sort As that it is of any powre to tye Where their estates may seeme t'aduenture hurt Or where there is not a necessitie That doth combine them with a stronger chaine Then all these great Alliances containe 5 For though this King might haue resentiment And will t' auenge him of this iniurie Yet at that time his State being turbulent Factious and full of partialitie And of tentimes he him selfe impotent By meanes of his Phreneticque maladie It was not likely any good could rise By vndertaking such an enterprise 6 And therefore both sides vpon entercourse As fitted best their present termes agreed The former truce continue should in force According as it had beene fore-decreed Vpon the match with Richard and a course For Isabel with all conuenient speed Prouided with an honorable Traine Suting her state to be sent home againe 7 Whome willingly they would haue still retain'd And matcht vnto the Prince but shee though yong Yet sensible of that which appertain'd To honor and renowne scornd any tongue That offred such a motion and disdaynd To haue it thought she would but heare that wrong Mov'd to her of her Lord and husband dead To haue his murtherers race inioy his bed 8 Besides the French doubting the Gouernment Thus gotten would be subiect still to strife Not willing were to vrge her to consent T' accept a troublous and vncertaine life And being returnd she grew in th' end content To be at home a Duke of Orleance wife Scap't from such stormes of powre holding it best To be belowe her selfe to be at rest 9 And so hath Henrie assecur'd that side And there with all his State of Gasconie Which on th' intelligence was notifi'd Of Richards death were wrought to mutinie And hardly came to be repacifi'd And kept to hold in their fidelitie So much to him were they affectioned For hauing beene amongst them borne and bred 10 These toyles abrode these tumults with his owne As if the frame of all disioynted were With this disordred shifting of the Crowne Fell in the reuolution of one yeare Beside the Scotte in discontentment growne For the detayning and supporting here The scourge of all that kingdome George Dunbar With fire and sword proclaymes an open war 11 Taking their time in these disturbances And 〈◊〉 of a wauering Gouernment T' auenge them of their former grieuances And by our spoyles their fortunes to augment Against whose forces Henry furnishes A powrefull Army and in person went But warres with a retyring enemy With much more trauaile then with victorie 12 And being by sharp deformed Winters force Caus'd to retire he findes new stormes at home From other Coasts ary sing that prov'd worse Then those which now hee was returned from In VVales a Cause of Law by violent course Was from a variance now a warre become And Owen Glendour who with Gray of late Contests for priuate landes now seekes a State 13 Whom to represle he early in the Spring With all prouisions fit doth forward set When straight his enemies not purposing To hazard battaile to the mountaines get Where after long and weary trauayling Without performing any great defeat He onely their prouisions wastes and burnes And with some prey of Cattell home returnes 14 Wherewith the Rebell rather was the more Incourag'd then addaunted and begun T'aduenture farther then he did before Seeing such a Monarch had so little done Being comn in person with so great a powre And sodainely againe retyr'd and gone For in this case they helpe who hurt so small And he hath nothing done that doth not all 15 But now behold other new heads appeare New Hidra's of rebellion that procure More worke to doo and giue more cause of 〈◊〉 And shew'd that nothing in his State stood sure And these euen of his chiefest followers were Of whome he might presume him most secure Who had th' especiall ingins beene to reare His fortunes vp vnto the State they were 16 The Percies were the men men of great might Strong in alliance and in courage strong Who now conspire vnder pretence to right Such wrongs as to the Common wealth belong Vrg'd either through their conscience or despight Or finding now the part they tooke was wrong Or else Ambition hereto did them call Or others enuy'd grace or rather all 17 And such they were who might presume t' haue done Much for the king and honour of the State Hauing the chiefest actions vnder-gone Both forraine and domesticall of late Beside that famous day of Homeldon Where Hotspur gaue that wonderfull defeat Vnto the Scottes as shooke that kingdome more Then many Monarchs armies had before 18 Which might perhaps aduance their mindes so farre Aboue the leuell of subiection as T'assume to them the glory of that war Where all things by their powre were brought to passe They being so mightie and so popular And their command so spacious as it was Might in their State forget how all these things That subiects doo effect must be their Kings 19 And so fell after into discontent For-that the king requir'd to haue as his Those Lords were taken prisoners whome they ment To hold still as their proper purchases Then that he would not at their sute consent To worke their Cosin Mortimers release Out of the Rebell Owen Glendour's hands Who held him prisoner in disgracefull bands 20 But be what will the cause strong was their plot Their parties great meanes good the season fit Their practise close their faith suspected not Their states far off and they of wary wit Who with large promises so wooe the Scot To aide their Cause 〈◊〉 he consents to it And glad was to disturne that furious streame Of warre on vs that else had swallowed them 21 Then ioyne they with the Welsh who now wel train'd In Armes and action dayly grew more great Their Leader by his wiles had much attaynd And done much mischiefe on the English State Beside his prisoner 〈◊〉 he gain'd From being a foe to 〈◊〉 his confederate A man the King much fear'd and well he might Least he should looke whether his Crowne stood right 22 For Richard for the quiet of the State Before he tooke those Irish warres in 〈◊〉 About Succession doth deliberate And finding how the certaine Right did stand With full consent this man did ordinate The heyre apparent to the Crowne and Land Whose competencie was of tender touch Although his might was small his right was much 23 With these the Percies them confederat And as three heads conioyne in one intent And instituting a Triumuirate Do part the Land in triple gouernment Diuiding thus among themselues the State The Percies should rule all the North from Trent And Glendour VVales the Earle of March should be Lord of the South from Trent and so they'gree 24 Then those faire bayts these Trouble-States still vse Pretence of common good the Kings ill Course Must be cast forth
spoyles Vpon themselues turn-backe their conquering hand Whil'st Kin their Kin Brother the Brother foyles Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band Bowes against Bowes the Crowne against the Crowne Whil'st all pretending right all right 's throwne downe 2 What furie ô what madnes held thee so Deare England too too prodigall of blood To waste so much and warre without a foe Whilst Fraunce to see thy spoyles at pleasure stood How much might'st thou haue purchast with lesse woe T' haue done thee honour and thy people good Thine might haue beene what-euer lies betweene The Alps 〈◊〉 vs the Pyrenei and Rhene 3 Yet now what reason haue we to complaine Since hereby came the calme we did inioy The blisse of thee Eliza happie gaine For all our losse when-as no other way The Heauens could finde but to vnite againe The 〈◊〉 sev'red Families that they Might bring foorth thee that in thy peace might growe That glorie which few Times could euer showe 4 Come sacred Virtue I no Muse but thee 〈◊〉 in this great labour I intend Doo thou inspire my thoughts infuse in mee A power to bring the same to happie end Rayse vp a worke for later times to see That may thy glorie and my paynes commend Make me these tumults rightly to rehearse And giue peace to my life life to my verse 5 And thou Charles 〈◊〉 who didst once afford Rest for my fortunes on thy quiet shore And cheer'dst mee on these measures to record In grauer tones then I had vs'd before Beholde my gratitude makes good my word Ingag'd to thee although thou be no more That I who 〈◊〉 haue liv'd by thee Doo giue thee now a roome to liue with me 6 And MEMORIE preserv'resse of things done Come thou vnfold the woundes the wracke the waste Reueale to me now all the strife be gunne Twixt Lancaster and Yorke in ages past How causes counsels and euents did runne So long as these vnhappie times did last 〈◊〉 with fictions fantasies I versifie the troth not Poetize 7 And to the ende wee may with better ease Discerne the true discourse vouchsafe to showe What were the times foregoing neere to these That these we may with better profit knowe Tell how the world sell into this disease And how so great distemperature did growe So shall we see by what degrees it came How things at full do soone wex out of frame 8 Ten Kings had from the Norman Conqueror raign'd With intermixt and variable fate When England to her greatest height attain'd Of powre dominion glorie wealth and State After it had with much a doo sustain'd The violence of Princes with debate For titles and the often mutinies Of Nobles for their ancient liberties 9 For first the Norman conquering all by might By might was forc't to keepe what he had got Mixing our Customes and the forme of Right With foraine Constitutions he had brought Maistering the mightie humbling the poorer wight By all seuerest meanes that could be wrought And making the succession doubtfull rent This new-got State and left it turbulent 10 VVilliam his sonne tracing his fathers wayes The great men spent in peace or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fight Vpon depressed weaknes 〈◊〉 preyes And makes his force maintaine his doubtfull right His elder brothers clayme vexing his dayes His actions and 〈◊〉 still incite And giuing Beastes what did to Men pertaine Tooke for a Beast himselfe in th' end was slaine 11 His brother Henrie next commands the State Who Roberts title better to reiect Seekes to repacifie the peoples hate And with faire shewes rather then in effect Allayes those grieuances that heauie sate Reformes the lawes which soone hee did neglect And reft of 〈◊〉 for whom he did prepare Leaues crowne and strife to Maude his daughters care 12 Whom Stephen his nephew falsifying his Oath Preuents assay les the Realme obtaines the Crowne Such tumults ray sing as torment them both Whil'st both held nothing certainely their owne Th' afflicted State diuided in their troth And partiall faith most miserable growne Endures the while till peace and Stephens death Gaue some calme leasure to recouer breath 13 When Henrie sonne to Maude the Empresse raignes And England into forme and greatnes brought Addes Ireland to this Scepter and obtaines Large Prouinces in Fraunce much treasure gote And from exactions here at home abstaynes And had not his 〈◊〉 children sought 〈◊〉 his age with tumults he had beene The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that this State had seene 14 Him Richard followes in the gouernment Who much the glory of our Armes increast And all his fathers mighty 〈◊〉 spent In that deuoutfull 〈◊〉 of the East Whereto whiles he 〈◊〉 forces wholly bent 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 opprest A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a fatall King Cut-off his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glory in the spring 15 Which wicked brother contrary to course False Iohn vsurpes his Nephew Arthurs right Gets to the Crowne by craft by wrong by force Rules it with lust oppression rigour might Murders the lawfull heire without remorse Wherefore procuring all the worlds despight A Tyrant loath'd a homicide conuented Poysoned he dyes disgrac't and vnlamented 16 Henrie his sonne is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though young And Lewes of France elected first beguil'd After the mighty had debated long Doubtfull to choose a straunger or a child With him the 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 growne strong Warre for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so long exil'd He graunts the 〈◊〉 that pretended ease Yet kept his owne and did his State appease 17 Edward his 〈◊〉 a Martiall 〈◊〉 succeedes Iust prudent graue religious 〈◊〉 Whose happy ordered Raigne most fertile breedes Plenty of mighty spirits to strength his State And worthy mindes to manage worthy deedes Th' experience of those times ingenerate For euer great imployment for the great Quickens the blood and honour doth beget 18 And had 〈◊〉 his mis-led lasciuious Sonne Edward the second intermitted so The course of glory happily begunne Which brought him and his fauorites to woe That happy current without stop had runne Vnto the full of his sonne Edwards flowe But who hath often seene in such a State Father and Sonne like good like fortunate 19 But now this great Succeeder all repaires And reinduc't that discontinued good He builds vp strength greatnes for his heires Out of the virtues that adornd his blood He makes his Subiects Lords of more then theirs And sets their bounds farre wider then they stood His powre and fortune had 〈◊〉 wrought Could but the State haue kept what he had got 20 And had his heire surviu'd him in due course What limits England hadst thou found what barre What world could haue resisted so great force O more then men two thunderbolts of warre Why did not Time your ioyned worth diuorce T' haue made your seueral glories greater farre Too prodigall was Nature thus to doe To spend in one Age what should serue for two 21 But now the Scepter in this glorious State
Supported with strong powre and victorie Was left vnto a Child ordain'd by fate To stay the course of what might growe too hie Here was a stop that Greatnesse did abate When powre vpon so weake a base did lie For least great fortune should presume too farre Such oppositions interposed are 22 Neuer this Iland better peopled stood Neuer more men of might and minds addrest Neuer more Princes of the royall blood If not too many for the publique Rest Nor euer was more treasure wealth and good Then when this Richard first the Crowne possest The second of that name in two accurst And well we might haue mist all but the first 23 In this mans Raigne began this fatal strife The bloudie argument where of we treate That dearely cost so many'a Prince his life And spoyld the weake and euen consum'd the great That wherein all confusion was so rife As Memory euen grieues her to repeat And would that time might now this knowledge lose But that t is good to learne by others woes 24 Edward the third being dead had left this child Sonne of his worthy sonne deceast of late The Crowne and Scepter of this Realme to wield Appointing the protectors of his State Two of his sonnes to be his better shield Supposing Vncles free from guile or hate Would order all things for his better good In the respect and honour of their bloud 25 Of these Iohn Duke of Lancaster was one Too great a Subiect growne for such a State The title of a King and glorie wonne In great exploits his mind did eleuate Aboue proportion kingdomes stand vpon Which made him push at what his issue gate The other Langley whose mild temperatness Did tend vnto a calmer quietnesse 26 With these did Woodstock interpose his part A man for action violently bent And of a spirit averse and ouer-thwart Which could not sute a peace-full gouernment Whose euer-swelling and tumultuous heart Wrought his owne ill and others discontent And these had all the manage of affayres During the time the King was vnder yeares 27 And in the first yeares of his gouernment Things past as first the warres in France proceed Though not with that same fortune and euent Being now not followed with such carefull heed Our people here at home growne discontent Through great exactions insurrections breed Priuate respects hindred the Common-weale And idle ease doth on the mighty steale 28 Too many Kings breed factions in the Court The head too weake the members growne too great Which euermore doth happen in this sort When Children 〈◊〉 the plague which God doth threat Vnto those Kingdomes which he will transport To other Lynes or vtterly defeat For the ambitious once inur'd to 〈◊〉 Canneuer brook a priuate state againe 29 And Kingdomes euer suffer this distresse Where one or many guide the infant King Which one or many tasting this excesse Of greatnesse command can neuer bring Their thoughts againe t' obay or to be lesse From hence these insolencies euer spring Contempt of others whom they seek to foyle Then follow leagues destruction 〈◊〉 spoyle 30 And whether they which vnder-went this charge Permit the King to take a youthfull vaine That they their priuate better might inlarge Or whether he