The ghost of Richard the Third expressing himselfe in these three parts, [brace] 1. His character, 2. His legend, 3. His tragedie : containing more of him then hath been heretofore shewed, either in chronicles, playes, or poems.

His Character . WHat Magick , or what Fiends infernall hand , Reares my tormented Ghost from Orcus Flame ? And lights my Conscience , with her burning Brand , Through Death , and Hell , to view the Worlds faire Frame ? Must I againe regreete my Natiue Land , Whose Graues resound the horror of my Name ? Then gaspe those Marble Iawes ; and Birds of Night , Perplex my passage to the loathed Light . Some Consciences , with soules , may hope for Peace , When all their veniall , and their petty Crimes Are expiate , but mine will neuer cease ; T' augment my Torment , past all Worlds and Time ; Damn'd deeds in life , damn'd pennance doth encrease ; Mens soules may fly their bodies putrid Clymes ; But horrid paines still cleaue to foule offence ; Nor will the sinne forsake the Conscience . Giue way Times Pageants ; Bubbles , but a Blast ; Obiects for idle spirits , whose vanitie Feede Streames of Humors , in this Sea of Waste ; Where Carpet Courtlings swim in Brauery ; Such Comick Puppets are not Things to last ; Subiects vnfit for Fame , or Memory ; But Time , nor Age , can paralell , or stayne My Bloudy scoe●es , which Death hath dyde in grayne . Vale Natures ●urselings ; Fortunes Fauorites ; Whose percell-guylt , my Touch will not endure ; Fostrers of Fooles , and glib-Tongu'd Parasites ; Sick of Times Lethargie ; past hope of Cure ; Cameleons in your Change of gaudy Sights ; How wanton Salmasis with Lust impure Cleaues to your soules ? proues ye of two fold Kind , Male in the Body ; Female in the Mind ? Wallow in Wast , still iet in sumptuous Weeds ; Waue feathered Gulls with Wind : & shrinck with Raine , Buskin'd ye are but not for lofty deeds ; No stately Matter e're inspyr'd your Braines ; Nought but soft Loue , your great Ambition Feeds ; None sencible of Pleasure ; but of Paine Must looke on me ; such whose high Thoughts are fed , With spirit , and Fame , from dust of Bodies , dead . Thinke Ye that Graues , and hollow Vaultes inherit Nought but Obliuion , and Impotence ? Doth not from Death arise an other spirit , Of high Resolue th' extracted Quintessence ? Fame is the Agent to substantiall merit , And beares about the Worlds Circumference All deeds notorious ; which Time remembers ; Thus Phoenix like , Life springs from down-trod E●●bers Then as th' Almighty Thunde●er doth shake , ( With selfe-bred Fumes ) th' Immense and Massie Earth ; No lesse amazement may my Fury make In my Liues horror , from my Monstrous Byrth : And since I 'm raised from Hells burning Like , I le fright the World ▪ and chase all Formes of Mirth , From this now Mimick and ridiculous stage ; I sing of Murther , Tyrany , and Rage . Then let the Canker'd Trumpets of the Deepe ; Proclaime my Entrance , to this stagie Round ; That I may startle Worldlings from their sleepe , Their sences in security fast bound : My Tongue in firie Dragons Spleene I steepe , That Acts , with Accents , Cruelty may ●ound ; As once the Furies snakes hist in my Breath , When I kist Horror ; and engender'd Death . And that my Deuilish Braine may not be dull , But touch the quick of each ambitious Soule , I take the Wittiest Polliticians Skull , That euer Hells black Booke did yet enroule ; His Mazor fill'd with Stygian Iuice brym-full , And innocent Blood , fit for an Ebon Bowle , I quaffe to all damn'd spirits , and I know well They 'l pledg me , though they drinke as deepe as Hell . All yee then that are flesh't in Tyranny , View me , your ruthlesse President and Mirror ; Now all Earths glew●d together villany , Dissolue , and melt , with pale , and gastly Terror : Loe I vnclaspe the Booke of Memory , Rowze bed-rid Age , fowle sinne , and smooth fac'd error , And with all these awake Antiquity , To sing my Actions to Posterity . In my Conception , Nature stroue with Kinde ; When in the hea●e of Blood , and Lusts desire , Imagination mou'd ( a part of Mind ) And with the Seede commixt an ardent Fire ; A strange Effect , these Powres should be combyn'd , The Mortall , with th' Immortail Part Conspire To forme a Prodegy , the World to fright , To blemish Humanes , and distayne the Light . For Why , my Mother in the strength of Thought , Propos'd vnto her Apprehensiue Powre , Some monstrous Birth , by Natures Error wrought , On which all Plannets of good luck did lowre ; My Syre , Corruption to this Fancy brought ; My Mother languish't many a tedious houre ; Trauell brought Sweate , and Grones ; Shee long'd to see , Her burth'nous Fraught ; at last She brought forth Me. My Legges came formost ; an vnequall Payre ; Much like the Badgers , that makes swiftest speede In waies vneuen : which shew'd that no course faire Should crowne my Life , and actions to succeed : Hollow my Cheekes ; vpon my Brest , black Hayre , The Characters of spleene and virulent deeds ; My Beetle-Brow , and my fire-cyrcled Eye , Foreshew'd me Butcher , in my Cruelty . Then as a Brow bent Hill , much vndermin'd , Casts scowling Shadowes , o're the neighb'ring Plaines , Which th' approchers feare , as being enclyn'd To bury all , his spatious Reach containes , So Mountaine-like was I contract behind ; That my stretch't Armes ( plumpe with ambitious veines ) Might crush all Obstacles , and throw them downe , That stood betwixt my Shadow and a Crowne . And as a Rauens Beake , pointed to the South Crokes following Ill , from sharpe and rau'nous maw ; Such cry Yorkes Bird sent from a fatall mouth ; Boading confusion to each wight I saw . To adde to these ( as Token of more Ruth ) Th' amazed Women started ; for each Iaw Appear'd with teeth ; which Mark made these Ils , good ; That I should woorry Soules ; suck humane Blood . My Father rau'd ; my Mother curst her Wombe ; Th' impris'ned winds shooke Earth , 〈…〉 & burst their Caues ; And Time ( swolne big with sad Euents to come ) Did send forth Throes , eccho'd by gasping Graues ; The Lights of Heauen , dropt on the worlds darke Tombe ; Horror inuades the Maine , whose raging Waues Doe foame , and swell aboue their bounds ( the Earth ) These fatall Signes raign'd at my fearefull Byrth . In progresse of my Childhood ; with delight I taught my Nature to see Fowles to bleede ; Then at the Slaughter-house with hungry sight , Vpon slaine Beasts my sensuall part did feede ; And ( that which gentler Natures might affright ) I search't their Entrayles , as in them to reade ( Like th' Ancient Ba●ds ) what fate should thence be●ide , To cherish Sin , and propagate my Pride . Then ( as I waxed in Maturity ) I would frequent the Sessions , and those Places Where guilty Men receiu'd their doomes to Dye ; As well to note the Gestures , and the Graces Of those were cast ; as of the Iudges Eye ; How these looke pale ; the others Front out-faces Eene death it selse , and hence I learned how To conquer Pitty , with a bended Brow . Now ( to confirme these Notions in my Braine And to chase thence , all Naturall Formes of Good ) To presse to Executions sooth'd my vaine , To see men reeking in their Sweate , and Bloud ; O how remorslesse was I of their Paine ! It was my Cordiall , and my nourishing ●ood : These ruthles Thoughts , were in my hart so rise , That I could laugh at Death , and sport with Life . A● Butchers and loath'd Hang-men , in their Life ; ( Through Bent of Mind , and instrumentall partes ) Being often vs'd vnto the bloody Knife , Make Blood , and Death , the habits of their Harts : And therefore since with them , such Acts are ri●e , The Lawes of Kinde ( in Liew of their deserts ) ●xempted haue from Life and Deaths sterne Iewries , Who ( for their Natures ) might well ranke with Furies . So this habituall Custome , euer breeds , Such fixt impression in th' Affects , and Sence ; That thence the Minde receaues Corruptiue Seedes , Nor doth sincerely take the difference Twixt Cruell actions , and compassionate deeds ; So Man , and Beast , with Guylt , and Innocence , Are all alike to Tyrants , in their swayes ; Where sensuall Will commands ; and not obaies . Thus as Contagious Ayre breeds some disease , Which all vnseene creeps on in fowle infection ; Till at the lat the vitall parts it ceaze , And in his Mortall kind , attaines perfection : So by Corruption of such Thoughts as these : And giuing way to Humor and Affection , Pernitious Ills encreas'd ; and thus I found How Pitty lost , and Cruelty won her Ground . Now , for I knew great spirits in Ignorance , Were farre vnfit to sway , or to Command : Since cunning Arts , do Pollitick Ends aduance , I sought to ioyne their Strengths into one Band ; And ( t'arme my selfe against the Threats of Chance ) I gaue my selfe corruptly t' understand Letters , and Artes , who●e superficiall Skill , Might lay the Ground , to propagate my Ill. Hence were my Organs apt , and Parts dispos'd To giue my Intellect , the Formes of Things : Hence was the Chao● of my Braine disclos'd , That through each sence , conue●'d their hidden springs ; Their winding Streames yet , in my Sea were Cloz'd ; Which made me swell in state , and surge with Kings ; Yet with no Lyne , or Plummet , to be sounded ; Nor in no Limit , but a Crowne , be bounded . In my Designes , I bore no wexen face , To take the Print of any Formes within ; I had a Forge , that temper'd it like Brasse ; Not by my Tongue , my Hart was knowne , or seene ; Betweene these two there was so ample space , That Words and Thoughts , were neuer of a kin ; With Threats I could all●e , smile , when I fround ; Kisse , when I kil'd , and heale , when I did wound . From Schoole-mens Customes , I obseru'd some Skill ; What 's their nice Learning , and their wrangling S●r●fe , But Gaine or Glory , to turne Good to Ill ; As if from Reason ▪ Passion we deriue ? Then since these En●s , in Sciences raigne still ; And few professe them for an after Life , As they tooke swindge then from their Polliticke schools So I tooke Licence from their Positiue Rules . What Midas toucht turnd Gould , such learnings vse , For like the Spider , and Industrious Bee , What one makes Good , the other turnes t' abuse ; Such was the Nature of my Subtilty : With Good , and Ill , so play'd I fast and loose , Conuerting Things of most