Pancharis the first booke. Containing the preparation of the loue betweene Ovven Tudyr, and the Queene, long since intended to her maiden Maiestie: and now dedicated to the inuincible Iames, second and greater Monarch of great Britaine, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, with the islands adiacent.

PANCHARIS : THE FIRST BOOKE . I Sing Queene Katharine and my countryman . O Loue ( if I before thy Altare spread , Blacke though I be , haue oft lookt pale & wan ; And as white Turtles there haue offered , As are those that thy whiter mother drawe ) Draw neere , and with her Myrtle decke the head Of me thy priest , that am too rudely rawe , Nor once haue bin baptized in the spring Of Helicon , which yet I neuer saw . A pinion plucke me out of thine owne wing : And let thy godhead more propitious be Vnto my thoughts whiles others loues I sing , Then in mine owne it hath beene vnto me . AND thou O second Sea-borne Queene of Loue , In whose faire forehead Loue and Maiestie Still kisse each other ( as the Turtle-doue Doth her beloued ) thou whose frowne , whose smile Presenteth both , who dost inspire and moue This lesser Continent , this greatest Ile : Let smiling Loue , when Maiesty would frowne , Infuse like life and motion to my Stile . I treate not I here of the awfull Crowne , ( Though somewhat of the court ) my Legend is Composde of Loue and Beautie vp and downe . Where if I aught haue saide that sounds amisse , Immortall Maid , thou pardon mee that crime , Sith thy white hand which ( lord ) I long to kisse May crosse out all , and rectifie my rime . So shall the amorous Readers seeme as those , That haue seene thee full oft and many a time . Yet seeing thee againe , anone suppose They somewhat see they neuer saw before , Such spangling obiects thou dost still disclose , As all desire to see thee more and more . From London Westward doth a Castle stand Along the Thames , which of the winding shore Is called Windsore , knowne by sea and land , For the rich Guarter and the holy George There founded first by the victorious hand Of warlike Edward , he that was the scorge And second hammer of the haughty Scot. As the lame God in his Trinacrian Forge Striu'd first to blow the stubborne yron hot , And after laide about him like a Lord , Till he thereof the vpper hand had got : So English Edward did with fire and sword , Lighten and Thunder in that Northerne Clime , And neuer respite did his foe afford , ( No nor himselfe almost ) vntill the time As hardy Dauid grac'd faire Windsores Court . Where also Iohn of France , who long'd to clime The wheele of Fortune in the selfe same sort , A captiue King was after shortly seene . Yet neither this , nor that , so much report The fame of Windsore , as faire Katherine ; She that hath yet ( saue her great Neece ) no other , Daughter of France , of England Mother-Queene , The sixt Charles daughter , the sixt Henries mother , And ( which is chiefest ) the fift Henries Wife . Here the sad Queene ful many a sigh did smother , Resolued still to leade a Widdowes life . So chaste was she , though faire , and rich , and yong , That yong and olde to praise her were at strife : Of her high honour all Musitians sung , And thereto each sweet Poet tun'd his pen , That therewith England and all Europe rung . She was the wonder of all mortall men , Few Queenes came neere her , & none went aboue , In grace and goodnesse , since , before , or then . Might once no minion dare to kisse her gloue ( Much lesse her hand ) or Mistresse her mis-call ; As men are wont , when they for fashion loue . So modest was she , and so mecke withall , That all good folkes might to her Presence come No lesse then to some Councellors common Hall . More doth the suter than the gaudy roome , Set out a Monarchs Maiestie , by ods , When life or death he lookes for at his doome . Not they that grau'd the gold did make the gods , But such as did before them bow to begge , All were they made of clay but only clods : Nor they the Prince that still prouoke and egge , ( That only they may golden I dolls be To which the subiect bends his seruile legge ) The sacred and annointed Maiestie To robbe the realme , to gaine the subiects wealth , And loose their hearts ; But such as on the knee Importune grace with happinesse and health , Not posted off to those extreame delayes Of bribing fauorites , which is worse then stealth , And scarce was heard of in those happy dayes . Her selfe a widdow , would for widowes pleade With much compassion , and at al assayes , But as for Orphanes bills , them would she reade , And then shut in her princely Orphans hand , Whereby along with her she would him leade Vnto his Vncle that did rule the land : Hard were the heart , that in so iust a cause , With two such suters vpon tearmes could stand , And not dispence a little with the lawes . Thus with her great delight in doing good , Shee wanne such fame and popular applause , That on a time the goddesse of the wood Diana sorely longed once to see This ●● street model of all womanhoode , And next her selfe the flowre of chastitie . Wherefore the ( Sunne now scorching in the skull Of L●o ) foorth a hunting needes would shee To Windesore forrest , which she found as ful Of deere , as trees : yet trees so many ar , As there the darts of Phoebus are too dull ; And pierce no more then doth the meanest starre . There was the Lawrell that was glad to hide Her greene head from the face of Phoebus farre , The I ordly Oake that scorn'd not by his side The bragging Brier , and with wilde yuie was Like great God Bacchus crownd , there was , beside The smoothskinn'd Beech all kerued as did passe , In curious knotts that did the names entwine Of many a Louer , and of many a Lasse . There was the Elme that vnderprops the Vine , And Box , wherof poore shephards