Englands heroicall epistles. By Michaell Drayton

The Epistle of Rosamond to King Henrie the second . * The Argument .

Henrie the second of that name , King of England , the sonne of Geffrey Plantaginet , Earle of Aniou , & Maude the Empresse , hauing by long sute and princely gifts , wonne ( to his vnlawfull desire ) faire Rosamond , the daughter of the Lord Walter Clyfford , and to auoyde the danger of Ellinor his iealious Queene , had caused a Labyrinth to be made within his pallace at Woodstocke ; in the center whereof , hee had lodged his beautious paramore . Whilst the King is absent in his warres in Normandy , this poore distressed Lady , inclosed in this solitarie place , tucht with remorse of conscience , writes vnto the King of her distresse and miserable estate , vrging him by all meanes and perswasions , to cleere himselfe of this infamie , and her of the griefe of minde , by taking away her wretched lyfe .

IF yet thine eyes ( great Henry ) may endure These tainted lynes , drawne with a hand impure , Which faine would blush , but feare keeps blushes back , And therefore suted in dispayring blacke , This in loues name , ô that these lypps might craue , But that sweete name ( vile I ) prophaned haue ; Punish my fault , or pittie mine estate , Reade it for loue , if not for loue , for hate . If with my shame thine eyes thou faine would'st feede , Heere let them surfeit , on my shame to reede ; This scribled paper which I send to thee , If noted rightly , dooth resemble mee : As this pure ground , wheron these letters stand , So pure was I , ere stayned by thy hand ; Ere I was blotted with this foule offence , So cleere and spotlesse was mine innocence : Now like these marks , which taint this hatefull scroule , Such the black sinnes , which spotte my leprous soule . O Henry why , by losse thus shouldst thou winne ? To get by conquest ? to enrich with sinne ? Why on my name this slaunder doost thou bring , To make my fault renowned by a King ? Fame neuer stoopes to things but meane and poore , The more our greatnes , makes our fault the more . Lights on the ground , themselues doe lessen farre , But in the ayre , each small sparke seemes a starre . Why on a womans frailetie wouldst thou lay This subtile plot , mine honour to betray ? Or thy vnlawfull pleasure should'st thou buy with vile expence of kinglie maiestie ? T' was not my minde consented to this ill , Then had I beene transported by my will , For what my body was enforst to doe , ( Heauen knowes ) my soule did not consent vnto ; For through mine eyes , had shee her liking seene , Such as my loue , such had my louer beene . True loue is simple , like his mother Truth , Kindlie affection , youth to loue with youth ; No sharper corsiue to our blooming yeares , Then the cold badge of winter = blasted haires . Thy kinglie power makes to withstand thy foes , But canst not keepe backe age , with time it growes ; Though honour our ambitious sexe doth please , Yet in that honour , age a foule disease . Nature hath her free course in all , and then , Age is alike in Kings , and other men , Which all the world will to my shame impute That I my selfe did basely prostitute ; And say , that gold was suell to the fire , Gray haires in youth not kindling greene desire . O no ; that wicked woman wrought by thee , My temptor was to that forbidden tree ; That subtile serpent , that seducing deuill , which bad mee taste the fruite of good and euill : That Circe , by whose magicke I was charm'd , And to this monstrous shape am thus transform'd ; That viperous hagge , the foe to her owne kind , That wicked spirit , vnto the weaker minde : Our frailties plague , our natures onely curse , Hells deep'st damnation , the worst euills worse . But Henry , how canst thou affect me thus , T'whom thy remembrance now is odious ? My haplesse name , with Henries name I found Cut in the glasse with Henries Diamond : That glasse from thence fainc would I take away , But then I feare the ayre would me betray ; Then doe I striue to wash it out with teares , But then the same more euident appeares . Then doe I couer it with my guiltie hand , which that names witnes doth against mee stand : Once did I sinne , which memory doth cherrish , Once I offended , but I euer perrish . What griefe can be , but time dooth make it lesse ? But infamy tyme neuer can suppresse . Some-times to passe the tedious irkesome howres , I clymbe the top of Woodstocks mounting towers , Where in a Turret secretly I lye To viewe from farre such as doe trauaile by , Whether ( mee thinks ) all cast theyr eyes at mee , As through the stones my shame did make them see , And with such hate the harmles walls doe view , As vnto death theyr eyes would mee pursue . The married women curse my hatefull life , Which wrong a lawfull bed , a Queene , a wife ; The maydens wish I buried quicke may die , The lothsome staine to their virginitie . Well knew'st thou what a monster I would bee , When thou didst builde this Labyrinth for mee , Whose strange Meanders turning euery way , Be like the course wherein my youth did stray : Onely a Clue to guide mee out and in , But yet still walke I , circuler in sinne . As in the Tarras heere this other day My maide and I did passe the time away , Mongst manie pictures which we passed by , The silly girle at length hapt to espie Chast Lucrece picture , and desires to know What shee should be herselfe that murdred so ; Why girle ( quoth I ) this is that Romaine dame : Not able then to tell the rest for shame , My tougue doth mine owne guiltines betray ; With that I send the pratling girle away , Least when my lisping guiltie tongue should hault , My lookes should be the Index to my fault . As that life blood which from the hart is sent , In beauties fielde pitching his Crimson Tent , In louely sanguine sutes the Lilly cheeke , Whilst it but for a resting place dooth seeke ; And changing often-times with sweet delight , Conuerts the white to red , the red to white . The louely blush , the palenes dooth distaine , The palenes makes the blush more faire againe : Thus in my breast a thousand thoughts I carry , which in my passion diuersly doe varry . When as the sunne hales towards the westerne slade , And the trees shadowes three times greater made , Foorth goe I to a little Current neere , Which like a wanton trayle creepes heere and there , Where with mine angle casting in my baite , The little fishes ( dreading the deceit ) with fearefull nibbling flie th' inticing gin , By nature taught what danger lyes therein . Things reasonlesse thus warnd by nature bee , Yet I deuourd the baite was layd for mee ; Thinking thereon , and breaking into grones , The bubling spring which trypps vppon the stones Chides mee away , least sitting but too nie , I should pollute that natiue puritie . Rose of the World , so dooth import my name , Shame of the worlde , my life hath made the same ; And to th' vnchast thys name shall giuen bee , Of Rosamond , deriu'd from sinne and mee . The Clyffords take from mee that name of theirs , Famous for vertue many hundred yeeres . They blot my birth with hatefull bastardie , That I sprang not from their Nobilitie ; They my alliance vtterly refuse , Nor will a strumpet shall their name abuse . Heere in the Garden , wrought by curious hands , Naked Diana in the fountaine standes , with all her Nimphs got round about to hide her , As when Acteon had by chaunce espvde her : This sacred image I no sooner view'd , But as that meta morphosd man pursu'd By his owne hounds : so by my thoughts am I , which chase mee still , which way so ere I flie . Touching the grasse , the honny-dropping dew , which falls in teares before my limber shue , Vpon my foote consumes in weeping still , As it would say , Why went'st thou vnto ill ? Thus to no place in safetie can I goe But euery thing 〈◊〉 giue mee cause of woe . In that faire Casket of such wondrous cost Thou sent'st the night before mine honour lost , Amimone was wrought , a harmelesse maide , By Neptune that adulterous God betrayd ; Shee prostrate at his feete begging with prayers , wringing her hands , her eyes swolne vp with teares ; This was not the entrapping baite of men , But by thy vertue gentlie warning then ; To shew to mee for what intent it , came , Least I therein should euer keepe my shame . And in this Casket ( ill I see it now ) Was loues-loue l-o turnd into a Cowe . Yet was shee kept with Argus hundred eyes , So wakefull still be lunos iealousies ; By this I well might haue fore-warned beene , T' haue cleerd my selfe to thy suspecting Queene , who with more hundred eyes attendeth mee Then had poore Argus single eyes to see . In this thou righthe imitatest loue , Into a beast thou hast transformd thyloue . Nay worser farre ; ( degenerate from kinde ) A monster , both in body and in minde . The waxen Taper which I burne by night , with his dull vapory dimnes mocks my sight ; As though the dampe which hinders his cleere flame , Came from my breath , in that night of my shame , When it did burne as darknesse vglie eye when shot the starre of my virginitie . And if a starre but by the glasse appeare , I straight intreate it not to looke in heere ; I am already hatefull to the light , It is enough , betray mee not to night . Then sith my shame so much belongs to thee , Rid mee of that , by onelie murdring mee ; And let it iustly to my charge be layd Thy roiall person I would haue betrayd : Thou shalt not neede by circumstance t' accuse mee , If I denie it , let the heauens refuse mee . My life s a blemish which dooth cloude thy name , Take it away , and cleere shall shine thy fame : Yeeld to my sute , if ouer pitty moou'd thee , In this shewe mercie , as I euer lou'd thee .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Well knewest thou what a monster I would bee , When thou didst builde this Labyrinth for mee .

IN the Cretean Labyrinth a monster was inclosed , called a Minotaur , the history wherof is well knowne , but the Labyrinth was framed by Daedalus , w so many intricate waies , y being entred , one could either hardly or neuer return , being in maner of a maze , saue that it was larger , the waies being walld in on euery side , out of the which Theseus by Ariadnes help ( lending him a clue of thred ) escaped . Some report that it was a house , hauing one halfe beneath the ground , another aboue , the chamber doores therein so deceitfully enwrapped , & made to open so many sundry wayes , that it was held a matter almost impossible to returne .

Some haue held it to haue been an Allegorie of mans life , true it is , that the comparison will hold , for what liker to a Labyrinth then the maze of life ? But it is affirmed by antiquitie that there was indeede such a building , though Daedalus beeing a name applied to the workmans excellencie , make it suspected ; for Daedalus is nothing els but ingenious , or artificiall . Heereupon it is vsed among the auncient Poets for any thing curiously wrought .

Rosamonds Labyrinth , whose ruins together with her well being paued with square stone in the bottom , and also her towre from which the 〈◊〉 did run , ( are yet remaining , ) was altogether vnder ground , being vanlts arched and waled with brick & stone , almost inextricably wound one within another , by which if at any time her lodging were layd about by the Queene , she might easily auoyde perrill imminent , & if neede be , by secrete issues take the ayre abroad , many furlongs round about Wodstocke in Oxfordshire , wherein it was situated . Thus much for Rosamands Labyrinth .

Whose strange Meanders turned euery way .

Maeander is a riuer in Lycia , a Prouince of Natolia or Asia minor , famous for the sinuositie and often turning thereof , rifing from certaine hills in Maeonia , heereupon are intricate turnings by a transsumptiue and Metonimicall kind of speech , called Maeanders , for this riuer did so strangely path it selfe , that the foote seemed to touch the head .

Rose of the world , so dooth import my name , Shame of the world my life hath made the same .

It might be reported , how at Godstow where this Rose of the world was sumptuously interred , a certaine Bishop in the visitation of his diocese , caused the monument which had been erected to 〈◊〉 honour , vtterly to be demolished , but be that seuere chastisement of Rosamond then dead at this time also ouerpassed , least she should seeme to be the Shame of the world .

Henry to Rosamond . WHen first the Post arriued in my Tent , And brought the Letters Rosamond had sent , Think from his lips , but what sweet 〈◊〉 came , when in mine eare he softly breath'd thy name , Straight I enioyne him of thy health to tell , Longing to heare my Rosamond did well ; With newe enquiries then I cut him short when of the same he gladly would report , That with the earnest hast my tongue oft tryps , Catching the words halfe spoke out of his lyps : This told , yet more I vrge him to reueale , To loose no time whilst I vnript the seale . The more I read , still doe I erre the more , As though mistaking some-what said before . Missing the poynt , the doubtfull sence is broken , Speaking againe , what I before had spoken ; Still in a swound , my hart reuiues , and faints , Twixt hopes , dispaires , twixt smiles , and deepe complaints . As these sad accents sort in my desires , Smooth calmes , rough stormes , sharpe frosts , and raging fiers , Put on with boldnesse , and put backe with feares , My tongue with curses , when mine eyes with teares . O how my hart at that black line did tremble , That blotted paper should thy selfe resemble ; O were there paper but neere halfe so white , The Gods thereon their sacred Lawes would write With pennes of Angels wings , and for theyr inck , That heauenly Nectar , their immortall drinke . Maiestick courage striues to haue supprest This fearefull passion stirr'd vp in my brest , But still in vaine the same I goe about , My hart must breake within , or woes breake out . Am I at home pursu'd with priuate hate , And warre comes raging to my Pallace gate ? Is meager Enuie stabbing at my throne , Treason attending when I walke alone ? And am I branded with the curse of Rome , And stand condemn'd by dreadfull counsells dombe ? And by the pride of my rebellious sonne , Rich Normandy with Armies ouer-runne ? Fatall my birth , vnfortunate my life , Vnkind my children , most vnkinde my wife . Griefe , cares , old age suspition to torment mee , Nothing on earth to quiet or content mee ; So manie woes , so many plagues to finde , Sicknes of body , discontent of minde ; Hopes left , helps reft , life wrong'd , ioy interdicted , Banisht , distress'd , forsaken , and afflicted : Of all releefe hath Fortune quite bereft mee ? Onely my loue vnto my comfort left mee . And is one beautie thought so great a thing ? To mittigate the sorrowes of a King ? Barr'd of that choyce the vulgar often proue , Haue wee ( then they ) , lesse priuiledge in loue ? Is it a King , the wofull widdow heares ? Is it a King , dryes vp the Orphans teares ? Is it a King , regards the Clyants cry ? Giues life to him by iustice domb'd to die ? Is it his care , the Common-wealth that keepes , As doth the nurse her babie whilst it sleepes ? And that poore King , of all these hopes preuented , Vnhard , vnhelp'd , vnpittied , vnlamented . Yet let me be with pouertie opprest , Of earthly blessings rob'd , and dispossest , Let me be scorn'd , reiected , and reuild , From kingdom , country , & from Court exild , Let the worlds curse vpon me still remaine , And let the last bring on the first againe ; All miseries that wretched man may wound , Leaue for my comfort ; onely Rosamond , For thee swift Time her speedy course doth stay , At thy commaund the Destinies obey ; Pitty is dead , that comes not from thine eyes , And at thy feete , euen mercy prostrate lyes ; If I were feeble , rhumaticke , or cold , These were true signes that I were waxed old , But I can march all day in massie steele , Nor yet my armes vnweeldie weight do feele , Nor wak'd by night , with bruze or bloudy wound , The Tent my bed , no pillow but the ground ; For very age had I layne bedrid long , One smile of thine againe could make me yong . Were there in Art a power but so diuine As is in that sweet Angell-tongue of thine , That great Inchauntresse which once tooke such paines , To force young blood in Aesons wither'd vaines , And from groues , mountaines , medowes , marshe & fen , Brought all the simples were ordaind for men , And of those plants ; those hearbs , those flowers , those weeds , Vsed the roots , the leaues , the iuyce , the seeds , And in this powerfull potion that shee makes , Puts blood of men , of beasts , of birds , of snakes , Neuer had needed to haue gone so far , To seeke the soyles where all those simples are , One accent from thy lypps , the blood more warmes , Then all her philtres , exorcismes , and charmes . Thy presence hath repaired in one day , What manie yeeres and sorrowes did decay , And made fresh beauties fairest branches spring From wrinckled furrowes of Times ruining . Euen as the hungry winter-starued earth When shee by nature labours towards her birth ; Still as the day vpon the darke world creepes , One blossom foorth after another peepes , Till the small flower whose roote is nowe vnbound , Gets from the frostie prison of the ground , Spreading the leaues vnto the powerfull noone , Deck'd in fresh colours , smiles vpon the sunne . Neuer vnquiet care lodg'd in that brest , Where but one thought of Rosamond dyd rest ; Nor thirst , nor trauaile , which on warre attend , Ere brought the long day to desired end ; Nor yet did pale Feare , or leane Famine liue , where hope of thee , did any comfort giue . Ah what iniustice then is this of thee , That thus the guiltlesse doost condemne for me ? When onely shee ( by meanes of my offence ) Redeemes thy purenes , and thy innocence , When to our wills perforce obey they must , That iust in them , whatere in vs vniust ; Of what we doe , not them account we make , Thysserues for all ; they doe it for our sake , And what to worke a Princes will may merit , Hath deep'st impression in a gentle spirit : Our powerfull wills drawne by attractiue beautie , They to our wills arm'd by subiectiue dutie . And true affection doth no bound reteane , For this is sure , firme loue had neuer meane ; And whilst the cause by reason is disputed , Reason itselfe , by loue is most confuted . I ft be my name that doth thee so offend , No more my selfe shall be mine owne names friend ; And i ft be that which thou doost onely hate , That name , in my name , lastly hath his date . Say t is accurst , and fatall , and dispraise it , If written blot it , if engrauen , raze it . Say that of all names t is a name of woe , Once a Kings name , but now it is not so . And when all this is done , I know t will grieue thee , And therefore ( sweet ) why should I now beleeue thee ? Nor shouldst thou thinke those eyes with enuie lower , which passing by thee , gaze vp to thy tower , But rather praise thine owne which be so cleere , Which from the Turret like two starres appeare ; And in theyr moouings , like a Christall glasse , Make such reflection vnto all that passe , Aboue the sunne doth shine , beneath thine eyes , As though two sunnes at once , shin'd in two skyes . The little streame which by thy tower doth glide , Where oft thou spend'st the weary euening tide , To view thee well his course would gladly stay , As loth from thee to part so soone away ; And with salutes thy selfe would gladly greete , And offer vp those small drops at thy feete , But finding that the enuious bankes restraine it , To'xcuse it selfe doth in this sort complaine it , And therefore this sad bubling murmur keepes , And in this sort within the channell weepes . And as thou doost into the water looke , The fishe which see thy shadow in the brooke , Forget to feede , and all amazed lye , So daunted with the luster of thine eye . And that sweet name which thou so much doost wrong , In time shall be some famous Poets song ; And with the very sweetnes of that name Lyons and Tygars , men shal learne to tame . The carefull mother from her pensiue brest with Rosamond shall bring her babe to rest ; The little birds , ( by mens continuall sound ) Shall learne to speake , and prattle Rosamond ; And when in Aprill they begin to sing , with Rosamond shall welcome in the spring ; And she in whom all rarities are found , Shall still be said to be a Rosamond . The little flowers which dropping honied dew , which ( as thou writ'st ) do weepe vpon thy shue , Not for thy fault ( sweet Rosamond ) doe mone , But weep for griefe , that thou so soone art gone , For if thy foote tuch Hemlocke as it goes , That Hemlock's made more sweeter then the Rose , Of loue or Neptune how they did betray , Nor speake of 1-0 , or Amimone , When she for whom Ioue once became a Bull , Compar'd with thee , had been a tawny trull ; He a white Bull , and shee a whiter Cow , Yet he , nor she , nere halfe so white as thou . Long since ( thou knowst ) my care prouided for To lodge thee safe from iealious Ellinor ; The Labyrinths conueyance guides thee so , ( which onely Vahan thou and I doe knowe ) If shee doe guard thee with a hundred eyes , I haue an hundred subtile Mercuries To watch that Argus , which my loue doth keep , Vntill eye , after eye , fall all to sleepe . Those starrs looke in by night , looke in to see , Wondring what starre heere on the earth should bee . As oft the Moone amidst the silent night , Hath come to ioy vs with her friendly light , And by the Curtaine help'd mine eye to see What enuious night and darknes hid from mee ; when I haue wish'd that shee might euer stay , And other worlds might still enioy the day . What should I say ? words , teares , and sighes be spent , And want of time dooth further helps preuent ; My Campe resounds with feare sull shocks of war , Yet in my breast the worser conflicts are ; Yet is my signall to the battailes sound , The blessed name of beautious Rosamond . Accursed be that hart , that tongue , that breath , Should thinke , should speake , or whisper of thy death . For in one smyle , or lower from thy sweet eye , Consists my life , my hope , my victorie . Sweet Woodstock , where my Rosamond doth rest , Blessed in her , in whom thy King is blest ; For though in Fraunce a while my body bee , ( Sweet Paradice ) my hart remaines in thee .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Am I at home pursued with priuate hate , And warre comes raging to my Pallace gate ?

RObert Earle of Leicester , who tooke part with young king Henry , entred into England with an Army of 3. thousand Flemmings , and spoyled the Countryes of Norfolke and Suffolke , beeing succoured by many of the Kings priuate enemies .

And am I branded with the curse of Roome ?

King Henry the second , the first Plantaginet , accused for the death of Thomas Becket , Archbishop of Canterbury , slaine in the Cathedrall Church , was accursed by Pope Alexander , although he vrgd sufficient proofe of his innocencie in the same , and offered to take vpon him any pennance , so he might escape the curse & interdiction of the Realme .

And by the pride of my rebellious sonne , Rich Normandie with Armies ouer-runne .

Henry the young King , whom King Henry had caused to bee crowned in his life , ( as he hoped ) both for his owne good & the good of his subiects , which indeede turned to his owne sorrowe , and the trouble of the whole Realme , for he rebelled against him , and raysing a power , by the meanes of Lewes King of Fraunce , & William King of Scots who tooke part with him , inuaded Normandie .

Vnkind my children , most vnkind my wife .

Neuer King more infortunate then King Henry in the disobedience of his chyldren ; first Henry , then Geffery , then Richard , then Iohn , all at one time or other , first or last , vnnaturally rebelled against him ; then the iealoufie of Ellinor his Queene , who suspected his loue to Rosamond : which grecuous troubles , the deuout of those times , attrybuted to happen vnto him iustly , for refusing to take vpon him the gouernment of Ierusalem , offered vnto him by the Patriarck there , which Countrey was mightily afflicted by the Souldane .

Which onely Vahan thou and I doe know .

This Vahan was a Knight whom the King exceedingly loued , who kept the Pallace at Woodstocke , and much of the Kinges iewels and treasure , to whom the King committed many of his secrets , and in whom hee reposed such trust , that hee durst commit his loue into his charge .

FINIS .

King Iohn to Matilda . * The Argument .

After that King Iohn had assaied by all meanes possible , to win the fayre and chast Matilda , to his vnchast and vnlawfull bed , and by vniust courses and false accusation had banished the Lord Robert Fitzwater her noble Father , and many other of his alies , who iustly withstood the desire of this wanton King , seeking the dishonour of his faire and vertuous daughter this chast Lady still solicited by this lasciuious King , flies vnto Dunmowe in Essex , where in a Nunnarie shee becomes a Nun , whether the King ( still persisting in his sute ) , solicits her by this Epistle ; her reply confirmes her vowed and inuinsible chastitie , making knowne to the King her pure vnspotted thoughts .

