A prophesie of Cadvvallader, last king of the Britaines containing a comparison of the English kings, with many worthy Romanes, from William Rufus, till Henry the fift. Henry the fift, his life and death. Foure battels betweene the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster. The field of Banbery. The losse of Elizabeth. The praise of King Iames. And lastly a poeme to the yong Prince.

A PROPHESIE OF Cadwallader , last King of the Britaines . SItting with Clio by the gliding Thame , Description of Fortune . neere to her siluer girt the verdant strand , I saw Rhamusis so adornd by fame : Dauncing in measures , on the farther sand , Holding a Ball of gold within her hand : She stood on that , that neuer stood but went , So must all those that trust her gouernment . Then did this Queene , her wandring coach ascend , Whose wheeles were more inconstant then the winde , A mighty troope this Empresse did attend , There might you Caius Marius caruing find , And martiall Scylla courting Venus kind : Times alter , and in times we changed bee , Chaunce onely constant is in leuitie . There might you see how Archimedes art , Geometry As a strong bulwarke guarded Syracuse : How Scipio fought and Cato stabd his hart , How Anthony did wrong the sacred muse , And Cleopatras body did abuse . How Mago fell in Spaine , and Hanniball Did pitch his tents before Saturnias wall . His stratagems , his snares , vnequall fightes , Scipio , Sempronius , and Flaminius slaine : Aemilius dead amidst his wounded knights , How chance his youth with praise did entertaine , And in his age how Fortune wrought this paine : All this shee did , oh man her fraude perceiue , And trust her not , for shee will thee deceiue . How Alexander rose at Darius fall , Lysimachus within the Lyons den : How Scypio did besiedge Numantias wall , And many thousands more which scape my pen , Amongst this fatall troope of Fortunes men : I saw an aged king except I erre , That cleaped was the high Cadwallader . He was the last , saue three of Fortunes trayne , Those were a Danea , Saxon , and a Norman king : Hengist the first , next was Denmarkes swayne , The last was Normanes bastard , which did bring Plenty of Ioy ; whose praise the English sing . William , William the Conquerour . whose valure mixt with happy fate , Brought bondage to the Iuthes and Augles state . The Britaine Monarch ware a simple Crowne , Cadwallader last King of the Buranes , his land being vexed with the scourge of Pestilence , went to Rome , where he vndertooke the habit of a Friar Hauing small beades of Amber by his side : A siluer Crosse , a Friers white frize gowne , Vpon an humble Asse this King did ride , As white as snow , or as the siluer tide . One hand a staffe , the other held a booke , On which his eyes continually did looke . Wherein were charactred in lines of gold , Locrinus warres , and Humbers tragedy : The King himselfe by Gwendoline controld , The Scythians paramour of Germany Estrilda drownd , the praise of Hungary . Sabrina thrust in Seuerns flowing maine , Poore Madan by the curres of Ireland slaine . Wolues . The Britaine Manlius , Madans second sonne . not the Romane knight , Thinking to slay Mempricius Madans sonne : Himselfe was by his brother slaine in fight , And he by wolues ( as Madan was ) vndone , For Sodomes gilt to lust his mind had wonne . The foremost booke did Britaines raigne relate , The next of Swayne , the third of Saxens state . The fourth and last did write of Williams raigne , In which there was an ancient prophesie : Written of yore , confirmd by Merlins twaine , What should ensue to Williams progeny , Was there at large expainde in poetry . The warres of England for the crowne of France , There many battels with their mournfull chance . The ciuill warres of Yorke and Lancaster , The Cambrian helmet changde for Englands crowne : How true discent did Tudors blood preferre , The brow of peace dispearced Mars his frowne , The helmet was the ancient crest of the Teudors . The land of warre is rulde by iustice gowne . These shall haue end , then shall arise a King Which plenty shall conduct , in concords string . He with vnnumbred linkes of reasons chaine , Shall three in one , and one in three vnite : Britaine should be the name , for Brute doth raigne , A King commands no Princes fauorite , This he intreates , for this his penne doth write : Cease to command , learne subiects to obay , Reason where iustice rules , beares greatest sway . Is it not peerlesse praise with peace to gaine , That for the which , our fathers spent their blood : And neuer age but ours could reobtaine ? O happy men if that you saw such good , But will is masked still with errors hood . Let true obeisans vp this diet breake , So Caesar wils , so Cicero doth speake . The fect was this , the prophesie was such Which he had read with carefull industry , And quoted euery line with iudgments touch , A midst his study casting vp his eye , Seeing his mistresse Fortune was not nye . His booke he sleightly set into his gowne , Which on the yellow sand fell quickly downe . Thence posted he on his maiestique Asse , Like some slow rider pacing to the race : Than Isis siluer channell did I passe , And thither went , where as mine eyes might gaze On that faire booke , clad in a golden case . I past the Annales , for it pleasde mine eye , To muse vpon that sacred prophesie . When I had read vnto the latter lyne , I saw the aged king returne with speede ? Kind Syr ( quoth he ) saw you a booke of mine ? I Syr ( quoth I ) if this be he indeed I gaue it him ; he gaue me thankes for meed . He posted thence , I to my study went , Where on this matter many houres I spent . At last I was resolu'd for to relate In Poetry the things mine eyes did see : Which was the vncertainety of humane state , To paint the things a right with equitie , I did implore the ayde of memorie . Which she denide ; Oh worthies pardon mee , If ought I write amisse which you shall see . Not Orpheus trees , and birds inchanting quill , Nor Homers art heere ( Reader ) shalt thou see : Expect not Ouids verse , nor Maroes skill , For if you doe , you shall deceiued bee : If bad it is , pray gentles beare with mee . Say it is meane , thou dost mee much commend , I 'de haue it meane , because I meane to mend . Mistake mee not , I liue in hope to please : Dispraise mee not , before thou knowest mee well : Maugre sweete , not reuenge , my lines loue peace , Doe not my shame before thou seest it tell : Marke euery line , and each wordes nature spell . Ere thou beginst to reade , looke , beare in minde Of whom I write , yea how , and in what kind . Faire Englands Peeres with Romanes I compare , Their warres , their spoiles , their fightes and victory , Their filthy vices , with their vertues rare : Their laud , dispraise , their praise and infamy , Their conquests triumphes with their treachery . Then doth our muse declare intestine warres , Kings conquering fields , and Princes wounding iarres . Then doth she mount the ayre with Eagles winges , Then to the North shee goes , and passeth Twidet And sings his praise , which endles glory bringes , Who like a Pilot doth this Island guide , Which like a barke , within the Sea doth ride . This land is seated like to Venice state , The waues , the walles , and euery ship a gate . Least that my Gates be wider then my towne , And that Diogines my folly see : My proems prologue I le set quickly downe , And bend my muse vnto the Prophesie : Where you may reade art mixt with industry . Needs must I erre , to erre all men are bent , To perseuere , is a bad beasts intent .

