounds They feele no want what grass they eate by dayes The dewy night backe to the land repayes And what fam'd Maro of that wealthy field In Mantua spake these meadows truely yeild But so myraculously temperate Prooves Irelands aire sometimes Wolues have of late In middst of bare December whelped beene And young-hatch'd Crowes at Christmas have bin seen What neede I speake of that fam'd Willow tree At Glindelachan which was knowne to be Chang'd from his nature though it yet appeare In outward forme a Willow and each yeare Brings forth faire Apples that have proov'd of strange And medcinable vertue still that change The common people as divinely rare Imputed to S. Keiwin's powerfull prayer Or to your sacred eare relate the story Of our S. Patrick's famous Purgatory Nine dismall caves there are in one of those If any man by night himselfe repose Such most unsufferable torments there As humane nature scarce has power to beare He shall endurâ—… the silly folke suppose â—…he paines of Hell not much exceeding those But if that all the prodigyes we know Of truth in Ireland or all those that so Are by the common people thought to be We should relate your sacred Majesty Would first be weary'd day would first be done Ere through those wonders our discourse could runne With that the Bishop his relation ceas'd Great Henry gave him thankes and highly pleas'd To heare the nature of his new-gain'd land Rewards those Irish with a bounteous hand That on his Royall Court did then attend And that this action might to happy end Be brought and Ireland setled in a blest And sure estate beginning at the best Of cares God's service he to Dublin then A Synod calls of th' Irish Clergymen With whom were many English Prelatâ—… joyn'd To sift the state of Irelands Church and finde What errours had by time crept in to be The blemishes of Christian purity While thus great Henry labours to secure His new-gaind Realme to leave it in a sure And peacefull state from these his wish'd affairâ—… He is diverted by more tragicke cares Sad newes to him though secretly are brought Of what the fiend Impiety had wrought In his bold sonnes their inclinations now And bad designes beyond concealment grow Enough to breake a tender fathers heart But of his sorrow this was but a part Although alas he were enforc'd to see In this unnaturall conspiracie His life and kingly state endanger'd were For other tidings to encrease his feare Came flying ore as mischiefes ever joyne Not singly come Albert and Theodine Were by Pope Alexander sent from Rome As Legates and to Normandy were come There to examine Becket's murder now With power not only to enquire and know But punish it and interdict at once All great King Henry's large dominions Vnlesse that he himselfe in person there Vpon their summons did forthwith appeare And now the feast of Easter was at hand King Henry griev'd that from his new gain'd land He was so soone enforc'd to part away Before well setled yet because delay On tother side did seeme so dangerous Of those affaires he briefly does dispose Makes Hugh de Lacy chiefe Iustitiar And to the chiefest Captaines each a share Of governement he leaves then crosses ore Aâ—…d with a prosperous winde upon the shore Of Wales arrives but making then no stay At all in England sailes with speede away To Normandy to meete the Legates there And does before them personally sweare That he commanded not that horrid deede But for those words that rashly did proceede Out of his mouth and might be thought to be The mooving cause of that blacke tragaedy He is contented to what pennance fit The Pope or they enjoyne him to submit THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Fift Booke The Argument of the fift Booke Against their Father Henry's impious Sonnes Raise Warre through all his large dominions By forreigne Princes back'd the old King's successe On every side and wondrous happinesse King Lewis of France is chasd from Normandy And Chesters Earle surpris'd in Brettainy At Farneham field the Earle of Leister's tane And almost all his warrelike Flemmings slaine The King of Scotland by a little band Is taken prisoner in Northumberland To Becket's shrine old Henry pensive goes Then freely pardons all his yeilding foes Tâ—…kes in the Forts that were against him mann'd And without bloodshed quiets all the land The wofull newes of murder'd Rosamund Amidd'st these joyes his bleeding heart doth wound A truce twixt Lewis and him young Richard gets Poictou but when King Henry comes submits And by his father is sent forth to winne His yet-offending brothers from their sinne NOw did those fatall and unnaturall jarres Disclose themselues and more then civill wars Began to make afflicted England bleede While Henryes foes from Henryes loynes proceede From Hell to Earth did that accursed fiend The Viper-hair'd Impiety ascend T' infect the Royall houshould such was she As ancient Poets made Megaera be That lov'd no warres but twixt neere kindred bred No blood but such as sonnes or brothers shed Such warres whose tryalls must be ever bad Whose conquests must be losse and triumphs sad Twixt Pelops sonnes t was she that bred despight T was she that made the Theban brothers fight That made Atrides impiously be slayne And impiously to be reveng'd againe She now through France through England sounds alarmes And Henry's sonnes against their father armes Henry the sonne too soone crown'd King on slight Prâ—…tences of a wrong resolues to fight 'Gainst his deare Faâ—…her in that blacke designe Richard and Geoffrey with their brother joyne As then was thought incensed by the spleene And jealousies of Elianor the Queene With them the Earles of Chester Leister too And Bigot Norfolkes Eaâ—…le with many moe ' Domestick Rebells joyne nor did so bad So impious a cause as theirs oh sadd Crime of the Fates want forreine aiders too For all the Christian Princes neere as though They understood not what Rebellion were Nor treason knew to th' unjust side adhaere King Lewis of France assists his sonne in Law And to that party Scotlands King doth draw That side does Philip Earle of Flanders take So much old Henry's state now seem'd to shake As nothing almost but th' immediate hand Of heaven alone had power to make him stand Why doe you Princes such Rebellion love Such sadd examples 'gainst your selues approove You that are Kings and Fathers is it hate Oâ—… envy borne to Henry's prosperous state That mooves you â—…hus alas you doe not show A skilâ—…ull hate to him in arming so Your arming makes those warres that were before Warres civill onely to be so no more But gives the grieved father hope to share A glorious triumph from a tragicke warre For else the conquest which great Henry had Ore his owne sonnes and subjects had beene sad The King of Scotland must a prisoner be And Lewis with shame oft chas'd from Normandy