WHen these my Letters come vnto thy view , Think them not forc'd , or faind , or strange , or new ; Thou knowst no way , no meanes , no course exempted , Left now vnsought , vnprou'd , or vnatempted , All rules , regards , all secrets , helps of Art , What knowledge , wit , experience can impart ; And in the old worlds Ceremonies doted , Good dayes for loue , times , howers , and minutes noted : And where Art left , loue teacheth more to find , By signes in presence to expresse the minde . Oft hath mine eye , told thine eye , beautie greeu'd it , And begd but for one looke to haue releeu'd it : And still with thine eyes motion , mine eye mou'd , Labouring for mercie ; telling how it lou'd . If blush'd , I blush'd , thy cheeke pale , pale was mine , My red , thy red , my whitenes aunswered thine ; If sigh'd , I sigh'd , alike both passion proue , But thy sigh is for griefe , my sigh for loue ; If a word past , that insufficient were , To helpe that word , mine eye let forth a teare , And if that teare did dull or sencelesse proue , My hart would fetch a sigh , to make it moue . Oft in thy face , one fauour from the rest I singled forth that likes my fancie best ; This likes me most , another likes me more , A third exceeding both those lik'd before : Then one that doth deriue all wonder thence , Then one whose rarenes passeth excellence . Whilst I behold thy Globe-like rouling eye , Thy louely cheeke ( mee thinkes ) stands smiling by , And tells mee , those but shadowes & supposes , And bids me thether come and gather Roses ; Looking on that , thy brow doth call to mee , To come to it , if wonders I will see . Now haue I done , and now thy dimpled chin Againe doth tell me I but newe begin , And bids me yet to looke vpon thy lip , Least wondring least , the greatest I ouerslip . My gazing eye , on this and this doth ceaze , which surfets , yet cannot desire appease . Then like I browne , ( ôlouely browne thy haire ) Onely in brownenes , beauty dwelleth there . Then loue I blacke , thine eye-ball blacke as Iet , Then cleere , that ball is there in Christall set , Then white , but snow , nor swan , nor Iuorie please , Then are thy teeth more whiter then all these : In browne , in blacke , in purenes , and in white , All loue , all sweets , all rarenes , all delight ; Thus thou vile theefe , my stolne hart hence doest carry , And now thou flyest into sanctuarie ; Fie peeuish girle , ingratefull vnto nature , Did she to this end , frame thee such a creature That thou her glory should increase thereby , And thou alone doest scorne societie ? Why heauen , made beauty like her selfe to view , Not to be lock'd vp , in a smokie Mew , A rosy-taynted feature is heauens gold which all men ioy to touch , all to behold . It was enacted when the world begun That so rare beauty should not liue a Nun. But if this vow thou needes wilt vndertake , O were mine armes a Cloyster for thy sake , Still may his paines for euer be augmented , This superstition that at first inuented Ill might he thriue , that brought this custome hether , That holy people might not liue together , A happy time , a good world was it then , when holy women , liu'd with holy men , But Kings in this , yet priuiledg'd may bee , I le be a Monke , so I may liue with thee . Who would not rise to ring the mornings knell , When thy sweet lips might be the sacring bell ? Or what is he , not willingly would fast , That on those lips , might feast his lips at last , who vnto Mattens , early would not rise ? That might reade by the light of thy faire eyes ? On worldly pleasure , who would euer looke ? That had thy curles his beades , thy browes his booke ? Wert thou the crosse , to thee who would not creepe And wish the crosse , still in his armes to keepe , Sweet girle , i le take this holy habite on me , Of meere deuotion that is come vpon me , Holy Matilda thou the Saint of mine , I le be thy Seruant , and my bed thy shrine , when I doe offer , be thy breast the Alter , And when I pray thy mouth shall be my Psalter , The beades that we will bid shall be sweet kisses , which we will number , if one pleasure mifses , And when an Auic comes , to say Amen , we will begin , and tell them or'e againe . Now all good fortune , giue me happy thrift , As I should ioy t'absolue thee after shrift . But see how much I doe my selfe beguile , And doe mistake thy meaning all this while , Thou took'st this vow to equall my desire Because thou wouldst haue me to be a Fryer , And that we two , should comfort one another , A holy Sister , and a holy Brother , Thou as a Votresse vnto me alone , She is most chast , that 's but enioy'd of one . Yea : now thy true deuotion doe I finde , And sure in this I much commend thy minde : Else heere thou do'st but ill insample giue , And in a Nunry heere thou shouldst not liue Is' t possible the house that thou art in Should not be tucht , ( though with a veniall sin ) when such a she-Priest comes her masse to say , Twenty to one , they all forget to pray . Well may we wish , they would their harts amend , when we be witnes , that their eyes offend , All creatures haue desires , or else some lye , Let them thinke so that will , so will not I. Doest thou not thinke our Ancestors were wise , That these religious Cells did first deuise ? As Hospitalls were for the sore and sick , These for the crook'd , the hault , the stigmatick , Least that theyr seede mark'd with deformitie , Should be a blemish to posteritie . Would 〈◊〉 her beauty should be hid from sight , Nere would she thus herselfe adorne with light , with sparkling lamps ; nor would she paint her throne But she delighteth to be gaz'd vpon : And when the golden glorious sunne goes downe , would she put on her star-bestuded crowne : And in her masking sute , the spangled skie , Come forth to bride it in her reuelrie ; And gaue this gift to all things in creation , That they in this , should imitate her fashion . All things that faire , that pure , that glorious beene , Offer themselues of purpose to be seene ; In sincks and vaults , the vgly Toades doe dwell , The deuils since most vgly , they in hell : Our mother earth , nere glories in her fruite , Till by the sunne clad in her Tinsell sute , Nor doth shee euer smyle him in the face , Till in his glorious armes he her imbrace : Which proues she hath asoule , sence , and delight Of generations feeling appetite . Well hypocrite ( infaith ) wouldst thou confesse , what ere thy tongue say , thy hart saith no lesse . Note but this one thing , ( if nought els perswade ) Nature of all things male , and female made , Shewing her selfe in our proportion plaine , For neuer made shee any thing in vaine ; For as thou art , should any haue been thus , She would haue left insample vnto vs . The Turtle that 's so true and chast in loue , Shewes by her mate something the spirit doth moue , Th' arabian Bird , that neuer is but one , Is onely chast , because shee is alone ; But had our mother Nature made them two , They would haue clone as Doues , and Sparrowes doe , But therefore made a martyr in desire , And doth her pennance lastly in the fire ; So may they all be rosted quicke that be Apostataes to nature , as is shee . Finde me but one , so young , so faire , so free , ( woo'd , su'd , and sought , by him that now seekes thee ) But of thy minde , and heere I vndertake , Straight to erect a Nunry for her sake ; O hadst thou tasted of those rare delights Ordaind each where to please great Princes sights , To haue theyr beauties , and theyr wits admird , ( Which is by nature , of your sexe desird ) Attended by our traynes , our pompe , our port , Like Gods ador'd abroad , kneeld to in Court , To be saluted with the cheerefull cry , Of highnes , grace , and soueraigne maiestie : But vnto them that know not pleasures price , All 's one , a pryson , and a Paradice . If in a Dungion , closd vp from the light , There is no difference twixt the day and night , Whose pallate neuer tasted daintie cates , Thinks homely dishes , princely delicates . Alas poore girle , I pittie thine estate , That now thus long hast liu'd disconsolate ; Why now at length let yet thy hart relent , And call thy Father backe from banishment : And with those princely honors heere inuest him , That aukeward loue and hate hath disposest him . Call from exile , thy deere alies and friends , To whom the furie of my griefe extends ; And if thou take my counsaile in this case , I make no doubt thou shalt haue better grace , And leaue that Dunmowe , that accursed Cell , There let blacke night , and melancholie dwell ; Come to the Court , where all ioyes shall receaue thee , And till that howre , yet with my griefe I leaue thee .

Notes of the Chronicle historie .

THis Epistle of K , Iohn to Matilda , is much more poetical then historicall , making no mention at all of the occurrents of the time , or state , touching only his loue to her , & the extremity of his passions forced by his desires , rightly fashioning the humo of this King as it hath been truly noted by the best & most autenticall Writers , whose nature and disposition , is truliest discerned in the course of his loue ; first resting at the ceremonies of the seruices of those tymes , then going about by all strong and probable arguments , to reduce her to pleasures and delights , next with promises of honour , which he thinketh to be last and greatest meane , and to haue greatest power in her sexe ; with promise of calling home of her friends , which he thought might be a great inducement to his desires .

Matilda to King Iohn . NO sooner I , receiu'd thy letters heere , Before I knew from whom , or whence they were , But suddaine feare my bloodlesse vaines doth fill , As though diuining of some future ill ; And in a shyuering extasie I stood , A chyllie coldnes runnes through all my blood : Opening thy letters , I shut vp my rest , And let strange cares into my quiet brest , As though thy hard , vnpittying hand had sent mee , Some newe deuised torture to torment mee ; Well had I hop'd , I had beene now forgot , Cast out with those things thou remembrest not : And that proude beautie , which inforst mee hether , Had with my name , now perrish'd both together : But ô ( I see ) our hoped good deceaues vs , But what we would forgoe , that sildome leaues vs ; Thy blamefull lines , bespotted so with sin , Mine eyes would clense , ere they to reade begin : But I to wash an Indian goe about , For ill so hard set on , is hard got out . I once determind ; still to haue beene mute , Onelie by silence to resell thy sute , But thys againe did alter mine intent , For some will say , that silence doth consent : Desire , with small incouraging growes bold , And hope , of euery little thing takes hold . I set mee downe at large to write my minde , But now , nor pen , nor paper can I finde ; For dread , and passion , are so powerfull ore mee : That I discerne not things that stand before mee : Finding the pen , the paper , and the waxe , This at commaund , and nowe inuention lacks , This sentence serues , and that my hand out-strikes , That pleaseth well , and this asmuch mislikes , I write , endite , I point , I raze , I quote , I enterline , I blot , correct , I note ; I hope , dispaire , take courage , faint , disdaine , I make , alledge , I immitate , I faine : Now thus it must be , and now thus , and thus , Bolde , shamefast , fearelesse , doubtfull , timerous ; My faint hands writing , when my full eye reedes , From euery word strange passion still proceedes . O when the soule is fettered once in wo , T is strange what humors it doth force vs to ; A teare doth drowne a teare , sigh , sigh doth smother , This hinders that , that interrupts the other ; Th' ouer-watched weakenes of a sicke conceite , Is that which makes small beauty seeme so great , Like things which hid in troubled waters lye , which crook'd , seeme straight , if straight , seeme contrary , And this our vaine imagination showes it As it conceiues it , not as iudgement knowes it , ( As in a Mirhor , if the same be true ) Such as your likenes , iustly such are you ; But as you change your selfe , it changeth there , And showes you as you are , not as you were : And with your motion doth your shadow moue , If frowne , or smile ; such the conceite of loue . Why tell me , is it possible the mind A forme in all deformitie should find ? Within the compasse of mans face we see How many sorts of seuerall fauours be ; And that the chyn , the nose , the brow , the eye , If great , if small , flat , sharpe , or if awry , Alters proportion , altereth the grace , And makes a mightie difference in the face ; And in the world , scarce two so likely are One with the other which if you compare , But being set before you both together , A iudging sight doth soone distinguish either . How woman-like a weakenes is it then ? O what strange madnes so possesseth men Bereft of sence : such sencelesse wonders seeing , without forme , fashion , certaintie , or being ? For which so many die to liue in anguish , Yet cannot liue , if thus they should not languish ; That comfort yeelds not , and yet hope denies not , A life that liues not , and a death that dies not ; That hates vs most , when most it speakes vs fayre , Doth promise all things , alwaies payes with ayre , Yet some-time doth our greatest griefe appease , To double sorrow after little ease . Like that which thy lasciuious will doth craue , which if once had , thou neuer more canst haue ; Which if thou get , in getting thou doost wast it , Taken , is lost , and perrish'd if thou hast it ; which if thou gain'st , thou nere the more hast wone , I loosing nothing , yet am quite vndone ; And yet of that , if that a King depraue me , No King restores , though he a kingdome gaue me . Doost thou of father and of friends depriue mee ? And tak'st thou from mee , all that heauen did giue mee ? what nature claimes , by blood , alies , or neerenes , Or friendship challenge , by regard or deerenes . Mak'st mee an Orphane ere my father die ? A wofull widdow in virginitie ? Is thy vnbrideled lust the cause of all ? And now thy flattering tongue bewailes my fall . The dead mans tombe with fained teares to fill , So the deuouring Crocodile doth kill , To harbor hate in shew of sweetest things , So in the Rose the poysned serpent stings . To lurke farre off , yet lodge destruction by , The Basiliske dooth poyson with the eye ; To call for ayde , and then to lye in waite , So the Hienna murthers by deceit ; By sweet inticements , so daine death to bring , So from the Rocks th' aluring Mermaides sing ; In greatest wants , t' inflict the greatest woe , This is the worst that tyrannie can doe . But where the boystrous raging storme preuailes , In vaine is use of Ankors , oares , or sailes ; Aboue vs , blustering windes , and dreadfull thunder , Gusts , flawes , and furges , still are working vnder ; Here on this side , the furious tempests flie , There Rocks , and sands , and dangerous whirl-pooles lie , Is this the meane that maiestie approues , And in this sort doe Princes wooe theyr loues ? With rarest musicke , which the hearing charmes , Fill they our eares , with noise of clattering Armes ? To please the smell ; with odours sweet perfuming , The smokie steame , of Towers with fire consuming ? For pompous tryumphs , to delight the eye , Present vs murther , and blacke tragedie ; To please the taste , and stirre the youthfull blood , Giue they vs teares for drinke , and sighes for foode , To please the tuch , they cares to vs allow , Our hands may feele the wrinkles in our brow , And for sweet friends to nourish our content , Mue they vs vp , send them to banishment . Mildnes would better sute with maiestie , Then rash reuenge , and rough seueritie , For vertue is more amiable , more sweet When vertue , and true maiestie doe meet ; For from the prospect of a kingly throne Vertue sees much , she hath to builde vpon : O in what safety Temperance doth rest when it findes harbour in a kinglie brest ; How deere is mercy , hauing power and will , when pittie helps , where equitie doth kill . If pittie praise-full in vnhelping men , In powerfull Kings , how glorious is it then ? Alas , and fled I hether from my fo , That innocence should be betrayed so ? Is Court and Country both her enemie , And no place found to shroude in chastitie ? Each house for lust , a harbor , and an Inne , Each Citty is a sanctuary for sinne ; And all doe pittie beautie in distresse , If beautie chast , then onely pittilesse . And thus is beautie made the stale of lust , Or vnreleeued , perish needes shee must . Lasciuious Poets , which abuse the truth , which oft teach age to sin , infecting youth , For the vnchast make trees & stones to mourne , Or as they please , to other shapes doe turne Cinyras daughter ; whose incestious minde , Made her wrong nature , and dishonour kinde : Long since by them is turnd into a Mirrh , whose dropping liquor euer weepes for her : And in a fountaine , Biblis doth deplore Her fault so vile , and monsterous before , Silla , which once her father did betray , Is now a byrd , ( if all be true they say . ) Shee that with Phoebus did the foule offence , Now metamorphiz'd into Frankensence . Other , to flowers , to odours , and to gum , At least loues lemman is a starre become : And more ; they faine a thousand fond excuses , To hide their scapes , and couer their abuses , The virgine onely they obscure and hide , whilst the vnchast , by them are deified ; Yet if a Vestals name be once exprest , Shee must be sette together with the rest . I am not now , as when thou saw'st me last , That fauour soone is vanished and past ; That Rosie-blush , lapp'd in a Lilly-vale , Now with the Morphew ouer-growne , & pale . And downe my cheekes , with showers of swelling teares , Remaine the furrowes that continuance weares , And in the circles of my withered eyes , In aged wrinckles beautie buried lyes : And in my grace , my presence , iesture , cheere , Ruine , distresse , woe , anguish , dooth appeare . That brest , that hand , that cheeke , that eye , that brow , Faded , decayed , fallen , darkned , wrinckled now : Such was my beautie once , now is it such , Once thought most rare , now altred more then much : Nor I regard all that thou canst protest , My vowe is taken , I a Nunne profest . This Vestall habite doth content me more Then all the robes that yet I euer wore . Had Rosamand , ( a recluse of our sort ) Taken our Cloister , left the wanton Court , Shadowing that beautie with a holy vale , which shee ( alas ) too loosely set to sale , Shee need not like an vgly Minataur , Haue been lock'd vp from iealious Ellinor , But beene as famous by thy mothers wrongs , As by thy Father subiect to all tongues . To shadow sinne , might can the most pretend , Kings , but the conscience ; all things can defend . A stronger hand restraines our wilsull powers , A will must rule aboue this will of ours , Not following what our vaine desires doe wooe For vertues sake , but what we ( onely ) doe . And hath my Father chose to liue exild , Before his eyes should see my youth defild ? And to withstand a Tyrants lewd desire , Beheld his Towers and Castles razd with fire : Yet neuer tuch'd with griefe , so onely I , Exempt from shame might with true honour die . And shall this iewell which so deerely cost , Now after all , by my dishonour lost ? No , no , his reuerend words , his holy teares , Yet in my soule too deepe impression beares : No , no , his fare-well at his last depart , More deepely is engrauen in my hart , Nor shall that blot , by mee his name shall haue , Bring his gray haires with sorrow to his graue , Rather with pitty weepe vpon my Tombe , Then for my birth to curse my mothers wombe . Though Dunmowe giue no refuge heere at all , Dunmowe can giue my body buriall . If all remorcelesse , no teare-shedding eye , My selfe will moane my selfe ; so liue , so die .

Notes of the Chronicle historie .

THis Epistle , containeth no particuler poynts of historie , more then the generallity of the argument layeth open , for after the banishment of the Lord Robert Fitzwater , and that Matilda was become a Recluse at Dunmowe , ( from whence this reply is imagined to bee written , ) the King still earnestly persisting in his sute , Matilda with this chast & constant deniall , hopeth yet at length to find some comfortable remedy , and to rid herselfe of doubts , by taking vpon her this monasticke habite , and to shew that shee still beareth in minde his former crueltie , bred by the impatience of his lust , she remembreth him of her fathers banishment , & the lawlesse exile of her alies and friends .

Doost thou of Father and of friends depriue mee ?

Then complayning of her distresse , that flying thether , thinking there to finde releefe , she sees herselfe most assayld where she hoped to haue found most safetie .

Alas , and fled I hether from my foe , That &c.

After againe , standing vpon the precise poynts of conscience , not to cast off this habite she had taken ,

My vowe is taken , I a Nunne profest .

And at last laying open more particulerly the miseries sustained by her Father in England , the burning of his Castles and houses , which she proueth to be for her sake : as respecting onely her honour , more then his natiue country and his owne fortunes .

And to withstand a Tyrants lowde desire , Beheld his Towers and Castels set on fire .

Knitting vp her Epistle with a great and constant resolution ,

Though Dunmow giue no refuge heere at all , Dunmow can giue my body buriàll .

FINIS .

Queene Isabell to Mortimer . * The Argument .

Queene Isabell , ( the wife of Edward the seconde , called Edward Carnaruan , ) being the daughter of Phillip le Beau , King of Fraunce , forsaken by the King her husband , who delighted onely in the company of Piers Gaueston , his minion and fauorite : and after his death seduced by the euill counsaile of the Spensers . This Queene thus left by her husband , euen in the glory of her youth , drewe into her especiall fauour Roger Mortimer , Lorde of Wigmore : a man of a mightie and inuinsible spirit . This Lord Mortimer rising in Armes against the King , with Thomas Earle of Lancaster and the Barrons , was taken ere hee could gather his power , and by the King committed to the Tower of London . During his imprisonment , he ordained a feast in honor of his birth-day , to which he inuited Sir Stephen Segraue , Lieutenant of the Tower , and the rest of the officers , where by meanes of a drinke prepared him by the Queene , hee cast them all into a beauie sleepe , and with ladders of cordes beeing ready prepared for the purpose , hee escapeth , and flyeth into Fraunce : whether shee sendeth this Epistle , complayning her owne misfortunes , and greatly reioycing at his safe escape .

THough such sweet comfert comes not now from her As Englands Queene hath sent to Mortimer , Yet what that wants , which might my power approue , If lines can bring , this shall supply with loue . Mee thinks affliction should not fright mee so , Nor should resume these sundry shapes of wo : But when I faine would finde the cause of this , Thy absence shewes mee where the erroris . Oft when I thinke of thy departing hence , Sad sorrow then possesseth euery sence , But finding thy deere blood preseru'd thereby , And in thy life , my long-wish'd libertie , with that sweet thought my selfe I onely pleuse , Amid'st my griefe ; which sometimes giues me ease , Thus doe extreamest ills a ioy possesse , And one woe makes another woe seeme lesse . That blessed night , that mild-aspected howre , Wherein thou mad'st escape our of the Towre , Shall consecrated euer-more remaine : What gentle Planet in that howre did raigne ; And shall be happy in the birth of men , which was chiefe Lord of the Ascendant then . Oh , how I fear'd that sleepie iuyce I sent , Might yet want power to further thine intent ; Or that some vnseene misterie might lurke , Which wanting order , kindly should not worke : Oft did I wish , those dreadfull poysoned lees That clos'd the euer-waleing Dragons eyes , Or I had had those sence - 〈◊〉 stalkes That grow in shadie Proserpines darke walkes ; Or those blacke weedes on Lethe bankes below , Or Lunary that doth on Latmus flow : Oft did I feare thys moyst and foggie Clime , Or that the earth , waxt barraine nowe with time Should not haue hearbes to helpe me in this case , Such as doe thriue on Indias parched face . That morrow , when the blessed sunne did rise , And shut the lidds of all heauens lesser eyes , Forth from my 〈◊〉 by a secret staire I steale to 〈◊〉 , as though to take the ayre ; And aske the gentle stood as it did glide , Or thou didst 〈◊〉 or perish by the tide ? If thou didst perish , I desire the streame To lay thee softly on her siluer teame , And bring thee to me to the quiet shore , That with her teares , thou might'st haue some teares more . When suddainly doth rise a rougher gale , with that ( me thinks ) the troubled waues looke pale , And sighing , with that little gust that blowes , with this remembrance seemes to knit her browes . Euen as this suddaine passion doth 〈◊〉 mee , The cheerfull sunne breakes from a clowde to light mee ; Then doth the bottom euident appeare , As it would tell mee , that thou 〈◊〉 not there , When as the water , flowing where I stand , Doth seeme to tell mee , thou 〈◊〉 safe on land . Did Bulloyne once a festiuall prepare For England , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 , and Nauarre ? When Fraunce enuied those buildings ( onely blest ) Grac'd with the Orgies of my bridall feast , That English Edward should refuse my bed For that incestuous , shamelesse Ganimed ? And in my place , vpon his regall throne , To set that girle-boy , wanton Gaueston . Betwixt the feature of my face and his , My glasse assures me no such difference is , That a foule witches bastard should thereby Be thought more worthy of his loue then I. What doth auaile vs to be Princes heires , when we can boast our birth is onely theirs ? When base , dissembling flatterers shall deceaue vs , Of all our famous Auncestors did leaue vs : And of our princely iewels and our dowers , wee but enioy the least of what is ours ; when Minions heads must weare our Monarches crownes , To raise vp dunghills with our famous townes : When beggers-brats are wrapt in rich perfumes , And sore aloft , impt with our Eagles plumes ; And ioynd with the braue issue of our blood , Alie the kingdome to theyr crauand brood . Did Longshanks purchase with his conquering hand , Albania , Gascoyne , Cambria , Ireland ? That young Carnaruan ( his vnhappy sonne ) Should giue away all that his Father wonne ? To backe a stranger , proudly bearing downe The braue alies , and branches of the crowne ? And did great Edward , on his death-bed giue This charge to them which afterward should liue , That , that proude Gascoyne ; banished the land , No more should tread vppon the English sand ? And haue these great Lords in the quarrell stood , And seald his last will with their deerest blood , That after all this fearefull massaker , The fall of Beuchamp , Lasey , Lancaster , Another faithlesse fauorite should arise To cloude the sunne of our Nobilities ; And gloried I in Gauestons great fall , That nowe a Spenser should succeede in all ; And that his ashes should another breed , which in his place and Empire should succeed ; That wanting one , a kingdoms wealth to spend , Of what that left , thys now should make an end : To wast all that our father wonne before , Nor leaue 〈◊〉 sword to conquer more . Thus but in vaine we 〈◊〉 doe resist , where power can doe ( euen ) all things as it list , And with vniust men to debate of lawes , Is to giue power to hurt a rightfull cause : Whilst parliaments must still redresse their wrongs , And we must 〈◊〉 for what to vs belongs ; Our wealth but fuell to theyr fond excesse , And we must fast , to feast their wantonnesse . Think'st thou our wrongs then insufficient are To moue our Brother to religious warre ? And if they were , yet Edward doth 〈◊〉 Homage for 〈◊〉 , Guyne , and Aquitaine : And if not that , yet hath he broke the truce ; Thus all accur , to put backe all excuse . The Sisters wrong , ioyn'd with the Brothers right , Me thinks might vrge him in this cause to fight . Be all those people sencelesse of our 〈◊〉 which for our Country oft haue manag'd Armes ? Is the braue Normans courage now forgot ? Or the bold Brittons lost the vse of shot ? The big-bon'd Almaines , and stout Brabanders , Their warlike Pykes , and sharp edg'd Semiters ? Or doe the Pickards let theys 〈◊〉 lie , Once like the Centaurs of olde Thessalie ? Or if a valiant Leader be theyr lack , where thou art present , who should driue them back ? I doe coniure thee by what is most deere , By that great Name of famous Mortimer , By auncient Wigmors honourable Crest , The 〈◊〉 where all thy famous Grandsires rest ; Or if then these , what more may thee approue , Euen by those vowes of thy vnfained loue , That thy great hopes may moue the Christian King , By forraine Armes some comfort yet to bring , To curbe the power of Traytors that rebell Against the right of princely Isabell. Vaine witlesse woman , why should I desire To adde more spleene to thy immortall fire ? To vrge thee by the violence of hate , To shake the pyllars of thine owne estate , When what soeuer we intend to doe , To our misfortune euer sorts vnto ; And nothing els remaines for vs beside , But teares and Coffins onely to prouide , When still so long as Burrough beares that name Time shall not blot out our deserued shame ; And whilst cleere Trent her wonted course shall keepe , For our sad fall , her christall drops shall weepe . All see our ruine on our backs is throwne , And to our selues our sorrowes are our owne , And Tarlton now whose counsell should direct The first of all , is slaundred with suspect : For dangerous things dissembled sildome are which many eyes attend with busie care . What should I say ? my griefes doe still renew , And but begin when I should bid adiew , Few be my words , but manifold my woe , And still I staie , the more I striue to goe . As accents issue forth , griefes enter in , And where I end , mee thinks I but begin : Then till faire tyme some greater good affords , Take my loues payment in these ayrie words .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . O how I feard that sleepie drinke I sent Might yet want power to further thine intent .