frame their pipes , The gentle Wood bind , and sweete Eglantine , Each other clipping with their amorous gripes . The budded Hawthorn , and our London dames Holy-reformers : the Birch lacing stripes On lasie truands , with such like , whose names I know not , saue the Willow that did guirde The bankes forsaken of the slippry Thames . On euery tree did sit a seuerall bird , And euery bird did sing his seuerall note : This to the base a fift , that sung a third , Each one according to his aery throate . A Summers day me thinkes were nothing long With the rare Musike which they made by rote : Phoebe her selfe with all her Nymphs did throng To heare it , as she had not heauenly beene : And this was all the burden of their Song , Long liue Diana and faire Katherene . Wearied with toile , but neuer with the noyse , High time she thought to goe and see the Queene , For her declining brother , that enioyes One part in one of her three-formed realmes , Bade her breake vp those sports and earthly ioyes , Sith he must neuer quench his thirsty beames , Till she to heauen returne and take his place To gouerne there the starres , and here the streames . She therefore to the Castle gan to pace That bounteously was built of faire free-stone , Whose guilded inside , for the greater grace , Was all set out with many a precious one , And they with one that yet more precious was : The cristall windowes round about it shone , That as she stood therein the very glasse Seem'd rather to let out the lusty light . On did the goddesse with her meany passe , Till they came to a roome all richly dight , Of heauenly blisse and happinesse the bowre , Where each of other had this happy sight . The place was after calld the Maydens towre , But of Diana and her Maydes no doubt So called was , and is vnto this howre . Much the amazed goddesse look'd about , But most astoned at the Queene shee stood , That ready word she could bring hardly out , Before the louely Queene , ( who could more good Then halfe a world ) did silence softly breake , Each Lilly blending with a Rose of blood . Madame ( she sayde ) my tongue can hardly speake That world of worth which I in you admire : Then all that I can doe is farre too weake To answere your desert and my desire : For since my Lord , my life , ( God his soule saue ) Was laide ( as well may witnesse my attire ) My better halfe since he was laide in graue , I neuer yet came foorth in companie ; But in my chamber my selfe buried haue . Wherefore , if person here , or aught there be , That vnto you may breede the least offence , God knowes it is without my priuitie : But did I knowe , I soone should rid him hence , That of this action is not humbly glad , And therewithall , they both lowe reuerence Did one another . Vp the while was had A Banquet to a by rome as did passe , Bisket-bread , Sucket , Marchpane , Marmalad , Candids , Conserues , and all that dainty was : It haild downe comfects , and through euery spoutt The Sugar-Castles powrd out hypocras Walk'd vp and downe the boles , so as I doubt If I may call them standing cups or no. And as the wine , so went the day about . Diana rose , and ready was to goe , When in an other cup of massie golde They crownd her wine that sparkled to and fro . It was the king Confessors Cup of old , Who liu'd a maried man , and died a maide . She kist the cup , where grau'n , she might beholde Actaeons death , and downe it quickly laid , Then turn'd a little to her maydes aside , Rebuk't their want of secrecie , and saide . Could ye no better your owne counsailes hide , But ouer England too it must be blaz'd ? Lo heere , Actaeon in his horned hide While on our shame and nakednesse he gaz'd , Therewith she pawz'd , but they no word could say , So were they at that liuely mappe amaz'd . And sure the cup did all so wel display , As if it white wine were that therein stoode . Then would ye sweare Dianaes selfe there by , Nakedly clothed with the cristall flood . And were it redde , there lay then would ye swears , Actaeon bathing him in his owne blood . At last , as one that halfe abashed were , Vnto the Queene she turn'd and vttred this . Alacke , alacke , if his owne hownds did teare This fond Actaeon , yet the fault was his , And mine the griefe : we gods are no lesse sory For mortalls punishments , then for their amisse , Though we , by this , and that , declare our glory , And our owne iustice in them both exalte : Yet some will say ( and they too peremptory ) That this his fortune was , and not his fault : Was 't not his fault so to prophane a place , That hallowed was with franckincense and salt ? Were 't not his fault that should surprise your grace Here in your chamber , skare you or your traine , And from your side your surest seruants race ? Abortiue fansies swimme about his braine , And faile him when himselfe he most assures : Runne all his plots and purposes in vaine , That shall the like attempts on you or yours . Thus ended she , and with this speach the day . On stole the night , that parting stil procures , As though it came to bid her come away , Then tooke she leaue , and in her coach did clime , The Easterne hill with horses yron gray , Where in slowe minutes she must tell the time , And serue the vse of man . God bade her so . When neither Cocke doth crow , nor Clocke doth chime , Whether we see her siluer face or no , Yet there she walkes , as wel by day as night , And still about her cristall or be doth goe . But ( lord ) with what a longing and delight To Windsor ward she downe woulde cast her looke , And guild the wide Thames with hir trembling light . An other heauen ye would haue thought the brooke With Moone and Stars , and here and there a cloude : But in high heau'n what way so e're she tooke , Queene Katharines praises there she rung aloude , Set to the tune