The battailes of Crescey, and Poictiers vnder the leading of King Edward the Third of that name; and his sonne Edward Prince of Wales, named the Blacke. By Charles Allen, sometime of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge.

THE BATTAILES OF CRESCEY , and Poictiers vnder the leading of King Edward the Third of that name ; And his Sonne Edward Prince of Wales , named the Blacke . By Charles Allen , sometime of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge .

Magnarum rerum etiamsi successus Non fuerit , Honestus ipse conatus est , Seneca .

LONDON , Printed by Tho: Purfoot for T. K. 1631.

DOCTISSIMO AMICO SVO CAROLO ALEINO de nobili hoc Poemate . SI quid victrices debebunt vatibus vmbrae , Aevum mortali si dare musa potest , Et decus aeternum praestare , hos doctus honores Praestitit Alleinus , Rex , Edovarde , tibi , Gallorum domitor , tibique inuictissime Princeps , Cujus adhuc nomen saecula nostra colunt . Felices animae , laudes agnoscite vestras , Carminaque eximios dignae sonare duces . Maesta suas iterum lugebit Gallia clades , Damnaque per calamum iam renovata tuum Sentiet infelix , lugubria praelia damnans , Temporaque Anglorum cum pharetrata cohrrs Rumperet hostiles horrenda strage catervas , Gallaque Gallorum luxuriaret humus Sanguine pinguescens , quae ne damnare tenebris Saecula , vel possit perdere livor edax ; Hos patriae reddit meritos Alleinus honores , Nec patitur regum fortia facta mori . Thomas May.

To his Friend Mr. Charles Allen vpon his learned Poeme . THe noblest spurre vnto the sonnes of fame Is thirst of honour , and to haue their name Enrold in faithfull History : thus worth Was by a wise ambition first brought forth . Blest Edward whom posterity shall know By this vnspotted worke , to which we owe Our knowledge of thy Choisest deedes : so iust Has bin my friend vnto thy reuerend dust . Truth is the historians Crowne , and art Squares it to stricter comelinesse : each part Thou skilfully obseru'st , whose learned slight Shall teach succeeding ages how to write . Goe on t'improoue the world , and scorne the harme That malice can find out , desert's a charme . Be fortunate as knowing , may thy brayne Ioue-like bring forth valour and wit , disdaine Those torturers of wit that stuffe these times With rude Composures and vnseason'd rimes . It will be weakenesse to inlarge thy prayse , Thy owne iudicious Poeme is thy bayes . Iohn Hall .

To my Friend Mr. Charles Allen. CHarles , by the muse Edward the Blacke seems faire , The daring Sonne of an vndaunted Sire . Liue not my hopes , if I can iudge more rare Their Acts , or thy expression . To require An equall censure , this with truth accords , They giue thee matter , thou afford'st them words . John Lewis .

TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull , and accomplished Sir John Spencer of Ofley Knight and Baronet . Sir ,

I Haue read ( said Cosmus a Duke of Florence ) that wee should forgiue our Enemies , but no where that wee should forgiue our Friends : It seemes by this Dukes doctrine , that the transgression of an engaged obseruer is no veniall sinne . Indeede the discontinuance of my seruice cries so loude , that had I not much faith in your goodnesse , I should not hope an attonement ; But your noble nature hath bespoke my confidence . The figure of that deuotion long since set in my brest I heere delineate in this Dedication , begging the noble charity of your construction , that you would rather conceiue well of the patterne , then too nearely examine the portraiture . A diffidence wherof were an vnpardonable trespasse to your generous selfe , to whom my study shall make good , what your merits expect from the faith of his obseruance , in whose Logicke to bee and to bee yours is conuertible .

Charles Allen.

TO THE NOBLE and vertuous Ladie , the Ladie Spencer of Ofley . Madam ,

IT may seeme a solecisme to match a Lady and a battaile : for Trumpets and Fifes are harsh accents in a Ladies eare ; and a Battaile though but in arras is terrible : But this makes the constuction good . I see your virtue ( most Honourd Lady ) stand higher then your Sex , and in that I know that the atcheiuements of actiue spirits are more welcome to a masculine vertue then a soft discourse . Besides there hath euer beene a sympathie betwixt Ladies and Martialists , and the Doues of Venus make their nests sometime in a Soldiers helmet : Nay ( to passe true stories ) the bookes of Knight errantrie were but shrunken things , if wee tooke out of them aduentures done for Ladies . I hope the reconcilementis made , if not , your Ladiship is mercifull ; and though you detect an errour in my Iudgement , you shall finde an infallibilitie in his deuotion , who here laies his hand vpon your Altar for protection .

Charles Allen.

THE BATTAILE OF CRESCEY . T Is true , my hand blacke Edward cann't enrowle In honors brasen leaues , nor draw a line In his fam'd table , vnlesse Homers soule Were made by wondrous transmigration mine . I car'd not , though Pythagoras did misse In all Philosophie , if true in this . Yet may I draw somenobler Genius forth , Whose high-borne streines are privileg'd from time , Who in the handling of a theame of worth , Can drowne fames trumpet with a mighty rime , And soaring notes impt with a muses wing , High as the Bards that Agincourt did sing . Let Tourney quake , great Edward's at her gate , And like a meteor menaceth her walls , Tourney may glory in her better fate If by the hand of Edward , Tourney falls : For 't is a comfort by great hands to die , And thus to fall is next to victory . But now the enemy is on his way ( Navar , the French , and the Bohemian King , ) To take the hungry Lion from his prey : Three Kings but named might some terrour bring . But titles neuer were by iudgement feard , Had all the hoast beene Kings he had not car'd . And that the French might know his perso'nall worth , Hee dard De Valois to a single fight ; And if not that , to draw a hundred forth , That fewer slaughters might decide the right . A good King knowes ( cause all depend on him ) To loose a subiect is to loose a limbe . I will not question , if a leader should Be personally seene in such an action , It is enough for me that Edward would , His precedent is reall satisfaction . A King 's a God on earth , and this i 'le call Edwards divinity ; one dye for all . But such defiances are vaine to those , Who more their numbers than their valour trust , Now armie armie , all shall all oppose , The French will haue it so the English must . Edward appoints a day : 't is brauely done To tell thy foman when thou wilt come on . T was genuine valour in our grand-sires , who Proclaimed when , and what they meant to doe , And scornd like theeues to steale vpon a foe , A foe vnwarned is vnarmed too . By sculking out to beat an enemy , Doth pilfer honour , and steale victory . The cloud of war was ready to dissolue To showers of blood : the ayre affrighted feard The blowes it should receiue , now all resolue To goe , or send to death : but all is cleard . What was presaged blacke proues a faire day , A Ladies breath dispelld the storme away . Sister to Phillip , mother to Edwards wife , The Ladie Iane De Valois interceedes , A cloistered Nun sets period to the strife , Or else whole troopes had di'd , and now none bleeds . Troopes of that force , that had they joind in one , Had throwne a palenesse on the Turkish moone . Coriolanus armd with fury dard Bid a defiance to vngratefull Rome , And would haue humbled her proud hills , nor feard Had the grim Father of Romes founder come . His mothers louing prayers make him yeeld , Her armes , not Romes , must make him quit the field Edward for England hasts puts out of pay His forreine aids ; he finds his treasuries Staru'd by his Offi'cers , since be went away : The Dutch shall not share in his victories , The English onely shall partake in glory , None else be quoted in their honourd storie . Nor is it wisedome , where no treasures are , To hope for succours from a strange supply : Mony 's the nerue and ligament of War , It makes them fight , and keepes from mutuny . Leaders are soules , Armies the bodies , coine , The vitall spirits that doe both combine . Now Mars is chained in his iron caue , And sterne Enyo hath set vp her lance , They in more strict restreints more wildly raue , And are made sharper by their abstinence . Let fury take her course , she will proue mild , To stay her gallop will make fury wild . But soone they quit their prison and reioyce To try in Brittaine wars vncertaine chance , Edward for Mountford stands , Phillip for Blois Who both plead right in that inheritance . Weapons are drawne on both sides to cut out Their rights , but are put vp before they fought . And now two Cardinals , ( a Nun before ) Strike a faire truce , and are the shields of France , As Fabius of Rome their words fence more Than armes ; but when the English next aduance , And march to Cressey , then the French shall know , Their Church both not a gard for such a blow . But hungry Mars once more to prison must , And fast from blood , nor dare once dreame of fight , Their tooles of death for want of vse shall rust , Whilst plowmen stewd in sweat make theirs looke bright , Vnder a checkerd shadow Tytrus singes , Whilst peace fans choller with her siluer wings . Yet though their helmets gather rust , and are The shops , where spiders weaue their bowels forth , Yet let not those braue heads , that did them weare , In rusty idlenesse entombe their worth . The spirits are extinct , and valour dyes , Without their soueraigne diet ▪ exercise . Which mou'd our second Arthur to erect A table , least their Magnanimitie Should languish in dull coldnesse , and neglect Of practising their armes , and cheualrie ; For exercise , and emulation are The parents , that beget children for war . Fam'd