A mirror of treue honour and Christian nobilitie exposing: the life, death, and diuine vertues, of the most noble, and godly Lorde Frauncis Earle of Bedford, Baron Russell, Lorde chiefe Iustice, [and] Iustice in Oier, of all the Queene forrests, [and]c. ... Who deceased at Bedford house, the xxviij. of Iune. 1585. AEtatis suæ. 58. Wherevnto is adioyned a report of the vertues of the right valiant & worthy knight S. Frauncis, Lord Russell, sonne and heire apparant of the honour and good giftes of the sayd right noble Earle, who vpon a daye of truce was slaine, by a treacherous strategeme of the Scots, the 27. day of the said month of Iune. The report of George Whetstone, Gent. a faithfull seruant of the sayd right honorable Earle.

4 My Muse is bound , by seruice , zeale , and loue , The spight of death , and fortune here to showe : The Sire , & Sonne , whose soules are crownd aboue , With ethers corse , posses the earth below , Untill the daye of Christe his glorious showe . By natures corse the one bereft of breath , By fortunes spight , the other brought to death . 5 First of the first , that Earle of Bedford hight . A gratious Lord , as euer lui'd on earth . A Counseller , and of the Garter knight . Right honorable , in vertue , lore , and birth . Image of Grace , and goodnes here on earth , Whose life may be a Mirrour for the best , Whose death ( nay life ) proclaimes his soule at rest . 6 The Order of the Romaine funerals , to be attired ▪ withall his honors . His purple rohe doth show his honor sound , His armed sword , the metle of his hart : His forward leg , in S. Georges Garter bound . A token is of courage and desart . His Counselers place , to valour ioyneth Art . His loyall truth , aboue the rest doth shine , His Godly zeale , may well be cal'd deuine . 7 Ill men are not lamented being dead . His mourners clothd , in harts as sad as weedes , His vertues blasd , for few bad men bemone . Among the rest , his charitable deedes , with his sweete soule , to Abrahms brest are flone . He was a liberall Comforter of the poore . The poore dismayd crye out that he is gone , Whose sights and teares , their eyes do scald or blind , as men past hope , his like againe to finde . 8 But to discribe , this gratious Lord at large , His birth , life , death , his gifts and godly feare : For Homers pen , or Virgils ware a charge , Whose vertues firme , beseemes the noble peere , ( As Honors Grace ) within his brest to beare . His perfect life , the best devines might teach , What workes become , the holy words they preach . 9 First , His Ancestors were Lords of the manner of Barwick in Dorcetshire of his birth ( which in his actes appeare ) By oft decents , a Gentleman he was : Ten worthy Squiers , the Russels Armes did beare . To Knights likewise , decended of the race . And through desart ( which hath the hyest place ) His noble Sire , H. ● . ( in Henries eye a pearle ) Clim'de by degrees , vntill he was an Earle . 10 Eight Cotes he bare , which hereditare were , The Russels first , of all men knowne his owne . Delatowres the next , a Westerne heire , Muschamp the third , Dorcetsh . a Northerne Baron knowne . Herringham the fourth , a neighbour of his owne . Frewxmer the fift , from Worcetshire , which came . Wise was the sixt , in Devonshire long of name . 11 Deriu'd from Truth , and lawfull Pedigrewe , These former six , his noble Father bare . The other too , were to his Mother dewe . Sabcote she hight , Inheritrix and heire . With Saint Marke ioynde , both in Northampton shire . Long thus he was ( as I haue sayd before ) A Gentleman , and Caesar was no more . 12 And sith his howse is built of Honer now , You well shall see , the ground worke to be found : Aduaunce ( I graunt , to weake desart may bow , And weaker Grace , the building may confound . But this strong forte , is raisde on noe , such ground , The noble Lord , first Earle of all his race , The ground-worke layde , by Vallor , lore , and Grace . 13 His noble fathers vertues and dignities By H. 8. He did not mount , as some men with a starte : Vallor him proud , a Scevola to be , Baronde he was , on tryall for desarte . Through wisedome then , he climed by degree . King Henries eyes , did iudge , as well as see , Who with these roomes , and Garter did him staule Lord Preauy zeale , and eke Lord Admirall . 