Howe Willyam Long beard betraied his elder brother vnto his death , of his falling in acquaintance with the Abbot of Cadonence in Normandy and how cunningly and coulourably they got authority from the Kinge to accomplish their ambitious pretences .

WHilst all the world was in vprore , and schismes raigned in the Church , when God by prodigious signes , threatened pestilent plagues : at suche time as two sunnes appéered in our Horizon in England , and three Moones were discouered in the West in Italie , William with the longe beard was borne in the famous Cittie of London , of greater minde then of high parentage , a graft of mightie hope at the first , though ( as it afterwards proued ) his parents spent too much hope on so little vertue . This frée Cittizen borne , tenderlie fostered in his infancie , was afterwards trained vp in good letters , wherin he profited so suddenlie , that most men wondered at his capacitie , and the wisest were afraid of the conclusion : And for that the age wherein hee was bread ( being the third yeare of Henrie the Second ) was full of troubles , this yoong mans rare guifts were raked vp in the embers , little regarded because not yet ripened : but at last as years increased the minde ordained for mightie thinges began to mount , the rather because ambition sealed his eies , which made him with the Doue soare so hie , till his own cunning and labour made him be ouerturned : for when he perceiued his fathers foote alreadie prepared for the graue , his mother seazed by age , and more besotted with affection , himselfe at mans estate & without maintenance , he thus began the first fruites of his impietie , the sequell whereof exceedeth all conceit , and testifieth his deuilish and damnable nature . He had a brother elder than himselfe in yeares , but yoonger in policie , who ( hauing by his owne frugalitie gotten great wealth ) was called to be a Burgesse of the cittie : a man beloued of all men for his vpright dealing , and lamented of al men for his vntimelie death . For William little regarding the benefites he had receiued of him in his youth , the brotherlie kindnesse , the bountifull curtesies , sought all means possible to betray him , who had trained him vp , to suck his hart bloud , who had sought his harts rest , and to that intent séeing the opportunitie fitted him , in the raigne of Richard the first , that noble Prince of famous memorie , he suborned certeine lewd and smister confederates of his to accuse him of Treason : for which cause poore innocent man being suddenlie apprehended , his goods were confi●…cate , his body imprisoned , his wife and children left succourlesse , whilst wicked William being both complotter , informer , and witnes , wrought so cunningly with the kings councell that the goods were his , which his brother with his long labour had gotten , and the poore innocent man brought out before the Iudges with wéeping eies , beheld his yoonger brother both reuelling in his ritches , and reiocing at his ruine . Many were his obtestations before God , and protestations to the Iudges , manie his exhortations to his brother , and detestations of his periurie . But William whose hart was the very harbour of all impietie , ceased not in his owne person to solicite , and by his companions to incense the Iudges in such sort , that his brother was at last by them condemned and adiudged to death , as some Writers suppose for coining . And being led forth to his execution like an harmelesse innocent , the people mustering about the place , the curssed brother the occasion and compactor of his confusion accompanie him , with these or such like words he finished his life . Thou God that knowest the cause of my vntimelie death , canst in iu●…ice punish my vniust accusers , meane while take mercie on my poore soule , who am forsaken of my priuate friends , be thou a safeguard vnto me , whoe am left without succors , and helpe the desolate widdow with hir distressed children : This said , after some priuate conference by permission , betwéene his brother and him , he suffered torment .

But William hauing gotten wealth began to take vpon him state , and vnderstanding his father and mother through hartie griefe were in their extreame age committed to the graue , he seazed on their goods , carrieng such a countenance in London that all men wondered at him : In wit he was pregnant ; in publike affaires pollitike ; in reuenges constant , in speeches affable , in countenance graue , in apparell gorgeous , yea so cunning was he to insinuate himselfe among the Commons , that as the report went , he had more Prentises clubs at his command , then the best Courtier had seruants to attend him .

And as the custome is whilest thus he behaued himselfe , it fortuned that hee fell in companie and conference with the Abbot of Cadonence in Normandie , a man as high minded as himselfe , and more subtill than Sinon , by whose aduise and directions he grew so craftilie conceited , that vnder a holie pretert he wrought more mischiefe , than either the Councell of England could for a long time remedie , or by industrie reuerse , and thus it fortuned . After that the noble and warlike Richard the firste of that name , had to his immortall glorie recouered his rights in France , established peace with the French king , and by the perswasions of his mother Dame Elianor , reconciled his brother Iohn , who had before that time béene at deadlie ●…d with him . It plesed his Maiestie , partlie for his owne recreation sake , partlie to remedie the discontents of his subiects , to goe on Progresse in the eight yeare of his reigne , and in the yeare of our Lord 1197. at which time the Abbot of Cadonence and William watching an occasion and oportunitie , so cunninglie wrought she matter , that they had audience at his Maiesties hands , and attained vnder the broad seale the whole summe of their requests . The Abbot couloured his stratagem vnder the coppie of conscience : assuring the king that the corruption of his officers were the chiefest groundes of publike contention , praieng him in the bounty of an heroick and princelie potentate , to take some order for she correction of them , least at the last it should turne to his owne confusion .