Indifferency , To the peculiar Habit of my minde , And to my forecast thought all others blinde . I did allow of Colledges , and Schooles And learn'd their Logicall distinction ; Yet I perceau'd the greatest Clarkes but Fooles , In Iudgement , rawe ; weake , in Preuention , I heard their Lectures , could digest their Rules , And make good vse of their Diuision , Yet like to Wards , in Nonage still I held them , Though they were witty , yet could Wisdom weild them . Religion I profest ( as most men saw ) But in my Hart deny'd it Reuerence ; For I esteem'd it as a Penall Law , To curb , and keepe Men in obedience ; Yet from her Ground , such Notions I would drawe , To touch my Wished poynt of Eminence , That , I , in others , would exact her Breach ; As Great Ones in their Lyues such Doctrine teach . Arts raise their Collumnes vpon Natures Bases ; And but obserue , and play , what Shee propounds , And euery Act of science enterlaces Humors , and Mirth , among their scoenes profound , But Cunning onely , is the Art that graces ; And most affects , in this Conspicuous Round ; Which hauing shewne , with Fame we part the stage , And others enter , mou'd with selfe same Rage . I saw it was a Worke of Natures Kind , Ambitiously to prick-men on to state : By Force , or Cunning to make way , or Wind Through any Course , whose End might make them Great Huma●ity ( by good sence I did finde ) To be compact of Powre , and ●lye Deceats , Proposing Rules to our owne wish in Fortune , Thus each Mans selfe-good , did him most importune . All ayme at Welth , or Pompe , so catch at Fame , Vertu 's inuisible , therefore not knowne : Few Loue Her , for herselfe , but for her Name . Yet what 's without vs , we would haue our owne : And Honor ( being vsurp't by Vertues Clayme ) Seemes but an Accident , in Vertue growne ; If Accidents by substance only liue , Take vertue from vs , what can Honor giue . I was not one of Vertues fond Approuers , That Courted her Imaginary Face , I saw her Seruants and her doting Louers Were poore , and bare , exempt from State , or Place ; I saw that he , her Collours that discouers , And beares th' opinion only of her Grace , Did make most shew ▪ with Truth to be entyre ; To be , is vaine , to seeme , men most desire . It was not in my Daies , as once of old , When Vertue had the Worlds faire Emperie , Then was that ●nnocent Time the Age of Gold , Whose Coyne , was Truth , whose stampe , Integrity , Now monies loue , proues vs of baser Mould ; For as the Ages fell successiuely , From Gold to Siluer , thence to Brasse , now worse , So men translate their chiefe good to the Purse . He that insinuates with Pollicy , That Hats and Harts , with admiration drawes : That shadowes Tyrannous Thoughts , with Clemency ; And keepes his height with populare applause , Intycles Goodnesse , with Pr●sperity , And makes his Acts authenticall , as Lawes , Proues , Actions fortunate , though nere so vile , To get the Type of ●ame , and Vertues Style . Then each Mans Deeds hath Pra●se , his Actions , Grace , If squar'd by Forme , and ru'ld by Imitation , And Honor , got by Blood ▪ by Wealth , or Place , Will hold his die i● glost by O●tentation ; But where both Truth , and Colours want , all 's base : Then if we vse the Vertue most in Fashion , Honor attends v● , Grace will neuer swerue ; All striue to haue , but few men to deserue . Clours , not Truth then , winne the Worlds reward ; For like th' obsequious , mercenary Minde , Few loue the Merrit all affect Reward ; And so for Currant , Counterfeits are Covn'd : Then no Ascent so steepe , no Doore so ba●'d ; But he that with Deceite the World can blinde , May make his way ( though stradling in his Gate ) Through Heads vncouer'd to the Chayre of state . And such was I : for Wit , and Fortune make Crooked Things straite , to these Opinion cleaues ; Which Alchimy , for Currant Golde doth take ; And like the busie Spynner euer Weaues Slight Webs of Praise , and all for Greatnesse sake : And thus we see how slye Deceite , deceaues The credulous Route , Whose suffrage ( though but Breath ) ▪ Yet from that Ayre , Greatnesse takes Life , or Death . Proud of this Knowledge I scru'd into the state , And of that Nature got intelligence ; There saw I publike Fortunes priuate hate , In seuerall tempers of impatience . One stirres too soone , and brings on his hard sate , Others subdue with time and prouidence : Some mixe their blouds to gaine them powerfull friends , And by that meanes worke safest to their ends . I saw in Friendship Vertue best did suite ; In Factions , Powre , and the most pollitick Head , Since it can only plot , not execute ; With meaner Fortunes , best was seconded ; Some Wise , some Valtant , some of base repute ; And all like seuerall simples tempered ; Which well prepar'd by a proiecting Braine , Giue Greatnesse strength , Ambitious hopes maintaine . I noted Statesmen , in their Agitations , How they dispatched suters that implor'd them ; The Followers of their Fortunes , and their Fashions , How like to Demy-Gods they did adore them ; I saw ( in offer'd Cause of seuerall Passions ) With what vnmoued Countenance they bore them ; Griefe , cast not downe , Ioy , spritned not their Eyes ; Rage , bent no Brow , their very Feare seem'd wise . This taught my spleene should neuer ope too fast , That Pollici 's not sound , if full of P●ares ; What 's violent in Ambition will not last ; The Foord is shallow'st , where the Channell roares ; I saw by them , 't was waine to spend my Blast : For first we must take in , then shut the Doores , And but by secret Posterns , to conuey Our Aymes by close , and vndiscouer'd way . I learn'd like-wise , t' appease an Enemy , In Termes , without Hostility and Warre ; To win an Agent , without Iealousie , And make him tractable , and Regular , To hold Affection in Confederacy Without Expense , and to preuent , or barre Seditious Tumults without violence ; And keepe Men , longing , still in Patience . To get close Friends about a Forraine Prince , To further home designes with Secresie , And ( to relieue the priuate State Expense ) Make publique Purses fill the Treasurie : In this they vs'd Natures Intelligence ; That as the clouds do render plenteously , The Sunne exhaled Steames , to Earths encrease ; So subiects change base drosse , for welthy peace . This is the Wisedome ( saith the ancient Sawe ) That rules the Stars ; outworkes the Wheele of Chance ; And from this Modell did I seeke to draw Sound Principles , my Hopes with Haps t' aduance : And as ill manners first made soundest Law ; So these Instructions chasing Ignorance ; Mine owne corrupt Ends prompted me t' acquire Not Lawes to curb , but Ground● orkes to aspire . Also in counsell , I obseru'd and noted How 〈◊〉 , tooke Fire , and Blase From others Light , Whose Innocent Margents quoted From their Or●ginals , did win them Praise : How some by Grace sat ; Some againe that doted Through feeble Age ; ( yet trac'd in Politick wayes ) Could help defects , and see with others eyes ; Extract their Wits , and make themselues seeme wise . These ( like the Others ) labor'd not to sound The depth of Things ; but fraught with Burthen light , They sayl●d more shallow , neere vnto the Ground ; And at the Tydes returne , discharg'd their Freight : In quest of G●arie , all their Strengths were bound : Not Matter , but the circumstance more sleight They touch't at still ; whose ma●● Entents and Hopes , Were ●o inuolue their Aymes , in sounder Scopes . Yet did this Mixture of Varietie , ( Like melting Ha●le , and sollid Pearle , or Stone ) Seeme like the Elements in Qualitie ; Assembled by a Disproportion : For as their Iars worke on Humanitie ; And make sweet Musick , in Confusion ; So States-men ioin'd in one , vnlike in Parts ; One Body proue , one life , in seuerall Harts . B●t as the Planets haue a proper sway , And moue to Heau'n ( that turnes them ) contrarie ; So I , from all , drew a peculiar way , To right my selfe gainst Natures Iniurie ; For since She so mishap't my Bodies Clay , I labor'd in my Mindes Deformitie To mock her Worke , She made me like to none , Therefore I thought to be my selfe alone . And as your selfe lou'd Politicks , n'ere care What Tempests vulgar Vessels doe betide , So that their mighty Argoses may share Their ruin'd States , made Prize 〈◊〉 their Pride : So in the Ship of state , my selfe did fare ; ( Driu'n with Ambitions Gale , and swelling Tyde ) I forst no publique wrack ; no priuate Fall , So I might rule and raigne sole Lord of All. Thus haue I Character'd my spirit and state In generall Termes ; next shall Yee heare apply'd The sequell of mine Actions , to that Fate , Which Heauen ordain'd , as Iustice to my Pride : This my Praeludium ; now I must relate My Life , in horrid sinnes diuersifi'd : There note how saile-hoyst Barks incurre a shel●e , When Greatnes , would be greater , then it selfe . FINIS .