Arthur worthy of best pens , but that Truth is so far before 't is out of sight ; Thy acts are made discourse for those that chat Of Hamptons cutthrote or the red-rose Knight . Yet there is truth enough in thy faire storie Without false legends to enshrine thy glorie . Some monkish pen hath giuen thy fame more blowes Then all the Saxons could thy body lend ; The hand a sacrifice to Vulcan owes , That killd the truth by forgeries it pend . When truth and falshood interlaced lye , All are thought falshoods by posteritie . Yet in the raigne of this first sonne of Mars , All is not sternely rugged , some delights Sweete amorous sports to sweeten tarter-wars , And then a dance began the garter Knights . They swell with loue , that are with vallour fild , And Venus doues may in a head peice build . As Sarum beauteous Countesse in a dance Her loosened garter vnawares let fall , Renouned Edward tooke it vp by chance , Which gaue that order first originall . Thus saying to the wondring standers by . There shall be honour to this silkenty . Some the beginning from first Richard bring , ( Counting too meanelie of this pedegree ) When he at Acon tyde a leather string About his Soldiers legges , whose memorie Might stir their vallour vp , yet choose you whether You 'll Edwards silke prefer , or Richards leather . But they take not a scruple of delight , More than 's by nature giuen torellish paine : At once ; your welcome pleasure and good night , Before 't is settled , 't is expelled againe . As dogs of Nilus drinke , a snatch , and gone , Sweets must be tasted , and not glutted on . By this time France is ranke , her vaines are full , And ripe to be let blood , deaths instruments Are keene edged , which before were dull , And fit to execute the mindes intents . The furies rowsed from their loathed shelues , For former fastings now may glut themselues . The sword , the shield , the battaile axe , the speare Are taken from the well-stor'd armory , And that which iustly shall beget most feare , The well experienc'd English archery , Who knew to conquer : Parthiae cann't show Such high-raisd trophies , as our English bow . Tall ships are rig'd ▪ and with provision stord , Stay but a while , till a faire wind shall rise , Young Iason had not such with him a board , When bound to Colchos for the golden prize . The very ships when they were lanching forth , Did seeme to dance to haue in them such worth . The sailes , as if with child , grew big with wind , And long to haue flown ore the briny ford : The rising waues for feare themselues declind , Supposing they were Neptunes were a bord . Or else for feare Neptune kept downe the maine , Least seeing them it would haue changd the reigne . The vessels are vnlading of their fraight , Richer than euer cross'd the seas before , The earth with longing did appeare to waite , As proud to haue their foot-steps on the shore : But the displeased sea growne angry , now , Vext for this losse , fretted her wrincked brow . Bnt if wise nature had inform'd the earth , That all her vert should into gules be turnd : Or of that blood she should teeme such a birth As shee had of the Giants , she had mournd . Or else suncke downe vnder the brinie flood , Then had they fought in a red sea of blood . Some thirty thousand foot , great Edward led , With these were ioynd twentie fiue hundred horse , The French the fields with fiue such numbers spred : Yet heated by their wrongs he beards their force . Not Clements mediation can asswage , The iust incensed flame of Edwards rage . Their hosts before twice did their weapons shake , Twice did their hosts returne without a stroke , They truce at Tourney , and at Malstroict make A truce twice made the French as often broke . Th' vnmanlie for fee of fidelitie Is worst eclipse in spheare of Maiestie . Euils are link'd together , now he spills Baccos , and Cliffons blood in Normandie : Nor can one place confine his rage , he kills Edwards approued friend in Picardie . Our friends are parts make vs entirelie one , What 's left of vs is lame , when they are gone . But that which most aggreeued Edward strooke , And to his honour seem'd the greatest staine , Philip too hautily the homage tooke , Which Edward did to him for Aquitaine . When you depresse great spirits , that aspire , You throw down balls to make them rise the higher It is a trespasse against martiall right , To take vp wrongs on trust , and not repay : When beareing old ones new ones doe inuite , There Clement cannot Edwards feruour stay . Since he is iustlie fir'd , lesse shall be done Now by a Pope , then had beene by a Nun. March on : and now at Carentine they are , Great Cliffons hands are naild vpon her gates . This act shall make her feele th' extreme of war And wronged Cliffons hands shall spin her fates . Like a Petar they make her gates to fly , And ope a passage to her miserie . But Carentine can now no longer hold , ( For guilt is fearefull , ) and the English are , Like heards of wolues amidst a fleecie fold ; Wrong'd fauours turnd to furie will none saue . For drams of Cliffons blood , whole pounds are shed And hundreds are attonement for his head . The walles that would haue garded them shall burne , And cause they shard in guilt , be razed downe : Edward the buildings doth to atomes turne , As if he would annihilate the towne . For that his corpes they of its rites beguile , The towne in flames is Cliffons funerall pile . They take in Caen in Normandie , and aduance Forward ( for no controlement yet bids stay : ) Almost to Paris , and the heart of France , Whilst sword and fire doe vsher them their way . Though fire was giuen but for the heate , & light , Yet man can teach this element to fight . And now t is tyme to bid the English stand , Which is not done by bearding them in fight : They tumble downe the bridges , and command , Th' impetuous stremes to counter check their might Edward must cumbat , if he will passe o're , Now against water , as with fire before . But whilst the English are in search to finde Where it is fordable , and how they might Gaine to the other side , the French diuind By weake coniectures that this stay was flight ▪ Thus doe we build assurance on a waue , And easily beleeue what wee would haue . Weake man , ( the welstord shop of vanities , Dreame of a shade , and shadow of a dreame ) Erects presumptions on vncertainties And is in feares , or hopes fondly extreme . Thoughts airie castles in a breath doe fall , And hopes which highest fly flag first of all . But long the streame cannot there iourney bound , Not with his winding armes the passage keepe ▪ On Blanch Laque vpon some the English found , A ford , which nature had not made so deepe . For nature durst not be rebellious To stay , whom heau'n would haue victorious . Edward was first that entrd on the ford , ( Like to great Philips greater sonne , when he Fought against Porus ) with this mouing word , He that doth loue me let him follow me . It was a word so forciue , that it might Make valour wonders doe , and basenes fight , Philip sixe thousand foot , a thousand horse Sends to the ford , whom Godmar lead along , To lay a rub before the English course : But opposition maketh strength more strong . For vertue gathers heate by hauing foes , Valour is dull'd , and numb'd , when none oppose , As when the sea hath artificiall bounds , And damms haue laid command vpon the waues , Not rebellike to ouerrun the grounds ; More madded with these stops , it wildlie raues . And valours of that one ey'd Captaines mind , 'T will make a passage if it cannot find . Furie is not by full resistance tam'd , Voyding must ward it : he is mad will stay A beare , or bull broke loose : furie inflam'd Is violent on all that 's in its way . What stands before , is offerd to the eye , In the true nature of an enemie . And now S. George : The French are mowed downe , Like men ripe for the sword , the English won The quitted bancke ; Godmar is ouerthrowne , And when no hands to fight , hath feet to run , And least their armie should too great be thought , Leades backe too thousand fewer then he brought The passage is their owne : for Crescey now , Which in his mothers right was Edwards owne , Crescey is famed for that ouerthrow , Where horror in his deepest die was showne . To be in view of that which is ones right . Would make a heart for lesse than Edwards fight . In three Battalias the King drew out His men , by valliant commanders leade , Wales her young lion in the vangard fought , Which like a herse in forme was ordered . It were enough to make a coward fly , To see this emblem of mortalitie . With him was Hare court , Warwicke , and La ware , Beaucham , and Bourchier , worthies who knew well The vse of hand , and head : the next troopes are Lead by Northampton , Rosse , and Arundell . Cheifs , who like sowles , could the dull spirits stir In the chill hart of coldest follower . The third Battalia King Edward lead , His soldiars might vnder his conduct be Prowd and secure : so Mars stood in the head Of his robustious Thracian companie . The three Battalias seemd , as they did stand , The three fork'd thunder in Ioues flaming hand . The English armie is clos'd vp behind , And barricadod that they cannot flye : Their horses tooke away put them in mind That they were there to conquer , or to dye . 