His maiestie that had euer regard of the poore , with gratious good words thanked him for his good will , giuing him warrant and authoritie to redresse those inconueniences , and promising him great promotions , if he tooke any profite by his pollicie . William now that hath the second subtiltie to enact , suted his lookes in all sobrietie , and stroaking his long beard which he curiouslie fostered euen from the beginning , tolde the king of the insolence and outrage of rich men who spared their owne and pilled the poore , robbed Irus and clawed Midas : beséeching in the commons behalfe , a remedie for this inconuenience : wherevnto the king easilie condiscended , so that he likewise was authorized to redresse such enormities , and both he and his fellowe Abbot , were with manie princelie fauours dismissed .

Mounted thus vpon the whéele of Fortune , which euerie waie sheweeth hir selfe as fickle as she is fauourable , as ful of gall as she hath honie , they both of them depart for London , carrieng so high countenances as euerie one were amazed at their manners . My lord Abbot first suted in his Pontificallbus called forth diuers officers , purposing to examine their accounts , taunting them with vntowarde languages , and accompanieng threates with imprisonment . But as the Giants that threatened the heauens were ouer , throwne in their most hautinesse , and as Phaeton vsurping his fathers seat was confounded for his ambitious pride by vntimelie death , so the Abbot of Cadonence , when he thoght to cauell at all accompts , was called to accompt himselfe , before she Tribunall iustice seat of God , and died in midest of his iollitie . But William who towred with the Phaenix to burne in the sunne , and aduentured to crosse the troblesome seas of this world to perish with ouermuch wrastling in the same , now began his pageant exhorting and stirringe the commons to loue and imbrace libertie , to fight and labour for freedome , brieflie to detest and blame the excesse and outrage of ritch men , whoe as he tolde them reaped the sweet whilst they poore soules sweat for it . Heerevnto wrested he manie stories of antiquitie : First the Laconian state , next the popular gouernement of Athens , wherein peace neuer flourished better said he , than when the Commons had fréedome of speech . With these and such like honie spéech , he so animated the multitude , that like a second Hercules he drew them by the eares thorow the honie of his eloquence . And to his words he annexed action , vndertaking manie poore mens causes , who were ouerborne by the rich , handeling his matters with such pollicie , as that he was held for a second God among the poore , and for a long time esteemed for a good subiect by the Prince . Yet notwithstanding this , the mightie maligned him greatlie , for that he had informed the king that by their meanes his Maiestie lost manie forfeits and ●…scheats which were due vnto him : and for that his detested subtleties may be more apparant , where through he cloked his succéeding treacheries , I haue thought good to sette downe some one of them , which may giue a taste to those tragike miseries which shall ensue .

How William with the long beard handled the cause of Peter Nowlay a Cobler , who was iniuried by Robert Besant , sometime Bailife of London .

DUring the time that William long beard flourished after this manner in all pompe and pleasure , attended dailie and hourelie by hole troops of Citizens , it fortuned that one Peter Nowlay a cobler , a man of little capacitie liued in London , whoe hauing gotten vppe by his owne handie labour and endeuour , the summe of fortie marks , and not knowing the meanes how to employ the same to his best commoditie , solicited one Robert Besaunt , sometimes Baylife of London , to take the same money into his hands and to employ it to some good vse , to the ende that after his decease , his poore infants which were twoe in number might haue some succour and maintenance .

This money Robert Besaunt accepted , hauing the vse thereof for the space of ten yeares , accustoming poore Peter as these great men are wont to doo , to a Sundaies dinner , and swéet words ( which in these our daies is the verie poison of this world , & in that time was no small pestilence ) At last , pleased God to call the Cobler to his mercie , where through his poore wife liued distressed , his children complaine theyr miserie , and all his neighbors considering the honestie of the man in his life , were compassionate , and pittied his Orphans after his death . The poore mother seeing hir necessities increase , and hir abilitie quite ouerthrowne , separated apart from all companie , began to wéepe verie tenderlie , recommending hir poore babes to his mercy , who had no doubt lent them hir to a better end than famishment .

Ahlas ( said she ) my God , if the least Sparrow is not vncared for by thee , what letteth me to trust my childrens helth vnto thée , who hauing bestowed breath vpon them , mayest likewise in fauour bestow bread vpon them . Thou séest Lord their friend is taken from them , and the mothers neastlings without thy helpe must become staruelings : Woe is me ; would God I had forgon my life , or forgotten loue : o●… would my handes were as plentifull , as my heart is pittifull . Ah Pellican , I must imitate thée , and pierce mine owne breast to the end I may foster my babes , otherwise the helpe is vaine which hope yéeldeth , since charitie is cold which should feede hope . Woe is me , where should I begin to mourne , that haue no end of mone . Shall I lament my marriage : no , the heauens ordained it : shall I complaine of Fortune ? no : for then I suppose an enimie where there is none : shall I blame my fruitfulnes ? how vaine were that ? since it is a felicitie to enioy babes . What then shall I doo ? truelie put my whole trust and confidence in Gods mercie , whoe being Lord of all plentie can best of all relieue necessities . Scarsly bad she ended these words , when as hir yoong ones , the one imbracing hir necke cried for meate , the other kissing hir hands moorninglie bewraied his wants : whilst she like Mirrha hauing tears to bewail them , no tresure to relieue them , sung this wofull Lullabie vnto them , whilst the musicke of hir voice enforced them to listen hir .