MOrtimer beeing in the Tower , and ordayning a feast , in honour of his birth-day , as he pretended : and inuiting there-vnto Sir Stephen Segraue Constable of the Tower , with the rest of the officers belonging to the same , hee gaue them a sleepie drinke , prouided him by the Queene , by which meanes hee got libertie for his escape .

I steale to Thames , as though to take the ayre , And aske the gentle streame as it doth glide ,

Mortimer being gotte out of the Tower , swamme the riuer of Thames into Kent , whereof shee hauing intelligence , doubteth of his strength to escape , by reason of his long imprisonment , being almost the space of three yeeres .

Did Bulloyne once a festiuall prepare , For England , Almaine , Cicile , and Naudrre ?

Edward Carnaruan , the first prince of Wales of the English blood , married Isabell , daughter of Phillip the faire , at Bulloyne , in the presence of the Kings of Almaine , Nauarre , and Cicile , with the chiefe Nobilitie of Fraunce and Englande , which marriage was there solemnized with exceeding pompe and magnificence .

And in my place , vpon his regall throne , To set that girle-boy , wanton Gaucston .

Noting the effeminacie and luxurious wantonnes of Gaueston the Kings Minion ; his behauiour and attire euer so womanlike , to please the eye of his lasciuious Prince .

That a foule witches bastard should thereby ,

It was vrged by the Queene and the Nobilitie , in the disgrace of Piers Gaueston , that his mother was conuicted of witchcraft , and burned for the same , and that Piers had bewitched the King .

Albania , Gascoyne , Cambria , Ireland .

Albania , Scotland so called of Albanact , the seconde sonne of Brutus , and Cambria , Wales , so called of Camber the third sonne , the foure 〈◊〉 and Countries , brought in subiection by Edward Longshanks .

When of our Princely iewells , and our dowers , We but enioy the least of what is ours .

A complaynt of the prodigalitie of King Edward , giuing vnto Gaueston the iewells & treasure which was left him by the auncient Kings of England ; and enriching him with the goodly Manor of Wallingforde , assigned as parcell of the dower , to the Queenes of this famous I le .

And ioynd with the braue issue of our blood , Alie our kingdome to theyr crauand brood .

Edward the second , gaue to Piers Gaueston in marriage , the daughter of Gilbert Clare , Earle of Glocester , begot of the Kinges sister , Ioane of Acres , married to the said Earle of Gloster .

Should giue away all that his Father wonne To backe a stranger :

King Edward offered his right in Fraunce to Charles his brother in law , and his right in Scotland to Robert Bruse , to bee ayded against the Barrons , in the quarrell of Piers Gaueston .

And did great Edward on his death-bed giue

Edward Longshanks on his death-bed at Carlile , commaunded young Edward his sonne on his blessing , not to call backe Gaueston , which ( for the misguiding of the Princes youth ) was before banished by the whole counsell of the land .

That after all this fearefull massaker , The fall of Beuchamp , Lasey , Lancaster .

Thomas , Earle of Lancaster , Guy , Earle of Warwicke , & Henry Earle of Lincolne , who had taken theyr oathes before the deceassed King at his death , to withstand his sonne Edward if he should call Gaueston from exile , beeing a thing which hee much feared : now seeing Edward to violate his Fathers commaundement , rise in Armes against the King , which was the cause of the ciuile war , and the ruine of so many Princes .

And gloried I in Gauestons great fall , That nowe a Spenser should succeed in all ?

The two Hugh Spensers , the Father & the sonne , after the death of Gaueston , became the great fauorites of the King , the sonne being created by him Lord Chamberlaine , and the Father Earle of Winchester .

And if they were , yet Edward doth detaine Homage for Pontiu , Guyne , and Aquitaine .

Edward Longshanks , did homage for those Citties and territories to the French King , which Edward the second neglecting , moued the French King , by the subbornation of Mortimer , to ceaze those Countries into his hands .

By auncient Wigmors honourable Crest .

Wigmore in the marches of Wales , was the ancient house of the Mortimers , that noble and couragious familie .

That still so long as Borrough beares that name ,

The Queene remembreth the great ouerthrowe giuen to the Barrons , by Andrew Herckley , Earle of Carlill , at Borrough bridge , after the battaile at Burton .

And Torlton now , whose counsells should direct ,

Thys was Adam Torlton , bishop of Herford , that great polititian , who so highly fauoured the faction of the Queene and Mortimer , whose euill counsell afterward wrought the destruction of the King .

Mortimer to Queene Isabell. AS thy saluts my sorrowes doe adiourne , So backe to thee their interest I returne ; Though not in so great bountie ( I confesse ) As thy heroicke princely lines expresse : For how should comfort issue from the breath Of one condemn'd , and long lodg'd vp in death ? From murthers rage thou didst me once repriue , Now in exile , my hopes thou doost reuiue ; Twice all was taken , twice thou all didst giue , And thus twice dead , thou mak'st me twice to liue . This double life of mine , your onely due , You gaue to mee ; I giue it backe to you ; Nere my escape had , I aduentur'd thus , As did the skye-attempting Daedalus ; And yet to giue more safetie to my flight , Haue made a night of day , a day of night . Nor had I backt the proude aspyring wall , which held without , my hopes , within , my fall , Leauing the cordes to tell where I had gone , For gazing eyes with feare to looke vpon , But that thy beautie , ( by a power diuine ) Breath'd a new life into this spirit of mine . Drawne by the sunne of thy celestiall eyes , with fiery wings made passage through the skyes . The heauens did seeme the charge of me to take , And sea and land be friend mee for thy sake ; Thames stopt hen tide , to make me way to goe , As thou had'st charg'd her that it should be so , The hollow murmuring winds their due time kept ; As they had rock'd the world , whilst all things slept ; One billow bore me , and another draue mee , This stroue to helpe me , and that stroue to saue mee ; The brisling Reedes , mou'd with the ayre , did chide mee , As they would tell me , that they moant to hide mee . The pale-fac'd night beheld thy heauie cheere , And would not let one little starre appeare , But ouer all , her smoakie mantle hurl'd , And in thick vapours muffled vp the world ; And the pure ayre became so calme and still As it had beene obedient to my will ; And euery thing disposd vnto my rest , As when one Seas the Alcion buildes her nest . And those rough waues which late with furie rusht , Slide smoothlie on ; and suddainly are husht ; Nor Neptune lets his surges out so long As Nature is in bringing forth her yong ; Nor let the Spensers glory in my chaunce That thus I liue an exile now in Fraunce ; That I from England banished should be , But England rather banished from me : More were her want , Fraunce our great blood shold beare , Then Englands losse should be to Mortimer . My Grandsire was the first since Authurs raigne , That the Round-table lastly did ordaine ; To whose great Court at Kenelworth did come The peerlesse knighthood of all Christendome : Whose princely order , honoured England more Then all the conquests shee atchiu'd before . Neuer durst Scot set foote on English ground , Nor on his backe did English beare a wound , whilst Wigmore flourisht in our princely hopes , And whilst our Ensigne march'd with Edwards troupes : Whilst famous Longshanks bones ( in Fortunes scorne ) As sacred reliques to the fielde were borne ; Nor euer did the valiant English doubt , Whilst our braue battailes guarded them about . Nor did our wiues and wofull mothers mourne The English blood that stained Banocksburn , Whilst with his Minions sporting in his Tent , Whole dayes and nights in banquetting were spent : Vntill the Scots ( which vnder safeguard stoode ) Made lauish hauock of the English blood ; And battered helmes lay scattered on the shore , where they in conquest had beene borne before . A thousand kingdoms will we seeke from farre , As many Nations wast with ciuill warre , where the disheuel'd gastly Sea-nymphe sings , Or well-rigd shyps shall stretch theyr swelling wings , And dragge theyr Ankors through the sandie foame , About the world in euery Clime to roame , And those vnchristned Countries call our owne , where scarce the name of England hath been knowne ; And in the Dead-sea sinck our houses fame , From whose sterne waues we first deriu'd our Name , Before foule black-mouth'd infamie shall sing That Mortimer ere stoop'd vnto a King . And we will turne sterne-visag'd Furie backe , To seeke his spoyle , who sought our vtter sack : And come to beard him in our natiue Ile , Ere hee march forth to follow our exile . And after all these boystrous stormie shocks , Yet will we grapple with the chaulkie Rocks . Nor will we come like Pyrats , or like theeues , From mountaine Forrests , or sea-bordering Cleeues , But 〈◊〉 the ayre with terror ( when we come ) Of the sterne trumpet , and the bellowing drum : And in the field aduaunce our plumie Crest , And march vpon faire Englands flowrie brest ; And Thames which once we for our life did swim , Shaking our dewie tresses on her brim , Shall beare my Nauy ; vaunting in her pryde , Falling from Tanet with the powerfull tyde ; Which fertile Essex , and faire Kent shall see , Spreading her flagges along the pleasant lee , When on her stemming poopes she proudly beares The famous Ensignes of the Belgicke Peeres . And for the hatefull sacriligious sin Which by the Pope he stands accursed in ; The Cannon text shall haue a common glesse , Receits in parcels , shall be paide in 〈◊〉 This doctrine preach'd , who from the Church doth take , At least shall trebble restitution make : For which Rome sends her curses out from farre , Through the sterne throate of terror-breathing warre , Till to th' vnpeopled shore shee brings supplies Of those industrious Romaine , Colonies . And for his homage , by the which of old Proude Edward Guyne and Aquitane doth hold , Charles by inuasiue Armes againe shall take , And send the English forces o're the Lake ; when Edwards fortune stands vpon this chaunce , To loose in England , or expusd from Fraunce ; And all those townes great Longshanks left his sonne , Now lost againe , which once his Father wonne . Within their strong Percullisd Ports shall lie , And from theyr walls his sieges shall defie . And by that firme and vndissolued knot , Betwixt the neighbouring French , and bordering Scot , Bruse nowe shall bring his Redshanks ; from the seas , From th'Iled Orcad's , and the Hebrydes , And to his Westerne Hauens gyue free passe , To land the warlike Irish Galiglasse : Marching from Tweed to swelling Humber sands , wasting along the Northern nether-lands : And wanting those which should his power sustaine , Consum'd with slaughter in his bloodie 〈◊〉 , Our warlike sword shall driue him from his shrone , where hee shall lye for us to tread vpon : And those great Lords , now after theyr attaints , Canonized amongst the English Saints ; And by the superstitious people , thought , That by theyr Reliques , miracles are wrought , And thinke that flood much vertue doth retaine , which tooke the blood of famous Bohun slaine ; Continuing the remembrance of the thing , To make the people more abhorre theyr King , Nor shall a Spenser ( be he nere so great ) Possesse our Wigmore , our renowned seate . To raze the auncient Trophies of our race , with our deserts theyr monuments to grace ; Nor shall he lead our valiant marchers forth , To make the Spensers famous in the North : Nor be the Gardants of the Brittish pales , Defending England , and preseruing Wales . At first our troubles seemed calme enough , But now are growne more boyst'rous and more rough , with grauest counsell all must be directed , where plainest shewes are openly suspected ; For where mishaps our errors doth assault , There doth it easilest make vs see our fault . Then ( sweet ) represse all fond and wilfull spleene , Two things to be a woman ; and a Queene : Keepe close the cyndars , least the fire should burne , It is not this which yet must serue our turne . And if I doe not much mistake the thing , The next supply shall greater comfort bring ; Till when , I leaue my Princesse for a while , Liue thou in rest , though I liue in exile .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Of one condemn'd , and long lodg'd vp in death .

ROger Mortimer , Lord of Wigmore , had stood publiquely condemned , for his insurrection with Thomas Earle of Lancaster , and Bohun Earle of Herford , by the space of three months ; and as the report went , the day of his execution was determined to haue beene shortly after , which he preuented by his escape .

Twice all was taken , twice thou all didst giue .

At what time the two Mortimers , this Roger Lord of Wigmore , and his vncle Roger Mortimer the elder , were apprehended in the West , the Qeene ( by meanes of Torlton Bishop of Herford , and Becke Bishop of Duresme and Patriarck of Ierusalem , beeing then both mightie in the state , vpon the submission of the Mortimers , somewhat pacified the King , and nowe secondly shee wrought meanes for his escape .

Leauing the cordes to tell where I had gone .

With strong ladders made of cordes prouided him for the purpose , he escaped out of the Tower , which when the same were found fastened to the walls , in such a desperate attempt they bred astonishment to the beholders .

Nor let the Spensers glory in my chaunce ,

The two Hugh Spensers , the Father and the sonne , then beeing so highly fauoured of the King , knew that theyr greatest safety came by his exile , whose high and turbulent spirit , could neuer brooke any corriuall in greatnes .

My Grandstre was the first since Arthurs ralgne , That the Round-table lastly did ordaine .

Roger Mortimer , called the great Lorde Mortimer , Grandfather to this Roger , which was afterward the first Earle of March , reerected againe the Round-table at Kenelworth , after the auncient order of King Arthurs table , with the retinue of a hundred knights and a hundred Ladies in his house , for the entertaining of such aduentures as came thether from all parts of Christendome .

Whilst famous Longshanks bones in fortunes scorne .

Edward Longshanks willed at his death , that his body should bee boyled the flesh from the bones , & that the bones should be borne to the warres in Scotlande , which hee was perswaded vnto by a prophecie , which told that the English should still be fortunate in conquest , so long as his bones were carried in the field .

The English blood that stained Banocksburne .

In the great voyage Edward the second made against the Scots , at the battell at Striueling , neere vnto the riuer of Banocksburne , in Scotland , where there was in the English Campe such banquetting & excesse , such riot and misorder , that the Scots , ( who in the meane time laboured for aduantage ) gaue to the English a great and fearefull ouerthrowe .

And in the Dead-sea , sincke our houses fame , From whose &c.

Mortimer so called of Mare Mortuum , & in French , Mort mer : in English the Dead sea , which is sayd to be , where Sodome and Gomorra once were , before they were destroyed by fire from heauen .

And for that hatefull sacriligious sinne , Which by the Pope he stands accursed in ,

Gaustelinus and Lucas , two Cardinalls , sent into England from Pope Clement , to appease the auncient hate betweene the King & Thomas Earle of Lancaster , to whose Embassie the King seemed to yeeld vnto , but after theyr departure he went backe from his promises , for which he was accursed at Rome .

Of those industrious Romaine Colonies .

A Colonie is a sort or number of people , that came to inhabite a place before not inhabited , whereby he seemeth here to prophecie of the subuersion of the Lande ; the Pope ioyning with the power of other Princes , against Edward for the breach of his promise .

Charles by inuasiue Armes againe shall take ,

Charles the French King , mooued by the wrong done vnto his sister , ceazeth the Prouinces which belonged to the King of England , into his hands , stirred the rather thereto by Mortimer , who solicited her cause in Fraunce , as is expressed before in the other Epistle , in the Glosse vpon this poynt .

And those great Lords now after their attaints , Canonized amongst the English Saints .

After the death of Thomas Earle of Lancaster at Pomfret , the the people imagined great miracles to be done by his reliques : as they did of the body of Bohun Earle of Herford , slaine at Borough bridge .

FINIS .

Queene Isabell to Richard the second . * The Argument .

Queene Isabell ( the daughter of Charles king of Fraunce ) being the second wife of Richard the second , the sonne of Edward the blacke Prince , the eldest sonne of King Edward the third : After the said Richard her husband was deposed from his crowne and kingly dignitie , by Henry Duke of Herford , the eldest sonne of Iohn of Gaunt , Duke of Lancaster , the fourth sonne of Edward the third , this Lady beeing then very young , was sent backe againe into Fraunce , without dowre , at what time the deposed King her husband was sent from the Tower of London ( as a prisoner ) vnto Pomfret Castle . Whether this poore Lady , bewayling her husbands misfortunes , writeth this Epistle from Fraunce .

AS doth the yeerely Augur of the spring In depth of woe , thus I my sorrow sing ; Words tun'd with sighs , teares falling oft among , A dolefull burthen to a heauie song ; Words issue forth to finde my griefe some way , Teares ouer-take them , and doe bid them stay : Thus whilst one striues , to keepe the other backe , Both once too forward , now are both too slack . O how I flatter griefe , and doe intreate it , Griefe flatters me , so oft as I repeate it . And to it selfe hath sorrow chang'd mee so , That woe is turn'd to mee , I turn'd to woe . If fatall Pomfret , hath in former times , Nourish'd the griefe begot in hoter Clymes , Thether I send my woes , there to be fed , But where first borne , where fitter to be bred ; They vnto Fraunce be aliens , and vnknowne , England from her , doth challenge these her owne . They say , all mischife commeth from the North , It is too true , my fall doth set it forth ; And where bleake winters stormes do euer rage , There should my sighes finde surest anchorage , Except that breeme ayre holds the Northerne part , Doe freese that Aetna , which so burnes my hart . But why should I thus limmit griefe a place , when all the world is fild with our disgrace ? And we in bounds thus striuing to containe it , The more abounds , the more we doe restraine it . O how euen yet , I hate my loathed eyes , And in my glasse oft call them faythlesse spyes , That were so haplesse , with one louing looke , To grace that Traytour , periur'd Bullenbrooke ; But that of sence , ioy had all sence bereau'd , They neuer should haue beene so much deceau'd . Proude was the Courser which my Lord bestrid , when Richard like his conquering Grandsire rid , For all the world , in euery looke alike The Rosie Ilands in his Lilly cheeke ; His silken Amber curles so would he tie , So carried he his princely Eagle eye : From top to toe , his like in euery lim , All looke on Edward , that did looke on him . The perfit patterne Nature chose alone , When at the first shee fram'd proportion , Reseru'd till then , that all the world should view it , And praise th' insample by the which she drew it ; O let that day be guiltie of all sin , That is to come , or euer yet hath bin , Wherein great Norfolks forward course was staid , To proue the treasons he to Herford layd . When with sterne furie , both these Dukes enrag'd , Their gauntlets then at Couentry engag'd , when first thou didst repeale thy former grant , Seal'd to braue Mowbray , as thy Combatant , From tymes vnnumbred howers , let time deuide it , Least in his minutes , he should hap to hide it : Yet on his browes let wrinckled age still beare it , That when it comes , all other howers may feare it , And all ill-boading Planets , by consent , That day may hold their wicked parliament ; And in heauens large Decrees , enrole it thus , Blacke , dismall , fatall , inauspitious , For then should he , in height of all his pride , Vnder great Mowbrays valiant hand haue died : Nor should not nowe from banishment retire , The fatall brand to set our Troy on fire . O why did Charles relieue his needy state ? A vagabond , and stragling runnagate ; And in his Court , with grace did entertaine This vagrant exile , this abiected Caine : That with a thousand mothers curses went , Mark'd with the brands of ten yeeres banishment . When thou to Ireland took'st thy last farewell , Millions of knees vpon the pauements fell , And euery where th' applauding ecchoes ring The ioyfull shouts that did salute a King ; Thou went'st victorious , crown'd , in triumph borne , But cam'st subdu'd , vncrown'd , and laugh'd to scorne ; And all those tongues which tit'led thee theyr Lord , Grace Henries glorious stile with that great word ; And all those eyes dyd with thy course ascend , Now all too few on Herford to attend . Princes ( like sunnes ) be euermore in sight , All see the clowdes which doe eclipse their light ; Yet they which lighten all downe from their skyes , See not the clowdes offending others eyes , And deeme their noone-tide is desir'd of all , When all expect cleere changes by theyr fall . What colour seemes to shadow Herfords claime , when law and right his Fathers hopes doth maime ? Affirm'd by Church-men ( which should beare no hate ) That Iohn of Gaunt , was illigittimate : whom his reputed mothers tongue did spot , By a base Flemish Boore to be begot , whom Edwards Eglets mortally did shun , Daring with them to gaze against the sun . Where lawfull right and conquest doth allow , A triple crowne on Richards princely brow , Three kingly Lyons beares his bloody field , No bastards marke doth blot his conquering shield ; Neuer durst he attempt our haplesse shore , Nor set his foote on satall Rauenspore ; Nor durst his slugging Hulks approch the strand , Nor stoop'd a top as signall to the Land , Had not the Percyes promisd ayde to bring , Against theyr oath vnto theyr lawfull King ; Against theyr fayth vnto our Crownes true heyre , Theyr valiant kinsman , Edmond Mortimer . When I to England came , a world of eyes were there attending on my fayre arise ; when I came back , those fatall Plannets frowne , And all are set before my going downe ; The smooth-fac'd Ayre did on my comming smile , But with rough stormes are driuen to exile : But Bullenbrooke deuisd we thus should part , Fearing two sorrowes should possesse one hart ; That we should thus complaine our griefes alone , Least one should liue in two , two liue in one ; Inflicting woe , and yet doth vs denie But that poore ioy is found in miserie . Hee hath before diuors'd thy Crowne and thee , which might suffice , and not to widdow mee ; Nor will one place our pouertie containe , which in our pompe , both in one bed haue laine : Which is to proue ( the greatnes of his hate ) How much our fall , exceedeth our estate . When England first obtaind mee by thy loue ; Nor did a kingdome my affection moue , Before a Crownes sad cares I yet did try , Nor thought of Empire , but loues Emperie ; Before I learn'd to sooth a publique vaine , And onely thought , to loue , had been to raigne . I would to God that princely Anne of Beame , Might still haue worne the English Diademe , That shee whose youth first deck'd thy bridall bed , Had kept that fatall wreath vppon her head ; Would God shee still might haue enioy'd her roome , Possest my throne , and I haue had her Toombe : Or would Aumerle had sunck when he betrayd , The complot which that holy Abbot layd ; When he infring'd the oath which he first tooke , To end that proude vsurping Bullenbrooke , And been the ransome of our friends deere blood , Vntimelie lost , and for the earth too good ; And we vntimely mourne our hard estate , They dead too soone , and we doe liue too late . Death seuers them , and life doth vs inclose , Their helpe decreased , doth augment our woes ; And though with teares I from my loue depart , This curse on Herford fall to ease my hart ; If the foule breach of a chast lawfull bed , May bring a curse , my curse light on his head . If murthers guilt with blood may deeply staine , Greene , Scroope , and Bushie , die his fault in graine : If periurie may heauens pure gates debar , Damn'd be the oath he made at Doncaster ; If the deposing of a lawfull King , Thy curse condemne him , if no other thing ; If these disioyn'd , for vengeance cannot call , Let them vnited , strongly curse him all . And for the Percies , heauen yet heare my prayer , That Bullenbrooke , now plac'd in Richards chayre , Such cause of woe vnto their wiues may bee , As those rebellious Lords haue been to mee . And that proude Dame which now controleth all , And in her pompe triumpheth in my fall , For her great Lord may water her sad eyne , with as salt teares as I haue done for mine : And mourne for Henry Hote-spurre , her deere sonne , As I for my sweet Mortymer haue done ; And as I am , so succourlesse be sent Lastly , to taste perpetuall banishment . Then loose thy care , where first thy crowne was lost , Sell it so deerely , for it deerely cost ; And sith they did of libertie depriue thee , Burying thy hope , let not thy care out-liue thee . But hard ( God knowes ) with sorrow doth it goe , when woe becomes a comforter to woe ; Yet much ( mee thinks ) of comfort I could say , If from my hart pale feare were rid away ; Some-thing there is , which tells mee still of woe , But what it is , that heauen aboue doth know , Griefe to it selfe , most dreadfull doth appeare , And neuer yet was sorrow voyde of feare ; But yet in death doth sorrow hope the best , And with this farewell wish thee happy rest .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . If fatall Pomfret hath in former times ,

POmfret Castle euer a fatall place to the Princes of England , & most ominous to the blood of Plantaginet .