The Comparison . O What a sea of blood shall England spill , So called for assisting Godfrey of Bullion , in his expedition to Judaea . Bassianus and Geta. When Normans Prince , and Palastinas friend , With burgonets of steele our fieldes doth fill , Brothers must striue as did Seuerus kind , Enuious ambition makes iust nature blind . Arunce and Brutus dead , Alarums cease , Publicola doth liue , and loueth peace . When Brutus dide , Valerius then did raigne , When Arunce fell , Henry the 2. sonne of Mawd the Empresse , and Stephen Earle of Blois , Nephew to Henry the first . the Tuscan Emperour fled : When Tirrolls shaft shall enter Rufus braine , When Henries life with Roberts lightes are fled , When all these sleepe in natures earthly bed . Norfolke shall giue to Stephen , Henries due , Peace then shall be , but warre shall soone ensue . Flora is fled , stout Hiems weares her crowne , Attir'd like Mars in furniture of steele : Aniow and Blois striue for the Imperiall Crowne , A griefe surpassing griefe doth England feele , Whilst doubtfull Fortune turns her doubtfull wheele . Camillus comes , the Frenchmen feare his voice , Alba is freed , and Albion hath her choice . When Rome was sackt , Camillus ended strife , And made Bellinus brother to dispaire : Brennus . When Germanes Empresse Mawd shall end her life , Henry shall claime the crowne , as lawfull heire , His Eame in graue , but he in regall chaire Is plac't , and rules his princely Peeres with peace , His sonnes rebell , and concord gins to cease . Now springs the plant , Henry the 2. the first Plantaginet . from hence our ioy shall spring , Victorious Aniow crownd in regall state : Liuing , adopts an heir , inuests a King , Vagratefull child spurd by a womans hate , Richard 2. Sturd forraine foes the land to ruinate . Romes sword is Consul , Marcellus , so called by Hanniball . foe-men tribute paies , Both Henries dead , Christs friend the Septer swaies . Marcellus which did Syracusa burne , Made Affricks praise , ●●nniball . to praise his matchles minde , And place his ashes in a golden vrne : So Aibious lyon sprung from lyons kinde , When death the king and prince in cords shall binde . Hee le spend his treasure , for Iehouas good : But woe alas , a slaue shall spill his blood . Designed Iohn disuests young Britaines Duke , But Antichristians prince , our sauiours foe : Bringes Lewis in , and doth him straight rebuke , Egles of England , yeeld to Swans of Poe , A Monarch falles by Monkes , ●i●us Flam. ●●s slaine at ●●e batle of ●hrasimenus ●●ose death is by his ●●nne ●●enged in the ●●isoning of ●anniball . fates wills it so . Titus suruiues , though flames Flaminius burne , Worster is safe , and Lewis doth returne . At Thrasimenus valiant Titus fell , In Prusias Court , his sonne reuengde his death : Form happie heauen , though Iohn to haples hell Headlong did slide , his sonne shall weare the wreath , The Dolphen flyes , and Mars begins to breath : Tempestuous whitle-windes , ●enry the 3. breake the Temple gate Of Peace ; the peers the king , the prince the Baron hate . Ciuill dissention and dislovall armes , Cleerly declares Clares hidden enmitie : A fatall starre foretelleth future harmes , The legions meete , each doth the other spye , Eccho resounds , S. George , S. George , both cry : Gracchus is stabd , young Scipio peace maintaines , The Barrons tam'd , all conquering Longshanckes raignes . Romes enuious Tribunes that ignoble Tribe , The vitious issue of a vertuous dame : Did the base mindes of poore Plebeians bribe , To gaine them honour , Caius and Tiberius Gracchus . with their Countries shame : They dead ; the world did ring with Romanes faine . So Clare and Mountford shall , who being slaine , Edward shall vanquish Calidonias plaine . Acon is tane , and Tunis feares his stroakes , He loued peace , The saying of Leoline himselfe , as Powell hath laid down in his life . yet bare a warriors shield : Cambria disdain'd to weare her sisters yoake , The Ensignes spred , both striue to win the field , The bridge is past , and Leoline must yeeld : Marius departs , Proscriptio●s gin to cease , The Prince of warre shall end his dayes in peace . Destruction graz'd on fertill Italy , Till Syllas legions vanquisht Marius might : So ciuill warres shall feed on Britany , Till Leolinus that all daring Knight , Is tane by Edward in vnequall fight : When Marius fell , Concordia gan to smile , So Wales will amplify faire Englands stile . Resplendant Iuno , Queens Isabel wife to Edward the ● . was next heire to Charles king of France whose title our present king doth enioy leaues her sacred throne , Young Gaueston bewitcht great Edwards hart : The minor Gods bewaile Saturnias mone , Bohume and Beaumount takes the Marchers part , And false Matreners stabbes Carnaruans hart : For Caesars office Scipio striues in vaine , And March too soone retells his triple gaine . When that the Romane Eagles graspt of yore , Scipio with auncient Lentulus did striue : Scipio & Lentulus two worthy Ro stroue vehemently in the campe of Pomper : for the Bishoprick of Rome , but the battels ioyning & Caesar winning , their strife ended with their liues For Iulius priesthood , whose deserts were more , But when that Pompeys legions did not thriue , They tasted gall within the honies hiue . So Wigmore seekes in vaine to get a Crowne , But by Lord Mountaoute is tumbled downe . Terras proud issue tam'd , immortall Ioue Rides in his Chariot , through the azurde skie : Adornd with Valure , Mercy , Peace and Loue , So Caesar rode in Rome with maiesty , Scipio would liue , life Cato doth deny . So Wigmores honor seekes , but must not part , Matreuers hand , hath stabd Matreuers hart . Warres thunderbolt , Ed. the third , maried Phillip daughter to the Earle of Henault . with his Egiptian pearle , Illustrious Venus and her martiall Bride Phillips faire sister , with great Mercias Earle , Submits to Henaults mounting-minded bride , Vengeance and Fury scourge inhumane pride . Egipt is lost , and Authony must die , March is immurde , and twise he may not flie . When Anthony did Cleopatra loue , Lord Roger Mortimer Earle of March and Queene Isabel , compared to Anthony & Cleopatra : And did Augustas chamber-bed forgoe : Bellona Caesars irefull minde did moue : To worke reuenge on chaste Octauias foe , Marcus is slaine , he must his Loue forgoe . As Anthony and Cleopatra were , So is Queene Ifabel and Mortimer . Depressed waters element , some thinke , Is downe supprest by powers most diuine : Some iudge that Terra doth the moisture drinke , Yet certes shall men see with mortall evne , When deadly water shall with ayre combine , Great Mortimer whose name from waters sprang , Shall waue in waues of ayre , and there shall hang. Vermilion collour'd clowdes of purple warre , Are by the radiant beames of Edwards raigne : Form Englands territors exiled farre , But stay ( me thinkes ) Bellona soundes againe : Edward the blacke Prince compared to Geranicus . And calles forth Mars to fight in Aquitaine , Stay Caesar stay , let valiant Drusus goe : Great Arthurs heire , can vanquish Artois foe . When that Tiberius did the Septer sway , Edward the blacke Prince ayded the Erle of Artois against King Iohn of France . Of Albas Empire , great Saturnias king : Germanicus whose head was deckt with bay , Fought still abroad , and conquest home did bring : So Edward did whose praise the Spanyards sing , Let Beaumount witnes fearfull Phillips flight . And Iohn which yeelded to the Gascoigne knight . The wandring Planets of the burnisht skye , Are by the vncomprised Spheare of loue , Thrust here and there , as men condemn'd to dye , Heauen were nought , if Heauen did not moue : So nature taught , so natures sonne did proue . Like vnto these , Aristotle . or like a Comet bright , Through euery region Caesar sent his light . The Zodiaks lamp in the Eclipticke line , ●ermanicus ●●peased Ger●any , but end●d his dayes by ●oison in As●i●a . Twice vrgd his courser to a swift careere : ●dward prince of Wales re●●ored Peter ●ing of Spaine ●nto his King●ome by the ●onquest of Henry his basard brother , at ●he battle of Nazers . The Hitrurian sonne doth in the East decline , In Europes West his praise did first appeere , Oh Climatericall disaster yeere : Caesar thy glory in the West did rise , The poisoned East , thy raine did deuise . So siluer streames and toplesse Apenine , Which doe confront terrestriall Paradise : Must not great Edwards wandering Fame confine , ●ohn Lord ●eaumont , ●ooke part with the eng●ish against the French nation , but afterwards ●e fauoured the ●action of Iohn , king of France . Mars and Bellona stratagems deuise : That he with Honors wings should mount the skyes . Exiled Peter doth implore his ayde , Iberia quakes , to see the crosse displayd . Reuolting Henault , and relenting Iohn , Are terrified at Bruse and Balliols fall : No Salike law , can barre bold Phillips sonne , The lord Audley at the battle of Poytiers behaued himselfe most valiant , as Crasinius did in Pharsalia , who bad Caesar be of comfort , and take courage before he fought and that day he should praise him aliue or dead , which he performed , for he lost his l●e in the pursuite of honor , and for the safety of Caesar . His matchlesse valure caused a kingdomes thrall : Whilst slothfull Charles immur'd him in a wall . Germanias terror wan a glorious field , So Cambrias monarch made a King to yeeld . Carelesse of death , like to a thunder-bolt , Englands Crasinius with a massie lance : And not vnlike a fierce vntamed Colt , Glides like the siluer Rheine through yeelding France , Blinded with age great Boheme falls by chance . Caligula is borne , the sinke of shame , Richard misled , deserues an endlesse blame . The worldes faire mistresse , Empresse of the earth , Ordaines a triumph for Augustus heire : So Gascoigne triumphes at young Gascoignes birth , Wonder of Armes set in Victorias chaire , To Troynouant with Tropheys doth repaire . Romes Senators attended