14 He was created Earle of Bedford by E. 6. His saying : Sans ●ayde de Dieu , le ne puis . Edward the sixt , of Christendeme the pearle , For seruice great , and loyalty vnstainde : Created him , of Bedford then the Earle . Who still confest , these guts , by God he gainde , And blest of God , his vertues all remainde . ( as ioynde vnto , the honnor he begonne ) Unto this Lord , the noble Earle his sonne . 15 Gods wisedome oft , euen from the Iawes of death . Saues those whome he , to worthy charges caule . Throwne in the deepe , he gaue to Moyses breath . He was in mortall peril of drowning , and yet preserued . At Lycaonia Stonde , he did reuiue S. Paule . That there escapes , might confort thraules , in thraule , To shew his strength , and for a thousands good , The Lord ( this Lord ) preserued in the stood . 16 In tender yeares , where one Instruction might , Grafte lore and grace , which make the noble shine : His vertues blasde , so cleare in all mens sight . As by the same , His seruice in King Henry 8. dayes . His Father being a generall , he had chardge at Muttrill , when he was but 18 yeares of age . His most valiant seruice in suppressing the Western Rebels , in King Edward the ▪ 6 dayes . a number did deuine . What frutes would grow vpon those bloomes in fine ? At eighteene years , when youth would wander far , This Lord was stayd , & tooke a chardge in war . 17 The West doth know , the valour of his hart , The Rebels strong , he nobly did dismaye . The people since , haue honord his desart . His Syre ( and he ) did bring them to obaye . And euer since , haue kept them at that staye . His deeds were knowne , by Iustice , Trueth , & zeale , To God , his Prince , and to the Common Weale ▪ 18 His holy zeale , he builded on Gods word , In all his pompe the Pope he did defie . He was alwayes a most godly Protestant . The bishops in Queene Maries dayes narrowly searched him , Vide acts & monum . When Mary rain'de , and bishops rul'de the sworde . To cut him short , who all his Acts did eye . A godly feare , his loyall truth did trye . His seruice then , and hye regard therefore , Doth Papists teach , their Princes to adore . 19 Yet , eare I showe his seruice vnconstrain'de , I neede must showe how hardly he was vide . A Prisoner with the Lord Rich he remainde . Till papists had , He was Prisoner with the old ● . Rich 〈◊〉 Queene M●●nes dayes . his actions all pervide . Which fauteles were , but he reuenge resusde . He layd his wrong , not to his Countries chardge But heaping trueth , did sheild her with his tearge . 20 His seruice in Queene Maries dayes at S. Quintes , at his owne charge . Queene Mary made him Lieutenant of the West Countries . Well armed with a stout and loyall hart , At S. Quintins , he seru'd with proper charg● : There needs no trompe , to sounde his hye desart . Truth bydes the push , vnarm'd , with shield or targe Malgre his foes , his merits were so large , As that the Queene esteemde him with the best , And made him then , lieutenant of the We●t . 21 The trust was great , but far more great his trueth , Yet he profest the faith he did before : When as he saw , the Clergie voyde of ruth : The tyranny of the papists in Queene Maries dayes . Wherin their rage , they seamde a Forest Bore . And Christians blood , they dronke vp more & more . He grieu'd to liue , where as such Tyrants rainde : Yet loyally this bitter Crosse sustainde . 22 To trauell then his noble minde was set . He was most honorably ●ntertained ●y forraine Princes . ( Which knowledge sought , to do his Countrey good ) Abroade his port , such noble praise did get , As Princes when his fame they vnderstood . They honord him by all the meanes they could , God did him shield , in spight of all his foes , And yet he liu'de , vnder the Pope his nose . 23 Disposition of english fugitiues . Abroade he did not as our papistes doe , In practise ioyne , their Countrey to confownde : Although his Queene , were to gods word a foe . He neuer wrought , that she should be vncrownd , Tyranny , no warrant to rebolt . No , no , his faith , and honour both were sound . Who oft had read , and did regard it well , That Tyrants were , no warrants to rebell . 24 No : Tyrants are the scourges of Gods Ire Sent from aboue , to chasten sinne below : But as the Rod , the father throwes in fire . If in his sonne , he sees that grace doth grow , The soueraigne God , The short raignes of Tyrants . with Tyrants dealeth soe : Their rules are short , and long his mercies raigne , When as he sees that we our sinnes refraine . 