himselfe would farther straine Thinking his yeeres sufficient to discharge The gouernment and so assum'd the raine Or howsoeuer now his eare he lends To youthfull counsell and his lustes attends 31 And Courts were neuer barren yet of those Which could with subtile traine and apt aduice Worke on the Princes weakenesse and dispose Of feeble frailtie easie to entice And such no doubt about this King arose Whose flatterie the dangerous nurse of vice Got hand vpon his youth to pleasures bent Which led by them did others discontent 32 For now his Vncles grew much to mislike These ill proceedings were it that they saw That others fauour'd did aspiring seeke Their Nephew from their counsels to withdraw Seeing him of nature flexible and weake Because they onely would keepe all in awe Or that 〈◊〉 they found the King and State Abus'd by such as now in office sate 33 Or rather else they all were in the fault Th' ambitious Vncles th'indiscreete young King The greedie Councell and the Minions naught And altogether did this tempest bring Besides the times with all iniustice fraught Concurr'd with such confus'd misgouerning That wee may truely say This spoyld the State Youthfull Counsaile priuate Gaine partiall Hate 34 And then the King besides his iealousies Which nourisht were had reason to be led To doubt his Vncles for their loyalties Since Iohn 〈◊〉 Gaunt as was discouered Had practised his death in secret wise And Gloster openly becomes the head Vnto a league who all in armes were bent T' oppose against the present gouernement 35 Pretending to remoue such men as were Accounted to abuse the king and State Of whome the chiefe they did accuse was Veere Made Duke of Ireland with great grace of late And diuers else who for the place they beare Obnoxious are and subiect vnto hate And these must be sequestred with all speed Or else they vow'd their swordes should doo the deed 36 The King was forc't in that next Parliament To grant them what he durst not well refuse For thither arm'd they came and fully bent To suffer no repulse nor no excuse And here they did accomplish their intent Where Iustice did her sword not Ballance vse For euen that 〈◊〉 place they violate Arresting all the Iudges as they sate 37 And here had many worthy men their ende Without all forme or any course of Right For still these broyles that publike good pretend Worke most iniustice being done through spight For those aggrieued euermore do bend Against such as they see of greatest might Who though they cannot helpe what will go ill Yet since they may doo wrong are thought they will 38 And yet herein I meane not to excuse The Iustices and Minions of the King Who might their office and their grace abuse But blame the course held in the managing For great-men ouer-grac't much rigor vse Presuming fauorits discontentment bring And disproportions harmonie do breake Minions too great argue a king too weake 39 Now that so much was granted as was sought A reconcilement made although not ment Appeas'd them all in shewe but not in thought Whilst euery one seem'd outwardly content Though hereby king nor peeres nor people got More loue more strength or easier gouernment But euery day things still succeeded worse For good from Kings is seldome drawne by force 40 And thus it loe continued till by chaunce The Queene which was the Emperours daughter di'de When-as the King t' establish peace with Fraunce And 〈◊〉 for home-quiet to prouide Sought by contracting marriage to aduance His owne affayres against his Vncles pride Tooke the young daughter of King Charles to wife Which after in the end rays'd greater strife 41
That others should his Rule preiudicate Charg'd Herford therewithall who re-accus'd Norfolke for words of treason he had vs'd 61 Norfolke denies them peremptorily Herford recharg'd and supplicates the king To haue the combate of his enemie That by his sword hee might approue the thing Norfolke desires the same as earnestly And both with equall courage menacing Reuenge of wrong that none knew which was free For times of faction times of slaunder bee 62 The combate granted and the day assign'd They both in order of the field appeare Most richly furnisht in all Martiall kinde And at the point of intercombate were When lo the king chang'd sodainely his minde Casts downe his warder to arrest them there As being aduis'd a better way to take Which might for his more certaine safetie make 63 For now considering as it likely might The victorie should hap on Herfords side A man most valiant and of noble sprite Belov'd of all and euer worthy tri'd How much he might be grac't in publique sight By suchan act as might aduance his pride And so become more popular by this Which he feares too much he already is 64 And therefore he resolues to banish both Though th' one in chiefest fauour with him stood A man he dearely lov'd and might be loth To leaue him that had done him so much good Yet hauing cause to do as now he doth To mitigate the enuie of his blood Thought best to lose a friend to rid a foe And such a one as now he doubted so 65 And therefore to perpetuall exile hee Mowbray condemnes Herford but for ten yeares Thinking for that the wrong of this decree Compar'd with greater rigour 〈◊〉 appeares It might of all the better liked bee But yet such murmuring of the fact he heares That he is faine foure of the ten for giue And iudg'd him sixe yeares in exile to liue 66 At whose departure hence out of the Land How did the open multitude reueale The wondrous loue they bare him vnder-hand Which now in this hote passion of their zeale They plainely shew'd that all might vnderstand How deare he was vnto the common weale They feard not to exclaime against the King As one that sought all good mens ruining 67 Vnto the shore with teares with sighes with mone They him conduct cursing the bounds that stay Their willing feete that would haue further gone Had not the fearefull Ocean stopt their way Why Neptune Hast thou made vs stand alone Diuided from the world for this say they Hemd-in to be a spoyle to tyrannie Leauing affliction hence no way to flie 68 Are we lockt vp poore soules heere to abide Within the waterie prison of thy waues As in a fold where subiect to the pride And lust of Rulers we remain 〈◊〉 as slaues Here in the reach of might where none can hide From th' eye of wrath but onely in their Graues Happie confiners you of other landes That shift your soyle and oft scape tyrants hands 69 And must we leaue him here whom here were fit We should retaine the pillar of our State Whose vertues well deserue to gouerne it And not this wanton young effeminate Why should not he in Regall honour sit That best knowes how a Realme to ordinate But one day yet we hope thou shalt bring backe Deare Bullingbrooke the Iustice that we lacke 70 Thus muttred loe the malecontented sort That loue Kings best before they haue them still And neuer can the present State comport But would as often change as they change will For this good Duke had wonne them in this sort By succ'ring them and pittying of their ill That they supposed streight it was one thing To be both a good Man and a good King 71 When-as the grauer fort that saw the course And knew that Princes may not be controld Lik't well to suffer this for feare of worse Since many great one Kingdome cannot hold For now they saw intestine strife of force The apt-diuided State intangle would If he should stay whom they would make their head By whom the vulgar body might be led 72 They saw likewise that Princes oft are faine To buy their quiet with the price of wrong And better 't were that now a few complaine Then all should mourne aswell the weake as strong Seeing still how little Realmes by chaunge do gaine And therefore learned by obseruing long T' admire times past follow the present will Wish for good Princes but t' indure the ill 73 For when it nought auailes what folly then To striue against the current of the time Who will throwe downe himselfe for other men That make a ladder by his fall to clime Or who would seeke t' imbroyle his Country when He might haue rest suffering but others crime Since wise men euer haue preferred farre Th'vniustest peace before the iustest warre 74 Thus they considered that in quiet sate Rich or content or else vnfit to striue Peace-louer wealth hating a troublous State Doth willing reasons for their rest contriue But if that all were thus considerate How should in Court the great the fauour'd thriue Factions must be and these varieties And some must fall that other-some may rise 75 But long the Duke remain'd not in exile Before that Iohn of Gaunt his father dies Vpon whose state the king seis'd now this while Disposing of it as his enemies This open wrong no longer could beguile The world that saw these great indignities Which so exasperates the mindes of all That they resolv'd him home againe to call 76 For now they saw t' was malice in the King Transported in his ill-conceiued thought That made him so to prosecute the thing Against all law and in a course so naught And this aduantage to the Duke did bring More fit occasions whereupon he wrought For to a man so strong and of such might He giues him more that takes away his right 77 The King in this meane time I know not how Was drawne into some actions foorth the Land T' appease the Irish that reuolted now And there attending what he had in hand Neglects those parts from whence worse dangers growe As ignorant how his affayres did stands Whether the plot was wrought it should be so Or that his fate did draw him on to go 78 Most sure it is that hee committed here An ignorant and idle ouersight Not looking to the Dukes proceedings there Being in the Court of Fraunce where best he 〈◊〉 Where both the King and all 〈◊〉 were T' haue stopt his course being within their right But now he was exil'd he thought him sure And free from farther doubting liv'd secure 79 So blindes the sharpest counsels of the wise This ouershadowing Prouidence on hie And dazleth all their clearest sighted eyes That they see not how nakedly they lie There where they little thinke the storme doth rise And ouercasts their cleare securitie When man hath stopt all wayes saue onely that Which as least doubted Ruine enters at 80 And
did all his courage bend Against those foure which now before him were Doubting not who behind him doth attend And plyes his hands vndaunted vnaffeard And with good heart and life for life he stird 77 And whiles he this and that and each mans blowe Doth eye defend and shift being layd-to 〈◊〉 Backward he beares for more aduantage now Thinking the wall would safegard him the more When lo with impious hand ô wicked thou That shamefull durst not come to strike before Behind him gav'st that lamentable wound Which layd that wretched Prince flat on the ground 78 Now proditorious wretch what hast thou done To make this barbarous base assassinate Vpon the person of a Prince and one Fore-spent with sorrow and all desolate What great aduancement hast thou hereby wonne By being the instrument to perpetrate So foule a deed where is thy grace in Corte For such a seruice acted in this sort 79 First he for whom thou dost this villanie Though pleas'd there with will not auouch thy fact But let the weight of thine owne infamie Fall on thee vnsupported and vnbackt Then all men else will loath thy treacherie And thou thy selfe abhorre thy proper act So th' Wolfe in hope the Lyons grace to win Betraying other beastes lost his owne 〈◊〉 80 But now as this sweet Prince distended lay And him nor Life nor Death their owne could call For Life remouing 〈◊〉 not all away And Death though entring had not seis'd on all That short-tym'd motion had a little stay The mouer ceasing though it were but small As th' Organ-sound a time suruiues the stop Before it doth the dying note giue vp 81 When lo there streames a spring of bloud so fast From those deepe woundes as all imbru'd the face Of that accursed caytiue as he past After the deed effected through the place And therewithall those dying eyes did cast Such an vpbrayding looke on his disgrace Seeming to checke so cowardly a part As left th' impression euen in his hart 82 And this one King most neere in bloud ally'd Is made th' oblation for the others peace Which peace yet was not hereby ratifi'd So as it could all future feares release For though the other did forth with prouide To haue the rumour run of his decease By drawing the corps to London where it was Layd three dayes to be seene with open face 83 Yet so great was this execrable deed As men would searce therein belieue their eyes Much lesse their eares and many sought to feed The easie creditours of nouelties By voycing him aliue how hee was freed By strange escape out of his miseries And many did conspire now to relieue Him dead who had forsaken him aliue 84 And many suffred for his Cause when now He had 〈◊〉 many 〈◊〉 for him againe When they perceiv'd th' exchange did not allow Their hopes so much as they did looke to gaine By traffiquing of kings and all saw how Their full 〈◊〉 were in the wane They had a King was more then him before But yet a king where they were nought the more 85 And sure this murthred Prince though weake he was He was not ill not yet so weake 〈◊〉 that He shew'd much Martiall 〈◊〉 in his place Aduentring of this person for the State And might amongst our better Princes passe Had not the flatterie rapine and debate Of factious Lords and greedie Officers 〈◊〉 his actions and abus'd his yeares 86 Nor is it so much Princes weakenesses As the corruption of their Ministers Wherby the Common-wealth receiues distress For they attending their particulars Make imperfections their aduantages To be themselues both Kings and Councellors And sure this Common-wealth can neuer take Hurt by weake kings but such as we doo make 87 Besides he was which people much respect In Princes and which pleases vulgarly Of goodly personage and of sweete aspect Of milde accesse and liberalitie And feastes and shewes and triumphs did affect As the delights of youth and iollitie But here the great profusion and expence Of his reuenues bred him much offence 88 And gaue aduantage vnto enmitie This grieuous accusation to prefer That he consum'd the common Treasurie Whereof he being the simple vsager But for the State not in proprietie Did alien at his pleasure and transfer The same this minions and to whome hee list By which the Common-wealth was to subsist 89 Whereby sayd they the poore concussed State Shall euer be exacted for supplyes Which accusation was th' occasion that His succeslour by order 〈◊〉 Many his Patents and did reuocate And reaslume his liberalities And yet for all these wastes these gifts and feasts He was not found a Bankrupt in his chests 90 But they who tooke to Syndicque in this sorte The Actions of a Monarch knew those things Wherein the accoumpts were likely to fall short Betweene the State of Kingdomes and their Kings Which president of pestilent import Had not the heauens blest thy indeuourings Against thee Henry had beene likewise brought Th' example made of thy example wrought 91 For though this bountie and this liberalness A glorious vertue be it better fits Great men then kings who giuing in excesse Giue not their owne but others benefits Which calles-vp manies hopes but pleasures lesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more loue then it begets For Iustice is their Virtue that alone Makes them sit sure and glorifies the Throne The ende of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Henrie his excuses publishes For Richards death and truce doth intertaine With France The Scots 〈◊〉 for wrongs address Themselues to warre and are appeas'd againe The Welsh rebell The Percies practises To part the State are stopt in battell slaine Continuall troubles still afflict this King Till Death an end doth to his trauailes bring 1 THe bounds once ouer-gone that hold men in They neuer stay but on from bad to worse Wrongs do not leaue off there where they begin But still beget new mischiefes in their course Now Henrie thou 〈◊〉 added to thy 〈◊〉 Of vsurpation and intruding force A greater crime which makes that gone before T' appeare more then it did and noted more 2 For now thou artinforc't t' apologise With forraine States for two enormious things Wherein thou dost appeare to scandalise The publike Right and common Cause of Kings Which though with all the skill thou canst deuise Thou ouerlay'st with fayrest colourings Yet th' vnder-worke transparent shewes too plaine Where open acts accuse th' excuse is vaine 3 And these defences are but complements To dallie with confining Potentates Who busied in their proper gouernments Do seldome tend th' affaires of other States Their wisedome which to present powre consents Liue-dogges before dead Lyons estimates And no man more respects these publike wrongs Then so much as t' his priuate state belongs 4 Yet most it seem'd the French King to import As sharer in his daughters iniurie Though bloud in Princes links not in such