Albas starre , So Albion Peeres did waite on Albious carre . Two glorious sonnes , rules the celestiall Globe , Cheering the world with their transpearcing rayes : Garnisht with Saphires , and a Iasper robe , ( Vntimely chaunce ) times wonder ends his dayes , Aemilius mournes amidst his Tropheys praise . Ed. the 3. compared to Paulus Aemi● who in his greatest glory lost his chiefest ioy , namely his t●● sonnes . Troies hope is dead , and Priams Hector slaine : Edward hath lost his sonne , his sonne a raigne . Impartiall death maskt in a sable weede , Passeth the Romanes watch and Praetors guard : And to Tiberius royall tent doth speede , Phisicke resists , and death by art is bard , But art doth yeeld , for death was too too hard : He laid in graue , his nephewes sonne doth raigne , The scourge of Rome , and Europes Empresse slaine . So when that death of Edward made an end , Essence of value , substance of renowne : Whome peace for iustice , warres for rule commend , Exalting vertue , putting vices downe , His bones entombd , his worthy sonnes doe crowne : Their nephew Richard second of that name , The first , though not the last disgrac't by fame . Me●omene thou dismal muse appeare , And moralize the Anthemes which I bring ; Richard misled by Bushy , Poole andVere , Ignoble Scroope in his new Empires spring , Inchaunting charmes vnto his eares did sing : Flattry corrupteth kings , but good aduise Makes Counsellors gratious , and the Princes wise . When Neroes sonne was borne in Neroes campe , Quirinus father Rheas valiant spouse , In his red Spheare enlightned had his lampe , Leauing his yron roabes and brazen house , Did to Bellona cups of blood carowse . Saturne then ioynd with Mars , which did foretell That Neroes sonne for murther should excell . Whom Brutus freed by death from Tarquines stroakes , Romanes . Princes of peace , for warres admirde of all : The worlds Arch monarches rent their chained yoakes , Consulls and Tribunes do a Senate call , Their voice is one Caligula must fall . Nature doth swarue and from her limits passe , The Imperious Lyon , got an abiect Asse . So when chaste Alice Richard forth shall bring , In Edwards Campe , Victorias sacred seate : Prophets like starres , ensuing harmes shall sing , The Peeres ( like Albas knights ) were all repleate With wrath , disdain was in a mightie sweate In working waies , the king for to depose , Which being done , the Nobles Darby chose . The Northerne Planet great Northumberland , Whose peerles issue neuer shall decaie : Till Nature doth confound both Sea and land , And shapeles Chaos comes his part to play , Vertue must liue though men be turnd to claye . This glorious Moone true badge of Honor bright , The halfe Moone is t●● armes of th● Percies Ea●● of Northu●● Disdaynes the Sunne , and did not borow light . Foreseeing Gaunt like to a carefull fire , Seeing that lost by Sloth which Labour wonne : Doth contermaund his Soueraignes hot desire , And like a blast doth caulme the scorching Sunne , Which by illuding Sycophantes is wonne , Hen. Bussi●●brooke D●●● of Heref. w●● accused by Th. Mowb●●● Duke of N●●folke of tre●son , which 〈◊〉 not being 〈◊〉 to proue , w●● contented t● maintaine 〈◊〉 allegation 〈◊〉 combat , 〈◊〉 his aduersa●● did accept . But better ●●uice being ●●●ken , they w●●● both banish●● the land , He●●ford for the terme of ten yeares , and Mowbray 〈◊〉 the date of 〈◊〉 Two Combatants on their earth threatning steedes , Attend the trumpets sound in yron weedes . The reuerent Consulls Yorke and Lancaster , Doe conuocate a Senate of the Peeres : And equalizing Woodstocke did preferre , Due banishment to those ambitious Peeres , The Barons ioynd to this ; the Champions sweares Mowbray for aye , ten yeares must Harford part , Griefe galles the one , and kills the others hart . The gallant Courser in the listed race Dismounts the Ryder , scornes his curbing raine : Stamping with ioy , his freedome doth embrace , And doth his pristine seruitude disdaine , Leauing his Ryder breathlesse on the plaine . So raging Burdeux tumbles downe his kinne , And runnes from sin to vice , from vice to sinne . In his Imperiall Pallace Pleasures Bowre , Caligula slain by his own friends Romes mightie Monster did himself repose : Sacking Cytheress for t , faire Venus Towre , The stone where the Kings of Englands chaire is placed at their Coronations , is reported to be that stone wheron Iacob laid his head when the Angel appeared to him in his dream The raging multitude their wrath disclose , For his Praetorian guard , they did insclose : Chaerea did split his hart ; oh happie thing ! T' was good he dide , t was bad to kill a King . So Honors spurre did pricke the Percies blood , To tumble Richard from his bloudie Throne : Wishing great Herford to transpasse the flood , To come and sit on Iocobs sacred stone , Where he might raigne as King , and rule alone . As Claudius rose , so Herford came to raigne , As Nero fell , so Edwards sonne was slaine . Genes. brought from Scotland by Edward the first . Now Gaunts great issue in his Throne is set , Whose sacred Science this my Muse should tell : For Margarets sake , that sprang from Sommerset , For her it should , if Cambria did not tell , For lawes vnheard , this Monarch did excell . Who gaue him wings to mount , Henry 4. The extremitie of his lawes are set downe at large in Powels Annales . he threw to ground , Claudius who ran so faire , is Claudus found . In Silence vault my Muse shall hide his fame , Who dide the Grey goose wings with purple red : Praise he deseru'd , though he deserued blame , Sertorius like his warlike troopes he led , Owen Glendour compared to Sertorius . For by alluring hope they both were fed . Had men and Fortune equaliz'd his minde , His Conquests Seuernes neuer had confinde . Victorious Hotspurre and his valiant sire , The kings great Steward , Wosters reuerent Lord : With neuer daunted Dowglas doe conspire , Whose endles praise our Annales doe record : With these doe Glendowre ioyne , Edmund Mo●timer Earle o● March was d●signed heire apparant in the dayes o● Richard the 2. if the King dye● without issue . and Wigmors Lord , To pull the Scepter from the tyrantes hand , And giue it him that should by right command . Dowglas and Hotspurre peerlesse for their might , Are ouermatcht by Henries matchlesse sonne : Who like a lyon rows'd him in the fight , Glendowre himselfe is by himselfe vndone , Northumberland is sicke and cannot come : The battle at Shaftsbury Like to a Tyger in his eager chase , Great Monmouthes praise doth run from place to place . Tumults appeas'd and armor set aside , Henry the 5. borne at Monmouth shire in Wales . The stately Cirty of the highest God Diuine Ierusalem , Iehouas bride , Being whipt with warre , and famines pinching rod , Implores the helpe of this all-conquering Lord : His soule defilde with sinne , by merits sought That to redeeme which Iesus blood had bought . His royall Nauy like a sea of wood , Attends his princely presence in the bay : But see how meager death still enuying good , With fatall stroake his enterprise doth stay , The Caedar falles in time , so Kings decay . Why stay you shippes , he treades the sacred path , Ierusalem his soule and body hath .

Henry the fift , his lyfe and death . AVaunt proud Rome and bragge not of thy men , Henr. 5. Nor thy aetheriall Caesars warres declare : Cease peerlesse Plutarch with thy sacred pen , The worlds Archmonarches aptly to compare , Reason doth vrge , and this alledge I dare , That Englands Homer portraid hath his warre , Which doth excell the worthiest Caesars starre . What telst thou me of famous Hasdruball , Of Cannas chance , and Varros ouerthrow : Aemisius death , and conquering Hanniball , Of Syllas Legions , and a Parthian bowe , Of Titus valure , Catos wrinckled browe , Of Syracuse , and strong Namantias wall , Or Phillip , Persia , Iugurth Iubas fall . Of Noble Drusus and proud Saturnine , Of Scipios death , and Gracchus infamy : Of Marius trophies , and sterne Cataline , How Caesar vanquisht France and Germany , And twise returnd as foild from Britany . The world admir ; d their victories to see , Yet none of these must be comparde with thee . Let Athens praise the lawes which Solon gaue , And Marathon extoll Miltiades , Write Caria of Mansolus stately graue , And let Cycilia wish Demosthenes , But Salamina praise Themistocles . Greece did admire their tryumphes for to see , Yet all of these cannot comparewith thee . Let Sparta now conceale Lycurgus fame , And Lacedaemon hide Lysanders praise : Cease Argos now , to shew th' Olimpicke game , Let silence cloud or maske those golden dayes , When Epires Monarch acted Tragicke playes : Pyrrhus . But what of him ? or what are these to thee ? For thou alone doest farre exceed those three . Though Alexander wan Darius Crowne , And forc't the Easterne Emperour leaue his tent : Burning Persopolis that regall Towne , Seeing thy valure freely giues consent That two bright sonnes should rule the Element : With thee great Prince we aptly may compare , Rich Europes Paragon , and Phaenix rare . The Duke of Yorke & Earle of Suffolke , were the onely men of Nobilitie that ended their liues in the battell of Agincourt . Thou didst not want Parmenios aiding hand , Nor valiant Perdicas aspiring minde : Which might Alansons quarels fierce withstand , As long as Langlies gallant issued minde Had faithfull Suffolkes loue to him combinde . They wan , they lost , they liue though they are dead , They liue in heauen , Crassinius was the first Captain that charged the enemy in the Field , which office of valure , Edward the Duke of Yorke enioyed at Agincourt . and dide in Conquests bed . France did ten yeares withstand the Romanes might , Both parties oft with equall courage plaide ; Yet that before the Sun shewd twice his light , Madst great Mompensier flye as all dismaide , To see thy kingly Banner forth displaide , Like to Crassinius Yorke the yaward led , True valure is by hope of honor bred . Henry two Diadames doth now combine , Europes faire daughters , eldest sisters twaine : By marriage of a maide a Mimph diuine , Whilst Lewis liues , as Emperour he mustraigne , Henry as heire apparant doth remayne : When Katherin is betrothd his beauteous wife , Peace conquers warre , and concord endeth strife . Immortalized virgin sacred Queene , Britaines Aurora harbinger of day : Fairer then thought could thinke or eye hath seene , Rich Vertues port , and Honors cleerest bay , Thrice blessed wombe fram'd of aetheriall clay , Which didst enclose that glorious Theodore , Whose sonne did Britaines regalty restore . Her Amber-tresses like to wyers of gold , That shadowed her white vermilion face : Like Vulcans chayne did Venus champion hold , Who triumphed erewhile , now sues for grace , Vndecent action for a Captaines place : Thy eyes are now bewitcht with eyes diuine , Thy heart consents to honor Katherine . If I had Zeuxes at to paint thy lookes , Did I enioy Maeonian Homers quill : To pourtraiture thy praise in golden bookes , Thy vertues rare would aequalize my skill : Thy sacred paps sweete Nectar did distill . Hadst not thou bene , our eyes should neuer view Our present peace and pleasures to ensue . Stay ranging Muse , thy wandring course restraine , When ioues all-seeing eyes did view this King : He sent his Harauld to that spatious plaine , Where the three fatall Sisters , then did spinne : To know when Henries life did first beginne . And if his thred were not already spunne , That Lachesis should make it quickly runne . His wisest sonne did place his golden wings , Holding a siluer rodde all-charming wand : Wherewith he could inchant all mortal things , With this attire he claue the aetheriall land , Where loue and luno doth the Gods command : When that he came vnto the appointed place , He told his message with a comely grace . Sisters ( quoth he ) for so they were indeed , Th' omnipotent and all-commanding Ioue : Mercuries Oration . Which doth on Nactar and Ambrosia feed , Iuno , Apollo , and Cythereis loue : With all the Gods that rules the sphere aboue , Entreats , commands , of you faire sisters three , To end his life , though not his dignitie . Atlas you know is old Alcides dead , You know the waight of Heauens massy throne : He dyed in a Chamber at the Deane of Westmi . lodging named Ierusalem . The Planets houses couered all with lead , Ioues pallace varnisht with rich Rubies stone , The gates of Iuory and Indian bone : He that doth heauens heauiest waight sustaine , Must patience haue to tollerate his paine . Therefore ( quoth he ) this is my Fathers will , ( For Ioue his Father was , or Fame doth lye ) That you which power haue great kings to kill , Would shorten Henries life that he might dye , A heauenly thought deserues aeternitie . Atlas is old , and Atlas must haue aide , All feare the heft , Henry was nere afraide . The Sisters stood amazde at his request , The Fates ●nswere . Each looke at others eyes as in a glasse : Whereat sterne Clotho eldest of the rest , Brother quoth shee ( for Ioue their Father was ) Shall Fates be rulde by Gods ? ahlas , ahlas , They reuell still , but we poore wretches worke , We labour , they in Caues of pleasure lurke . The worlds poore Impes may iustly now complaine Of humane sorrow , mans still growing griefe : How birds and beasts a longer life do gaine Then man , poore man ; And mans commaunding chiefe If you deny them helpe , where is reliefe : Men say that Fates are certaine , now they see Ioue made vs constant in inconstancy . The angry God invelloped with ire , Wrath in his face , and fury in his lookes , His eyes more redde then was the reddest fire : Shewes auncient Monuments of sacred bookes , Which earst he wrote by the Idalian brookes . There might you see what Act the Gods did frame , Amongst the rest Ioue might the Sisters blame . Out of this place he drawes his argument , And doth confute their sugred Sophistry : Then reades another Act of Parliament , Which did confirme Ioues royall Empery , His great prerogatiue and dignity . Then doth he powre forth sacred Eloquence , Selected flowers of learnings Quintessence . What if proud Terras issue Briareus , Would combat with your great aetheriall Sire ? Mercinys reply . Fntring Castalia , where the sacred Muse Liues still inspirde with yong Apollos fire ? What if the Giants could so high aspire , Would not they touch the christalized sky , Vntuning heauens sweetest harmony ? What God should then the heauens waight sustaine , Whilst Bacchus in his Indian Tygers Carre Would shake the Orbes and that celestiall plaine , When faire Victoria conquering Queene of warre , Brighter then Venus , or the brightest starre , Doth giue to Ioue a Crowne bedeckt with gold , Could Atlas then heauens heauiest waight vphold ? His age is great , and yeares will strength remoue , Therefore faire Sisters well aduised bee : To answere loue and all the Gods aboue , Though loth they were , yet all did well agree To cut his thred for meere necessitie . Then Atlantiades did soone depart , And Atropos did stabbe great Henries hart . Thus dide the Phaenix of the vastie round , Whose worth my Muse should euer memorize : And Eccho-like his martiall deeds resound , Put that he did his Country scandalize In following Henry which did tyranize . She gaue thee breath to liue and men to fight , Yet thou depriu'st her of her cleerest light . When noble Henry ended hath his daies . Bedford with conquering swords Vernoi shal fill , And spend his blood to gaine immortall praise : Beauford and Beaumount shall good Humfrey kill , And Warwicke gaine the popular good will . Poole is exilde from wofull Margaret , And Yorke malignes the Duke of Somerset . Mars mounts his Ensigns on our highest towers , And decks our helmets with Ambitions plumes : Reuenge sad massacres and scarlet showres Distills , Cities are burnt , whose dankish fumes Contaminates the Ayre , now Yorke presumes With Sarums Earle and Warwickes willing hand , To gaine the Crowne , and with the Crowne the land .

The Ciuill Warres . PLutonian Princesse sacred Proserpine , Licence Megaera and C●esiphone , Which neuer saw the Sunnes all-pleasing shine Enter this vale of humane misery , And consecrate to endles memory These Ciuill broyles in Characters of brasse , Set forth these warres which did all warres surpasse . Heers Mars pauilion , there Bellonas tent , The Lanciers here , & there the Carbines stands : The Bilmen strikes , the Archers bowes are bent , Here raging Fury flies with burning brands , Distorted limmes are pilde on purple sands : Here Gassamores are cract , there helmets crazd , Here Gorgets cut , there Vaines of Azure razd . Now doth the Courser neigh , the Clarions sound , And wrath mounted on a flaming steed : Doth both the Legions fortitude confound , The moistlesse earth for very griefe doth bleed , To see the Gardner spoyle the sowen seed . Heere might you see what age could neuer tell , Whilst Lyons fought , the forests Barons fell . Heere Ambuscadoes watch the sallying Scout , There Hanniball entraps Marcellus traine : Here wings are plac't and squadrons round about , Scipiades must leaue disloyall Spaine , And like Anebises clippe the Elizian plaine . Nature hath digd for men more kind of graues , Then Indian Ganges hath translucent waues . No valiant Martius stout Coriolaene , Did now the raging multitude withstand : Tumultuous windes haue left the rocky lane , Where sterne Hypoaates with Mace in hand , Their lawlesse force , by force doth countermaund . Eurus will blowe and shake the Islands King , Rebells will rise , and belles of discord ring . Vnworthy I , to mount that sacred hill , And Clodius-like see female sacrifice : Virgill sang this , and none but Virgill will Aduenture valures worth to memorice ; Thrice glorious obiect fit for Princely eyes . Pardon great Homer , my all-daring muse , Let Cherills folly , Cherills fault excuse . The lesser starres makes Phoebe shine more bright , So may my infant Muse comparde to thine , Make thy heroicke Poems splendant light , Seeme fairer farre in mens iuditious eyne , Comparison makes Vertue seeme diuine . Yet giue me leaue with my vnworthy pen , To blazon forth the Acts of worthy men . Cease mournfull Rome thy sad enlangoring , Those fatall Fields neere to Campania sought , Wherein the very prime of Marius spring , The ciuil wars of Marius and Sylla . The spring of griefe which Carbo deerly bought , Ambitious Conquest rulde great Syllas thought . Speake not of these proud Rome , nor make thy mone , Or if thou speak'st , make not comparison . What of stout Varro , The battell Spayne , whe● Caesar was victor . and Affranius lost , Massilias ruine Scaeuas pierced shield : Home by Brundusium , Caesars shippes were tost , Euer renowm'd Pharsalias bloody field , How Iuba fell , and Diator did yeeld . Pompey in Egipt by Pothinius slaine , And endles shame which Ptolomy did gaine . Caesar is stabd , Caesar slaine the Court of Pompey . and Albas doth lament , Antonius doth the Tyrants plea refute : Irefull Octauius to reuenge is bent , Cascas and Cassius , The battell 〈◊〉 Phillippia . Cicero and Brute , For Countreys freedome frame a faithlesse suite . Lawes silent are when armies rule the towne , The feelde at Actium . Who conquered Kings , by Kings are tumbled downe . Enuious desire of honor , loue to raigne , Seuers their mindes whome nature did combine : Two Romaine nauyes cut the Ocean maine , One brothers losse , doth cause anothers gaine , Nothing is worse then Potentates disdaine . Rome simild with ioy , when ciuill warres did cease , England admired more at perfect peace . In thirteen battells Englands strength was tryde , Gauntes issue striues with Clarence progenie : Through euery place destructions steed did ryde , Making debate and endles enmitie , Twixt subiects loue , The first of Sain● Albons barrells . and Princely soueraigntie . The Lords conspire , and at Saint Atbons meete , Here s Warwickes tent , there Yorke doth man the