25 England doth know , my censure to be iust , When God from heauen , Example by England . our patient bondage eide : The Papists hope , he soone consumde to dust : Queene Mary dy'de euen in their whottest pride , Then downe did fall their pompe of evry side . Queene Elizabeth . The Image then of Plenty , Power , and Peace , His mercy sent , whose raigne , the same encrease . 26 This noble Lord , He was the first that was sworne of Queene Elizabethes Counsell . vpon this blessed chaunce , In Counsell sate among the grauest Wights . His care was set the Gospell to aduaunce , His zeale out shinde , the Papists taper lights . To do good deedes , were set his whole delights . His noble howse of Conscience seemd a Court , Such heapes of men for succour did resort . 27 While fortune smilde , H●r great zeale to advaunce the Gospell . he did not like the world . Bye , vild , serach , craue , & gape are gaine could fall . Behinde his backe , these worldly Ioyes he whurld . He fixt his eyes vpon Gods Church in thrall . Which he too free , Hee made high accou●● of good preachers . set hand hart , purse and all . His bordes were spred , his gates wyde open stoode , For Pastors pure , which ministred heauenly foodee . 28 Hee litle passed of dum Preachers . The Idle Dronne , the forme that onely had , He thought vnmeete , to take a holy charge : But some saye , though the minister be bad , Gods word is pure : which we must make our targe . I say no les , and yet they roue at large . A Diamond keepes his vertue set in bras , But set in Gold , it hath a perfect grace , 29 Gods word is pure , though preached by the Deuil . The holy Ghoste , yet seldome comes in hell : Without whose gift , mans nature is most euill . Much like a foole , that bytes the bitter shell , And leaues the nut , the barke , not tasting well . The multitude , of perfect iudgement barde . The Preachers words , so by his life regard . 30 This noble Lord , this grocenes did perceiue , That simple men Iudge by the outward face : And therefore did his benefices giue To such as had , both learning , gift and grace . Would God the like , ware seene in eury place . The God of Heauen should be glorified then , Euen , by the workes , the liues , and lights of men . 31 Although this Lord , was honord by the sword . His wisedome iudg , d that learning was deuine . Which to aduaunce , his bounty did afford . Allowance great , as if he had a mine . 〈◊〉 Schollers poore , in whome good gifts did shine . In mournfull Cryes , he both his eares bestowde . His purse wide ope , a fruitefull pitty showde . 32 To show he bilt his acttions of the Lord , Hes poesie applied to Gods power ouer all actions . Not as the most , on fortunes smiling cheare : He chose Che sera , sera , for his word . Gods will shal be , in heauen aboue and heare . The Thunder bolte , the strongest towres teare . The lightning flash consumes the house of reede , And plagues do raigne , vpon the wicked seede . 33 What did become , Antipater was driuen by a subtill pollicie to get Alexanders body buried . of Caesars clyming head ? Of Pompeis rule , and Alexanders raigne ? A light account , so soone as they were dead , Yea they whose mindes , a world could not containe , With much a doe : a seemely Tombe did gaine . Their conquestes great , returnde and waxed lesse , For nought may stand , but what gods hand doth bles . 34 The Plow in vaine , is set into the ground , Unlesse the seede , God blesseth with encrease : The bilding of the wicked is vnsound : Although of bras he frameth euery peace . Yea sinketh oft , before his owne disseace . This Prouerbe old , doth profecie his fall . Though man propose , yet God disposeth all . 35 This noble Lord , that hath both seene and read , The Rules and Raignes , that Time , did sinke & shake . That euen those men , that fortune most had fead . That liu'de like Gods , their leaues as men did take . And haue no name , of whom ten thousands spake . By his Poesie , in true construction then : Gods power showes , ore all the works of men . 36 And that the Lord , might all his labours blesse , His chiefest workes , his temple was to bilde , To comfort those , that languisht in distresse , Such to receiue , as Tyranny exilde . To cloth , and feade , the widdow and her childe . On these good deedes , which holy men may name . This Godly Lord , did build his forte of fame . 