'T is policie to bar the meanes of flight , Necessitie will make a coward fight . Couragious Edward spurres their valour on , And cheeres his sprightfull soldiars ; where he came , His breath did kindle valour , where was none ; And where it found a sparke , it made a flame . Armies of fearefull hearts will scorne to yeeld , If lyons be their Captaines in the field . Through all the armie this tenthworthy rid , With a white rod in his victorious hand , As if to chastise fortune , if shee did But dare his vncontrold designes withstand . ‛ Though fooles , and cowards at the name do quake The wise , and valiant their fortune make . The King ( as strength ioyned with wisedom should ) Set targets in the front , to saue his men From Genoan Crosbowes ; so wise Rome of old Gaue crownes to them that saued a citisen . Offensiue rashnesse she did not commend , 'T is the first act of valour to defend . Which made the old King of Bohemia say , The English marshalling speakes this intent : Either to loose their liues , or win the day , To get a trophie , or a monument . A soldiar hath two aimes , to win or dye , A Coward two , quickely to win , or fly . Now Sauois Earle to make the conquest full , Brings in a thousand to the enemie : To share in his hop'd fortunes , and to pull A pinion from the wing of victorie . But Amie heere ●is debt to nature paies , And weareth Cypresse for triumphant bayes . Blacke was the day , the Chaos was thus blacke , Before 't was said , Let there be light ; the clouds Opend their watrie treasures , which did cracke They were so full : all is insable shrowds , The symptomes of trew griefe were in the spheare As if it meant to be chiefe mourner heere . The Sun at first halfe scared with the sight , Behind the Moone with halfe his body lies : So soone as he was quitted of this fright , He shot his beames full on the Frenchmens eyes . And 'gainst them let his raies like arrowes fly , As if he sided with our archerie . Then on a cloud an arch triumphall drew , And lookt vpon that watrie lookinglasse . That he himselfe might by reflection view , Whether his late Eclips had changed his face . Or else it was to let the English know , How much they were endebted to the bow . The lightning cuts the ayre with flaming wing , Willing to aide the Sunne in that darke day ; And heau'ns great shot doth in the welkin ring , And with loud bellowings vshers the fray . As if for those great Lords which here shall fall , Heau'n ow'd a volly to the funerall . Shoales of ill-boding Rauens ( as if the sky Had not beene darke enough ) a shadow made Darke as the clouds ; that though the glorious eye Of heau'n had shind , they had beene in the shade . Foules ioyntly met to feast vpon the dead , The guests were tombes where men were buried . The pikes are orderd , ensignes are displaid , And menace braue extremity ; the light Of glittering helmes and wauing streamers made A day seem cleere , which before seemed night . Pale feare had amorous lookes , and all the while Terrour lookt Iouely , and death seemd to smile , The shafts headed with death , and wingd with speed , Now to the arched engine they apply , Which as if hungry on mans flesh to feed , With greedy certainty appear'd to flye . Their bowes with such a certainty they drew , As Phaebus did when he the Python slew . We to the grey goose wing more conquests owe , Than to the Monks inuention ; for then We cull'd out mighty armes to draw the bow , Striplings oft serue vs now , then onely men . For these hot engins equall mischiefe can , Discharged by a boy , or by a man . Bullets , because they vndiscerned flie , Worke lesse effects of feare : but dangers seene , If they cannot be fenc'd , more terrifie ; At startled sence reason hath startled beene . Amaz'd to haue so many shafts in sight , In hope to ward them , they forget to fight . A well-selected Archer can let flye Thrice for one shot of the best musketeere : And barbed arrowes gall more eagerly , Where they once light , they second fresh-wounds there , And mad the Horse , who will not forward stir , More sensible of them , than of the spur . Who madded , as they backard fly , doe fall Foule on their owne , and doe their seruice there : Whilst their owne Horses their owne quarters mall , They both themselues , and enemies must feare . Thus broke , with an vnwilling courtesie , They ope a passage to the enemy . The musketeeres discharge but in one ranke At once ; but whole squadrons of Archers may : These wound at randome , they but at point blanke ; And when both sides , are now engag'd in fray , At push of Pike ; behind the armed foot , Though muskets cannot , yet the Bowes may shoot . At the fam'd Battaile of Lepanto , when Valiant young Austria wwas admirall ; The Turkish Archery did slay more men , Than by our Peeces of all sorts did fall . And the white faith of history cann't show , That e're the Musket yet could beat the Bow . The Genoan Bowes , to make the French horse way In the first point are ranged : but the showers , Auxiliarie heau'n distild that day , Corrupt the Genoan strings , but hurt not ours . Small things worke much , where victory is due , And onely hurt your foe , though might hurt you . Now since their Bowes vnserviceable be , The King commanded Allanson to rent , And beate them from the point : thus oft we see Actions condemnd for some ill accident . Which may miscarry , when t is not the crime Of him , that did attempt them , but the time . Meane men are often in small faults impeacht : Greatnesse aboue the clouds so high asshrind ; It cannot by Ioues greatest shot be reacht , And laughs at the low vollies of the wind . Wolfe-bane 'mongst roses leaues its deadly sent , Faults amongst great men find no punishment . But th' English of their strings more care did take , ( Whose winged pursivants deaths message beare . ) Some ( through loues seat the liuer , passage make , As if our Archers had beene Cupids there . Some strike lifes seat , the hart , so that you can Scarse tell , if death did shoot them , or a man . As when the colder Region of the ayre , Moulds Raine to haile-shot , the relenting tree Of the plump God , lusty before , and faire , Looseth her rubies with heau'ns battery . Thus fell the French : for shoot , though in the darke T is hard to misse , when the whole fieid's a marke . The Genoan tempest is dispell'd : their force Diuided wins no feare ; a mighty flood Cut in small rills is weakned in his course , And parted strength is easily withstood . Diuide , and then you conquer : for though none Can breake a sheafe of darts , they may break one . Disorder's next to ruine , and destroyes Th' essence of creatures : order did create , Then by the rule of contrarieties , T is a disorder doth annihilate . By this ill shaped enemy doe fall , Both bodies politicke , and naturall . Continu'd , or collected bodies are Weakned by their disvnion ; but doe Get strength by vn'ty ; beames reflex'd are far More hot , because they are vnited : so We see in bodies ly●ened by a soule , The vnion of the parts conserues the whole . Divisions ruine Realmes : the Monarchies Of Mars his Rome , and Macedon thus fall ; Christendomes whip , that now doth tyrannize , Shall thus returne to her originall . Factions those commas are , that bring the state Of Kingdomes to their period , and fate . The hot Count Alanson with fiery horse Scoures o're the plaines with an impetuousnesse , Which eas'ly made it a short-winded course : As it was sayd of great Themistocles . His heat was quickly cooled , and did draw To a too sodaine end , like fire in straw . The generous-mettald courser ( as if we Had beene too slow on foot ) is taught to fight : Wee borrow speed to meet our enemy , And flie to our reuenge : and to doe right Vnto the actiue French ; old Thessaly Won not more Garlonds than their Chevalrie . Armies ( if we Iphicrates will heare ) Are of themselues dull bodies , nor can weeld Their sullen weights , vnlesse the horse be three , Which are ihe feet : indeed the horse at field . Are best in actions of celeritie , In expeditions , and discouery . But horse 'gainst resolute foot can littlewin , The mounting is more firme , the aimes more sure ; For footmen haue their mouing from within , They from their horse : yet horse are more secure In flight , and haue ( as Xenophon did say ) But the aduantage , when they run away . The sprightly Count is quickly out of breath , Like to heau'ns lightning as soone out as seene , A gallant flash before the night of death ; Those edges soonest turne , that are most keene . A sober moderation stands sure , No violent extremities endure . A storme of Enhlish Arrowes breakes their course , And routs their troopes : stout Alanson's engaged Within the lists of death ; the furious horse ( Impatient patients of their wounds ) enraged Dismount their riders , vext , that they did beare Men , that did spur them to those dangers there . But carefull Phillip his Battalia brings To disengage his cousen : and foresight And prouidence in Kings doth , make them Kings ; Kingdomes are Chaoses without their light . And in Niles mysticke characters , the eye More than the scepter noted maiesty . Suffolke as wary , on his battaile drew , To ayd his Prince , and checke the King of France : Whilst rusty horrour through the armies flew , And dealt his dole of death : indiff'rent chance . Durst not yet choose her side on which to be , And no lesse wauering was victory . Reason it selfe did thinke it fit to leaue them To their wild passions , and let fury guide : Now choler of their reason doth bereaue them : If fury be at home , reason 's deni'd . Madnesse and anger differ but in this , This is short madnesse , that long anger is . The swords forgat to glister any more , As loth to lend their light to that darke shade ; They 'r double dyde in a deepe graine of gore , Youl 'd thinke they had so many Comets made . So many by their fatall seisures dide , That Atropos might lay her knife a side . Here a hand seuerd , there an eare was cropt , Here a chap falne , and there an eye put out . Here was an arme lopt off , there a nose dropt : Here halte a man , and there a lesse peece fought . Like to dismembred statues they did stand , Which had beene mangled by times yron hand . There one ( as if vnwilling should be spent , Cost to make Marble seeme to liue ) doth meane To be himselfe a cheaper monument . Whilst