streete . Vnder the Castell Somerset is slaine , Here Clsfford falls , and there Northumberland , Great Buckingham renewes the fight againe , In vaine the Lion doth the Beare withstand , Where Warwicke leades his all subduing band : Daysie in ●rench , signi●●eth Margaret The Rose doth wither , and the Daysie spring . The Queene escapt , but Warwicke hath the king . O whither shall she fly ? whose ay de expect ? Who is encombred with a thousand woes : What peasant boore will princes griefes respect ? By flight she scapes the furie of her foes : Thus to the North this Amazonian goes . Griefe flies to those , who are opprest with griefe , Societie in woe is some reliefe . When Romes two Scipios fell , two glorious starres In Andeluzia or illuding Spaine : None durst but Scipio vndertake those warres , Euen so when Clifford was for England slaine , And Percies pride lay breathlesse on the plaine , At Wakefield , Rich. Duke of Yorke being taken by the Lord Clifford , in reuenge of his fathers Ideath slaine at S. Albons , I crowned the Dukes head with paper . None durst the Ragged Staffe and Beare withstand , But Cliffords sonne and great Northumberland . The Trumpets wake the Champions to the field , Who rode in tryumph through Epaeons towne To Westmerland ; and Margaret must yeeld , Whose vertues did deserue a golden Crowne : His browes are circulizde with paper browne . Themistocles doth yeeld to Xerxes might , Yorke ouermatcht , giues place to Heuries right . Penthisilea bends her course to Troy , Shewing the spoiles of Larisseas King , And Henry like to Priam smiles with ioy , Seeing his Queene such Tropheys home to bring : And all the Phrigian Virgins Io sing . Like vnto this , or like a brauer wight , Couragious Margret doth returne from sight . Neuer discouragde Warwicks royall Peere , Vnconstant Clarence , constant Montacute , Seeing the Southerne coast of Albion cleere , Did Essex , Suffolke , Surrey resalute , Norfolke doth Mowbray Captaine constitute . Both Armies ioyne , The secon● Battell of S ▪ Albons . and to Saint Albons came , They flye their foes , where first they ouercame . Mowbray to Suffolke , Warwicke with the rest , In haste , poste haste , to Cambrias borders flye : New rising March doth rowse his spangled Crest , And vnderstanding by a sallying spye His Fathers friends , and fauourites were nigh , With decent gesture doth them entertaine , Imploring aide his right to reobtaine . Warwicke who was the speaker for them all , In modest sort , as well became his age : Not Duke of Yorke but doth him Soueraigne call , A name so great doth vertue equipage , Now each to other doth his honour gage . Like Caesar now he ioynes with Anthony , And like to him doth foster enmitie . When Brutus hand had stabd great Caesars hart , Octauius honour euery where did finde : Antonius takes the stout Caesareans part , But when reuenge had satisfide her minde , Whome mariage chaste with friendship had combinde , Ambition makes them striue for endlesse raigne , And with their bloud to dye the crimson mayne . So Edward and renowned Sarums sonne Ioyne to reuenge dead Richards iniury : thard Earle Warwicke . But when that Gaunts great issue was vndone , Warwicke doth enuy Yorkes prosperitie , And much disdaines his peerlsse Soueraigntie . Witnesse when Edward durst not here abide , And Barnet field where noble Warwicke dide . Henries faire Queene , ●argret daugh●●r to Reino ●●rle of Aniow ●ho entituled ●●mself King of Naples , Sycil , & ●erusalem , but ●●ioyed none . great Neapolitane , Blinded with masked fate , vnconstant chance , Did neuer feare her future fatall bane , Like a fierce coult this Iennet proud did prance , Smiling with ioy to see her smiling chance . Harke how the Drumme doth summon to the field , See how she takes her ill beseeming shield . Stay Naples pride Sicilian Empresse stay , That day in which Caesar lost his 〈◊〉 in the Court of ●ompe● , a poor man tendred him a petition which he light●y regarded , the contents wherof if he had pervsed , his life might haue bene preserued Will France for euer showres of vengeance raigne ? Thy first approch presage this fatall day , Fire flew from heauen and made our Turrets plaine , When thy Armados cut the Ocean maine . Had Caesar read that which the poore man gaue , Egypt had neuer beene Antonins gratre . Had but great Henry , great in Maiestie Ioynd with that match which Bedford first did make , He had not tasted base seruilitie , But when his minion Suffolke did forsake , That Nimph of ioy , great heire to Arminake , Then Yorkes depressed issue gan to rise , An abiect Prince each Subiect will despise , Clifford and Percy proppes of Henries state ; ( Seeing the Southerne Lords entend to fight , ) Doth the fierce Tygers anger instigate , Proposing arguments of Henries right , How her decayd , augmented Edwards might . In Hampton first she did our woe begin , At her first c●ming , landin● at Southham●ton , some pa●● of Paules st●●ple . and many other Church●● in England were set on fi●● Two Hamptons cannot end her endlesse sin . Fury awakes the murthred Lions whelpe , And like poore Hector his deceased sire , Craues of his kinsemen their supporting helpe , Their smotherd hate hath kindled murthers fire , Which none can quench till they haue quencht desire , Where Nemssis of late did murther end , There she begins heroicke bloud to spend . Like the worlds Monarch , Yorkes apparant heire Ioynes with his Fathers friend , great Neuils race : They to Northampton with their troupes repaire , Where Aniowes Tamiris with martiall grace Cliffords triumphant Armes did embrace : Clifford whose name as Taibot did in France , Made Warwicke feare his Colours to aduance . Octauius now , A compari●on of Edward and Warwicke with Octauius & Anthony . and chaste Octauias Bride , Conspire the death of tyranizing Brute . Clifford must fall , in top of all his pride , Who did by Armes great Muusters plea refute , Doth pleade his cause , but Warwicke gaines the suite . A headlesse arrow piercst his armed throate , Who in his youth did saile in Conquests boate . If Homer liu'd and dwelt in Castalie , And daily tasted of Parnassus Well , Inspirde with furious sacred Poesie , Yet would he not our Virgils worth excell , Whose Paeans did these fierce massacres tell . Delia is praisd with thy all-praysing hand : No wonder , for thou dweltst in Delos land . Eight seuerall Battels shall escape my Muse , Least pride it selfe should me esteeme as proud : Let Maros quill that sacred path peruse , Couer my temples with a sable cloud , Cimerian wreathes my head of sorrow shrowd : Giue me a brazen Pensill not a Pen , Some drops of blood to portraiture these men .

The Field of Banbery . NOw warre is mounted on rebellions Steede , And discontent perswadeth willing Pride , His crest to raise , and wears an Iron weede : Long smothred Enuy doth the Army guide , Which made firme loue from true obedience slide : 'T was that great Neuill made proud George rebell , Whose haughty spirits Warwicke knew too well . Warwicke that raisde the race of Mortimer , Whose eyes did see too soone , thy death saies so : The downfall of immortall Lancaster , 'T was he that did , what could not Warwicke doo ? Make Kings and Queenes to loue and feare him too . 'T was that great Peere , who with one warlike hand , Crown'd and vncrown'd two kings who rulde the land . Thus while these Royall but disloyall Peeres , Maugre reuenge to him that knew not feare , Vnnumbred bands of men and swarmes appeares In North and South , East , West , yea euery where They throw away their Coats , and Corslets weare . Wiues , maides , and Orphants eyes are stuft with teares , And cannot see the Spades transform'd to Speares . The Shepheards hooke is made a souldiers pike , Whose weather-beaten hands must learne aright His speare to traile , and with his sword to strike Vpon the plumed beauer of a knight , None must be sparde by warres impartiall might . If euery souldier were a King , what then ? Princes should die as fast as other men . The Senator must leaue his skarlet gowne , And keepe him in some Turret of defence : When warres once flourish , Iustice must goe downe , Lawes to correct , is lawlesse warres pretence , Valure doth greeue to see ill gotten pence . To see a man without deserts to rise , Makes warre such men , not Iustice to despise . You that in peace by vse of golden hoords Your dunghill race to Barons did erect : You that by English phrase and chosen woords Make heauens enuy your toplesle Architeck , Your Angels cannot you from warres protect . The Campe and Court in manners different are , Words may in Peace , but deeds preuaile in Warre . For Robes of honor furr'd with Miniuere You must haue brest-plates of well tempred steele , And on your aged heads strong Helmets weare , All states must turne when Fortune turnes her wheele , That man which pleasure tastes must sorrow feele . Who sees the wracke of mightie Empery , He loues his life too well that will not dye . When Kings must fight , shall subiects liue in peace ? What Coward is of such a crauant race , That loues not honor more than idle ease ? Great Romane I applaud thy worthy Phrase , To liue with shame , is worse then dye with praise . All which haue being , alwaies cannot bee , For things corrupt must die , and so must wee . Could Cressus mightie mines from Cyrus hand , His captiue carkasse or his state defend ? Wealth cannot warre , nor siluer speares withstand : By strife we see the greatest states haue end , And most they marre by warre , who most would mend . When old warres cease , then straight their springs anew , For harmes still harmes , and euils do ills ensue . No sooner had the gladsome eyes of peace Beheld this warlike sea inuiron'd Ile , But disobedience heire to sluggish ease , Did weake beleefe subdue with subtile stile , Grace winnes the heart , but words the eares beguile . T was Warwicks tongue , whose speech did all men please Whose words were such , or very like to these .