Lullabie , Ah little Laddes Giue ceaselesse sorow end with lullabie , Suck vp my teares That streame from out the fountaines of mine eie , Feed , feed on me whom no good hope or Fortune glads , Oh set me free From those incessant and pursuing feares which waken vp my woes and kil my pleasure . Lullabie , Weepe , weepe no more But let me weepe , and weeping weepe life hence , That whilst you want , I may not see false Fortunes proud pretence . When I am dead My God perhaps will send you store . Oh smile in need , Poore hungry babes let smiles be nothing scant I teares , yow smiles ; both haue no better treasure , To bring these woes exceeding meane or measure To Lullabie .

Noe sooner had she finished hir song but Robert Besaunt entered the house , who though altogither giuen ouer to couetousnesse , yet beholding the wofull estate of the poore wife and children , he comforted them the best he might , sending for some little sustenance to yéeld hir and hir little ones som succour , and after some conference about hir husbands state , & his maner of death , he desired colourablie to see hir writings , to the ende he might couenablie conuaie out of her hands the bill of fortie marks , which he had past vnto Peter hir husband in his time . The sillie soule supposing his almes deeds was vnattended by trecherie , drew out of an olde till , certeine briefes which she had , vsing these or such like terms . Maister Besaunt ( saith she ) your worship as I remember , ought to be a patron of these poore infantes : for I haue oftentimes heard my husband saye ( when I had a motherlie care what should become of my children ) that he had prouided for them , charging me to remember that till euer when I needed , & to vse you as a father for these infants , whose honestie as he sware , he would builde his soule vppon : for which cause ( giuing him the writings ) I beséech your Wor. quoth she , to pervse all his secrets , & to stand my good friend in this my miserable widdowhood . Maister Besaunt touched to the quicke , changed coulour verie often , and receauing them at hir hands with a quiuering feare ( procéeding by reason of his earnest combate betwéene conscience and couetousnesse ) he at last , after long perusing , found his own bill , which he carelessie tearing , tolde hir that all of it was but wast paper , and therevpon blushinglie departed , giuing hir but colde comfort for hir great hope .

The good woman animated by some diuine power , and ●…spieng the scales of his shame shadowed in his blushing browes , tooke hold of his gowne sléeue , praieng him to staie a little while , and not to leaue hir so suddenlie : for ( said she ) good sir , if you thus leaue vs , you shall proue that you little loue vs : besides , your hast makes me to misdoubt your honestie ( pardon good sir I praye you if I mistake ) for thus to wreak your selfe on paper , and to shew by your suspectful lookes , your apparant misdoubts , makes me imagine you haue deceiued my Peters hope , besides these papers which you haue torne , may perhaps be some testimonies , which I will gather as she relikes of your rage ( and therewithall she stooped and tooke them vp ) But aboue all good maister Besaunt remember God , quoth she , and if there be ought that concerneth these little ones in your conscience , cloake not in that behalfe , for God who gaue them me , will not suffer their innocencie to be vnreue●…ged .

Maister Besaunt sore incensed with these words , and suspitious least his councell should be disclosed , by the broken and scattered papers : at firste by smooth spéeches , began to persuade hir , to restore him them ; but when reason and intreatie inioyed no place ( for the more he moued hir , the more she suspected ) he began to vse violence . When as she poore children seeing their mother iniured beyond measure , cried for helpe for hir , whom motherlie care had animated alreadie , euen to the triall of death , rather than to leaue hir papers .

The noise in the house , and the crie of the children , called in the neighbors , whoe seeing Robert Besaunt , a man of such reputation as he was held : not daring to inforce , began to intreat his forbearance : who dreading his owne discredit beyond measure , left hir for that time , puffing , sweating , and swearing , that he would be reuenged on hir , whoe had in this sort wrought his discontent : to be short , he neuer desisted , till she were imprisoned , vowing neuer to graunt hir libertie , till suche time as she restored to him the torne writings .

The miserable Widdowe in this peck of troubles , gathering a verie confident boldnesse vnto hir , denied the restitution . And finallie , after the councell of some poore Cittizens , put vppe a supplication or a supplantation ( as the sillier sort of people called it ) vnto William with the longe beard , presenting him likewise with the broken and torne p●…ces of paper , neuer ceasing in most humble and pittifull manner , to intreat a mercifull and tender compassion , towardes the reliefe of hir selfe and hir poore children . William that pretermitted no occasion whereby he might insinuate himselfe amongest the poorer sort , and winne the credit of a good Iusticer at his princes handes , began to examine euerie circumstance , and to leaue no meane vnsought , wher by he might get himselfe glorie , and doo the poore widdowe good .