and that th' old King would seeme For such a savour much oblig'd to him A reverend Bishop he to Henry sent Who signify'd the Christian King's entent To worke that pious and Religious peace That warres so sad and impious now might cease Twixt sonnes and Father nature made the way And joyfull Henry nam'd the meeting day â—…ho though successefull ever in that warre Was still a father not a conquerer Then to Gisors with joy he goes to whom King Lewis of France and yong King Henry come Where though no perfect unâ—…on could be wrought For young Prince Richard was not thither brought Who still was fiercely warring in Poictou Yet something 's done and as a prologue now To that faire peace which afterward ensu'd A truce both Henryes and King Lewis conclude Fierce Richard though King Henryes second sonne Yet borne to sit on Englands royall throne Had all the time of these unnaturall jarres Against his father made victorious warres Within Poictou in which few townes remain'd But that Prince Richard the whole land had gain'd This is that Heroe who by deedes of fame Shall gaine through all succeeding times the name Of Lions-heart whose deedes as farre shall sound â—…s lyes the farthest Verge of Christian ground Who by deserved honours fetch'd from farre Shall wash the staine of this rebellious warre From off his sacred memory againe And conquests great 'gainst Saracens obtaine From him the dreadfull Saladine sh all fly Philip of France his envious enemy Shall feare the force of his victorious hand And rue it oft he in his time shall stand Th' ecclipse of other Christian Princes fame And only terrour of the Pagan name After the true concluded at Gisors Into Poictou with all his martiall force The old King Henry marches 'gainst his son At whose arrivall every fort and towne Which Richard not by love but force had gain'd Straight yeild themselues into his Fathers hand Whose Marches almost no resistance finde When young Prince Richard with perplexed minde Had heard his father's comming and successe He stormes and taxes of perfidiousnesse King Lewis of France and young King Henry that Had thus forsaken their confaederate But yet resolves too proudly not to yeild At all but stand the tryall of a field Against his father and with impious hopes â—…nto the field drawes all his Martiall Tropes From whence Kings Henry's army was not farre And now too neere approach'd the wicked warre Some pious Souldiers ' gann those mischiefes feare Which they should act as well as suffer there Richard's great heart began to yeild to shame And feele the reverence of a fathers name Sometimes his stubborne courage rais'd him high Sometimes againe relenting Piety Check'd those proud thoughts and in so bad a cause Told him how great a crime his valour was Yet had not Piety alone the power To curbe his spirit his father every houre Encreast in men and Iustice with a tide Of strength flow'd in to vindicate her side Why stood'st thou out Richard so long a time T is now too late to free thy selfe from crime Though thou submit the world may justly say It was not true repentance but dismay Thou could'st no longer cheere thy fainting troopes And not thy resolution but thy hopes Forsake thee heere that act will termed be Despaiâ—…e which had before beene piety But thanke the weakenesse of thy army now That made thee see though late and disallow That horrid guilt before that lives it cost Or blood by thy impiety were lost Strucke with remorse at last young Richard throwes His late rebellious armes aside and goes To his offended father to present Himselfe a sad and humble paenitent There on his knees for that unkind offence He pardon craves no other eloquence But teares and sighs his griefe had power to use No other pleas were strong in his excuse The royall father meetes with teares of joy Those teares and pardons him the noblest way With kinde embraces liftes him from the ground And in his rich paternall love had found Instead of chiding him for what was done A way to praise him by comparison That of the brothers he submitted first As if the father had forgot that erst He aequall to the rest astray had gone Remembring Richards paenitence alone So much King Henry's wondrous goodnesse wroughâ—… On Richard's noble nature as it brought Frâ—…sh teares from him and though it pardon'd more Did seeme to aggravate th' offence before Yet such encouragement from thence he tooke As thus when teares would give him leave he spoke Sir your preventing grace has tane from me So farre the neede of all apology As I should only speake my thankfulnesse If any language could so much expresse But that my dutious deedes shall better show And for the first true service I can doe Vouchsafe me leave great Sir to goe and winne My yet offending brothers from their sinne Let me be there employ'd I shall prevaile In that when other advocates will faile When forreine Princes for their owne close ends Shall faintly speake when false and factious friends In their misdeedes shall flatter them shall I By true example check impiety I that have sinned happily in this To make them know how good our Father is Which most accurs'd I had not grace to know Till by offending I had found it so More had he utter'd but King Henry there Cut off his speech almost or ejoy'd to heare That thing propos'd which was his chiefe entent And then with faire and kind encouragement For that designe dispach'd his Sonne away Himselfe resolv'd in Normandy to stay And thankefull Richard with a joy as high Goes to performe the pious Legacy THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Sixt Booke The Argument of the sixt Booke Betwixt Ambois and Tours the Sonnes are brought To meete their Father perfect peace is wrought A Peace is made with France and Scotland too From Normandy the two King Henryes goe