THE LEGEND OF RICHARD THE THIRD . TO him that Impt my Fame with Clio's Quill ; Whose Magick rais'd me from Obliuions den ; That writ my Storie on the Muses Hill ; And with my Actions Dignifi'd his Pen : He that from Heltcon sends many a Rill ; Whose Nectared Veines , are drunke by thirstie Men : Crown'd be his Stile , with Fame ; his Head , with Bayes ; And none detract , but gratulate his Praise . Yet if his Scoenes haue not engrost all Grace , The much fam'd Action could extend on Stage ; If Time , or Memory , haue left a place For Me to fill ; t' enforme this Ignorant Age ; To that intent I shew my horrid Face ; Imprest with Feare , and Characters of Rage : Nor Wits , nor Chronicles could ere containe , The Hell-deepe Reaches , of my soundlesse Braine . Then heare Ambitious men , Soules drownd in sences , And euer dry in quenchles thirst of Glory : And yee that haue no eares ( yee hearts of Princes ) Measure your pompe by processe of my story : There is a Fate your boundles hope conuinces , Though nought confine yee in this transitory : Those that clime high in mischeefe rip'st of all , Haue still the feareful'st and most rotten fall . What time my father York began his claime , Whence ciuill , and vnciuill Armes did grow : When purple gore deaw'd many a fertile Plaine , And swords made furrowes , English hearts to sow , When sonnes by sires , and sires by sonnes were slaine ; And Englands Common-weale a common woe : When Heauen rain'd Vengeance ; a Hell sulpher & spew'd , And euery Age and sex those sad times rew'd . I , though too young as then to mannage steele , ( Yet in my thoughtes the Theory of Armes ) My swelling veines and feeble nerues did feele , The emulation of those hot Alarm's . My Glories thirst made Appetite so reele , Betweene my peacefull state and boistrous stormes : That in the heat and feruor of desire , I 〈◊〉 on Nature and set Blood on fire . My fathers sword or title set on foot , Whose Fate growne ripe he dropt to Earth and perish't : But we the Sonnes , ( greene branches of his roote ) Th' aspiring vertue of his Hopes still cherish● , I and my Brother held in swift poursuit The royall Game ; whose thoughtes were iointly nourish't With the possession of that chased prize , As for a Crowne who would not Nimrodize . Now ( seconded with Right , and warres●aire ●aire merits ) I mixt my blood with gall , my spleene with ire : Heere I began to Ioutalize my spirit , Midst thundring shock , dar●ing Cyclopian fire , Fame prickt vs on to that we were t' inherit , And we made way through blood , nor could retire , Till on the Rubbish of our Enemy , We reard the Ensigne of our victory . Then was the Kingly Lyon * * 〈…〉 held at bay Coopt in the Towre ; whose Lionesse rag'd in vaine : To rescue , or redeeme our purchast prey , I pitcht more toyles wherein her whelp was tane , Edward her faire Sonne ( glory of the day ) My han● eclipst with foule and bloudy staine : A murder , that might make the Sarres to winke , The fixed Poles to shake , and Atlas shrinke . Next ( to secure our parts from Henri●s side ) The By being bar'd , the chance fell on the Maine , And damned Policie , instructed Pride . To stretch my Conscience to a higher Straine : The Diuell whisper'd , that my hands not dyde In Henries Gore , my hope to rise was vaine : My Swords sharpe point brought his Quietus est , Which leuel'd to his Hart , sent Him to Rest. Hence cruell Thoughts tooke Roote , and ouerspred My Syn-manur'd Soyle , Nature● shapelesse Frame ; The Ground grew Ranke , with Blood and Murder fed ; And fearelesse Impudence , check't blushing Shame ; I cherish't Tyranny , strooke Pittie dead , My Rage , like Salamander , liu'd in Flame , And eu'n as Drinke , doth keep the Dropsie , Dry ; So more I Drunke , the more Desire did Fry . Yet now ( secure ) Edward enioy'd the Crowne , Warres sterne Alarums heere began to cease ; Bankes , turn'd to Pillowes ; Fields to Beds of Downe , And Boystrous Armes , to silken Robes of Peace ; Warres Counsellor resum'd the States-mans●owne ●owne , And welcom'd Blisse grew big with all encrease , Wealth follow'd Peace , and Ease succeded Plenties , And needfull Cates , were turn'd to wanton Dainties . Now Mars his Brood , were chain'd to Womens Lockes ; Surgeons , and Leaches , vs'd for Venus Harmes : They that erst liu'd by Wounds now thriue by 'th Pox , For smoothest Pleasure , still ensues rough Armes ; Whiles I , gryn'd like a Woolfe , lier'd like a Fox , To see soft Men , turn'd swine , by Cyrces Charmes , And being not shap't for Loue , employ'd my Wits , In subtile Wiles , ● exceede these hum'rous Fits . O how I bit my Tongue when Edward wiu'd ! That ( with the rest ) forc'd Shoutes of , God giue Ioy ; When to the Center of my Hart there diu'd Curses , and rankorous wishes to destroy ; My hopes grew Dead ; Yet ( Hydra-like ) suruiu'd Fresh Heads of Strength , which Mischiefe did employ , And my smooth Gen●us sooth'd me in the Eare , That Blood , would Sanguine the pale Cheeke of feare . Whiles wanton Edward doates on Mistresse Shore , Whose Lust , and Tryfling , soyld the face of Things , And Coun●eilors ( like Pandars ) kept the Dore , My Thoughts were climing to the State of Kings : He , painted Beautie ; I , did Crownes adore ; And euer Impt Ambitions Ayrie Wings , To reach at Fame , and Fortune , which might crowne Hope , with successe ; and Wit with Fames Renowne . And euen as he ( with an Insatiate sight ) Beheld a beautious Face , a sparkling Eye , Admir'd a pleasant wit ( as Loues delight ) And still adored Cupids Deitie : So I ( enslam'd with Glories Appetite ) Did Court the shining Beames of Maiestie , Priz'd Policie , Altars to Fortune rear'd , He , study'd to be lou'd ; I , to be fear'd . Clarence his Life in Fortunes tickle wheele Had now a slipperie Stand ; for ( dreadlesse ) He In sound Estate of Health , began to recle , ( As Natures Powre must yeeld to Tyranny ) My Adamant had pointed to his Steele , And subtly drew him to his Destinie : I had a Craft , to vndermine each State , My Engines , were the Instruments of Fate . For why , an Ignorant Wisard , taught by Me , That neuer knew a Letter in the Rowe From his Spell'd Lesson , tooke the Letter G , To worke my rising , and his ouerthrow : And by a foolish childish Prophesie , ( As Fooles and children still tell all they know ) Insinuates with the fearefull King , that G , Should put to death his Royall Progenie . So harmelesse Clarence superstitiously In sent to close Death to the Fatall Tower ; But I that charm'd , fulfill'd the Augurie , So Polliticks kill farre off with vnseene Powre , With sheathed Points I wrought my Tyranny ; Thus could I whet , prepare , feed , and deuoure , Concoct , Euacuate , with most nimble hast , Blood was my Cheare , and other Feasts , my Fast. So George rid post ; and at his Iourneyes end ( To quench his Thirst , and coole his bloody Sweate ) His gentle Host ( being my secret friend ) Did broach a Butt , t' allay his dangerous heate , But so he sow'st him in 't , that he did send Poore George to rest , in euerlasting Seate , Yet no tart Wine , But Malmsey stopt his Breath ; So dyde he not the sharp'st , but sweetest Death . Next , Time an other Point begins t' attaine , When Edward ( past the Solstice of his yeares ) With necessarie change begins to wayne , And I thrust in to vndergoe his cares , Life ( sencible of Pleasure ) now feeles paine , Earth must to Earth ; as natures course out-weares : His Scene is done , Death strikes him to the Hart , So parts the Stage ; and now begins my part . Now Back-steel'd Buckingham I made my Friend , Him I sustain'd with hope , and fed with Ayre , To further me , in my aspyring End , In whom I found will , power , and faithfull care : I shot the Shaft , and he the Bow● did bend ; And both could runne with Hound , and hold with Hare ; And though to crosse his Ayme I had a Clause , Yet strongest Agents , back the weakest Cause . Next , Riuers , Vaughan , Gray , ( that stood in light And iustly enterpos'd my vniust Ayme ) Did feele the vengeance of my fell despite , Whose Deaths did more secure my lawlesse Claime : Poore simple soules they were to stand for Right Not hauing Strength : for Vertues power is lame ; 'T is desperate folly to oppose , not strong , Then sinke with Right , 't is better winke at wrong . So Regent made , Protector to the Princes ; Bare Heads , bent Knees , sooth Mischiefe , second hope ; Religious shewes , doe couer close Pre●enses , More Towres , more Titles ▪ are my Fancies scope ; Now I contract my wits , summon my Sences , To smooth the rugged Way , the Dores to ope That leade to State ; the Law being in my Will , I had a Licence to make good my Ill. I plaid with Law as with a waxen nose , Now made it crookt , then straight , then saddle wise : And its firme brow I bent vnto the toes , To make a foot-stoole on 't for me to rise . What Wisdome stablisht pollicy ore'throwes , Corrupts her pure Soule , bleares her fairest eyes , Law 's a mute female Iudge : Guifts , Wit , and Tongue , Oft prostitute her parts to lust and wrong . Truth had a tattering stand , I made Commander , Tyrants are euer fearefull of the good : And Innocence in vaine opposeth slander , Whom I accus'd or censur'd , who withstood ? My Brayne was as an intricate Meander , Whence horror issu'd and the streames of blood . My Soule , like Stix , and Ioue might sweare by me , As nought more aduerse to his Detty . Now whiles I trembled in an Agony , Sole Soueraignty with safest meanes contriuing : My working head ( my Counsells Consistory ) Debates how I might raigne , the Princes liuing : My powers disioyn'd , and ( for security ) Neither , to other a sure Hostage giuing . But in this doubtfull conflict le●t me still Betweene my Reason and my sensuall Will. Reason obiects ( to countercheck my pride ) How Kings are natures Idols , made of clay : And though they were by mortalls Deifide , Yet in the Graue , Beggers as good as they : That Sence was slauish , and for man no guide , That Reason should Command and Will , obey : And that with all worlds pompe and Fortunes good , We still were nothing else but flesh and blood . Reason infer'd , Men in effect were Kings , If they could rule themselues , and conquer Passion : And that Desire soar'd with Icarus Wings , When it out-stript her Bounds of limitation , That Her Powre onely , could distinguish things ; Shew what was Reall , what but Forme , and Fashion , Suggests likewise , ●hat man was ouerthrowne , Not more by others Flatterie , then his owne Farther She vrg'd , that Fortune had no Power But in Mens Ignorance ; although Shee boast To blesse , or crosse , as Shee doth smile , or Lowre , And to make Fooles of those Shee Flatters most : That Vertue onely was the Mindes rich Dowre ; By Wealth , not bought , by Pouertie not lost , Which who so had not , euer purchast losse , His Pompe was Bane , and Titles , but his Crosse. This Reason doth suggest ; which I conuince ; And proue those Grounds for idle , false , and vaine , I knew her Powre , was in decay of sence , Which Age , not Youth ; did Foster , and maintaine ; And though your sagest Morrallists from hence Gaue Humane Precepts , with much thanklesse paine ; Such meager Wisedome , writ with Death-like clawes , I held as foolish as your old Wiues Sawes . Low Thoughts , in high-pitcht Hopes , despaire do bring , And as one walking when the stars appeare ; Night fils his Eye , whence Shapes of Darknes spring , And all his Thoughts , proue Visions by his Feare : But when Aurora sets the Day on Wing , And driues the Rauen-black - Night from Heau'ns bright sphere , Then Flowers , and Trees spangled with dewes he spies , And worlds of Glories glitter in his Eyes . So when great Spirits doe shrinke in cloudy Feares , Loosing their strength , diminishing their Pleasures , Then Wealth , and Glorie , and what else is theirs , In darkest Womb doe bury all their Treasures ; But when a Kingly boldnes them vpreares , Treading on cloth of state their solemne Measures ; Then doe they graspe ( in vigor of their Powres ) The Globe , and Scepter , and kisse Heauen with Towres . Now then ( quoth I ) let tastlesse liues Define Vertue , and her Reward , in after Time ; Richard , thou hast an Essence more Diuine , Which Glories Flame , hath purg'd from grossest Slime , Crownes be thy Obiects , and those Eares of thine Rellish no Musick but a Sphere-like Chime , Thus coucht I Reason with my Eagles wings , If Reason rul●d Men , then what need of Kings ? No ; I look't vp , Nature bid me aspire , So taught the firie Essence of my soule , Harts are small Things , but infinite in Desire , Which neither bounds containd , nor Bars controule , The Flesh , is vapor , and the spirit , a Fire ; And Iouiall Minds ( when these begin t' inroule ) Do part the Drosse , and on the Bodies Head , Dissolue in Thunder , what his Basenes bred . So , on I went , in diuelish politick wise ; The Yong Prince now from safest sanctuarie A Prela●e forst ( some such can tamporize ) Who held with Fiends t' enfring Church libertie : The Child being brought to me ( as t' was my Guize ) I kist , and Blest , with fein'd sinceritie The Innocent Soule , and therein did fulfill , The part of Iudas ; for I ment to kill . Him , with his Brother , lodg'd I in the Towre , A payre ill met , to vndergoe like Fate ; Now wrinckled Browes ( like Skies , before a Showre ) Spred gloomy Darknes ouer Englands State : All sought to saue ; I purpos'd to deuou●e ; My Mynes are lay'd , and they preuent too late ; Counsels diuide ; and a confused Rumor , Time sent , as Throes , vnto my swelling Tumor . Now did I vse each working Instrument , Some Fyles to take off ; some smooth Tooles , to glaze ; Some serues t' insinuate ; all for close entent , Wrought one effectuall end , in seuerall wayes ; I was prime Mouer in this Firmament : And they , the Sphere-like Mouers to my praise , But Buckingham , my Iupiter of Light , Whose Influence , was Mirror of my Might . And as the Catholick Spirit in Man applyes Each Sence and Organ , to their proper Ends , Vseth the Hart , the Braine , the Eares , and Eyes , And to th' impulsiue soule , those Powers extends : So in this pollitick Bodie , I deuise , By Buckingham ( my Spi●it ) who slackes , or bends My vsefull Engins ; Him I made my Hand , Temploy his powre , with theirs , to my command . Now good Lord Hastings ( great in all Mens Grace ) ( Of th' aduerse Faction , Fautor and chiefe Head ) I heau'd at , and remou'd him from his place , That so the Rest might faint , vncomforted ; My Blood-hound Catesby foyl'd him in the Chase ; Who earst by him being rais'd , cherisht , and Bred , Knowing himselfe too weake , to stand for Right , Proues treacherously Wise , and Friend to Might . Thus could I Saint a Diuell with a Fiend , And make one Engine other to driue out , From a mayne Faction cull , a secret Friend , To hold with hope , and to preuent with Doubt , I had a Powre to breake , what would not bend , In cautions , vs'd my Sentinell and Scoute ; In Iealousie , had Argoes hundred eyes , And Nero's cruell Hart , to tyrannize . How cunningly did Buckingham , and I , Pretend , and set a coulour in the Treason Of Hastings , to our Liues ? how suddenly We Butcher'd , ( without Forme of Law , or Reason ) That harmelesse Man ? then gull'd Simplicitie With forced feare ; as if at that same Season , Erinnis , and the Furies had been bent , To cast their palenes on our damn'd entent ? And what a peece of Iustice did I shew On Mistresse Shore ? when ( with a fained hate To vnchast Life ) I forced her to goe Bare-foote , on penance , with deiected State ? But now her Fame by a vild Play doth grow ; Whose Fate , the Women so commisserate , That who ( to see my Iustice on that Sinner ) Drinks not her Teares ; & makes her Fast , their dinner ? Now , whiles all wish to see yong Edward Crown'd , And in each Place a solemne Preparation ; In my vast Sea , their Streames of Ioy were drown'd , Whose Ayme was bent to crosse their Expectation : For Buckingham , and I , had laid the Ground To raise my Columne , and suppresse their Station ; And much vntemper'd Morter was in hand , To Dawbe , and Ciment , what could neuer stand . The gayne and Glorie-thirsting smooth Diuine , More learn'd , then true ; yet of lesse Arte , then Fame ; And many others with him doe Combine ; To sleike , and pollish , my corrupter Clayme ; And whiles their Wits doe work to make me shine , To guild my Guilt , and glorifie my shame ; Like Racking clouds the people flock , and runne , With pitchie Breathes , t' obscure my rising Sonne . But I , that held the Conscience but a Sawe , In my selfe-loue , con●ounding Idle Hate , Found Tricks t' impeach the Princes claime , by Lawe , Prouing mine true ; theirs Illigitimate , And to this end subborn'd one Doctor Shaw With seruile Tongue , and Spirit adulterate To preach dead Ed●ards slander , with my Mother , And Bastardize the Issue of my Brother . It was suggested then , most Impiously , Edward , nor ●larence to be lawfull Payres ; B●t ( by th' erronious Rule of Phisnomy ) To be the Issue of some stranger Syres : That Edward had with fowlest Brgamy Blemish't his Stock , and had no rightfull Heyres ; Thus Father , Mother , Brother , Race , and Name I would haue vilify'd , t' aduance my claime . Report went out ; and whispring Rumor drew From eu'ry quarter , Men of each condition ; To know the Sequell , whether false , or true , To cleare their doubts and to enforme Suspition : And to Paules Crosse ( where State-foode fresh , and new , After a Change , to feed their Inquisition ) The many Headed Beast , doe flock , and gather , To heare strange Tidings , from their Ghostly Father . There Doctor Shaw stept vp : this was his Theam● The Bastard slips doe neuer take deepe roote ; Who from his Conduit pipe sent such a Streame , As drench't his Audience from the Head to foote : Such Milke and Hony , with such clouted Creame Flow'd from his Wit ; and from his Tongue did shoote Such spleenefull Venome ; that all Men ( perplext ) Fear●d He 'd goe mad , running beside his text . Where , hauing slander'd Edwards Progenie , Taxed his Lyfe ; and shew'd his Praecontract , Defam'd our Mother with Adulterie ; Edward , nor Clarence , got in lawfull Act ; Then prouing Me ( though most prepost●rously ) Yorkes true borne sonne ; by vs it was Compact That I ( by Miracle ) should come in Place , At th' instant of my Praise , to meet with Grace . He lo●kes vs oft , I came not on my Cue ; At last ( of course ) descending to my Praise Home it was sent , which done , I came in view And spred amongst them my abhorred Rayes ; Then Shaw ( Verbatim ) doth againe renew What he had spoke , Things fowle , need double Glaze , Forgetting quite that twice sod Meate , would dull , Witlesse , as shamelesse , prais'd me to the full . Which ( in Effect ) was thus : That I alone Was patterne , of each Princely Qualitie , For Armes , and vertuous Disposition , Vnparalell'd ; That in Forme , Face , and Eye , I bore the Figure , and Proportion , O● Yorke my Sire : nay , to th' Extremitie His hyred Tongue , my hope , and Glorie brings I was not borne t● obey ; but rule with Kings . Which twice rub'd ouer , grossest Flatterie , ( Met with opinions so preiudicate ) Enforc'd the Hearers vniuersally To vent in murmure , their concealed Hate . Another too ( of the bald-Frierie ) Instructed on like subiect to Dilate , Grew hoarse ; and in the mid'st ( abrupt ) came downe Whose Hyre , was Hate ; perpetuall Shame , his crowne . Such Doctors were ( I doe not say there are ) Whose Breaths scall'd Heauen ; Harts clog'd with worlds desire , That without Scruple , touch of Shame , or Feare , Would wrest the Scripture , to make Truth a Lyer : And these like Mercenarie Men appeare ; That loue the Word , for Wealth ; the worke , for Hyre ; whose tutor'd tongues , to take off Great Mens Blames , Set stronger Seales on theirs , and their owne Shames . To giue more colour to this Enterprise ; My Agent Buckingham , ( with wits high Straines ) Prepares the Citie States ; men chiefly Wise , In giuing way to things aboue their Braines : Such as were seene in Measures , Weights , and Siz Of Grocerie ; with Bread , B●ere , Ale , and Graines ; And better knew the waight of Bags , and Pence , Then matters of this weight , and Consequence . These notable , Wise-wealthy M●gistrates ; ( Such they were then , what euer they are now ) Did onely see with th' Eyes of higher States ; And what these thought ( though bad ) they would allow : The sweet Recorder , and the Cittie Waytes Did make them sound ; and eu'rie Man knew how Better to Coppie , from their lookes Austere , Then take true Notes of Wit from them , by Eare. These Gray-hayr'd Sages , ( Graue , in saying little ) My Subtle Buckingham like Wax had wrought ; Who surely seal'd together with the People , He brought to tender , what I long had sought ; And being their Mouth deliu'ring to a tittle , Both what they would , and what our selues fore-thought , Sollicit me ( and they would haue no Nay ) To take the Crowne , the Scepter , and the Sway. He shewes the publique Good that would ensue , The Peoples generall liking , and Applause , Preuention of seditious Plots that grew , Through want of Execution of the Lawes : Said , that old sores , would fester , and renew , If I tooke not the Sword , to right their Cause : Behold vs then ( quoth He ) with Pitties Eye , Of your accustom'd Grace , and Clemencie . Then I ( with hart-cheek't tongue ) made this Reply : That , though I saw their heauy states with Ruth ; Yet so much was my loues sinceritie , Vnto the promising Hopes of Edwards Youth ; Withall , so loth to staine Humilitie ( Professing seemelesse Zeale ; and naked Truth ) That I ( vnapt for Rule , and Soueraigntie ) Prefer'd content , to highest Monarchie . He farther doth enforce , and I deny : He pleads my Right , and I dissemble strong ; Obiects the Princes confirm'd Bastardie , And still the Maidens part is all my Song : At last he dri●es his subtill Oratorie To shew of Spleene , that I their liues did wrong : And if ( quoth he ) you will not Condiscend , We must elect some other : there 's an End . This Sc●ne so well perform'd on either part , The play drew on to a Catastrophe , I added to States double dealing Art Deuices that by Ebbing , fill'd my Sea ; I hung off ; to be drawne by the Desert Of making Conscience of the charge , my Plea , To take as forc'd , what more then Heauen I wish't , And to which , would through troubled Hel haue fish't . I still put Baite on Baite , to make my Hooke The more Inuisible , and gaue away More then men ask't : men vs'd more care to looke Where any Suite but worth the begging lay , Then how to get my wing'd Hand to the Booke , Proud Beggery made the whole weeke Holiday , For Saboths , Beggery was a worke of worth , While merit grew as bamefull as the North. Then made I ciuill men , make Ryot way , Men by Art Ciuill , that are ryotous euer , When men play Artes prize once , they fight , and play , Such danger in the open Field , is neuer . Art drawne from Nature , drawes her Soule away , And then from Beasts , you can not men disseuer , But in the worst part ; These men for round Fees Squar'd Arts , and all Termes out by Policies . For Fees , I made them lawfull proue my claime ; Disabling both my Nephewes to Inherit ; Gold sets vp markes , Hoyles , pricks for any Ayme , That still shall hit , how wide soeuer Merit ; Goulds Chymick Skill , can cure an aged Mayme , And in at deaths last gaspe breath Youths first Spirit , Nay , so much , Art , and Nature , Gold controules , That men it makes liue without manly Soules . Gold got by Begging ; Begging not forgot Could be at any hand ; but ( varied now ) For my good now they beg'd ; that theirs might not The Font finde dry , since euer all the flow Their Sewres renew'd still ; and made seeth their Pot. T is sacred Truth : First good t' our selues we owe ; Thus for themselues they Supplication made , That I would take on me the Royall Trade . I made it nice for my Good , ( as from theirs They turn'd their owne ends ouer , all to mine ) And at the last for their Good heard their Prayers ; And as by any Floods side sinkes a Pine To take more Roote ; and curle his leauie Hayres The more in Bows , and Armes , that kisse the Skyne ; So stoopt I ; so to rise ; and being vp Both with their Goods , and Bloods , I crown'd my cup. This fearefull doubt then being thus decided , As a Praeludium to my Tragick Maine : The factious Peeres now ioyn'd that were diuided , Who with all sollemne Rites confirm'd my Reigne . Thus desperately I tooke the Clew that guided Through Laberinthian doubts ; and now in vaine That monstrous Minotaure ( the people ) rag'd , Whose turbulent Breath I calm'd ; and fiercenes swag'd . Now though all heads are bare , all bend their knees , Yet ( in themselues ) my Greatnes they compare To Senecaes high-stiled Tragedies , Embost with gold , most glorious , ritch and faire , Which as they ope , Thyestes greets their eyes , Who prou'd his Childrens Tombe ; and then they fare Like men that see with horror , reade with hate , And so abhorred was my golden state . For hauing died my hands in humane gore , Made black my Soule ; my wit a plot doth ca●t To feed my rauenous appetite with more , My Gorge was empty for a new repast , But such a one , not Ages long before Offer'd to Time ; or Fames all-sounding Blast : Now doth my Conscience play the Cowards part , And Blood chac'd from my face , flies to my heart . Then Ioy , with Feare ; and Hope , with deep Despaire , Adulterate their Powers , and did engender Confusion , Horror , and blood-thirsting Care , Which Passion ( mixed with distraction ) render ; Now Nature shrunke , and set on end my Hayre , My Hart pants thick , my Pulse beates slow , and tender , At the Conception of a Thought , whose Hell Containes that Torment where the Diuels dwell . In shapelesse Darknes I was then confin'd , And eu'rie thing ( that erst was my delight ) Turn'd to a Fiend ; bro●d waking , I was blind , As if enfolded in the vayle of Night , Astonishment , did all my sences binde , Shame did appeare ; dead Pittie rose to light , When I conceau'd the Murder of the Princes , Which Heau'n , & Hel , Time , Nature , death , conuinces . Yet thus my Diuellish spirit shooke off this Trance , And thus my Genius chid : O Coward faint ! Did not thy wit aboue thy Birth aduance ? Cut knotty Doubts , and Bars of all Restraint ? Doth not thy Frowne controule the Frowne of chance ? And shall thy Superstitious Fancy paint , These hartlesse Feares , Imaginarie Hell , And haue a Charme aboue thy Politick Spell ? Hast not made God a Cloake , to get a Crowne ? Without all Shame , parboyl'd thy blushlesse Face ? With conquering Tyrany , cast Pitie downe ? Establish't Wickednes ; supplanted Grace ? And now like to a man ( ready to drowne ) Catch at a helplesse Thing ? Why this is base ; Not like a Kingly Pollitician ; But a poore Ignorant Plebeian . What ? wilt thou thus runne from thy selfe to Error ? And make Indulgent Nature now thy Foe ? Plunging thy selfe into the Depth of Terror ? And where once Wisedome thriu'd , let Folly grow ? Shall ayrie Vertue , now become thy Mirror ? And things ( meerely without ) afflict thee so ? If Conscience fright , and silent Shame be fear'd ? Thou art no King , but of the popular Heard . T is Shame ( where parts agree ) to make a Iarre ; To bring Disturbance , and Distraction ; What Nature hath established , to marre , Is to deface the Habit , she puts on : To bring thy Actions to thy conscience Bar , So to be doom'd to swift perdition , But hauing sear'd thy conscience , seal'd thy Blame , T' vnrip the wombe againe , why this were shame : No Richard : in thine owne powers , still be free , And what seemes best , thinke absolutely well : Confirme thy strength , make good thy pollicy , Nor gainst thy name , and dignity , rebell : Proue not a Zelist in fond Purity , Nor paint a Heauen , nor counterfeit a Hell : But wind into thy selfe ; there , set thy rest , So plot , and execute what thou think'st best . Maintaine thy power , diminish not thy sway , Nor bound thy selfe , being a boundlesse King ; But of thy State still propagate the Sea , And take the Tribute of each petty Spring : Frame thine owne Circle , and then boldly say , This is my Center ; hether will I bring The lynes of all my Actions ; faire , or foule , And see what power , or will , or can controule . Breake ope thy black Abissus , and take thence , Worlds of aduantages against the world : Be false , and cruell , still with impudence , And calmes , with ●empests , on thy Brow be curl'd ; From thy owne Heauen deriue thy influence , And Fiend-like feare be into darknes hurl'd , Thy Sun , to Sun ; thy Starres , to Starres aduance , And let thy pompe in golden mountaines dance . So then ( resolued ) hauing thus debated My tirannous Will , had laid the bloody traine : And in my doome the Princes liues were dated , Whose ominous being , did impeach my raigne : I thought my selfe not absolute instated , Nor could make free vse of my purchast gaine ; Till without Riuall , I might shew my brow , One King in state ; one Sunne the Heauens allow Now was my Frostie coldnes , fully thaw'd ; And my resisted fire found open vent , Now I digested , what so hard was chaw'd , And turn'd it to familiar nourishment : Then Buckingham ( my artificiall Bawde ▪ My Hand , my Factor , and my Instrument ) I grounded on , to worke this last Designe , And giue the Fire , to this my secret Myne . Legions of Diuels seconded my Thought To ioyne him with me , in this dangerous Mayne , Whose powrefull hand , my counsell would haue wrought T' effect the complot of this Murth'rous Traine ; But here he stopt , would by no meanes be brought To adde this fowlenes , to his former Staine , And like on 's Nayles within an vlcerous Sore , Touch't to the quick , he shrinkes , and will no more . My Motion did repeale his banish't feare , And Feare , Sollicites his num'd Conscience , His coldnes , mou'd my heate , which heate did beare The churlish temper of Impatience : And now his Loue from memory I teare , Turne his obsequious seruice to offence : For Polliticians are no longer Friends , When Friends can adde no more to their mayne Ends. So did he vanish , for he now had spent The Marrow , of his Trust , and Flatterie ; And so I vs'd each seruile Instrument , When it had lost his steeled facultie : I squeaz'd him dry , and his true seruice spent I pay'd with emptie handed Vsury , For like a Pol●itick , well taught , full growne , I felt no want , or fulnes , but mine owne . Besides ; he had both power , and Subtiltie , And knew where I was weakest fortify'd , Then of my selfe so much in him did lie , That he had got the Raines to curb my Pride , Nor stood it with my kingly Dignitie , To proue his Slaue , that erst had been his Guide , For his owne neck he made the fatall noose , They loue no Traytors , that doe Traytors vse . Great Buckingham thus pay'd with hatefull Frownes , I chose for him the Maleconted Mate , One that will kill his dearest Syre for Crownes , In hope t' aduance his long deiected State , The hope of Heauen , and paines of Hell he drownes In smiles of Fortune , and auspitious Fate ; And of this Ranke ▪ one Tyrrell I did frame To doe this deed , whose horror wants a Name , This vpstart Gentleman , being styl'd a Knight , Whose Back , and Belly , had consum'd his Good , Puts forth his long-hid-head , into the light , To crowne his valour in this Act of Blood : Ages to come , a Catalogue may cyte Of such braue spitits , whose hated Crests doe bud With homicidiall honor ; and doe beare A Sable conscience , in a Shield of Feare . And note what State was kept when this was wrought , The Close-stoole was my Seate most eminent , A filthy Carpet fits an ordur'd Thought , The Sences loathing , and Sinnes Excrement : So Tyrrell tooke som State , whose pride had sought Two loathed Sla●es , which o'ercloy'd Time did vent Into this Sinke of Shame , in which damn'd Fact , Tyrrell commanded , and the Groomes did act . The Euen , before the Night , that this was done , The head-strong windes did rage with hydeous Storme , As red as Blood discends the fearefull Sunne , And Nature , had put on a dismall Forme , Chaos was threatned by th' ecclipsed Moone , And Rauens , and S●rich-owles bode th' ensuing harme , Then burst there forth ( whiles