of her well tempred spheare , Much more harmonious then is harpe and croud . Hermes , that all the ghosts belowe can reare , And gently vsher with his snaky rod , To this new Caroll gaue ' attentiue eare : And ( as he is a very prating god ) To the bright Venus hath it told anone From the first point to the last period . When she in all the haste would needes be gone To see below , what all had heard aboue , Of Englands Queene and peerelesse paragon : Her Coach was drawne by many a Turtle-doue , And driuen by a coachman of great worth , Her little sonne , the mighty god of Loue . So long he guided on his course by North , When hauing past the seauenth and vtmost clime , Out of the sea he might see peeping foorth A spot of Earth as white as any lime : To which he thought it best his course to hold . Now was the Earth , for it was past the prime , That had vnmask'd her of her tawny old , Reuested with a flowry diadem , And new greene veluet , spangled all with gold . Thus were the fields enameld all of them , Along the siluer Thames that did embrace The golden meades in wanton armes , and hem Their looser skitts like an indented lace . Acrosle , and vp and downe the riuer swame Her sacred swannes , who when they saw her Grace , Vnto her Coach to doe their homage came : And from the land came Turtles many a paire , Vnto her Deity who did the same . Then Citherea seeing them so repaire Bespake , Sir boy , we sure be gone amisse : ( But yet , the best is this , the way was faire ) Nay doubtlesse , that no way to Windsore is , But to our palace in mount C●theron . And Cupid he was sore afraide by this Lest it were so indeede , when ( hauing gone A little further ) he might plainely see Where with his eye a castle met anone High on a hill ( as though it scorn'd to be Built on the baser earth ) and towr'd aboue The lofty clowds , with such a Maiestie , As saide it could not be the Court of Loue . Howe often haue you seene together dwell The lordly Eagle and the lowely Doue , Or Loue and Maiesty concording well ? By this , they to the castle-gate be come , That was shut in by warning of a bell , In euery roome yet stirring heard they some , Which made them loudly call , and loudly knocke , Yet none , no more then if they had bin dombe , Would answer them ; a long houre by the clocke , They waited there ; now he , now she , now both : Cupid at last did peepe in at the locke , Yet no man came ; Then Venus waxed wroth , And since of force she must her purpose misse To be reueng'd she tooke a solemne othe And saide . Much worship haue we won iwis , If thus one silly woman may abuse Two such great Godheads ; if wee suffer this , What wretch I pray you may not well refuse To burne on our high altars his perfumes , And by this president the fact excuse ? Whether she on our gentlenesse presumes , Or her owne greatnesse , all is one for that , I shall ere long so pull her peacockes plumes , That though she now be young and faire and fat ) She shall no sooner looke vpon a glasse But she shall greeue and sore repine thereat , And say , That now is hay was sometimes grasse . Thinkes she to scape our hands so franke and free , That shee forsooth of France the daughter was , Englands fresh bride , and thereby chaunc'd to be Mother to him that now is King of both ? Alas , what 's all this to a Deitie ? No more but titles and meere toies in troth , As then she hath deseru'd , so shall she haue , " Diuine reuenge comes sure , though late and loth . Belike these giddie French thinke they may braue My sonne and me at pleasure , leaue vndone What at their hands most lawfully we craue , Or do all lawlesse outrage vnder Sunne . They make but cu'n a Woman and a childe Of me and thee , and thereby thinke to shunne Our vengeance , this it is to be so milde To malefactors , that for very spight Our Temples and our Altars haue defilde , Left vnprophaned no religious rite , But hauocke made of holy maiden-head , As if the Charge we had renounced quite That appertaineth to the Bridall bed : Wherein the lawfull heire begotten is , Whom after nine months fully finished , The shame-fac't father shall not feare to kisse At midnight to him by the Midwife borne , Yea he himselfe will sweare it to be his , When Lucifer lets foorth the blushy Morne . But if they still my patience thus shall wrong By S. Adonis here loe haue I sworne , And will not faile , I shall , ere it ●e long , A plague send on them that will quickely tame Their pride , and teach them sing another song . It shall feede in their marow like a flame , And rage through eu'ry corner of the land , That of the nation it shall take the name . But to the point that now we haue in hand . Which to effect with more successefull speede , Sonne Cupid , you awhile my friend must stand . Mother ( quoth he ) to feare you shal not neede , For I haue still beene your obsequious sonne , And still wil be , in thought , and word , and deed . Yet hold I not this dame so much , a Nunne By nature , as by vertue of the clime Is far remoued Northward from the Sunne . For she hath lou'd , and so may do in time . The bird that hauing once escap't the net , Defies the fowler , may be caught by lime Or other engines that for him be set , And so may she by some more quaint deuise , But what that is , my selfe knows skarcely yet ) Maugre her heart all were it made of yce . Gramercie sonne , quoth he , why then no doubt ( Though she were ten times more then she is nice ) This act we shall bring well inough about . But that I feare me which you lately tolde About the Climat all this Isle throughout , Is all the let that euer happen could , For though the Sunne now in the Lion raigne , And his Meridian , yet an vncouth cold Me thinks doth hit me now through euery vaine . In Affricke if the Lyon list to rage , Who shall him from his Ladyes