O how euer yet I hate my lothed eyes , And in my glasse , &c.

When Bullenbrooke returned to England from the West , bringing Richard a prisoner with him , the Queene , who little knewe of her husbands hard successe , stayd to behold his comming in , little thinking to haue seene her husband thus led in triumph by his foe , and now seeming to hate her eyes , that so much had graced her mortall enemie .

Wherein great Norfolkes forward course was staid ,

She remembreth the meeting of the two Dukes , of Herford and Norfolke at Couentry , vrging the iustnes of Mowbrayes quarrell against the Duke of Herforde , and the faithfull assurance of his victory .

Oh why did Charles releeue his needy siate ? A vagabond , &c.

Charles the French King her father , receiued the Duke of Herford into his Court , and releeu'd him in Fraunce , being so neerly alied , as Cosin german to King Richard his sonne in Lawe , which hee did simply , little thinking that hee shoulde after returne into England , and dispossesse King Richard of the crowne .

When thou to Ireland took'st thy last fare-well ,

King Richard made a voyage with his Armie into Ireland , against Onell and Mackemur which rebelled , at what time Henry entred heere at home , and rob'd him of all kingly dignitie .

Affirm'd by Church-men , ( which should beare no hate ) That Iohn of Gaunt was illigitimate .

William Wickham , in the great quarrell betwixt Iohn of Gaunt & the Clergie , of meere spight and mallice ( as it should seeme ) reported that the Queene confessed to him on her death-bed , being then her Confessor , that Iohn of Gaunt was the sonne of a Flemming , & that she was brought to bed of a woman child at Gaunt , which was smothered in the cradle by mischance , and that shee obtained this child of a poore woman , making the King beleeue it was her owne , greatly fearing his displeasure . Fox . ex Chron. Albani .

No Bastards marke doth blot our conquering shield .

Shewing the true and indubitate birth of Richard , his right vnto the Crowne of England , as carrying the Armes without blot or difference .

Against their fayth vnto the Crownes true heyre , Theyr noble kinsman &c.

Edmond Mortimer Earle of March , sonne of Earle Roger Mortimer , which was sonne to Lady Phillip daughter to Lionell Duke of Clarence , the third sonne to King Edward the third , which Edmond , ( King Richard going into Ireland ) was proclaimed heyre apparant to the Crowne , whose Aunt called Ellinor , this Lorde Percie had married .

I would to God , that princely Anne of Beame ,

Richard the second , his first wife was Anne , daughter to the K. of Beame , which liued not long with him , and after , hee married this Isabell , daughter to Charles , King of Fraunce . This Princesse was very young , and not marriageable when shee came first into England .

O would Aumerle had suncke when he betrayd The complot which that holy Abbot layd .

The Abbot of Westminster had plotted the death of King Henry , to haue beene doone at a Tylt at Oxford ; of which confedracie there was , Iohn Holland , Duke of Excester , Thomas Holland , Duke of Surry , the Duke of Aumerle , Mountacute , Earle of Salisbury , Spenser Earle of Gloster , the Bishop of Carlile , Sir Thomas Blunt , these all had bound themselues one to another by Indenture to performe it , but were all betrayd by the Duke of Aumerle .

Scroope , Greene , and Bushie , die his fault in graine ,

Henry going towards the Castle of Flint , where King Richard was , caused Scroope , Greene , and Bushie , to be executed at Bristow ' as vile persons , which had seduced this King to this lasciuious & wicked life .

Damn'd be the oath he made at Doncaster .

After Henries exile , at his returne into England , hee tooke his oth at Doncaster vpon the Sacrament , not to clayme the crowne , or kingdome of England , but onely the dukedome of Lancaster , his owne proper right , and the right of his wife .

And mourne for Henry Hote-spurre , her deere sonne , As I for my &c.

This was the braue couragious Henry Hote-spurre , that obtayned so many victories against the Scots , which after falling out right with the curse of Queene Isabell , was slaine by Henry , at the battaile at Shrewsburie .

Richard the second to Queene Isabell. WHat canst thou looke or hope for from that hand , which neither sence nor reason could command ? A kingdoms greatnes hardly can he sway , That wholsome counsaile did not first obay ; Ill did thys rude hand guide a scepter then , Ill thys rude hand now gouerneth a pen ; How should I call my selfe , or by what name , To make thee know from whence these letters came ? Not from thy husband , for my hatefull life Hath made thee widdow , being yet a wife ; Nor from a King , that title I haue lost , And of that name proude Bullenbrooke doth boast : Neuer to haue beene , might some comfort bring , But no woe is , to say , I was a King . This lawlesse life , which first procur'd my hate , This tongue , which first denounc'd my kingly state , This abiect minde , which did consent vnto it , This hand , that was the instrument to doe it , These all beare witnes , that I doe denie All worldly hopes , all kingly maiestie . Didst thou for my sake leaue thy fathers Court , Thy famous Country , and thy princely port , And vndertook'st to trauaile dangerous waies , Driuen by aukward winds , and boyst'rous seas ; And lefts great Burbon for thy loue to mee , Who sued in marriage to be linck'd to thee , Offring for dower the Countries bordring nie , Of fruitfull Almaine , and rich Burgundie , Didst thou all this , that England should receaue thee , To miserable banishment to leaue thee ? And in thy ruine , and thy fortunes wracke , Forsaken heere , to Fraunce to send thee back . When quiet sleepe ( the heauy harts releefe ) Seales vp my sences , some-what lesning greefe , My kingly greatnes vnto minde I call , And thinke that I but dreamed of my fall ; With this conceite , my sorrowes I beguile , That my fayre Queene is but with-drawne a while , And my attendants in some Chamber by , As in the height of my prosperitie . Calling aloude , and asking who is there , The Eccho aunswering , tells mee Woe is there . And when mine armes would gladly thee enfold , I clip the pillow , and the place is cold , Which when my waking eyes precisely view , T' is a true token , that it is too true . As many minuts as in one howre be , So many howers each minute seemes to me ; Each howre a day , morne , euening , set , and rise , Each day a yeere , complet with miseries , A sommer , winter , spring-time , and a fall , All seasons varying , yet vnseasoned all ; Hote griefes , cold cares , moyst sorrow , scorching hate , Too long extreames , too short a temperate ; Each yeere a world from golden ages past , That hasteth on the yron times at last , That from creation of all happy things , A desolution to my fortune brings ; Thys endlesse woe , my thred of lyfe still weares , In minuts , howers , dayes , moneths , ages , yeres . Ioy in the sunne , that doe possesse the South , For Pomfret stands here , in the Norths cold mouth ; There wanton Sommer lords it all the yeere , Frost-starued Winter doth inhabite heere ; A place wherein Dispayre may fitly dwell , For sorrow best sutes with a clowdy Cell . Let Herford vaunt of our atchiuements done , Of all the honours that great Edward wone , Of famous Cressy , where his keene sword lopp'd , The flowers of Fraunce , which all had ouer-topp'd ; And with those fayre Delices , set the walke , where our emperious English Lyons stalke , which pluck'd those Lillies , planted on those streames , And set them heere , vpon the banks of Thames . Now Bullenbrooke , our conquering Trophies beares , Our glorious spoyles thys false Vlisses weares , And all the story of our famous warre , Must grace the Annalls of great Lancaster . Seauen goodly syens from one stocke begun , Seauen liuely branches from one roote did run ; My princely Father was the straightest stem The fairest blossome which adorned them ; Whose precious buds began to spring so faire , As soone they shew'd what fruit they meant to beare , But I his graft and barraine trunke am growne , And for a fruitlesse water-bough am hewne , From our braue Grandsire , both in one degree , Yet after Edward , lohn the young'st of three : But princely Wales , by me giues place to Gaunt , Henry on Richard now predominant . When that vsurping bastard-sonne of Spayne , Deposed Petro , from his peacefull raigne . My Father mou'd with the Castillians moane , Pluck'd downe that proude aspyring Phaeton : And ere a Crowne had yet adorn'd his head , A conquered King from Fraunce to England led . A subiects hand my Crowne from mee hath torne , And by a home-nurst begger , ouer-borne . Is valour hence with him to heauen fled ? Or in my barren breast decay'd and dead ? Who for his vertue and his conquests sake , Posteritie a demie God shall make : And iudge this vile and abiect spirit of mine , Could not proceede from temper so diuine . What earthly humor , or what vulgar eye , Now lookes so low , as on my misery ? When Bullenbrooke is seated on our throne , And makes that his , which we but call'd our owne : He bids , commaunds , he chooseth , he elects , Pardons , defends , he warrants , he protects ; Into our counsells he himselfe intrudes , And who but Herford with the multitudes ? Thus Bullenbrooke triumpheth in our fall , And for their King reputed is of all . His power disgrades , his dreadfull frowne disgraceth , He throwes them downe , whom our aduauncement placeth ; As my disable and vnworthy hand , Could giue no soueraine title of commaund . He treads our sacred tables in the dust , And proues our acts of parliament vniust ; As though he hated that it should be said , That such a law , by Richard once was made . When Herford had his iudgement of exile , Saw I the peoples murmuring the while , Saw I the loue , the zeale , the fayth , the care , The Commons still to pleasing Herford bare ; Fond women , and scarce-speaking chyldren moume , weeping his parting , wishing his returne . And was I forc'd t' abridge his banish'd yeares , when they bedew'd his footsteps with theyr teares , Yet could not see mine owne insuing fall , Not seeing that , which sauing that , saw all . Neuer our treasure stuft with greater store , Neuer our strength , neuer our power was more , Neuer more large bounds to our Emperie , Neuer more counsaile , wisedome , policie : Neuer did all so suddainly decline , But iustice is the heauens , the fault is mine . Kings pallaces stand open to let in , The soothing Traytor , and the guide to sin , Many we haue in tryumphs to attend vs , But few are left in perrill to defend vs ; Amongst the most , the worst we best can chuse , T is easie to desire , but hard to vse . Oh famous Gloster , thou fore-saw'st my end , The curse that did my lawlesse youth attend , His death is newe , ( and I in sinne am old , ) who my destruction , ( Prophet-like ) fore-told ; And like Laocan , crying from his tower , Foreshow'd the horse which hid the Grecian power . Is this the thing for which we toyle and sweat ? For which the great , doe kneele vnto the great ? Is thys the thing , in seeking to attaine , All payne is pleasure , and all losse is gaine ? Is thys the iewell which we prize so hie ? At heauen , at fame , at life , at libertie ; And vnto thys , in striuing to aspire , Are we made slaues vnto our fond desire ? Yet on steepe Icie banks heere still we dwell , And if we slip , our fall is into hell . Sweet Queene , I le take all counsell thou canst giue , So that thou bid me neither hope nor liue ; Counsell that comes when ill hath done his worst , Blesseth our ill , but makes our good accurst . Comfort is now vnpleasing to mine eare , Past cure , past care ; my bed is now my Beere . Since thus misfortune keepes vs heere so long , Till heauen be growne vnmindfull of our wrong , We may in warre , some-time take truce with foes , But in dispaire , we cannot with our woes . O let this name of Richard neuer die , Yet still be fatall to posteritie ; And let a Richard from our line arise , To be the scourge of many families , And let the Crowne be fatall that he beares , And wet with sad lamenting mothers teares . Thy curse on Percy , heauen doth now preuent , who hath not one curse left , on me vnspent , To scourge the world , now borrowing of my store , As rich in plagues , as I in wealth am pore . Then cease ( deere Queene ) my sorrowes to bewaile , My wounds too great for pittie now to heale , Age stealeth on whilst thou complainest thus , My griefes be mortall , and infectious ; Yet better fortunes , thy faire youth may trie , That follow thee , which still from me doth flie .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . This tongue which first denounc'd my kingly state ,

RIchard the second , at the resignation of the Crowne to his Cosin Henry in the Tower of London , at the deliuery of the same with his owne hand , confessed himselfe to be vnable to gouerne , denounced all kingly dignitie ; so that hee might onely haue his life .

And left'st great Burbon for thy loue to mee , Who sued in marriage to be linck'd to thee .

Before the Princesse Isabell was married to Richard the second , Lewes Duke of Burbon sued to haue had her in marriage , which it was thought he had obtained , if this motion had not 〈◊〉 out in the meane time ; this Duke of Burbon sued againe to haue receiued her at her comming into Fraunce , after the imprisonment of King Richard , but King Charles her Father then crost him as before , and gaue her to Charles , sonne to the Duke of Orleance .

Let Herford vaunt of our atchiuements done ,

Henry the eldest sonne of Iohn of Gaunt , Duke of Lancaster , which at the first was Earle of Darbie , then created Duke of Herford , but after the death of Iohn of Gaunt his Father , was Duke of Lancaster , and Herford , Earle of Darby , Leicester , and Lincolne , and after he had obtained the Crowne , was called by the name of Henry of Bullenbrooke , which is a towne in Lincolne shiere , as vsually all the Kings of England bare the name of the places where they were borne .

Of famous Cressy , where his keene sword lopp'd , The flowers of Fraunce , which all had ouertopp'd .

Remembring the famous victory Edward the third their Grandfather obtained at Cressy , where were almost slaine all the Nobilitie of Fraunce , where the Frenchmen lost all their ancient glory .

And with their Flower-delices set the walke , Where our &c.

Edward the third , by the conquest of Fraunce , ioyned the Lillies or Flower-delices , which is the Armes of Fraunce , with the Lyons , the Armes of England , which coate first came from Normandie by the Conquerer , remaining in the right of his possession .

Seauen goodly syens from one stocke began ,

Edward the third had seauen sonnes , his eldest Edward Prince of Wales , after called the blacke Prince , William of Hatfielde his second , Lionell Duke of Clarence the third , Iohn of Gaunt , Duke of Lancaster the fourth , Edmond of Langley , Duke of Yorke the fift , Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Gloster the sixt , and William of Windsore the seauenth .

My princely Father was the straightest stem .

Truely boasting himselfe , to bee the eldest sonne of the eldest Brother , which was Edward the blacke Prince .

Yet after Edward , Iohn the young'st of three .

By this disabling Henry Bullenbrooke , beeing the sonne but of a fourth brother , William & Lionell being both before Iohn of Gaunt .

When that vsurping bastard sonne of Spayne ,

Noting the courage of his Father , which set Petro the King of Castile in his kingdome , when hee was expulsed by his bastard brother .

A conquered King from Fraunce to England led .

The blacke Prince tooke King Iohn of Fraunce prysoner , at the battaile of Poycters , and brought him into England , where hee dyed at the Sauoy .

And by a home-nurst begger ouer-borne .

By this reprouing his owne weakenes and cowardize , who had suffered himselfe to be expulsed his kingdome by a subiect , and one so much inferior to himselfe in greatnes .

And proues our acts of parliaments vniust .

In the first parliament that Henry called after Richard had resigned the Crowne , hee anihilated all the lawes that were made in the parliament called the wicked parliament , held in the 20. yeere of King Richards raigne .

Saw I the loue , the Zeale , the faith , the care , The Commons still &c.

When the Combat shoulde haue beene at Couentry , betwixt Henry Duke of Herford , and Mowbray Duke of Norfolke , the Commons mourned exceedingly , after they heard that Herford was adiuged by the King to be banished for tenne yeeres , so greatlie was he alwaies fauoured of the people .

And was I forc'd to abridge his banish'd yeeres ,

When Henry Duke of Herford came to Eltham to take his leaue of King Richard , the King ( to please the Commons rather then for any loue he bare to Herford , ) plucked backe foure yeeres of his banishment .

O famous Gloster , thou fore-saw'st the end ,

Thomas of Woodstocke , Duke of Gloster , the Kings vnckle , who had oftr reproued this youthfull Kings insolence , was put to death at Callice , by the commaundement of this Richard , his vnnaturall kinsman .

And let a Richard from our line arise ,

A prophecie of Richard Crookebacke the Tyrant , which after was the onely scourge and plague of both the houses of Yorke & Lancaster , and the death of many great Princes .

FINIS .

Queene Katherine to Owen Tudor . * The Argument .

After the death of that victorious Henry the fift , Queene Katherine , the 〈◊〉 of England and Fraunce , daughter to Charles the French King , holding her estate with Henrie her sonne , ( then the sixt of that name , ) falleth in loue with Owen Tudor a Wlechman , a braue and gallant Gentleman of the Wardrop to the young King her sonne : yet greatly fearing if her loue should be discouered , the Nobilitie would crosse her purposed marriage : or fearing , that if her faire and princely promises should not assure his good successe , this high and great attempt , might ( perhaps ) daunt the forwardnesse of his modest and shame fast youth : wherfore to breake the Ice to her intent , shee wryteth vnto him this Epistle following .

IV dge not a Princesse worth impeach'd hereby , That loue thus tryumphs ouer maiestie ; Nor thinke lesse vertue in this royall hand , which now intreats , that wonted to commaund ; For in this sort , though humbly now it wooe , The day hath beene , thou would'st haue kneel'd vnto . Nor thinke that this submission of my state , Proceeds from frailtie , ( rather iudge it fate ) Alcides nere more fit for loues sterne shock , Then when for loue sate spinning at the Rock . Neuer lesse clowdes did Phoebus glory dim , Then in a Clownes shape when he couered him ; Ioues great commaund was neuer more obay'd , Then when a Satyrs antick parts he play'd . He was thy King , that sued for loue to mee , Shee is thy Queene , that sues for loue to thee . When Henry was , what 's Tudors now , was his , whilst yet thou art , what 's Henries , Tudors is ; My loue to Owen , him my Henry giueth , My loue to Henry , in my Owen liueth ; Onely in Henry , was my Tudor then , Onely in Tudor , Henry now agen . Henry woo'd mee whilst warres did yet increase , I wooe my Tudor now in calmest peace , To win affection , hee did conquest proue , And I on conquest doe make warre with loue : Great Henry soughtt ' accomplish his desire , Armed with tempests , thunder-boults of fire , As once when Iunos treasons forced Ioue , T' imbrace the beautious Semele , his loue . I to my loue , as once the Ciprian Queene , On Simois banks was with the Troyan seene . Incampt at Melans , in warres hote alarmes , First saw I Henry , clad in princely Armes . At pleasant Windsore , there these eyes of mine , Iudg'd Tudor first , for wit and shape diuine . Henry abroad , with puissance and with force , Tudor at home , with courtship and discourse ; Hee then , thou now , I hardly can iudge whether Did like me best , Plantaginet or Tether . A march , a measure , battell , or a daunce , A courtly rapier , or a conquering Launce . His princely bed aduaunced my renowne , And on my temples set a double Crowne ; which glorious wreath , ( as Henries lawfull heire , ) Henry the sixt vpon his brow doth beare . At Troy in Champayne he did first enioy My bridall-rites , to England brought from Troy ; In England now , that honour thou shalt haue , which once in Champayne famous Henry gaue . I seeke not wealth , three kingdoms in my power , If these suffice not , where shall be my dower ; Sad discontent may euer follow her , which doth base pelfe before true loue prefer : If titles still could oure affections tie , what is so great , but maiestie might buy ; As I seeke thee , so Kings 〈◊〉 mee desire , To what they craue , thou easily may'st aspire . That sacred fire , once warm'd my hart before , The fuell fit , the flame is now the more , And meanes to quench it , I in vaine doe proue , We may hide treasure , but not hide our loue , And since thy vertue this at first did gaine it , will I by reason now seeke to restraine it . Nor these great titles vainely will I bring , Wife , daughter , mother , sister to a King , Of grandsire , father , husband , sonne , and brother , More thou alone to mee , then all the other . Nor thinke so Tudor , that this loue of mine , Should wrong the Gaunt-borne great Lancastrian line , Nor stirre the English blood , the Sunne and Moone , T'repine at Lorayne , Burbon , Alansoon ; Nor doe I thinke there is such different ods , That they alone should counted be for Gods . If Cadmus earthly issue reckoning vs , And they from Ioue , Mars , Neptune , Eolus , Of great Latonas of-spring onely they , And we the brats of wofull Niobe , Our famous Grandsires ( as their owne ) bestrid , That horse of fame , that Ioue-begotten steed , Whose bounding hoofe plow'd that Boetian spring , where those sweet Maydes of memorie doe sing . Not onely Henries Queene , but boast aswell , To be the childe of Charles and Isabell. Nor doe I know from whence their griefe should grow , They by this match should be disparag'd so , when Iohn and Longshanks issue both affied , And to the Kings of Wales in wedlocke tied , Shewing the greatnes of your blood heereby , Your race , and royall consanguinitie . And Wales as well as haughty England boasts , Of Camilot , and all her Penticosts ; A nephewes roome in great Pendragons race , At Arthurs Table held a princely place . If of the often conquests of our Land , They reare the spoyles of their victorious hand , If these our auncient Chronicles be true , They altogether are not free from you . When bloody Rufus sought your vtter sack , Twice entring Wales , yet twice was beaten back . When famous Cambria wash'd her in the flood , Made by th' effusion of the English blood ; And oft return'd with glorious victorie , From Worster , Herford , Chester , Shrewsbury , whose power , in euery conquest so preuailes , As once expuls'd the English out of Wales . Although my beautie made my Countries peace , And at my bridall bloody warres did cease , Yet more then power , had not his person beene , I had not come to England as a Queene . Nor tooke I Henry to supply my want , Because in Fraunce that time my choise was scant ; when Fraunce had robd all Christendome of men , And Englands flower remain'd amongst vs then : Glaster , whose counsells ( Nestor like ) assist Couragious Bedford , that great martiallist ; Warwicke , for vertue honour'd of his foes , And Yorke , whose fame yet daily greater growes , Warwicke , the pride of Neuels haughtie race , Great Salsbury , so fear'd in euery place . That valiant Poole , whom no atchiuement dares , And Vere , so famous in the Irish warres , Whom ( though I were a mighty Princesse borne ) Yet of the worst , no whit I neede to scorne ; But Henries rare perfections , and his parts , As his sword kingdoms , so those conquer'd harts . As chast was I to him , as Queene might bee , But freed from him , my chast loue vow'd to thee : Beauty doth fetch all fauor from thy face , All perfit courtship resteth in thy grace . If thou discourse , thy lipps such accents breake , As loue a spirit , forth of thee seem'd to speake . The Brittish language , which sweet vowels wants , And iarrs so much vpon harsh consonants , Comes with such grace from thy mellifluous tongue , As doe the sweet notes of a well set song , And runnes as smoothly from those lypps of thine , As the pure Thuskan from the Florantine ; Leauing such seasoned sweetnes in the eare , As the voyce past , yet still the sound is there . Like Nisus Tower , where once Apollo lay , And on his golden viall vs'd to play ; where sencelesse stones were with such musick drownd , As many yeeres they did retaine the sound . Had he which dar'd proud Perseus to the field , Caried my Tudors picture in his shield , The sight there of should haue subdu'd alone , That Gorgons head , which turn'd men to a stone . If Ioue should take my Tudors louely eye , And with heauens lights should place it in the skye , The wandring starrs would leaue theyr endlesse maze , And fixe themselues , vpon that starre to gaze . If faire Alcmenas three nights-gotten sonne , when he his twelue great labours first had done , Had knowne one lock of thy delicious ore , Kept by the Dragon , Lyon , Serpent , Bore , Twelue labours more for that he would sustaine , And where he ended , would begin againe . Yet let not this make thee thy selfe forget , Nor my affection now so firmely set ; Nor with repulse my forwardnes reproue , To boast the conquest of a princely loue : No my sweet Tudor , I will aunswer no , Thy gentle brow doth mildly warrant so . When Nature shew'd her wonders in thy face , Shee made that mount Loues royall sporting place , where sweet content doth banquet all the yere , Nor coy disdaine yet euer dwelled there ; Let peeuish worldlings speake of right and wrong , Leaue plaints and pleas , to whom they doe belong , Let old men speak of chaunces and euents , And Lawyers talke of titles , and discents ; Leaue fond reports to such as stories tell , And couenaunts to such as buy and sell , Loue my sweet Tudor , that becomes thee best , And to our good successe referre the rest .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Great Henry sought to accomplish his desire , Armed &c.