wee see those who abide Graciousin ours are odious in their sight Who would all-maistring Maiestie defeat Of her best grace that is to make men Great 105 But well We see although the King be Head The State will be the Heart This Soueraigntie Is but in place not powre and gouerned By th'equall Scepter of Necessitie And we haue seene more Princes ruined By 〈◊〉 imoderat fauouring priuatly Then by seuerity in generall For best h 'is lik't that is alike to all 106 Thus stormes this Lady all disquieted When-as farre greater tumults now burst out Which close and cunningly were practiced By such as sought great hopes to bring about For vp in Armes in Kent were gathered A mighty insolent rebellious rout Vnder a dangerous Head who to deterr The State the more himselfe nam'd Mortimer 107 The Duke of Yorke that did not idle stand But seekes to worke on all aduantages Had like wise in this course a secret hand And hartned on their chiefest complices To try how here the people of the Land Would if occasion serv'd b'in readiness To aide that Line if one should come in deed To moue his Right and in due course proceed 108 Knowing himselfe to be the onely one That must attempt the thing if any should And therefore le ts the Rebell now run-on With that false Name t' effect the best he could To make a way for him to worke vpon Who but on certaine ground aduenture would For if the Traitor sped the gaine were his If not yet he stands safe and blamelesse is 109 T' attempt ' with others dangers not his owne He counts it wisedome if it could be wrought And t' haue the humour of the people knowne Was now that which was chiefely to be sought For with the best he knew himselfe was growne In such account as made him take no thought Hauing observ'd in those he meant to proue Their wit their wealth their cariage and their loue 110 With whome and with his owne alliances He first begins to open in some wise The Right he had yet with such doubtfulnes As rather sorrow then his drift descries Complayning of his Countries wretchednes In what a miserable case it lies And how much it imports them to prouide For their defence against this womans pride 111 Then with the discontented he doth deale In sounding theirs not vttering his intent As be'ing aduis'd not so much to reueale Whereby they might be made againe content But when they grieued for the Common-weale He doth perswade them to be patient And to indure there was no other course Yet so perswades as makes their malice worse 112 And then with such as with the time did run In most vpright opinion he doth stand As one that neuer crost what they begun But seem'd to like that which they tooke in hand Seeking all causes of offence to shun Prayses the Rule and blames th'vnruly Land Works so with gifts and kindely offices That euen of them he serues his turne no lesse 113 Then as for those who were his followers Being all choyce men for virtues or desearts He so with grace and benefits prefers That he becomes the Monarch of their hearts He gets the learned for his Counsaylers And cherishes all men of rarest parts To whom good done doth an impressiō strike Of ioy and loue in all that are alike 114 And now by meanes of th'intermitted warre Many most valiant men impov'rished Onely by him fed and relieued are Onely respected grac't and honoured Which let him in vnto their hearts so farre As they by him were wholly to be led He onely treads the sure and perfect path To Greatnesse who loue and opinion hath 115 And to haue one some certaine Prouince his As the maine body that must worke the feate Yorkeshire he chose the place wherein he is By title liuings and possessions great No Country hee preferres so much as this Here hath his Bountie her abiding seat Here is his Iustice and relieuing hand Ready to all that in distresse do stand 116 What with his tenants 〈◊〉 followers friends And their alliances and amities All that Shire vniuersally attends His hand held vp to any enterprize And thus farre Virtue with her power extends The rest touching th' euent in Fortune lies With which accomplements so mightie growne Forward he tends with hope t' attaine a Crowne The ende of the fift Booke THE SIXT BOOKE THE ARGVMENT The bad successe of Cades rebellion Yorkes open practise and conspiracie His comming in and his submission Th' effect of Printing and Artillerie Burdeux reuolts craues our protection Talbot defending ours dyes gloriously The French warres end and Yorke begins againe And at S. Albones Sommerset is slaine 1 THE furious traine of that tumultuous rout Whom close sub-ayding power and good successe Had made vnwisely proud and fondly stout Thrust headlong on oppression to 〈◊〉 And now to fulnesse growne boldly giue out That they the publique wrongs meant to redresse Formelesse themselues reforming doc pretend As if Confusion could Disorder mend 2 And on they march with their false-named Head Of base and vulgar birth though noble fayn'd Who 〈◊〉 with vaine desires to London led His rash abused troupes with shadowes train'd When-as the King thereof ascertained Supposing some small power would haue restrain'd Disordred rage sends with a simple crew Sir Humfrey Stafford whom they ouer-threw 3 Which so increast th' opinion of their might That much it gaue to do and much it wrought Confirm'd their rage drew on the vulgar wight Call'd foorth the timorous fresh partakers brought For many though most glad their wrongs to right Yet durst not venture their estates for nought But see'ing the Cause had such aduantage got Occasion makes them stirre that else would not 4 So much he erres that scornes or else neglects The small beginnings of arysing broyles And censures others not his owne defects And with a selfe-conceite himselfe beguiles Thinking small force will compasse great effects And spares at first to buy more costly toyles When true-obseruing prouidence in warre Still makes her foes farte stronger then they are 5 Yet this good fortune all their fortune mard Which fooles by helping euer doth suppresse For wareless insolence whil'st vndebard Of bounding awe runnes on to such excesse That following lust and spoyle and blood so hard Sees not how they procure their owne distresse The better lothing courses so impure Rather will like their wounds then such a cure 6 For whil'st this wilde vnrained multitude Led with an vnfore-seeing greedy mind Of an imagin'd good that did delude Their ignorance in their desires made blind Ransacke the Cittie and with hands imbru'd Run to all out-rage in th' extreamest kind Heaping-vp wrath and horrour more and more They adde fresh guilt to mischiefes done before 7 And yet se'ing all this sorting to no end But to their owne no promis'd ayde t' appeare No such partakers as they did attend Nor such succesles as imagin'd
Change thought it vvent wrong To stay beyond the bearing-time so long 106 And therefore now these Lords confedered Beeing much increast in number and in spight So shap't their course that gathering to a head They grew to be of formidable might Th' abused world so hastily is led Some for reuenge some for wealth some for delight That Yorke from small-beginning troups soone drawes A world of men to venture in his Cause 107 Like as proud Seuerne from a priuat head With humble streames at first doth gently glide Till other Riuers haue contributed The springing riches of their store beside Where-with at length high-swelling she doth spread Her broad-distended waters lay'd so wide That comming to the Sea shee seemes from farre Not to haue tribute brought but rather warre 108 Euen so is Yorke now growne and now is bent T' incounter with the best and for the best Whose neere approach the King hastes to preuent With hope farre off to haue his power supprest Fearing the Cittie least some insolent And mutinous should harten on the rest To take his part But hee so forward set That at S. Albones both the Armies met 109 Where-to their haste farre fewer hands did bring Then else their better leysure would haue done And yet too many for so foul a thing Sith who did best hath but dishonour won For whil'st some offer peace sent from the King Warwicks too forward hand hath Warre begon A warre that doth the face of Warre deforme Which still is foul but foulest wanting forme 110 And neuer valiant Leaders so well knowne For braue performed actions done before Did blemish their discretion and renowne In any weake effected seruice more Bringing such powres into so straight a Towne As to some Citty-tumult or vp-rore Which slaughter and no battaile might be thought Sith that side vs'd their swords and this their throat 111 But this on th' error of the King is lai'd And vpon Sommersets desire t' obtaine The day with peace for which they longer staid Then wisedome would aduent'ring for the Maine Whose force in narrow streets once ouer-laid Neuer recouerd head but euen there slaine The Duke and all the greatest Leaders are The King himselfe beeing taken prisoner 112 Yet not a prisoner to the outward eye For-that he must seeme grac't with his lost day All things beeing done for his commoditie Against such men as did the State betray For with such apt deceiuing 〈◊〉 And seeming order Yorke did so allay That touch of wrong as made him make great stealth In weaker minds with shew of Common-wealth 113 Long-lookt-for powre thus got into his hand The former face of Court doth new appeare And all th' especiall Charges of Commaund To his partakers distributed were Himselfe is made Protector of the Land A title found which couertly did beare All-working powre vnder another stile And yet the soueraigne Part doth act the while 114 The King held onely but an emptie name Left with his life whereof the proofe was such As sharpest pride could not transpearce the same Nor all-desiring greedinesse durst touch Impietie had not inlarg'd their shame As yet so wide as to attempt so much Mischiefe was not full ripe for such foul deedes Left for th'vnbounded malice that succeedes The end of the Sixt Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT The King 's repriz'd Yorke and his side retires And making head againe is put to flight Returnes into the Land his right requires Hauing regain'd the King confirmes his right And whil'st his rash improuidence aspires Is 〈◊〉 at Wakefield by Q. Marg'rets might Who at S. Albones backe her Lord regaines Is forc't frō thence March the Crowne attaines 1 DIsordinate Authoritie thus gaind Knew not at first or durst not to proceed With an out-breaking course but stood restraind Within the compasse of respectiue heed Distrust of friends and powre of foes detaind That mounting will from making too much speed For though he held the powre he longd to win Yet had not all the keyes to let him in 2 The Queene abroad with a reuenging hand Arm'd with her owne disgrace and others spight Gath'ring th' oppressed partie of the Land Held ouer him the threatning sword of might That forc't him in the tearmes of awe to stand Who else had burst-vp Right to come t' his right And kept him so confus'd that he knew not To make vse of the meanes which he had got 3 For either by his fearing to restraine The person of the King or by neglect Of guarding him with a sufficient traine The watchfull Queene with cunning doth effect A practice that recouers him againe As one that with best care could him protect And h 'is conuaid to Couentry to those Who well knew how of Maiestie dispose 4 Though this weake King had blunted thus before The edge of powre with so dull clemencie And left him nothing else was gracious more Then euen the title of his Sov'raigntie Yet is that title ofso precious store As it makes golden leaden Maiestie And where or how-soeuer it doth sit Is sure t' haue the world attend on it 5 Whether it be that Forme and Eminence Adorn'd with Pomp and State begets this awe Or whether an in-bred obedience To Right and Powre doth our affections drawe Or whether sacred Kings worke reuerence And make that Nature now which was first Law We know not but the Head will draw the Parts And good Kings with our bodies haue our harts 6 For lo no sooner was his person ioyn'd With this distracted body of his friends But straight the Duke and all that faction find They lost the onely Engin for their ends Authoritie with Maiestie combin'd Stands bent vpon them now and powrefull sends Them summons to appeare who lately held That powre themselues and could not be compeld 7 Where-with confus'd as either not prepar'd For all euents or se'ing the times not fit Or mens affections failing in regard Or their owne forces not of powre as yet They all retire them home and neither dar'd T' appeare or to stand-out to answere it This vnfore-thought-on accident confounds All their dessignes and frustrates all their grounds 8 As vsually it fares with those that plot These machines of Ambition and high pride Who in their chiefest counsels ouer-shot For all things saue what serue the turne prouide Whil'st that which most imports rests most forgot Or waigh'd not or contemn'd or vndescri'd That some-thing may be euer ouer-gone Where courses shall be crost and men vndone 9 Yorke into Wales Warwicke to Calais hies Someto the North others to other parts As if they ran both from their dignities And also from themselues and their owne harts The mind decay'd in publique ieopardies To th' ill at hand onely it selfe conuerts That none would thinke Yorkes hopes being so neere dry Could euer flowe againe and swell so hie 10 And yet for all this ebbing Chance remaines The spring that feedes that hope which leaues men last
now was all disorder in th' excesse And whatsoeuer doth a change portend As idle luxurie and wantonnesse Proteus-like varying Pride vaine without ende Wrong-worker Riot motiue to oppresse Endless Exactions which the idle spend Consuming Vsurie and credits crackt Call'd-on this purging Warre that many lackt 81 Then Ill-perswading want in Martiall mindes And wronged patience long opprest with might Loosenes in all which no religion bindes Commaunding force the measure made of Right Gaue fuell to this fire that easie findes The way t' inflame the whole indangerd quite These were the publique breeders of this Warre By which still greatest States confo unded 〈◊〉 82 For now this peace with Fraunce had shut in here The ouergrowing humours Warres do spend For where t'euacuate no imployments were Wider th'vnwieldy burthen doth distend Men wholly vs'd to warre peace could not beare As knowing no other course whereto to bend For brought vp in the broyles of these two Reames They thought best fishing still in troubled streames 83 Like to a Riuer that is stopt his course Doth violate his bankes breakes his owne bed Destroyes his bounds and ouer-runs by force The neighbour-fieldes irregularly spred Euen so this sodaine stop of Warre doth nurse Home broyles within it selfe from others led So dangerous the change hereof is tri'd Ere mindes ' come soft or otherwise imploid 84 But all this makes for thee ô Bulling brooke To worke a way vnto thy Soueraintie This care the Heauens Fate and Fortune tooke To bring thee to thy 〈◊〉 easily Vpon thee fall's that hap which him forsooke Who crownd a King a King yet must not die Thou wert ordaind by Prouidence to rayse A quarrell lasting longer then thy dayes 85 For now this absent Lord out of his Land Where though he shew'd great sprite and valor then Being attended with a worthy band Of valiant Peeres and most couragious men Gaue time to them at home that had in hand Th'vngodly worke and knew the season when Who faile not to aduise the Duke with speed Solliciting to what hee soone agreed 86 Who presently vpon so good report Relying on his friends fidelitie Conueyes himselfe out of the French Kings Court Vnder pretence to go to Britannie And with his followers that to him resort Landed in England Welcom'd ioyfully Of th'altring vulgar apt for changes still As headlong carried with a present will 87 And com'n to quiet shore but not to rest The first night of his ioyfull landing here A fearefull vision doth his thoughts molest Seeming to see in reuerent forme appeare A faire and goodly woman all distrest Which with full-weeping eyes and rented haire Wringing her hands as one that griev'd and prayd With sighes commixt with words vnto him said 88 O whither dost thou tend my vnkinde Sonne What mischiefe dost thou go-about to bring To her whose Genius thou here lookst vpon Thy Mother-countrey whence thy selfe didst spring Whither thus dost thou in ambition run To change due course by foule disordering What bloodshed what turmoyles dost thou commence To last for many wofull ages hence 89 Stay here thy foote thy yet vnguilty foote That canst not stay when thou art farther in Retire thee yet vnstain'd whil'st it doth boote The end is spoyle of what thou dost begin Iniustice