Quirinus could 'gainst Tatius doo What Tullus then 'gainst Alba wrought and now Who does not Numa and Aegeria know How king Porsenna did for Tarquin come How â—…ocles kept the bridge how Claelia swumme The worthy deedes of her beginning age Gave to her after greatnesse faire presage Her greatnesse after gave this age renowne And made her infant honours clearely knowne Their noble deedes in Ireland gave presage Of her full conquest in this later age Her conquest now shall their first deedes renowne As long as Ireland serves the English crowne The yeare before when first the Westerne windes Blew on the waters when all various kindes Of flowers beganne to beautify the spring In aide of Dâ—…rmot Leinsters banish'd King To whom that promise was ingag'd before The brave Fitz-Stephans lanching from the shore Of Wales with three tall ships accompany'd With his stout brother by the mothers side Fitz-Gerald safely crost the Ocean And with their Souldiers landed at the Banne A little creeke neere Wexford then scarce nam'd But ever since by his arrivall fam'd The â—…ext day after on the selfe same shore Maurice de Pendergast with two ships more Part of Fitz-Stephens company arriv'd And there by joyfull Dermot were receiv'd Who by that Prince his guidance and his aide With th' English colours and their armes display'd With dauntlesse courage able to supply The want of number in their company To Wexford martch'd which by assault they wonne The country neere together with the towne Dermot Mac Morough for such valour show'd Vpon Fitz-Stephans thankefully bestow'd There planted they that towne of all the rest Was first by English victory possest And has a lasting colony remain'd Which through all changes ever has retain'd The English manners their attire and though With Irish somewhat mixt their language too When famous Strongbow had in Wales receiv'd The newes of what Fitz-Stephans had atchiev'd With â—…resh supplies unto the Irish shore He sends his friend the valiant Reimond ore And shortly after with farre greater bands The noble Earle himselfe in Ireland lands Within the bay of Waterford which towne The next day after by assault he wonne Thither king Dermot came and brought with him His beautious daughter Eua Irelands gemme The pretious cause which drew the Earle so farre The faire reward of his victorious warre This beautious Lady when her father fled For aide to England then was promised To noble Strongbow and with her for doure Th' inheritance of Leinsters regall power Which here the King performes and with as high A state as might befit their dignity The marriage rites are celebrated now Mars smooths the horrours of his wrinckled brow And folds his bloody colours up a while The Paphian Queene in that delicious smile With which she charmes the Thracian God appeares His purple robe the pleased Hymen weares While Dermot gives with right of all those lands His beautious daughter into Strongbow's hands Nor was this marriage mannaged alone By those two Deities but from his throne Great Iove look'd downe and made that knot to be A worke belonging to his Deity By which himselfe did into union bring Two spatious lands and by that marriage ring Which noble Strongbow to his bride combin'd To Englands crowne the Realme of Ireland joyn'd A Ladies love when Dermot was decay'd In state and power first brought this forraigne aide And to his native land did him restore A Ladies love had banish'd him before And of his crowne and countrey him bereft The King of Meth had in an Iland left While he farre off into the land remov'd His faire but wanton Queene who long had lov'd This Dermotâ—…einsters â—…einsters king with flames unchast His love on her as her 's on him was plac'd Her Lords departure from her seife or fame Had Dermot learn'd and to the â—…land came Where soone he gain'd his wish a willing prey From thence he tooke the wanton Queene away Then as when once the â—…rojan Paris came And stole from Greece that farre renowned Dame 'T was not her husbands strength alone that sought Revenge a cause oâ—… that foule nature brought All Greece in Armes the Princes joyn'd in one And drew a thousand ships to Ilion So when this Prince his fatall Hellen gain'd The land was mov'd her wronged lord complain'd T'ambitious Rhotherike Connaughts King who claim'd The stile of Irelands Monarch and had aim'd At conquest of the land he wondrous glad Of such a faire pretence as now he had Rais'd his owne forces and 'gainst Leinsters King Did all th' incensed neighbour-neighbour-Princes bring Whose force when Dermot could no way withstand Bereft â—…f all his strengths he fled the land And to great Henry's royall Court whom fame Then spoke the greatest king in Europe came The King that then remain'd in Aquitaine This Irish Prince did gladly entertaine Whom after feasting and magnificent Rewards bestow'd he with free licence sent To England there to gather without let What voluntaries he from thence could get In Southerne Wales Earle Strongbow then remain'd Fitz-Stephans too whose aide the King obtain'd On faire conditions to Fitz-Stephans he If wonne did promise Wexfords seigniory On th' Earle his daughter Eva to bestow Which promises were both performed now The marriage feasts of Strongbow now were done The revells ended all and Mars begunne Againe his threatning colours to display When th' Earle and old king Dermot ganne to weigh What acts remained further to be done And leaving there sufficient garrison Through Leinster all along they tooke their way For Dublin bent the countrey open lay To their victorious armes on every side No foe durst meete them or their force abide Proud Rhoderike himselfe swell'd with the stile Of universall Monarch of the I le Was glad to lurke within his proper bounds And keepe those safe retreates the boggy grounds Which in his owne peculiar Connagh lay Thus unresisted Strongbow kept his way Till he at last to Dublin came which soone By force and terrour of his name he wonne Faine would my Muse in this faire field proceede Of Irelands conquest and each noble deede Aâ—…cheived there of trophees rais d to fame The armes of England and great Henry's name Faine would she sing but Beckets fatall jarre Againe revives and from a nobler warre Drawes backe her eager flight and turnes againe Her song â—…riumphant to a tragicke straine By this King Henry in his active mind Great deedes and forreine conquests had design'd Secure from trouble as in vaine he thought Since Beckets peace and reconcilement wrought That might twixt State and Clergy rise at home When lo from England swift-wing'd fame was come And to his grieved eare sad tidings brought What reakes his stout Archbishop there had wrought Since last he did his dignity obtaine And to his See return'd in peace againe That 'mongst his fellow Bishops some of late He did suspend some excommunicate For actions past before from whence it plaine Appear'd old grudges were reviv'd againe As alâ—… that were
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
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
Coronation day But most of all though least discerning why Vnusuall joy the Vulgar testify Not good but new things please the peoples eyes Nor dooes King Henry in his love surmise That all the face of England all the state Were witnesses enow to celebrate His sonnes high honour but King William too Arriv'd from Scotland must be brought to doo His homage to him as to Englands King And with him must his brother David bring The sacred oile in banish'd Becket's stead Is by Yorkes Prelate powr'd upon his head The Diadem which was possess'd before Empales his brow whilest all the Peeres adore Two Sunnes at once and ill presaging see What aâ—…ter proov'd a fatall prodigy How ill Imperiall Majesty can brooke A sharer seeke not farre nor neede you looke Sâ—…oryes whose credit time has ruin'd quite Nor neede you read what old Tragaedians write Of this â—…add Theame or east your pitying eyes Vâ—…on the Theban brothers tragoedyes Oâ—… brothers blood that Romes first walls did stayne The sâ—…arious heavens as Poets wisely faine Brook'd not old Saturne and his Iupiter By every age and dire examples neere To us how oft has this sadd truth been proov'd How many sonnes and fathers have been moov'd To parricide to set themselues but free From that which Henry makes himselfe to be Rivall'd in reigne but if he still retayne Full Regall power what more dost thou obtaine By this thy father's kinde donation Young King then title and a fruitlesse throne How vaine thy Scepter is when thou shalt see The power divided from the dignity Yet doe not so mistake thy fate no