First therefore , he ioyned the papers , and conferred the manner of the iniurie with the other circumstances , and at last he euidentlie found , and therewithall certified others , that these torne papers , was the bill of debt for forty marks . Finallie , comparing the estate of the poore man with that of Besaunts , the time the money had béene in the defendants hands , and the corrupt intention of the riche man , whoe by renting the bill , thought to race out the remembrance of his due debt , he called him before him , charging the officiall to bring the widdow and hir children before him in open sessions : where after long debating , and trouble on both sides , Besaunt standing on his credit , the widdow on hir innocencie : William willing to catch the cat with his owne clawe , began thus . Maister Besaunt , you are called into iustice , not that we suspect your honestie , or detract from your estimate , but for this cause are you called : that if you will be deposed , that all allegations which may be alledged against you by this widdow are false , you may see hir punished , and iustice executed . Besaunt little suspecting the snare that was laide , and the subtiltie intended , began with huge oathes to protest , that he neither stood any waie indebted to the poore Coblerlatelie deceased : neither was in any sort liable to the false suggestions of the widdowe . William perceiuing euidentlie she vngodlie intent of the man to defraud , and how gratious a déed he should doo , to speak in the innocents defense : First commanded Besaunts Oath to be taken , and after that rowsing himselfe in a maiesticall manner , he began thus .

I sée well my countreymen , that iustice had need of a patron , when those that should maintaine hir , séeke to maime hir : Ah what a world liue we in , when trust shall be betraid : when simplicitie , shall be vndermined with subtletie : and pouertie ouertopped by power . Behold saith hee , my contreymen ( and therewithall he caused the two children to bee placed by him ) two harmelesse infants : for whom the poore father laboured in his life time , both left to begge after his death . Alas that corruption should blind iudgement so farr that where we ought in charitie to succour these , men make no conscience to supplant them . The Cedar though a tall trée , let s the little shrub prosper vnder him : the Eglantine flourisheth by the Oake : the Gold●…nch féedeth by the Griffin : but the prouerbe is true among vs nowadaies . Homo homini Demon. We liue as we should know no lack , we flourishe as if we feare no fall , we purchase as if life could not perish : to win the world we make shipwracke of our soules : and in suche a world where corruptions are so rife , iustice must not sleepe : for if it should , the weake should to the walles , and the peny father by his power , should ouerpresse the penilesse in their pouerties . Now therefore countreymen giue eare , and hearing , pittie : and pittieng , patronize these poore soules . This Besaunt wrongeth them , making his credit the countenance of his craft , and his goods the coulour of his vngodlinesse : behold his hand writing , wherein he thinking to extinguish the memorie of his debt , hath renewed the meanes of his owne destruction , ( which said , he publikelie shewed the papers ) and after that turning him to M. Besaunt , he expostulated thus ; Well sir , since your corruption is found out , and your vngodlie oathes haue doubled your offence , by that authoritie which I haue receiued from his maiesty : I condemn you to pay the summe of fortie marks with the vse thereof , for ten yeares , vnto this widdow and hir children : next , for your periurie , wherein you haue offended God especiallie , and next your countrey : I adiudge you to paie , in waie of a fine to his Maiestie , two hundreth poundes sterling : aduising you hereafter , to vse your conscience more vprightlie , and to deale by the poorer sort more iustlie .

Besaunt who highlie stood on his reputation , was so amazed at his so sudden conuiction before the assemblie of the citie , that he knew not what to say : his owne hand he coulde not denle , and if he should , there were some in the companie well acquainted therewith . To be adiudged thus of by his inferiour ( as he thought ) it was no small disgrace : for which cause , smothering vnder faire lookes his false hart , he appeled to the king and his Councell : assuring William that he would not be discredited in that sort , and that it shoulde cost him a thousand pounds , but he would be reuenged . With these and such like spéeches , the court brake vp , the widdow & the children were dismissed with giftes , and William with a thousand Cittizens at his taile , was with great triumphe conuaied to his lodging . But Besaunt for all his braues , was committed , and enforced to pay the penaltie , yea so did William worke with the king and his councell , as had not this corrupt marchant with great sommes got himself frée , no doubt he had béene brought within the compas of a Premunire , such subtill suggestions had William practised against him .

How William with the long beard behaued himselfe towardes the Courtiers , and of his loue to his faire Lemman Maudeline .

WIlliam ( hauing by this means insinuated himselfe into the fauour of the king , and by that reason brought the cittizens in feare of him ) like the vntoward childe , whoe hauing an inche , stealeth an elle : began to presume aboue the latchet ( as the prouerbe is ) setting light by all men , animating the baser sort against the better : so that the Nobilitie put vp much iniurie at his hands , the clergie were badlie vsed by him , and the officers of the cittie highlie offended . The earle of Durham then Chancellor and bishop , taking the parte of a chapleine of his , who was iniuried by a meane and mechanicall townesman , was braued by him in Cheape side , beaten of his horsse , and had not the Bailifes of the cittie rescued him , the common spéeches went , he should neuer haue courted it more . A gentleman in court at another time , vpbraiding William of his base estate and birth , told him that the worst haire in his beard , was a better gentleman than hee was : for which cause William mightilie agréeued , and watching opportunitie of reuenge , at last incountred him braue lie , mounted on his foot cloth in Friday stréet , where taking him forceably from his horsse , he carried him into a Barbers shop , and caused both his beard and head to be shaued close , pleasantlie giving at him in this sort .