neuer yet tooke lasting roote Nor held that long Impietie did win The babes vnborne shall ô be borne to bleed In this thy quarrell if thou do proceede 90 This said she ceast when he in troubled thought Griev'd at this tale and sigh't and thus replies Deare Countrey ô I haue not hither brought These Armes to spoyle but for thy liberties The sinne be on their head that this haue wrought Who wrongd me first and thee do tyrannise I am thy Champion and I seeke my right Prouok't I am to this by others spight 91 This this pretence saith shee th' ambitious finde To smooth iniustice and to flatter wrong Thou dost not know what then will be thy minde When thou shalt see thy selfe aduanc't and strong When thou hast shak't off that which others binde Thou soone forgettest what thou learnedst long Men do not know what then themselues will bee When-as more then themselues themselues they see 92 And here with all turning about he wakes Lab'ring in spirit troubled with this strange sight And mus'd a while waking aduisement takes Of what had past in sleepe and silent night Yet hereof no important reck'ning makes But as a dreame that vanisht with the light The day designes and what he had in hand Left it to his diuerted thoughts vnscand 93 Doubtfull at first he warie doth proceed Seemes not affect that which he did effect 〈◊〉 else perhaps seemes as he meant indeed Sought but his owne and did no more expect Then Fortune thou art guiltie of his deed That didst his state aboue his hopes erect And thou must beare some blame of his great sinne That 〈◊〉 him worse then when he did beginne 94 Thou didst conspire with Pride and with the Time To make so easie an ascent to wrong That he who had no thought so hie to clime With sauouring comfort still allur'd along Was with occasion thrust into the crime Seeing others weakenes and his part so strong And who is there in such a case that will Do good and feare that may liue free with ill 95 We will not say nor thinke O Lancaster But that thou then didst meane as thou didst sweare Vpon th'Euangelists at Doncaster In th' eye of heauen and that assembly theare That thou but as an vpright orderer Sought'st to reforme th' abused Kingdome here And get thy right and what was thine before And this was all thou would'st attempt no more 96 Though we might say and thinke that this pretence Was but a shadow to the intended act Because th' euent doth argue the offence And plainely seemes to manifest the fact For that hereby thou mightst win confidence With those whom else thy course might hap distract And all suspicion of thy drift remoue Since easily men credit whom they loue 97 But God forbid wee should so neerly pry Into the lowe-deepe-buried sinnes long past T' examine and conferre iniquitie Whereof faith would no memorie should last That our times might not haue t'exemplifie With aged staines but with our owne shame cast Might thinke our blot the first not done before That new-made sinnes might make vs blush the more 98 And let vn wresting Charitie beleeue That then thy oath with thy intent agreed And others faith thy faith did first deceiue Thy after-fortune forc't thee to this deed And let no man 〈◊〉 idle censure giue Because th' euent proues so 't was so decreed For ost our counsels sort to other end Then that which frailtie did at first intend 99 Whil'st those that are but outward lookers on Who sildome sound these mysteries of State Deeme things were so contriv'd as they are done And hold that policie which was but fate Imagining all former acts did
griefe on such calamitie The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Richard mones his wrong and wails his raigne And here betrayd to London he is led Basely attyr'd attending Herfords traine Whereth ' one is scornd the other VVelcomed His Wife mistaking him doth much complaine And both togither greatly sorrowed In hope to saue his life and ease his thrall He yeelds vp state and Rule and Crowne and all 1 IN dearth of faith and scarcitie of friendes The late great mighty Monarch on the shore In th' vtmost corner of his Land attendes To call backe false obedience fled before Toyles and in vaine histoyle and labour spendes More harts he sought to gaine he lost the more All turn'd their faces to the rising sunne And leaue his setting-fortune night begunne 2 Tercy how soone by thy example led The household traine for sooke their wretched Lord When with thy staffe of charge dishonoured Thou brak'st thy fayth not steward of thy word And tookst his part that after tooke thy head When thine owne hand had strengthned first his sword For such great merits do vpbraid and call For great reward or thinke the great too smal 3 And Kings loue not to be beholding ought Which makes their chiefest friends oft speed the worst For those by whom their fortunes haue bin wrought Put them in minde of what they were at 〈◊〉 Whose doubtfull faith if once in question brought T is thought they will offend because they durst And taken in a fault are neuer spar'd Being easier to reuenge then to reward 4 And thus these mightie actors sonnes of change These partizanes of factions often tri'd That in the smoake of Innouations strange Builde huge vncertaine plots of vnsure pride And on the hazard of a bad exchange Haue ventur'd all the stocke of life beside Whilst Princes rais'd disdaine to haue bin rais'd By those whose helpes deserue not to be prais'd 5 But thus is Richard left and all alone Saue with th'vnarmed title of his right And those braue troupes his fortune-followers gone And all that pompe the complements of might Th'amuzing shadowes that are cast vpon The state of Princes to beguile the sight All vanisht cleane and only frailty left Himselfe of all besides himselfe bereft 6 Like when some great Colossus whose strong base Or mightie props are shrunk or sunke away Fore-shewing ruine threatning all the place That in the danger of his fall doth stay All straight to better safetie flocke apace Nonerest to helpe the ruine while they may The 〈◊〉 great and doubtfull the redresse Men are content to leaue Right in distresse 7 And looke how Thames inricht with many a Flood And goodly Riuers that haue made their Graues And buried both their names and all their good Within his greatnes to augment his 〈◊〉 Glides on with pompe of Waters vn withstood Vnto the Ocean which his tribute craues And layes vp all his wealth within that powre Which in it selfe all greatnes doth deuowre 8 So flocke the mighty with their following traine Vnto the all-receiuing Bulling brooke Who wonders at himselfe how hee should gaine So many harts as now his partie tooke And with what ease and with how slender paine His fortune giues him more then he could looke What he imagind neuer could be wrought Is powrd vpon him 〈◊〉 beyond his thought 9 So often things which seeme at first in showe Without the 〈◊〉 of accomplishment Once ventred on to that successe do growe That euen the Authors do admire th' euent So many meanes which they did neuer knowe Do second their designes and do present Straunge vnexpected helps and chiefly then When th' Actors are reputed worthy men 10 And Richard who lookt Fortune in the backe Sees headlong-lightness running from the right Amazed standes to note how great a wracke Of faith his riots caus'd what mortall spight They beare him who did law and iustice lacke Sees how concealed hate breakes out in sight And feare 〈◊〉 enuie pent before When fit occasion thus vnlockt the dore 11 Like when some mastive whelpe dispos'd to play A whole confused heard of beastes doth chace Which with one vile consent run all away If any hardier then the rest in place But offer head that idle feare to stay Backe straight the daunted chaser turnes his face And all the rest with bold example led As fast run on him as before they fled 12 So with this bold opposer rushes-on This many-headed monster Multitude And he who late was feard is set vpon And by his owne Actaeon-like pursu'd His owne that had all loue and a we forgone Whom breath and shadowes onely did delude And newer hopes which promises perswade Though rarely men keepe 〈◊〉 so made 13 Which when he saw thus to himselfe complaines O why do you fond false-deceined so Run headlong to that change that nothing gaines But gaine of sorrow onely change of wo Which is all one if he be like who raignes Why will you buy with blood what you forgoe T is nought but shewes that Ignorance esteemes The thing possest is not the thing it seemes 14 And when the sinnes of Bullingbrooke shall be As great as mine and you vnanswered In these your hopes then may you wish for me Your lawfull Sov'raigne from whose faith you sled And grieued in your soules the error see That shining promises had shadowed As th'humorous sicke remouing finde no ease When changed Chambers change not the disease 15 Then shall you finde this name of Libertie The watch-word of Rebellion euer vs'd The idle eccho of Vncertaintie That euermore the simple hath abus'd But new-turnd Seruitude and Miserie And euen the same and worse before refus'd Th' aspirer once attaind vnto the top Cuts off those meanes by which himselfe got vp 16 And with a harder hand and streighter raine Doth curbe that loosenes he did finde before Doubting th' occasion like might serue againe His owne example makes him feare the more Then ô iniurious Land what dost 〈◊〉 gaine To aggrauate thine owne afflictions store Since thou must needs obay Kings gouernement And no rule euer yet could all content 17 What if my youth hath offered vp to lust Licentious fruites of indiscreet desires When idle heate of vainer yeeres did thrust That furie on yet now when it retires To calmer state why should you so distrust To reape that good whereto mine age aspires The youth of Princes haue no boundes for sinne Vnlesse themselues do make them boundes within 18 Who sees not that sees ought wo worth the while The easie way that Greatnesse hath to fall Enuirond with deceit hemm'd-in with guile Sooth'd vp in flatterie fawned on of all Within his owne liuing as in exile Heare 's but with others eares or not at all And euen is made a prey vnto a fewe Who locke vp grace that would to other shewe 19 And who as let in lease do farme the Crowne And ioy the vfe of Maiestie and might
Countrie com'n to vvage Warre vvith thy selfe nor those afflictions try'd Of all consuming discorde here so long Too mightie novv against thy selfe too strong The ende of the second Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE Henrie the fourth the Crowne established The Lords that did to Glosters death consent Degraded do rebell are vanquished King Richard vnto Pomfret Castle sent Is by a cruell Knight there murthered After the Lords had had their punishment His Corps from thence to London is conuayd And there for all to view is open layd 1 NOw risen is that Head by which did spring The birth of two strong Heads two Crownes two rights That monstrous shape that afterward did bring Deform'd confusion to distracted wights Now is attain'd that dearely purchast thing That fill'd the world with lamentable sights And now attain'd all care is how to frame Meanes to establish and to hold the same 2 First he attends to build a strong conceipt Of his vsurped powre in peoples mindes And armes his cause with furniture of weight Which easily the sword and Greatnesse findes Succession Conquest and election straight Suggested are and prov'd in all their kindes More then ynough they finde who finde their might Hath force to make all that they will haue Right 3 Though one of these might verie well suffise His present approbation to procure But who his own cause makes doth stil deuise To make too much to haue it more then sure Feare casts too deepe and euer is too wise No vsuall plots the doubtfull can secure And all these disagreeing Claymes he had With hope to make one good of many bad 4 Like vnto him that fears and faine would stop Aninundation working-on apace Runs to the Breach heapes mightie matter vp Throwes indigested burthens on the place Lodes with huge weights the out-side the top But leaues the inner partes in feeble case Whil'st th'vnder-searching water working-on Beares proudly downe all that was idly don 5 So fares it with our indirect desseignes And wrong contriued labors at the last Whil'st working Time and iustice vndermines The feeble frame held to be wrought so fast Then when out-breaking vengeance vncombines The ill-ioyn'd plots so fayrely ouer-cast Turnes vp those huge pretended heapes of showes And all these weake illusions ouer-throwes 6 But after hauing made his title plaine Vnto his Coronation he proceedes Which in most sumptuous sort to intertaine The gazing vulgar whom this splendor feeds Is stately furnisht with a glorious traine Wherein the former Kings he far exceedes And all t' amuse the world and turne the thought Of what how 't was done to whatis wrought 7 And that he might on many props repose He strengths his owne who his part did take New Officers new Councellors he chose His eldest sonne the Prince of Wales doth make His second Lord high Steward and to those Had hazarded their fortunes for his sake He giues them charge as merites their deseart And rayses them by crushing th' aduerse part 8 So that hereby the vniuersall face Of Court with all the Offices of State Are wholly chang'd by death or by disgrace Vpon th' aduantage of the peoples hate Who euer enuying those of chiefest place Whom neither worth nor vertue but their fate Exalted hath doo when their Kings doo naught Because it 's in their powre iudge it their faute 9 And in their steed such as were popular And wel-deseruing were aduanc't by grace Graue Shirley he ordaines Lord Chancelor Both worthy for his vertues and his race And Norburie hee appoints for Treasurer A man though meane yet fit to vse that place And others t'other roomes whom people hold So much more lov'd how much they loath the old 10 And it behoues him now to doo his best T' approue his vow and oath made to the State And many great disorders he redrest Which alwayes Vsurpation makes the gate To let it selfe into the peoples brest And seekes the publike best t'accommodate Wherein Iniustice better doth then Right For who reproues the lame must go vpright 11 Though it be easie to accuse a State Of imperfection and misgouernment And easie to beget in people hate Of present Rule which cannot all content And fewe attempt it that effect it not Yet t'introduce a better gouernment In steed thereof if we t'example looke The vnder-takers haue beene ouer-tooke 12 Then against those he strictly doth proceed Who chiefe of Glosters death were guiltie thought Not so much for the hatred of that deed But vnder this pretext the meanes he sought To ruine such whose might did much exceed His powre to wrong nor else could well be wrought Law Iustice blood the zeale vnto the dead Were on 〈◊〉 side and his drift coloured 13 Here many of the greatest of the Land Accus'd were of the act strong proofes brought out Which strongly were 〈◊〉 the Lords all stand To cleare their Cause 〈◊〉 resolutely stout The King 〈◊〉 what he tooke in hand Was not with safety to be brought-about Desists to vrge their death in any wise Respecting number strength friends and allies 14 Nor was it time now in his tender raigne And infant-young-beginning gouernement To striue with blood when lenitie must gaine The mightie men and please the discontent New Kings do feare when old Courts farther straine Establisht States to all things will consent He must dispense with his will and their crime And seeke t' oppresse and weare them out with time 15 Yet not to seeme but to haue some thing done In what he could not as he would effect To 〈◊〉 the people that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to expect He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 was elect A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 few or none would misse Who first did serue their turne and now serues his 16 And to abase the too high state of those That were accus'd and lesten their degrees Aumarle Surry Exceter must lose The names of Dukes their titles dignities And whatsoeuer profits thereby rise The Earles their titles and their Signories And all they got in th' end of Richards raigne Since Glosters death they must restore againe 17 By this as if by Ostracisme t' abate That great presumptiue wealth whereon they stand For first hereby impov'rishing their state He killes the meanes they might haue to withstand Then equals them with other whom they hate Who by their spoyles are rais'd to hie command That weake and enuied if they should conspire They wracke themselues and he hath his desire 18 Yet by this grace which must be held a grace As both they and the world are made beleeue He thinks t' haue dealt benignly in this case And left them state ynough to let them liue And that the taking from thē meanes place Was nothing in respect what hee did giue But they that knowe how their owne reckning 〈◊〉 Account not what they haue but what they lose 19 The Parlement which now is held decreed What-euer pleas'd