The Earle of Warwicks speech . YOu know great Lords , your very eyes did see The spotlesse honor which my house and I Did euer beare this kingdome ; who but wee Did checke the pride of wilfull tyranny : And with our Grandsires we esteemde it good , For Englands weale to spill our dearest blood . Witnesse the dismall fall of Salisbury And Richard Duke of Yorke in Wakefield slaine , The wracke of my decaied familie , Why did we this , what profit did we gaine ? T was but to shew our country our good will , Which now we also do , and euer will . How many times haue I in complete steele Yea mounted on my steed pursude the chase ? Witnesse these weary limbes , for age must feele , If youth hath runn'd astray or tedious race . Witnesse these siluer haires which now appeares , Cares makes vs old , though we be yong in yeares . When as these eyes , impartiall eyes of mine , Beheld my king illuded and misled By baser men , true honor did repine To see great maiestie with basenesse wed : For which I waged warre , and warring wan , And winning , chose a Tyger for a Lambe . Both you and I great Lords , yea all the state With vniuersall voice adiudg'd him wise : Who now hath prou'd a tyrant and vngrate , Humilitie makes time obseruers rise . For you I chose him king and spent my blood , But tryall saies , good seeming is no good , Now therefore friends let Warwicks tongue intreate , Since that our hopes of Edwards loue dispaire , That Lancaster may repossesse his seate , Whom we vnkindly thrust from honors chaire , The reason is which gouernes our pretents , Tyrants are worser farre then Innocents . Thus this enraged Lord doth instigate With spurlike words swift coursers to the race : Enuy ambition breeds , ambition hate : Hate discontent breeds , discontent disgrace , These be warres angry sounds , pernitious race . These vices by Iniustice nourisht are , Affection in a Iudge is worse then warre . Blessed that state , thrice happie is the land Where sacred Iustice is esteemde diuine : And where the Iudge on one eare holds his hand , My pen applaudes that sentence iust of thine , Romes holy Prince , peace louing Antonine , As I am Marcus , I am not thy foe , But being Iudge , I must be iust also . That lawe deryding Peere , disdaining Lord , Warwick doth his rebellious Ensignes reare : And vowes reuenge on Edward with his sword , Hastings and Stanley do withstand the Beare , True honor neuer yeelds to seruile feare . He is a friend that loues when Fate doth frowne , He shall haue thousands that doth weare a Crowne . Thus while these threatnings like some blazing starre , The wracke of some great Emperour do portend : Their friends on either side addresse for warre , Great William Earle of Pembrooke doth entend , Ere warre begin to make of warre an end . And for that purpose for his friends he sent , To whom as thus he shewed his right intent .

The Earle of Pembrookes Oration . YOu that did euer with your swords maintaine , The vndoubted title of the whiter Rose : By whose great ayde great Edward did obtaine , The Royall crowne and homage held of those , Which now rebell , deere friends correct this sinne , 'T is as much praise to keepe , as praise to winne . If speech might spur you to this glorious race , Where endlesse honor is the purchast fee : Selected words my ruder speech should grace , We pricke in vaine his sides whose feete are free . You euer did the house of Yorke adore , True loue encreaseth daily more and more . Giue not occasion to the enuious pen , To brand you with the badge of infamie : Be firme in resolution worthy men , And thinke vpon your auncient libertie . Behold why Warwicke doth these warres entend , A bad beginning hath a worser end . Looke with indifferent , not respecting eyes , Vpon these two coriualls in the warre : Edward a King , couragious , honest , wise , Warwicke whose name is like a blazing starre , That some ensuing harmes doth foretell , Enuy doth still worke ill , but neuer well . For whom doth he this bloody battell wage ? For aged Henry , and the Prince his sonne : Who but for him had led a quiet age , But they poore Princes , were by him vndone . I finde it true which hath bene often sed , Beares must sometime with humane flesh be fed . It is not loue to either of these twaine , That doth enforce this proud ignoble Peere : These wandring troupes of rebells to maintaine , But t is ambition whom he holds most deere , That doth compell his willing hands to fight : Vnsetled braines bloud still respect , not right . Nay , what if Henry should enioy the wreath , Thinke you by yeelding fauour to enioy ? Friends , when warres rise say kings should neuer breath , Princes in neede men of regard imploy . To this iust action loyall friends be mou'd , The firmest faith in danger great is prou'd . THus hath this Lord as with a touch-stone tride , The courage of his countrey-men and loue : The voyce of all is on warres , warres they cride , The Princes vertues do the subiectes moue , Dangers and perils eminent to proue . The noble Earle with speede pursues his fate , Delay brings danger to the surest state . When Fame reported this to Edwards care , Hope vanquisht feare and gaue encouragement : To see them firme who euer faithfull were . Then to Lord Stafford , Southwike Earle he sent , To muster all his friends incontinent : Then gaue he ioynt commission to these twaine , As equalles when they came in Campe to raigne . Thus these two Captaines as those two of yore , When Romes selected youth in Cannas bled , Equall in power , but not in Iudgements store , As Varro , Stafford from the battell fled , As Paulus , so renowmed Pembrooke sped . Thus Lord-like stout Aemilius forth doth goe , To chase the pride of his rebellious foe . Stafford and hee weake staffe to leane vpon , No Stafford he , nor sprung from Buckingham , Nor let that name so base a man bemoane , His cowardize escandalizde his fame . Lassiuious lust did explaiten his shame . These two to Banbary with Armies bend , Thence Stafford fled , there Herberts life did end . There might you see a troope of warlike men , Conducted by the glories of their Clyme : Vnworthy I , with my vnworthy pen , To aeternize in Layes vndecent Rime , Their memories , which liue in spight of time . These two as Fabius and Marcellus weare , Romes guarding target and offending speare . Richard was valorous , but his brother wise , Youth made him forward , age the other stayde : Richard for action , Pembrooke for aduise , If both their worths were in a ballance way de , Neither should Fates partiallitie vprayde , The differences betweene these brothers are , One peace affected most , the other warre . There might you see the Champions of the Beare , Mounted on Iustie Coursers , scoure the plaine : There might you see the sonne of Latimer , With rashnesse charge , with feare returne and slaine , They neuer feare , who neuer feeled paine . There might you see , O I am greeu'd to say , What yeares confirm'd , consumed in a day . There might you see that worthy man of men , Richard with his victorious sword in hand , Like a fierce Lyon passing from his den , Or some sterne Boare , whose anger plowes the land , Securely passe through euery conquer'd band . As a round bullet from a Canon sent , This Knight alone through fortie thousand went . And backe return'd to his amazed traine , But more enraged with anger then before : Begins to kill , where he before had slaine , Like a close myzer he augments his store , The more he slaies , to slaie he loues the more . All this thou didst , what latter age can tell , Of one that better did , or halfe so well . Thus like Alcides all composde of ire , Whose fiery lights shut sparkes of fortitude : This Champion doth to greater deeds aspire , Still pressing on the Hydra multitude , Till like to sheepe they fled in order rude . Then to his Tent with tryumph he doth goe , Valure doth loue to spoile , not chase the foe . But see vnconstant chance , and seeing weepe , For euery word requires a siluer teare : Whiles carelesse victory did sweetly sleepe , And conquest by desert did honour weare , ( When most we liue secure , we most should feare ) Sixe hundred men conducted by a Squire , Made those that chaste with praise , with shame retire . But ere that these confused warriours fled , Whom vnexpected horror did amaze : They sold their liues for liues ere they were dead , Their conquering blood their honors did emblaze , But all were not deriued from one race . Some Stallions in a field , some Asses bee , And so of men there be , of each degree . Richard thou canst not mount thy steed and flye , Nor thou great Lord experience makes thee stay , To feare the name of death is worse then dye : But men borne base , a baser word will say , I care not how I scape so liue I may . Ye slaues to feare whom I abhorre to see , That loue life more , then praise or honestie . Still do they striue till that vnnumbred presse Like Bees of Hybla swarmed euery where : Courage in danger doth it selfe expresse . Submission to a Lyon breeds but feare , But rauenous beasts their prostrate subiects teare : By such great Richard falls , and Pembrooke dies , Conquering twise twentie thousand enemies . Mount sacred spirits with cleare conscience wings To the ninth heauen whereas your glorious eye May gaze on the immortall king of kings : Liue you in peace , but we in misery , Man cannot happie be before he dye . Vnto your glorious tombes I sacrifice , These dismall Anthems and sad Elegies . CEase mournfull Muse , to chaunt these Ciuil broiles , Vnciuill warres , and sence-amizing times : Brothers by brothers spoild , vnnaturall spoiles , The guilt whereof to Ioues tribunall climes , Oh subiect fit for Thaeban Statius rimes . All warres are bad , but finall end doth tell , Intestine warres all other warres excell . Witnesse the same the Macedinian downe , When Pompey did the Senates cause defend , And Caesar sought the worlds Imperiall Crowne : Witnesse Philippes and Antonius end , Milde Othos death which Authors so commend . Richard now riseth at his Nephewes fall , Richard . 