slaine , he still vpon his sword doth leane . And for the seruice he did there that day , Himselfe stood there as his owne statua . Heere one , all of whose selfe was as one wound , ( Oftner transfixt than mighty Scaeuas shield ) Sometimes himselfe , sometimes he beats the ground , Or clings so fast as if he 'de winne the field . So many wayes to death , yet doth not die , The soule vncertaine which way it should flie . There two vnited gores doe make one flood , Wherein the duellers doe saile to death : Thus Elephants , and Dragons mixe their blood , When both doe vanquish , & both loose their breath Their angry bloods did in two channells run , But friendly now in death flow but in one . King Edward like a clowd hung on a hill , ( As Affricks Captaine said of Fabius ) Marking those gamesters ; readie to destill , When need should bid him be propitious . And whilst be wisely watched for their sakes , Not onely viewed the sport , but kept the stakes . As an old Eagle pearched on a tree ( After the Sunne hath ratified her brood By their vnwaur'ring eyes ) is proud to see Her royall birds inbrue themselues in blood . So stood the King , whose heart within him glows To see his Eaglet flesht vpon his foes . But as Ioues trees , that crowne proud Idas brow , Stoope at stiffe Eols oft repeated rore : And many drops can eate a Marble through ; So numbers iterated beare valour ore . What ? can a faintnesse fall on such ? it can , Edward may saint , though he be more then man . Nor the intelligence , that moues the spheare , Nor spheare it selfe , doe any faintnesse proue : Because there is no contrainence there , Nat'ralls mou'd nat'rallie may euer moue . If to the center were an immense space , A stone for euer could maintaine the race . But whilst our soules haue vnion with clay , Our limbs in vpward motions are prest By their owne strugling waight another way ; Exhausted spirits bid our motions rest . No mortall 's indefatigable , then Had they not fainted , who had thought them men . Now as the English houer on the brinke Of ruine , readie now to make a fraight For gristley Charons leaking boate , and sinke Vnder the pressure of their numerous weight . Vnto the King regardfull suffolke sent : He knowes to win , that knowes how to preuent . The messenger returnes ; his anfwer this : Whilst the Prince liues , his highnesse will not care , Nor thinke of ayd : he saith , the day is his , As lawfull as his birthright ; nor will share In his vnriuald fame : the field must be Either his graue , or stage of victorie . Nor was he cruell in this act : his sonne Now for his honour fought : and in this strife Aid had tooke from 't ; therfore the King sends none , To shew he valu'd honour aboue life . To be indulgent to his life , had beene To kill his honour , and the greater sinne . What distance is in man ? some are as much Beneath an others vertue as aboue The worst of beasts : this message cannot touch This man of men , nor his fixt spirit moue . But should you it vnto a coward tell , It had beene deathstroke , and the passing bell . It was to Edward , and this Edward could As well put off himselfe , as put on feare : It were a ●inne to worth , if any should Not thinke him dreadles , and vndanted there . For he was heire apparent to the state , And feare had prou'd him illigitimate . Looke , as the earth foundation of all Our staring buildings ; yet it selfe hath none : But it s owne selfe secures it selfe from fall , And hath no buttresses to leane vpon . For whilst graue bodies to the Center run , They hug that poynt , & poise themselues thereon Thus an heroick soule lodgd in a brest , In which are centerd all the lines of worth : Closely compacted on it selfe doth rest , And for its selfe it s owne supplies drawes forth . Edwards owne worth , if no supportes come on , Is its owne base to stay it selfe vpon . Hope in great actions is too weake a hold , And yeelds her enterteiner to his foe : When churlish winds with testie Neptune scold , We cut the Cables , and let anchors goe . Then hope to win , when hope of ayd is gone , The way to safetie is to looke for none . If we had any cowards in the field , They purge their aguish passion , at the sight To see their Prince menace his flaming shield , Like to the Sunne ; and speare , like Comet light . Where shaddowes terminate , light issues in . 'T is first , to dare to fight ; t is next , to win . But if there were amongst our English hoast , Within the colder region of whole blood There dwelt perpetuallice , and shiuring frost , Which could not be disolu'd : they did this good . For euery English that did basely dye , Bequeath'd his foe his feare for legacie . The game of death was but a iest before , Turn'd earnest now : before they did but try To vse their weapons ; there they did no more , But meditate , here practse how to dye . And if stearne Mars had left his sanguine throne , Here he had met more Diomeds then one . Mortality till now had but defraid Some trifling reck'nings on deaths bloody score , Some Items not worth speaking : now Death's paid Whole summes ; & Charons boat which leak'd before Had suncke right downe ; had not his Stygian flood Beene made more saileable , thickned with blood . Armour as if 't were sensible of smart , Falls to the ground : his flesh , who did it beare , Is his owne coat of proofe to ward his heart : And their owne armes are the best targets there . Weapons are dulld , but stomackes keener are , And hearts are better-pointed then they were . In Affricke , neere heauens porter Atlas side , A Lionesse beseeg'd by men , and hownds , There makes a breach , where it is most denid ; As free from hope of life , as feare of wounds . Led by dispaire , shee scoures about the plame , Thirstie of blood , as Affrica of raine . So marchd the Prince with his blacke regiment , ( Assisted by the armes of valiant Lords ) And top'd the gaudy poppies , as they went , And strooke such terror , that before their swords Did seize , the French stood trembling ; thus an oke Shakes with that wind vshers the thunder stroke . For they like thunder shot their furie through , Where solidnes did most resistance make : And crumble into dust , what would not bow , Whereon they stand , and thence aduanced take Their stately flight , on humbled backes we rise , And on the wings of ruine conquest flies . Thus Rome in a sedition was tooke , When Arnulph came there mutinies to quell : His souldiers shoutings such amazements strooke , That from the wall the startled Romans fell . Their heapes were scaling ladders , and their fall Made him the staires on which he clim'd the wall . The Boheme King in head of all his men Encounters with dehruction , and dares Death to a duell , which did meete him then , And with deepe cutts cancell his date of yeares . Disarmd him not , he still his weapon held As if his ghost should fight , when he was kild . Kings , vpon whom many depend , haue vs'd T' haue danger at a distance , nor at all Tread within reach ; the Theban chiefe accusd Himselfe , for being neere an arrows fall . For Kings are those chiefe stones , which arches knit , Let one be dislocated , all will flitt . A loyall subiect hath nor life , nor breath But what s infus'd , and breathed from the Prince : Who if he rashly shall encounter death , Stifles too cruellie his influeuce . And 't is a problem whether thus to dye , Or greater rashnes be , or crueltie . Leaders without disgrace haue sometimes fled , He that did flye this day , may next day fight : Great Amurath had not beene vanquished , Had not Huniades beene sau'd by flight . Wherelife more than our death auailes the state , Valour by flight may looke for better fate . But where it doth not , leaders must not moue , But cope with danger : here a Captaines flight Reads basenesse to his men , and coward loue Of an ignoble life ; in such a flight . A valliant Diomed will rather dye , And scorne to stir , though Nestor bids him flye . Twice was the King of France beate off his horse , By Henault movnted vp , as oft did rise : And acted to the height of single force , He did so noblic fight , so well aduise . He seemd his armies hand , and armies head , He fought like Scaeua , and like Cesar led . The valliaut King still wrastles with his fate , As if he would vntwist , what that had weau'd : Deeming the web of fate had beene like that , With which the Grecian dame her loues deceiu'd . Flesh cannot breake the threds , the fates haue spun Like Narses web , theirs cannot be vndone , Nor Frances strength nor fortune can preuaile , Fortune hath left no refuge but to flye : The King turnd head , and all his men turnd taile , And leaue at once the field and victorie . Soone turnd the King , the armie turnd as soone , Thus a small rudder turnes a Galeone . The King congratulates his sonne for this Faire earnest of his future victories , And sealeth vp his language with a kisse : With mute expressions the Prince replies . Silence hath Rhetoricke and veiles are best , To portr●●●t that , which cannot be exprest . Wars greater tempest had forgat to blow , And horrors thicker clowdes were driu'n away ; But lighter mists , and weaker blasts did now Appeare to dim the honour of the day . Thus when a roring storme hath ceasd to raue , A trembliug noyse still murmurs on the waue . When the next morne had blusht to see the field Looke redder then her selfe , in purple dight : Some scatterd troopes , as willing to be kild , Came rather to a slanghter , then a fight . If the sound bodies of whole armes faile , 'T is ruine for sore members to assaile . For by the English breathing death , they 're blowne Out of the field : and day drawne out of night : So many Lords of France were ouerthrowne , That yet I ne'r could iudge , if that I might Or a misfortune , or an honour call , That losse should alwaies on their nobles fall . FINIS .