Great signes of joy in England every where Are show'd to welcome their arrivall there The King his Realme of England doth divide Into six circuits and for each provide Iudges Itinerant what great resort Was seene at onee in Henry's stately Court His happinesse his power and high renoune His daughters royall marriages are showne Old Henry does refuse the proffred Crowne Of Palaestine to take Henry the sonne Rebells againe and does repentant dye The third sonne Geoffrey's wâ—…full tragaedy NOw did victorious Henry's wish succeede With such effectuall diligence and speede Had young Prince Richard with his Brothers wroughâ—… That both of theÌ„ he to their father brought Betwixt Ambois and Tours there first of all Are diâ—…ontents and jarres unnaturall By 〈◊〉 King Henry's prudence made to cease There first is wroâ—…ght a full and finall peace The sonneâ—… aâ—…e taught to hate their impious crime Aâ—…d vow oâ—…edience for the future time Nor does thâ—… fathers wisedome thinke he does Eâ—…ugh if for the present â—…e compose This fatall strife but carefull to prevent
Caesars both in whom The auncient honour of Imperiall Rome Divided lives the Duke of Saxony The Earle of Flanders King of Sicily From all these Legates at one time resort Together seene in Henry's stately Court Nor doe the Princes weigh his power alone But wisedome too and as to Salomon Send farre to crave his counsell and advise As two great Kings when difference did arisâ—… About the bounds of their dominion Alphonso then King of Castile was one Tother his uncle Sanctio of Navarre Who loath that the ungentle hand of warre Should judge the cause to prudent Henry send With power for him to heare and â—…ake an end Which â—…e determines in so brave a way That both the Kings are pleas'd and both obey And young Alphonso sends after the strife Had end to crave of Henry for his wife With full assurance of an ample doure His second daughter lovely Elianour Who was according to that King's demand Sent with a rich attendance to his land And there receiv'd with joy and highest state Where they their wished Nuptialls celebrate His eldest daughter Maude before had he Bestow'd on Henry Duke of Saxony Surnam'd the Lyon from whose happy wombe The fates ordaine great Emperours shall come And in this happy yeare did Henry too His third and youngest daughter Ioane bestow On noble William King of Sicily Attended hence with fit solemnity Nor did it seeme enough to favouring fate That Henry's glorious and majesticke state Through Europe onely should be honoured Even to the farthest bounds of Asia spred The fame of his great power and happinesse The holy land was brought to sad distresse By strength of faithlesse Saracens opprest Great Saladine the terrour of the East That powerfull Soldane that possest the throne And diadem of stately Babylon With all that th' old Assyrian Monarchs held Whose unresisted puissance had quell d The strength of all those parts and into thrall Had brought the other Pagan Princes all Entitled King of Kings and Lord of Lords Against the Christians turn'd his conquering swords And now had enter'd with that pâ—…oud designe Vpon the bounds of fearefull Paâ—…aestine His dreadfull hoast had past faire Iordanes flood Sack'd townes adjoyning and in Christian blood Pursu'd the conquest â—…n great feare of him Possest the Princes of â—…erusalem Who all consult about their present state Their king old Baldwin was deceas'd of laâ—…e And to his nephew then a child no more Then five yeares old had left the regall power Too weake his tender age is thought to beare That weight when such a threatning warre so neere Their wals is brought the Princes all consent To offer up their crowne and government To some redoubted Christian Monarch's â—…and Whose power might guard their now-endanger'd land And with one voyce agree in Heâ—…ry's name To him as to the Prince of greatest fame And best to them for wealth and prowesse knowne They meane to tender Salems royall Crowne And for Embassadour to him they choose The Reverend Patriarch Heraclius Who beares along with him to be a signe That by the generall vote of Palaestinâ—… This royall tender was to Henry made Things of the greatest note that kingdome had The keyes of that so much renowned place Which our deare Saviour's happy birth did grace And of that honour'd tombe which did containe His blessed body till it rose againe The keyes of David's stately Tower with them The royall standart of Ierusalem Thus Fates for absent Henry did ordaine Their highest graces but alas in vaine As afterward it prov'd when to the King Those honour'd signes the Patriarch did bring For he too much perplex'd about his owne Affaires at home refus'd that sacred Crowne Although the Patriarch did striue to shew That title was by right of birth his due Aâ—…d 〈◊〉 tâ—…e lawâ—…ull heire of Salems Throne Aâ—… being Geoffrey Earle of Aâ—…iou's sonne Whose brother Fâ—…lke Plantagenâ—…t had beene Before 〈◊〉 King of Palaestine And â—…hough Pope Lucius had for that intent Persuasive â—…etters to great Henry sent He still refuâ—…'d God for the Christians sinne Was not at thaâ—… time pleased to incline His 〈◊〉 to succour their afflicted state Nor any oâ—…her Christian Potentate Till aâ—…l â—…oo late sad newes was brought to them That Saladine had tane Ierusalem But long great Henry in that blissefull state Could not abidâ—… the course of enâ—…ious fate Soone wrought a change with him Before the Sunne Had twice thrâ—…ugh his coelestiall Zodiake â—…unne Deepâ—… alterations in some mindes appear'd And dangers thence the people justly â—…ear'd That happy Genius â—…hich of late did guide Th' affaires of England now in griefe 'gan hide His glorious head lamenting to be gone The datâ—… of Henry's prosperous dayes was done â—…nd nought but troubles from that time ensu'de Aâ—…d tragicke woes Oh sad vicissituâ—…e Of earthly things to what untimely end Are all the fading glories that attend Vpon the State of greatest Monarchs brought What safety can by policy be wrought Or rest be found on Fortunes restâ—…esse wheele Tost humane states are here enforc'd to feele Her kingdome such as floating vessels finde The stormy Ocean when each boysterous winde Let loose from Aeâ—…l's Adamantine cavâ—…s Rush forth and rowle into impetuous waves The Seas whole waters when sometimes on