side restrayne ? Yet here he sleepeth out his idle age , And dreames not once of Natures kindely sport . Were it not this , what grate or yron cage Could coope him from his pleasure ? To be short , The Vine that with the scorching sunne by noone , Growes quickely ripe in France , if you transport Into this Country , ripeneth not so soone : Yet is the soyle as thankful heere as there . Yea th' Elements , all vnderneath the Moone , Remou'd from their owne place , some otherwhere , Take new impressions to them , for the fire That only shines in his celestiall sphere Here burnes most violent . And with desire Said Cupid , shall this Saint , this Katherine In Windshore burne whom he did so admire , The man of Monmouth when she did but shine In France at Melaws , like a blazing starre : Whose faire aspect and influence diuine , Did stoppe the hoarse and open throate of warre . As there great Henry fel in loue with her , Heere of another shall she dote as farre , Except my cunning , or this hand doe erre : And that rich dowre , yea were it ten times moe , Vpon a subiect shall I soone conferre . What , on a Saxon Cupid , will yee so ? Now by this Mole ( quoth she ) vpon my cheeke , I rather had this high reuenge forgoe Which I on her so thirstingly do seeke , Then any flinty Saxon should succeede A Prince so mighty , and a Prince so meeke . These Saxons cleane haue wash'd away my seede , Swallowing the fat soyle like another flood . Those sturdy Saxons whom the stones did breede , Which Pyrrha ( when yet all the earth was mudde ) By diueli●h diuination backeward threw To take the forme of flesh , and bones , and blood . These men , these stones , at an aduantage slew Of thy poore kindred thousands with the sword , And all the wofull remnant did pursue To the bare Mountaines , that could scarce afford Foode for themselues , or safety from the foe , Fowly intreating them indeede and word . Long were they torne and tosst thus to and fro , Now foiling , and then foild , till at the last Edward the first ( their fates ordaining so ) To make them subiect to his Crowne did cast . His tender babe to be their Prince they tooke , To whose succeeding heires they stucke so fast , As none of them their faith as yet forsooke , Saue onely one Owen sirnam'd Glyndoore , Who became Rebell against Bullinbrooke , And by his pride made all his Country poore . Ah Harry why shouldst thou a Ciuill Prince For one mans fault and fury play the Moore Or Tartar thus , and tax a whole Prouince With such vncourteous and Barbarian lawes As neuer heard were of before , or since ? If Ioue alas , as oft as men giue cause Did euery time but hurle a fiery ball , A little time then should he haue to pause , And in a while himselfe leaue none at all . For all yet that betide them could , or can , Here liues one still , and stil I hope he shall , A gallant and resolued gentleman , Faire Owen Tudyr , fire thou hir in loue With him , my boy . Mother ( said he ) your Swanne Shall not exceede this Eagle , nor your Doue : Hereafter shall she stoope so to the lure , Though now a while the clowds she towre aboue , For her pure bosome with a brand as pure I wil so kindle yet before the sunne Get out of Libra , that none may recure Her heart , but onely Owen . Well saide sonne , ( Him answered she ) why should I then despaire ? But ( as one Owen hath vs all vndone ) Another Owen may those harmes repaire . For who doth know , but that in time to come , There may spring from this wel consorted paire may ( I will so blesse and fructifie her wombe ) H. 7. That seauen times happy man , who one day Sit on this throne , and thence with mercy doome His and my people ? O when will that day Shine from the East vpon this Northerne Clime ? Then , then may well both Welch and English say , That they were borne in a most blessed time . Mother , quoth he , thereof mine be the care , And if I faile therein , mine be the crime : But sith the court of heauen can hardly spare Vs both at once , this cause to me referre , Perhaps the Gods in no such busines are , Yet mortalles are . How shall the Mariner That long in the wide Ocean tossed is , And nothing sees saue sea and heau'n , but ere When your propitious starre he there doth misse ? How shall the shepheard doe , that to the hill Leades forth his flocke , and home againe by this ? How shall the strugling Bride against her will , With her impatient loue this night conceaue , Vnles your gratious influence doe fill Her fruitfull lap ? Gods must not therefore leaue To helpe and comfort mortall men , because Of their due honor they the Gods bereaue . This said , he stayd , and with this only clause She condescended , that all should be done , As that her selfe therto her best applause Should giue , and that as soone too as the sunne A iudge betweene the night and day became . O silly Queene ! these snares how canst thou shun ? And how , O Venus ( hadst thou any shame ? ) Canst thou but blush what haue ye reap't by this , Thou and thy sonne , what great and glorious name , When by two Gods beguyld one Woman is ? A month and more to make the Queene his slaue He sought by all such traines and trickes of his As knowe ye louers ( God from them me saue ) By dreames and fansies whilst abed she lay : So wisely though herselfe she did behaue , That once he thought it best to runne away . By this the golden Eye of heau'n the Sunne , From that disastrous and midnight of day Wherin his clewe of life was cleane out spunne , Henry the first in fame , in name the fift , About the siluer skarfe of heau'n had runne . Whose firy Coursers ( howsoeuer swift To some glad harts ) seeme to the sory slow And dull as lead , then first the Queene did lift Her drooping Ey-liddes from the Earth belowe . As one that hauing horded vp his cheefe His only treasure , still his eye