maintaine His charge abrode which with that discontent That murmure those denyals hee doth gaine As that hee findes it euen as turbulent To warre for it as with it all his Raigne Though hee had those inforcements of expence Both for 〈◊〉 retaynements and defence 65 For here beside these troubles in the Land His large Dominions held abrode require A plentiful and a prepared hand To guard them where so mightie men aspire T' assaile distract 〈◊〉 trouble his Command With hopes with promises with sword and fire And 〈◊〉 as deepe importes his 〈◊〉 to cleere Which by his neighbors much infested were 66 The Flomings Britaines with the French and all Attemptincursions and worke much despight Orleance for Guien and here the Conte Saint Paul For Calais labours and the I le of Wight Wherein though neither had successe at all Yet 〈◊〉 ouercame and wonne by fight Important Holdes in Gasconie the-while And did the English much distresse and spoyle 67 All which require prouisions to withstand And all are succord with great prouidence A Nauie to secure the Seas is mann'd And forces sent to Calais for defence And wherein other parts defectiue stand 〈◊〉 are supply'd with carefull diligence So that his subiects could not but well knowe That what they 〈◊〉 he did sure bestowe 68 Nor did hee spare himselfe nor his but bent All-wholly 〈◊〉 actiue Worthynesse The Prince of VVales vnto his Prouince sent Where hee was sure hee should not take his ease His second soune is with the Earle of Kent Imployd as 〈◊〉 to keepe the Seas A third though very yong likewise sent forth With VVestmerland attends vnto the North. 69 Thus were they bred who after were to bee Men amongst men here with these graue Adioynts These learned Maisters they were taught to see Themselues to read the world and keep their points Thus were they entred in the first degree And Accedence of action which acquaints Them with the Rules of Worth and Nobleness Which in true Concord they learn'd well t' expresse 70 And whiles h'attends the State thus carefully The Earle of Marches children are conuay'd Out of the Towre of VVindsor secretly Being prisoners there not for their merit lay'd But for their Bloud and to the ende whereby This Chayne of Nature might be interlay'd Betweene the Father and his high intents To hold him backe to saue these innocents 71 For which attempt though it were frustrated By their recouerie who were got againe Aumarle now Duke of Yorke is chalenged By his owne sister to haue layd that trayne Who late her Lord with others ruined In secretly betraying them t' obtaine His grace and peace which yet contents him not For Who hath grace and peace by treason got 72 So much did loue t' her executed Lord Predominate in this faire Ladies hart As in that region it would not afford Nature a place to rest in any part Of her affections but that she abhord Her proper blood and left to doo the part Of 〈◊〉 to doo that of a wife T' auenge a Husbands death by Brothers life 73 Vpon which accusation presently The Duke committed is without much stirre Or vulgar noyse for that it tenderly Did touch the secretst wounds of Lancaster When streight another new conspiracie As if it were a certaine 〈◊〉 Ally'd to this ingendred in the North Is by th'Archbishop Scroope with power brought forth 74 And with faire zeale and pietie approv'd To be forth vniuersall benefit And succour of the people who soone mov'd By such perswaders as are held vpright And for their zeale and charitie belov'd Vse not t' examine if the Cause be right But leap into the toyle and are vndon By following them that they rely'd vpon 75 Here new aspersions with new obloquies Are layde on old deserts and future ill On present suffrings bruted to aryse That farther grieuancesing ender wil. And then concussion rapine pilleries Their Catalogue of accusations fill Which to redresse they doo presume to make Religion to auow the part they take 76 And euen as Canterburie did produce A Pardon to aduance him to the 〈◊〉 The like now Yorke 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 His faction for the pulling of him down Whilst th' ignorant deceiv'd by this abuse Makes others ends to be as if their owne But what wold these haue don against the crimes Oppressions ryots wastes of other times 77 Since now they had a Monarch and a man Rays'd by his worth and by their owne consent To gouerne them and workes the best he can T' aduance the Crowne and giue the State coÌ„tent Commits not all to others care nor ran Anidle course or on his 〈◊〉 spent But thus the Horse at first bites at the Bit That after is content to play with it 78 Growne to a mighty powre attending now Northumberland with his prepared ayde The Bishop by a parle is with a showe Of combination cunningly be trayde By Westmerland whose wit did ouerthrowe Without a sword all these great feates and stayd The mightiest danger that did euer yet Thy Crowne and State disturbed Henrie threat 79 For which this reuerent Priest with Mowbray dyes Who both drawne on with passion of despight To vndertake this fatall enterpise The one his brothers bloud-shed to requite The other for his fathers iniuries Did wrong themselues and did not others right For who through th' eyes of their affections looke And not of iudgement thus are ouer-tooke 80 Where of when newes came to Northumberland Who seldome other then of miserie Seemes borne to hearâ—â— being ever behind hand With Fortune and his opportunitie To Scotland flyes where giuen to vnderstand Of some intrapment by conspiracie Gets into VVales whence hee aduentured T' attempt another day and lost his head 81 Whereby once more those Parts are quieted When-as the King who neuer had his brow Seene free from sweat nor hart from trouble rid Was with suspicion that his sonne grew now Too popular and forward so much fed By wicked instruments who well knew how To gaine by Princes feares as he thereby Fell in his griefe to great extreamitie 82 Which when that vertuous Prince who borne to bee The module of a glorious Monarch heard With humble protestations did so free His fathers feares and his owne honor cleer'd As that he plainely made the world to see How base Detraction and Deceipt appeard And that a hart so nobly built could not Containe within a thought that wore a blot 83 Wherewith the king betakes him to some peace Yet to a peace much like a sicke-mans sleep Whose vnrelenting paines do neuer cease But alwayes watch vpon his weakenes keepe That neuer any Sabaoth of release Could free his trauailes and afflictions deepe But still his cares held working all his life Till Death concludes a finall end with strife 84 Whos 's Herald Sickenes being imployd before With full commission to denounce his end And paine and griefe inforcing more
sollicited That this great Earle was drawne t' attempt the thing And practiseth how to depose the King 27 For being of mightie meanes to do the deed And yet of mightier hopes then meanes to do And yet of spirit that did his hopes exceed And then of Blood as great to adde thereto All these with what the gold of France could breed Being powers enow a clyming minde to woo He so imploy'd that many he had wonne Euen of the chiefe the King reli'd vpon 28 The well-knowne right of th' Earle of March allur'd A leaning loue whose Cause he did pretend Whereby he knew that so himselfe procur'd The Crowne for his owne children in the ende For the Earle beeing as hee was assur'd Vnapt for issue it must needes descend On those of his being next of Clarence race As who by course of right should hold the place 29 It was the time when-as the forward Prince Had all prepar'd for his great enterprize And ready stand his troupes to part from hence And all in stately forme and order lyes When open Fame giues out intelligence Of these bad complots of his enemies Or else this time of purpose chosen is Though knowne before yet let run-on till this 30 That this might yeeld the more 〈◊〉 aggrauate Vpon so foul a deed vntimely sought Now at this point t' attempt to ruinate So glorious a designe so forward brought Whil'st careful Virtue seekes t' aduance the State And for her euerlasting honor sought That though the Cause seem'd right and title strong The time 〈◊〉 dooing it yet makes it wrong 31 But straight an vnlamented death he had And straight were ioyfully the Anchors weighd And all flocke fast aboord with visage glad As if the sacrifice had now beene payd For their good speed that made 〈◊〉 stay so sad Loathing the least occasion that delayd And now new thoughts great hopes calme seas fair windes With present action intertaine their mindes 32 No other crosse ô Henry saw thy dayes But this that toucht thy now possessed hold Nor after long till this mans sonne assayes To get of thine the right that he controll'd For which contending long his life he payes So that it fatal seem'd the father should Thy winning seeke to stay and then his sonne Should be the cause to lose when thou hadst won 33 Yet now in this so happy a meane-while And interlightning times thy 〈◊〉 wrought That Discord had 〈◊〉 leasure to defile So faire attempts with a tumultuous thought And euen thy selfe thy selfe didst so beguile With such attention vpon what was sought That time 〈◊〉 not now with feare or hate Others to seeke thee to secure thy State 34 Or else how easie had it beene for thee All the pretendant race t' haue layd full lowe If thou proceeded hadst with crueltie Not suffering any fatall branch to growe But vnsuspicious Magnanimitie Shames such effectes of feare and force to showe Busied in free and open Actions still Being great for being good hates to be ill 35 And yet such wrongs are held meete to be done And often for the State thought requisite As when the publike good depends thereon When great iniustice is esteem'd great right But yet what good with doing ill is won Who hath of blood made such a benefite As hath not fear'd more after then before And made his peace the 〈◊〉 his plague the more 36 Farre otherwise dealt this vndaunted King That cherished the ofspring of his foes And his Competitors to grace did bring And them his friendes for Armes and honors chose As if plaine courses were the safest thing Where vpright goodnesse sure and stedfast goes Free from that subtile maskt impietie Which this depraued world calles policie 37 Yet how hath Fate dispos'd of all this good What haue these Virtues after 〈◊〉 auail'd In what stead hath hy-raised Valour stood When this continuing cause of Greatnes fail'd Then when proud-growne the irritated blood Enduring not it selfe it selfe 〈◊〉 As though that Prowesse had but learnd to spill Much blood abrode to cut her throat with skill 38 How doth th' Eternall in the course of things Immix the causes both of Good and Ill That thus the one effects of th' other brings As what seemes made to blisse is borne to spill What from the best of Virtues glorie springs That which the world with miserie doth fill Is th' end of happinesse but wretchednesse Hath Sinne his plague and Virtue no successe 39 Either that is not good the world holdes good Or else is so confus'd with ill that we Abused with th' appearing likelihood Run to offend whil'st we thinke good to bee Or else the heauens made man in furious blood To torture man Allotting no course free From mischiefe long Sending faire dayes that breed But stormes to make more foul times that succeed 40 Who would haue thought that so great victories Such conquests riches Land and Kingdome gain'd Could not but haue establisht in such wise This powrefull state in state to haue remain'd Who would haue thought that Mischiefe could deuise A way so soone to lose what was attain'd As if powre were but shew'd to grieue not grace And to reduce vs into farre worse case 41 With what contagion Fraunce didst thou infect This Land by thee made proud to disagree T'inrage them so their owne swordes to direct Vpon them-selues that were made sharp in thee Why didst thou teach them here at homet'erect Trophees of their blood which of thine should bee Or was the date of thine affliction out And so by course was ours to come about 42 But that vntimely death of this great King Whose nine yeeres Raigne so mightie wonders wrought To thee thy hopes to vs despaire did bring Not long to keepe and gouerne what was got For those that had th'affayres in managing Although their Countries good they greatly sought Yet so ill accidentes vofitly fell That their dessignes could hardly prosper wel 43 An infant King doth in the State succeed 〈◊〉 one yeere old left vnto others guide Whose 〈◊〉 trust though such as shew'd indeed They weigh'd their charge more then the world beside And did with dutie zeale and loue proceed Yet for all what their trauaile could prouide Could not woo Fortune to remaine with vs When this her Minion was departed thus 44 But by degrees first this then that regain'd The turning tide beares backe with flowing chaunce Vnto the Dolphin all we had attain'd And filles the late lowe-running hopes of Fraunce When Bedford who our onely hold maintain'd Death takes from vs their fortune to aduance And then home-strife that on it selfe did fall Neglecting forraine care did soone lose all 45 Neere three score yeeres are past since Bulling brooke Did first attaine God knowes how iust the Crowne And now his race 〈◊〉 right possessors tooke Were held of all to hold nought but their owne When Richard Duke of Yorke begins to looke Into their right and makes his 〈◊〉 knowne
on whom to lay The heauie burthen of reproche and blame Against whose deedes th' afflicted may inuay As th' onely Authors whence destruction came When yet perhaps 't was not in them to stay The current of that streame nor help the same But liuing in the eye of Action so Not hindring it are thought to draw-on wo. 66 So much vnhappie do the Mightie stand Who stand on other then their owne defence When-as destruction is so neere at hand That if by weakenesse folly negligence They do not coming miserie withstand They shall be deemed th'authors of th' offence And to call in that which they kept not out And curst as they who brought those plagues about 67 And so remaine for euer rigistred In that eternall booke of Infamie When yet how many other causes led As well to that as their iniquitie The worst complots oft lie close smothered And well-meant deedes fall out vnluckily Whil'st the aggrieu'd stand not to waigh th' intent But euer iudge according to th' euent 68 I say not this t' excuse thy Sinne ô Queene Nor cleare their faults who mightie Actors are I cannot but affirme thy pride hath been A speciall meanes this Common-wealth to marre And that thy weyward will was plainely seene In vaine ambition to presume too farre And that by thee the onely way was wrought The Duke of Gloster to his death was brought 69 A man though seeming in thy thought to sit Betweene the light of thy desires and thee Yet did his taking thence plainely permit Others to looke to that they could not see During his life nor would aduenture it When his Remoue quite made that passage free That by his fall thinking to stand alone Thou scarce could'st stand at all when he was gone 70 For this Duke as Protector many yeeres Had rul'd the Land during the Kings young age And now the selfe same charge and title beares As if hee still were in his pupillage Which such disgrace vnto the Queene appeares That all incenst with an ambitious rage Shee doth conspire to haue him made-away As one that stayd the Current of her sway 71 Thrust thereinto not onely with her pride But by her fathers counsell and consent Who griev'd likewise that any one beside Should haue the honor of the gouernment And therefore he such deepe aduice appli'd As forraine craft and cunning could inuent To circumuent an vnsuspecting wight Before he should discerne of their despight 72 And many ready hands shee straight doth finde To ayde her deed of such as could not brooke The length of one mans office in that kind Who all th' especiall Charges vnder-tooke Rul'd all himselfe and neuer had the minde T' impart a part with others who would looke To haue likewise some honor in their hands And griev'd at such ingrossing of Commands 73 For had he not had such a greedy loue To intertaine his Offices too long Enuie had beene vnable to reproue His acted life vnless shee did him wrong But hauing liv'd so many yeeres aboue He grieues now to descend to belesse strong And kils that fame that virtue did beget Chose to be held lesse good then seene lesse great 74 For could the mightie but giue bounds to pride And weigh backe Fortune ere shee pull Them downe Contented with inough with honors satisfi'd Not striuing how to make so much their owne As to leaue nothing for the rest beside Who seeme by their high-spreading ouer-growne Whil'st they