lesse Nay greater farre esteeme thy happinesse Then if thou now wert seiz'd of all alone The â—…ares and dangers waiting on a Crowne Have made some feare the burden or despise That sacred jewell of unvalewed price A prudent King when he awhile survey'd The glittering splendour that his Crowne display'd Was sighing heard to say if those that view Farre off thy flattering gloryes only knew How many cares and gâ—…efes in thee are found They would be loath to take thee upp from ground This wisest Monarch if he now should see Thy royall State young King would envy thee And count thee happy sure that doost alone Weare without cares the glories of a Crowne That from the burden of a King art free Invested only with the dignity Yet this prerogative bâ—…ings no content To thee that seem'st to want th' accomplishment Of royalty the power and Regall sâ—…ay Nothing alas this Coronation day Has brought thee to but to a nearer sight Of what thou hast not nor is yet thy right Thy stirring minde meetes torture with a throne But Tantalized in dominion The cause alas of woes that must ensue And thy great father too too soone shal rue That dayes solemnity in truest state The Court of England strove to celebrate And with such great magnificence as might The Majesty of that high presence fitt Where all at once three Kings two Queenes were mett Besides so many high borne Princes great In same and wealth the feasting boords were fill'd With what this Iland or â—…ich France could yeild Sâ—…ch cates as those with which old Poets fain'd In Thessaly the Gods were entertain'd At sâ—…lver-footed Thetis bridall feast Where â—…ove himselfe vouchsaf'd to be a guest Where aged Chiron waited at the boord And brought what aire earth waters could afâ—…ord When all rich Tempe and th' adjoyning seas Were search'd besides what then the Najades What young Palaemon Glaucus and the greene Sea-nymphs had brought to grace their beautious queen The choisest Wines that France or Spaine could yeild In cupps of gold studded with gemms were fill'd And antique Gobletts where the Carver strove To aequall natures skill beasts seem'd to moove And pretious birds their glistering wings display'd The faire and mâ—…ssy vessels that conveyâ—…d The feast to them did far in their high rates Exceede the valew of those sumptuous cates King Henry wanton with excesse of joy Which now he thought no fortune could destroy How soone deceiv'd how soone enforc'de to finde The errour in his ill-presaging minde To testifie a great affection And grace the state of his young-crowned Sonne Himselfe as sewer will vouchsafe to waite Vpon his sonne who sitts in Regall state And to his table the first dish present The Lords and Princes all with one câ—…nsent Applaud the King 's great love but secretly Are stroke with wonder these strange rites to see Some seeke examples for it some within Themselues doe sadly from that sight divine When Yorkes Arch-Bishop the young King bespake Rejoyce my Princely sonne and freely take The comfort of your state no Monarch know On Earth has such a servitour as you With that the Prelate gently smil'd but he With a proud looke replyes why wonder yee Or thinke these rites so strange my Father â—…ooes My birth is farre more Royall well he knowes Then his he only by the Mothers side With high Imperiall blood was dignify'de His father was but Anjous Earle but I Derive from both my Parents royalty A King and Queene thâ—…y all with wonder heare King Henry sigh'd and gan even then to â—…eare What after might ensue from such a pride But at that triumph he resolv'd to hide His feares or griefes instead of which the Court Was fill'd with Revells with all Royall sport All showes that high magnificence could give There art in strange varietyes did strive Both to perplexe and please the eyes of all â—…ut nature more for to the festivall From every part the choisest beauties came There like a fire aetheriall every Dame Did blaze more bright then Elements could make While from the Countreys they all flock'd to take Survey of Kingly gloryes while they sought To view the lustre of a Court they brought The lustre with them and might seeme to be Themselues that splendour that they came to see Amidd'st those sparkling beauties Cupid sate Loves powerfull God and rul'd in highest state Arm'd with his fires and shafts resolv'd to be In Henry's Court a greater King then he Whose yoake the King must suffer On the state Of Cupid there the little Loves did waite Throughout the Court they tooke their wanton flight With wings unseene and when they list would light Vpon the Ladyes shoulders or their breasts Their Ruffes or tires they feele not those light guests Which they give harbour to Bold Lycence there Sweete reconciled Anger blushing Feare Vnsafe Delight did with pale Watching fly Desiring teares with Wanton perjury And all the rest They say the beauteous Queene Of Love her selfe upon that day was seene Approching London up cleare Thames his streame Borne on a sounding Triton's backe she came The River smooth'd his face to entertaine The Queene of Love with her ligâ—…t footed traine The silver Swans ador'de her all 〈◊〉 way And churking did their snow-white wings display The river-nymphes that saw her comming thought Some sweete atchievement now was to be wrought That Cupid sure
had promis'd her to see Some high exploit some royall victory As that when once he made imperiall Iove Lough like a Bull for faire Europaes Love Or when he made rough Neptune â—…eele his fire Or warm'd chast Cynthiaes bosome with desire And made her court the Shepheard suâ—…h a one Loves Queene now look'd for from her conquering sonne Nor was her expectation voyd she found As much as she could hope a royall wound No lesse then Henry's noble breast must be The trophee of her Cupids victory Henry's pleas'd eyes now wander'd every where Among those Starres that made his Court their Sphaere For such they seem'd and no lesse bright they shew'd Although of different light and magnitude Oft could he change the oâ—…jects of his eye With fresh delight praise the vâ—…riety Without distracted thoughts till like the Queene Of light faire Cinthia Rosamund was seene There did he fixe there his amazed eye Forgot all pleasure of variety And gaz'd alone upon her matchlesse hew False Cupid laugh'd and thence in triumph slew Too much alas found Henry's wounded brest How much her beauty did outshine the rest So golden Venus 'mongst the Sea-nymphs so Did Deidamia 'mongst her sisters show When she inflam'd the young Achilles heart As Rosamund appear'd each single paâ—…t Of Loves rich dower which she alone possest Had beene enough to fire a vulgar brest And in another raise high beauties fame Into her forme all severall Cupids came And all the Graces their perfection show'd Nature confest she had too much bestow'd On one rich mixture which alone must weare All her faire liveries pure whitenesse there Nor red alone must beauties colours show Blew pleads a title since her veines are so Even blacke it selfe plac'd in her eye is bright And seemes to be the colour of the light As they are hers all â—…ormes all colours please Henry the more he lookes does more encrease His flame and whether he should checke desire And goe about to quench so sweet a fire Or feede the flame he cannot yet resolve A thousand thoughts does his sicke breast revolve Sometimes he seekes to cure the wound and cast Out Cupidsâ—…atall â—…atall shaft but still more fast The arrow stickes and goes more deepe into His wounded heart ensnared fishes so When they have once receiv'd the baited hooke The more they plunge the deeper still are strooke So when by chance the stately Stag is shot In vaine he strives 'gainst fate it bootes him not Through all the â—…orrests lawnes and feilds to take His speedy course no force no flight can shake The mortall shaft out of his wounded side It bootes not Henry to survey the pride Of other beauties now conveâ—…se with all The Princes met at his great festivall Or fixe himselfe on the solemnities The sports and revells of his court His eyes Can recompense him with no sight at all Nor yeild him pleasure aequall to the thrall They brought him to by sight of Rosamund No thoughts of state have power t' allay his wound Sometimes he yeilds to Loves imperiall flame Resolves to couâ—…t her favour straight but shame Restraines that thought His servants all discerne A change but are afraide the cause to learne T is not the crowning Henry of thy sonne Though that shall breed â—… sad confusion Can make thee lesse then king or dis-inthrone Thee halfe so much as love of her has donâ—… That makes thee humbly