37 the glory that Caesar esteemed . Caesar oft sayd , he gloried most in this , Vnto his friend , he neuer was vnkinde : And oft forgaue , his foe that did amis , Two worthy gi●ts beseeming Caesars minde , Which in this lord , his vertues brightly shinde : His bounty and mercy very great . For to his friend , none could more fauour show . Nor none that liu'd that more forgaue his foe . 38 This gratefull part , though many I could show , Among the rest , a good remembraunce : Gods will this Lord into the Theames did throw , A waterman did rush among the waues , And by Gods ayde , his dangered life he saues . Whose ayde this Lord , did nobly then reward , And afterward to multiply regard . 39 A gratefull parte . The thriftles man , by some vnhappy corse , Offended in , a veniall cause of death . The law did pas : This Lord then tooke remorse On him that once , his life did helpe to saue . In lewe whereof his perdon he did craue . And afterward , that he might truly liue . This man he did , a yearely pension giue . 40 Ambition , wrath , enuy , and disdaine , Haunt Princes Courts , Passions which followes Princes Courts . and doe the most enthrall : But none of these his honor once could staine . Like to the snaile , he neuer clymde to fall . No , wrathfull moode his wisdome could appaule : On worldly pride , he fixt no enuious eye , Nor scornde the poore , where he good gifts did spye . 41 Although he liu'd in fauour of his prince , He neuer rose , An honorable disposition . by any mans disgrace : His actes so iust , as Enuy did convince , To noble to craue , for to inrich his race : Ready to giue , and gaue in evry place . On Honour he , and Uertue made his stay , And neuer faund , where fortune bare the sway . 42 His wisedome knowne , in many a cause before , Right meete , his prince , and Common weale to serue : Her maiestie by him did set much store . And to say trueth , Her Maiestie sent him Ambassadour into Fraunce . no man could more deserue . Who with a charge , from which he did not swerue . In noble sorte , as seemde so sad a chaunce , Went to Condole , the King his death of Fraunce . 43 His honor thus by noble actions grewe , And all was grace , in which he was attir'd : At home , abroade , in peace , and warre most true , Aboue his hart , his vertues farre aspir'de . And crownde him with more praise then he desir'de The Scottish traines , did axe a trusty eye , Then through the North with speed this lord did hie . 44 He was Gouernour of Barwicke in her Maiest . Time . Of Barwicke he , the Gouernour was made . In which hye charge , he ruld without suspect . The Souldiers old , he did re●resh and ayde . Who well deseru'de , he nobly did respect . Who did offende , he mildely , did correct : With Iustice he , did euer measure Grace , Which made him fear'd ▪ th●ough loue in evry place . 45 A reuenge contrary to Martiall or politicke Iustice . The deadly foode , that thirsteth after blood . His wisedome in those parts appeased much . The hollowe Scots ( that seldome wisht vs good ) Would often saye , there neuer gouernd such . Tride by his foes , his vertues bid the tuch . And truth to say , generall was the song : Th' earle of Bedford , did neuer Person wrong . 46 He was her Maiesties deputie to cristen the scottish king . In Scotland , when that in our soueraignes place , He Cristened the seemely Scottish King . He did the Rytes , with such a royall Grace . As that his ●ame , the Scottish writers ring . Enuyed there , Renowne , he home did bring . Lord Darley , her Maiest ▪ subiect . The Scottish Prince , our Soueraignes subiect was , And so ( this Lord , euen there , by him did pas . 47 Returned home , where Lawrell rules the launce : Where Peace doth shine , which plenty doeth afford Where lawes do Trueth , and Equitie aduaunce . ●e was Warden of the stanerie in the West . In Iustice seate , though Girt with Mars his sword : Nothing but right was censurd by this Lord : Of many he : was Iudge , and wrongs redrest . As Warden of the stanerie in the West . 48 An office great , which some would wrest to gaine . Yet through his gaine , The true commendation of the Iustice which he administred . there was not one that lost : A multitude belong vnto the traine . In ruling ( whome of this ) he chiefe may boast . His Iustice gaind , the fauour of the most . And for the rest , vpon a true account , His charge did neare vnto his gaine amount . 49 Lieutenant he was of the Westerne Coast ,