doth throwe Backe to the place as to his best releefe ; So was the Queene and all the Court to glose The more with her did flatter this her griefe : For like the Prince the people them compose . Moou'd for their sakes , God wot , more then her owne , The Dowager Queene ( like to the Virgin Rose That all night is bedew'd , and newly blowne Vnto the morning Sunne for comfort seekes ) Those purer Roses wiping that were sowne Among the Lillies in her louely cheekes ; And with her teares bedewed day and night By the full space of two and fiftie weekes , Resolu'd at last to come by candle-light Into the Presence chamber , and to glad Her heart a little with the peoples sight , Who to see her againe were nothing sad . For all the lusty Courtiers did deuise ( So soone as notice of her minde was had ) To entertaine her with some strange disguise , Done by Dan Lidgate a great learned Munke , Who then in Poesie bare away the prise ; For after Chaucer had he deepely drunke Of Helicon , as few besides haue yet . Now when the Sunne into the Sea was suncke , They all together in the Wardrobe met , And them among ( though farre aboue them all ) The gentle Owen was , a man well set : Broad were his shoulders , thogh his waste but smal ; Straight was his backe , and euen was his breast , Which no lesse seemely made him shew , then tall . Such as Achilles seem'd among the rest Of all his army clad in mighty brasse : Among them such ( though all they of the best ) The man of Mone magnifique Owen was . He seem'd an other Oake among the Breers : And as in stature , so did he surpas In wit , and actiue feates , his other peeres . He nimbly could discourse , and nimbly daunce , And ag'd he was about some thirty yeeres : But armed had ye seene him go to France , Ye would haue saide , that few on foote or horse Could haue so toss'd a Pike , or cowch'd a Lance , Wherewith to ground he brought full many a corse . That oft alone when I recount the same , My tender heart cannot but haue remorse . To write it then , alas , I were too blame : Of onely Loue , and of his armes I sing , Thy warres ( O Mars ) I meant not once to name , Yet hardly could I spare that haughty string , Did not the Boy mine eare pull now and then Beyond my bounds for feare I chance to fling . The fame and splendor of my Countrymen Inuite me so . What is he that can holde In his rude fingers such a flaggy pen , If aught by chance of Agincourt be tolde , But into teares his eies would quickely thawe , In steade of inke , to write the manifolde And goodly slaughters which our men did drawe That day in blood ' But O thou mighty ghost Of Henry Monmouth , who yet holdes in awe My bolder Ditty that so longs to boast Those olde Heroês crown'd with holie bayes , That vnder him did vse to leade his hoste ; Beauforts , Veres , Neuills , Talbots , Cliffords , Grayes : O pardon thou , and they that I leaue out Th' immortall mortall fights and blody frayes By force of armes there fairely brought about . And thou Iohn Huntington , whose acts I more Admire than all , before whose face the rout Of fearefull Normans , when thou cam'st ashore From the triumphed Ocean fled away As heartlesse Hares the Greyhounds doe before ▪ Redoubted Earle , of pardon I thee pray . God wot I would , yet halfe so great a taske I dare not vndertake : and sooth to say , That argument a lowder Trump doth aske . To sound a March too slender is my Reede , Inough is it to tune a Courtly maske , Then to high purpose and the point proceede . While they made ready there , ye might haue seen , One or an other in a masking weede , Go friske about vpon the rushes greene , And wish if aught he chanced well to do , That all were done no worse before the Queene . Some one the God of Loue did pray vnto , With his milde mother , so to stand his friend , As he thereby his Ladies loue might woe , To whose sweete praise his paines he did commend . Another , that he might good honors make As eu'ry Measure did beginne or end Whereof his Mistris might due notice take . One that the dropping linkes defilde him not For his white suite of costly satten sake : An other that his Imprease or his Mot , Or aught of his the Princesse minde might please . Full many a suite in broken sighes , God wot , Was offered there , yet all could not appease His kindled ire , who by this easie baite Thought now or neuer on the Queene to sease That had so often made him sound retraite . It fell that foure and twenty Pages were Appoynted on the Reuelers to waite , Who two by two , before each paire should beare , The linkes aloft , and for the greater showe , Like suites to them and vizards also weare . The wily god that all this did foreknow , By putting on the person of a page , Made vp the compt , his quiuer and his bowe To buy a visard which he layd to gage ; But turned into a blazing torch his brand . A pretty strippling , much about the age Of fourteene yeares he seem'd when he did stand Among the rest . Now was it time to sup : So costly nothing was by sea or land But it was had , while still the frothy Cup Did haste to deale about the lusty wine . When all was ended , and the boord was vp , In heau'n aboue the starres began to shine : Where also burned Cithere the bright , To Cupid nodding , who knewe well the signe . And like an other heau'n with starry light , Adorn'd was all the Presence round about , That into day againe did turne the night , Although the cheefest light was yet without . With this the trumpets lo began to sound , And eke the multitude aloude to shout , ( That all the roome did eu'n againe rebound , Reecchoing no particle amis ) God saue your Grace , & God your foes confound . To some her hand of snowe she gaue to kis , She talk'd with other , and gaue thanks to all , Along the chamber as the manner is . Behold how many fiery sparkles small , The Moone about her siluer or be doth spend , When Hesperus the Euening foorth doth call : So many glorious ladies glad to tend Vpon the Queene vnto her princely State , Downe to the ground before her Grace did bend . As there in Maiesty awhile she Sate With shame fac'd lookes lowe fix'd vpon the ground Loe three faire damsels fal'ne at foule debate , And them before a Trumpet hard to sound . The Damsells dreast in white and blew and blacke Were asked , whence they were , and whither bound ? Whom they did looke for , or what they did lacke ? A while they paus'd , and oft they changed hew , The one still to the other looking backe , Till she , that all appareld was in blew Stept foorth at last , and making Curt'sy low Beganne aloud . Most Mightie Queene , to you In humble manner we present this showe A silly Maide , a Widow , and a Wife , As by our habits you may partly know . A late betwene vs hapned heauy strife , Whether the Wife , the Widow , or the Maide Liues the most happy and contented life ? All what we could , we three therin haue said , And women ( as men clatter ) want no words . Yet heere ( alas ) the matter hath not staide , For acted it must needs be by the swords Of Martialists , but your Maiestike hand , That vnto misers mercy still affoords , The same by your authority with stand ; Which is so soueraigne , and doth carry weight With all the mighty Sprites of the land , That ended all this sturre will heere be streight . Eight hardy Squiers doe holde of Maidenhead , ( Whereof is Owen Tudyr chiefe ) and eight Maintaine that it much better is to wed , The last eight by like arguments approue The life sequestred from the nuptiall bed . Renouned Empresse , then let pitty moue Your royall breast to saue them from the spoile , What heart of yron hath she that doth loue To see one man in fight an other soile ? Or once abide to see the blood to streame That in the manly bosome wonts to boile ? Heere at , as one awak'd out of a dreame , The softly sighing Queene vp started soone , Guilding the world with such a glorious Beame As doth the Sunne this Hemispheare by noone , With morning showrs though somewhat ouerspred : Or , as when in some misty night the Moone Breaks through the clouds , and shews her siluer head . And thus she spake . Ye vertuous Maid and Wife , ( For such ye seeme ) and thou whose halfe is dead , Whose other halfe resolues to leade the life That also doth thy Queene ; not all this I le A fitter one could yeeld to stint your strife , Extended out though it lie many a mile , And , but the Sea , abides not any bound . For all three courses haue I knowne awhile . A very Maide of me King Henry found , ( Whose soule God pardon , and to mercie take ) To whom my loue my faith kept euer sound , That all the world my honour might not shake , Ne wracke my fame against so foule a shelfe . As vnto him , so for his onely sake I will remaine no lesse true to my selfe : For Henries Wife and Widow will I die . Honours , vaine pleasures , transitory pelfe , I force not of such gawdes a whit , not I : Yet doth this trash the mindes of many tempt To Loues delights , from whose vile tyranny Princes , no more then other , are exempt . But onely him I lou'd , so doe I now , And euer shall , of whom both thought and dreamt I haue so oft , that no man else may bow My setled heart : onely ( were he aliue ) He might perhaps preuaile against my vow . And God I begge it now , so let me thriue , If aught I speake the worlds good word to woo Beyond my worth , but with his thunder driue Mee quicke those vgly shades of hell into , Before , O shamefastnes , that I forsake Thee , or yet any lawe of thine vndoe . Might I with me my little Henry take To some remote and solitary denne ; Your noble Prince , his seruant God him make , ( Whereto the people cried Amen , Amen ) I could be well content no more to come Among the prease and multitudes of men . Not that I doubt but vertuous there be some , I know there be , and many in this place . This of my speech then is the very summe ; That oft alone when I recount my case , No life me thinkes is like to widdowhoode , So God but guide it with his holy grace . Heereat the Maide and Wife astoned stoode . Mistake me not , quoth then the louely Queene , For often hath it beene no lesse a good To marry wel , then to liue singly seene . Perhaps the more , if heart as well as hands Be rightly tied the married paire betweene : Not altogether wedded vnto lands , Ne wealthy dowres : ah , neuer may she thriue , That on the purse aboue the party stands . She that so weds ( as I know none that did ) Beguiles her husband , he hath but the hiue , Another eates the hony . God forbid That euer any courtly Dame should carry A heart so base within her bosome hid . As for my selfe , had I not lou'd my Harry , Perdy I make a vow , that for my part No kingdome could haue tempted me to marry Against the loue and liking of my hart . But ah , not long had I enioyed my Ioy When vgly Death comes stealing with his dart , ( For hand of man could neuer him annoy ) And him of life , and me of loue depriues . Yet hath he left behinde a princely boy , That in my breast his heau'nly shape reuiues . So like the father doth he daily grow , As any you haue seene in all your liues , Yea like him hee already learnes to goe ▪ So would he bend the browe , so would he looke , His eies his hands , he cast he carried so . But whither haue I like a wandring brooke Thus err'd by loue ? Few liquid pearles then gusht From out her eies , and there her breath she tooke . But ( Lord ) then how the louely Virgine blusht , When all the people did the Queene pursue With fresh applauses ; till , when all was hush'd , The Queene did her continued speech renew . Ladies it seemes ( and therewithall she sate ) It seemes I say to vs , that each