darknes shooke Hels Chaine ) An angry Comet with a smoaky Traine . The fatall howre vsher'd by this Ostent , Astonish't all ; and in the Princes bred Oraculous Presages of th' Euent , That they like Lambes were to the Slaughter led : Their spotlesse Liues must cleare the Element , The angry Comet thirsted to be fed With their hart bloods ; they knew these stormes would cease , When they were lodged in their Graues in peace . Thus they Diuin'd ; and though by zealous Prayer They sought t' auoid the danger , then so neere , Yet such vaine hopes doe turne into despayre , For Fate respects nor zeale , Truth , Loue , nor Feare , Heau●ns causes knit , doe neuer breake their square , But runne directly to th' effects they beare ; And though hard Fates can neuer be withstood , Yet Death confounds the Bad , life crownes the Good . Thus Heauens iust Law , order'd by vpright Hand , They that liue iustly , that true Course do runne ; Which they that leaue , apparantly withstand , And doe pursue their owne Confusion : These innocents , being mark't for Angells Band , Keeping Heauens Course as constant as the Sunne , Although by my most bloody hand they fell , Yet in their Fall , they rose ; I , Damn'd in Hell . These Deuilish Slaues , whose darke deeds fly the light , ( When Sleepe , in binding deawes had steep't the Sences ) With glaring Eyes , cloak't in the vale of Night , Rush't in , to act this Murder on the Princes ; Whose horrid Semblance , Death might well affright , And whose attempt , euen Hell it selfe Conuinces , Medusa's Adders in their Hayre were ●old , Not Gorgons Head more vgly to behold . As they approch the Bed where they repose ; Their drumming Harts , panted their Feares Alarm's , To see the sweetnesse Nature did disclose ; ( that such Beauty should lye ope to harmes ! ) There twyn'd the Lilly and the blushing Rose : And as they clasp't like leaues ) their Innocent Armes , They seemed in the obiect of such Glory , T' inuite some Pen to lyneate their Story . The Humors , and the Elements , combin'd , To forme in them , the Abstract of perfection ; The Graces , in their sweet proportion shin'd , Whose radiant Beames , shot Loue , and fyr'd Affection , And if the outward Beauty from the Minde Receiue all Grace , all Luster , and Reflection ; Then might one say , of eithers Spirit ▪ and Feature ; Heauen held the Pensill , and the forme of Nature . The Worlds Abridgement in this Beauty lay , Thus subiect to the hand of Tyranny ; Whose light , from darknes might haue strooke the day , And with his Beames , dazled an Eagles Eye ; Yet these damn'd Hell-Hounds had the hart t' assay To roule these Orbs vp in obscuritie , And pash to Chaos , their so faire built Frames , To sacrifice their Lymbs , in Funerall Flames . Now , in the Bed ( which is the Type of Graues ) And in dead Sleepe ( the portraicture of Death ) Those dregs of Men , this Spawne of Earth , these Slaues , Did bury them aliue , and stop't their Breaths , Where like a Sexton each himselfe behaues , To couer them with that which lay beneath ; So left them sleeping in eternall Rest , Whose Sainted soules , now liue among the Blest . These Furies now are tortur'd with Despayre , And howle in horror of their murd'rous deede , They beate their Brests , and teare their Snaky Hayre , In their assured Torment to succeed ; With sinfull Breaths they taint the pi●rest Ayre , And in their Faces eu'ry one may reade Guilt , mixt with Feares ; too late , they finde too well , That though they breath on Earth ; they liue in Hell . Now when I saw printed in Tyrrels Brow , These Characters of Death , and shamefull Gore , I bid him study for the best meanes how I might requite , or he might well Implore : But he , that did with Guilt enough endowe His wretched state ; would neuer looke for more ; But summing vp this Murder , with his Pride , He got the Diuell and all ; so liu'd , so dyde . Thus without Feare , arm'd with Herculean Force , I saw this Hell , my Thoughts had shap't , and bred ; If fearefull Hydra , had oppos'd my course , I should haue left the Monster neuer a Head : Or like Roomes Tyrant ( with as small remorse ) Thousand contracted Liues , haue Butchered ; To raise my Glorie to this compleate Frame , And set my Foote vpon the Throate of Shame . Yet now my Li●e was conuersant with Danger , Feare , and suspition , did perturb my Sleepe , Th' apparant Hate of Men , stir'd vp my Anger , And charged Pistols , for defence I keepe , For since I had profest my selfe a Stranger To euery Good ; in Blood , and sinne , so deepe , My Sores were to be rub'd , t' auoide their Harmes , Whom 〈◊〉 sollicits , Circumspection armes . They that no Ill commit , no Ill need feare , And Truth is their best Armor of Defence , Ill comes not , when before it was not there , And Weapons fit a wounded Conscience , Tyrants , the priuie coate had need to weare , And euer waking keep their troubled Sence , So kept I watch , and stood vpon my Guard , My Steele still drawne , of mine own Shadow fear'd . Now the 〈◊〉 Line , that scarse was seene , With Sword ( insteed of Pen ) begins to raze The Line of Yorke ; whose Inke , is blackest Spleene , To blot my Glorie , and my Name , de●ace , The Frost bit Rose , now sprouts , and waxeth greene , Wanting but time to spred with wonted Grace , The white Rose , must be ioined with the Red , To propagate faire Stems , in one chast Bed . Richmond , my Brothers Daughter to Espouse ( The sweet Elizabeth ) is ma●k't by Fate , Which to preuent , my Lyon Spirit I Rouze , With that faire Lyonesset Incorporate ; Which though nor Lawes of God , nor Man allowes , Yet to establish , and secure my State , I sought with wilfull Lust , and powerfull Awe , To crosse the Banes , and ouer-rule the Law . First Buckingham ( whose hopes were vainely ●ed To breake the Ice for Richmond with his powre ) I march'● against , and ( by good Fortune ) sped ; My Starres herein did smile ▪ and his , did lowre , I prick't him kindly , he as kindly bled His ancient Loue ; and so in happy howre , I pai'd th' arrerages of his lent Good , And had m' Acquittance sealed with his Blood . O Buckingham ; thou wert too open Brested , And spent'st too freely to receiue thy Right ; For of my State , by thee I was Inuested , A debt farre greater , then I could requite , Some States-mens Hands are shut ; their Bounty Chested , And ill doe they abide those men in ●ight , That may vpbrayde with vnrequited Good , Such Bonds are seldome cancell'd , but with Blood . Next Anne my Wife ( whose Being did deny My match , with my fayre Neece Elizabeth ) Fell sodaine sicke with griefe , or Iealousie ; And all my Loue would not preserue her Breath : I gaue her Medicines for Sterilitie And She grew fruitfull in the Bed of Death , Her Issue , crawling Wormes ; and there she lyes , Whose loue , and life , loe thus I memorize . This was that creature that I woo'd , and wonn , Ouer her bleeding Husband , stab'd by me ; Such different persons , neuer saw the Sunne , He , for perfection ; I , Deformitie ; She wept , and smil'd , hated , and lou'd , in one , Such was her Vertue , my Hypocrisie , Thus womens Griefes , nor Loues , are dyde in graine , For eithers colour , Time , or Men , can staine . For farther proofe , my Sister Queene I chose , Professing Truth , to her ; t' her Daughter , Loue ; Insinuating with such artfull Gloze , As if the God of Eloquence should moue ; And notwithstanding all the banefull woes , She had sustain'd by me ; I made her proue My Loues Attourney , furthering my Sute T' astonish Wonder ; and strike Rumor Mute . By this I Instance , how these Fooles are caught With honors Baites ; or tickled with their Praise , Whose flexible conditions may be wrought To any Forme ; Subiects for Sports , and Playes ; Angels they seeme , and are with Angels bought , Guilded corruption ; Natures falsed Glaze , No meane in their Affects ; in Passion mouing , No moment in their Teares ; nor Faith , in Louing . Inconstant Sex ; no sooner full , then wayning , In weakenes , dying ; and imperfect , borne ; Their scanted wils , like halfe fac't Moones complaining , Which to supply they make the Forked Horne : Nor hot , nor cold ; now louing , then disdaining , The Fautors of Deceipt ; of Truth , the storme ; Like Cotton Buds , which none can bruise , or pull , But being put forth , like them they turne to wooll . Such were my Wyles , I could deceiue deceite , Guild Imperfections , with Imperfect Glorie , Building on Ruines my vncertaine State , Laugh at Oppression , from Prides Promontorie , I sooth'd my Pompe with an eternall Date , And in Ambition , perfected my Storie , Which Word , let Fame to after Ages sound , As of my Life , the Pyramed , and Ground . And as a Taper play'd within the night , Where men doe firmely sit , or walke , or stand ; Raiseth their Shadowes , to the places hight , Then to the Ground , in turning of a hand : Now it empai●es them , by the wa●ing light , And then extends their lengths , themselues beyond , So Fortune playes with Kings , and worldly States , She tosses , turnes , reares , and precipitates . As one that drinkes more then he can containe , He sur●ets in excesse , and duls his Tast ; And then the Fume ( spred through his Poares & Braine ) He speakes his secret's thoughts , and seemes disgrast : Nor doth desist , till in his drunken vaine His Intellectuall powres are so defac't , That ( loosing th' office of his Feete ) he lyes Shamefull , and naked to all ●ober eyes : So I , in thirst of Glorie , Rule , and State , Drinking excessiuely , and past my fill ; Swinging in Lust , and Thoughts intemperate , Drunke in Ambition , and my ●ensuall will : Was so transparent in my latest date , And all my Good , so swallow'd in my Ill ; Th●t in my staggering Pride , and shamefull Fall , I grew a Monster , and a scorne to all . I , that once thought , that no man could be blest In moderate kinde of Humane blessednes ; And in my Tyrannous licence did suggest To comprehend ( in Pompe ) all Happines : Gaue Reignes to Lust , and in my Will supprest The rule of Reason ( mans sole Souereignesse ) That to the Worlds Doome , still prefer'd mine owne , And pitcht my hopes , no lower then a crowne : I , that did make no conscience to Plot , And perpetrate , all Beastiall cruelty ; That harrow'd Earth , and Hell for what I got , As if