He was Lieutenant of the Counties of Dorcet , Deuon of Cornwaule at the time of his death , and oftentimes before .

The Lawiers in the Westerne Circuts murmured that he ended so many matters

Vnkind sutes vnnaturall in this peaceable Gouernment .

Where as he found , a number loued strife : What meanes he wrought ( the Lawiers do not boast ) For to appease , the discords that ware rife . He mou'd strong foes , to loue like man and wife . That lacke of worke , made Lawiers to exclame , But what of that ? it was a godly blame . 50 And truth to say , where peace and plentie raignes . It is a fault , to see our papar war : They know God wet , that tasted haue the paines . Where bookes do wound , as deep remaines the scar. As browne bill strokes , which nothing reach so far . The reason is , the beast doe not accord , Their neighbours Iars , by sample of this Lord . 51 Though holsome lawes , do strengthen Common weales , Law is to strong for evry trifleling cause : The fogging mate , The Petifogger , a dangerous neighbour . is worse , then he that steales . Where sute is raisde , for wind & wagging strawes A foxe is found , among a sort of dawes . For you that sewe , The best end of law . put this in your beleefe , Law measures right , with toyle , expence and griefe ▪ 52 To appease smal discords a speciall duty of Iustices of peace . If like this Lord ( whose fame cannot disseace , Make friends of Foes , the meaner Iustice would : To Iustices , might well be ioyned peace . This quit● raigne , doth challenge that they should : Their blame , nay shame that will not if they could . If not be sure each wheare will light the lote , Which once vpon a worldlings house was wrote . 53 Written vpon a cruel worldlings house . Thy Grownd worke bilt , on discord and debate , Thy front of brick , Temperd with widowes teares , The Orphants spoyle , Thy windowes and thy state . Good yeomens falles , the beames that thee vp beares . A wonder if , thou , stand in this repaire , When built of wrongs , thy fairest beauties are . 54 Now to the Lord , of whome I lately spake , The Prouerbe goes ( although more true then iust ) The way is safe , A most honorable vertue in this Lord . the strongest parte to take : But sure ●●e weake , that to the wall was thrust : His noble minde , did ayde in causes iust . Which made mensing , in open streetes this song . There rydes the Lord , their strength that suffer wrong . 56 The Thralls which ●led for persecutions feare : When as they saw the Pope , He was a gret comforter of persecuted strangers . He was highly regarded of forraigne princes ▪ and Papists frowne . His purse and toung , in banishment did ch●ere All forraine states , yea persons of renowne . Whome Tyrants sought , to tumble hedlong downe . Upon his zeale : In England greatly stayde , Which Realme , they saw , god blessed for their ayde . 57 Whose grieues he did , in all he might releaue . His care for them , which profes the ●ospell . He greatly & in what he might , ●urthered the succour of Flaunders . he shewed to the end : The Holland States , his loue did soundly preaue . Flaunders may say , that she hath lost a frend ; To mende her state , much trauell he did spend , His helping hand , her sutors did not lacke , Which still appeard , till sicknes kept him backe . 57 The very bad , did reuerence his name , And all the good , He was highly honored of strangers . with griefe his lose deplore . The strangers praise , doth blow abroade his fame , Loud of his prince , for Valour , Truth , and Lore . A happy man , whome all men did Adore , Happy and blest , of God euen in his birth . Who here possest , the blessing of the earth . 58 Blessed he was , His wiues were most gratious Ladies . of God in mariage twise , His noble wiues the samples were of Grace : His Children such , as that in all mens eyes , Their actions did , 3 3

Daughters of his , were al maried to Earles .

His sonnes were all Lords or Knights in his life time . Pharos , a wonderfull light made by Ptholomie Philodelphus for the derection of sea-faring men .