of you So pleased is with her peculiar state , That all the world may not your wills reclaime . Me leuer also weare your loue then hate , Whereat no vertuous Prince did euer aime . Tyranny feare , and feare this hate begot . What duety then can want a priuy maime That of the subiectes loue proceedeth not ? I then conclude , no kinde of life amis That is so fixt , and alters not a iot : Vnhappy most , the least resolued is , When as the great Commander in the warres Affects the Marchants life , the Marchant his , Who knowes each crooked motion of the starres , The Clerke againe enuies the Courtier , And he the Clowne . To leaue particulars In vs , and you , ( for oft thus one may erre ) I must ( I hope to none of your disgrace ) Together when all courses I conferre , Of force define , that both resigne the place To maidenhead , as Copper doth , or Brasse , When Indy Gold their glory doth deface . A worthy wife no doubt Susanna was , Redeem'd from death , as she was thereto led : Yet did the widdow Iudith her surpasse ; Who smote off , as he breath'd his last abed , That horrid head , yet breathing warre and lust . But vnto MARY well of Maidenhead , This , and that other yeeld of duty must . The Maide where three times three months did repose The Sunne , in whom reposde is all my trust . A virgin is but eu'n a very Rose , For once if hand of man thereon be laide , Both sent and colour it will quickly lose , So tender in the bloome is eu'ry Maide . That innocent and euer happy state ( Had our forefathers not so fondly straide ) Wherein God humane nature did create In holy maidenhead resembled is , Whence hauing falne too soone , we grieue too late : When all the world doth point at our amis , Then see we naked shame with open eies . Yea maidenhead goes farre beyond all this . For in that earthly place of paradise , As heere we doe , they did by Gods behest : But in that heau'n where his owne owner lies , As are his Angells , such are all the rest ; Maides and vnmarried : heere then I conclude That Maidenhead of all is only best . And as she saide , so saide the multitude . Then all three Ladies ( who did now relent And pardon aske that they had beene so rude ) Besought the night in sportes might now be spent , Whom so to doe with many thankes she praide . So they vnto the foure and twenty sent To certifie them what the Queene had saide , And therewithall to bid them haste away . The messenger so did , and they obaide . Alacke for pitty now what shall I say ? A wily traitor and a very thiefe , That all the while in ambush closely lay , Among the Maskers is become the chiefe : And to the Castle is already come , Good Queene , I feare me to thy further griefe . Herewith was heard the Trumpet and the Drum , As if they had beene marching for the field : By two and two they entred all and some Each after other offering vp his shield , While she , that in all curtsie did abound , To euery man particular thankes did yeeld . The softer musicke then beganne to sound , And eke the Ladies were had out to dance : It also pleasde the Queene to walke a round , The Courtly sportes the more to countenance , With whom ( bicause he did the Measures leade ) To couple it was Owens happy chance . Then all in order gan it softly treade Vp and downe , in and out : the planets seauen , Rapt with harmonious spheres ( as we may reade ) So daunce about the lofty pole of heauen . The Measures ended , it grewe very late , ( For it was halfe an houre nigh past eleauen . ) Then bade the Queene , that one belowe the State , A stoole for her should set vpon the ground : This done , anone downe therevppon she sate , Some in their cinqueapase did nimbly bound , Some did the Cros-point , some high Capers cut , And on the toe some other turned round , While still the Minstrell on the trembling gut , Stroue with diuision to outrunne the time That hasted on the Reuells vp to shut , ( For midnight now the clock began to chime . ) Then issued Owen out among the rest , Reserued vntill then as only prime Of all the Maskers , and the very best . LOVE that did all the while no wile forsloe , That holp to sett afire her snowy brest , Resolu'd at last , that it must needs be so . Wherefore , as Owen did his galliard daunce , And grac'd it with a turne vpon the toe ; ( Whether his eyes aside he chaunc'd to glaunce , And like the louely God became so blinde , Or else perhaps it were his happy chaunce , I knowe not , and record none can I finde ) This is the shorte ; The Queene being very nigh , He fell , and ( as he forwarde downe declinde ) His knee did hit against her softer thigh . I hope hee felt no great hurt by the fall , That happy fall which mounted him so high . For vp he quickly sprang , and therewithall He fetch'd me such a frisk aboue the ground , That , O well doone , cried out both great and small . The Queene arose then , and dealt thanks around To all of them , but vnto Owen most : The Trumpets also they began to sound , For on she passt , and after her an hoast Of louely ladies , while the people praied , That God would guide her with his holy ghost . Thus all the Court was very well apaide , And euery dauncer in delight did swimme , But Owen onely , who was so dismaide , That all the Company came to comfort him . Amongst all , one wisht it had beene his happe : I can not blame him , though he lost a lim , That long'd to pitch in such a princely lappe . But out alas , what shall there more be saide ? This was but eu'n an engine and a trappe , That for the seely foule was lately laide : The fairest foule I weene that euer was , This onely tricke so fowly hath betraide . As into some one centre of the glasse The Sunny beames we doe contract to light Diuine Tabacco , that all balme doth passe , Because all vnion hath the greater might : So fierce Cupido causde his