sue makes thee become Thy selfe a subject forc'd t' abide the doome That soveraigne beauty shall be pleas'd to give Thou mighty Prince whose high Prerogative Aequall to fate it â—…elfe us'd to bestow Or death or life on suppliants art now Thy selfe an humble suppliant and bound To sue for health to beautious Rosamund While thus the Princes met doe celebraâ—…e In feasts and revells young king Henry's staâ—…e And London's fill'd with severall jollityes Swift-winged fame from thence to Paris flies Where then the French king Lewis kept his 〈◊〉 And fill's his jealous eares with this repoâ—… Young Henry on the royall throne is set Without his wife the Princesâ—…e 〈◊〉 Though Lewis his daughter jeâ—…lousy can 〈◊〉 A reason quickly to torment his mind That reason flattering Couâ—…tiers aggravate And those that love the troubles of a State The factious spirits that seeke from thence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What other reason can there be say they Vnlesse contemptuous scorne of thee and France That Henry singly should his sonne advance Without his wife nor let young Margaret be A sharer in her husbands dignity What end of his or what designe had beene Made frustrate else had she beene crowned Queene These slight surmiâ—…es are too soone approv'd And for just reasons tane the King is mov'd To gâ—…ound a warre on these resolv'd although No hopes invite him to be Henry's foe Forc'd by miscalled honour to pursue What most of all he would himselfe eschew Honour is to a man a tyrant then When honours lawes he seekes from other men Not findes them in himselfe when he attends Not reall truth but fame which still depends On others breaths yet makes a man to goe ' â—…ainst his owne passions and his reason too Nor must king Lewis his fury stay so long As fairely to expostulate the wrong To send his grievance first then to defy And be a just and royall enemy Those fiery spirits that too much feare a peace That discontents betwixt the Kings would cease And no swords drawne at all if that were done Still urge king Lewis with speed say they goe on There 's no advantage in a course so slow T is best to be before you seeme a foe Before the newes to Henry's eare can fly With fire and sword invade his Normandy Meane time king Henry fearelesse of the blow Of warre was master'd by a greater foe Enforc'd to yeild to Cupids powerfull bow The triumphs all were done king William now Had with Prince David tane their leaves and from The court of England were returning home By English Lords attended on their way The court seem'd nak'd robb'd of that bright array And beautious splendour it so lately wore How much unlike the place it was before How solitary now but Henry's minde That change which others thinke of cannot finde No other absence can he feele but one His dearest life faire Rosamund was gone To grace the countrey with her presence now The wounded lover did by this time know Her birth and countrey thither flyes his heart And from his palace nay himselfe would part Or else contrives to bring a gemme so bright To court and place her neerer to his sight No kingly pleasures no magnificence Can tast no musicke 's sweete while she is thence So when the faire Calisto did remaine In woods a huntresse of Dianaes traine And wore her quiver when enamour'd Iove Beheld her matchlesse beauty from above â—…he woods before heavens palace please his eye Before the starry regions of the sky He loves th' Arcadian forrests to survay Not those bright
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
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
to the place Which by those factious stirres that must ensue Shall both the King himselfe and Becket rue But now when hee deny'de to give assent Vnto those lawes proposde in Parliament The King was moov'de the other Bishops all Fearing his wrath from Becket's party fall Hee stiffely stands alone although to gayne Him to his side the King had striv'de in vayne Pope Alexander though hee knew the cause To bee his owne and gâ—…eatly fear'd those lawes Yet since his Papall diadeâ—… did stand On doubtfull teâ—…mes and th' Emperours strong hand Did then support the Antipope he strove In every thing to keepe King Henryes love He therefore wrote to Becket to assent Without all clauses to the Kings entent Becket repaires to Woodstock to the King Humbly submits himselfe and promising That he now freely without any clause Of reservation would accept the Lawes Is by the King receiv'd to grace againe Who much rejoyces thinking that the maine Opposer of him now was growne his owne A Councell straight he calls at Clarendon Assur'd that all the Bishops now would signe What he propos'd to them the rest encline To his desire Becket revolts againe Seemes to repent his promise to complaine That he in that had rashly sinn'd before Aâ—…d in that kinde resolues to sinne no more The King deluded and enrag'de at this So unexpected a revolt of his Threatens th' Archbishop but a Princes threats Cannot prevaile with him nor all th' entreats Ofth ' other Bishops and those Peeres that love The quiet of the State have power to moove His resolution now the fatall wound Was growne past cure nor must this kingdome bound The maladyes of such a spreading sore King Henry's fill'd with grâ—…efe and scorne the more His great soule weighs the meannesse of his foe The more his wrath fed by disdaine doth grow He grieves yet scornes to grieve so when a net Which treacherous hunters in the woods have set To bâ—…â—… snare for smaller beasts doth stay By chance a noble Lyon in his way The royall beast with greater shame then greife Teares his base bonds and almost scornes releife The more King Henry calls to minde how he Had raisd this Becket from a low degree Against the wills of all he still doth finde More fuell for his wrath-enflamed minde At last resolv'd he cites him to appeare Before his Iudges and to answer there Vpon accompt for such large summes as he When Chancellour of England formerly Had from the King detayn'd for Seignioryes Vnjustly held for proud enormityes And disobedience in a high degree Vnto the King his state and dignity To these will Becket scarse vouchsafe replyes But being no Layman at their Courts denyes At all to answere or obey their doome From thence appealing to the Court of Rome But that discharg'd him not the Parliament Then at Northhampton did with one consent Confiscate all his goods the Bishops there Pronounc'de him by the mouth of Chichester To be a perjur'd and a factious man Disclaim'd him for their Metropolitan And all obedience to him Becket now Weary'd with these calamityes that grow And fearing worse disgraces every day 〈◊〉 secret meâ—…nes at last to scape away And from the kingdome in disguise is gone To plead his cause before the Papall throne Oh what unwearyed Muse at large cantell Each severall jarre that from that day befell How Beckeâ—… to the Pope resign'd his Pall How in his wrath king Henry banish'd all Beckets allyes and kinne how oft 'gainst Rome In contestation he was forc'd to come The Papall power against the royall right How oft it was debated in the sight Of Christendome how Henry by entreats Sometimes and sometimes like a King with threats Mainâ—…ain'd his cause how oft the dreadfull doome And interdicting thunderbolt of Rome Was fear'd in England and for Beckets jarre Whole nations likely to be drawne to warre How oft did forraigne Princes interpose Some to increase the wound and some to close How many vaine Commissions had beene spent How many fruitlesse Legacies were sent How many dayes of bootlesse parleys set How ofâ—… with him the King in person met Seven yeares had past since this debate beganne Sixâ—… yeares had Beckeâ—… as a banish'd man At Pontinew and Saint Columba liv'd Maintain'd by Lewis of France who oft had striv'd Or seem'd to strive and so had Flanders Lord In vaine till now in making this accord But now accord although in vainâ—… is made For though King Lewis and Bloyâ—…es Earle perswade King Henry all offences to forget That paâ—…t before and Becket to submit Though both agreement make and Becket bee With Henry's leave returned to his See The Church from thence no lasting concord findes Seldome is factious fire in haughty mindes Extinguish'd but by death it oft like fire Supprest breakes forth againe and blazes higher This end ends not the strife nor drawes more nigh The Churches peace but Beckets tragaedy THE REIGNE OF King HENRY the Second The Fourth Booke The Argument of the fourth Booke Th' oâ—…casion heere and Noble deeds are showne That first brought Ireland to the English Crowne From Wales Earle Strongbow