those Tipes would last Eternally : In Goodnes cold , in Mischiefe euer hot , And in my damned Tracts of Pollicie Had sowne mens Harts , and with vnfeeling Taints Did dye my Hands in Innocent blood of Saints : I , that could taint soules with corrupting Breath , And from their Brests roote Faith , and Pietie , Steeling their Spirits for Acts of closest Death , And suck the hart of their abilitie , Then raise fresh bloods , and set the dry , beneath , Fester'd , in conscience of their villany , Then rack them with delayes ; reward with ayre ▪ And laugh to see them perish in despaire : I that at best , held Vertue , and Religion , No other Things , but well mixt Elements ; Nor Vice , nor Ill , but H●mors Disposition , Depraued by the Bodies Instruments : Esteem'd the Soule subiect to Deaths corruption : Nor thought all these , but naturall Euents , And their disorder cur'd by Phisicks Skill , And nothing subiect to th' Eternall Will . Now did my Conscience , that lay smothered Vnd●r this Pile , of Damn'd Impietie , And seem'd ( as with greene fuell Maistered ) Conceall'd , and prison'd in Obscuritie ; Shew'd , that by Sin , 't was rather comforted , Then any way depriu'd of Facultie , And in their Flame did rage so much the more , By how much it did seeme restrain'd before . Now all my Acts of Murder , Sinne , and Shame ( Bred by Ambition , and my tyrannous Will ) Appear'd vpon my Head like A●tn●'s Flame , Or like a Beacon fyr'd vpon a Hill ; Now Rumor , giues the Eccho to my Fame ; Vprores , and Insurrections gin to fill All places vast ; and now in feare , I start , To fall beneath the mountaine of my Hart. O how I curst my Aspick Flatterie , That shed such ve●ome in my Rationall Powre , I curst the Glasse that so corruptedly , Did shew the face of vice to smile , not lowre ; Now for each priuiledg'd Mischiefe did I lye A Butt to Torment ; and a fearefull Showre ( By the Black vapor of my Sin being bred ) With blood and vengeance swolne , hung o're my head . Thus , in the Wayning Splendor of my Pride , Compast with danger , and assaylde with Feares ; And in my Thoughts , all Torments multiply'd , That might augment the burthen of my cares ; I found my selfe so weakely fortifyde , Against the powerfull Battery of despaires ; That I was plung'd into Hels deepe Abisse , Secluded from all comfort , Ioy , or Blisse . Nor did the ancient Poets idely faine Erinnis , and the damn'd Eumenides ; Since euen those Furies , in their Maske containe The Morall , of my tortur'd Tyranies : For th' Apparitions of ensuing paine So danted me with their Extremities , That I was rack't in terror of my doome ; And made that present ; which was but to come . Then dreadfull Melancholl● did conuert My Nature , to the Temper of my Braine , Which soaked with my Spleene , disturb'd my heart , And through my body , spred a pois●nous Bane , It did confound my Sense , and eu'ry part , Each Muscle , Sinnew , Artire , Ioin● , and Vaine , Had lost their naturall working , and prepare , To set me it the high-way , to despaire . Such was the horror of my Malady ▪ Distract with feare , of that I was t' inherit , That it corrupted euery Facultie , Congeal'd my Blood ▪ and dull'd my actiue Spirit , Thus my whole Nature●elt ●elt like Sympathy , With my despairefull So●le , for si●full Merit , For all the Functions of my Soule , and Sence , Were maymed by my wounded Conscience . My Reason dotes ; my Soule did idle sit , Wanting fit matter of Intelligence : Organs , deprau'd , and stupifyde my Wit , My Vnderstanding , weake ; vnsound my Sence ; And euery part disabled , and vnfit , To comfort or relieue my Conscience , Hopelesse , and helplesse , all my powers agree , In Desperations Gulph to swallow me . And as we see the Eye , the Eare , or Sent , Affected long , and ouervehemently , Retaine their Species in the Instrument , Though absent ●e ●he mo●ing qualitie : So the Internall Sence● strongly bent To fearefull Obiects of obs●●●itie , To iudge of things by their depraued kinde , Giue Passion vigor , and make ●eason , blind . The Sunne , the Moone , and Plan●●● of ●y Nature , So fearefully ecclipsed in their light : My inward darknes casting on my Feature A●semblance gha●●ly pale , and full of fright : My leprous Soule ▪ deformed , as my Stature , Did in these Tragick Terrors seeme t' excite The thoughtfull presage of my Destinie , To be accomplish't in my Tragedie . Likewise my Name enter'd in Hels black Roule ; So infinite my Actions of Arrest , My grim ●ac't conscience ceazing on my Soule ; And my Tormentor e●e● in my Brest ; So not the minde alone , but ●ody whole , Equally feeling , and alike distrest ; Such watch they kept ; such clamor they did make ; That waking , I did dreame ; and sleeping , wake . Such was my Passion ; of all faith 〈◊〉 , Which should apply a Salue vnto my wound , That in my Minde , Hell onely was conceau'd , Which did all thought , and hope of Heau●n confound : Thus my despairefull 〈◊〉 wea●'d The Web of my affliction ; and I found My State so desperate , and my Sin so great , That no repenta●t meanes could expia●e . Should I haue fill'd the ayre with plain●s 〈◊〉 ●ries ; Haue wr●ng my hands in griefe ; straynd blood , in feares ; Eate into Marble with my still bent knees ; And all the Center rotted , with my teares ; Such was the clamo● of my vi●●●ies ▪ And so importunate were my Despaires , That nothing ( as I thought ) would satisfie , Th' offended Iustice of the Dei●ie . The setled Center , eas●er might a●●ume The heauenly Motion that turnes euer round ; Huge Whales might sooner fly with feathered plume , And Birds ( like wormes ) creepe on the baser Ground , Ere I could hope , or euer might presume , By my repentance , mercy to haue found , For prest with sin , and of all Grace bereauen , I could not lift one Thought so high as heauen . Not Saul , that ( being possest ) dyde Reprobate : Not Esau's selfe , that did his Birth-right ●ell ; Not Iudas , mark't for veng'ance by his Fate ; Not those which were deuoured quick to Hell ; Not hardned Pharao , all as Desperate ; Nor cursed , and forlorne Achitophel ; Could be more surely seall'd , in Heauens iust doome , Then I , in conscience , for the wrath to come . Thus blasted with the Whirlewind of Gods Breath , And shaken , with the Terror of his wrath , Veng'ance aboue me , and Hell-fire beneath ; So void of Grace , and so exempt from faith : What could I looke for but Eternall Death , Since all my life was progrest in that Path ? Now did I fondly wish , in my Despayre , To be resolu'd to th' Element , of Ayre When drowsie Morpheus , with his Mace addrest My turbulent spirits , to a quiet Truce ; My Thoughts , scarce gaue me sleepe ; that sleepe , no Rest , Though bound my Sences , yet my Sinne was loose ; For th' Images of outward Things ( Imprest In common Sence ) did ( as it is their vse ) Present vnto my waking Phantasie The horrid visions of my Tyrannie . For my ●ome●i●● feares ( that wholy tend To ●xtacies ▪ and ●roken sleepes , vnfound ) Did to my 〈◊〉 , black ●umes of horror send , Rais'd from ●●spare , and 〈◊〉 ground ; Whereon the 〈◊〉 did apprehend , And forge such terrible obiects , that I found My selfe oft strangled through those dreames of Terror , Which shew'd my Death , and Hell , as through a Mirror . Such appa●itions frighted me in sleepe ; My Conscience , vnappea●●d ; my Sinne , still crying ; These terrible Impressions were so deepe , That waking , I was Transt ; and liuing ▪ dying ; I wish't I had beene made a worme , to creepe ; Or from a worthlesse Egge , beene hatch't from flying ; Or like proude N●buchadnez●r , to nourish My Beastiall Nature , and like Beasts to perrish . Thus Sinne , a venom'd Tooth from Hell did borrow , Which ranckled to the Death , with deadly Byte ; I sorrow'd desperatly , because my sorrow Was all too late , to helpe my helplesse plight ; I plow'd vppon my barren Heart , whose Furrow ( Not deaw'd with teares ; ●or sowne with Seedes , Contrite ) Could yeeld no frute , but ranckned with Sinns Ayre , For hopeful faith , brought Thornes of sharp despaire . Damnations feare did make me penitent Which Reprobates may haue with Gods Elect , But Fayth and Grace , ( whose ends are to repent ) Were farre remou'd , and absent in Effect , I knew my Sinne , with Sorrowes languishment , In Conscience sincking , and in horror wrak't , But that Repentance , which should saue and raise me , Iustice forbids me , and despaire denaies me . Now Engl●nds Genius doth begin to swell , Whose spirit , long supprest , breakes out in Fyre , The Peeres doe stirr , the Commons doe rebell , Gyrles great with spleene , and Women sharpe with Ire , Old men take Armes , Children ( new crept from Shell ) Wrong , and Oppression , doe with Rage inspire : Factions now rend the State in seuerall parts , Swords in their hands , and vengeance in their hearts . Richmond hath set his foote vpon my stand , Who out of many letts hath wrought his course , And like a Streame , which lower Ban●●es withstand , Swells o're his Bounds , and spreeds his flowing Sourse , The wrong incensed Peeres , augment his Band , And giue his weakenes , a resistfull force , Of those , that did my Tyrannous Yoake still beare , None lent their strengths in Loue , but all in Feare . Who in their staggering doubts of Warres euent , And to secure their Howses from Attaint , Did set a Coulor , on their forst entent , And with could Faiths , relieued my Hope as faint , Distracted were their Mindes , their Hearts were rent , Weake are the Powers that fight vpon Constraint , Of some I tooke firme Hostage , to assure them , And promisd others Mountaines , to procure them . From the could North , ( summond by my Commaund ) I had a Company of Frozen Hearts , Who seem'd the very Scar-Crowes of the Land , So poore they were , ill furnish't at all parts : These halfe Fac't staruelings , and this Bandles Band , These ragged outsides , and these tattered Shirts , Came as to warme them , nere the Western Light , With Mawes to feede , rather then Hearts to fight . These were the Souldiers that I kept in Pay , Such Fayndings neuer yet were prest with Coyne , Whose heauy lookes , their duller Spirits betray ; To make hope falter , in my Warres designe , All sought to loose , rather then win the day , And seem'd more Richmonds part , then friends of myne , Yet these I