fiery brand Vpon that Eagle-eye of his to light ; That in the very turning of a hand , Reflected it might set afire her heart , That obstacles none might it once withstand . The wound did at the first not greatly smart , For it was inward , and there softly bled Feeding the fire , till ( hauing got apart ) Her yuory body laide in yuory bed , She there afresh of all beganne to thinke ( For idle fancies there be soonest fed ) And vnawares let Loue in softly sinke Betweene the lillies of her louely brest . What should she doe ? she could not sleepe a wink , Nor any respite take , nor any rest , Nor once but dreame ( for how can one awake ? ) That in was got such an vnruly guest . Which on the gods behalfe did greatly make . It was the very dead of drowsy night , When euery creature else his ease did take But onely yong Queene Katharine the bright , Whose eies ( like two faire Diamonds set in rings , ) Awak'd her outward little world to light . For vgly night with her broade Rauen-wings Had ouerhild the golden goodly face , As well of heauenly as of earthly things , And the dull humour powred downe apace On weary miserable mortall men : Loe , then beganne her eyes first to embrace An easie slumber : her deuotions then She softly sigh'd , and Requiem also saide , For her deere Lord ; thus ( hauing breath'd Amen , And softer checke vpon soft pillow laide ) Fell fast asleepe : who then but Cupid sung ? Who laugh'd , who danc'd , or half such herods plaid ? For here and there the fire about he flung , As did in Aetna his supposed Sire : That where before she was but only stung A little in the fancie with desire , And quickely might haue cur'd the same againe ( Had she but vsde the meanes : ) his raging fire Diffusde the venim now through eu'ry vaine . As Elementar fire doth closely creepe Betweene some plankes the greater height to gaine , Not daring out of his blinde Cell to peepe , Before alas ( as oft it doth befall ) The goodman of the house be fast asleepe : Then opposition finding none at all , About the Noone of night inuades the sparres , And many hundred thousand sparkles small , About the welkin hurls to mocke the starres : At last in smoaky flames it chokes the skies , And of the building all the beauty marres , Or once the Owner halfe can ope his eyes . O mercy God , O Loue , O Charity , What is this heate , or how doth it arise ? Is it begot but of a wanton eye , And so conceiued in a gentle hart ? If it be so , then aske I reason why ? Thy selfe , O Loue , of eyes depriued art ▪ But if by fatall reuolution Of any starre , O god thou guide thy dart ( Sith that we know the certaine motion Of euery Starre in heau'n , both her degree , Her opposition , and coniunction , With euery other hidden qualitie , Portending what is likeliest to befall ) Reueale , O God , reueale thou vnto me That am thy Priest ( though worthy least of all ) So long haue I rebel'd against thy law , Blaspheming it as ceremonial , Enacted onely fooles to keepe in awe : Yet sith I doe recant my folly now That into danger youth might haply draw , Reueale the reason , and the cause , why thou In all thy deedes so diuerse euer art ; And doe , I pray , instruct thy Prophet , how In euery pageant thou dost play thy part , Prouoking here to loue and there to lust . ● Why should a Lady like with all her hart ( Her selfe borne vnder Ioue and Venus iust ) A tawny face befurd with sable haire , Borne vnder old Saturnus starre combust ? What appetite the foule hath to the faire Is euident , for euery seelv soule Knowes with perfection how things long to paire : But that the faire should stoope vnto the foule , A wonder it doth seeme to me no lesse Then if an Eagle should vnto an Owle . Yet more may be then I can haply gesse , I might be numbred eighth among the Wise , If all to know my selfe I should professe . Is it because that in faire womens eyes Blacke men seeme pearles ( and women all iwis Would be : or else , which doth aswell suffice , Reputed faire ? ) or is it haply this , That any beauty layde against the blacke , Of much more beautie and more brightnes is ? Is it because we like ( though nought we lacke ) What other haue ? or else because this hue Lends liuelier heate and moisture to the backe ? Why should a Queene to whom so many sue , So many Princes would be prowde to serue , Bid all the glittering pompe of Court adue , And to a priuate loue her sweets reserue ? Why should she spend with him her happy dayes , That hardly doth to serue her but deserue ? This is thy power , O Loue , this is thy praise , For vnto Gods it only doth belong The mighty downe to pull , the meeke to raise ; Thou findest likes , or else ere it be long , Thou framest such of sundry qualities : It is then open and no petty wrong , To charge thee so with incongruities : For onely thou alone in all thy deedes , As at the first yet work'st by contraries . Whenas together all the sundry seedes Of vndigested Chaos did conspire To mould the body that so many breedes : The Earth , the Aire , the Water and the Fire , ( For each was vnto either deadly foe ) To sundry rankes did all at once retire : The leight got vp , the heauy stay'd below , The Sea did start aside to show the land , The windes did on the billowes stifly blove All which be now tied in so friendly band , As they may not beyond their limits range , And this was done by thy Almighty hand . Nor art thou Lord ( for all thou seeme so strange ) Yet halfe so mutable as any man : But as resolued and vnapt to change , As at the day when first the world began . Perhaps by some to scorne I shall be laught For holding so , say all they what they can , This is the truth , thus other shall be taught : Yea ( though therefore I should be tortured ) I would not alter any word for aught , For all is right , if it be rightly read . FINIS .