themselues remaine in all mens sight The odious marke of hatred and despight 75 Then neuer should so many tragedies Burthen our knowledge with their bloody end Nor their disgrac't confounded families From so high pride to solowe shame descend But planted on that ground where safetie lyes Their braunches should to eternitie extend But euer they who ouer-looke so much Will ouer-see themselues their state is such 76 Seuere he was and strictly did obserue Due forme of Iustice towards euery wight Vnmoueable and neuer won to swerue For any cause in what he thought was right Wherein although he did so well deserue In the licentious yet it bred despight So that euen Virtue seemes an Actor too To ruine those Fortune prepares t' vndoo 77 Now such being forward who the Queene well knewe Hated his might and glad to innouate Vnto so great and strong a partie grew As it was easie to subuert his State And onely hope of alteration drew Many to yeeld that had no cause to hate For euen with goodnesse men growe discontent Where States are ripe to fall and virtue spent 78 And taking all the Rule into her hand Vnder the shadow of that feeble King The Duke sh'excludes from Office and Command And in the reach of enmitie doth bring From that respected height where he did stand When malice scarce durst mutter any thing And now the worst of him comes all reueal'd Which former feare or rigor kept conceal'd 79 Now is he taxed that he rather sought His priuate profit then the publique good And many things presumptuously had wrought Other then with our lawes and customes stood As one that would into the Land haue brought The Ciuile forme in cases touching blood And such poore Crimes that shew'd their spight was soūd But yet be wrayde their matter wanted ground 80 Yet serv'd they well the turne and did effect That which is easie wrought in such a case Where what suborned Iustice shal obiect Is to the purpose and must passe with grace And what the wretched bring of no effect Whose haynous faultes his matter must deface For where Powre hath decreed to finde th' offence The Cause is better still then the defence 81 A Parlement at Berry summoned Dispatcht the deed more speedily then well For thither came the Duke without all dread Or oughtimagining of what befell Where now the matter is so followed That he conuented is 〈◊〉 he could tell He was in danger or had done offence And presently to prison sent from thence 82 Which quicke and so daine action gaue not time For men to waigh the iustice of the deed Whil'st looking onely on the vrged crime Vnto the farther drist they take no heed For these occasions taken in the prime Of courses new that old dislikes succeed Leaue not behind that feeling touch of wrong Satietie makes passions still lesse strong 83 And yet they seem'd some mutinie to doubt For thus proceeding with a man of might Consid'ring hee was popular and stout And resolute would stand vpon his Right And therefore did they cast this way about To haue him closely murdred out of sight That so his trouble and his death hereby Might come togither and togither die 84 Reckning it better since his end is ment And must be wrought at once to rid it cleere And put it to the fortune of th' euent Then by long doing to be long in feare When in such courses of high punishment The deed and the attempt like daunger beare And oft
euer since plagu'd with a curious thought Of stirring search could neuer quiet finde What hath he done who now by stealth hath got Lightning and thunder both in wondrous kinde What plague deserues so proud an enterprize Tell Muse and how it came and in what wise 28 It was the time when faire Europa sate With many goodly Diadems addrest And all her parts in florishing estate Lay beautiful in order at their rest No swelling member vnproportionate Growne out of forme sought to disturbe the rest The lesse subsisting by the greaters might The greater by the lesser kept vpright 29 No noise of tumult euer wak't them all Onely perhaps some priuate iarre within For titles or for confines might befall Which ended soone made better loue begin But no eruption did in generall Breake downe their rest with vniuersall sin No publique shock disioynted this faire frame Till Nemesis from out the Orient came 30 Fierce Nemesis mother of fate and change Sword-bearer of th' eternall Prouidence That had so long with such afflictions strange Confounded Asias proud magnificence And brought foule impious Barbarisme to range On all the glory of her excellence Turnes her 〈◊〉 looke at last vnto the West As griev'd to see on earth such happy rest 31 And for Pandora calleth presently Pandora Ioues faire gift that first deceiv'd Poore 〈◊〉 imbecillitie That thought he had a wondrous boone receiv'd By meanes whereof curious Mortalitie Was of all former quiet quite bereav'd To whom beeing come deckt with all qualities The wrathfull Goddesse breakes out in this wise 32 Doost thou not see in what secure estate Those florishing faire Westerne parts remaine As if they had made couenaunt with Fate To be exempted free from others paine At-one with their desires friends with Debate In peace with Pride content with their owne gaine Their bounds containe their minds their minds appli'd To haue their bounds with plentie beautifi'd 33 Deuotion mother of Obedience Beares such a hand on their credulitie That it abates the spirit of eminence And busies them with humble pietie For see what workes what infinite expence What monuments of zeale they edifie As if they would so that no stop were found Fill all with Temples make all holy ground 34 But wee must coole this all 〈◊〉 zeale That hath enioy'd so faire a turne so long And other reuolutions must reueale Other desires other designes among 〈◊〉 of this first by degrees shall steale Vpon the soules of men perswaded wrong And that abused Power which thus hath wrought Shall giue herselfe the sword to cut her throat 35 Goe therefore thou with all thy stirring traine Of swelling Sciences the gifts of griefe Go loose the links of that soule-binding chaine Inlarge this vninquisitiue Beliefe Call-vp mens spirits that simplenes retaine Enter their harts Knowledge make the thiefe To open all the doores to let in light That all may all things see but what is right 36 Opinion Arme against Opinion growne Make new-borne Contradiction still to rise As if Thebes-founder Cadmus tongues had sowne Instead of teeth for greater mutinies Bring new-defended Faith against Faith knowne Weary the Soule with contrarieties Till all Religion become retrograde And that faire tire the maske of sinne be made 37 And better to effect a speedy end Let there be found two fatall Instruments The one to publish th' other to defend Impious Contention and proud Discontents Make that instamped Characters may send Abroad to thousands thousand mens intent And in a moment may dispatch much more Then could a world of Pennes performe before 38 Whereby all quarrels titles secrecies May vnto all be presently made knowne Factions prepar'd parties allur'd to rise Sedition vnder faire pretentions sowne Whereby the vulgar may become so wise That with a self-presumption ouer-growne They may of deepest mysteries debate Controule their betters censure actes of State 39 And then when this dispersed mischiefe shall Haue brought confusion in each mysterie Call'd-vp contempt of states in generall Ripened the humor of impiety Then haue they th' other Engin where-with-all They may torment their selfe-wrought miserie And scourge each other in so strange a wise As time or Tyrants neuer could deuise 40 For by this stratagem they shall confound All th' antient forme and discipline of Warre Alter their Camps alter their fights their ground Daunt mightie spirits prowesse and manhood marre For basest cowardes from a far shall wound The most couragious forc't to fight afarre Valour wrapt vp in smoake as in the night Shall perish without witnesse without sight 41 But first before this generall disease Breake foorth into so great extreamitie Prepare it by degrees first kill this ease Spoyle this proportion marre this harmonie Make greater States vpon the lesser seaze Ioyne many kingdomes to one soueraigntie Rayse a few Great that may with greater power Slaughter each other and mankinde deuour 42 And first begin with factions to diuide The fairest Land that from her thrusts the rest As if she car'd not for the world beside A world within her selfe with wonders blest Raise such a strife as time shall not decide Till the deare blood of most of all her best Be poured foorth and all her people tost With vnkinde tumults and almost all lost 43 Let her be made the sable Stage whereon Shall first be acted bloodie Tragedies That all the neighbour States gazing thereon May make their profite by her miseries And those whom she before had marcht vpon Hauing by this both time and meane to rise Made martiall by her Armes shall growe so great As saue their owne no force shall them defeat 44 That when their power vnable to sustaine And beare it selfe vpon it selfe shall fall She may recouered of her wounds againe Sit and behold their Parts as tragicall For there must come a time that shall obtaine Truce for 〈◊〉 when make-peace Hymen shall Bring the conioyned aduerse powers to bed And set the Crowne made one vpon one head 45 Out of which blessed vnion shall arise A sacred branch with grace and glory blest Whose Virtue shall her Land so patronize As all our power shall not her dayes molest For snee 〈◊〉 shee the Minion of the skies Shall purchase of the high st to hers such rest 〈◊〉 betweene the wrath of heauen and them As no 〈◊〉 shall touch her Diadem 46 And from the Rockes of Safetie shall descrie The wondrous wracks that Wrath layes ruined All round about her blood and miserie Powres betray'd Princes slaine Kings massacred States all-confus'd brought to calamitie And all the face of Kingdomes altered Yet she the same inuiolable stands Deare to her owne wonder to other Lands 47 But let not her defence discourage thee For neuer one but shee shall haue this grace From all disturbs to be so long kept free And with such glorie to discharge that place And therefore 〈◊〉 by such a Power thou bee Stopt of thy course reckon it no disgrace Sith shee alone being
priuiledg'd from hie Hath this large Patent of her dignitie 48 This charge the Goddesle gaue when ready straight The subtill messenger accompayned With all hercrew of Artes that on her wait Hastes to effect what she was counsailed And out she pours of her immense conceit Vpon such searching spirits as trauayled In penetrating hidden secrecies Who soone these meanes of miserie deuise 49 And boldly breaking with rebellious minde Into their mothers close-lockt Treasurie They Mineralls combustible do finde Which in 〈◊〉 concaues placed cunningly They fire and fire imprisoned against kinde Teares out a way thrusts out his enemie Barking with such a horror as if wroth With man that wrongs himselfe and Nature both 50 And this beginning had this cursed frame Which Yorke now planted hath against his King Presuming by his powre and by the same His purpose vnto good effect to bring When diuers of the grauest Councell came Sent from the King to vnderstand what thing Had thrust him into these proceedings bad And what he sought and what intent he had 51 Who with words mildly-sharpe gently-seuere Wrought on those wounds that must be toucht with heed Applying rather salues of hope then feare Least corrasiues should desperat mischiefes breed And what my Lord sayd they should moue you here In this vnseemely manner to proceed Whose worth being such as all the Land admires Hath fairer wayes then these to your desires 52 Wil you whose means whose many friends whose grace Can worke the world in peace vnto your will Take such a course as shal your Blood deface And make by handling bad a good Cause ill How many hearts hazard you in this case That in all quiet plots would ayde you still Hauing in Court a Partie farre more strong Then you conceiue prest to redresse your wrong 53 Phy phy forsake this hatefull course my Lord Downe with these Armes that will but wound your Cause What Peace may do hazard not with the Sword Lay downe the force that from your force with-drawes And yeeld and we will mediate such accord As shal dispense with rigor and the lawes And interpose this solemne fayth of our Betwixt your fault and the offended Power 54 Which ingins of protests and proffers kinde Vrg'd out of seeming griefe and shewes of loue So shooke the whole foundation of his Minde As they did all his resolution moue And present seem'd vnto their course inclin'd So that the King would Sommerset remoue The man 〈◊〉 most intolerable pride Trode downe his worth and all good mens beside 55 Which they there vow'd should presently be done For what will not peace-louers willing graunt Where dangerous euents depend thereon And men vnfurnisht and the State in want And if with words the conquest will be won The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 small and who holds breath so scant As then to spare though with indignitie Better descend then end in Maiestie 56 And here-upon the Duke 〈◊〉 his force Submits him to the King on publique vow The rather too presuming on this course For that his sonne the Earle of March was now With mightier powers abroad which would inforce His peace which else the King would not allow For seeing not all of him in him he hath His death would but giue life to greater wrath 57 Yet comming to the King in former place His 〈◊〉 the Duke of Sommerset he findes Whom openly reproching to his face Hee charg'd with treason in the highest kindes The Duke returnes like speeches of disgrace And fierie wordes bewray'd their flaming mindes But yet the triall was for them deferd Till 〈◊〉 time allow'd it to be heard 58 At Westminster a Counsell sommoned Deliberates what course the Cause should end Of th' apprehended Duke of Yorke whose head Doth now on others doubtfull breath depend Law fiercely vrg'd his act and found him dead Friends fayl'd to speake where they could not defend Onely the King himselfe for mercy stood As prodigall of life niggard of blood 59 And as if angrie with the Lawes of death Ah! why should you sayd hee vrge things so far You that inur'd with mercenarie breath And hyred tongue so peremptorie are Brauing on him whom sorrow prostrateth As if you did with poore Affliction warre And prey on frayltie folly hath betray'd Bringing the lawes to wound 〈◊〉 to ayd 60 Dispense sometime with sterne seueritie Make not the Lawes still traps to apprehend Win grace vpon the bad with clemencie Mercie may mend whom malice made offend Death giues no thankes but checkes authoritie And life doth onely Maiestie commend Reuenge dies not Rigor begets new wrath And blood hath neuer glorie Mercy hath 61 And for my part and my part should be chiefe I am most willing to restore his state And rather had I win him with reliefe Then lose him with despight and get more hate Pittie drawes loue blood-shed is natures griefe Compassion followes the vnfortunate And losing him in him I lose my power We rule who liue the dead are none of our 62 And should our rigor lessen then the same Which we with greater glorie should retaine No let him liue his life must giue vs fame The childe of mercie newly borne againe As often burials are Physicians shame So many deaths argue a Kings hard Raigne Why should we say The Law must haue her vigor The Law kills him but quits not vs of rigor 63 You to get more preferment by your wit Others to gaine the spoyles of miserie Labour with all your powre to follow it Shewing vs feares to draw-on crueltie You vrge th' offence not tell vs what is fit Abusing wrong-informed Maiestie As if our powre were onely but to slay And that to saue were a most dangerous way 64 Thus out of Pittie spake that holy King Whom milde affections led to hope the best When Sommerset began to vrge the thing With words of hotter temper thus exprest Deare soueraigne Lord the Cause in managing Is more then yours t'imports the publique rest We all haue part it toucheth all our good And life 's ill spar'd that 's spar'd to cost more blood 65 Compassion here is crueltie my Lord Pittie will cut our throates for sauing so What benefite enioy we by the sword If mischiefe shall escape to draw-on mo Why should we giue what Law cannot afford To be accessaries to our proper wo Wisedome must iudge 'twixt men apt to amend And mindes incurable borne to offend 66 It is no priuat Cause I do protest That moues me thus to prosecute his deede Would God his blood and mine had well releast The dangers that his pride is like to breed Although at me hee seemes to haue addrest His spight 't is not the end hee hath decreed I am not he alone hee doth pursue But thorow me he meanes to shoot at you 67 For thus these great Reformers of a State Aspiring to attaine the Gouernment Still take aduantage of the peoples hate Who euer hate such as are eminent For who can great affaires