high The raised Barke doth seeme to kisse the Skye Sometimes from that great height descending downe Doth seeme to fall as low as Acheron Such is the fraâ—… condition of mans state Such contrarieties the turning fate Of Henry found to him dâ—…d Fortune seeme In all her favours and her frownes 〈◊〉 The former reâ—…ts which dire Impiety Haâ—… made in Henry's royâ—…ll family Had well bâ—…ene cur'de againe anâ—… closed all Without effects so sad and tragicall As all the Land from thence did justly fearâ—… On easieâ—… termes was peace establish'd there Then men could hope and gentler salves did serve Then wounds so fester'd seemed to deserue So â—…hen the gracious God was pleas'd but see How â—…ull of danger all relapses be In humane states how sâ—…ldome permanent Is perfect health deserved punishment Which heaven is pleas'd to respite for a time It oft payes home upon a second crime Henry the sonne in â—…eart revolts againe From his indulgent father Signes too plaine His honest servants saw and sigh'd to see His aymes on every opportunity â—… spiâ—…it so young and â—…ot could not conceale And now it seem'd no human skill could heale â—…h ' inveterate sicknesse of his impious minde God for old Henry's sinnes did justly finde Mâ—…anes by his sonnes the father to chastise And yet to punish their impieties So double woe is to the father sent Who feeles their crimes and then their punishment Richard the second sonne that held 〈◊〉 And Aquitaine for them refus'd to doe To young King Hâ—…nry pâ—…rsonall Homage though Their faâ—…her Henry had commanded so Yet Richard soone 〈◊〉 and tendâ—…rs it Buâ—… his imperious brother with despight 〈◊〉 then to take it from his hands A strong desire to
So sorely bruis'd his body that although He presently expir'd not in the place For God in mercy lent him such a space Of time to breath he might repenting call To him for Grace y◅t of that ◅a tall fall As it appeared plaine in all the pride Of his fresh youth he shortly after dy'd Lib. 7. HENRY the Second The Argument of the seventh Booke Prince John King Henry's youngest sonne is sent To take the charge of Irelands government 'Twixt Henry and King Philip severall jarres And quarrels rise that threaten daily warres A reverend Prelate by the Pope imploy'd Betwixt the Kings all difference to decide Perswades them both an holy warre to make Both Kings with Philip Earle of Flanders take The Crosse upon them But their good intents Are crost againe by fatall accidents And both the Kings against each other bent Towarre againe Richard in discontent His father leaves and takes King Philip's part Ensuing losses breake old Henry's heart THus is the King of halfe his store bereft Two sons untim◅ly dead two sons are le◅ The seeming comforts of his age as who Could think but living childrē shold be so Oh who would not suppofe that to have seene Two youthfull sonnes before him dead had beene A grievous c◅rse and punishment to him But he that sees old Henry's end will deeme His living sonnes to be his curse and say God pity'd him in taking two away For furious Ri◅hard who was eldest now And heire apparant to the Crowne as though His brother's deaths could no examples be To shew the vengeance of Impiety Soone after 'gainst his father raises warre Of worse and sadder consequence by farre Then all the rest had beene they caus'd his smart But this of Richard breakes his bleeding heart The Realme of Ireland Henry did entend To Iohn his youngest sonne and to that end Had from Pope Vrban got a grant before That he might freely leaue as successour Which sonne he pleas'd in Irelands government Thither is Iohn with ◅it attendance sent But twelve yeares old to make him early knowne And lov'd among those people as his owne To rule among them as their Governour But not invested in the Regall power Th' example of his eldest sonne whom he Before advanc'd to royall dignity Too soone alas had made him justly feare The same from others But unhappy there This Prince his too too early rule did prove Instead of gaining that rude Nations love Which by a sweet demeanour had beene wonne For they as every barbarous Nation Although they know not what is true respect Yet if respected wondrously affect The youthfull Gallants of that Prince his Covrt Could not re◅raine bur in a scorne◅ull sort The Natives rude behaviours did deride And so distastfull was their mocking pride To those plaine people they began to hate Whom else they would have honour'd and forgate That loyall love and reverence which before They to the English King and Nation bore From thence sad warres the Irish Princes mov'd Which by the losse of men and treasure prov'd Vnhappy to the English side till from His government young Iohn was called home And left it after an expensive warre In worse estate then when he enter'd farre Now daily quarrels 'twixt the Realmes of France And England grow Fresh cause of variance From all occasions does the active minde Of young King Philip 'gainst old Henry finde Sometimes he c◅aimes Gisors and other lands By Henry held from him somet◅mes demands The Princesse Adela his sister now Of perfect age to be deliver'd to Her husband Henry's eldest sonne According to the old conclusion Which in her father Lewis his time was made Or else he is resolved to invade King Henry's Provinces while he delayes His answer forces on both sides they raise While neighbour-neighbour-Princes kindly enterpose And strive these breaches 'twixt the Kings to close Nor perfect peace nor constant warre ensn'd Their truces often broke were oft renew'd The sword oft drawne and oft was sheath'd againe While this so jarring concord did remaine Betwixt the Kings sad newes was brought to them That Saladine had tane Ierusalem Discomfited the Noble Christian hoast And with their slaughter ◅ad through all that coast Seized the townes of strength into his hands These wofull tidings through all Christian lands In Europe flew excitements every where From Pulpits sounded in the peoples eare To aid their brother-Christians in the East And take revenge on Pagans that opprest The holy land For this great purpose some Religious Prelates sent through Christendom◅ To severall Courts of greatest Princes came To draw their succours One of greatest name In that imployment who most seem'd t' advance The cause that Prelate was who then