THE BATTAIE OF Poictiers vnder Edward , Sirnanamed the Blacke Prince . NOt in full orbe as yet his honour shines : True honours orbs are fill'd by digits , grow By orderlie addictions , high designes Doe with Methodicall progression goe . Tall Cedars by degrees aduance the top , 'T is Mushrome honour in a night springs vp . Nature the hand , and instrument of heauen With sober pace aduanceth fairelie on : Her peeces are produc'd by smooth , and euen Degrees , and grow by soft accession . Nature by mediums workes , leaps not at all , And honour leapd to seemes vnnaturall . But yet she stayes not , but doth gently pace In her continued march : and high borne sprights Worke , 〈◊〉 Falcon to wring to her place Winns are by constant circlings , not alights . Macedo● heire could glory , he did raise His name by expeditions , not delayes . Then on great Prince , the eldest sonne of Fame , Honours first borne ; continue still to add Items to vertues sum , and weare a name Charg'd with more well-won titles , than he had . Contest for thy inheritance in fame , More iust thy interest , more faire thy claime . France was the court wherein the case was try'd , With title so apparant , proofes so cleare ; His plea for honour could not be deni'd By iustice brib'd : nay if more worlds there were , And Philips sonne had triumpht on them all , His suit for honours birthright here should fall . But he that would court honour in the field , And wed her noblie to his vertue , must Hold passion in ; on a firme basis build , And know the causes of his war be iust . Great actions , if not founded deepe , will reele , The greatest ship must haue the strongest keele . To procure peace , or keepe a foe at bay By warding iniuries , call a warre iust : But not to hug reuenge , and make a way For brutish feritie , but that Kings must Keepe Kings in good opinion , that they know , What a wrong is , and how to vse a foe . T' enlarge the ●i●ts of Kingdomes , and extend An Empires armes a war may authorize : The Prince , whom sacred leaues doe most commend , And by the style of heau'n is writt most wise . Made all the people tributarie bee , Were from Euphrates to the midland sea . Or to recouer , what our right hath beene , And what s deteind vniustly , to regaine , Where iustice ends , there iustlie warrs begin , Our Edward thus did war in Aquitaine . Thus fierce Camillus taught th' insulting Gaule To weigh the treasure , and restore it all . King Iohn had setled vpon Charles his sonne Aquitaines D●rchie ; which did owe her state To Englands Edward , who confirm'd it on The Prince , with charge his right to vindicate . Kings doe marke Kings proceedings , and to eye Their waies is politicke necessitie . This was that Charles , whom the French stories writ First Dolphin : Vinbert broken at the chance Of 's onely sonnes decease , did giue his right Of Dolphinie to Phillip King of France : But with this coution conferd the same , They should the heire of Franee the Dolphin name Goe vindicate thy right ? a word what can Effect a wonder on lame cowardise , And teach it moue : but to the Prince a man To picture prowes by , it doth but this , Remoue those letts which did his vallour stay ; Streames haue selfe motions , take the dams away . Thus when a pondrous stone , whose wight propende Downe to the loued center , with a stop Hath an encounter as it downeward tends : And with the interposure is kept vp , Whose'uer shall displace the impediment , Imparts no motion but by accident . Still had their King seene peaces laughing browe , And smoother front , had he not bard his foes Of that , for which there was no right to show , As once a Pope the Indies did dispose . Which made the barberous King to laugh at this , One should dispose of what was none of his . But th' vnexperienc'd King dares sport with flame , And sindge his royall pinions , he doth thinke The bloody dye of Mars is but a game : And thirsts wars bitter potions to drinke . His father dranke not all the violls vp , Edward's his doctour to dresse him a cup. He musters vp his men , extracts the best Out of the English masse , Salsbury , L●le , Suffolke and Warwicke : men that might contest With antiquie worth , and leade the right hand file . Wise Princes haue wise seconds , nor alone Imbarke in actions , eyes see more then one . Suppose the gen'rall wise , and valiant , Such the commanders ; yet if be proposd Proiects of consequence , they doe not grant They should in one brests conclaue be disposd . But call a martiall court , and there debate Which side makes best conclusion for the state . Such were the souldiers here , and such the head , Mars could not here select a souldiar out ▪ But could command ; no captaine but could lead The Gods , when they against the Giants fought . Mars would haue chose these soldiars in his wars , And Mars his soldiars Edward for their Mars . The Prince eight thousand sineweie archars bringes , Armed with fatall engins , which were try'd , And neuer taught the foile ; as if their wings Impropriated conquest to their side : Their whistleling shafts alway victorious fly , Featherd with plumes were pluckt from victorie . A thousand men of armes calld out , did looke Like yron statues , art had taught to goe : Which stood more firmely on the ground they tooke Than Macedon●● Phalanx er could doe . And as the Prince these fierie warriours led , He seemd the star some Comet followed . More to distract , and more to terrifie , The English land in diuers parts of France : Whilst Glosters forces fight in Normandie , Wales doth in Aquitane the war aduance . For in a war that hath more seates then one , More fear 's diffused , and more pillage wone . Charles of Na●ar challeng'd a right in ●ry , Great Gloster tooke vp armes in Charles his right , And in his owne Edwar did France defie , For right the Prince , for right did Gloster fight . For those false Keyes which locke vp iustice , are The Keyes which ope Ianus his dores of war Gloster with Philip brother of Nauar , Preuailes in Normandie : takes Narbon in , Forces C●rcassou ; nor durst fortune bare The cittyes gates , which Gloster meant to win . He shot without a counterbuffing stocke , Like to a thunderbolt through Languedocke . But Glosters not my theame : ( though that too hi● For best of quils to reach ) I must retreate To Edwards quarters , and there vainely try To make his greatnes make these measures great . The onely muse I sue to is his name , And vncorrupt relation of his fame . And now my fancy sees great Edward rise , Mars his Enthusiast : his actions were Raptures of valour , and deepe extasies Of man aboue himselfe : for drawing heere His spirits from their matter , passed more Himselfe , then he surpass'd the world before . He on the stage of Aquitane did play That part , which none beside can personate : In euery course or found or made away , And prostrates as infallible as fate . Like to deaths harbinger his passage made , And there death lodged , where he lodg'd his blade Citties of such a strength ( that they had beene Abler t'ensure the Godlings from surprise , Than bodging in strange shapes : ) did let him in As if he had beene keeper of the keyes . And raineing arrowes in a featherd shower , He could haue peirc'd more then a brazen tower . Some townes inueited by their strength withstand , Not out of hope to stand but out of shame : Some yeeld more to his name , than to his hand , For that had summond them , before he came . Whilst some are forc'd , some yeelded , as he went , And seem'd to haue beene won by precedent . Thus fall the shrubs , poore neighbours of an oke , Whose top kisseth the clouds , whose root sounds hel Which vanquisht by th' assault of sturdy stroke With groniug fall the vnderwood doth fell . Small states sinke with the fall of greater states , The same their fortunes , and the same their fates . Ciement the sixt of Rome strikes in for peace , An act of which few of them guilty are : The Papacie arriu'd at the increase Of her progression by forraine war . And since the Eagle did some plumes afford , It thriu'd lesse by the keyes , than by the sword . But Wales th' exact Idea of a sonne , And trew commander , wiselie did deni 't : Vnwarranted from home had it been done , He had entrenchd vpon his fathers right . Th' jniunctions of thy Prince must stand , not thine The soule of Martiall feasts is discipline . Sterne Manlius yeelds his victorious sonne , Vnto the lictors axe , because he fought Without command though challendg ; and had won The day from Metius , and rich spoiles had brought , The losse of such a sonne doth rather choose Than Rome the least of discipline should loose . No eare to lecture of soft peace is turnd , Mars his red letters writt with sword and speare Must still be read , his valour 's but adjournd T is not prorogu'd : it was no period here But as a breathing comma to the Prince , Such stops as these are spurs to violence . As I haue seene come galloping amaine A gentle Knight , who meeting on the roade An old frind long vnseene , doth entertaine Someshort discourse , then with his gingling goade Pricke vp grashopper , and deuoure the way , And win with speed , what he had lost by stay . And thus a streame prowd with a fall of raine Topping his bankes , and scorning the controule Of a poore chanell winneth from the plaine , And with impetuous