Gallant , now haue I cut of the whole traine of of the best gentlemen , you durst compare with me the last daie , and if hereafter you bridle not your toong , ( as base a Gentleman as you make me , I le haue you by the eares . The king informed héereof , grew highlie offended , but William who wanted neither money , friends , nor eloquence , so ordered the matter , as his maligners might barke , but not bite him . But for that all his minde was planted on ambition , and his greatest feare was , least by ouer forward thrusting himselfe into state , his cloaked aspiring shoulde be discouered , he began for a while to leaue the court , to intend onelie the causes of the poore , and complot those meanes , whereby labouring for mightines without suspect , he might attaine the same without counterchecke : and first to make shewe how much his mind was altred from high climing , he craftilie pretended a new conceited loue , and but pretending it at firste , at laste was inforced to practise it , and thus it fell out .

An honest and well disposed Merchant of London , had by his wife a faire and amiable yoong mayden to his daughter , being the onely hope of his age , and the fruit of his corage : This louelie Mawdelin ( as the lesser starres are in respect of the sunne , or Mercurie in regarde of the Orbe of Venus ) amongst our London damosels , was the A perse for beautie , ●…d the parragon of perfections , hir looks full of quickening puritie , were able to animate loue in Marbel , nature could doo no more but wonder at hir owne handiworke ; & art had nought but shadowes , in respect of such a substance . Al eies that beheld hir wondred , all pens that praised hir were quickened by hir excellence . To be short , hir least worth was of so great consequence , as the best writer might be abashed , to conceit or imagine them : with this faire damosell William Long beard traffiqued his fancies , summoning hir yéelding affections , with so manie earnest sutes and seruices , that he at last conquered that fort , wherein fancie himselfe tooke delight to tyranize : and as the Iet draweth Amber , the Load stone the Stéele of the compasse , so hir beautie assaulted his sences , that all of them had no power of their offices , but were fatallie assigned to subscibe to hir sorceries , And where as authoritie and countenance are wrested , the bulwarke of chastitie ( though otherwise impregnable ) is oftentimes impugned , and not onelye assaulted , but at laste subdued : William by his friends and followers so wrought , that what by his friends and faire words , he won hir for his Lemmon , sparing no cost to trick hir out in brauerie , to the end he might by that meanes , giue a foile and glasse to her beawtie . This Maudelin thus compassed , hir paramour began to pranke it in the brauest fashion , wresting his wits to make an idoll of hir worth : whose amorous passions , since they are of some regard , I haue heer set downe for the courtliest care to censure of .

Amidst the maze of discontented mind , The royall trophey of ioy-breeding loue , A happy holde and resting place did find , Within that brest which earst earthes hel did proue . Since when my long-enfeebled eies haue reard , Their drooping sight to gaze vpon the sunne , Since when my thoughts in written lines appeard , Reioycing at that Palme my faith had wunne . Ennobled thus , by that thrice-nobled passion , Which hath the power all worldly cares to banish , I flie sweet-seeming leures of false occasion , And let al thoughts but loue-sweet vade & vanish . The fruits I reape in spight of Fortune froward , Makes me suppose no torment too vntoward .

Another he made vpon this occasion . Maudelin his mistresse had a faire Iewell , wherein the twoe Cupids of Anacreon were painted , wrastling the one with the other , with this Motto Pro palma , for which cause he wrote this sonnet , and presented hir therewith .

Ye braine-begotten dieties agree you , Nurst by transparant christall of chast eies , Least she that gaue you life on sudden see you , And frowning kil you both who causde you rise . From hir you came yong Cupids from no other , And but for her if enuious you shal wrastle , I feare you both wil lose a louely mother , Hir brow your bower , hir bosome is your castle . There gree you both , there both togither go you , And suck the Aprill ritches of hir brest , Then I who long haue serued and loue to shew you How much I loue the bosome where you rest . Will come and kisse and blesse you little wantons , And feed you kindly wantons if you want once .

Another in respect of the occasion , I could not find in my hart to forget , for being at supper once in hir companie , where were manie that discoursed of loue , shewing all the idolatrie of their pens , in exemplifieng that vnchast deitie , he at last when the table was taken vp , remembring him of a sonnet in an ancient French Poet , on sudden wrote this imitation .

As soone as thou doost see the Winter clad in colde , Within September on the Eaues in sundry formes to fold , Sweet Swallow farre thou fliest till to our natiue clime , In pleasant Aprill Phaebus raies returne the sweeter time . But Loue no day forsakes the place whereas I rest , But euery houre liues in mine eies and in my hart dooth nest . Each minute I am thrall and in my wounded hart , He builds his neast , he laies his egges , and thence wil neuer part Already one hath wings , soft downe the other clads , This breakes the skin , this newly flegd about my bosome gads . The one hath broke the shel , the other soares on hie , This newly laid , that quickly dead , before the dam come nie . Both day and night I heare the smal ones how they crie , Calling for food who by the great are fed for feare they die . All wax and grow to proofe and euery yeare doo lay A second neast , and sit and hatch the cause of my decay . Ah Maudline what reliefe haue I for to remoue These crooked cares that thus pursue my hart in harboring loue . But helpelesse of reliefe since I by care am stung , To wound my hart thereby to slaie both mother and hir yong .