and Fitz-Stevans bring In aide of Dermot Leinsters banish'd King Their forces ore Archbishop Becket slayne Dâ—…oes with his blood his owne Cathedrall staine King Henry sends to plead his innocence Before the Pope to England goes from thence Himselfe in person into Ireland sailes In which his power without a warre prevailes And gaines that land without the aide of swords In royall state he feasts the Irish Lords And heares the wâ—…nders of that I le thence he To England sailes and thâ—…nce to Normandy FAire Floras pride into the Earth againe Was sunke cold Winter had begun his reigne And summond beautious daylight to restore To night those howers which he had stol'n before King Henry then in Normandy resolv'd To make abode and in his thoughts revolv'd Th'aâ—…aires of Ireland tidings daily came From thence and spread his valiant servants fame What noble actions they had there atchiev'd How many townes already were receiv'd By that small strength which they transported ore From Southerne Wales unto the Irish shore Fame had already fill'd his Princely eare With what Fitz-Stephens what Fitz-Girald there What noble Raimond had with handfulls wonne And private men against a Land had done Beâ—…des what great Earle Strongbow's actions were 〈◊〉 was already growne the Ilands feare Fame is not onely due though lowder farre She needes must speake of those to deedes that are By potent Monarchs or huge armies done That change the worlds estate and overrunne With speed the farthest spreading Emperies No deedes of worth can fame at all despise Though done by few and those the meanest men Nor did she onely sound Romes glories then When Pompeys lawrell'd Charriot show'd at once The vanquish'd VVest and Easterne nations Nor when great Caesar's triumphs did extend Fâ—…om farthest Thule to Cyrenes end She did record Romes infant honours too What poore
when Henry crown'd his sonne Assistants at the coronation With Yorkes Archbishop for that office he Claim'd to belong to Canterburies See Nor would he then absolve them though in their Behalfe a Suitor young King Henry were While this was rumor'd there to second fame To old King Henry the wrong'd Bishops came And to his eare declar'd their grievances He vext at Beckets wilfull stubbornesse Such words though generall in his choller spoke As in some brests too deepe impression tooke Foure knights that heard by chance the kings discourse As Morvile Tracy Britaine and Fitz-Vrse Vnhappy men inflam'd with such a rage And erring zeale as no succeeding age Shall ever praise resolve in heate to doe For Henry's sake what Henry's selfe must rue And their sad memories as long as fame Has wings or tongues shall feele in lasting shame From Normandy without the Kings consent These foure unhappy Knights for England went To execute what they had there design'd And fondly thought would please their Soveraignes mind Archbishop Becket's death but found too soon What fatall service they to him had done How sad a cure fond wretches have you found For balme you powre in poyson to the wound And make that death which then was but a sore King Henryes cause is lost for evermore If Becket suffer so your selves are lost The King must suffer all but Rome are crost While Becket bleedes while you beare lasting staine While Henry grieves the Pope alone shall gaine â—…ate seem'd to pitty Henry and decree That he meane-while should breath in Normandy And from his England absent should remaine Whil'st England was defil'd with such a staine To Canterbury the foure Knights at last Arm'd with their followers came and freely past Into the Bishop's palace their intent Vnknowne had fill'd with feare and wonderment The peoples hearts who flocking up and downe Afâ—…ighted all but Becket he alone Whose head that suddaine danger threaten'd he In lookes and gesture unappall'd and free From all dismay their comming did receive And fearelesse answers to their threatnings give As if his courage strove not to asswage At all but to exasperate their rage Nor could that stoutnesse hasten on his fate So soone but or their faultring hands forgate To act it then or else unhappy they Not fully yet resolv'd upon the way A while for Counsell did retire from him How much the respite of that little time Did afterwards encrease their monstrous guilt Else in the Pallace had his blood beene spilt And not the sacred Temple made to be The seat of that inhumane butchery Which on their crime by circumstance of place Must set a fouler and more horrid face While thus the Knights retiâ—…e the Monkes in care Of Beckt's safety to himselfe declare How great a danger he was in desire That from the Pallace straight he would retire And to the Church for safeguard fly but he Too full of fatall magnanimity Disdaines to stirre but there resolues to stay By force at last they hurry him away When words prevaile not and in vayne alas Into the Temple as a safer place Convey his person but not all the awe Which so Divine a place from men should draw Not all the râ—…verend Roabes that Becket wore Nor th' high and sacred oâ—…ice which he bore When once those furious Knights were enter'd in Kept him from death nor them from deadly sinne In all his Roabes the great Archbishop slayne Did with his blood his owne Cathedrall stayne How much did every fatall circumstance In this abhorred act of theirs advance Thy â—…ame oh Becket their unhallowed rage Made thee not only pity'd by the age But worshipp'd too for them no infamy Is thought enough no dignity for thee How ill the people in so blinde an age Can keepe a meane in reverence or in rage They first pronounce thee innocent to be A Martyr then and then a Deity To thee they all will pray and to thy Tombe Shall greatest Kings in adoration come Even he to whom thou living owd'st thy knee Before thy shrine shall prostrate worship thee Whose gorgâ—…ous wealth and lustre shall outshine All other shrines as reliques most divine Not only shall thy nobler parts be worne In gold and gemmes but men shall strive t' adorne Thy meanest garments and obeisance doe To thy ridiculously-holy shoo Thither from farre shall Pilgrims come to pray Nay in her danger once a bird they say Could we beleeve that any bird would be Of such a Christian faith did pray to thee Soone to King Henry then in Normandy Did this sad newes of Becket's murder fly And fill'd his pensive soule with heavinesse For well he judg'de nor proov'd it any lesse 'T would be by all the Christian Princes thought That that foule deede by his command was wrought But more he griev'd that he had rashly spoke Such words before in Choller 's heat as tooke That bad impression in the Knights alas He griev'd to thinke into how sad a â—…ase Those wretched men had plung'd themselues to doe Him service as they thought they durst not now Appeare at all into the North they fledd And there alone their lives in sorrow ledd And all of them if we may trust to fame Within foure yeares to ends untimely came King Lewis of France or for the love he bore To slaughtered Becket show'd so oft before Or else for envy at the high renowne And power of Henry that ecclips'd his owne Since now Religion gave him faire pretence Pursu'd his ends with all the vehemence Of words or prayers to exasperate Pope Alexander 'gainst King Henry's state Beseeching him he would avenge with ali The armes of holy Church th' unworthy fall And cruell murder of so deare a sonne The like had other neighbouring Princes done But Henry full of feares dispatch'd from thence Embassâ—…dours to pleade his innocence Before the Pope and there to testifie What griefe he tooke for Becket's tragaedy Beseeching him he would be pleas'd to send His Legats thither that might heare and end So sad a cause for much he fear'd from Rome An Interdiction 'gainst his Realmes would come But soone the matter could not have an end The fates were pleas'd it should a while depend Vntill successes of a fairer kinde Had given some ease to Henry's grieved minde And Irelands conquest prosperously gain'd Allay'd the sorrow he for this sustain'd His thoughts are wholly bent on Ireland now In person thither he entends to goe And fearing interruptions to prevent What Bulls or mischiefes might from Rome be sent To trouble England ere he leave the Land Of Normandy he layes a straight command On th' officers of evâ—…ry Port to see That no Briefe-carrier without certainty Of his estate entent and businesse Should be permitted thence to crosse the Seas Nor long in England did the King abyde No cause of stay was there but to provide Such force and fit retinew as from thence Might guard him ore in high Magnificence To Irelands conquest like