their fathers vertues blaze , His Daughters macht , with Earles of noble rase . His sonnes , himself , all Lords , or Knights did see , By vertue raysd , asmuch as by degree . 59 What would you more , he was a Pharoes blase , To prye into whose gilts , doth dimme my eyes : Like him that long against the Sonne doth gase . Of honour sound , in Iudgement graue and wise . In all good deeds , he euer was precyse . Aliue refuge ▪ to those whome wrong did paine . Aliue and dead , vnbleamisht with a staine . 60 He was afflicted with a most violent sicknes , one yeare and more past . Long thus he liu'd , euen blessed from aboue . And tride in fine , as gold is in the fire . God chastiseth ( quoth he ) whome he doth loue , And trueth to say , his torment might attaint The strongest hart , yet , he did neuer faint : Yea martred long , with furious griefe and paine . No one can say , they hard him to complaine . 61 The griefe of hart , showde in the watry eyes , Of friends that saw , He was wonderfully martered by the Phisitions & Surgieons . The gretnesse of his patience . the mangling of his flesh . But he that felt , what griefe man may deuise , With comfort , did his Comforters re●resh . His patience then , my pen cannot expres . His sicknes straunge , as straungely was he vsde . More strangely calde , when Art had him refusde . 62 What should I say ? that Science is deuine : Yet knowledge failes , The Doctors and Surgions gaue him ouer . vnlesse God blesseth skill . The maister Docters , gaue him ore in fine . And left his Cure , vnto the Lord his will . The mournfull cryes , the howse with sorrowes fill . The Lord then had , M. Marrad & Fow●er westerne men , Surgion● . Discription of the world , and of all estates . compassion of our mone , And blest the workes , of men that ware vnknowne . 63 But o their Cure , did but prolong his paine , Euen from this Crosse , he longed Christ to see . He heald this world , and all her beauties vaine . The prowdest pompe , a short felicitie . The regall care , a Golden misery , The Maiestrate , an honorable thrawle . The poore man blest , whose conscience hath no gawle . 64 But ware mishap from worldly pleasure free , So short a vse may not be counted Ioy . Mans life is like , a bloome vpon a tree ,

The vncertaintie of Life .

The certainty of death .

Which evry storme , is ready to destroy . No threatning can the Monster death annoy . From all his pompe , he takes the Prince away . Euen as the night , doth clowde the brightest day . 65 A sory tale , The worldly mans felicity Nemo ante obitum ●eatus . vnto the worldly thrawle , Which hath health , wealth , & in his bowels peace : But foolish man , that these thy pleasures cawle ▪ Thy lasting Ioye , is after thy decease . A graine of wheate doth rot ere it increase . Euen so the flesh , a lasting Ioye to giue , Must tourne to dust , and then the sowle doth liue . 66 And from this ground , this Lord did neuer sma●ue he likened life to voyages at Sea : Life like , voyages at Sea . Some short , some long , as winde and wether ●a●ue , And as men Ioy , their ships retourne to see , Because their wealth , within their bowels bee . The godly so , in death their comfort eye , Which made him liue , as he would dayly dye . 67 Retourne of health ▪ which visibly was seene , Hee neuer had great care of worldly causes , since his former sicknes . Her Maiestie oftentime most gratiously visited him , in his former sicknes . To tempt this Lord , was but an ydle traine : The visiting of our most gratious Queene , Did glad his hart , but with no clyming vaine : Which swelleth still , where princes fauours raigne . She lou'd him as her strength in time of need , He honord her , with duty , zeale , and dread . 68 He straind him selfe , farre more then was his case ▪ To serue her highnesse , in his latter health : In Parlament , he did himselfe dissease , About sound lawes , to arme the Common wealth : But priuate gaine , he grounded on a shelfe , Came the Brydegrome by day or els by night . In his cleare lampe , he euer more had light . 69 Not like his worth , his life before is showne , The more our losse his death doth now draw neare : His most godly and blessed ende . What was his life , his godly death made knowne , His sharpe assaulte , his faith did nothing scare : His care was past , One of his godly sayinges , in his last ende . he found his Conscience cleare , He saw by faith , the perfect life in dead , The Womans seede , trode on the Serpents head . 70 The senses of a number , fayle before they deseace . In those fearce panges , mans sences often quaile Their feeble heads , are full of Idle thought : Their hollowe eyes , of worldly sight do faile . Their foltring tonges , do wag and vtter nought : Their harts do pant , as they with death had fought . But he whose life , by none of these did wrōng , In death had vse of eye , hart , head , and toung . 71

He had parfect vse of his senses vnto his latter gaspe .

He lyuely confessed his faythe , in the tremblyng passage of deathe .