At another time , being absent from his mistresse , by reason that he had a poore mans cause in Essex to be heard , he wrote this briefe fancie to hir , after the manner of the Italian rimes .

Oh faire of fairest Dolphin like , within the riuers of my plaint , With labouring finnes the waue I strike whose flouds are honored by my saint . Withouten hart or gall I spring , And swim to heare thee sweetly sing , All like the fish when natures art Hath reft of ●…ate and tender hart . And in the sea for loue I burne , As for Arion did the fish , At euerie note I skip & turnes I harke , I praise , I like , I wish . But out alas with better chaunce The friendly fish did him aduance , He bare Arion on his back Where I thy sweet imbracements lack .

These ofher twoe for their shortnesse and strangenesse , I could not finde in my hart to pretermit , knowing that the better sort , that are priuie to the imitation and method , will haue their due estimate .

My mistresse when she goes To pull the pinke and rose , Along the riuer bounds And trippeth on the grounds And runnes from rocks to rocks With louely scattered locks Whilst amarous wind doth play With haires so golden gay The water waxeth cleere The fishes draw hir neere The Sirens sing hir praise Sweet flowers perfume hir waies And Neptune glad and faine Yeelds vp to hir his raigne . A●…ther . When I admire the rose That nature makes repose In you the best of many More faire and blest than any And see how curious art Hath decked euery part I thinke with doubtfull vieu Whether you be the rose , or the rose is you .

An Ode he wrote amongst the rest I dare not forget , in that the Poesie is appertinent to this time , and hath no lesse life in it than those of the ancient , & the rather because hereby the learned may sée , how euen in those daies , Poecy had hir impugners , and industrie could not be free from detraction .

His Oade . Since that I must repose Beyond th' infernal Lake , What vailes me to compose As many verses as Homer did make ? Choice numbers cannot keepe Me from my pointed graue , But after lasting sleepe The doomb of dreadful iudge I needs must haue . I put the case my verse , In lieu of all my paine , Ten yeares my praise rehearse Orsomewhat longer time some glorie gaine . What wants there to consume Or take my lines from light , But flame or fierie fume Or threatning noice of war or bloudy fight ? Excell I Anacrion Stesicores , Simonides , Antimachus or Bion , Philetes , or the graue Bacchilides ? All these though Greekes they were And vsde that fluent toong , In course of many a yeare Their workes are lost and haue no biding long . Then I who want wits sap , And write but bastard time , May I expect the hap , That my endeuors may ore-come the time ? No , no : t is farre more meet To follow Marchants life , Or at the iudges feet To sell my toong for bribes to maintaine strife . Then haunt the idle traine Of poore Calliope , Which leaues for hunger slaine , The choicest men that hir attendants be :

These and such like fruits of his fancie , may sufficientlie testifie vnto you , both the high spirite and déepe inuention of this craftie Citizen , who flourishing thus in the verie fulnesse of loues ioy , and reuelling in the chiefest pallaces of pleasure , at last recalled to mind , the ambitious desires that were wont to accompanie him , which hauing the nature of fire ( which no sooner catcheth hold of drie matter but presentlie it consumeth it ) from a light smoke at last fell to so huge a flame , that himselfe was confounded therewith , and all his hopes made frustrate : and thus it fell out .

The kings Maiestie hearing of his continual assemblies , and comparing his purposes with his practise , began vnder no small grounds to conceiue his curssed intention : for considering with himselfe the manner of his life , the businesse of his braine , the 〈◊〉 eloquence of his toong , and the mightinesse of his mind ; he imagined ( as afterward it fell out ) that so great meanes of quick and capeable fuell ; would at last breake out to an vnquenchable flame : wherevpon the K. with considerate iudgement called him to court , commanding him to cease his disordered assemblies , least in séeking to exterminate the iniuries of the rich , he shuld reuiue the in solence of the poore . For ( said he ) William , whoe séeth not whereto these routes tend ? whoe thinketh not that riot will follow them ? The labouring men that were kept from innonations by their worke , are now capable of all chang and nouelties in their idlenesse : In liuing as they doo , they rather are drawne to detest labor , then to follow it : wherthrugh the offices and mechanicall crafts in the citiie doo cease , and by the omission of industrieriseth , the pretermission of dutie . For this cause , as you haue care of my loue , incite them not to too much libertie . Further them what you may , if they be wronged : but let not iustice be a coulour to winne them to wickednes . With these , or such like admonitions kinge Richard attempted him , and so wrought him , that for a while the commotions and motiues of trouble were laide apart , so that he walked London stréets with lesser troops , and wholie adicted himselfe to play with his faire Maudeline , whose vnchast life was abi-word in the cittie .

How William with the long beard slew Arthur Brown , who deceiued him of his Maudline .