himselfe which soone Vnto the height of his desires was done At Milford-haven by the Kings command His whole retinue met a gallant band Of English gentry waited on the shore In glittering armes to follow Henry ore Whose lustre might to those rude Irish bring Astonishment and shew how great a King Dâ—…d now arrive to take possession there Whose name before they had beene taught to feare By what Earle Strong-â—…ow in that region And brave Fitz Stephans with the rest had done Bâ—…t oh too cruell chance how neere almost Had all that valour and themselues beâ—…ne lost Bâ—… Henry's former jealousies he heard Of their renown'd and prosperous deedes and fear'd That so much puissance by them was showne Not to advance his honour but their owne And for themselues that they had conquer'd there Some envious spirits fed his jealous feare â—…or which he made a Proclamation No Victualls Armour or Munition Should from his Kingdomes be transported ore For Strongbow's succour to the Irish shore And that his Subjects that did there remaine â—…efore next Easter should returne againe This Proclamâ—…tion had so much distrest Not long before â—…arle Strongbow and the rest Thâ—…t all which had bin conquer'd in that coast Aâ—…d theâ—… themselues had uâ—…terly beene lost If 〈◊〉 valour had not strove with fate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them what neede I heere relate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Râ—…imond and Fitz Girald were 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 and their action there Whâ—…n 〈◊〉 great Kings with all the strength almost That could be levy'd in th'adjoyning coast 〈◊〉 these worthies how they issâ—…'d out With courages miraculously stout Aâ—…d with succâ—…sse as high and march'd that day 〈◊〉 all their foes with victory away Or how Miles Cogan chas'd the King of Meth Away from Dublin walls and in the death Of many thousands seal'd his victory Or how Fitz-Stephans with a company Too small almost to be beleev'd did guard His fort neere Wexford towne besiedged hard By full three thousand Irish when no strength No force could make him yeild untill at length A false report the perjâ—…r'd foes devis'd And with the hazard of tâ—…eir soules surpris'd Fitz-Stephans body these calamityes Did through King Henry's jealousies arise Gainst those that planted first that Irish coast And time it was ere all againe were lost The King himselfe upon that shore should land Whose force no Irish Princes durst withstand Novembers cold had rob'd the forrest trees Of all their dresse and Winter gan to freeze Small lakes when not the season of the yeare Though judg'd by some untimely nor the feare Of those rough Irish Seas had power to keepe The King from passing ore into the deepe They put and hoised sailes the Easterne winde Blew faire and further'd what the King design'd By whose auspicious gales he safely câ—…me To land at Waterford when swiftest Fame Through every part of Ireland flyes to bring The fear'd arrivall of so greaâ—… a King And what that fame had wrought was quickly seene So soone came Irelands greatest Princes in Dermon Mac Arth the Prince of Corke while yet The King stay'd there came freely to submit Himselfe a subject to him and the like Did Dâ—…nold doe the Prince of Limericke Who to procure his peace swore fealty Both whom great Henry sent away with high And rich rewards and placed in the Townes Of Corke and Limricke English Garrisons The King when this at Waterford was done Leaving Fiâ—…z-Barnard to maintaine the towne March'd with his gallant troopes in faire array â—…o Dublin ward where ere he made his stay The greatest Lords of all the Countryes nigh As Ophelan the King of Ossory And Ororike of Meth to Henry came With other Princes of the highest name As Mac Talewie O Carell Ochadese Othwely Gillmeholoch all of these In person did submit themselues agree To be his vassalls and sweare fealty But Rotherike that â—…ore the Monarchs name And King of Connaught then no neerer came Then to that famous river Shenin's side Which his rough Connaught doth from Meth divide And there was met by Hugh de Lacy and Fitz-Aldeline sent by the Kings command To take his hostages which freely there He did deliver and allegeance sweare By his example all the greatest Lords Did freely yield to Henry's name no swords To gaine that land were drawne no blood was lost No warre so great an Ilands conquest cost Now Christmas was which in all heights of state The royall Henry strove to celebrate That those rude Irish people there might see And reverence so great a Majesty Who flocke in greatest companies to gaze At this unusuall lustre with amaze They see his great attendance and admire His sumptuous plate his servants rich attire While plentious Ireland to their feasting boords The Seas provisions and the lands affoords Downe with the Irish Kings great Henry sate So show'd of old Imperiall Caesars state When barbarous kings great Rome did entertaine Who view'd with wonder such a Monarch's traine And gorgeous court such did old Poets strive To make those feasts which Iove was pleas'd to give To rurall Deities and to admit The Sylvans rough and rusticke Faunes to sit At his caelestiall boord while wondring they The radiant glories of great Iove survay VVhile they behold the beautious Trojan stand A waiter by and from his snow-white hand Give cups and ravish'd with the sound admire To heare bright Phoebus and the lovely quire Of his nine daughters to heavens glorious King The Pallenaean triumphs sweetly sing As much as those rude people wondred at King Henry's sumptuous court and royall state As much the English Courtiers did admire The Irish Princes fashions and attire Their different garbes and gestures while each eye Is pleas'd in viewing such variety And to each other both afford delight VVhen wine and Cates had weakened appetite The noble Henry with a smiling cheere Offers discourses longing much to heare More of their countreys nature thus at last To Dublins reverend Prelate who was plac'd Not farre from him at boord the King beganne Grave Father since I know your wisedome can Dive deepe into the qualities and state Of things and search what old records relate Too much abstruse for vulgar braines to finde From your deepe skill informe our longing minde Of what wise Nature for this spatious I le Has wrought in tempers of the aire and soile And those fam'd wonders where she does display Prodigious power and leaves her usuall way As if she meant to mocke the purblinde eye And feeble search of our Philosophy Loud fame has spread them though obscurely ore All parts of this our Westerne world nor more Was scorched Africke fam'd by elder time For breeding wonders then your Irish clime Has beene to us renowned for her rare And strange endowments to our eare declare What you grave Father by tradition Or by experience know the King had done Attentive silence all the Princes make When thus the Bishop humbly bowing spake If I relate by Henry's high command The wondrous treasures of
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
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
seize on Râ—…chards lands Young Henry had Full well he knew that all The Barons of those Provinces would fall Gladly from Richards sterner government Who had before declared their intent With him in this his brother Geoffrey joyn'd Who to his father bore as false a minde With Richard's lands they meane themselves to make Strong 'gainst their Father and entend to take Thence the first step to their disâ—…oyalty Riihard in wrath departs from Normandy Returning home to fortifie and manne His holds within Poictou and Aquitaine And by his brothers is pursu'd He findes A great estrangement in the Barons mindes And is enforâ—…'d by their revolt dismay'd To crave his father old King Henry's ayd Who with an army thither straight repaires Yet not to make but to compound the warres There young King Henry labours to maintaine The Barons of Poictou and Aquitaine 'Gainst Richarâ—…s great complaints and under-hand For his owne ends perswades them to withstand His fathers force and not at all submit Old Henry labours by perswasions fit To pacifiâ—… these new bred enmities And venturing of himselfe to pâ—…rleys twice Miraculously scap'd foule treâ—…sons hand Once a true servant that did next him stand Instead of him was with an arrow slaine Nor was the traytor found and when againe He made approach a barbed shaft that from Th' adjoyning Castle did with fury come Had pierc'd his royall breast had not his horse Advanc'd his head and â—…ne the arrowes force By which himselfe to save his