HEnry the 〈◊〉 making clayme vnto the Crowne of Fraunce , first sought by Armes to subdue the French , and after sought by marriage to confirme what he got by conquest , the heate and furie of which inuasion , is aluded to the fiction of Semele in Ouid : which by the craftie perswasion of Iuno , requested Ioue to come vnto her as he was wont to come vnto his wife Iuno , who at her request he yeelding vnto , destroyed her in a tempest .

Incamp'd at Melans in warres hote alarmes , First &c.

Neere vnto Melans , vpon the riuer of Seyne , was the appointed place of parley between the two Kings of England , & Fraunce , to which place , Isabell the Queene of Fraunce , and the Duke of Burgoyne , brought the young Princesse Katherine , where King Henry first saw her .

And on my temples set a double Crowne ,

Henry the fift , and Queene Katherine , were taken as King and Queene of Fraunce ; & during the life of Charles the French king , Henry was called King of England , and heire of Fraunce , and after the death of Henry the fift , Henry the sixt his sonne , then beeing very young , was crowned at Paris , as true and lawfull King of England and Fraunce .

At Troy in Champayne he did first enioy ,

Troy in Champayne , was the place where that victorious king Henry the fift married the Princesse Katherine , in the presence of the chiefe Nobilitie of the Realmes of England and of Fraunce .

Nor these great titles vainely will I bring , Wife , daughter , mother , &c.

Fewe Queenes of England , or Fraunce , were euer more princely alied then this Queene , as it hath beene noted by Historiographers .

Nor thinke so Tudor , that this loue of mine , Should wrong the Gaunt-borne &c.

Noting the descent of Henry her husband , from Iohn Duke of Lancaster , the fourth sonne of Edward the third , which Duke Iolm was surnamed Gaunt , of the Cittie of Gaunt in Flaunders , where he was borne .

Nor stirre the English blood , the Sunne and Moone , T'repine &c.

Aluding the greatnes of the English line , to Phoebus and Phoebe , fained to be the children of Latona , whose heauenly kinde might scorne to be ioyned with any earthly progenie ; yet withall , boasting the blood of Fraunce , as not inferior to theirs . And with this allusion followeth on the history of the strife betwixt Iuno & the race of Cadmus , whose issue was afflicted by the wrath of heauen . The chyldren of Niohe slaine , for which the wofull mother became a Rocke , gushing forth continually a fountaine of teares .

And Iohn and Longshanks issue , both affied ,

Lhewellin , or Leolin ap Iorwerth , marryed Ioan , daughter to King Iohn , a most beautifull Lady . Some Authors affirme shee was base borne . Lhewellin ap Gryfith maried Ellinor , daughter to Simon Montfort Earle of Leicester , and Cosin to Edward Longshankes , both which Lhewellins were Princes of Wales .

Of Camilot and all her Penticosts , A nephewes roome &c.

Camilot , the auncient Pallace of King Arthur , to which place all the Knights of that famous order yeerely repayred at Penticost , according to the law of the Table , & most of the famous home-borne Knights were of that Country , as to this day is perceaued by theyr auncient monuments .

When bloody Rufus sought your vtter sacke ,

Noting the ill successe which that William Rufus had in two voiages he made into Wales , in which a number of his chiefe Nobilitie were slaine .

And oft return'd with glorious victory ,

Noting the diuers sundry incursians that the Welchmen made into England , in the time of Rufus , Iohn , Henry the second , and Longshanks .

Owen Tudor to Queene Katherine . WHen first mine eyes beheld thy princely name , And found from whence these friendly letters came , As in excesse of ioy my selfe forgot , Whether I saw it , or I saw it not ; My panting hart doth bid mine eyes proceed , My dazeled eye , inuites my tongue to reed ; Mine eye should guide my tongue , amazed mist it , My lips which now should speake , are dombe , and kist it , And leaues the paper in my trembling hand , when all my sences so amazed stand : Euen as a mother comming to her child , which from her presence hath been long exil'd , with tender armes his gentle necke doth straine , Now kissing him , now clipping him againe ; And yet excessiue ioy delndes her so , As still shee doubts if this be hers or no ; At length awak'ned from this pleasing dreame , when passion some-what leaues to be extreame , My longing eyes , with theyr fayre obiect meet , Where euery letter 's pleasing , each word sweet . It was not Henries conquests , nor his Court , That had the power to winne mee by report , Nor was his dreadfull terror-striking name , The cause that I from Wales to England came , For Christian Rhodes , and our religious truth , To great atcheeuements first had wonne my youth ; Before aduenture did my valour proue , Before I yet knew what it was to loue : Nor came I hether by some poore euent , But by th' eternall Destinies consent , whose vncomprised wisedoms did fore-see , That thou in marriage should'st be linck'd to mee . By our great Merlin , was it not fore-told , ( Amongst his holy prophecies enrold ) when first he did of Tudors fame diuine , That Kings and Queenes should follow in our line ; And that the Helme , ( the Tudors auncient Crest ) with Lillies fetch'd from Fraunce should be possest ; And that our Leeke , ( our Countries chiefe renowne ) Should grow with Roses , in the English Crowne : As Charles faire daughter , thou the Lilly wear'st , As Henries Queene , the blushing Rose thou bear'st ; By Englands conquest , and by Fraunce's oth , Thou art the true made dowager of both ; Both in thy Crowne , both in thy cheeke together , Ioyne Tethers loue to thine , and thine to Tether . Then make no future doubts , nor feare no hate , when it so long hath beene fore-told by Fate ; And by the all-disposing doome of heauen , Before our births , vnto one bed were giuen . No Pallas heere , nor Iuno is at all , when I to Venus giue the golden ball ; Nor when the Grecians wonder I enioy , None in reuenge to kindle fire in Troy . And haue not strange euents diuin'd to vs , That in our loue we should be prosperous . When in thy presence I was call'd to daunce , In loftie tricks whilst I my selfe aduaunce , And in my turne , my footing faild by hap , wa'st not my chaunce to light into thy lap . Who would not iudge it Fortunes greatest grace , Sith he must fall , to fall in such a place ; His birth from heauen thy Tudor not deriues , Nor stands on typ-toes in superlatiues , Although the enuious English doe deuise A thousand iests of our hiperbolies ; Nor doe I claime that plot by auncient deedes , where Phoebus pastures his fire-breathing steeds ; Nor doe I boast my God-made Grandsires skarres , Nor Giants trophies in the Tytans warres ; Nor faine my birth ( your princely eares to please ) By three nights getting , as was Hercules ; Nor doe I forge my long decent to runne . From aged Neptune , or the glorious sunne , And yet in Wales with them most famous bee , Our learned Bards doe sing my pedigree , And boast my birth from great Cadwallader , From faire Cair-Septon , in Mount Palador , And from Eneons line , the South-wales King , From Theodor the Tudors name doe bring . My royall mothers princely stocke began , From her great Grandame faire Gwenellian , By true decent from Leolin the great , As well from North-wales as faire Powslands seate ; Though for our princely Genealogie , I doe not stand to make Apologie : Yet who with iudgments true vnpartiall eyes , Shall looke from whence our name at first did rise , Shall find that Fortune is to vs in debt ; And why not Tudor , as Plantaginct ? Nor that terme Croggen , nick-name of disgrace , Vsd as a by-word nowe in euery place , Shall blot our blood , or wrong a Welchmans name , which was at first begot with Englands shame . Our valiant swords , our right did still maintaine , Against that cruell , proude , vsurping Dane ; And buckled in so many dangerous fights , with Norwayes , Swethens , and with Muscouits , And kept our natiue language now thus long , And to this day yet neuer chang'd our tongue ; when they which now our nation faine would tame , Subdu'd , haue lost theyr Country , and theyr name . Nor neuer could the Saxons swords prouoke Our Brittaine necks to beare theyr seruile yoke , where Cambrias pleasant Countries bounded bee , with swelling Seuerne , and the holy Dee ; And since great Brutus first arriu'd , haue stood The onely remnant of the Troyan blood . To euery man is not alotted chaunce , To be the glorious conqueror of Fraunce ; Yet if my titles may be raisd by thee , If heauen say this , heauen saith yet more may be ; And our S. Dauid , in the Brittaines right , May ioyne with George , the sainted English Knight , And old Caer-marden , Merlins famous towne , Not scorn'd by London , though of such renowne . Ah would to God , that howre my hopes attend , were with my wish , brought to desired end . Blame mee not Madame , though I thus desire , when Kings doe wonder what I doe admire ; Should'st thou but touch swart Melas with thy hand , His Ietty grauell would be Tagus sand . Nature to shew more skill in thy curles , stroue , Then did Arachne in the web shee woue ; Where thou wilt sit vnto thy Lute to sing , There shall another faire Pirene spring . The Gods wish Hebe had no other Cup , But thy sweet lip for Nectar when they sup . The sweet calme odor thy breath doth respire , Might coole that all which Phaeton set on fire . Wonder not ( Madam ) though all eyes doe gaze , when such a Comet doth begin to blaze ; Till now your beauty in nights bosome slept , what eye durst looke , where awfull Henry kept ; Who durst attempt to saile but neere the bay , where that all-conquering great Alcides lay ; But beauty now is set a Princes prize , And kings now come to cheapen merchandize . If thou but walke to take the breathing ayre , Orithia makes mee that I Boreas feare , If to the fire , loue once in lightning came , And fayre Egina makes me feare the flame . If in the sunne , then sad suspition dreames , Phoebus should spred Lucothoe in his beames , If in a Fountaine thou doost coole thy blood , Neptune I feare which once came in a flood ; If with thy maides , I dread Apollos rape , who cusned Chion in an old wiues shape ; If thou doost banquet , Bacchus makes me dread , who in a Grape Erigone did feede ; And if my selfe thy Chamber doore should keepe , Yet feare I Hermes , comming in a sleepe . Pardon ( sweet Queene ) if I offend in thys , In these delayes , loue most impatient is : And youth wants power , his hote spleene to suppresse , when hope already banquets in excesse . Though Henries fame , in me you shall not find , Yet that which better shall content your mind ; What helps a Crownes adorning of the head , when comfort wanteth in a princely bed ; But onely in the title of a King was his aduantage , in no other thing : If in his loue more pleasure you did take , Neuer let Queene trust Welchman for my sake . Yet iudge mee not from modestie exempt , That I another Phaetons charge attempt ; My mounting thoughts , which thus to heauen aspire , Shewes that my spirit 's tuch'd with celestiall fire , For had it been of grosse and earthly mud , It neuer durst presume to such a good ; If loue a fault , the more is beauties shame , when she herselfe is Author of the same ; All men to one peculiar vice incline , Onely to loue , is naturally mine . Thou art by beauty famous , as by birth , Ordaind by heauen , here to adorne the earth , Ad faythfull loue vnto thy princely state , And then alike in all things fortunate . A King might promise more , I not denie , But yet ( by heauen ) he lou'd not more then I. And thus I leaue , till time my fayth approue , I cease to write , but neuer cease to loue .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . O that the Helme , the Tudors aundient Crest ,

THe Armes of Tudor was the Helmes , or mens heads , whereof he speaketh as a thing prophetically fore-told of Merlin .

When in thy presence I was call'd to daunce .

Owen Tudor , beeing a courtly and actiue Gentleman , commaunded once to daunce before the Queene , in a turne ( not beeing able to recouer himselfe ) fell into her lap , as shee sate vpon a little stoole , with many of her Ladies about her .

And yet with them in Wales , most famous be , Our learned Bards , &c.

This Berdh , as they call it in the Brittish tongue , or as we more properly say Bard , or Bardus be theyr Poets , which keepe the records of Pedigrees and descents , and sing in oades and measures to theyr Harps , after the old manner of the Lirick Poets .

And boast my blood from great Cadwallader ,

Cadwallader the last King of the Brittaines , descended of the noble and auncient race of the Troyans , to whom an Angell appeared , commaunding him to goe to Rome to Pope Sergius , where he ended his life .

Since faire Cair-Septon in mount Palador ,

Cair-Septon , now called Shaftsbury , at whose building it was sayd an Eagle prophecied ( or rather one named Aquilla ) of the fame of that place , and of the recouery of the Ile by the Brittains bringing backe with them the bones of Cadwallader from Rome .

And from Eneons line , the South-wales King , From Theodor &c.

This Eneon was slaine by the Rebells of Gwentsland , he was a noble and worthy Gentleman , who in his life did many noble acts , and was father to Theodor , or Tudor Maur , of whom descended the Princes of South-wales .

From her great Grandam faire Guenellian .

Guenellian the daughter of Rees ap Griffeth , ap Theodor , Prince of South-wales , maried to Edniuet Vahan , auncestor to Owen Tudor .

My true descent from Leolin the great ,

This is that Lewhelin , called Leolinus magnus , Prince of Northwales .

Nor that word Croggen , nickname of disgrace ,

In the voyage that Henry the second made against the Welchmen , as his souldiers passed Offas ditch at Croggen Castell , they were ouerthrowne by the Welchmen , which word Croggen , hath since been vsed to the Welchmens disgrace , which was at first begun with theyr honour .

And old Caer Merdin , Merlins famous Towne ;

Caer Merdin , or Merlins Towne , so called of Merlins beeing sound there ; This was Ambrose Merlin , whose prophecies wee haue . There was another of that name , called Merlin Siluestris , borne in Scotland , surnamed Calidonius , of the Forrest Calidon , where he prophecied .

And kept our nature Language now thus long ,

The Welchmen be those auncient Brittaines , which when the Picks , Danes , and Saxons inuaded heere , were first driuen into those parts , where they haue kept theyr language euer since the first , without commixtion with any other language .

FINIS .

William de la Pole , Duke of Suffolke , to Queene Margarit . * The Argument .

William de la Pole , first Marques , and after created Duke of Suffolke , beeing sent into Fraunce by King Henry the fixt , concludeth a marriage betweene the King his Maister , and Margarite , daughter to Rayner Duke of Aniou : who onely had the title of the King of Cicily and Ierusalem . This marriage beeing made contrary to the liking of the Lords & counsell of the Realme , ( by reason of the yeelding vp Aniou & Maine into the Dukes hands , which shortly after proued the losse of all Aquitaine , ) they euer after cotiuually hated the Duke ; and after ( my meanes of the Commons ) banished him at the parliament at Bery : where after he had the iudgment of his exile , beeing then ready to depart , hee 〈◊〉 backe to the Queene this Epistle .

IN my disgrace ( deere Queene ) rest thy content , And Margarits health from Suffolks banishment ; Not one day seemes fiue yeeres exile to mee , But that so soone I must depart from thee ; Where thou not present , it is euer night , All be exil'd that liue not in thy sight . Those Sauages which worshyp the sunnes rise , would hate theyr God , if they beheld thyne eyes , The worlds great light , might'st thou be seene abroad , would at our noonestead euer make aboade ; And force the poore Antipodes to mourne , Fearing least he would neuer more returne . Were 't not for thee , it were my great'st exile To liue within this Sea-inuirond I le . Poles courage brooks not limitting in bands , But that ( great Queene ) thy soueraigntie commands ; Our Falcons kinde cannot the cage indure , Nor buzzard-like doth stoope to euery lure ; Their mounting broode in open ayre doth roue , Nor will with Crowes be coop'd within a groue ; Wee all doe breath vpon this earthly ball , Likewise one heauen encompasseth vs all : No banishment can be to him assign'd , who doth retaine a true resolued minde . Man in himselfe , a little world doth beare , His soule the Monarch euer ruling there , where euer then his body doth remaine , He is a King that in himselfe doth raigne , And neuer feareth Fortunes hot'st alarmes , That beares against her , Patience for his Armes . This was the meane proude Warwicke did inuent , To my disgrace , at Leister parliament , That onely my base yeelding vp of Maine , Should be the losse of fertile Aquitaine , with the base vulgar sort to winne him fame , To be the heire of good Duke Humfreys name ; And so by treason spotting my pure blood , Make this a meane to raise the Neuells brood . With Salesbury , his vile ambitious Syer , In Yorks sterne brest , kindling long hidden fyer , By Clarence title working to supplant , The Eagle ayrie of great Iohn of Gaunt . And to this end did my exile conclude , Thereby to please the raskall multitud ; Vrg'd by these enuious Lords to spend their breath , Calling reuenge on the Protectors death , That since the old decrepit Duke is dead , By mee of force he must be murthered . If they would know who robd him of his life , Let them call home Dame Ellinor his wife ; who with a Taper walked in a sheete , To light her shame , at no one through London streete ; And let her bring her Nigromanticke booke , That foule hagge Iordane , Hun , and Bullenbrooke : And let them call theyr spirits from hell againe , To know how Humfrey died : and who shall raigne . For twentie yeeres and haue I seru'd in Fraunce , Against great Charles , and bastard Orleance ? And seene the slaughter of a world of men , Victorious now , and conquered agen ; And haue I seene Vernoylas batfull fields , Strewd with ten thousand Helmes , ten thousand shields , where famous Bedford did our fortune trie , Or Fraunce or England for the victory . The sad inuesting of so many Townes , Scor'd on my brest in honourable wounds ; When Mountacute and Talbot of such name , Vnder my Ensigne , both first wonne theyr fame : In heate and cold all fortunes haue indur'd , To rouze the French , within their walls immur'd . Through all my life , these perrills haue I past , And now to feare a banishment at last ? Thou know'st how I , ( thy beauty to aduaunce , ) For thee refusd the infant Queene of Fraunce , Brake the contract Duke Humfrey first did make , Twixt Henry , and the Princesse Arminacke ; Onely ( sweet Queene ) thy presence I might gaine , I gaue Duke Rayner , Aniou , Mauns , and Maine , Thy peerelesse beauty for a dower to bring , To counterpoize the wealth of Englands King ; And from Aumearle with-drew my warlike powers , And came my selfe in person first to Towers , Th' embassadours for truce to entertaine , From Belgia , Denmarke , Hungarie , and Spaine , And telling Henry of thy beauties storie , I taught my tongue a Louers oratorie , As the report it selfe did so indite , And make tongues rauish eares with theyr delight : And when my speech did cease , ( as telling all ) My lookes show'd more , that was Angelicall . And when I breath'd againe , and paused next , I left mine eyes to preach vpon the text . Then comming of thy modestie to tell , In musicks numbers my voyce rose and fell ; And when I came to paint thy glorious stile , My speech in greater cadences to file , By true descent to weare the Diadem , Of Naples , Cicils , and Ierusalem . And from the Gods thou didst deriue thy birth , If heauenly kinde could ioyne with brood of earth ; Gracing each tytle that I did recite , with some mellifluous pleasing Epithite ; Nor left him not , till hee for loue was sicke , Beholding thee in my sweet Rethorick . A fifteens taxe in Fraunce I freely spent , In tryumphs , at thy nuptiall Tournament ; And solemniz'd thy marriage in a gowne , Valu'd at more then was thy Fathers Crowne ; And onely striuing how to honour thee , Gaue to my King , what thy loue gaue to mee . Iudge if his kindnes haue not power to moue , who for his loues sake gaue away his loue . Had he which once the prize to Greece did bring , ( Of whom old Poets long agoe did sing ) Seene thee for England but imbarqu'd at Deepe , would ouer-boord haue cast his golden sheepe , As too vnworthy ballast to be thought , To pester roome , with such perfection fraught . The brynie seas which sawe the shyp enfold thee , would vaute vp to the hatches to behold thee , And falling backe , themselues in thronging smoother , Breaking for griefe , enuying one another : When the proude Barke , for ioy thy steps to feele , Scorn'd the salt waues should kisse her furrowing keele , And trick'd in all her flaggs , herselfe she braues , Dauncing for ioy vpon the siluer waues ; when like a Bull , from the Phenician strand , Ioue with Europa , trypping from the land , Vpon the bosome of the maine doth scud , And with his swannish breast cleauing the flood , Tow'rds the fayre fields , vpon the other side , Beareth Agenors ioy , Phenicias pride . All heauenly beauties , ioyne themselues in one , To shew theyr glory in thine eye alone ; which when it turneth that celestiall ball , A thousand sweet starrs rise , a thousand fall . Who iustly sayth , mine banishment to bee , when onely Fraunce for my recourse is free ? To view the plaines where I haue seene so oft , Englands victorious Ensignes raisd aloft ; when this shall be my comfort in my way , To see the place where I may boldly say , Heere mighty Bedford forth the vaward led , Heere Talbot charg'd , and heere the Frenchmen fled , Heere with our Archers valiant Scales did lie , Heere stoode the Tents of famous Willohbie ; Heere Mountacute rang'd his vnconquered band , Heere forth we march'd , and heere we made a stand . What should we stand to mourne and grieue all day , For that which time doth easily take away : What fortune hurts , let patience onely heale , No wisedome with extreamities to deale ; To know our selues to come of humaine birth , These sad afflictions crosse vs heere on earth ; A taxe imposd by heauens eternall law , To keepe our rude rebellious will in awe . In vaine we prise that at so deere a rate whose best assurance is a fickle state , And needlesse we examine our intent , when with preuention , we cannot preuent ; when we our selues fore-seeing cannot shun , That which before , with destinie doth run . Henry hath power , and may my life dispose , Mine honour mine , that none hath power to lose , Then be as merry , ( beautious , royall Queene ) As in the Court of Fraunce we erst haue beene ; As when ariu'd in Porchesters faire roade , ( where , for our comming Henry made aboade ) when in myne armes I brought thee safe to land , And gaue my loue , to Henryes royall hand ; The happy howers , we passed with the King , At faire South-hampton , long in banquetting , With such content as lodg'd in Henries brest , when he to London brought thee from the West ; Through golden Cheape , when hee in pompe did ride , To Westminster , to entertaine his Bride .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Our Faulcons kinde cannot the cage indure .

HE alludes in these verses to the Faulcon , which was the auncient deuice of the Poles , comparing the greatnes and haughtines of his spirit , to the nature of this byrd .

This was the meane proude Warwicke did inuent , To my disgrace &c.

The Commons , at this Parliament , through Warwickes meanes , accused Suffolke of treason , & vrged the accusation so vehemently that the King was forced to exile him for fiue yeeres .

That onely my base yeelding vp of Maine , Should be the losse of fertile Aquitane .