3. A conscience cleare is like a brazen wall . Now Englands Traiane sprung from Troiane race , Doth Oxford helpe and Darbies aide implore , Froth-faced Neptune with his trident mace Doth guide his Argosies to Milfords shoare , At Bosworth field he slaies the tusked Boare . The battle o● Bosworth . Leicestrian Dales their crimson goare did fill , A scarlet streame from Richard did distill . Cheiney thy armes and sinewes are not strong Enough to match with Albions martiall king : Brandon thou dost thy youthfull vigor wrong , To combat him who to the field did bring Those cruell parts which Collingbourne did sing . Now consolations wings doth reare my minde , To shew his praise , who sprang from Priams kinde . Great Impe of kings , Henry . 7. heroicke Theodore , Englands Augustus , famous Prince of peace , Great Treasurer of sacred Vertues store , Eden of pleasure , Arthur . which didst all men please , Comfort of Albion , Henry . and they Countries ease : Margaret . From the foure golden Fountaines did arise Like vnto those that sprang from Paradise . Mary . Oh that I had all wittes excelling witte , To eternallize thy deeds immortall king : My pen thy trophies should , and tryumphes writte , The triple lauor of this round should ring With thy great name , which my great muse should sing . But since that Nature did the same denie , Accept my will , aetheriall dietie . Elizabeth , Elizabeth eldest daughter to Edw. the 4. was maried to Henr. the 7 by which mariage the both houses of Yorke and Lancaster so long seuered wer vnited O Princely perfect name , Combinde with thee , oh cheerfull cordiall knot : No priuate quarell could white Albion fame : With blood and rapine fierce dissention blot , Fury it selfe , within it self did rot . Two parted Roses which so long did striue , Grew on one stalke , and both began to thriue . From that faire stalke great Arthur first did rise , Arthur who matcht with Castiles Katherine , Childlesse he dide , and death he did despise , His body was intombde in gorgeous s●rine , His soule ascended , for it was diuine . Henry then Prince and heire apparant was , Henry which did all former Henries passe . The snow-white Cliffes which Albion do confine , Whose subiect sands are deckt with Margarites : Henry 8. Clearer then is the clearest Christaline , The towring waues , which rule the narrow streights , Which do adumbrate sleepy rockes deceits , Could not debarre his thoughts , but he did goe To conquer France , and Englands greatest foe . Wolsey then liu'd , Christ Chur●● in Oxford . high minded worthy Clarke , Which did erect those glorious Towres of yore : Learnings receptacle , Religions parke , Oh that some Eagle-mounting thought would so are To finish that which he began before . Oh that some Prince ( for none but Princes can ) Would perfect that , that excellent worke of man . The siluer Isis and the gliding Thame , Whose billowes resalute the verdant strand , Should warble Paans to his mightie name , The leaden age is past which rulde the land , Saturne is come , and Saturne doth command : Whose hopes were dead , rich students neuer feare , ( Most rich in hope ) some will your turrets reare . Nurse of ingenious spirits Athens praise , Chiefe benefactor of what ere is mine : O might I see some mightie Monarch raise Those halfe built walles and parted towres combine , Then Christ might yet be iustly tearmed thine : As Christ is best , so should his houses bee , And in perfection haue a sympathie . Henries triumphant carkasse laid in graue , Edward 6. Couered with gold in Caesars ancient towre : Edward succeeds , a Prince though yong , yet graue , The skye which whilome smilde begins to lowre , And showres of sorrow on the land to powre . He endes his life before it scarce began , What is more short then shortest life of man . When nature fram'd this Prince , oh goodly creature , Compos'd of pure and elementall fire : Turnd in a heauenly mowld diuinest feature , She saw her selfe deceiu'd , and wroth with ire , When life began , his end she did desire . What enuie so could thee proud Nature sting , Nothing should make and marre the selfe same thing . The Gods did enuie mans felicitie , And therfore did to Nature condescend : That this yong King , great King of Maiestie , In sixteene yeares his vitall course should spend , His life hath end , and all our ioyes haue end . Nature doth hasten to the house of death . And shee consents to steale away his breath . Now Spayne and England ioynes , Queene Mary married with Phillip Prince of Spayne . that peace I loue , That concord doth augment the common state : Pray God it doth both firme and faithfull proue , But for to match with Spayne , oh cruell fate , Could Mary so her countrey ruinate ? Guiltlesse shee was , but those that made the match , Vnder their wings did egges of Serpents hatch . Oh now me thinkes I could in dismall blacke Shadow my lookes , and neuer wish the light : Writing red lines of blood , more blacke then blacke , The massacres of mans amazing sight , After these duskie clouds comes elearest light . Mary is dead , Elizabeth doth raigne , Her conscience cleare , no corasiue could staine .

The losse of Elizabeth . FAire Virgin , Empresse , royall Princely maide , Sprung from the Damaske Rose the Roses bud : T is true as truth it selfe which men haue saide , The end is best , though all the meanes be good , She was the last and best of Henries blood . Henry did well in all , excell in this , In getting of this Maide , our greatest blisse . He vanquisht Bolleine , and strong Turnus towne , And rode in tryumph through the English Pale : Placing the Diademe of France , that regall Crowne , Vpon his sisters temples ; and withall Made the twelue Peeres to feare their finall fall . But what of these ? if Bullain had not bin , We all had liu'd for aye in endles sin . Astronomers did dreame and fondly saide , That twelue designed signes did rule a Spheare : Virgo did guide the earth , oh heauenly Maide ; But now sky-teachers wise men neuer feare , To say she is in heauen , for sure shee s there . Oh she is gone , with her our pleasures fled , They liu'd in her , they dide when she was dead . Bright Gem of honor , Albions glorious starre , The Cynosure of Englands Hemispheare : Princessse of peace , Cytherian queene of warre ; Rides through the cloudes on her caelestiall beare , Conquering deathes Ebon dart and sharpest speare . Fathers of peace put on triumphant weedes , A gratious King , a gratious Queene succeedes . Reasons first founder , Natures eldest sonne , The Stoikes prince did also erre in this : Repugnant natures neuer raigne in one , ●●●stotle . 〈◊〉 . Perfect my griefe , more perfect is my blis , I smile with ioy , yet teares my cheekes do kisse . A present salue hath cured a pensiue sore , Britaine is now , what Britaine was of yore . The wandring Brute , who sprang from Priams kinde , Though artlesse men with their malignant muse : Still bearing burning enuie in their minde , Britaines first Monarch warlike Brute abuse , Of all the Northern world , this Isle did chuse . With fire and sword he did obtaine his sute With peace and ioy we chuse a second Brute . Peace , valure , learning , science hee did bring , Thou feare of God , whom thou doest onely feare : Imperiall Monarche , truth and concordes King , No champion then did weild his fruitlesse speare , No chaine did tye the milde vntamed Beare . Saturne then liued , no Sinon did amisse , All men were free , ( no slaue by Nature is . Oh sacred age , and blessed times of yore , When iust Astraea rul'd this circled plaine : Then each man liu'd alike , and liu'd withstore , No Persian blood did Salamina stayne , No Vandals Rome , nor Romane gouernd Spayne . No Cannas chaunce did cause Saturnia mourne , No sencelesse Nero wisht new Troy to burne . No Manlius sought a Diademe to gaine , No iust Papirius sude for Fabius bloud : Claudius as then did not Virginia stayne , No Consulls fell at Alias flaming flood , Red Charea was not dewde with Fabys blood . Albans and Romanes knew no single sight , Saffetius did not yeeld to Martius might . The vnspotted spowse of martiall Collatine , Did not consent to Sextus lawlesse lust : Each virgin was ybound with Vestas line , Camillus needed not the Ardeans trust , Nor Sceuola his hand in flames to thrust . But see , oh see how age doth follow age , Worse after worse , as Actors on a stage . Thrice happy Britaine , strong vnited Ile , Disioynted was by her first monarches fall : Then Albanact was slaine by Humbers guile , Caesar then conquer'd it , who conquered all , Hunes , Pictes and Danes tryumph't in Britaines fal . Vaile sorrowes roabes , Ioues father comes againe , The golden age begins with Iacobs raigne . The Lords great Stuart , Albions mightie King , Our second Brute like to the morning starre , To Englands Court doth light of comfort bring , Now Concords boult doth Ianus temple barre , Binding in chaines the sternest god of warre . Vertue and valour triumph euermore , Augustus liues adornd with Crassus store .