master dy'd By these abhorred treasons terrifi'd The King no more would venture but prepares To curbe the Barons and his Sonnes by warres But that a juster stronger hand must doe Th' â—…ternall Iudge of all the world had so Dâ—…creed that 〈◊〉 sword should spared be In punishing his sonnes impietie That he himselfe whose just and certaine hand No creature can preuent no force withstand Whose sacred will the Elements obey And all the Starres doe serve would take a way Without old Henry's ayd or crime at all Without a warre so much vnnaturall To punish guilt that justice should be done Yet the old King but lose not kill a sonne Now young King Henry at Martell prepares To meet his father in rebellious warres By by a Dysentery deâ—…th assailes His youth and spite of youth or strength prevailes The sharpe malignant humour did corrode His guts and thence while there the paine abode A speed ng feavâ—…r seiz'd his vitall part Oppressed Nature past the helpe oâ—… art Beyond all hope oâ—… cure lay languishing When Paenitence from heavens eternall King To save this dying Prince his soâ—…e is sent And sweeten so his bodies punishment Now late alas though not too late did hee Feele and bewaile his first impiety And to his father humbly sent to craue His pardon now which he as freely gave Yet durst not trust himselfe in person there The late foule treasons justly made him fearâ—… But to declare a true forgivenesse sent His Ring to him Which when the paenitent And dying Prince receiv'd â—…e humbly kist While floods of teares his contrite heart exprest Then he conjuâ—…'d hiâ—… servants that did â—…tand About him to fulfilâ—… his last command Which they in all perâ—…ormed as they swore A bed of ashes on the Chamber â—…loore They strew'd and thither pensive sackcloth brought Then from his royall Couch so richly wrought With various worke with gold embroyder'd oâ—…e They tooke him downe the kingly robes he wore They stript him of and put the sackcloth on Then on the bed of ashes layd him downe This quoth the dying king this is the way To heauens bright pallace and this sad array Is faâ—…re more glorious in th' Almighty's eye Then purple silks or rich embroydery And sooner enters heaven though that be high No step 's so neare it as humility 'T is not fraile mortals gorgeous dresse that there Can rich at all or beautifull appeare Since 'twixt the Glories of earths greatest throne And blisse of Saints is no comparison Waile not my early death no 〈◊〉 is reâ—…t Too soone of breath to whom a time is left Of paenitence I had untimely dy'd Had these late warres in my rebellious pride Cut off my youth and left my name to be The curs'd example of impiety And thou my wronged father in this low And humble state vouchsafe againe to know What impious I had once forgot thy sonne No more thy rivall in the regall throne Which whilst I sought I labour'd to destroy The Royall root from whâ—…nce I grew so high I crave no interest in thy fortunes now But onelâ—… that that Nature can bestow The blessing of a childe Seeking thy throne I grew unworthy to be call'd thy sonne Forbeare you lasting Registers of time To name my title lest you speake my crime Or if the truth of story must doe so Be just and publish my repentance too How ere when Englands Kings are nam'd let mee From that high Catalogue excluded bee And witnesse you my friends when I am gone I dy'd no King but Henry's pensive sonne With that the Feaver his strong heart assailes And 'gainst resisting Natures force prevailes From his yong brest the strugling spirit flyes And night eternall closes up his eyes Soone was the newes to old King Henry brought When different sorrow powerfull Nature wrought In his great soule Sometimes he wailes a sonne In flower of all his youth untimely gone Sometimes he joyes to heare that paenitence That wash'd away the staine of his offence Yet thence againe â—…low teares as cause to prove His sorrow good and iuâ—…tifie his love So Henry wept in all respects but one As holy David did for Absalâ—…n They both lost sonnes both wail'd their sonnes offence Yet David heard no signes of paenitence In his slaine Absalon that could â—…t all Give comfort to his griefe spirituall Had Absalonâ—…or â—…or his abhorr'd offence Left markes behinde him of true paenitence Instead of that great pillars pride which he Had rays'd before to keepe his memory Farre lesse no doubt in that respect alone Had David mourned for hâ—…s slaughter'd sonne The griefe that Henry tooke though wondrous great Yet could not make him his just wrath forget Against the Barons of Poictou from whom The cause of these rebellions first did come He drawes his martiall forces vp to presse With narrow siege the Towne of Liâ—…oges Which soone was rendred to his powerfull hand And with that Towne and Castle all the Land The Barons pardon crave wiâ—…h them his sonne Pâ—…ince Geoffrey comes â—…pon submission The King forgives his sonne and is content To take of them an easie punishment But though a fathers deare affection Twice freely pardon'd this offending sonne Soone after did the hand of God on high Pursue with vengeance the impiety Of young Princâ—… Geoffrâ—…y At a Turneament In Paris held to which this Geoffrey went With other Lords in youthfull bravery To prove his active strength and chevalry He fell together with his horse the blow
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
all if not for honours sake Behold where truest honour may be gain'd When by your armes his cause shall be maintain'd Who is the fountaine of it he that gave To you those royall glories that you have And claymes some quitall by your service shew'd What fame so great as that of gratitude Even Fame it selfe which in some warres is made The highest prize for which great Kings invade Each others lands in this more glorious warre Is a small part of the reward for farre More happy recompence ordained is For this religious deed eternall blisse Goe vindicate that once most happy land So grac'd by heaven and with victorious hand Redeeme those sacred monuments that lye Detain'd by Pagans in obscurity Which to the faithfull world would more be knowne And Christian Poets shall hereafter crowne In deathlesse songs together with the fames Of that lov'd Countrey your victorious names If Homers Poëm could so farre renowne That â—…oy the long-besieged Phrygian Towne If he could give her very ruines fame And lend each field each stone a pleasing name What in this sacred subject may be done A theame disdaining all comparison In which for wit they shall not need to toyle The plentious matter will so 〈◊〉 their stile Instead of Ida's hill and famed grove Which their fictitious gods they say did love And oft descended downe from heaven to grace Their theame shall be each truly honour'd place Which glorious Angels oft have hallowed Where our blest Lord himselfe vouchsaf'd to tread Instead of â—…riam's Palace or the Cave Where Paâ—…is once his fatall judgement gave Instead of young Anchises bâ—…idall wood Or that fam'd rocke where faire Hesion stood Shall they discourse of David's Tower the Cave Which once unto that holy Baptist gave Abode on earth or where Elias stood When lifted up and make â—…aire Iordans flood And Kedrons torrent in true fame surpasse What Simois or silver Xanthus was But whither has my zeale transported me Or what is this so like an extasie Let me returne againe Great Kings I see Your Noble thoughts already working be In â—…his brave cause I will presume to adde No more â—…ut this now let your goodnesse glad All Christian hearts in friendships bands combine And thinke you have no foe but Saladine With that he ceas'd the Princes all are mov'd And in their lookes already had approv'd The Bishop's speech when Henry thus began T' expresse his thoughts Let it become the man Of greatest age to show he does forsake The worlds vaine pompe and honour first to take This holy Crosse and fight for Palaestine We thinke it no dishonour to beginne To seeke a peace at Philip's hand nor can We feare for such a cause that any man Will thinke distrust in these our warres at home And not the love we beare to Christendome Engages us since we resolve to goe And by that souldiers pilgrimage to shâ—…w No rest from armes is sought when we so â—…arre In person march to meet a noble warre On that shall Henry's thoughts be wholly set And if King Philip's resolutions meet With mine in this and yours brave Earle to stand Another Champion for the holy Land Then Princes joyne your armed hands with mine And let our peace bring warre to Saladine They both agree to what old Henry spake With that they kindly all embrace and take