in France Labour'd to draw these armed Kings from thence And turne their swords against the Saracens Betwixt Gisors and Try a day was set For enterview where these two Monarchs met Their royall armies slay'd not farre srom thence No p◅ace was wrought upon the conference Though thither Philip Earle of Flanders came A powerfull Prince and one of honour'd name With Noble purpose to attone their jarres And to prevent so sad and causelesse warres Till this grave Prelate to the place was come And for the generall cause of Christendome Thus humbly spake Most puissant Kings and you Renowned Earle let it in season now Be thought to speake what borne upon the wings Of Fame already through all Europe rings The tragicke slaughter of our Christian hoast And sacred Salem to vile Pagans lost Since by those Christians sufferings God for you Sets ope the way to highest honours now Let that brave cause engage these armes of yours Thither great Kings transport your conquering powers And for the name of your Redeemer move A war◅e more just than any peace can prove Much more a juster warre then this can be For when the foes of Christianity Doe rage if peace it selfe at such a time May in the Christian world be judg'd a crime What crime is that when they to warre can goe Yet not 'gainst him that ought to be their foe But for him rather Let me freely speake When Christian Princes 'gainst each other wreake Their wrath at sucst a time what side so ere Be beat the holy cause must suffer there And every death when your fierce battels joyne A Champion takes from bleeding Palaestine God sure decree'd I should prevaile with you Because he lets me finde you armed now When I am come to speake Your breasts are not Becalm'd with peace your active spirits are hot And what should hinder you from Salems warre Since you have met a juster cause by farre Then that that mov'd this heat that rays'd these armes I doe not seeke to still these loud alarmes But to direct them to an object right Where godly zeale not sinfull wrath shall fight That shall renowne you in all times to come And crowne your dying men with martyrdome Doe you for honour fight as who would make A warre at
Lord Mowbray and divers others No part of al his large dominions was free from warre Normandy invaded by Lewis of France and young King Henry Aquitaine by his Sonne Richard possessed against him as the Dutchy of Brittaine was by Geoffrey The Northern parts of England were all wasted by the great strength of William K. of Scotland the Easterne parts much afflicted by those mercenary troops of Flemmings which the Earle of Leister brought over besides the forces of the Earl oâ—… Norâ—…olk This great Monarch whose felicitie was so lately the envie of his neighbour-Princes is now become the pittie of them all and the injuries done to his estate and person are much lamented by some Princes too farre off to lend him succour But be hold the turning of Fortune againe it pleased God againe to lift him from this depth of calamitie to the height of honour Hee now found the benefit of his frugality and that large treasure which hee before had gathered was his great assistance in procuring mercenarie souldiers to his side besides some faithfull Lords there were whom we have named in the storie that were deeply moved at their masters injuries and so Nobly served him that within three yeares after the beginning of these combustions King Henry according to his owne wishes beheld a happy and victorious end of them as is before expressed Let the fourth Act continue about seven yeares that next ensued a time of honour and highest happinesse to this great King after his troubles were allended according to his wish the King of France daunted the martiall King of Scotland his prisoner all rebels under his feet his Sonnes brought to acknowledge their duty and all his large dominions in great securitie While the mightiest Monarchs of the Christian world admired his wisedome and great successe astonished almost at so wonderfull a change as they now beheld His sumptuous Court was filled with congratulating Ambassadours of whom at one time there were moe seene then ever had beene together in the Court of England as namely from the two Christian Emperours Manuel of Constantinople and Frederike of the Romans from the Kings of Navarre and Aragon â—…om the Archbishop of Triers and the Earle of Flanders During the time of this happinesse hee marryed his two youngest daughters for the eldest was married before to the Duke of Saxony to the Kings of Sicily and Arragon Hee called Parliaments in which according to his minde hee was furnished with treasure he wisely setled the estates of Church and Common-wealth and besides many other wholsome happy constitutions he first appointed Iudges Itinerant for the six circuits of the Realme of England The last and tragicall Act may be considered in the five following yeares untill the end of his reigne and lifâ—… The date of his felicitie was now expired and nothing followed but trouble and calamitie The beginning of which was a second revolt of his two Sonnes Henry and Geoffrey which was soone taken off by the untimely death of both the Princes as is before declared in the Poëm besides the ill successe in the affaires of Ireland under the government of Iohn his youngest sonne Those troubles that arose from Philip King of France and prevailed against Henry in his old age more then any enemy had beene able to doe before which had not fallen so heavily upon him if Richard then his eldest sonne had not unnaturally forsaken his father and joyned in confederacy with King Philip. That miserable dissention broke the heart of old King Henry and was the end both of his reigne and life FINIS THE SINGLE AND COMPARATIVE CHARACTERS OF HENRY the Sonne and RICHARD LEt it not seeme impertinent if the Reader therby may be informed or delighted to deliver the Characters of these two Princes the eldest Sonnes of King Henry the Second who bore so great and stirring parts in the history of their fathers reigne They were Princes of greatest eminence in those times and upon whom the eyes of Christendome were most set a large Stage they had to act upon and early occasions to discover their worth They were both tall of stature beyond the ordinary height of men of comely visage and majesticall presence