violence doth roule . But if some dam shall countercheck his waues , It breakes the dam , and more insulting raues . The Prince shoot smoothly though without recoile ; And townes so eas'lie homag'd to his name , As if he went but to receiue the spoyle , Which fortune had told out against he came . And with so swift dispatch effected this , That Caesars Vici was but slow to this . Faire fortune was engrossd for him by fate , Yet was he not more fortunate , then wise : Wise as Huniades , as fortunate As Castriot , which two this one comprise . He seemd to take townes at a cast , and get ( As one Timoleon ) citties in a net . Now shiuring winter fledg with featherd raine Couerd the earth with beds of watrish downe Which warnes the Prince to quit the open plaine , And haue his soldiars winterd in a towne . Who vnto Burdeux vninpeachd retreates , And for that yeere takes leaue of matiall feates . The carefull Prince will not his men bestow In fields vnsheltred , whilst the leagring cold , And battring engins of chill ice , and snow Assault the spirits , and surprize their hold . Who let their men i th field in winter lie , Both combat nature , and the enemie . The Sun surrownding with a fleet carrere , On the highway of the Eclipticke line : Had inned in his winter signes that yeere , And at the goale his mounture did decline . Thus Edward to his winter Tropick came , Aduancing through the Zodiacke of fame . As when a fat , and teemeing soile is growne Leane , and o'respent ; and by its often birth Threatens a barren womb , the moileing clowne Fallowes the acres of his languisht earth . Thus chiefes indulge their weari'd soldiars rest , And husband valour in their fallow'd brest . Apollos yew is not at all times bent , It sometime feriates , and string is slackt : The sinews of his lyre not alway rent With screwing torture nor with winding rackt These rests and stops with sweet varietie , Tune all our actions to a harmonie . Now had the Sun rid through his winter stage , And lighted at the lusty ram : the earth With hearbs , as Aeson , did renew her age , And was impregnate with a numerous birth . Flora to ope her wardrobe did begin , As 't were to decke her at her lying in . The constellation of the winged steed Rising with Sol , attempereth the ayre To the radicall humour , and doth breede Blood in the strouting veines , and sprights repaire . Soldiars in spring doublie their seruice can , A man in winter is but halfe a man . The Prince , who had in winter seem'd to set , Aduanceth forward , with th' aduancing Sun : Doth not his resolute designes forget , Nor to consummate what he had begun . Not to promote what we doe once comence , Argues a weakenesse , and a diffidence . Vaines would be cram'pd ; the stream of blood would freeze , In the old chanels , should they longer lie : And if they still should sacrifice to ease , Valour would fall into alethargie . Dull lakes are choakt with melancholie mud , Motions doth cleare , and cristallize a flood No body's 〈◊〉 healthfull without exercise , Iust wars are exercises of a state : Vertue 's in motion , and contends to rise , With generous ascents aboue a mate . Princes in motion with the spheares contest , Made more for veneration , then for rest . With vncontrowled march he did aduance Througb Bruges , Perigort , and Limosin : And seizd the bosome of affrighted France , The terrour of his acts vsherd him in . The lowd report of his victorious name Did execution long before he came . As when the nurses rod cannot appease The Child ; at th' hearing of some horrid name 'T is husht : thus Turkey with Huniades Stilled their children saying that he came . A frightfull name 's as forciue as a blow , Both Edwards name , and arme can ouerthrow . For he , like light diffused , in the aire , Spreads without opposition , meets no stay To checke his faire proceedings , nor impaire His smoother fortune wheeling on her way . No lets encountred with his fortunes yet , They ran as smoothly as Musaeus writ . As yet ther 's no abatement of his power , No blood expended , they did nothing meet Whereby they might diegust the wars , no sower As yet had beene attempe●d with their sweet . Thus Arethusa slides through Neptunes bed , And keepes her maiden streame vnrauished . But whether march we ? are the armes of France Pinio'nd with feare ? What not a Caualleere : That for his mistris sake dare try his Lance ; If not for 's country be a champion here ? Yes now their horsemen like a tempest come , Acknowledgd then the flower of Christendome . King Iohn such vnexpected hast did make ( His spirits heated with too quicke a fire : ) He did the Prince at Poictiers ouertake ; He wingd his hope , and imped his desire , As if he would his hastie fates importune He might outrun his father in misfortune . The King mistooke it for a chase , and thought To ouertake , were to surprize his foe ▪ As when a hownd with snufling long hath sought Through way lesse woods which way the game did goe , Rouses by chance a Lyon for a deere ▪ And thus the French did rowse a Lyon heere . Vnder the heauie burthen of their power They seem'd to make the groning earth to yeeld : And with a clowd of men ( able to shower Distruction on the world , ) darken the field . A whirlewind scowring from the Northern waine Did ease th' oppressed , cleare the darkned plaine . They had the odds of number sixe to one , A wonder by a sixth to be withstood : So many Speares at once , and lances showne , Did in a champaine seeme to make a wood . But I haue heard , a wolfe did neuer feare , A flock of sheepe , how great so e'r it were . Let fond Tigranes in a proud despight Scoffe at Romes handfull , and in brauerie Brag to his men , they were too few for fight , And but too many for an embassie . They chas'd this bragart , and the conquest wou , And made his honour set before the Sun . They haue the odds of country : the cause is Try'd in their court ; and we are forc'd to play In their owne alley : nay , they 're strain by this To fight ; they loose the country with the day . But in inuasiue wars abroad , we doe But loose our selues , and not our country too . Vpon the foyle , where thou wert borne , to flee Cryes bastard in thy face : is it not iust To pay her life , whch once did lend it thee ? Ner couldst thou better dye and once thou must . Giue me a cocke that nere durst strick a blow , Vpon his dunghill he will beat his foe . Nay , as if fortune had a patent lent For France , t' ingrosse all the aduantages , Odds in conceit ; conceit , an instrument , Which though pantasticke , gets realities . The pregnant mothers strong imagination Hath giuen her wombe a reall alteration . The King of France his army did draw out , And on a spacious plaine imbatteled : His num'rous multitude he wheeld about Like the first mouer ; and the fields did spread With traine too long , and wings too short to fly , Vnto so high a pitch as victory . His hopes had now impos'd on his beleife That he already had the victorie : He thinkes that tedious , which all else thinke briefe He meanes to ●●●ne his battaile presentlie . Desires are ha●●ie , and when hopes are strong , Minutes are lazie , and compendiums long . They thinke to scourge our heros , and with steele Whip this yong warriour , who now was made Professor in his art , and scornd to feele Checke , or correction from the proudest blade . It cannot come into their memories , He had at Crescey fought his master prize . Scorning the petty numbers which we brought , They rate them pris'ners more then enemies : And against light , and truth of nature thought That efficatious force in number lies . He is blind-hardy , that will dangers slight For they grow heauy , when they once seeme light If chance claimd not an interest in tents , And schooles of Mars , then the French numbers might Seeme in good eyes enforcing arguments For strong conclusions , but she claimes such right , That t is a question whether Rome ought more To her owne fortitude , or to this whore . But France hath greater opposition here Than single fortune had we cowards beene , She had imparkd vs like a heard of deere , But in so few ne'r was more valour seene . A multitude could neuer make a head Against feirce Lyons if by Lyons lead ▪ Whilst the French swolne with vaine , & sickish hope Of victory , are ready now to burst In feaue'rish choler on the foe ; the Pope With fatherly prevention tried first , It for such feavers any thing might be A soueraigne cure besides Phlebotomie . To meditate betweene this mighty paire He sent two Cardinalls : the French withstood With eares of proofe , and fortified 'gainst prayer , Their Crosier staues could here doe little good , Nay , if the herauld of the gods had come , He might haue broke his rod , and so flowne home . We were too far gone in this maze to flye , Nor humane iudgement could present a light To shew vs out ; Time , and necessity Aduise the Prince leane to a Peace , which might Be not inglorious , and giue a blow Vpon his honour deeper then a foe . But France presuming fatally there are Vpon her side matchles aduantages , Will heare no musicke but the sounds of warre , The hymnes of Peace are but dull aires to these . Thus Semele the thundercracke will heare , And dies with that , which onely pleas'd her eare The Prince beset with strong obiections Of opposits can no euasion