TO THE MAIESTIE OF King Iames , Monarch of all Britayne . ALl haile great Monarch of the greatest Ile , The Northerne worlds vnited lawfull King , Iames the 1. of England , and 6. of Scotland . Pardon my rudest reede vndecent stile , Though I want Skill in thy new Empires spring , Yet doe I loue , and will thy prayses sing . Me thinkes I do on Clarps Kingdome stand , No maruaile , for Apollo rules the land . On true obedience knee I pardon aske Of thy diuine heroicke Maiestie , It was thy merites great impos'd this taske On my weake pen , badge of infirmitie , Too weake indeede to prayse thy excellency . Each Cherrils muse doth now salute thy grace , Shall I alone be mute and hide my face ? Mar● extold Augustus peacefull daies , The Liricke Poet sung Mecenas fame : Ennius did Scipio Affricanus praise , If all they liu'd and saw thy sacred name , Each verse they made should sure containethe same . But if they reade thy gift , Basilicon Doron . oh Princely worke ! For shame they would in vntrode desarts lurke . If Englands Load-starre pride of Poesie , Chaucer , so called by M. Camdon . Could the firme Centers regiment transpearse : And formalize his peerlesse ingeny , Thy all-surpassing vertues to rehearse , A Princely matter fitts a princely verse : Yet were his wit too weake thy deeds to praise , Which brought vs ioyes , in our most mournfull daies . Could Lidgat passe the tower of Proserpine , And like to Virbius liue a double age , Penning thy Trophies in a golden skrine , Yet could he not thy mertis equipage , Admiring most would vse a tapinage , Bocchas and Gowre , the Virgils of their time , Could not vnfold thy prayse in antique rime . If these foure Poets liu'd like Lions foure , They should thy famous Coach of glory drawe From Vertures temple , to true honours towre , Each should a kingdome haue , thy foes should know Thy might , and feare their finall ouerthrow . But what should muses sing ? the world doth see , And seeing , feares vnited Britany . Still liuing Sidney , Caesar of our land , Whose neuer daunted valure princely minde , Imbellished with Art and Conquests hand , Did expleiten his high aspiring kinde , ( An Eagles hart in Crowes we cannot finde . ) If thou couldst liue and purchase Orpheus quill , Our Monarches merits would exceed thy skill Albions Maeonian , Homer natures pride , Spenser the Muses sonne and sole delight : If thou couldst through Dianas kingdome glide , Passing the Palace of infernall night , ( The Sentinels that keepes thee from the light ) Yet couldst thou not his retchlese worth comprise . Whose minde containes a thousand purities . What fatall chance is this , and lucklesse fate , That none can aptly sing thy glorious prayse , And tell the happinesse of Englands state , O barren time , and temporizing dayes , Fowle Ignorance on sacred Learning prayes . But now I doe a Diapazon see , None but thy selfe ( great King ) can sing of thee . That Macedonian starre , first Prince of Greece , Philip Aristotle Sent for that wandring learned Stagirite , To teach his Sonne knowledge of knowledges : His sword was keene , his sense could ill indite : Thy sworde is shape , and who can better write ? He had another to instruct his sonne , What he by others did , thy selfe hath done . Some Caesar deemde the happiest mortall wight , That breath'd the ayre , or did ascend the skye , For conquering Scipios force , and Pompeis might , Some did Augustus iudge more happy , why ? Because the vanquisht Aegypts Anhtony , Romes holy Prince , said Nerua did surpasse , For leauing such a sonne as Traian was . If those olde Wisards which of yore did sing , Read with impartiall eyes thy peerlesse deeds , ( Great Prince of warre , of peace thrice happie King ) Concord should reconcile their striuing reeds , And sensures ioyne , which censures enuy breeds . Caesars acts , Augustus peace , good Neruas kinde , In thee alone , in non but thee we finde . The siluer Moone plac'd in her circle round , At her encrease , her equall distant hornes Vpwards ascends , as scorning abiect ground , So when the worlds great honour first was borne , That fayre arising Sunne , cleere faced morne , Her mounting thoughts did to the heauens Towre , Scorning the earth , or any terrene Bowre . But when that Virgins Goddesse doth decrease , Her picked forkes their course to Terra bend : So when our Englands Lunas light did cease , The Artike Clime an Vnicorne did send , Whose radiant Iusture , night shall neuer end : Phoebes cleere light seemes darke , whilst he doth shine He borrowes perfect light of God diuine . Those that do reade the secrets of the skie , Whose iudgement is in heauen conuersant : Which portraiture the signes in heauenly die Might asseuere that Virgo was on high , I sawe a starre of late from heauen flie : Why cannot this starre then faire Virgo bee ? A starre more chaste I thinke we cannot see . O now my thoughts can diue into the deepe , Our all ships guiding starre was fixed there : And when Eliza did with honor sleepe , Mounted vpon her praise deseruing beare , She did obtaine of him she lou'd so deare , That she might haue his seate , he rule the land Which she of late as Empresse did commaund . The Anatomizers of our learned daies , Affirme that Virgo do the belly guide : No wonder then that Albions wondrous praise , That Virgin Queene which here on earth did bide So nourisht each poore hunger-bitten side . Now she is dead , oh who will them reliue ? The present starre doth present comfort giue . I heard an aged woman often say , That she did see a starre from heauen descend : Which was as true me thought , as trees did bray : For she alledg'd the same , and did commend A certaine Crowe , whose wit she did defend . Pardon me Age , for now mine eyes do see A starre on earth , more bright than starre can bee . To whom shall I this Northerne starre compare ▪ To Caesar which did first subdue the state : To Horsus who no limbe of Christ did spare , Damming his soule this land to ruinate , Great Williams conquest and the Normanes hate . Thus doth my Muse all wanting art begin , To sing thy vertues , and to shewe their sin . Caesar was twice repulst ere he could see This litle world from all the world remote : Before we sawe thy face we sent to thee , As to a Pilot for to guide our boate : Which did in Seas of suddaine sorrow floate . He lost his sword before he conquest wan , We yeeld thee all our hearts , and all we can . Horsus by cruell tyrant trechery , Subdude Ambrosius that wise Prince of peace : Witnesse the hidden kniues at Salisbury , He trauaile brought , but thou doest bring vs ease , Thy true descent makes greedy warres to cease . A Wolfe possest his heart , a Lyon thine , He worse then man , thou better more diuine . William was fierce in warre , and so art thou : In counsell sage , thou doest him aequalize : His sword forc't foes their trembling knees to bowe , Thou conquerst hearts , by thy hearts winning eyes By force he wan , by merits thou doest rise . He brought subiection , thou doest freedome bring . He loued warre , but thou of peace art King . Rufus was rude , thou ciuill , gentle , kinde : He was austere , thy browes hath mercies frowne : He had a Neros hart , thou Caesars minde : He hunting lou'd , for pleasure tumbled downe Many a Castle fayre , and stately Towne : Thou lou'st the chase , yet Cities doest adorne , Thou wert for all the worlds great profit borne , Henry was grac't with artes , thou doest excell : Children did blesse his age but soone did dye : Children thou hast in health and perfect well , ( God prosper them with pure prosperitie , ) Adorne their harts with louing pietie : He was a worthy King , thou worthier farre , Thou art our Northerne-Pole , harts-guiding starre . Soare humble thoughts , and let my abiect pen Touch the high mounted Artike Northerne starre , And there compare this man excelling men : We should compare the things that equall are , And who is like this light , this lampe , this starre ? Mine eyes distill sweete teares , the teares of ioy , To see Troyes issue raigne in new found Troy . Let Barland cease to write of wisest Kings , And Mellificius with his tuned voyce , From whose sweet tong sprang learnings sweetest springs ? Sing not of Persians prayse , or Caldeans ioyes , The Grecians Emperour , Europs worthiest choyce . These three combinde , each sought the others fall , Britaine is ioynd , and Concord guides it all . When Alexander sawe that precious stone , Vnder whose Isye wings Achilles lay , Shedding ambitious teares , he said with mone , Vnhappy I , and ten tunes happy they , Whose ensignes prayse , sweet Homer did display : Then happy art thou King , whose raigne wee see Homer doth sing thy prayse , for thou art hee . The Maiestie of Marius fearefull face Did terrifie the Cymbrians crauen minde : Though he were armde with Clothos fatall mace , And solemne oath to murther did him binde , A wandring Bucke did feare the Eagles kinde : So did thy Princely lookes and grace of God Protect thy issue from a Traytors rod . Now doth my Ship in plenties Ocean sayle , Pusht with a pleasant gale of pleasures winde : But stay I here an enuious Momist rayle , Thy toothlesse threate doth not amaze my minde , Barke , for thou canst not bite , I scorne thy kinde , That which I write , I reade , and both are true , I dare not , nor I will not tell what will ensue . My hope is good that we shall happy bee , Hopelesse our foes , they feare , we still secure : We peace , they warre : Ye endlesse peace shall see , We plenty haue , they pouerty endure , Religion we sincere , but they impure . They liuing seeme to dye , we dying gaine To liue with Saints in Paradisus plaine . What said the learned , those that learning loue , If causes perish , then effects decay , Pray for the cause , yea , pray to God aboue That he may long the Albion Scepter sway , Who shinde like Sol in our Cimmerian day . Liue , and liue long , great King , liue many dayes , Vse that fayre Theame , Be as thou art alwayes . FINIS .