The holy crosse before the Bishop there And that a â—…ifference plainly might appeare Among their crossed souldiers they agree Those crâ—…sses shall in severall colours be Worne by the Naâ—…ions th' English shall be seene In white in red the French the Flemmiâ—…gs greene And now at home to â—…ettle all affaires To their owne Realms from thence each Prince repaires To levy money and provâ—…sions make For that great voyage they entend to take For when they tooke the Crosse it was agâ—…eed Betwixt the Kings and by the Pope dâ—…creed That all as well the Câ—…ergy aâ—… the Lay Within each Land should be enforc'd to pay Of their revenues the tenth part unto This warre unlesse they would in person goe And for a summe in present to be made The tenth of all the moveables they had Should levy'd be for preparation In every part of his dominion Bâ—…yond the Seas this order Henry gave And thence to England crost the Seâ—… to have Thâ—… Edict put in execution there 〈◊〉 his wealthiest subjects every where From whoâ—…e estates he migâ—…t large summes collect Two hundred 〈◊〉 he did select Iâ—… London and in Yorke an hundred moe The like entending in all Townes to doe King Philip so so th' Earle of Flanders did In their 〈◊〉 treasure to provide But what malignant spirit then did reigne To make so pious an intention vaine How were their noble preparation crost And that revenge against the Panyms lost Alâ—…s what Starres malevolent aspect Could take such sad and tragicall effect Against King Henry as to overthrow That happinesse that seem'd so neere him now How true a Fame might his last dayes â—…ave wonne With what content might those gray haires have gone Downe to the grave if in that holy wâ—…rre He happily haddy'd though ne're so farre From off his native land Hâ—… had not then With such unworthy cares distracted bâ—…ene As after must ensue nor forc'd to see Againe a sonn 's abâ—…orr'd impiety But Fates to Henry's age had not ordain'd So great a happinesse sad woes remain'd To vex his state and breake his bleeding heart Doe thou Calliope declare in part What obscure cause produc'd 〈◊〉 so strange And wrought this sudden and unlook'd for change Reimâ—…nd Thâ—…louses Earle had offâ—…r'd wrong Altâ—…ough buâ—… slight to some that dâ—…d belong To Richard oâ—… 〈◊〉 Kâ—…ng 〈◊〉 sonne Thence grew so great an alteration For fierce young Richard with his armed bands Fâ—…rst rais'd for better warre invadâ—…s the Lands Of Reimond straâ—…ght and wastâ—… his Countrey neere With fire and sword â—…urprising Castâ—…s there At th' Earle's complaint Philip oâ—… France was mov'd And to King Henry sent whose aâ—…swer prov'd No satisfaction 〈◊〉 Philip then Invaded Berry with his choysest mâ—…n And tooke â—…en Townes and Castlâ—…s â—…uddenly â—…rom Hâ—…nry there who straight to Normandy From England with a mâ—…ghty aâ—…my goes Now on both sides the warres with fury rose The holy voyage is foâ—…got in vaine The neâ—…ghbour-Princes of this jarre complaine In vaine the Pope intreats or threatens now Th' incensed Kings goe farther on although Young Henry's sonne from whom at first 〈◊〉 breach bâ—…gan is bâ—… the Lâ—…gate curst Nâ—… enterviewes no parleyes can doe good Thoâ—…gh under 〈◊〉 old famous Elme that stood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the Kings twice meâ—… 〈◊〉 when tâ—…e wrongs were thought on both sides great Instead of peace a jarrearose that more Deprest King Henry then all warres before Philip â—…or Richard of Pâ—…ictois demands Adâ—…la there againe from Henry's hands Offers the promis'd dower requiring that Th' old King for certainty of Richard's state Would now assure him the inheritance Of all
his Lands in England and in France And to that end that homage should be done By all the Lords that Iohn his yoâ—…nger sonne To whom the father's favour did encline Should straight be sent to warre in Palaestiâ—… To these demands whilest Henry does refuse To yeeld assent a sadder woe ensues In indignation Richard straight forsakes His aged Father and himâ—…elfe betakes Wholâ—…y to Philip King of France his side And firmest friendship 'twixt these two is ty'd With Richard many of the Barons goe 〈◊〉 her selfe forsakes old Henry too When now proud Philip in disdaine that from This enterview no peacâ—… at all dâ—…d come Fels downe that aged Flme whose spreading shade So oft the place of parley had beene made 'Twixt France and Englaâ—…d's mighty Kingâ—… and swore That place should never hold a parley more Sad did the ruines of so fam'd a tree To all the pittying people seeme to be Whose honour'd shade had many ages beene More then a royall Court where oft was seene Such state as one Impâ—…riall house although Of gorgeous structure could but seldome show Nor one whole kingdome at â—… time contâ—…ine Two rivall Kings together to remaine Beneath the covert of a shady tree Where onely Nature made their Canopy Those old religious trees that heretofore Great Conquerours spoyles and boasting trophees bore Sacred to Mars or to 〈◊〉 name Were not more honâ—…ur'd or indeâ—…t to Fame Then was this stately Elme not 'cause that there The Druides when Druidâ—…s there were Among the ancient Gaules had pray'd or done Their barbarous rites and superstition Nor that the Fawnes and Dryades hâ—…d made Their nightly bowers and iporâ—…ed in the shade But 'cause the peopleâ—… pride had lov'd to shew The place where Kings did stand at enterview This Elâ—…e was fell'd by Philip in his râ—…ge Of Henry's following death a sâ—…d presage Now too too weake is old King Henry's side For those proud â—…oes that so unjâ—…stly ty'd In combination threaten his estate By his owne sonne and souldiers left of late And by those weapons wounded that should guard His royall person While the Fates so hard Opprest his grieved soule in discontent To his beloved City Mauns he went Hiâ—… place of birth and high in his esteeme Buâ—… angry Fortune will not leave to him That City now Mauns must be tane away Thither while he does with small forces stay For but seven â—…undred souldiers guard their King Philip of France and furious Richâ—…rd bring A potent army For the townes defence The King too weake is forc'd to flye from thence And to abandon that beloved Towne He that had never fled before nor knowne What 't was to feare pursuing enemies From his owne sonne and young King Philiâ—… flyes And looking backe on that forsaken Towne Curses the impious prowesse of his sonne Philip and Richards unresisted powers March further up with ease surprising Tours Vpon which losse another daâ—… is set For â—…nterview and both the Kings are met Not farre from Turwâ—…n Where although that cleare The Sky at their first meeting did appeare Yet on thâ—… sudden from a swelling cloud The thunder issu'd with report so loud It stâ—…ooke a terror into every heart Ore all the fields and twice they say did part The Kings a sunder once with such a force King Henry there had fall'n from off his horse Had not his servants held him up How ere It was decreed that Henry's honour there Should â—…all farre lower and he suffer more Then all his puissant reigne had felt before He that had given conditions still that ne're Had taken any from what foe soe're Yeelds now to all conditions they demand Yeelds to deliver into Philip's hand Adela now and for those Provinces Which in that continent he did possesse To doe him homage lets his Barons sweare Allegiance to his sonne Prince 〈◊〉 there Anâ—… yeelds to pay for â—…harges of the warre Two thousand marks to Philip aâ—…d so farre His Nâ—…ble heart not us'd to bow was broke That his griev'd spirit within three dayes forsooke The earthly mansion For a Feaver joyn'd Wiâ—…h the afflicting anguish of his minde Whose forces soone disâ—…olv'd that house of clay Aâ—… Châ—…non then this dying Monarch lay When to encrease the anguish of his thought And more disturbe his peace a scrowle was brought And by ill fate presented to him there Containing all their names that did adhaere In this conspiracy to Philip's side Where first of all his haplesse eye espy'd The name of Iohn his sonne whither that he Were truly one of that conspiracy Or some of Richard's followers to remove Before King Henry dy'd that wondrous love Which towards Iohn he seem'd of late to beare Above the other falsely wrote him there From thence extremity of passions Surpris'd his soule He curst his impious sonnes Curst his owne birth and had despairing dy'd Had not Diviner counsell come to guide His griefes aright and by Religions lawes Direct his wounded conscience to the cause Of those his suffrings making the disease The cure and troubled thoughts the way to peace Wailing his