for courage and magnanimity they were thought equall and both admired for royall vertue though of a nature different Henry was beloved for his sweetnesse Richard honour'd for his graviâ—… Henry was affable and wondrous liberall Richard severe and full of constancy Henry was addicteâ—… to martiall sports and pastimes Richard more inclined â—…o warre it selfe One was Courtly the other serious One beloved for mercy the other feared for Iustice. The one a refuge the other a terror to all offenders Two Princes brothers of so great worth and yet so diverse have seldome beene observed Yet well might they spring from one root their father Henry in the mixture of his nature was knowne to containe both their different Characters and iudged to have a minde as one â—…peakes of Augustus Caesar full of varietie How much the sweetnesse and lovely carriage of young King Henry had wonne upon the world let one observation which some of his owne time thought like a miracle teach us to judge How strange was it that a young Prince rising in armes against his father possessed neither of lands nor treasure much lesse of a good or just cause was followed almost by all the neighbouring world against a King of so large a territory and so full of treasure that in this great defection from him hee was able almost with mercenary souldierâ—… to vindicate his right against all those potent enemies This young Pâ—…ince had gained to his side not onely his brothers Richard and Geoffrey and most of the great Nobility of England but the Kings of France and Scotland the Earle of Flanders and many other great forraigne Princes So many rich gifts of minde and body were heaped on this young Henry saith a Writer of his time that Nature as it were envying what she had bestowed soyled it againe with one staine the vice of ingratitude and disobedieuce to so good a father Which sinne of his was thought the cause that plucked downe Divine vengeance and untimely cut off that flourishing youth which was judged worthy if God had prolonged it to have ruled a greater Empire The severity and industrious courage of Richard the second Sonne let this declare the Earledome of Poictou and the Dutchy of Aquitaine which were the inheritance of his mother Eleanor were committed to his government whilest he was very young Yet in that tender age so manly were his vertues so awefull was the hand which he carried over the rebellious and stubborne subjects of those Countryes that he soone reduced them to a more quiet state and setled obedience then any of their former Princes had ever done As he was stout in the action of warre so was hee constant and unwearied in pursuing his fortune and making the full use of any successe according to that marke that Lucan gives of Iulius Caelar Nil credens actum cum quid superesset agendum Hee was so severe in punishing their offences that hee began so great a resemblance sometimes has vice with vertue to be taxed of cruelty till the wiser sort had fully considered the quality of his actions and the necessity of such proceedings How prevalent he was in the managing of warres to omit those great high exploits which he afterwards atchieved when hee was King of England by this one sad observation we may somewhat iâ—…dge after the untimely deaths of his two brothers Henry and Geoffrey when hee onely of the Sonnes was left at mans estate and unnaturally warred against his father assisted onely by Philip King of France hee more prevailed then his brother Henry with a farre greater confederacy had beene able to doe in the foregoing warres Henry the Sonne had many and great Princes as â—…efore wee shewed that sided with him And yet so victorious an end did old King Henry make of that businesse that hee saw his greatest and most glorious times after the conclusion of that warre but when Ricâ—…ard revolted from him assisted onely by Philip of France the father was inforced to suffer more and stoope lower than any imagined that a Prince of so great a spirit and power could ever have bin brought unto By which finally his heart was broken and a period set to all his worldly glory Richard in that was more unhappy than his brother Henry that his unnaâ—…urall wars weâ—…e able to give so deepe and uncurable a wound to his fathers heart and lent him no time at all to obtaine his pardon as Henry had done nor could the father liue to bee a witnesse of Richards forrow and true repentance as hee had beene of the others Which notwithstanding was many wayes after the death of old King Henry testified by Richard and last of all when himselfe was dying he commanded his servants to bury him at Fonteverard and lay him acrosse at his fathers feet to whom his disloyalty and unnaturall revolt as hee with griefe acknowledged had beene so great a crosse FINIS * Polydore Viâ—…gil in H. 2 * The Monke of Nuborough lib. 2. has all this * The Monke of Nuborough Ibidem * Hovden Chronicon de passione miâ—…aculis Thomae a Math. Paris b Gervase of Dover * Aurea legenda in vita Thomae * Silu Giraldus Cambr. relates all these wonders * Hovedâ—…n * William Parvus * Stoutvile Glanvile Vrsy Ballioll Vinfriville * Will. Parvâ—… * William Archbishop of Try
command lest if they wholly goe They should all woods all cities ouerthrow And beare downe all that did before them stand Confounding Neptunes kingdome with the land Yet have those windes still leave in some degree Though they disdaine such petty liberty To range abroade to make their natures knowne To shake some weakely â—…ounded houses downe Oreturne some aged Oakes and now and than To cause a shipwracke on the Ocean Even so these hellish monsters though great Iove Permit them not in their full strength to move Are acting mischeiâ—…e every day and goe Contriving here and there designes of woe And worke though they almost such worke despise The wracke of private men and families But to effect a great and publike woe Without a speciall license cannot goe Hither while Lucifer did thus survey His Master-Vices as they chained lay He bad them bring Enyo downe below For then to th'upper cave he would not goe What would'st thou crave quoth he what blacke designe What stratagem t' enlarge thy power or mine Hath made Enyo hither take her flight The furious Maide replyes great Prince of night T is not my cause alone that makes me come As