The Duke of Suffolke beeing sent into Fraunce to conclude a peace , chose Duke Rayners daughter , the Lady Margaret , whom he espoused for Henry the sixt , deliuering for her to her Father , the Countries of Aniou and Maine , & the Cittie of Mauns . Wherevpon the Earle of Arminack ( whose daughter was before promised to the King ) seeing himselfe to be mocked , caused all the English men to be expulsed out of Aquitaine , Gascoyne , & Guyne .

With the base vulgar sort to winne him fame , To be the heyre of good Duke Humfreys name .

This Richard that was called the great Earle of Warwick , when Duke Humfrey was dead , grewe into exceeding great fauour with the Commons .

With Salisbury , his vile ambitious Sire , In Yorks sterne brest , kindling long hidden fire , By Clarence title working to supplant , The Eagle Ayrie of great Iohn of Gaunt .

Richard Plantaginet , Duke of Yorke , in the the time of Henrie the sixt , claymed the Crowne , ( beeing assisted by this Richard Neuell Earle of Salisburie , and Father to the great Earle of Warwicke , who fauoured exceedingly the house of Yorke ) in open parliament , as heyre to Lionell Duke of Clarence , the third sonne of Edward the third , making his title by Anne his mother , wife to Richard Earle of Cambridge , sonne to Edmond of Langley , Duke of Yorke ; which Anne , was Daughter to Roger Mortimer Earle of March , which Roger , was sonne and heyre to Edmond Mortimer , 〈◊〉 married the Lady Phillip , Daughter and heire to Lionell Duke of Clarence , the third sonne of King Edward , to whom the crowne after Richard the seconds death lineally discended he dying without issue . And not to the heires of the Duke of Lancaster , that was younger Brother to the Duke of Clarence . Hall cap. 1. Tit. 〈◊〉 or . & Lanc.

Vrg'd by these enuious Lords to spend their breath , Calling reuenge on the Protectours death .

Humfrey Duke of Glocester , and Lorde Protectour , in the 〈◊〉 . yeare of Hen. 6. was by the meanes of the Queene , and the Duke of Suffolk was atested by the Lord Beumond at the Parliament 〈◊〉 at Berry , and the same night after murthered in his bed .

If they would know who rob'd him , &c. To this verse , To know how Humfrey dyed , and who shall raigne .

In these verses her iests at the Protectours wife , who being 〈◊〉 and conuicted of treason , because with Iohn Hun a Priest , Roger Bollingbrooke a Negromancer , and Margery Iordane called the Witch of Ely , shee had consulted and agreed by Sorcery to kill 〈◊〉 King , was adiudged to perpetuall pryson in the Ile of Man , and 〈◊〉 doo penaunce openly in three publique places in London .

For twenty yeares and haue I seru'd in Fraunce .

In the 6. yeare of Hen. the 6. the Duke of Bedford being deceased then Lieutenant generall , and Regent of Fraunce : this Duke of Suffolke was promoted to that dignity , hauing the L. Talbot , 〈◊〉 . Scales , and the Lord Mountacute to assist him .

Against great Charles , and Bastard Orleance .

This was Charles the seauenth , that after the death of Henry the 〈◊〉 obtained the crowne of Fraunce , & recouered againe much of that his Father had lost . Bastard Orleance was sonne to the Duke of Orleance , begotten of the L. Cawnies wife , preferred highly to many notable offices , because he being a most valiant Captaine , was continuall enemy to the Englishmen , daylie infesting them with diuers incursions .

And haue I seene Vernoyla's batfull fields .

Vernoyle is that noted place in Fraunce , where the great battell was fought in the beginning of Hen. 6. his raigne , where the most of the French cheualry were ouercome by the Duke of Bedford .

And from Aumearle with-drew my warlike powers .

Aumearle is that strong defenced towne in Fraunce , which the Duke of Suffolke got after 24. great assaults giuen vnto it .

And came my selfe in person first to Towers Th' embassadours for truce to entertaine , From Belgia , Denmarke , Hungary , and Spaine .

Towers is a Citty in Fraunce , built by Brutus as he came into Britaine , where in the 21. of Henry the 6 , was appoynted a great dyet to bee kept , whether came th' Embassadours of th' Empire , Spaine , Hungary , and Denmarke to intreate for a perpetuall peace , to be made betweene the two Kings of England , and Fraunce .

By true descent to weare the Diadem Of Naples , Cicile , and Ierusalem .

Rayner Duke of Aniou , Father to Queene Margarit , call'd him selfe King of Naples , Cicily , and Ierusalem , hauing the title alone of King of those Countries .

A fifteenes taxe in Fraunce I freely spent .

The Duke of Suffolke after the marriage concluded twixt King Henry , and Margarit Daughter to Duke Rayner , asked in open Parliament a whole fifeteenth to fetch her into England .

Seeue thee for England but imbark't at Deepe .

Deepe is a Towne in Fraunce , bordering vpon the Sea where the Duke of Suffolke with Queene Margarit tooke shippe for England .

As when ariu'd in Porchesters faire Roade .

Porchester a Hauen Towne in the South-west part of England , where the King taried expecting the Queenes ariuall , whom from thence he conueyed to South-hampton .

Queene Margarit to William de la Pole , Duke of Suffolke . WHat newes ( sweet Pole ) look'st thou my lines should tell , But like the sounding of the dolefull bell , Bidding the deaths-man to prepare the graue , Expect from me no other newes to haue . My brest , which once was mirths imperiall throne , A vast and desart wildernes is growne ; Like that cold Region , from the world remote , On whose breeme seas , the Icie mountaines flote , where those poore creatures banish'd from the light , Doe liue imprison'd in continuall night . No ioy presents my soules internall eyes , But diuination of sad tragedies , And care takes vp her solitarie Inne , where youth and ioy , theyr Court did once begin . As in September , when our yeere resignes , The glorious sunne vnto the watry signes , which through the clowdes lookes on the earth in scorne ; The little Byrd , yet to salute the morne , Vpon the naked branches sets her foote , The leaues now lying on the mossy roote ; And there a silly chirripping doth keepe , As though shee faine would sing , yet faine would weepe , Praysing faire Sommer , that too soone is gone , Or mourning Winter , too fast comming on . In this sad plight I mourne for thy depart , Because that weeping cannot case my hart . Now to our ayde , who stirres the neighbouring Kings ; Or who from Fraunce a puissant Armie brings ; Who moues the Norman to assist our warre ; Or brings in Burgoyn , to ayde Lancaster ; Who in the North our lawfull claime commends , To winne vs credite with our valiant friends ; To whom shall I my secrete thoughts impart ; Whose brest is now the closet of my hart ; The auncient Heroes , fame thou didst reuiue , And didst from them thy memory deriue ; Nature by thee , both gaue and taketh all , Alone in Pole she was too prodigall ; Of so diuine and rich a temper wrought , As heauen for him , perfections depth had sought , Peables and Flints we finde in euery path , The Diamond rich India onely hath . Well knew King Henry what he pleaded for , when thou wert made his sweet-tong'd Orator ; whose Angell-eye , by powrefull influence , Imparteth wonders , passing eloquence , That when loue would his youthfull sports haue tryde , But in thy shape , himselfe would neuer hide ; which in his loue had beene of greater power , Then was his Nymph , his flame , his swanne , his shower . To that allegiance Yorke was bound by oath , To Henries heyres , and safetie of vs both , No longer now he meanes record shall beare it , He will dispence with heauen , and will vnsweare it . Hee that 's in all the worlds blacke sinnes forlorne , Is carelesse now how oft hee be forsworne ; And now of late his title hath set downe , By which he claimes the right of Englands Crowne . And now I heare , his hatefull Dutches chatts , And rips vp theyr decent vnto her brats , And blesseth them as Englands lawfull heyrs , And tells them that our Diadem is theyrs . And if such hap her Goddesse fortune bring , If three sonnes faile , she 'le make the fourth a King . Hee that 's so like his Dam , her youngest Dick , That foule , ilfauored , crookback'd stigmatick , That like a carkase stolne out of a Tombe , Came the wrong way out of his mothers wombe ; with teeth i' ns head , his passage to haue torne , As though begot an age ere he was borne . Who now dare curbe proude Yorke , if he doe rise ? And stoope that haggard , which so threats the skyes ? To crop that bastard weede which daily growes , To ouer-shadow our vermilion Rose ? Or who will muzzell that vnruly Beare ? From whose sterne presence all doe flie for feare ; whilst on his knees the silly King is downe , To saue theyr labour , reaching at his Crowne . Where like a mounting Cedar he should beare His plumed top , aloft into the ayre ; And let these shrubs sit vnderneath his shrowdes , whilst in his armes he doth imbrace the clowdes . But he with error in deuotion led , Let s others rase the Crowne from of his head ; And ( like a woman ) sits him downe to weepe , Where hee in Armes his kingly right should keepe , As ill beseeming Henries royall sonne , As when Alcides at the distaffe spunne . O that he should his Fathers right inherit , Yet by an alien to that mightie spirit ; That field the Westerne world with his report , His glorious conquest got at Agyncourt ; Whose name to Fraunce dyd greater terror bring , Then to the foule , the presence of theyr King ; Who fild the ditches of besiged Cane , with mangled bodyes of our Nation slaine : And made the Normans eate theyr horse for foode , Yet staru'd for hunger ; made them drunke with blood . Nor can he come from Lancasters great line , Or from the wombe of beautious Katherine . All other creatures follow after kind , But man alone doth not beget the minde . My Daysie-flower which erst perfum'd the ayre , which for my fauours Princes once did weare , Now in the dust lyes troden on the ground , And with Yorks garlands euery one is crownd ; Those flattering starrs which followed our faire rise , Now towards our set , are vanish'd from our eyes , Yorks rising sonnes now altogether shine , And our light dim , towards euening doth decline ; Now in the skyes his dreadfull Comet waues , And who be starrs , but Warwicks bearded staues ; And all those knees which bended once so low , Grow stiffe , as though they had forgot to bow ; And none like them , pursue me with despite , which most haue cryde , God saue Queene Margarite . When fame shall brute thy banishment abroade , The Yorkish faction then will lay on loade ; And when it comes once to our Westerne Coast , O how that hagge Dame Elinor will boast ; And labour straight , by all the means shee can , To be calld home , out of the Ile of Man ; To which I know great Warwicke will consent , To haue it done by acte of Parliament , That to my teeth , my birth she may defie , Slaundring Duke Rayner with base beggery ; The onely way she could deuise to grieue mee , wanting sweet Suffolke , which should most releeue 〈◊〉 . And from that stocke doth sprout another bloome , A Kentish Rebell , a base vpstart groome ; And this is hee the White-Rose must prefer , By Clarence daughter , match'd with Mortimer . Thus by Yorks meanes , this rascall pesant Cade , Must in all hast Plantaginet be made ; Thus that ambitious Duke sets all on worke To sound what friends affect the claime of Yorke , Whilst he abroade doth practise to commaund , And makes vs weake by strength'ning Ireland ; More his owne power still seeking to encrease , Then for King Henries good , or Englands peace . Great Winchester vntimely is deceas'd , That more and more my woes should be encreas'd . Beuford , whose shoulders proudly bare vp all The Churches prop , that famous Cardinall , The Commons , ( bent to mischiefe ) neuer let , with Fraunce t'vpbrayd that valiant Somerset , Rayling in tumults on his souldiers losse ; Thus all goes backward , crosse comes after crosse . And-nowe of late , Duke Humfreys old alies , with banish'd Elnors base accomplices , Attending theyr reuenge , grow wondrous crouse , And threaten death and vengeaunce to our house ; And I alone the wofull remnant am , T' endure these stormes , with wofull Buckingham . I pray thee Pole haue care how thou dost passe , Neuer the Sea yet halfe so dangerous was ; And one fore-told by water thou should'st die , ( Ah foule befall that foule tongues prophecie , ) And euery night am troubled in my dreames , That I doe see thee tost in dangerous streames ; And oft-times shipwrackt , cast vpon the land , And lying breathlesse on the queachie sand ; And oft in vision see thee in the night , where thou at sea maintain'st a dangerous fight ; And with thy proued Target and thy sword , Beat'st backe the Pyrate which would come abord . Yet be not angry that I warne thee thus , The truest loue is most suspitious : Sorrow doth vtter what vs still doth grieue , But hope forbids vs sorrow to belieue ; And in my counsell yet this comfort is , It cannot hurt , although I thinke amisse : Then liue in hope , in tryumph to returne , when cleerer dayes shall leaue in clowdes to mourne ; But so hath sorrow girt my soule about , That , that word hope , ( mee thinks ) comes slowly out : The reason is , I know it here would rest , where it may still behold thee in my brest . Farewell sweet Pole , faine more I would endite , But that my teares doe blot as I doe write .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Or brings in Burgoyn to ayde Lancaster .

PHillip Duke of Burgoyn and his sonne were alwaies great fauorites of the house of Lancaster : howbeit they often dissembled both with Lancaster and Yorke .

Who in the North our lawfull claime commends , To winne vs credite with our valiant friends .

The chiefe Lords of the North-parts in the time of Henry the 6. withstoode the Duke of Yorke , at his rysing , giuing him two great ouerthrowes .

To that aleageance Yorke was bound by oath To Henries heires , and safety of vs both . No longer now he meanes records shall beare it , He will dispence with heauen , and will vnsweare it .

The Duke of Yorke at the death of Henry the fifth , and at this Kings coronation , tooke his oath to be true subiect to him , and his heires for euer : but afterward dispensing there-with , claimed the Crowne as his rightfull and proper inheritance .

If three Sonnes faile , shee 'l make the fourth a King .

The Duke of Yorke had foure Sonnes , Edward Earle of March , that afterward was Duke of Yorke , and King of England , when he had deposed Henry the 6. and Edmond Earle of Rutland , slaine by the Lord Clifford at the battell at Wakefield : and George Duke of Clarence that was murthered in the Tower : and Richard Duke of Glocester who was ( after he had murthered his Brothers sons ) King by the name of Richard the third .

He that 's so like his Dam , her youngest Dicke , That foule ill fauoured crookback'd Stigmaticke , &c. Till this verse . As though begot an age , &c.

This Richard ( whom ironiacally shee heere calls Dicke ) that by treason after his Nephewes murthered , obtained the Crowne , was a man lowe of stature , crooke-back'd , the left shoulder much higher then the right , and of a very crabbed and sower countenance : his Mother could not be deliuered of him vncut , and he was borne toothed , and with his feete forward contrary to the course of nature .

To ouershadow our vermilion Rose .

The red Rose was the badge of the house of Lancaster , and the white Rose of Yorke , which by the marriage of Henry the seauenth , with Elizabeth indubitate heire of the house of Yorke , was conioyned and vnited .

Or who doth muzzle that vnruly Beare .

The Earle of Warwicke , the setter vp and puller downe of Kings , gaue for his Armes the white Beare rampant , and the Ragged staffe .

His glorious conquest got at Agyncourt .

Agincourt is a Teritory in Fraunce , where King Henry the fifth discomfited the whole French puissance beeing 60000. horsemen , besides foote-men and Pages , and slewe at the same battell 8000 , of their Nobility , Knights , and Gentlemen . And almost all the Princes of Fraunce , besides such as were taken prisoners .

Who fill'd the ditches of besieged Caen With mangled bodies . &c.

Caen is a meruailous strong Towne of Normandy , which after long famine and extreame misery , was yeelded vp to King Henry the fifth , who fortified the Towne and Castle to the vse of the English .

My Daysie flower which erst perfum'd the ayre , Which for my fauour Princes once did weare , &c.

The Daysie in French is called Margarit , which was Queene Margarits badge , where-with all the Nobility and chiualry of the Land at the first ariuall were so delighted , that they wore it in their Hats in token of honour .

And who be Starres but Warwicks bearded staues .

The ragged or bearded staffe was a part of the Armes belonging to the Earldome of Warwicke .

Slaundering Duke Rayner with base beggery .

Rayner Duke of Aniou , called himselfe King of Naples , Cicile , and Ierusalem , hauing neither inheritance nor tribute from those parts , and was not able at the marriage of the Queene of his owne charges to send her into England though he gaue no dower with her : which by the Dutches of Glocester was often in disgrace cast in her teeth .

A Kentish Rebell , a base vpstart Groome .

This was Iack Cade which caused the Kentish-men to rebell in the 28. yeare of Henry the 6.

And this is he the white Rose must prefer , By Clarence Daughter match'd to Mortimer .

This Iack Cade instructed by the Duke of Yorke , pretended to be decended from Mortimer which married Lady Phillip , Daughter to the Duke of Clarence .

And makes vs weake by strengthning Ireland .

The Duke of Yorke beeing made Deputy of Ireland , first there began to practise his long pretended purpose , strengthning himselfe by all meanes possible that he might at his returne into England by open warre , to claime that which so long he had priuily gone about to obtaine .

Great Winchester vntimely is deceas'd .

Henry Beuford Bishop and Cardinall of Winchester , Sonne to Iohn of Gaunt , begot in his age , was a proud and ambitious Prelat , fauouring mightily the Queene , and the Duke of Suffolke , continually heaping vp innumerable treasure , in hope to haue beene Pope , as himselfe on his death-bed confessed .

With Fraunce t' vpbraide the valiant Somerset .

Edmond Duke of Somerset , in the 24. of Henry the 6 was made Regent of Fraunce , and sent into Normandy to defend the English Territories against the French inuasions , but in short time he lost all that King Henry the fifth wone , for which cause the Nobles and the Commons euer after hated him .

T' endure these stormes with wofull Buckingham .

Humfrey Duke of Buckingham , was a great fauorite of the Queenes Faction , in the time of Henry the 6.

And one foretold by water thou shouldst dye .

The Witch of Eye receaued aunswer by her spirit , that the Duke of Suffolke should take heede of water ; which the Queene forwarnes him of , as remembring the Witches prophecie , which afterward came to passe .

FINIS .

Edward the fourth to Shores wife . * The Argument .

This Mistresse Shore , King Edward the fourths beautious paramore , was so called of her husband a Goldsmith , awelling in Lumbard street . Edward the fourth , sonne to Richard Duke of Yorke , after hee had obtained the Crowne by deposing Henry the sixt , ( which Henry was after murthered in the Tower by Richard Crookebacke ) and after the battell fought at Barnet , where that famous Earle of Warwicke was slaine , and that King Edward quietly possessed the Crowne , hearing ( by report of many ) the rare and wonderfull beauty of the afore-said Shores wife , commeth himselfe disguised to London to see her ; where after he had once bebeld her , he was so surprised with her admirable beautie , as not long after he robbed her husband of his deerest iewel ; but first by this Epistle he writeth vnto her .

VNto the fayr'st that euer breath'd thys ayre , From English Edward to that fairest faire ; Ah would to God thy title were no more , That no remembrance might remaine of Shore , To countermaund a Monarchs high desire , And barre mine eyes of what they most admire . O why should Fortune make the Citty proude , To giue that more then is the Court alow'd ? Where they like ( wretches ) hoard it vp to spare , And doe engrosse it , as they doe theyr ware . When fame first blaz'd thy beauty heere in Court , Mine eares repulsd it , as a light report , But when mine eyes sawe what mine eare had hard , They thought report too niggardly had spard ; And strooken dumbe with wonder , did but mutter , Conceiuing more then shee had words to vtter . Then thinke of what thy husband is possest , when I enuy that Shore should so be blest , when much abundance makes the needy mad , And hauing all , yet knowes not what is had ; Into fooles bosoms thys good fortune creepes , And wealth comes in the whilst the miser sleepes . If now thy beauty be of such esteeme , which all of so rare excellencie deeme , what would it be , and prized at what rate , were it adorned with a kingly state ? which beeing now , but in so meane a bed , Is like an vncut Diamond in lead , Ere it be set in some high-prized ring , Or garnished with rich enamiling ; The sparkling luster of the stone is spilt , If that the beautie be not shewd in gilt . When first attracted by thy heauenly eyes , I came to see thee , in a strange disguise , Passing thy shop , thy husband calld mee back , Demaunding what rare iewell I did lack ? I want , ( thought I ) one that I dare not craue , And one ( I feare ) thou wilt not let mee haue ; Hee calls for Caskets forth , and shewes mee store , But yet I knew he had one iewell more ; And deadly curst him that hee did denie it , That I might not for loue or mony buy it . O might I come a Diamond to buy , whose sparkling radiance shadowed but thine eye , would not my treasure serue , my Crowne should goe , any iewell could be prized so ; 〈◊〉 Agat , branched with thy blushing straines , 〈◊〉 Saphyre , but so azur'd , as thy vaines ; My kingly scepter onely should redeeme it , At such a price if iudgement could esteeme it . How fond and sencelesse , be those strangers then , Who bring in toyes to please the English men . 〈◊〉 smile to thinke how fond th' Italians are , To iudge theyr artificiall Gardens rare , when London in thy cheekes can shew them heere , Roses and Lillies growing all the yeere ; The Portugall , that onely hopes to win , By bringing stones from farthest India in , when happy Shore can bring them forth a gerle , whose lipps be Rubies , and her teeth be Pearle . How silly is the Polander and Dane , To bring vs Christall , from the frozen maine , when thy cleere skinnes transparence doth surpasse , Theyr Christall , as the Diamond doth glasse . The foolish French , which brings in trash and toyes , To turne our women men , our gerles to boyes , when with what tire thou doost thy selfe adorne , That for a fashion onely shall be worne ; which though it were a garment but of hayre , More rich then robe that euer Empresse ware . Mee thinks thy husband takes his marke awry , To set his plate to sale when thou art by ; when they which doe thy Angell locks behold , Like basest drosse doe but respect his gold ; And wish one haire before that massy heape , And but one locke before the wealth of Cheape : And for no cause else , hold we gold so deare , But that it is so like vnto thy hayre . And sure I thinkc Shore cannot chuse but flout Such as would find the great Elixar out , And laugh to see the Alchimists , that choke Themselues with sumes , and wast theyr wealth in smoke , when if thy hand but touch the basest mould , It is conuerted vnto purest gold , when theirs is chaffer'd at an easie rate , well knowne to all to be adulterate ; And theyrs , no more when it by thine is set , Then paltry Beugle , or light-prized let . Let others weare perfumes , for thee vnmeet , If there were none , thou could'st make all things sweet . Thou comfort'st sence , and yet all sence doost wast , To heare , to see , to smell , to feele , to tast ; Thou a rich shyp , whose very refuse ware , Aromaticks , and precious odors are . If thou but please to walke into the Pawne , To buy thee Cambricke , Callico , or Lawne , If thou the whiterles of the same would'st proue , From thy more whiter hand plucke off thy gloue ; And those which by , as the beholders stand , will take thy hand for Lawne , Lawne for thy hand . A thousand eyes , clos'd vp by enuious night , Doe wish for day , but to enioy thy sight ; And when they once haue blest their eyes with thee , Scorne euery obiect els , what ere they see , So like a Goddesse beautie still controules , And hath such powerfull working in our soules . The Merchant which in traffique spends his life , Yet loues at home to haue a daintie wife , The blunt-spoke Cynick , poring on his booke , Sometime ( aside ) at beautie loues to looke . The Church-man , by whose teaching we are led , Alowes what keepes loue in the marriage bed ; The bloody souldier which in Armes doth toyle , with Beauty yet content to share his spoyle , The busie lawyer wrangling in his pleas , Findeth in beautie yet there is some ease ; The toyling trades-man , and the sweating Clowne , Would haue his wench faire , though his bread be browne ; So much is Beautie pleasing vnto all , To Prince and peasant , one in generall : Nor neuer yet did any man despise it , Except too deere , and that he could not prize it , Vnlearn'd is learning , artlesse be all Arts , If not imploy'd to prayse thy seuerall parts ; Poore plodding schoolemen , they are farre too low , which by probations , rules , and axiom's goe , He must be still familiar with the skyes , which notes the reuolutions of thine eyes ; And by that skill which measures sea and land , See beauties world , thy wast , thy foote , thy hand , Where he may finde , the more that he doth view , Such rare delights as yet are strange and newe ; And other worlds of beautie more and more , Which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 discouered before : And to thy rare proportion to apply , The lines and circles in Geometry , Vsing alone Arithmaticks strong ground , Numbring the vertues that in thee are found . And when these all haue done what they can doe , For thy perfections all too little too . But leauing Arts , what should I say thou art ? But of each Goddesse thou a better part , From Iris white , thy red , vermillion , blew , Thy skin , thy lip , thy cheeke , thy vaines pure hiew ; But those in her , together mixed bee , But all distinct , and seuerall in thee . From beautious Ceres , thy soft-swelling brest , Those orient Grapes giue Nectar , beeing prest ; Thy smyles from Venus , but such smyles of ioy , As when she laughes vpon her little boy ; Thy caridge , from maiesticke luno's gate , which giues delight for all to wonder at . When from the East the dawne hath broken out , And gone to seeke thee all the world about , within thy Chamber hath shee fixt her light , where but that place , the world hath all been night ; Then is it fit that euery vulgar eye , Should see loue banquet in her maiestie ? We deeme those things our sight doth most frequent , To be but meane , although most excellent ; For strangers still the streets are swept and strewd , Few looke on such as daily come abroade ; Things much restraind , doth make vs much desire them , And beauties sildome seene , makes vs admire them . Nor is it fit a Citty shop should hide , The worlds delight , and Natures onely pride , But in a Princes sumptuous gallery , Hung all with Tissue , flor'd with Tapistrie ; where thou shalt sit , and from thy state shalt see , The tylts and tryumphs that are done for thee . Then know the difference ( if thou list to proue ) Betwixt a vulgar , and a kingly loue , And when thou fino'st , as now thou doubt'st the troth , Be thou thy selfe vnpartiall Iudge of both ; Where harts be knit , what helps if not enioy ? Delayes breede doubts , no cunning to be coy . Whilst lazie Time his turne by tariance serues , Loue still growes sickly , and hope daily stormes Meane while , receaue that warrant by these lines , which princely rule and soueraignty resignes ; Till when , these papers by their Lords command , By me shall kisse thy sweet and dainty hand .