negotiat And all a way ward multitude content And then these people-minions they must fall To worke-out vs to work themselues int'all 68 But note my Lord first who is in your hand Then how he hath offended what 's his end It is the man whose Race would seeme to stand Before your Right and doth a Right pretend Who Traitor-like hath rais'd a mightie Band With colour your proceedings to amend Which if it should haue hapned to succeed You had not now sate to adiudge his deed 69 If oftentimes the person not th' offence Haue beene sufficient cause of death to some Where publique safety puts in euidence Of mischiefe likely by their life to come Shall hee whose fortune and his insolence Haue both deserv'd to die escape that doome When you shall saue your Land your Crowne thereby And since You cannot liue vnlesse He die 70 Thus spaketh ' aggrieued Duke that grauely saw Th'incompatible powers of Princes mindes And what affliction his escape might draw Vnto the State and people of all kindes And yet the humble yeelding and the aw Which Yorke there shew'd so good opinion findes That with the rumor of his Sonnes great strength And French affaires he there came quit at length 71 For euen the feare t'exasperat the heat Of th' Earle of March whose forward youth and might Well follow'd seem'd a proud reuenge to threat If any shame should on his Father light And then desire in Gascoyne to reget The glorie lost which home-broyles hinder might Aduantaged the Duke and sav'd his head Which questionlesse had else beene hazarded 72 For now had Burdeux offered vpon ayd Present reuolt if we would send with speed Which faire aduantage to haue then delay'd Vpon such hopes had beene a shamefull deed And therefore this all other courses stayd And out wardly these in ward hates agreed Giuing an interpause to pride and spight Which breath'd but to breake-out with greater might 73 Whil'st dreadfull Talbot terror late of Fraunce Against the Genius of our Fortune stroue The downe-throwne glorie of our State t' aduance Where Fraunce far more then Fraunce he now doth proue For friends opinion and succeeding chaunce Which wrought the weake to yeeld the strong to loue Were not the same that he had found before In happier times when lesse would haue done more 74 For both the Britaine and Burgonian now Came altred with our lucke and won with theirs Those bridges and the gates that did allow So easie passage vnto our affaires Iudging it safer to endeuour how To link with strength then leane vnto despaires And who wants friends to backe what he begins In Lands far off gets not although he wins 75 Which too well prov'd this fatall enterprize The last that lost vs all wee had to lose Where though aduantag'd by some mutinies Aud pettie Lords that in our Cause arose Yet those great fayl'd whose ready quick supplies Euer at hand cheer'd vs and quail'd our foes Succours from far come seldome to our minde For who holds league with Neptune and the winde 76 Yet worthy Talbot thou didst so imploy The broken remnants of disscattered power That they might see it was our destiny Not want of spirit that lost vs what was our Thy dying hand sold them the victorie With so deare wounds as made the conquest sowre So much it cost to spoyle who were vndon And such adoe to win when they had won 77 For as a fierce courageous Mastiue fares That hauing once sure fast'ned on his foe Lyes tugging on that hold neuer forbeares What force soeuer force him to for go The more he feeles his woundes the more he dares As if his death were sweet in dying so So held his hold this Lord whil'st he held breath And scarce but with much blood le ts goe in death 78 For though he saw prepar'd against his side Both vnlike fortune and vnequall force Borne with the swelling current of their pride Downe the maine streame of a most happy course Yet standes he stiffe vndasht vnterrifi'd His minde the same although his fortune worse Virtue in greatest dangers being best showne And though opprest yet neuer ouer-throwne 79 For rescuing of besieg'd Chatillion Where hauing first constraind the French to fly And following hard on their confusion Comes lo incountred with a strong supply Of fresh-arriuing powers that backe thrust-on Those flying troupes another chaunce to trie Who double arm'd with shame and fury straine To wreake their foyle and win their fame againe 80 Which seeing th' vndaunted Talbot with more might Of spirit to will then hands of power to do Preparing t' entertaine a glorious fight Cheeres-vp his wearied Souldiers thereunto Courage sayth hee those brauing troupes in sight Are but the same that now you did vndo And what if there be come some more then they They come to bring more glory to the day 81 Which day must either thrust vs out of all Or all with greater glorie backe restore This day your valiant worth aduenture shall For what our Land shall neuer fight for more If now we faile with vs is like to fall All that renowne which we haue got before This is the last if we discharge the same The same shall last to our eternall fame 82 Neuer had worthy men for any fact A more faire glorious Theater then we Whereon true Magnanimicie might act Braue deedes which better witnessed could be For lo from 〈◊〉 Turrets yet vnsackt Your valiant fellowes stand your worth to see T' auouch your valour if you liue to gaine And if we die that we 〈◊〉 not in vaine 83 And euen our foes whose proud and powreful might Would seeme to swallow vp our dignitie Shall not keep-backe the glory of our right Which their confounded blood shall testifie For in their wounds our goarie swords shall write The monumentes of our eternitie For vile is honor and a title vaine The which true worth and danger do not gaine 84 For they shall see when we in carelesse sort Shall throwe our selues on their despised speares T is not despaire that doth vs so transport But euen true Fortitude that nothing feares Sith we may well retire vs in some sort But shame on him that such a foul thought beares For be they more let Fortune take their part Wee 'll tugge her too and scratch her ere we part 85 This sayd a fresh infus'd desire of fame Enters their warmed blood with such a will That they deem'd long they were not at the game And though they 〈◊〉 apace thought they stood still And that their lingring foes too slowely came To ioyne with them spending much time but ill Such force had wordes fierce humors vp to call Sent from the mouth of such a Generall 86 Who yet his forces weighing with their fire Turnes him about in priuate to his Sonne A worthy Sonne and worthy such a Sire And telleth him what ground hee stood vpon Aduising him in secret to retire
harbor of conspiracie Enuies Retreit Rebellions nursery 30 Which fatall place seemes that with either hand Is made t' offend For Fraunce sh'afflicts with th' one And with the other did infest this Land As if ordained to doe good to none But as a Gate to both our ills did stand To let-out plagues on vs and int'her owne A part without vs that small good hath bin But to keepe lesse intire the whole within 31 And there as in their all and best support Is Warwicke got with March and Salsbury When all the Gates of England euery Port And Shore close-shut debarres their 〈◊〉 Lockt out from all and all left in that sort As no meanes seemes can ay de their misery This wound giuen without blowe weakens them more Then all their losse of blood had done before 32 For now againe vpon them frowningly 〈◊〉 Powre with Fortune trampling on their Sates And brands them with the markes of Infamy Rebellions Treasons and Assassinats Attaints their Bloud in all Posteritie Ransacks their Lands spoiles their Confederats And layes so hideous colours on their crimes As would haue terrified more timorous times 33 But heere could doe no good for why this Age Being in a course of motion could not rest Vntill the reuolution of their rage Came to that poynt whereto it was addrest Misfortune crosses ruine could not swage That heate of hope or of reuenge at least The World once set a-worke cannot soone cease Nor euer is the same it is in peace 34 For other motions other int'rests heere The acting spirits vp and awake doe keepe Faith friendship honour is more sure more deere And more it selfe then when it is asleepe Worth will stand-out and doth no shadowes feare 〈◊〉 make impressions far more deepe When Ease 〈◊〉 it will stirre or breake her rest Lyes still beares all content to be opprest 35 Yorke and his side could not while life remain'd Though thus disperst but worke and interdeale Nor any sword at home could keepe restrain'd Th'out-breaking powres of this innated zeale This humor had so large a passage gain'd On th' inward body of the Common-weale That 't was impossible to stop by force This current of affections violent course 36 Yet they at home disorder to keepe forth Did all what powre could doe or wit inuent Plac't in th'auoided roomes men of great worth Young Sommerset with strength to Calais sent Northumberland and 〈◊〉 to the North Whereof They onely had the gouernment Defend all landings barre all 〈◊〉 Striue to redresse the publique grieuances 37 And to this end summon a Parlement Wherein when-as the godly King would not Vnto th' attainder of the Lords consent The Queene in griefe and in her passions hot Breakes out in speech louingly violent And what saith shee my Lord haue vou forgot To rule and be a King Why will you thus Bemilde to them and cruell vnto vs 38 What good haue you procur'd by clemencie But giuen to wilde presumption much more head And now what cure what other remedie Can to our desp'rat wounds be ministred Men are not good but for necessitie Nor orderly are euer borne but bred Sad want and pouertie makes men industrious But Law must make them good and feare obsequious 39 My Lord Hee gouerns well that 's well obayd And temp'rat Rigour euer safely sits For as to him who Cotis did vpbraid And call'd his rigor madnesse raging fits Content thee thou vnskilfull man he said My madnesse keepes my Subiects in their wits So to like course my Lord y' are forc't to fall Or else you must in th' end vndoe vs all 40 Looke but I pray on this deare part of you This branch sprung frō your blood your owne aspect Looke on this Childe and think what shal ensue To this faire hope of ours by 〈◊〉 neglect Though you respect not vs wrong not his due That must his right left you from you expect The right of the renowned Lancasters His fathers fathers and great grand-fathers 41 Then turnes t' her sonne O sonne dost thou not see He is not mov'd nor toucht nor weighes our teares What shall I doe What hope is left for me When he wants will to help thou wantst yeares Could yet these hands of thine but partners bee In these my labours to keep-out our feares How well were I that now alone must toile And turne and tosse and yet vndone the while 42 I knowe if thou could'st helpe thy mother thus Should not beyond her strength endure so much Nor these proud Rebels that would ruine vs Scape with their hainous treasons without touch I knowe thou would'st conceiue how dangerous Mercy were vnto those whose hopes are such And not preserue whom Law hath ouer-throwne Sauing their liuely-hood to lose our owne 43 But sith thou canst not nor I able am Thou must no more expect of me deare Son Nor yet in time to come thy Mother blame If thou by others weakenesse be vndon The world with me must testifie the same That I haue done my best what could be done And haue not fail'd with hazard of my life The duetie of a mother and a wife 44 But well I see which way the world will goe And let it goe and so turnes her about Full with stout griefe and with disdainefull woe Which now her words shut-vp her lookes let-out The cast of her side-bended eye did showe Both sorrow and reproofe se'ing so great doubt And no powre to redresse but stand and vex Imprisoned in the setters of her sex 45 Yet so much wrought these mouing arguments Drawne from that blood where Nature vrg'd her Right As his all-vpward tending zeale relents And downeward to his State 〈◊〉 his sight And so to their Attainders he consents Prouided He on their submission might Out of his Princely powre in his owne name Without a Parlement reuoke the same 46 Whil'st Sommerset with maine endeuour lay To get his giuen but vngot gouernment The stout Calisians bent another way Fiercely repell him frustrate his intent Yet takes he Guines landing at VVhit sandbay Where-as the swordes hee brought would not consent To wound his foes the fight no rancor hath Malice was friends and Warre was without wrath 47 Though hee their hands yet VVarwicke had their hearts To whom both men and shipping they betray'd Whilst Englands though debarred shore imparts To him herother-where intended ay de For the Lord Riuers passing to those parts T' haue fresh supplies vnto the Duke conuay'd At Sandwich with his Sonne accompayned Staying for winde was taken in his bed 48 Whos 's shipping and prouisions VVarwicke takes For Ireland with his Chieftaine to conferre And within thirtie dayes this voyage makes And backe-returnes ere knowne to haue beene there So that the heauens the sea the winde partakes With him as if they of his faction were Or that his spirit and valour were combin'd With destinie t' effect what he design'd 49 Which working though without
and on the shore Reacht yet vnto the centre of the Land Searcht all those humors that were bred before Shakes the whole frame whereon the State did stand Affection pittie fortune feare being more Farre off and absent then they are at hand Pittie becomes a traytor with th' opprest And many haue beene rays'd by being supprest 49 For they had left although themselues were gone Opinion and their memorie behinde Which so preuayles that nought could here be done But straight was knowne as soone as once design'd Court Councell-chamber Closet all were won To be reuealers of the Princes minde So false is Faction and so smooth a lyer As that it neuer had a side entire 50 Whereby th'exil'd had leasure to preuent And circumuent what-euer was deuiz'd Which made that Faulconbridge to Sandwich bent That Fortresse and the Gouernour surpriz'd Who presently from thence to Calais sent Had his vnguiltie blood there sacrifiz'd And Faulconbridge returning backe relates Th' affection here and zeale of all estates 51 Drawne with which newes and with a spirit that dar'd T' attempt on any likelihood of support They take th' aduantage of so great regard Their landing here secur'd them in such sort By Faulconbridge the fatall bridge prepar'd To be the way of blood and to transport Returning furie to make greater wounds Then euer England saw within her bounds 52 And but with fifteene hundred men do land Vpon a Land with many millions stor'd So much did high-presuming Courage stand On th' ayde home-disobedience would afford Nor were their hopes deceiv'd for such a hand Had Innouation ready for the sword As ere they neere vnto the Cittie drew Their powre beyond all former greatnesse grew 53 Muse what may we imagine was the Cause That Furie workes thus vniuersally What humor what affection is it drawes Sides of such powre to this Nobilitie Was it their Conscience to redresse the Lawes Or malice to a wrong-plac't Sov'raintie That caus'd them more then wealth or life desire Destruction ruine bloud-shed sword and fire 54 Or was the Powre of Lords thus inter-plac't Betwixt the height of Princes and the State Th' occasion that the people so imbrac't Their actions and attend on this Debate Or had their Greatnesse with their Worth imbas't The Touch of Royaltie to so lowe rate As their opinion could such tumults moue Then Powre and Virtue you contagious proue 55 And Perianders leuell'd Eares of Corne Shew what is fittest for the publique Rest And that the hyest Minions which adorne A Common-weale and doo become it best Are Zeale and Iustice Law and Customes borne Of hye descent that neuer do infest The Land with false suggestions claymes affrights To make men lose their owne for others rights 56 But now against this disproportion bends The feeble King all his best industrie And from abrode Skales Louell Kendall sends To hold the Cittie in fidelitie The Cittie which before for others ends Was wrought to leaue the part of Royaltie Where though the Kings commaund was of no powre Yet worke these Lords so that they tooke the Towre 57 And from thence labour to bring-in againe The out-let will of disobediencie Send terror threates intreaties but in vaine VVarwicke and March are with all iollitie And grace receiv'd The Citties loue did gaine The best part of a Crowne for whose defence And intertaining still stayes Salsburie Whil'st March and VVarwicke other fortunes try 58 Conducting their fresh troupes against their King Who leaues a woman to supply his steed And neere Northhampton both imbattailing Made now the very