WHilst William was conuersent in the affaires of state , intending euerie waie to inlarge his own power , and attending daselie vppon the kinges pleasure ; it fortuned , that one Arthur Browne , fur me red by his youth , and fitted by occation , fell in with Maudline , Willams wanton concubine : and hauing welth sufficient , and wit no lesse subtill , he so craftilie handled the cause , that he won the yoong woman to stoope to a seconde lure , and to accept his loue . Manie and often times had they entercourse , so that at last the rumor passing in euerie place , it coulde not choose but light at laste in Williams hearing : who moued beyond measure to sée himselfe outfaced by one , who had so long time béene feared by all , he frowningly prepared reuenge , resoluing with himselfe that no means were too meane , to giue a tragicall sauce to his corrupt meaning . Wherevpon , breaking his mind with certaine of his faction , he a gréed to watch an oportunitie to reuenge impietie : and for that cause watching verie craftilie when Arthur his riuall should repaire vnto his lawlesse lemman , he at laste surprised and encountred him , and causing some of his train to muffle him in his cloake , and to stopp his mouth for fears of crieng , he stabbed him with a dagger in diuers places , and in the last wound left the same sticking , fastening the poore caitifes owne hande with his owne dagger , which he had purposelie ( to auoid all meanes of suspition , and to raise an opinion that he had murthered himselfe ) sheathed in Arthurs owne bodie . This doone , he departed vnespied and vnsuspected : and the bodie being founde , according to the censure and verdict of the Iurie which behelde the same , was thrust thorowe with a stake , and so buried as if he had béene guiltie of his owne murther . William thus deliuered of a supplanter of his pleasure after some vnkindnesse past and calmed betweene him and his Maudline ) finallie fell to an accord , accustoming hir as he was wont , vnder promise of more constancie in affection , and to the intent she should remember hir of the iniuries offered , he wrot this with a pointed Diamond in hir glasse .

Thinke what I suffred ( wanton ) through thy wildenesse , When traitor to my faith thy losenesse led thee : Thinke how my moodie wrath was turnde to mildnesse When I bad best yet baser groomes did bed thee . Thinke that the staine of bewtie then is stained , Whenlewd desires doo alienate the hart : Thinke that the loue which will not be contained , At last will grow to hate in spight of art . Thinke that those wanton lookes will haue their wrinkles , And but by faith olde age can merit nothing , When time thy pale with purple ouer-sprinkles , Faith is thy best , thy beautie is a woe thing . In youth be true , and then in age resolue thee , Friends wil be friends , till time with them dissolue thee .

But leauing these his effeminate follies of youth , wherin he so vngratiouslie passed his time , let vs draw to the consideration of his traitorous practises , and finallie , as the fruits of such sinister follies conclude with his tragicall end . After he had for a time , vntill the princes minde were otherwise withdrawne with more waightie matters , ceased both his routs and riots ; the old ranckled venome of his ambition began more fréelte to breake forth , so that what before time he colored vnder conscience , now at last he manifested with audacious considence : The mightie in court that maligned him , he ouermaistered by his attendants , swashing out in open streats vppon euerie light occasion : for himselfe , hee thought no man sufficient to suppresse him , ●…or of sufficiencie to braue him : for at a beck , Coblers , Tinkers , tailors , and all sortes of the hare-brainde multitude attended him , fought for him , supported him , and made him Lorde of their factions : where-through , the better sorts neither were Lords of themselues , neither commanders of their owne liueliehoods . From some he extorted wealth by corrupt witnesses , sparing no meanes to inrich his followers , by racking and wresting the kinges authoritie : and no sooner did he heare that the kinge had giuen order to his councell to sensure on his bad demeanors , but gathering to himselfe a huge multitude , he openlie vsed this discourse vnto them , beginning his exhortation with this place of Scripture : Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus saluatoris Which is as much to say , as , You shal drawe waters with Ioy out of the fountaines of our Sauiour . For , quoth he , my worthie and faithfull friends , whoe haue more courage than coine , and abilitie in armes then possibilities of wealth , I am the sauiour of you that are poore , and the soueraigne of such as are penilesse : you that haue assaied the hard hand of the rich , shall be succoured by the happie hande of the righteous .

Now therefore draw your happie fountaines of councell out of my words , and turne the troubles you haue , to assured triumphs : for the daies of your visitation is at hande . I shall depart waters from waters ; I mean , the proud from the poore , the mercilesse from the mercifull , the good from the euill , and the light from the darkenesse . I will oppose my selfe against all dangers , to preuent your domage ; and loose my life , but you shall haue liuing . Be confident therefore and bolde : for such as haue courage , are sildome conquered . Let the greatest vpbraid , they shall not bite : we haue weapons to withstand , as well as wordes to perswade : we are as couragious as our enimies are craftie . Stick therefore vnto me , who will striue for you : let me be supprest , you are subdued : let me flourish , you are fortunate : but if finister chance threaten ; whie , Alea iacta est : vnasalus victis nullam sperare salutem Thus dailie and hourelie animated he the ill minded sorte : and although the king did oftentimes summon him , and by letters disuaded him from his ill demeanour : yet was hee enforced to vse violence ; or otherwise , that stripe which at first séemed to be but a fillip , would at last haue growne vnto a Fistula . For which cause , Hubert then Bishop of Canterburie soundlie resoluing in his thoughts , that forbearance would be the meanes of further mischiefe , by the aduise of others of the Priuie councell , called him in question , summoning him against an appointed day , to come and yeelde a reason of those his factions tumults .