see : Would therefore yeeld to faire conditions , Nay , yeeld vp all things but himselfe ; and he Cannot be guilty of such base controwle Whose body't selfe 's no prison to his soule , Yet this , and onely this can satisfie Their high desires : Edward must basely yeeld Himselfe a pris'ner : nay he 'le rather dye , Than yeeld , and liue : nay fore he quits the field , He 'le take their King : t is iust , he that will choose , To take thy freedome , should his freedome loose . He giues conditions , as if we were Now in his hands , and really possest In 's ouerweening thoughts : and doth not feare Our fortune , and our valour : but profest Hee 'd set vs Lawes : but Edward thought it fit , Those Lawes like Dracos should in blood be writ . His articles at first did terrour strike , And did our minds in darke suspenses hold , But ended things to laugh at ; not vnlike The armed charets in the field of old Wherein both sithes , and hookes and speares were borne : Were first a terrour , afterward a scorne . To yeeld ones selfe , and yeeld before a blow Calls indignation ftom a cowards brest . He could not yeeld his honour to his foe , For others had in it some interest . He had deceiu'd country , and King for he To them for 's honour must accomptant be . His life , and honour at the stake did lie . Set to be throw'n at in this martiall game : Hee 'l therefore vse his life couragiously To keepe from forfeit his vngaged fame ; And with a fearelesse progresse dangers meet , Life not in length , but in the vse is sweet . The King of France an errour did commit , ( And wars for errours scarce haue second roome ) Had he but tymd it , and not ioyned yet We easely would to composition come . Fortune 's a Market , if a while you stand , Things doe grow cheape , and fall into your hand . We could not with prouision be stor'd , He might haue cut it off without a blow : Famine had beene more forciue , than the sword ; But he will fondly buckle with his foe ; And by his folly make our fortune great ; Serpents proue Dragons when they Serpens eate . Great actions are not moulded on t of hand , They aske their time for iust conception ; Least they should proue blind issues ; they deman A first , and second agitation , And are on arguments of Counsell tost , Or on the waues of fortune they are lost . When mature counsell hath concluded , what Is to be done ; and how contriu'd ; wee need Dispatch , the life of things , to practise that : Consult at leisure , prosecute with speed . Which Tytus by his emblem well descride , A nimble Dolphin to an anchor ty'd . King Iohn admits no consultation To ripen his designes , as if 't had beene Too short a time for his perdition . Grapling with dangers brings them sooner in . Actions are weakned with too hasty speed , Thus predigestion doth diseases breed . He Kenns not precedents that went before , But with erected , and ambitious eye , Thinkes on surmis'd aduantages to sore , Nor minding what 's before him , to mount high . Thus a seeld doue with right vp mountures flies , Because she sees not , what before her lies . If he had but his fathers legend read , There had beene lectures to haue taught him wit . The name of Crescey might haue strooke him dead , To thinke like fortune might attend vs yet . Heau'n destining a fall , muffies the eyes , And when it will destroy , it stupefies . When some did th' Emperour Charles the fourth aduise To dare the Turkish cressant , he refusd : 'Cause through the current of all histories , He saw much blood was in those warres effusd . The ancient times , what is the best , doe show , The moderne teach what is most fit to doe . When Zeuxis did his Iuno goe about , From the choise shapes of th' Agrigentine Dames , He culd the rarest of perfections out . Thus Princes doe arriue at highest names , For they the best of all examples take , When they the Iuno of their power doe make . Their former suffrings might instructions be : T is best anothers madnesse to inioy : They might their owne through other danger see , And with what fate we did our shafts employ . From fire which hath once burnt it , to refreine , Moues in the circle of an Infants braine , When Archimedes engins once had feard , And did at Siracuse the Romans maull , Not one in all the leager once appeard , But stood the space of danger from the wall . If they a peece of rope , or wood did spy , Supposing it an engin , they would flie . From his owne losse hee 'l read instruction , And try experience on himselfe : they sing To a deafe rocke , who tune perswasion : The Card'nalls is dull rhet'ricke : for a King Not to be forced is a glorious state , But not perswaded is a dangerous fate . Wise Chiefes would purchase , were it to be sold , A foes returne : which made that worthy say , If he will goe , make him a bridge of gold , No mettall is too deare to paue his way . Vnwelcome oppositions will at length Create a sudden fury , and new strength . The Freneh well mounted did so firmely ride , They seemd some monster made of man and beast : Thus rid the Centaures by Enipus side , Inuited to Peryth'ous bridall feast . Nessus did fall by great Alcides Bow , Thus the French Centaures haue their ouerthrow . Iohn on his horse the confidence did lay , And thinkes he sooner shall vpon their speed Allight at th' hope , and honour of the day , But this opinion did an errour breed . An eye through water measures nothing streight , Nor wisedome through the glasse of preconceit . He sees not how the prince had layd his men Close in a bushie , and vnequall ground , His horse though better could doe nothing then , And while at once they feele the arrowes wound And windings of a bush , they doe mistake , They feele the stinging of some winding snake . A ground ( as I haue seene some dining roome Whose seeling art hath cut in wandring vines ) So that by nature : that no horse can come , But is supplanted by th' intangling twines The creeping vines with their erronious course , Were made by nature shackles for their horse . We this aduantage borrowd from the place , The French Kings errour doth another make : No place was giu'n by merit , but by grace , Which make deseruers cold to vndertake . When no faire aspect shineth on deserts , There is a dearth presag'd on armes , and arts . Three hundred horse he culled from the rest , The rest conceiuing it a high neglect , Thinke themselnes worst , 'cause others are thought best . And 'gin to enuie , whom he did select . Enuie's a race , in which the runners , minde Those , who doe run before , not who behind . In great designes we such impressions see Impeach an action , where the mind must looke Pointblank vpon the worke , nor squinting bee By the affections from the bus'nes tooke . A shaking eye hath an vncertaine sight , And minds by passion moued aime not right . Vext with disgrace they discontented grow , And thus distracted , either study why They were reiected with dislike , or how To be reueng'd for such an iniurie . And readi'r are to double their despight , Than animate their courages to fight . The Prince helpt by these errours , and the ground Strengthen'd by nature , where his men were laid , Vs'd art to make it stronger then 't was found , That it might more vnpassable be made . Rests not in what was by meere nature done ▪ Art is to perfect what that hath begun . The night before , ditches , and trenches cast , So wide , they might not by the horse be leapt . His Archers close behind the banks were plac't , From whence they shot , and were so safely kept . That I would prooue , and by no proofe but this , The place conserueth what contayned is . Yet it were weaknesse , if he were content With strength of place : and therfore that he might Haue brests as fortifi'd , he did present His men with the necessity to fight . When a , needs must , commands vs to begin , Wee loose with honour , or with wonder win . His men with obstinacy armed so , And resolution , that the farwell breath Of Edwards gasping men could blast a foe . And if no friends would vindicate their death , Yet this should be their comfort , here to dye , Would be their birth-day to eternity . And now with horrour I the French espy Come rowling o'r the Champaine like a flood . Their swords like scourging Comets in the Skie Prognosticated deluges of blood , To drowne vs in , but that the English bow Like the propitious meteor sayd no. Here you may see their formest troope of horse With a resolued brau'rie charge the bankes : There see the ruder archers breake their course , And spoile the method of their orderd rankes . Thus 'gainst a rocke deepe founded in the maine , The waues oft sally , oft repulst againe . There see their second troope so close compact , As if that all should but inflict one stroke ; And be as but one person in that act : But falling on our men at armes , are broke . Thus on the stones a storme of haile doth fall , It breakes it selfe , and doth not hurt at all . Now see the third ride forward in a braue , Then backward beat , then vanish out of sight . As I haue seene a straw slide on a waue , Vntill encountred by a narrow streight , Then forward , backward , and about it whirles , And then is swallow'd in the watrish curles . We had beene ouerlai'd with numbers now , And if declining had beene crushed streight : The body of our army did not bow , But standing right is settled