heart of England bleed Where what strange resolutions both sides bring And with what deadly rancour they proceed Witnesse the blood there shed and fowlly shed That cannot but with sighes be registred 59 There Buckingham Talbot and Egremont Bewmont and Lucy parts of Lancaster Parts most important and of chiefe account In this vnhappy day extinguisht are There the Lord Grey whose fayth did not amount Vnto the trust committed to his care Betrayes his King borne to be strangely tost And late againe attain'd againe is lost 60 Againe is lost this out-side of a King Ordain'd for others vses not his owne Who to the part that had him could but bring A feeble body onely and a Crowne But yet was held to be the dearest thing Both sides did labor-for so much to crowne Their Cause with the apparency of might From whom and by whom they must make their Right 61 When he himselfe as if he nought esteem'd The highest Crowne on earth continues one Weake to the world which his Religion deem'd Like to the breath of man vaine and soone gone 〈◊〉 the stout Queene by speedy flight redeem'd The safety of her selfe and of her Sonne And with her Sommerset to Durham fled Her powres supprest her heart vnuanquished 62 So much for absent Yorke is acted here Attending English hopes on th' Irish coast Which when vnlookt-for they related were Ambition still on horse-backe comes in poast And seemes with greater glory to appeare As made the more by be'ing so long time lost And to the Parlement with state is led Which his associates had fore-summoned 63 And com'n into the Chamber of the Peeres He sets himselfe downe in the chayre of State Where such an vnexpected face appeares Of an amazed Court that gazing sate With a dumbe silence seeming that it feares The thing it went about t'effectuate As if the Place the Cause the Conscience giue Barres to the words their forced courso should haue 64 T is strāge those times which brought such hāds for blood Had not bred tongues to make good any side And that no prostituted conscience stood Any iniustice to haue iustifid As men of the forelone hope onely good In desperatest acts to be imploy'd And that none in th' assembly there was found That would t'ambitious descant giue a ground 65 That euen himselfe forc't of necessitie Must be the Orator of his owne Cause For hauing viewd them all and could espie None proff'ring once to speake all in a pause On this friend lookes with an inuiting eye And then on that as if he woo'd applause Holding the cloth of State still in his hand The signe which he would haue them vnderstand 66 But se'ing none moue with an imperiall port Gath'ring his spirits he ryses from his seat Doth with such powre of wordes his Cause support As seemes all others Causes to defeat And sure who workes his Greatnesse in that sort Must haue more powres then those that are borne great Such Reuolutions are not wrought but when Those spirits doe worke which must be more then men 67 He argues first his Right so long with-held By th'vsurpation of the Lancasters The Right of a direct Line alwayes held The sacred course of Blood our Ancestors Our Lawes our reuerent Customes haue vp-held With holy hands Whence when disorder crres What horrors what confusion do we see Vntill it be reduc't
The dangers that on mighty Actors fall Since in the foot of your accompts your gaynes Come-short to make euen reck'ning with your paines 95 Inioy now what you wrought-for in this sort If great-mens Endes be to enioy their Endes And knowe the happiest powre the greatest port Is onely that which on it selfe depends Heere haue you State inough to be a Cort Vnto your selfe here where the world attends On you not you on it obserued sole You else-where but a part are heere the whole 96 Th' aduantages of Princes are we see But things conceiu'd imaginarily For euery state of fortune in degree Some image hath of principalitie Which they inioy more naturall and free Then can great Powers chain'd with observancie And with the fetters of respect still ty'd Being easier far to follow then to guide 97 And what are Corts but Camps of misery That doo besiege mens states and still are prest T' assaile prevent complot and fortifie In hope t' attaine in feare to be supprest Where all with shewes and with apparancie Men seeme as if for stratagems addrest Where Fortune as the Woolfe doth still prefer The fowlest of the traine that followes her 98 And where fayre hopes are lay'd as ambushments To intercept your life and to betray Your liberty to such intanglements As you shal neuer-more get cleare away Where both th' ingagement of your owne intents And others recknings and accounts shall lay Such waights vpon you as you shal not part Vnlesse you breake your credit or your heart 99 Besides as exiles euer from your homes You liue perpetuall in disturbancy Contending thrusting shuffling for your roomes Of ease or honor with impatiency Building your fortunes vpon others tombes For other then your owne posterity You see Corts few aduance many vndoo And those they do aduance they ruine too 100 And therefore now my Lord since you are heere Where you may haue your rest with dignitie Worke that you may continue so and cleare Your selfe from out these streights of misery Hold your estate and life as things more deare Then to be throwne at an vncertainty T is time that you and England haue a calme And time the Oliue stood aboue the Palme 101 Thus the good Father with an humble thought Bred in a Cellularie lowe retyre According to his quiet humor sought T'auert him from his turbulent desire When the great Earle began Father I note What you with zeale aduise with loue require And I must thanke you for this care you haue And for those good aduertisements you gaue 102 And truely Father could I but get free Without being rent and hold my dignitie That Sheep-cot which in yonder vale you see Beset with Groues and those sweet Springs hard-by I rather would my Palace wish to bee Then any roofe of proudest Maiestie But that I cannot dooe I haue my part And I must liue in one house with my hart 103 I knowe that I am fixt vnto a Sphere That is ordayn'd to moue It is the place My fate appoints me and the region where I must what-euer happens there imbrace Disturbance trauaile labor hope and feare Are of that Clime ingendred in that place And action best I see becomes the Best The Starres that haue most glorie haue no rest 104 Besides it were a Cowards part to fly Now from my Holde that haue held out so well It being the Station of my life where I Am set to serue and stand as Sentinell And must of force make good the place or dy When Fate and Fortune those great States compell And then we Lords in such case 〈◊〉 are As peace can cut our throats aswell as war 105 And hath her griefes and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And doth with idle rest deforme vs more Then any 〈◊〉 can or sorceresse With basely wasting all the Martiall store Of heat and spirit which graceth Manlinesse And makes vs still false images adore Besides profusion of our faculties In grosse dull glutt'ny vap'rous gourmandise 106 And therefore since I am the man I am I must not giue a foote least I giue all Nor is this Bird within my breast so tame As to be fed at hand and mockt with-all I rather would my state were out of frame Then my renowne should come to get a fall No no th' vngratefull boy shall neuer think That I who him inlarg'd to powre will shrink 107 What is our life without our dignitie Which oft we see comes lesse by liuing long Who euer was there worth the memorie And eminent indeed but still dy'd young As if worth had agreed with destinie That time which rightes them should not doo thē wrong Besides Old-age doth giue by too long space Our soules as many wrinkles as our face 108 And as for my inheritance and state What euer happen I wil so prouide That Law shall with what strength it hath collate The same on mine and those to mine ally'd Although I knowe she serues a present State And can vndoo againe what shee hath ty'd But that we leaue to him who poynts-out heyres And howsoeuer yet the world is theirs 109 Where they must worke it out as borne to run Those Fortunes which as mightie Families As euer they could be before haue donne Nor shall they gaine by mine indignities Who may without my courses be vndonne And who-so makes his State and life his tyes To doo vnworthily is borne a slaue And let him with that brand go to his Graue 110 Here would the reuerent Father haue reply'd That it were far more Magnanimitie T' indure then to resist that we are ty'd As well to beare the inconueniencie And straynes of Kings and States as to abide Vntimely raynes tempests sterilitie And other ills of Nature that befall Which we of force must be content withall 111 But that a speedy messenger was sent To shewe the D. of Clarence was hard-by And thereupon VVarwicke breakes-off and went With all his traine attending formally To intertaine him with fit complement As glad of such an opportunitie To worke vpon for those high purposes He had conceiv'd in discontentednes The ende of the eightth Booke Which 〈◊〉 in the space of 260 〈◊〉 1067. 〈◊〉 1. surnamed the Conqueror 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sonne to Robert the sixt Duke of Normand 〈◊〉 raigned 20. yeares and 8. monthes and lest the Crowne of England to William his third sonne contrary to the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wars with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Robert D. of 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many of the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hee was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the new forrest by Sir Walter 〈◊〉 shooting at a 〈◊〉 when he had 〈◊〉 13. yeares 1100. Hen. 1. the youngest sonne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 35. yeares 4 〈◊〉 whose sonne 〈◊〉 Ric. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 to Maude 〈◊〉 maried to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 and after to Geffrey 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 1135. Stephen son to the 〈◊〉 of Bloys Adela daughter to 〈◊〉 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Maude the
For now his vncle Gloster much repin'd Against this French alliance and this peace As either out of a tumultuous minde Which neuer was content the warres should cease Or that he did dishonorable finde Those articles which did our State decrease And therefore storm'd because the Crowne had wrong Or that he fear'd the King would growe too strong 42 But whatsoeuer mov'd him this is sure Hereby he wrought his ruine in the end And was a fatall cause that did procure The swift approching mischiefes that attend For loe the King no longer could indure Thus to be crost in what he did intend And therefore watcht but some occasion fit T'attache the Duke when he thought least of it 43 And Fortune to set forward this intent The Cont S. Paule from France doth hither bring Whom Charles the sixt imploy'd in complement To see the Queene and to salute the King To whom he shewes his Vncles discontent And of his secret dangerous practising How he his Subiectes sought to sulleuate And breake the league with Fraunce concluded late 44 To whom the Cont most cunningly replies Great Prince it is within your power with ease To remedy such feares such iealousies And rid you of such mutiners as these By cutting off that which might greater rise And now at first preuenting this disease And that before he shall your wrath disclose For who threats first meanes of reuenge doth lose 45 First take his head then tell the reason why Stand not to finde him guiltie by your lawes You easier shall with him your quarrell trie Dead then aliue who hath the better cause For in the murmuring vulgar vsually This publique course of yours compassion drawes Especially in cases of the great Which worke much pitty in the vndiscreat 46 And this is sure though his offence be such Yet doth calamitie attract commorse And men repine at Princes blood-shed much How iust-soeuer iudging t is by force I know not how their death giues such a tuch In those that reach not to a true discourse As so shall you obseruing formall right Be held still as vniust and win more spight 47 And oft the cause may come preuented so And therefore when t is done let it be heard For thereby shall you scape your priuate wo And satisfie the world too afterward What neede you weigh the rumors that shall go What is that breath being with your life compar'd And therefore if you will be rul'd by me In secret sort let him dispatched bee 48 And then arraigne the chiefe of those you finde Were of his faction secretly compact Who may so well be handled in their kinde As their confessions which you shall exact May both appease the aggrieued peoples minde And make their death to aggrauate their fact So shall you rid your selfe of dangers quite And shew the world that you haue done but right 49 This counsell vttred vnto such an eare As willing listens to the safest wayes Workes on the yeelding matter of his feare Which easily to any course obayes For euery Prince seeing his daunger neere By any meanes his quiet peace assaies And still the greatest wrongs that euer were Haue then been wrought when Kings were put in feare 50 Call'd in with publique pardon and release The Duke of Gloster with his complices All tumults all contentions seem to cease The land rich people pleas'd all in happinesse When sodainely Gloster came caught with peace VVarwicke with profered loue and promises And Arundell was in with cunning brought Who else abrode his safetie might haue wrought 51 Long was it not ere Gloster was conuayd To Calice and there strangled secretly VVarwicke and Arundell close prisoners laid Th' especiall men of his confederacie Yet VVarwickes teares and base confessions staide The doome of death and came confin'd thereby And so prolongs this not long base-begg'd breath But Arundell was put to publique death 52 Which publique death receiv'd with such a cheare As not 〈◊〉 sigh a looke a shrink bewrayes The least felt touch of a degenerous feare Gaue life to Enuie to his courage prayse And made his stout-defended cause appeare With such a face of Right as that it layes The side of wrong t'wards him who had long since By Parliament forgiuen this offence 53 And in the vnconceiuing vulgar sort Such an impression of his goodnes gaue As Sainted him and rays'd a strange report Of miracles effected on his Graue Although the Wise whome zeale did not transport Knew how each great example still must haue Something of wrong a taste of violence Wherewith the publique quiet doth dispense 54 The King foorth-with prouides him of a Guard A thousand Archers daily to attend Which now vpon the act he had prepar'd As th' argument his actions to defend But yet the world hereof conceiu'd so hard That all this nought auaild him in the end In vaine with terror is he fortified That is not guarded with firme loue beside 55 Now storme his grieued Vncles though in vaine Not able better courses to 〈◊〉 They might their grieuance inwardly complaine But outwardly they needes must temporise The King was great and they should nothing gaine T' attempt reuenge or offer once to rise This league with Fraunce had made him now so strong That they must needes as yet indure this wrong 56 For like a Lion that escapes his boundes Hauing beene long restrain'd his vse to stray Ranges the restless woods stayes on no groūd Riots with blood-shed wantons on his praie Seekes not for neede but in his pride to wound Glorying to see his strength and what he may So this vnbridled King freed of his feares In liberty himself thus wildely beares 57 For standing now alone he sees his might Out of the compasse of respectiue awe And now beginnes to violate all right While no restraining feare at hand he saw Now he exacts of all 〈◊〉 in delight Riots in pleasure and neglects the law He thinkes his Crowne is licenst to do ill That lesse should list that may do what it wil. 58 Thus b'ing transported in this sensuall course No friend to warne no counsell to withstand He 〈◊〉 proceedeth on from bad to worse Sooth'd in all actions that he tooke in hand By such as all impietie did nurse Commending euer what hee did command Vnhappie Kings that neuer may be taught To know themselues or to discerne their fault 59 And whilst this course did much the kingdome daunt The Duke of Herford being of courage bolde As sonne and heire to mighty Iohn 〈◊〉 Gaunt Vtters the passion which he could not holde Concerning these oppressions and the want Of gouernment which he to Norfolke told To th' end he being great about the king Might do some good by better counselling 60 Hereof doth Norfolke presently take hold And to the king the whole discourse relate Who not conceipting it as it was told But iudging it proceeded out of hate Disdeigning deepely to be so controwl'd