fearing generall peace in Christendome Thy cause is joyn'd I feare if that peace be Such warres as more will hurt thy Monarchy Then briefly thus full fifteene yeares are gone Since potent Henry wore the English crowne Possest besides in wealthy France of more Strong lands then doe the crowne of France adore Blest with a numerous issue and by none Annoy'd disturb'd by no rebellion Nor forreine foes and lest French Lewis should be His foe though too too weake aâ—…inity Ioines them faire Margaret is by wedlocke ty'd To young Prince Henry Brittaines heire 's affy'd To Geoffrey his third sonne who comes to adde That Dutchy too to what before he had In France it did not seeme enough that he Before possest Maine Aniou Normandy Nor that he did by Eleanor obtaine Poiâ—…tou besides and fertile Aquitaine What warre dares menace such strong power as he Possesses now what fortune woe is me Ha's chang'de the times with what delight could I If now not crost by this tranquillity Remember Stephen's raigne and tragicke times Oh heavens what slaughters then what civill crimes Did England see when on her frighted Coast The Empresse Maude was landed with her hoast And came by armes to claime her royall right What suddain tumults rose and did afright The wretched people different passions then Made sad divisions in the hearts of men Some wept some fear'd some sadly tooke their armes And with intent to cure their countryes harmes Prepar'd to wound her more some did not know What side to take or where they might bestow Their rage or love before each mourning eye Did formes of fire of blood and slaughter flye Within themselves their passions made arise Such things as they imagin'd prodigies With thoughts confus'd the people rush'd to armes No noise in England but my loud alarmes Was heard the warre long carryed to and fro At Lincolne wholly met at last and now All hop'd one battell would the right decide No feild was ever with more fury try'd Nor rage ere met more aequall rage as they That saw the slaughters of that dismall day Could justly tell till great Augustaes right Whose powers renowned Gloster led in fight Prevail'd at last there after he in vaine Had shew'd rare valour was king Stephen tane And to the conquering Empresse captive brought Then turn'd the State who would not then have thought All civill warres had ended quite when she Had on her side both right and victory The people all congratulate her state But soone beginne to pity Stâ—…phens faâ—…e And too hard durance who a king had beene Then pinch'd in irons lay his weeping Queene For her deare Lord did to the Empresse sue But all in vaine the warres from thence renew Againe the discontented people rise In aide of Stephens faction and surprise Glosters brave Earle Augustaes Generall Then seem'd the like calamities to fall On both the parties and in aequall paine Of durance did the king and Earle remaine Accord was made but not an end to make Of civill warre nor for their countries sake But to release their owne captivity And in exchange they set each other free From this accord with greater fury farre Through all the kingdome rose the civill warre For those sad changes had not pacify'd But more incens'd the chiefes of either side Whose wrath the people felt all kindes of woe The wretched Realme was forc'd to undergoe The countryes pillag'd castles lost and wonne Rich cloysters robb'd the fairest cities downe Or ras'd or burned in â—…ude heapes did ly As Wiltons pittyed sacke could testify By Glosters furious army burn'd with fire Nor thee faire Worster in king Stephens ire Could all thy beauteous structure save from wracke In fatall flames thy walls and houses cracke Through what great hazards did both Princes runne How hardly oft escape destruâ—…tion What neede I tell how Stephen forc'd to fly From Gloster's powers forfooke his treasury At Wilton Abbey how the Empresse fled When least she seem'd to fly supposed dead And like a coarse was carryed through her 〈◊〉 So to escape what need I now disclose How after she when she iâ—… Oxford lay Straightly beseig'd by Stephen got away No strength of friends at all no parleys there Could free her person Winter rescu'd her And the cold season strove to mocke the foe December rag'd the Northerne windes did blow And by their power had glaz'd the silver flood Of neere-adjoyning Thames whose waters stood Congealed still ore which the snow around Had fall'n and with white fleeces cloath'd the ground When the wise Empresse cloath'd alike in white Forsooke the towne and past along by night Deluding so the watches carefull eyes They thought the snow had moov'd or did surmise Their opticke spirits had disturbed beene Not cleare and they tumultuously had seene Fixt objects oft doe seeme in motions so Thus then securely did the Empresse goe And was receiv'd with joy to Walingford Nor then did England bleed alone her Lord Anious great Earle by feirce and bloody warre Was winning Normandy in right of her Those those were times but now ah woe is me Great Lucifer if this tranquillity Without disturbance hold in Christendome I feare for thee a farre worse warre will come Thy Saracens shall rue the Christians peace And feele their conquering swords what large increase Of territories honour and of fame Through farthest Asia will the Christian name Acquire what bounds alas would Salem know If potent Henry to this warre should goe If he should there the English crosse advance His aide they all will seeke his puissance Will Salems feeble king implore to joyne Against those foes that threaten Palaestine Therefore in time this peacefull knot divide Enyo ceas'd when Lucifer reply'de Thy just complaint heroike Maide I heare But doe not doubt the power of Lucifer Those