Notes of the Chronicle historie .

THis Epistle of Edward to Shores wife , and of hers to him being of vnlawfull affection , ministreth small occasion of historicall Notes , for had he mentioned the many battailes betwixt the Lancastrian faction and him , or other warlike dangers , it had been more like to Plautus boasting Souldiour then a kingly Courtier . Notwithstanding it shall not be amisse to annexe a line or two .

From English Edward to the fairest faire .

Edward the fourth was by nature very chiualrous and very amorous , applying his sweet and amiable aspect to attaine his wanton appetite the rather , which was so well knowne to Lewes the French King , who at their interuiew inuited him to Paris , that as Cominaeus reports , being taken at his word , he notwithstanding brake off the matter , fearing the Parisian dames with their witry conuersation , would detaine him longer then should be for his benefit , by 〈◊〉 meanes Edward was disapointed of his iourney : and albeit Princes whilst they liue haue nothing in them but what is admirable , yet we neede not mistrust the flattery of the Court in those times , for certaine it is that his shape was excellent , his haire drew neere to a blacke , making his faces fauour seeme more delectable . Though the smalenes of his eyes full of a shining moisture , as it tooke away some comlines , so it argued much sharpnes of vnderstanding , and cruelty mingled therewith . And in deede 〈◊〉 Buchanan ( that imperious Scot ) chargeth him and other Princes of those times , with affection of tiranny as Richard the third manifestly did .

When first attracted by thy heauenly eyes .

Edwards intemperate desires , with which he was wholy ouercome , how tragically they in his ofspring were punished , is vniuersally knowne . A mirrour representing their ouer-sight , that rather leaue their children what to possesle , then what to imitate .

How silly is the Polander and Dane To bring vs Christall from the frozen maine .

Alluding to their opinions , who imagine Christall to be a kind of Ice , and therefore it is likely they who come from the frozen parts , should bring great store of that transparent stone , which is thought to be congealed with extreame cold . Whether Christall be Ice or some other liquor , I omit to dispute , yet by the examples of Amber and Corall there may be such an induration , for Solinus out of Pliny mentioneth , that in the Northerly Regions a yellow ielly is taken vp out of the Sea at low tides , which he calls Succinum , wee Amber , so likewise out of the Ligustick deepe , a part of the Mediterrin Sea , a greenish stalke is gathered , which hardned in the ayre becomes to be Corall either white or red . Amber notwithstanding is thought to drop out of trees , as appeares by Martials Epigram .

Et latet , et lucet Phaethontide condita 〈◊〉 , Vt videatur apis necture clausa sub , Dignum 〈◊〉 pretium tulit ille laborum , Credibile est ipsam sic voluisse mori .

To behold a Bee inclosde in Electrum , is not so rare as that a Boyes throat should be cut with the fall of an Icesickle , the which Epigram is excellent , the 18 , lib. 4. He calls it Phaethontis gutta , because of that fable which Ouid rehearseth , concerning the Heliades , or Phaetons Sisters metamorphozed into those trees , whose gum is Amber , where Flies alighting , are often times tralucently imprisoned .

¶ The Epistle of Shores wife , to King Edward the Fourth . AS the weake chyld , that from the Mothers wing , Is taught the Lutes delicious fingering , At euery strings soft touch , is mou'd with feare , Noting his Maisters curious listning eare ; Whose trembling hand , at euery straine bewrayes , In what doubt hee ; his new set lesson playes ; As this poore chylde , so sit I to indite , At euery word still quaking as I write . Would I had led an humble Shepheards life , Nor knowne the name of Shores admired wife , And liu'd with them in Country fields that range , Nor seene the golden Cheape , nonglittering Change , To stand a Cometgaz'd at in the skyes , Subiect to all tongues , obiect to all eyes . Oft haue I heard my beauty praisd of many , But neuer yet so much admir'd of any ; A Princes Eagle eye to finde out that , which vulgar sights doe sildome wonder at , Makes mee to thinke affection flatters sight , Or in the obiect some-thing exquisite . To housed beauty , sildome stoopes report , Fame must attend on that which liues in Court . What swanne of great Apollos brood doth sing , To vulgar loue , in courtly Sonetting ? O what immortall Poets sugred pen , Attends the glory of a Citizen ; Oft haue I wondred what should blinde your eye , Or what so farre seduced Maiestie , That hauing choyce of beauties so diuine , Amongst the most to choose this least of mine ; More glorious sunnes adorne faire Londons pride , Then all rich Englands continent beside ; who takes in hand to make account of this , May number Rumneys flowers , or Isis fish ; who doth frequent our Temples , walks , and streets , Noting the sundry beauties that hee meets , Thinks not that Nature left the wide world poore , And made thys place the Chequer of her store ? As heauen and earth were lately fallne at larrs , And growne to vying wonders , dropping starrs . That if but some one beautie should incite , Some sacred Muse , some rauisht spirit to write , Heere might he fetch such true Promethian fire , As after ages should his lynes admire ; Gathering the honny from the choysest flowers , Scorning the wither'd weedes in Countrie bowers . Heere in thys Garden ( onely ) spings the Rose , In euery common hedge the Bramble growes , Nor are we so turn'd Neapolitan , That might incite some foule-mouth'd Mantuan , To all the world to lay out our defects , And haue iust cause to rayle vpon our sex ; To pranck old wrinkels vp in new attire , To alter natures course , proue tyme a lyer , Abusing fate , and heauens iust doome reuerse , On beauties graue to set a Crimson hearse ; with a deceitfull foyle to lay a ground , To make a glasse to seeme a Diamond . Nor cannot without hazard of our name , In fashion follow the Venetian Dame , Nor the fantastick French to imitate , Attir'd halfe Spanish , halfe Italionate ; Nor wast , nor curle , body nor brow adorne , That is in Florence , or in Genoa borne . But with vaine boasts how witlesse 〈◊〉 am I , Thus to draw on mine owne indignity 〈◊〉 And what though married when I was but young , Before I knew what dyd to loue belong ; Yet he which now 's possessed of the roome , Cropt beauties flower when it was in the bloome , And goes away enriched with the store , whilst others gleane , where he had reapt before , And he dares sweare that I am true and iust , And shall I then deceiue his honest trust ? Or what strange hope should make you to assaile , where strongest battery neuer could preuaile ? Belike you thinke that I repulsd the rest , To leaue a King the conquest of my brest , Or haue thus long preseru'd my selfe from all , A Monarch now should glory in my fall . Yet rather let mee die the vilest death , Then lyue to draw such sinne-polluted breath ; But our kinde harts , mens teares cannot abide , And we least angry oft , when most we chyde ; Too well know men what our creation made vs , And nature too well taught them to inuade vs . They know but too well , how , when , what , and where , To write , to speake , to sue , and to forbeare , By signes , by sighes , by motions , & by teares , when vowes should serue , when othes , when smiles , when praiers , What one delight our humors most doth moue , Onely in that you make vs nourish loue . If any naturall blemish blot our face , You doe protest it giues our beautie grace ; And what attire we most are vsd to weare , That ( of all other ) excellent'st you sweare ; And if we walke , or sit , or stand , or lye , It must resemble some one Dietie ; And what you know we take delight to heare , That are you euer sounding in our eare ; And yet so shamelesse when you tempt vs thus , To lay the fault on beauty , and on vs : Romes wanton Ouid did those rules impart ; O that your nature should be help'd by Art . Who would haue thought , a King that cares to raigne , Inforc'd by loue , so Poet-like should faine ? To say that Beautie , Times sterne rage to shun , In my cheekes ( Lillies ) hid her from the sun ; And when she meant to triumph in her May , Made that her East , and heere shee broke her day , And swear'st that Sommer still is in my sight , And but where I am , all the world is night : And that the fayr'st , ere since the world began , To me , a sunne-burnt , base Egyptian ; But yet I know more then I meane to tell , ( Oh would to God you knew it not too well . ) That women oft theyr most admirers raise , Though publiquely not flattering theyr owne praise . Our churlish husbands , which our youth enioyd , who with our dainties haue their stomacks cloyd , Doe lothe our smooth hand with theyr lips to feele , T' enrich our fauours , by our beds to kneele ; At our commaund to waite , to send , to goe , As euery howre our amorous seruants doe ; which makes a stolne kisse often wee bestow , In earnest of a greater good wee owe ; when hee all day torments vs with a frowne , Yet sports with Venus in a bedde of Downe ; whose rude imbracement , but too ill beseemes , Her span-broade wast , her white and daintie limmes ; And yet still preaching abstinence of meate , when he himselfe , of euery dish will eate . Blame you our husbands then , if they denie Our publique walking , our loose libertie , If with exception still they vs debarre , The circuite of the publique Theater ; To heare the smooth-tongu'd Poets Syren vaine , Sporting in his lasciuious Comick scene : Or the young wanton wits , when they applaude The 〈◊〉 perswasions of some subtile 〈◊〉 ; Or passionate Tragedian in his rage , Acting a loue-sicke passion on the stage ; when though abroad restraining vs to rome , They very hardly keepe vs safe at home , And oft are touch'd with feare , and inward griefe , Knowing rich prizes soonest tempt a theefe . What sports haue we , whereon our minds to set ? Our dogge , our Parrat , or our Marmuzet ; Or once a weeke to walke into the field ; Small is the pleasure that these toyes doe yeeld . But to this griefe , a medicine you apply , To cure restraint with that sweet libertie ; And soueraigntie ; ( ô that bewitching thing , ) Yet made more great , by promise of a King : And more , that honour which doth most intice The holiest Nunne , and shee that 's nere so nice . Thus still wee striue , yet ouer-come at length , For men want mercy , and poore women strength : Yet graunt , that we , could meaner men resist when Kings once come , they conquer as they list . Thou art the cause Shore pleaseth not my sight ; That his embraces giue me no delight ; Thou art the cause , I to my selfe am strange . Thy comming , is my full , thy set , my change . Long Winter nights be minuts , if thou heare , Short minutes if thou absent be a yeare . And thus by strength thou art become my fate , And mak'st me loue , euen in the midst of hate .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Would I had led an humble Sheepheards life , Nor 〈◊〉 the name of Shores admired wife .

TWo or three poems written by sundry men , haue magnified this womans beauty : whom that ornament of England and Londons more particuler glory , Sir Thomas Moore very highly hath praysed for her beauty , she beeing aliue in his time , though being poore and aged . Her stature was meane , her haire of a darke yellow , her face round and full , her eye gray , delicate 〈◊〉 being betwixt each parts proportion , & each proportions 〈◊〉 , her body fat , white , and smooth , her countenance cheerefull , and like to her condition . That picture which I haue seene of 〈◊〉 , was such as she rose out of her bed in the morning , hauing nothing on but a ritch Mantle cast 〈◊〉 one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her shoulder , and sitting in a chaire on which her naked arme did lye . What her Fathers name was , or where shee was borne is not certainly knowne : but Shore a young man of right good person , wealth , and behauiour , abandond her bed after the King had made her his Concubine . Richard the third causing her to doe open penance in Paules Churchyard , 〈◊〉 that no man should releeue her , which the tyrant did not so much for his hatted to sinne , but that by making his Brothers life odious , he might couer his horrible treason the more cunningly .

May number Rumneys flowers , or Isis fish .

Rumney is that famous Marsh in Kent , at whose side 〈◊〉 an Hauen-towne dooth stand . Heereof the excellent English Antiquarie Maister Camden , and Maister Lumbert in his perambulation doe make mention and Marishes are commonly called those low grounds , which abut vpon the Sea , and from the Latine word are so denominated . Isis heere is vsed for Thamesis by a Senecdochicall kinde of speech , or by a poeticall liberty in vsing one for another , for it is sayd that Thamesis is compounded of Tame ; and Isis , making when they are met , that renowned water running by London , a Citty much more renowned 〈◊〉 that water : which being plentifull of fish , is the cause also why all things else are plentifull therein . Moreouer I am perswaded that there is no Riuer in the world beholds more stately buildings on eyther side cleane through , then the Thames . Much is reported of the Graund Canale in Venice , for that the Fronts on eyther side are so gorgeous .

That might incite some foule-mouth'd Mantuan .

〈◊〉 Mantuan a pastorall Poet , in one of his Eglogs bitterly enueieth against woman-kinde , some of the which by way of an Appendex , might be heere inserted , seeing the fantastick and insolent humors of many of that sexe deserue much sharper phisick , were it not that they are grown wiser , then to amend , for such an idle Poets speech as Mantuan , yeh , or for Euripides himselfe , or Senecas inflexible 〈◊〉 .

The circuite of the publick Theater .

〈◊〉 a most fit Author for so dissolute a Sectarie , calls that place 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , for though Shores wife wantonly plead for liberty , which is the true humor of a Curtizan , yet much more is the prayse of modesty then of such liberty . Howbeit the Vestall Nuns had seats assigned them in the Roman Theater , whereby it should appeare , it was counted no impeachment to modestie , though they offending therein were buried quicke : a sharpe lawe for them , who may say as Shores wife dooth ,

When though abroad restraining vs to rome , They very hardly keepe vs safe at home .

FINIS .

Marie the French Queene , to Charles Brandon , Duke of Suffolke . * The Argument .

Mary , the daughter of that renowned Prince King Henry the seauenth , beeing very young at her Fathers death , after by her Brother King Henry the eyght , was giuen in marriage to Lewes King of Fraunce , being a man old and decrepite ; This faire and beautifull Lady , long before had placed her affection on Charles Brandon , Duke of Suffolke , a braue and couragious young Gentleman , and an especiall fauorite of the King her Brother , and a man raised by him . King Lewes , the husband of this beautifull Queene , lyued not long after bee was married : and Charles Brandon hauing commission from the King to bring her backe to England , but beeing delayed by some sinister meanes , the French Queene writeth this Epistle , to hasten the Duke forward on his intended voyage to Fraunce .

SVch health from heauen my selfe may wish to mee , Such health fro Fraunce , Queene Mary sends to thee . Brandon , how long mak'st thou excuse to stay ; And know'st how ill we women brooke delay ; If one poore Channell thus can part vs two , Tell mee ( vnkinde ) what would an Ocean doe ? Leander had an Hellespont to swim , Yet thys from Hero could not hinder him . His Barke ( poore soule ) his brest , his armes his oars , But thou a shyp , to land thee on our shores ; And opposite to famous Kent doth lie , The pleasant fields of famous Pickardie , where our 〈◊〉 Callice , walled in her sands , In kenning of the cliffie Douer stands . Heere is no Beldame nurse to pout or lower , when wantonning , we reuell in my Tower ; Nor neede I top my Turret with a light , To guide thee to mee , as thou swimm'st by night ; Compar'd with mee , wert thou but halfe so kind , Thy sighes should stuffe thy sayles , though wanting wind ; But thy breast is becalm'd , thy sighes bee slack , And mine too stiffe , and blow thy broade sayles back . But thou wilt say , that I should blame the flood , Because the winde so full against thee stood ; Nay blame it not , it did so roughly blow , For it did chyde thee , for thou wast so slow : For it came not to keepe thee in the Bay , But came from mee , to bid thee come away . But that thou vainely lett'st occasion slide , Thou might'st haue wasted hether with the tyde , If when thou com'st , I knit mine angry brow , Blame me not Brandon , thou hast broke thy vow . Yet if I meant to frowne , I might be dombe , For this may make thee stand in doubt to come , Nay come , sweet Charles , haue care thy ship to guide ; Come my sweet hart , in faith I will not chide . When as my Brother and his louely Queene In sad attire for my depart were seene , The vtmost date expired of my stay , when I from Douer did depart away , Thou know'st what woe I suffred for thy sake , How oft I fain'd of thee my leaue to take ; God and thou know'st with what a heauie hart I tooke my farewell when I should depart : And being shypp'd , gaue signall with my hand , Vp to the Cliffe where I did see thee stand , Nor could refraine in all the peoples view , But cried to thee , sweet Charles adiew , adiew . Looke how a little infant that hath lost , The thing where-with it was delighted most , weary with seeking , to some corner creepes , And there ( poore soule ) it sits it downe , and weepes ; And when the Nurse would faine content the mind , Yet still it mourns for that it cannot finde : Thus in my carefull Cabin did I lye , when as the shyp out of the roade did flie . Think'st thou my loue was faythfull vnto thee , when young Castile to England su'd for mee : Be iudge thy selfe , if it were not of power , when I refusd an Empyre for my dower . To Englands Court , when once report did bring , How thou in Fraunce didst reuell with thy King , when hee in tryumph of his victorie , 〈◊〉 a rich imbrodered Canapie , 〈◊〉 proude Tournay , which did 〈◊〉 stand , To beg for mercy at his conquering hand ; To heare of his enderements , how I ioy'd ? But see , this calme was suddainly destroy'd , When Charles of Castile there to banquet came , with him his sister , that ambitious Dame , Sauoys proude Dutches , knowing how long shee , By her loue sought to winne my loue from mee ; Fearing my absence might thy vowes acquite , To change thy Mary for a Margarite . When in King Henries Tent of cloth of gold , Shee often did thee in her armes enfold ; where you were feasted more diliciously , Then Cleopatra did Marke Anthonie ; where sports all day did entertaine your sight , And then in Masks you pass'd away the night : But thou wilt say , It proper is vnto vs , That we by nature all are iealious . I must confesse , t' is oft found in our sexe , But who not loue , not any thing suspects ? True loue doth looke with pale suspitions eye , Take away loue , if you take iealousie . When Henry , Turwyn , and proude Tournay wonne , Little thought I the end when thys begunne ; When Maximilian to those warrs adrest , ware Englands Crosse on his imperiall brest , And in our Armie let his Eagle flie , And had his pay from Henries treasurie , Little thought I , when first beganne these warrs , My marriage day should end these bloody iarrs ; From which I vow , I yet am free in thought , But thys alone by Woolseys wit was wrought . To hys aduise the King gaue free consent , That will I , nill I , I must be content . My virgins right , thy state could not aduaunce , But now enriched with the dower of Fraunce ; Then , but poore Suffolks Dutchesse had I beene , Now , the great Dowger , the most Christian Queene . But I perceiue where all thy griefe doth lie , Lewes of Fraunce had my virginitie : He had indeede , but shall I tell thee what , Beleeue mee Brandon , he had scarcely that ; Good feeble King , he could not doe much harme , But age must needes haue some-thing that is warme ; Small drops ( God knowes ) doe quench that heatles fire , when all the strength is onely in desire . And I could tell , if modestie might tell , There 's some-what else that pleaseth Louers well , To rest his cheeke , vpon my softer cheeke , was all he had ; and more he did not seeke . So might the little babie clip the nurse , And it content , shee neuer a whit the worse ; Then thinke thys Brandon , if that make thee frowne , For mayden-head hee , on my head set a Crowne , who would exchange a kingdome for a kisse , Hard were the hart that would not yeeld him this ; And time yet halfe so swiftly doth not passe , Not full fiue months yet elder then I was . When thou to Fraunce conducted was by fame , with many Knights which from all Countries came , Installed at S. Dennis in my throne , where Lewes held my coronation ; where the proude Dolphin , for thy valure sake , Chose thee at tilt his princely part to take ; when as the staues vpon thy caske did light , Grieued there-with , I turn'd away my sight ; And spake aloude , when I my selfe forgot , 〈◊〉 my sweet Charles , my Brandon , hurt him not , But when I fear'd the King perceiued this , Good silly man , I pleasd him with a kisse ; And to extoll his valiant sonne began , That Europe neuer bred a brauer man : And when ( poore King ) he simply praysed thee , Of all the rest I ask'd which thou should'st be : Thus I with him , dissembled for thy sake , Open confession now a mends must make . Whilst this old King vpon a pallet lyes , And onely holds a combat with mine eyes ; Mine eyes from his , by thy sight stolne away , which might too well theyr Mistres thoughts bewray . But when I saw thy proude vnconquered Launce , To beare the prize from all the flower of Fraunce , To see what pleasure did my soule imbrace , Might easily be discerned in my face . Looke as the dew vpon a Damaske-Rose , How through that cleerest pearle his blushing showes , And when the soft ayre breathes vppon his top , From those sweet leaues falls easily drop by drop ; Thus by my cheeke , downe rayning from mine eyes , One teare for ioy , anothers roome supplies . Before myne eye ( like Touch ) thy shape did proue , Mine eye condemn'd my too too partiall loue ; But since by others I the same doe try , My loue condemns my too too partiall eye . The precious stone most beautifull and rare , when with it selfe we onely doe compare , wee deeme all other of that kinde to be , As excellent as that we onely see ; But when we iudge of that with others by , Too credulous wee doe condemne our eye , which then appeares more orient , and more bright , As from their dimnes , borrowing greater light . Alansoon , a fine timbered man , and tall , Yet wants the shape thou art adorn'd withall ; Vandom , good carridge , and a pleasing eye , Yet wants my Suffolks Lyons maiestie ; Couragious Burbon , a sweet manlie face , But yet he wants my Brandons courtly grace . Proude Longauile , our Court iudg'd had no peere , A man scarce made ( was thought ) whilst thou wast heere . Countie S. Paule , brau'st man at Armes in Fraunce , would yeeld himselfe a Squire to beare thy Launce ; Galleas and Bounarme , matchlesse for theyr might , Vnder thy towring blade haue couch'd in fight . If with our loue my Brother angry be , I le say for his sake I first loued thee ; And but to frame my liking to his minde , Neuer to thee had I beene halfe so kind . Should not the sister like as doth the brother , The one of vs should be vnlike the other . Worthy my loue , the vulgar iudge no man , Except a Yorkist , or Lancastrian ; Nor thinke that my affection should be set , But in the line of great Plantaginet . I passe not what the idle Commons say , I pray thee Charles make hast , and come away . To thee what 's England , if I be not there ; Or what to mee is Fraunce , if thou not here ; Thy absence makes me angry for a while , But at thy presence I must needsly smile . When last of mee his leaue my Brandon tooke , Hee sware an oath , ( and made my lyps the booke ) Hee would make hast , which now thou doost denie , Thou art for sworne , ô wilfull periurie . Sooner would I with greater sinnes dispence , Then by intreatie pardon thys offence . But yet I thinke , if I should come to shriue thee , Great were the fault that I should not forgiue thee ; Yet wert thou here , I should reuenged be , But it should be with too much louing thee .