William , that saw the iron readie to war hot , and the hammers readie to strike , began to remember himselfe ; and his guiltie conscience ( which as the wise man saieth , is a hundreth witnesses ) would not suffer him to walk with so great confidence , yet least feare should be suspected in him , whose good fortunes and life wholie depended on his courage , hee oftentimes lookt abroad , but attended by such a band of base companions , as if it had béene the proude Changuis leading his legious of Tartars thorow Europe . But when the day of his appearance came , he was backt with such a number of mechanicall rebels , that Hubert in stead of attempting him with vpbraids , was faine to temper him with flattering persuasions : yea the stoutest councellor , though neuer so considerate , were faine to intreat him , whom they had resolued to threaten and imprison . William séeing them abasht , wared bold , and in these wordds saluted them : Honorable Fathers and graue Councellors , according to your Honourable summons , and the dutie of a subiect , I present my self before you , attended in this sort as you sée , not to violate lawes by lewd insurrections , but both to present my seruice to my Prince and your Honors , and to drawe my friendes and wel willers to that dutie , wherevnto in soule I am deuoted to this state . If therefore you haue ought to command me , or if my seruices in times past be any waie suspected ; I stand readie to satisfie you in the one , or answre to the other . Hubert , that knew well that soft drops in time , pierce harde stones , and that the Diamond though not tainted by the hammer , is tempered in strong vineger , began to coulour where he might not command , and flatter where he coulde not inforce ; and thus he said :

Being assured , William , that good subiects tied by no bountie to their prince , yet yéelde him all obseruance , wee cannot persuade our selues that you , who haue béene authorised by your prince to counterchecke iniustice , will be the pattern of iniurious insolence : for which cause we haue called you , not as condemners of your faith , but commenders of your forwardnesse : neither haue we so bad an opini●…on of th●…se good men that follow you , that either they would be drawne to violate iustice , or you could be induced to violate and alter their honest and christianlike duties . Our onelie request to you in the kings behalfe , is to cast off this Lordlie traine , and suffer these poore men to follow their professions , least being vnawares assailed by want , they shall at laste desparatelie attempt wickednes . As for these good fellows who in their lookes promise no losenesse , I beséech them in his Maiesties name to kéepe their houses , promising them in generall , that if any one of them be wronged , they shall haue remedie . Nay , we will haue remedie in spight of you , said they , as long as William liues . And this said , without all reuerence they departed the place , carrieng with them their captaine commander , scoffing at the fainthartednes of the Archbishop : for full well was he assured , that greater seueritie was concluded vpon , then he there would insinuate : for which cause he continuallie stood on his guard , spoiling all such men as hee thought were abettors of the Bushop .

The Bailifes of London , according to their authoritie , séeing matters were growne to such extremitie , kept diligent and strong watch , drawing some of the commons from him by faire words , and some by guifts : This notwithstanding , William was neuer vnattended . The Councell , who euerie waies were vigilant to roote out this viper from the common weale , what they could not by proues , they aduentured by pollicie , animating diuers valiant men with huge promises to marke his manners , and when the occasion was offered , to apprehend him at such time as he little suspected . But long was it yer they either could finde oportunitie , or catch the Fore in his forme : yet at last , when he least suspected , they caught him tardee in Breadstreat , attended onlie by ten or twelue ; at which time , they drawing their swordes assailed him valiantlie .

But he , who in all conflicts of Fortune was both confident and couragious , first animated his retinue to the fight , and after that wresting himselfe by maine force out of their hands , he tooke him to flight towards the hart of the Cittie , and ranne int●… Cheapside . They who were bus●…ed against his poore followers séeing him fled , gaue ouer fight , and earnest lie pursued him . By this time , the cittie was in an vprore : the poorer sort laboured to rescue William : the Bailifs with the best Cittizens armed them to back the kings officers : so that the cittie was altogither vp in armes . William long beard séeing himselfe hotlie pursued , and knowing no mean to escape , stept to a poore Carpenter who staid in Cheape for worke , and taking his Axe from him , desperatlie assailed his pursuers , and with his owne hands valiantlie siue some of them : but when he perceiued the factions of his enimies to be great , and his friends wel nigh tired , he betooke himselfe at last into Bow church , not for his sanctuarie , but for a bulwarke of his safetie .

Thither repaired all the poore commons , some with bats , some with spittes , and such weapons as they had , driuing awaie all the kings officers in despight of their friendes , and determining with themselues rather to dy than to lose their William Long beard amongst the rest Maudline his minion knowing that his wracke was hir ruine , came vnto him where wéeping mild teares from hir immodest eies , shee so mollified his marbell heart , that ( as some testifie ) he was more moued therewith , then with the threats and terrors of his greatest enimies : but sée impietie where it preuaileth , how it worketh ? That church which was sacred to praiers , was now made a den of rebels : those places which were reserued to holie vses , were now soiled with dishonest abuses : where before our Ladie was praied to , lewdnesse was plaid withall . But to bring these causes to their Catastophe , sufficeth it that darknes for this time ended the discention , and the comming on of the night , wrought also the conclusion of the fight .