term'd true Hearts , with falsed Stile , And hartned them with many a hartles Smile . And though enuiron'd with a darkesome Feare . Yet in my face , I forst a seeming light , Whose Substance crude , and could , I did out weare The day , in cares , in waking Howers , the Night , Vnsetled were my Motions , and did beare Vndoubted semblance of distracted plight , My Conscience prick't soliciting my mynd With Blood , for my most bloody deedes assignd . O how I band the Welch , with bitter spite , Ap Thomas , Griffeth , Herbert , and their Traine , That with poore Richmonds handfull , ioyn'd their might ; To take part with the Meane ; and leaue the Mayne : But when they swore to our defensiue Right , With Sence reseru'd , they kept their Names from Stayne , For I Vsurpt , and had noe Right at all , Their Gardian Angells prompt their Rize ; my Fall . Yet on I must with these my dangerous Friends , To try the Chance of vengeance threatning Warrs , Where guilt giues Terror , Terror Mischeefe lends ; And mixe their Malice with my fatall Starres , The Deulish Fury in my Brest entends , In spite of danger and all opposite Barrs , To Cut this knot the mistick Fates conteyne , And set my life and Kingdome on this Mayne . Richmond comes on , relieu'd with still supplies ; Whose firmest Faiths , giue hart to his iust Ayme , S●eeling the Back of his great enterprize , With Cambro-Brittaines , men of taintlesse Name , My strength , is trustles ; his , in true harts lyes , And still encreaseth , going ; like to Fame ; Angels attend Him , with their imminent powre , Auspicious are his Starres , and mine doe lowre . The Prayers of old men , and the Nerues of young , Giue vigor to his Arme , and prompt his Spirit , Cur●es , and Rage , ( through Tyrany and wrong ) Attend my Action , and my hatefull merit : I faint in Millions ; He , in hundreds strong , For not the oddes of multitudes inherit The victors Prize , since Warre ( in heauens iust lawes ) Is euer sway'd by Iustice of the cause . Warr's the Tribunall , where all deeds of Armes Receiue their equall , and their partlesse Doome , Not Fortunes Spels , nor Legions with their Charmes , But must giue Fate Preeminence , and Roome ▪ Though men , like Gyants , with their proud Alarm's Doe braue the Heau'ns ; yet if Ioues Thunder come In awfull veng'ance downe , such pride he quailes , So , not presumption then , but truth preuailes . The bloody Field is pitcht ; suruey'd the Ground ▪ The Centynels are plac't ; Perdu's are sent , Souldiers entrenched , and encamped round , And in the midst aduanc'd my shining Tent , Counsels assembled , for directions , found ; Aduantages propos'd , for Detriment , All Things dispos'd , night comes , strong watch wee keep , When weighty cares , doe summon me to sleepe . Now doth my conscience agitate my feares In visions , of my waking Phantasie , Now each particular action appeares A strong Appealant of my Tyrany : Murder sounds horror , in my deafned Eares , And all my deeds of damn'd impietie Presse to the Barr , where I receiue my doome Of death-Stabs heere , and infinite to come . Me thought I saw in those affrighting Dreames , My slaughtred Numbers round about my Bed , Op'ning their wounded Mouthes , in Crimson Streames , And powring Blood vpon my tyrannous Head : The Furies Brands ( me thought ) shed flaming Beames , To wast me in my passage through the dead ; Where at Hels mouth , each howling spirit proclaimes , And ring my welcome , with their clamorous chaines . Me thought I saw , and heard the loathsome Plight Of dying Men ; how bound in Frosts they lye , Swimming in cold sweates , and berest of Light , Their entrailes gnawne ; pulse , stay'd , and veines drawne dry , Their ratling Throats ; fur'd Tongues ; their broken sight ; Their gasping Breaths ; their lookes deformitie , Their earthy sauor , in expiring Breath , O horrid Dreame ! but O more fearefull Death ! Me thought likewise , the dismall Rau'ns did croke , As I approch't my death , to passe the Graues , The Earth did shake , and coniur'd Tempests broke In hydeous noises from their Bellowing caues , Which threw downe Turrets ; roots the stoutest Oake : Then from the clouds the Arme of vengeance waues , And giues the Signall to the bloody fight , Where thousand swords diuide me , and the light . These violent distractions broke in sunder The heauy Band , tha● bound my Sences fast , Whose frightfull visions made me wild with wonder , Yet vp I rose , then had I slept my last , And whiles with ghastly visage , I did ponder , Present , ensuing , and the Times long past ; I started from my Trance with ragefull Teene , Taking a Dragons Spirit , a Tygers Spleene . And as the motions of all Naturall Things Proue swiftest in their Ends ; more strong enclin'd ; As Torrents roare , deriu'd from smallest Springs And gentle Blasts , doe turne to boystrous win●e : So I resolu'd to put on fierie wings : And in my End , adde Spirit to my minde , For yeelding Thoughts , befit the basest Slaues , Kings should soare high , although they drop to graues . The Mornings Chanticlere proclaim'd the day , Whose lowring countenance vaild the God of light ; Yet glistring Armor ( spite of Mornings Gray ) To valiant mindes , doe yeeld a cheerefull sight ; The roll'd vp Ensigne , when it doth display , Giues Hart , and Coulor , to the Martiall wight ; From Richmonds Armes , his harts took such bright shine But leaden Spirits , could take no life from mine . Now was my Battell rang'd on Bosworth Plaine , The Vantgard , order'd ; and the Wings were set , Norfolke ( my Chieftaine ) with much sweat , and paine , Temper'd my Frozen Harts , with his kind heate ; Surrey , and He , bore mindes that had no staine , Both well approu'd in Armes , and martiall Feate , Our Standards both aduanc't in open fight , Summons are giuen , to prepare the Fight . My Men with Souldiors Rethorick , I excite ; Enforce the vildnes of mine Enemie Th' iniustice of his cause , of ours , the Right ; Our wealthy States ; their desperate Pouertie ; Their fainting Force ; and our assured Might ; Our liuing Honors ; and their Infamy : So I concluded with these hartning Words ; St George for England ; and for me their Swords . Now rotten Sin giues ripenes to my Fate ; And Ioue doth vaile the Curtaine of the Sky , Reflecting Beames of Fauor , and sterne hate , On Richmonds Conquest ; and my Tragedie : Heauens singing Motion ( that deuoures liues date , The working Organs of the Deitie ) Hast to my Period ; when I must be throwne From height of Pride , to depth of Acheron . Signall is giuen ; and the sound of death , Showts , Drums , and Trumpets deafen all our Eares , Brests , Buts for Shafts ; and swords in flesh doe sheath , Horse , meet with Horse ; and Speares are lin'd with speares ; Blood , blends with Blood ; & Breath doth mix with breath ; Life , flies with life ; and Beeres , are laid by Beeres ; Mazors to Bils , doe stand for Butchers Blocks , Fire , twin'd with Lightning , Thunder , ioin'd with shocks . Bellona rag'd not so , as I did storme , My L●on Spirit hunts Richmond for my pray , I out-fac't death in his most vgly Forme ; And through the thickest Shocks , I hew'd my way ; My Spirit was like whirle-winde , and mine Arme , A pointed Comet ▪ in this cruell Fray , Streaming forth Blood , and foming Rage , and Gall , Deathfull my spleene ; my Fury , Funerall . Vnequall'd was my more then mortall Ire , Hels euer burning Lymbeck did distill The Spirit of Diuels , in my quenchlesse Fire , Wishing such power to damne , as hart to kill ; My winged Horse did Regase my desire ; Windes , in my Passion ; th' Ocean in my Will ; My cloud-congested Rage , dissolu'd like Thunder , My valour , more prodigious then Wonder . But soone my Archers slack their strongest Bent , My Souldiers Steele rebated ; yet ( more keene ) They brandish Malice with one free consent , And against me , conuert their pointed Spleene ; Stanley , with Richmond , ioines his Regiment , Some fled , some stood at gaze , the rest were seene With idle action to maintaine the Field Powre , faintly answer'd , argues Will , to yeeld . Then as I had attain'd the wished Ken Of Richmonds selfe , by noted Markes he wore , In bloudy sweate I spur'd through slaughtred Men , To quench my fierie Spirit , with his Gore : Brandon ( his valiant Standard-Bearer then ) I slew ; with stout opposers , many more , And with spent Blood being weake in eu'ry part I fail'd to set my Seale on Richmonds Heart . My Horse being slaine , with him I fell to Ground , And yet euen then was not disanimate , For my high Spirit , aboue my Flesh did bound , Scorning the limit of my mortall Date , Till with their thickest Troopes enclosed round , And wrastling manly with r●alignant Fate , They Character'd in wounds my Tyrannie , And thus perform'd my bloody Tragedie . My Braine they dasht , which flew on eu'ry side As they would shew my Tracts of Policie : My yeares , with stabs ; my dayes , they multiplide In drops of Blood ; t' expresse my Crueltie : They pierst my Hart ; euaporating Pride , And mangled me like an Anatomie , And then with Horses drag'd me to my Tombe , Thus finish't I my Fate by Heauens iust Doome . Yee , that in stately madnesse of desire , Doe thinke your selues firme Center'd in your Spheres ; Yee that ( subiecting Sence ) like Gods aspire , In rising Hopes , confounding headlong Feares ; Behold in me , your suddaine quenched fire , To depth of Hell falne , from those lofty Stayres : Asswage your Thirst betimes ; remit your height , For if yee fall y' are crush't with your owne weight . But if ye slight my Counsell : still feed lust , Pamper proud flesh ; drinke sinfull Lethae free ; Till Tyme and Death resolue your Trunkes to dust , Your Soules to Torments , Names to Infamy . And so farewell , for back againe I must Vnto the horrid shades of Destiny : Now doe I sinke , as erst in Pride I fell , And to leaue fame on Earth , thus diu'd to Hell . Now Englands Chaos was reduc't to order By God-like Richmond ; whose successiue Stems , The hand of Time hath Branch't in curious Border , Vnto the mem'rie of thrice Royall Iames : An Angels Trumpe be his true Fames Recorder , And may that Brittaine Phoebus from his Beames In Glories light his influence extend , His Off-spring , countles ; Peace , nor Date , nor End . Hac decies repetita placebit . FINIS .