houses nor the milky way All pav'd with silver Starres doe seeme so cleare The woods are heaven while faire Caliâ—…to's there â—…une then beganne and roses grac'd the Spring Into his garden walkes the Love-sicke King To seeke a sweet retreat with her alone â—…o feast his pleas'd imagination There while he view'd the Queen of flowers his flame Encreas'd and tooke fresh fuell from the name For her the blushing rose must praised bee And scorn'd againe because it is not shee No roses can quoth he be fragrant else Thâ—…re is no spring but where Lord Clifford dwells â—…hus vainely runne his thoughts upon the flower While gentle birds about his â—…hady bower Tune their soft notes and by degrees sweet sleepe Through all his wearyed senses gan to creepe As if faire Venus pittying his sad plight Would send him now by dreame some short delight And what his waking eye could not have found Present in sleepe the shape of Rosamund But Heaven was more propitious to his fame And for Love-dreames a Nobler vision came Honours bright Goddesse that heroike maide That issu'de from the braine of Iove array'de In all her radiant gloryes came before Whose face the Cupids fledd her right hand bore The warlike Lance her left Medusaes head Her golden plumed Helme both full of dread And Majesty such rayes of splendour yeilds As rising Phaebus when farre off he guilds The Easterne Cloudes her eyes wore Starry light But fixt not twinckling like weake humane â—…ight Nor did she seeme by stepps at all to goe Or stirring severall Limmes as mortalls doe But one sole motion through the ayre to make Thus she appear'd and thus the King bespake Forgetfull Henry wake the Fates provide While thou art sleeping Fame for thee and chide Thy dull delayes how long to thee in vaine Shall Ireland yeld her selfe and court thy raigne Ireland that must hereafter bring a style So great to thy posterity that I le The most enduring part of thy renowne And best addition to faire Englands Crowne Ten yeares have turn'd into themselues againe Since that late Pope deceased Adrian Did freely send by Iohn of â—…alisbury The grant of Irelands soveraignty to thee And with it sent that ring to be a sure And lasting signe of thy investiture Into that sacred honour canst thou weare The pretious Emrauld on thy finger there And yet so long forget with what entent Thou then didst take that royall ornament That mariage token wiâ—…t thou now refuse The spouse thou did'st with such affection chuse Let not the thoughts of faâ—…tious Becket now Nor what Church-threats or censures thence may grow Divert thee from this happy enterprise Thinke not that troubles may in France arise Through thy short absence since no stirres at home No losse that to those provinces can come Can countervaile such great and lasting gayne That Westerne Ilaâ—…d as the â—…ates ordayne To thy Victorious seede through every age Shall be a great and constant heritage An I flourish then when all those Provinces All those riâ—…h lands thou doost in France possesse 〈◊〉 from the English Crowne divided be When thy most ancient right faire Normandy It selfe is gone together with rich Maine With Brettaine Aniou Poictou Aquitane Although how oft shall France before those dayes Be scourg'd What trophes shall the English raise In every part and province which no power Shall ere extinguish nor strong time devoure When all amazed Christendome shall see The Armes of England twice with victory To graspe great France and once to seize her Crowne And wear 't in uncontroll'd possession When Caesar's deeds against the ancient Gaules Shall be out done by English Generalls And three fam'd battells shall exceede what he Atchiev'd against his strongest enemy Stout Vercingentorix that Prince his fall Arvaricum's â—…am'd sacke and th' end of all Alexia taken to each severall feild Of Cressy Poictiers Agincourt shall yeild But Ireland which by easy victory Without a warre almost shall yeild to thee Shall to thy royall heires remayne although Bâ—…fore that Kingdome to perfection grow And be establish'd in a quiet Reigne â—…ft horrid warres and bloody fields shall stayne â—…er face in future times and loud alarmes â—…ft to the world shall fame the English armes And raise the glory of Elisaes name A virgin Queene shall all rebellion tame And to her rule in spight of Spaines proud fate That spatious â—…and wholly vindicate There wise King Iames shall spread the English Law And by divinest skill like Orpheus draw Those ruder people to a civile life And well establish'd Peace all jarres and striâ—…e Shall fly before his most auspicious reigne This is that Prince by whom high heavens ordeine The long wish'd marriage of two royall lands Briâ—…aines united I le to his commands And sacred Scepter shall obedient be Who after long and blest tranquillity Shall leave those States to his heroik sonne Renowned Charles in whose pure breast alone All regall vertues shall inhabite join'd With those that make a spotlesse privaâ—…e mynde Who shall refraine pleas'd with just power alone All the licentious pleasures of a throne And by example governe pleas'd to be A King in vertue as in Royalty The troubles now thaâ—… threaten Normandy 〈◊〉 sent to wake thee from this Lethargy And bring thee Nobler thoughts and now was rest Qâ—…ite banished from waken'd Henry's breast He with amazed thoughts look'd up and 〈◊〉 But when his eyes were ope the sight was gone And yet on Ireland wholly ranne his thought When suddaine tidings to his eare were brought Of what King Lewis of France beyond the Seas Had then attempted 'gainst his Provinces At which moov'd Henry armes and crosses ore As swift as thought unto the Norman-shore THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Third Booke The Argument of the third Booke The Kings of France and England at Vendome Without a battell to agreement come Henry return'd to England meetes againe With beautious Rosamund and dooes obtaine His wanton suit he builds for her a rare And sumptuous bower stout Becket's famous jarre This booke declares and dooes at large relate By what degrees it had disturb'd the state His Soveraignes pardon Becket dooes obtaine And to his See returnes in peace agayne SOone were those stormes that threatn'd Normandy Blowne ore againe and that hostility That Lewis of France in unadvised ire Had rashly harbour'd did as soone expire Before that any dire effects it wrought A peace King Henry's armed presence brought Who now in France arrived at Vendosme To enterview the two great Kings doe come There Lewis declaâ—…es his cause that wrong was done To him and France when Henry crown'd his sonne And with like state befitting had not set That Crowne upon the head of Margaret His Princely spouse but this which first did seeme A cause of just hostility to him Was there controll'd by all and judg'd to be On sound advise a lighter injury Then that the hand of Warre should it decide For such a wrong a