His head was free , from worldly thought and care , His harte did still contemplate of gods booke : His toung , his faith , did in his end declare : His eyes abroade , did towards heauen looke . His hands he heau'd , when strength the rest for sooke , His chamber seem'd , a heauenly preaching place , Him selfe euen then , the soundest teacher was . 72 Among the rest , his sayings full of Grace , For our regard , this one would here remaine . I do thanke God , that I shall dye in peace , And do not liue , A frutefull admonition vpon hi● last sayinge . for to beholde the paine , Which for our sinnes , on earth is like to raigne . Regard it well , and each man one amend , What good men dreed , God forth most doth send . 73 S. Austine saith , that God is all in all , And with his Grace ▪ is euer with the good : It followes then , the wicked to appaule . His vengeance is , euen mixed with their blood . His mercy long , his Iustice hath forestood : But tempt not farre , the lothest man to fight , When he is wou'd , the soundest blowes doth smight . 74 England beware , bewarnd if thou be wise , Thy ●ecret sinnes , ●or open vengeance crye : The words are mine , but his the sound aduise . What men forshaue , that ready are to dye . The sage do hold , euen for a prophesie . His eyes ( no dobut ) the hyest heauens did peace , And saw euen that , his toung did then rehearce . 7● For to conclude , the word , the deuill , and death , He vanquished , in all his housholds sight . From Gaspes , His departure most quiet . or Grones , ware free his latter breath , His life did weare , euen like , a Taper light : O happy soule , that made so strong a fight , And thus in fine , he mildly did disseace , Euen in the place , where long he liu'd in peace . 76 A happy ende , that Plato calleth blest : The end that he most gladly did imbrace . The ende , his , end that many since haue mist. The end that failes , his memory to deface , Whose vertues liue , and shineth in his race . The end that soone , had raisd this heauy mone : Alas the Earle of Bedford now is gone . 77 Yea , he forth of this sinfull world is gone , Gone from the traines , of Enuy and disdaine : Gone , gone , before the knowledge of this mone , Which would haue grieu'de him more then all his paine : His noble sonne , treacherously is slaine , Of the valiant Lord Russell . His sonne , his heire , of honor , Grace , and all . Stout Lord Russell , whom Mars we well might call . 78 A passion heare so dul● my heauy muse , As that I faint , to sound his high renowne , My hand , and iudgement haue forgot their vse , To staine my worke , the teares do trickle downe . O dismall tune , where in the heauens should frowne To reaue at once , two Starres of Russels Fame , The Sire , and So●●e , to all this Realme amame . 79 Frauncis the Sire , derrast by natures Corse : Frauncis the Sonne , was slaine by Fortunes spight . By Fortunes spight , armed with treacherous force . But yet in spight , of all the spights their might , His fame shall shine , when shame shall raigne & light , Upon his foes , and all the cursed seede , That gilty are , of this most impious deede . 80 God wil be iust : you Murthrers then vniust , Your iudgement heare ( although pronounst by me ) The God that sayd , God pun●●●eth murder , for the most pai●e with visible vengeance . to Cain most accuest . Who Caine doth kill , shall scanenfolde punisht be . Your Murther heare , euen in the worst degree , Where law of Armes , and martiall faith was broke Of God and man , will feele the wrathfull stroke . 81 I iudge not who are gilty of this deed : God will reueale , the deepth of all this reach : But this I say : At the spu● . In the last siege of Edenbrough Vide Holengh , Cre. his valour they did dread , Experience erst , before their eyes did teach , Where danger stood , his courage made a breach , Which made them seeke , by Cowardise his breath . Who would himselfe haue els reveng'd his death . 82 A shamefull part , vpon a day of Truse , Where mortall foes , He was treache●ously slaine , vpon a daye of Truse . no sharpe reuengement trye , But once againe : who set this fowle abuse ? T' ware good that he , the 〈…〉 ●ye , And desarts haunt , till vengeance 〈◊〉 dye : Yea there to dreede , vntill his 〈…〉 , Each bush that strrres a RVSS 〈◊〉 frend . 83 But leaue we here , Euer 〈◊〉 last rebellion in the 〈◊〉 . He followed all o●ters of seruice , in Scotland and the Norther● partes . his foes vnto their fall , And see how hye ●●●●●e vertue ●a●●d this Lord , When Treason arm'd the Northerne parts with thrall , In tender yeares , with noble courage sturde ▪ He left the Court , and tooke him to the sword : But did not with the multitude retower , When Rebels fled , before their Princes Power . 84 He maried the daughter and heire of S. Iohn Foster Knight . L. Warden of the midle marcher . To stay him there , he maried in those parts , A louing wife : and S Iohn Fosters heire , Who dyed soone , yet for her sweete desarts , And for the zeale , he to that seruice bare . To leaue those parts , he neuer since had care : Whose gouerment , and hazard oft of blood , Approu'd him arm'd , to do his Country good . 85 The Romaine warres , record a noble fight , By Mantius sonne : in Combat with his foe : TITVS MANLIVS being Consul , commaunded that none of his Souldiers should fight , but when he commaunded them Ge●●iu● Metius one of his Enimyes pricked forth of his Campanie , and chalenge Ma●●ius Sonne . The commandement of his father was that h●● should not fight . But he being the Consul Sonne , rather then the Ehim 〈…〉 him with Cowa●dise , preferred a certaine death , by breac● 〈…〉 Commandement , before a dishonorable life in refusing 〈…〉 : Hee slew his enimie and was himselfe put to death , 〈…〉 iustice . Euen so this noble Lord , although not so 〈…〉 because hee valiauntly aduentured his person in a 〈…〉 , at the assaults of Edinbrough Castell , which Sir W Drurie , ●●●●●enant , had appointed for men of meaner reputation , was by the sayd Lieutenant Committed toward . But albeit , discipline in martiall pollicie it to be reuerensed . The noble courage of this Lord , aunswered 〈…〉 saying : 〈…〉 matters of honorable danger , there ought to be no difference betweene a king and a meane Souldier : and through that thought vpon a mortall drought , hee powred a present of 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 because it sufficed not to releaue his whole Armie , Vid●●●oling Cro. His father yet , in all his Souldiers sight , Put him to death , because he did vndoe , His Order made , that none should hazard so . This Lord likewise , commaunded was to ward , For valiantues , beyonde his lifes regard . 86 Knighted he was ( and worthy in the field ) Who neuer yet did faint ,