sinnes into the Temple there He bids thâ—…m his yet-living body beare Where he before the holy altar plac'd In humble 〈◊〉 breaths out his lâ—…st And of so great a Monarch now remaines No more on earâ—…h then what a tombe containes Who lately ore so many Lands did reigne From Scotlands bounds to farthest Aquitaine A Prince in peace of highest Majesty In warre too great to finde an enemy In power above his neighbour Princes farre Who though his sword were often â—…rawne to warre His owne conditions without battels wrought Liv'd still victorious though he seldome fought And might have seem'd above the reach of Fate But that himselfe his greatest foes begate Wrong'd by that power which he had made and crost By those of whom he had deserved most Blest oâ—…t miraculously oâ—…t againe Beyond beleefe deprest his various reigne Temper'd with all extremities of Fate And though triumphant yet unfortunate FINIS THE DESCRIPTION OF KING HENRY THE SECOND WITH A SHORT SURVEY of the changes in his REIGNE IT has beene a custome of old Historians when they record the actions of great Princes to deliver also some Characters of their persons and peculiar dispositions that the curiositie of succeeding times who pry deepely into those men whose lives were of so great moment in the world might beefully satisfied and delighted It will not therefore bee amisse to deliver a Character of King Henry the Second a Monarch greater in Fame and Territories than any Christian King that then lived Hee was a man as we finde recorded of a just stature a strong and healthfull constitution but somewhat grosse more by the inclination of Nature then by any fault either of intemperance or sloth For besides the sparenesse and sobrietie of his dyet he vexed his bodie with continuall labour and to ouercome his naturall fatâ—…esse was almost immoderate in all his exercises Hee was of a ruddy complexion
his head was large his eyes gray whose aspect was terrible in his anger his voyce was hoarse and hollow Hee was a Prince of great affabilitie facetious in discourse and when he was free from anger or important businesse ◅ee was ◅ost pleasant and Courtly in his whole conversation Eloquent he was by nature and which was rare then very learned The best histories which in those dark times could be gotten in Christendome he had perused with diligence and by the benefit of an extraordinary memorie did retaine them perfectly He was very hardy in enduring either labo◅r or extremities of the seasons couragious in warre but not rash and willing to try all wayes before the chance of a battell yet when there was occasion very resolute and so much feared by those Princes that had to doe with him that hee was never put to any great field Hee was more kinde in honouring the memories of his souldiers that were slaine then hee was in rewarding those that were alive and never seemed truly to value his best Captains till after they were dead Exceeding frugall and parsimonious hee was almost below the dignity of a King but it proved happy to his affaires Though in private hee were very sparing ◅et abroad hee appeared often in great magnificence his bountie to some poore Princes and those large summes which hee disbursed to the holy warre might teach the worl◅ that hee was not covetous but wisely provident The greatest taxe that was laid upon him by those that lived in the same age was his too too often breaking of his promises a fault that many Princes great in other vertues have beene guilty of Hee was exceeding fond of all his children especially in their childish age before their carriage had deserved either way which shewed that Nature onely wrought that strong affection in him Yet there where he most loved and by those of whom hee had most deserved it pleased God hee tasted the greatest crosses his Sonnes were his scourges and the onely instruments that did or in l◅kelihood could shake the felicitie of so puissant a Monarc◅ So great a contrarietie there seemed to be betweene his affection to them and the returne of theirs to him Hee appeared in nothing almost of a tender nature but in loving them and might have beene thought fomewhat severe in disposition if hee had not beene a father to shew the contrary they were in generall of a Noble deportment taxed in their times almost of no unjust or bad act◅ons but their ingratitude and disobedience to him and had carried a repute of the Noblest Princes if they had not at all beene Sonnes But perchance it pleased God by the fruit of his loynes to punish those sinnes of the flesh to which the King was so much addicted Hee was noted more then any Prince of his time to be given to the love of women but especially after the displeasure conceived against his wife Queene Elianor as a stirrer up of his Sonnes against him when hee altogether forbore her bed hee was growne carelesse of the voyce of Fame and strove not at all to hide his wanton affections All his vertues which indeed were many had occasion often to be knowne by the varieties of his reigne in which felicitie and crosses did so often ◅ceed each other they were not onely tried but declared to the world For very remarkeable were the alterations of Fortune if we consider all things which happened in the reigne of this great Prince Of which if you will take a briefe survey consider it divided as it were into five Acts for as one sayes Tanquam fabula est vita hominis Let the first eight yeares of his reigne or thereabouts be counted for the first Act. Where the bravery and wisedome of his youth for but 24. years of age was he enough appeared in setling the kingdome and vindicating the rights of his royall Crowne after so long a confusion and so many calamities of civill warre He◅ expelled the strangers out of the Realme which in St◅phans time had bin the diseases of it He providently setled not onely the revenues but the authority of his Crown as before appeareth and fitly disposed of all the Castles and strong holds which he either kept in his owne power or quite demolished Hee maintained the ancient bounds honor of the Realme not onely in the North but against the Welsh Beyond the Seas he suf◅ered no damage but gained upon all occasions K. Lewis he were sometimes likely to have come to battel b◅t peace was made and King Lewis content rather to sit downe with some little losse then contend with so puissant a foe Chaumont he tooke from him seized against his wil upō Nants in Britain this was indeed the time of K H◅nry's greatest felicity in which hee enjoyed his dignitie without any vexations and the people that had long beene afflicted with miserable times did truly rejoyce in their new King And during these yeares as a farther blessing to him and securitie to the kingdome the Queene was fruitfull and bare him three Sons For the second Act wee may consider his next eleven or twelve yeares in which time though hee suffered nothing by the hand of warre as not molested by rebels at home nor threatned at all by forraigne enemies yet by the opposition of one Church-man he found a long and wearisome vexation For almost all this time did that famous jarre of Archbishop Becket and at the last his lamentable murther a◅flict King Henry and exceedingly disturbe the quiet of his minde The particulars at large have appeared in the foregoing storie and shall not here trouble the Reader Yet in this incumbred time his State and Dignitie had great additions of which the happiest was that easie accession of the Realme of Ireland unto his Scepter And another considering the present occasions of state of as much importance to him the gaining of the Dutchy of Britaine to his third Sonne Geoffrey Which hee with great wisedome and industrie obtayned in the nonage of that yong Ladie Constantia the daughter an◅ heire of Coran Duke of Brittaine then deceased Hitherto his happinesse was not at all impaired nor hee afflicted with any thing but the dissention of Archbishop Becket His times of danger and great sufferings now ensue Let therefore the three following yeares of his reigne be taken for the third Act in which the Scene is altogether changed and instead of a glorious and happy reigne nothing but afflictions and the extremest dangers that cou◅d be feared threaten not onely his Crowne but life also This is the time of that great revolt of his three Sons from him besides so mighty a confederacy ioyned with them as Lewis King of France William King of Scotland David his brother Philip Earle of Flanders Matthew Earle of Boloigne Theobald Earle of Bloys besides so many of the greatest and strongest English Peeres as the Earls of Leister Chester and Norfolke with the