with their weight . Imposed weights columnes which leane deface , But standing streight they fixe them on their base Had Plato seene this armie he would sweare , ( Rauisht to see such wonders done by men ) Valours Idea had existence there , And ne'r before vouchsafd to lodge with men . Valour so high , that whatsoe'r may be Conceiud of it , is no hyperbolie . Here Edward fought , and there the French men fly , Whilst he an alley through their quarters made : They count it not a harme , but grace to dye , If that their deaths were honourd by his blade , No Herauld shows an armes of such a note , As where his weapons gaue the bloody coat . There Audley stood , thus Diomed did stand , When he the God of battaile did defie : His flaming sword came lightening from a hand , Of as swift execution , as his eye . The bloodie lines which there his steele did write , Were perfect copies how the world should fight . Who is that ? Warwicke ? yes 't is he , be gone , He is deaths swordbearer , who went before To make death way , which else could haue got none ▪ He slaughterd many , and affrighted more . The thunder dart though but on one it fall , Yet doth it strike a terrour on them all . There come the common soldiars , who did light Their valour at their Captaines : no commands Of leaders , but examples bid them fight , They seemd like Briareus with 's hundred hands . And if imploy'd , they could as well , as he , Haue rescus'd Iupiter , and set him free . So many heapes of slaughterd men did raise The field in swelling hills , that no man will Haue faith enough in these last faithlesse dayes , To thinke the sword so many men could kill ; But rather that some stroke from heau'n did fall , Or spreeding sicknesse did infect them all . Those witty feigners of antiquitie , That with a drop was from some louer shed , Could giue a tincture to the mulberie , And make her greener fruit , looke sanguine red . Had they then liued and this field had seene There had no fruit in all the world beene greene . See in that heape one man among the rest , Vnder those bleeding carcasses suruiue , And by the weightie multitude opprest : Themselues vnburi'd bury him aliue . And must be pleasd with this vnequall lot , The liuing shall haue graues , the dead haue not . Here armes lopt off ; put them in mind to vse The service of their legges in time , before They shall those necessarie members loose . Here one that lost a leg fretted , and swore At his owne madnesse he so long should stay That now he could not run , but hop away . There might you see a helmet full of head , Like to an yron monument stand out . Here all the field with plumes of feathers spread , Which mocked by the winds did fly about . The hou'ring plumes presented to their sight , Was a presaging emblem of their flight . Here Iohn of France with steely wand did show Wonders , incircled in a hostile ring : There hardy Phillip ran the army through , To disengage his father , and his King . Thus Affrican amongst the thickest ranckes , Fought for old Scipio at Ticinus bankes . But what is that I heare ? o 't is fly , fly , Or a rude noise of Soldiars that would ●iue , And in confusion for quarter cry , Which should they sooner aske , hee 'd sooner giue . Valour , and mercy are the fixed poles On which the spheare of Edwards honor rowles . Kings are Gods pictures , and their mercy lend , Best life vnto the Peeces clemency , And moderation doe best commend Their actions , and their fortunes beautifie . These glorious lustres are the varnish cast , Which makes their acts not onely shine , but last Mercy declard vnto a foe , doth show W' are cit'zens of this world ; and would not be Cut off by ferity ; and le ts men know No sep●ratists are in humanity , Here we maintaine communion , for our hearts Are continents not Iles from other parts . King Iohn with humble state is entertaind , Not dealt with roughly as an enemy ; Edward by valour his first conquest gaind , And wins a second by his courtesie . Base wolues , and beares still vrge a yeelding foe , Edward's a Lion , and he cann't doe soe . In midst of triumph , here the crier say , Remember thou art man , to moderate Thy fortune : on a steep descent wee stay , Our selues , and horse ; thus in a high-raisd state We vse a moderation , and begin On fortunes steepe to reine our pnssions in . So many pris'ners at this battaile tooke , Who did into the armes of mercy yeeld : As might haue taken vs ; at the first looke They seemd enough to win againe the field . Saue that these odds did for the English stand , One keeper can ten prisoners command . So many Noble Lords did write with blood , And seale with wounds that France did loue her King As if the Nobles did not thinke it good , The commons should their testimonie bring To ratifie that truth ; themselues will be Th' onely subscribers to this veritie . Edward the heau'ns doth humblie gratifie , Whose starrs had for him in their courses fought , And leade him by the hand to victorie And like sure conuoies through his dangers brought : Timotheus thriues not , after he denies A share to fortune in his victories . Then he bestowes rich larges on his men T' enflame their minds , that if they did not loue Vertue for her owne selfe , rewards should then Win their loues to her , and their dulnesse moue . Reward is the great pillar of a state , Which doth support as strongly , as her fate . Then heightens them with commendations , praise Is the reflexion doth from vertue rise ; These faire encomiums doe vertue raise To higher acts : to praise is to aduise , Telling men what they are , we let them see , And represent to them what they should be . And they were worthy of it : Rome ne'r saw An armie yet , to which this hoast would yeeld , Nor brauer Chiefe than Edward er'e did draw Her powerfull legions into the field . Edward shall mate the proudest He of Rome , Let Caesars selfe her great dictator come . When Rome had conquerd all the world beside , Then , and but then she durst attempt the Gaules , Gaules , who before her powers did deride , And oft had scourged her at her owne walls . Rome neuer durst the stubborne Gaul defie , Till she had not another enemie . But England had another powerfull foe , The hardy Scot , to threaten from the North Incursions : yet then did Edward goe From home , and lead with him an army forth . And spight of Oracle a conquest win Which said we should with Scotland first begin . Victorious Cesar bed ezperienc'd men , Custom'd as well to conquests , as to fights : Those whom heroicke Wales conducted then , Were but meere nouices in Mars his rites . New chang'd the whip for sword , the share for sheild , And Ceres fat for Mars his bloodie field . The Gaules indeed were resolute in war , Whom Cesar with his legions vanquished : Yet were those Gaules inferiour by far Vnto the French : for the French conquered The Gaules , who could not then themselues defend Eue'n when that Rome did them assistance lend . Ariouistus with his Germans had The Gaules in slauerie ( a great allay To the best temperd spirits ) and had made Factions to take their soueraignetie away . Seditions are the rills , which at the length , Weaken the current , and maine streame of strength But now the French were free , a setled state , And fixt in the obedience to one Lord , A King for fame , and fortune wondred at , Vnder his colours Kings did draw the sword . A King for whom one did himselfe bereaue Of rule for loue , and one for money leaue . Against a state so strong , and setled thus , Edward durst come with an vnpractisd few , The French had more aduantages of vs , ●han Cesar of those Gaules he ouerthrew . And yet there were more markes of valour mad● In France by th' English than the Roman blade . Then why hath history so copious beene , In old Romes strength , as if it meant to say , Not what should win beliefe , but wonder win , Thus Alexander left in India So great an armour , which should rather be , T' amaze , than to informe posteritie . Mighty third Edward thou didst propagate Strength in thy children , though we often see Their seed degen'rous , and t is thought a fate The sons of Heroes should a blemish bee , Pure was the graine when it at first was sowne , But it hath many huskes when it is growne . Who hath in vertues Zenith seated beene Swerues farthest in his fall : a mighty spright , Highly sublim'd is stranger to a meane : Nor is it foild in sinne , but falls downe right . And for the sinnes which such great sires haue don The heau'ns haue oft tooke vengeance on the son . And sometime too , great men vxorious are , ( So was Themistocles ) and let their wiues With too indulgent education mar The hoped fortunes of their childrens liues . Children like water on a table spilt Are easely drawne into what shape thou wilt . But noble Edwards fortitude descends Downe to his sonnes : this royall Eagle breeds An airie of true Eaglets , not commends Doues to the world ; a valiant race succeeds . This valliant father : ne'r could Heros vaunt Of two such mighty sonnes as Wales and Gaunt . Now farewell Lords , who seeme t' haue thrown despaire Vpon the world ; which feares while it shal last It hardly shall be crownd with such a paire , For nature lost the moulds , where they were cast : Or else in making them she spent such store , That she hath scarse materialls for more . FINIS .