He was Knighted by the Earle of Sussex , generall of the field .

His stont aunswere to his treacherous enimies . He liued , vntill the daye , after that hee was wounded .

to see his foe : Yea thus betrayde , when he was wild to yeld , He aunswered thus : That will I neuer doe , Add drewe his sword , but o they shot him through : Yet home he went , and caried death aliue , So long as strength , with mortal wounds might striue . 87 What should I say ? In field a Mars he was , In time of peace , a stayde and noble Knight : In pride of yeares : to be cut vp like gras , Giues cause of mone , to many a worthy wight Of Chiualrie , who held him for the light : But all in vaine , To market to be sold , The young sheape comes , aswell as doth the old . 88 To ward Deaths Dart , Honnour is no shield , Yong yeeres , Spes famae solet ad virtutom impellere multos . Iohannes de Temporib●s , liued in Charles the 5. time . faire lookes , nor prayer may intreate . The Prince , the Peere , and evry estate must yeld , Of fame yeat Death , the 〈…〉 not get Desire whereof mens mindes 〈…〉 set And sure this Lord , by Fame 〈◊〉 here , Old Iohn of Tymes , that saw 〈◊〉 ●●●dred yeare . 89 He liued so , as he shall neuer dye . In Heauen nor earth , while any earth remaine : His godly life , is crownde aboue the skye : His noble deedes , which no fowle deed doth staine ( Though veniall sinne , in evry flesh doth raigne ) Doth make his life , his mortall life I saye , In fame to liue , till Mor●all Tyme decaye . 90 I say no more , that can not praise too much , This Lord , that liued well and dyed blest : Fame spreades abroade , reports I dare not tuch , Ti●l leaue do ioyne , in knowledge with the rest , Truth shields from shame , and Truth is yet exprest , And I in time , God willing will expose , With leaue obtainde , the practise of his foes . Viuit post funera virtūs .

AN EPITAPHE VPON THE DEATH of the right honorable Frauncis , Earle of Bedford , Baron Russell &c. And of his most valiant Sonne , and heire S. Frauncis , Lord Russell , treacherously slaine by a Stratageme of the Scotes , and dyed the day before his noble father . HEare vnderneathe the Earle of Bedford lyes , Whose head was fraught , with Grace , & godly care . Who eares were ope , to heare the poore mans cries . Whose eyes to wi●h , his neighbours goods forbare : Whose toung pronounst , but good and godly speach . Whose hands 〈◊〉 and seldome did receiue , Whose holy 〈◊〉 ●●rts of men might teach . This painted wo●●d , did nothing but deceiue . He liu'd and dy'de , as he with God should raigne : But O his losse ioynes with an other rod . His noble Sonne slaine by a Scottish traine . His father lead , the happy way to God , Vpon a day of trute , they did him wound , Whome shame ( no doubt ) by vengeance will confound . Nemo ante obitum beatus .