The vtmost date expired of my stay , When I from Douer did depart away .

KIng Henry the 8. with the Queene and Nobles , in the 6. yeare of his raigne , in the month of September , brought this Lady to Douer , where she tooke shipping for Fraunce .

Think'st thou my loue was faithfull vnto thee , When young Castile to England sued for me .

It was agreed and concluded twixt Hen. the 7 , and Phillip King of Castile , Sonne to Maximilian the Emperour , that Charles eldest Sonne of the said Phillip , should marry the Lady Mary , Daughter to King Henry , when they came to age : which agreement was afterward in the 8. yeare of Hen. the 8. annihilated .

When he in tryumph of his victory Vnder a rich embrodred Canapy , Entred proud Turnay which did trembling stand , &c.

Henry the 8. after the long seege of Turnay , which was deliuered to him vpon composition , entred the Citty in tryumph , vnder a Canapy of cloth of gold , borne by foure of the cheefe and most noble Cittizens : the King himselfe mounted vppon a gallant Courser barded with the Arms of England , Fraunce , and Ireland .

When Charles of Castile there to banquet came , With him his Sister that ambitious Dame . Sauoys proud Dutches.

The King beeing at Turnay : there came to him the Prince of Castile , and the Lady Margarit Dutches of Sauoy his Sister , to whom King Hen. gaue great entertainment .

Sauoys proud Dutches knowing how long she By her loue sought to winne my loue from 〈◊〉 .

At this time there was speech of a marriage to be concluded , betweene Charles Brandon then L. Lisle , & the Dutches of Sauoy , the L. Lisle being highly fauored , and exceedingly beloued of the Dutches.

When in King Henryes Tent of cloth of gold .

The King caused a ritch Tent of cloth of gold to be erected , where he feasted the Prince of Castile , and the Dutches : and entertayned them with sumptuous maskes and banquets during their aboade .

When Maximilian to those warres adrest , Wore Englands Crosse on his imperiall brest .

The Emperour Maximilian with all his Souldiours , which serued vnder King Henry , wore the crosse of Saint George , with the Rose on their breasts .

And in our Army let his Eagle flye .

The blacke Eagle is the badge imperiall , which heere is vsed for the displaying of his ensigne or standard .

And had his pay from Henries treasurie .

Henry the 8 , at his warres in Fraunce , retayned the Emperour and all his Souldiours in wages , which serued vnder him during those warres .

But this alone by Woolseys wit was wrought .

Thomas Woolsey , the Kings Almoner , then Bishop of Lincolne , a man of great aucthority with the King , and afterward Cardinall , was the cheese cause that the Lady Mary was married to the old French King , with whom the French King had dealt vnder hand to befriend him in that match .

When the proud Dolphin for thy valure sake , Chose thee at tylt his princely part to take .

Frauncis Duke of Valoys , and Dolphin of Fraunce , at the mariage of the Lady Mary , in honour thereof proclaimed a Iusts , where he chose the Duke of Suffolke , and the Marques Dorset for his aydes , at all Martiall exercises .

Galeas , and Bounarme matchles for their might .

This County Galeas at the Iusts ranne a course with a Speare , which was at the head 5. inches square on euery side , and at the But 9. inches square , whereby hee shewed his wonderous force and strength . This Bounarme , a Gentleman of Fraunce , at the same time came into the field armed at all poynts with 10. Speares 〈◊〉 him : in each 〈◊〉 , 3 , vnder each thigh one , one vnder his left arme , and one in his hand , and putting his horse to the carere , neuer stopped him till he had broken euery staffe . Hall .

¶ Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke , to Mary the French Queene . BVt that thy fayth commaunds mee to forbeare , The fault thine owne , if I impatient were ; Were my dispatch such as should be my speed , I should want time thy louing lines to reed . Heere in the Court , Camelion like I fare , And liue ( God knowes ) of nothing but of ayre ; All day I waite , and all the night I watch , And starue mine eares to heare of my dispatch ; If Douer were th' Abydos of my rest , Or pleasant Callice were my Maryes Cest , Thou should'st not need , faire Queene to blame me so , Did not the distance to desire say no ; No tedious night from trauell should be free , Till through the waues , with swimming vnto thee , A snowy path I made vnto thy Bay , So bright as is that Nectar-stayned way , The restlesse sunne by trauailing doth weare , Passing his course to finish vp his yeere . But Paris locks my loue within the maine , And London yet thy Brandon doth detaine ; Of thy firme loue thou put'st me still in mind , But of my fayth , not one word can I finde . When Long auile to Mary was affied , And thou by him wast made King Lewis bride , How oft I wish'd that thou a prize mights bee , That I in Armes , might combat him for thee , And in the madnes of my loue distraught , A thousand times his murther haue fore-thought ; But that th' all-seeing powers which sit aboue , Regard not mad mens oathes , nor faults in loue ; And haue confirm'd it by the graunt of heauen , That louers sinnes on earth should be forgiuen ; For neuer man is halfe so much distrest , As he that loues to see his loue possest . Comming to Richmond after thy depart , ( Richmond , where first thou stol'st away my hart , ) Mee thought it look'd not as it did of late , But wanting thee , forlorne , and desolate , In whose faire walkes thou often hast been seene , To sport with Katberine , Henries beautious Queene , Astonishing sad-winter with thy sight , As for thy sake , the day hath put back night ; That the Byrds thinking to approch the spring , Forgot themselues , and haue begun to sing : So oft I goe by Thames , so oft returne , Mee thinks for thee , the Riuer yet doth mourne , who I haue seene to let her streame at large , which like a Hand-mayde wayted on thy Barge ; And if thou hapst against the flood to row , Which way it ebd before , now would it flow ; Letting her drops in teares fall from thy oares , For ioy that shee had got thee from the shoares . The siluer swannes , with musicke that those make , Ruffing theyr plumes , come glyding on the lake , As the fleet Dolphins , by Arions strings , were brought to land with musicks rauishings ; The flocks and heards that pasture neere the flood , To gaze vpon thee , haue forborne theyr foode ; And sat downe sadlie , mourning by the brim , That they by nature were not made to swim . When as the Post to Englands royall Court , Of thy hard passage brought the true report ; How in a storme thy well rigg'd shyps were tost , And thou thy selfe in danger to be lost , I knew t was Venus loth'd that aged bed , where beautie so should be dishonoured , Or fear'd the Sea-Nymphs haunting of the Lake , If thou but seene , theyr Goddesse should forsake . And whirling round her Doue-drawne Coach about , To view thy Nauie nowe in launching out , Her ayrie mantle loosly doth vnbind , which fanning forth a rougher gale of wind , wafted thy sayles with speede vnto the land , And runnes thy shyp on Bullens harboring strand . How should I ioy of thy arriue to heare ? But as a poore sea-faring passenger , After long trauaile , tempest-torne and wrack'd , By some vnpittying Pyrat that is sack'd ; Heares the false robber that hath stolne his wealth , Landed in some safe harbor , and in health ; Enriched with inualuable store , For which he long hath traueled before . When thou to Abaile held'st th' appointed day , we heard how Lewes met thee on the way ; where thou in glittering Tissue strangly dight , Appear'dst vnto him , like the Queene of light , In Cloth of siluer all thy virgine traine , In beautie sumptuous , as the Northerne waine ; And thou alone the formost glorious starre , which lead'st the teame of that great Wagoner . What could thy thought be , but as I doe think , When thine eyes tasted , what mine eares did drinke ? A Cripple King layd bedrid long before , Yet at thy comming crept out of the dore , T' was well he rid , he had no legs to goe , But this thy beauty forc'd his body to ; For whom a cullice had more fitter beene , Then in a golden bed a gallant Queene . To vse thy beauty as the miser gold , which hoards it vp but onely to behold , Still looking on it with a iealous eye , Fearing to lend , yet louing vsurie ; O Sacriledge , ( if beauty be deuine , ) The prophane hand should tuch the halowed shrine . To surfet sicknes on the sound mans dyet , To rob Content , yet still to liue vnquiet , And hauing all , to be of all be guild , And yet still longing like a little child . When Marques Dorset and the valiant Grayes , To purchase farme first crost the narrow Seas , with all the Knights that my associates went , In honour of thy riuptiall turnament , Thinkst thou I ioy'd not in thy Beauties pride ? when thou in tryumph didst through Paris ride ; Where all the streets as thou didst pace along with Arras , Bisse , and Tapestry were hong . Ten thousand gallant Cittizens prepar'd , In ritch attire thy Princely selfe to guard , Next them three thousand , choise religeous men , In golden vestments followed them agen ; And in precession as they came along , with 〈◊〉 sang thy marriage song . Then fiue 〈◊〉 Dukes , as did their places fall , To each 〈◊〉 a Princely Cardinall , Then thou on thy imperiall Chariot set , Crown'd with a rich imperled Coronet , whilst the Parisian Dames , as thy trayne past , Their precious Incence in aboundance cast . As Cinthia from the waue-embatteld shrouds , Opening the west , comes streaming through the clouds , with shining troupes of siluer-tressed starres Attending on her , as her Torch-bearers , And all the lesser lights about her throne , with admiration stand as lookers on ; Whilst she alone in height of all her pride , The Queene of light , along her spheare doth glide . when on the tylt my Horse like thunder came ; No other signall had I but thy name , Thy voyce my Trumpet , and my guide thine eyes , And but thy beauty , I esteem'd no prize . That large-limd Almaine of the Gyants race , which bare strength on his breast , feare in his face , whose senewed armes , with his steele-tempered blade , Through plate and male , such open passage made , Vpon whose might the French-mens glory lay , And all the hope of that victorious day , Thou saw'st thy Brandon beate him on his knee , Offring his shield a conquered spoile to thee . But thou wilt say , ( perhaps ) I vainly boast And tell thee that , which thou already knowest , No sacred Queene , my valure I deny , It was thy beauty , not my chiualry : One of thy tressed Curles which falling downe , As loth to be imprisoned in thy Crowne , I saw the soft ayre sportiuely to take it , To diuers shapes and sundry formes to make it , Now parting it , to foure , to three , to twayne , Now twisting it , and then vntwist againe ; Then make the threds to dally with thine eye , A sunny candle , for a golden flie . At length from thence one little teare it got , which falling downe , as though a starre had shot , My vp-turnd eye pursues it with my sight , The which againe redoubleth all my might . T is but in vaine , of my descent to boast , when heauens Lampe shines , all other lights be lost , Faulcons looke not , the Eagle sitting by , whose broode doth gaze the sunne with open eye ; Else might my blood finde issue from his force , In Bosworth plaine , beat Richard from his horse ; whose puissant Armes , great Richmond chose to weeld . His glorious Colours , in that conquering feeld ; And with his sword , in his deere soueraignes sight , To his last breath , stood fast in Henries right . Then beautious Empresse , thinke thys safe delay , Shall be the euen to a ioyfull day ; Fore-sight doth still on all aduantage lye , wise-men must giue place to necessitie ; To put backe ill , our good we must forbeare , Better first feare , then after still to feare . T weare ouer-sight in that at which we ayme , To put the hazard on an after game ; with patience then let vs our hopes attend , And tell I come , receaue these lines I send .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . When Longauile to Mary was affied .

THE Duke of Longauile which was prisoner in England , vpon the peace to be concluded betweene England and Fraunce , was deliuered , and married the Princesse Mary for Lewes the French King his Maister .

How in a storme thy well-rigd ships were tost , And thou , &c.

As the Queene sayled for Fraunce , a mighty storme arose at Sea , so that the Nauy was in great danger , and was seuered , some driuen vpon the Coast of Flaunders , some on Britaine : the ship wherein the Queene was , was driuen into the Hauen at Bullen with very great danger .

When thou to Abuile heldst th' apoynted day .

King Lewes met her by Abuile , neere to the Forrest of Arders , and brought her into Abuile with great solemnity .

Appear'dst vnto him like the Queene of Light .

Expressing the sumptuous attire of the Queene and her traine : attended by the cheefe of the Nobility of Kngland , with 36. Ladies all in cloath of siluer , theyr Horses trapped with Crimson veluet .

A Cripple King layd bedrid long before .

King Lewes , was a man of great yeares , troubled much with the goute , so that he had had of long time before little vse of his legs .

When Marques Dorset and the valiant Grayes .

The Duke of Suffolke , when the proclaimation came into England , of Iusts to be holden in Fraunce at Paris : he for the Queenes sake his Mistres obtayned of the King to goe thether : with whom went the Marques Dorset and his foure Brothers , the Lord Clynton , Sir Edward Neuill , Sir Gyles Capell , Tho. Cheyney : which went all ouer with the Duke as his assistants .

When thou in tryumph didst through Paris ride .

A true discription of the Queenes entring into Paris , after her 〈◊〉 performd at Saint Denis .

Then fiue great Dukes as did their places fall .

The Dukes , of Alansoon , Burbon , Vadome , Longauile , Suffolke , with fiue Cardinalls .

That large-limd Almayne of the Gyants race .

Frauncis Valoys , the Dolphin of Fraunce 〈◊〉 the glory , that the English-men had obtayned at the tilt , brought in an Almayne secretly , a man thought almost of incomparable strength , which incountred Charles Brandon at Barriers , but the Duke 〈◊〉 with him , so beate him about the head with the pomell of his sword , that the blood came out of the sight of his Caske .

Else might my blood finde issue from his force , In Bosworth , &c.

Sir William Brandon standerd-bearer to the Earle of Richmond , ( after Henry the 7 , ) at Bosworth field , a braue and gallant Gentleman : who was slaine by Richard there , this was Father to this Charles Brandon , after Duke of Suffolke .

FINIS .

The Lady Iane Gray , to the Lord Gilford Dudley . * The Argument .

After the death of that vertuous young Prince King Edward the sixt , the sonne of that famous King Henry the eyght . Iane , the daughter of Henry Gray , Duke of Suffolke , by the consent of Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland , was proclaimed Queene of England : beeing married to Gilford Dudley , the fourth sonne of the foresayde Duke of Northumberland ; which match was concluded by theyr ambitious Fathers , who went about by this meanes to bring the Crowne vnto theyr Children , and to dispossesse the Princesse Mary , eldest daughter of King Henry the eyght , heire to King Edward her Brother . Queene Mary rising in Armes to clayme her rightfull Crowne , taketh the sayd Iane Gray , and the Lorde Gilford her husband , beeing lodged in the Tower for theyr more safety , which place being lastly theyr Pallace , by this meanes becomes their prison : where being seuered in sundry prisons , they write these Epistles one to another .

MIne owne deere Lord , sith thou art lock'd from mee . In this disguise my loue must steale to thee , Since to renew all loues , all kindnes past , This refuge scarcely left , yet this the last . My Keeper comming , I of thee enquire , 〈◊〉 with thy greeting , aunswers my desire ; which my tongue willing to returne againe , Griefe stops my words , and I but striue in vaine ; Where-with amaz'd , away in hast he goes , when through my lips , my hart thrusts forth my woes ; when as the doores that make a dolefull sound , Driue backe my words , that in the noyse are drownd ; which some-what hush'd , the eccho doth record , And twice or thrice reiterats my word , when like an aduerse wind in Isis course , Against the tyde bending his boystrous force ; But when the flood hath wrought it selfe about , Hee following on , doth headlong thrust it out : Thus striue my sighes , with teares ere they begin , And breaking out , againe sighes driue them in . A thousand formes present my troubled thought , Yet proue abortiue when they forth are brought , From strongest woe , we hardly language wrest , The depth of griefe , with words is sounded least . As teares doe fall , and rise , sighes come and goe , So doe these numbers ebb , so doe they flow . These briny teares , doe make my Inke looke pale , My Inck clothes tears in thys sad mourning vaile , The Letters mourners , weepe with my dim eye , The paper pale , greeu'd at my misery . Yet miserable our selues , why should we deeme ? Sith none is so , but in his owne esteeme ; who in distresse , from resolution flies , Is rightly sayd to yeeld to miseries ; That life is onely miserable and vile , From which faire patience doth it selfe exile . They which begot vs , did beget this sinne , They first begun , what dyd our griefe begin ; Wee tasted not , t' was they which dyd rebell , Not our offence , but in theyr fall we fell ; They which a Crowne would to my Lord haue linck'd , All hope , all life , all libertie extinct ; A subiect borne , a Princesse to haue beene , Hath made me now , nor subiect , nor a Queene . Ah vile ambition , how doost thou deceaue vs , Which shew'st vs heauen , and yet in hell doost leaue vs ? Sildome vntouch'd doth innocens escape , when error commeth in good counsailes shape , A lawfull title counterchecks proude might , The weakest things become strong props to right ; Then my deere Lord , although affliction grieue vs , Yet let our spotlesse innocens relieue vs . Death but an acted passion doth appeare , where truth giues courage , and the conscience cleere , And let thy comfort thus consist in mine , That I beare part of what so ere is thine ; As when we liu'd vntouch'd with these disgraces , when as our kingdome was our sweet embraces ; At Durham Pallace , where sweet Himen sang , whose buildings with our nuptiall musick rang ? when Prothalamions praysd that happy day , wherein great Dudley match'd with noble Gray , when they deuisd to linck by wedlocks band , The house of Suffolke to Northumberland ; Our fatall Dukedome , to your Dukedome bound , To frame this building on so weake a ground ; For what auailes a lawlesse vsurpation ? which giues a scepter , but not rules a nation , Onely the surfit of a vaine opinion ; what giues content , giues more then all dominion . When first mine eares were persed with the same , Of Iane proclaimed by a Princes name , A suddaine fright my trembling hart appalls , The feare of conscience entreth yron walls . Thrice happy for our Fathers had it beene , If what we fear'd , they wisely had fore-seene , And kept a meane gate in an humble path , To haue escap'd these furious tempests wrath . The Cedar-building Eagle beares the winde , And not the Faulcon , though both Hawkes by kind ; That kingly byrd doth from the cloudes commaund , The fearefull foule that moues but neere the land . Though Mary be from mighty Kings descended , My blood not from Plantaginet pretended ; My Grandsire Brandon , did our house aduaunce , By princely Mary , dowager of Fraunce ; The fruite of that fayre stocke which did combine , And Yorks sweet branch with Lancasters entwine , And in one stalke did happily vnite , The pure vermilion Rose , with purer white ; I , the vntimely slip of that rich stem , whose golden bud brings forth a Diadem . But oh forgiue me Lord , it is not I ; Nor doe I boast of this , but learne to die . Whilst we weare as our selues conioyned then , Nature to nature , now an alien . The purest blood , polluted is in blood , Neerest contemnd , if soueraignty withstood ; A Diadem once dazeling the eye , The day too darke to see affinitie ; And where the arme is stretch'd to reach a Crowne , Friendshyp is broke , the deerest things thrown downe ; For what great Henry most stroue to auoyd , The heauens haue built , what earth woulde haue destroyd , And seating Edward on his regall throne , Hee giues to Mary , all that was his owne , By death assuring what by life is theyrs , The lawfull clayme , of Henries lawfull heyres . By mortall lawes , the bond may be diuorc'd , But heauens decree , by no meanes can be forc'd , The rule the case , when men haue all decreed , who tooke him hence , knew well who should succeed . In vaine be counsells , statuts , humaine lawes , when cheefe of counsailes pleads the iustest cause ; Thus rule the heauens in theyr continuall course , That yeelds to fate , that doth not yeeld to force . Mans wit doth build for tyme but to deuoure , But vertu's free from tyme , and fortunes power ; what vertue gets , once got , doth neuer wast , And hauing this , thys thou for euer hast : Then my kind Lord , sweet Gilford bee not greeu'd , The soule is heauenly , and from heauen releeu'd ; And as we once haue plighted troth together , Now let vs make exchange of mindes to eyther ; To thy faire breast take my resolued minde , Arm'd against black Dispaire , and all her kind , And to my bosome breathe that soule of thine , There to be made as perfect as is mine : So shall our fayths as firmely bee approued , As I of thee , or thou of mee beloued . Thys life , no life , wert thou not deere to mee , Nor thys no death , were I not woe for thee ; Thou my deere husband , and my Lord before , But truely learne to die , thou shalt be more . Now lyue by prayer , on heauen fixe all thy thought , And surely finde , what ere by zeale is sought ; For each good motion that the soule awakes , A heauenly figure sees , from whence it takes , That sweet resemblance , which by power of kind , Formes ( like it selfe ) an Image in the mind , And in our fayth the operations bee Of that diuinenes , which by faith we see ; which neuer errs , but accidentally , By our fraile fleshes imbicillitie ; By each temptation ouer-apt to slide , Except our spirit becomes our bodies guide ; For as our bodyes prisons be these Towers , So to our soules , these bodies be of ours : whose fleshly walls hinder that heauenly light , As these stone walls depriue our wished sight , Death is the key which vnlocks misery , And lets them out to blessed liberty . Then draw thy forces all vnto thy hart , The strongest fortresse of thys earthly part ; And on these three let thy assurance lye , On fayth , repentance , and humilitie ; Humilitie to heauen the step , the stayre , Is for deuotion , sacrifice , and prayer ; The next place doth to true repentance fall , A salue , a comfort , and a cordiall : Hee that hath that , the keyes of heauen hath , That is the guide , that is the port , the path ; Fayth is thy Fort , thy shield , thy strongest ayde , Neuer controld , nere yeelded , nere dismayd ; which doth dilate , vnfold , fore-tell , expresseth , which giues rewards , inuesteth , and possesseth . Then thanke the heauen , preparing vs this roome , Crowning our heads with glorious martirdome , Before the black and dismall dayes begin , The dayes of all Idolatry , and sinne , Not suffering vs to see that wicked age , When persecution vehemently shall rage , when tiranny , new tortures shall inuent , Inflicting vengeance on the innocent . Yet heauen forbids , that Maries wombe shall bring , Englands faire Scepter to a forraine King , But vnto faire Elizabeth shall leaue it , which broken , hurt , and wounded , shall receaue it : And on her temples hauing plac'd the Crowne , Roote out the dregs Idolatry hath sowne ; And Syons glory shall againe restore , Layd ruine , wast , and desolate before : And from black sinders , and rude heapes of stones , Shall gather vp the Martirs scattered bones , And shall exterpe the power of Rome againe , And cast aside , the heauy yoake of Spaine . Farewell sweet Gilford , know our end is neere , Heauen is our home , we are but strangers heere , Let vs make hast to goe vnto the blest , which from these weary worldly labours rest , And with these lines my dearest Lord , I greete thee , Vntill in heauen thy Iane againe shall meete thee .

Notes of the Chronicle history . They which begot vs , did beget this sinne .

SHewing the ambition of the two Dukes their Fathers , whose pride was the cause of the vtter ouerthrow of their children .

At Durham Pallace where sweete Hymen sang The buildings , &c.

The Lord Gilford Dudley , fourth Sonne to Iohn Dudley , Duke of Northumberland , married the Lady Iane Gray , Daughter to the Duke of Suffolke at Durham house in the Strand .

When first mine eares were pearced with the fame Of Iane proclaimed by a Princesse name .

Presently vpon the death of King Edward , the Lady Iane was taken as Queene , conueyed by water to the Tower of London for her safety , and after proclaimed in diuers parts of the Realme : as so ordayned by King Edwards Letters-pattents , and his will .

My Grandsire Brandon did our house aduaunce By Princely Mary Dowager of Fraunce .

Henry Gray , Duke of Suffolke , married Frauncis the eldest daughter of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke , by the French Queene , by which Frauncis hee had this Lady Iane : this Mary the French Queene was Daughter to King Henry the seauenth , by Elizabeth his Queene , which happy marriage conioyned the two Noble families of Lancaster and Yorke .

For what great Henry most stroue to auoyde .

Noting the distrust that King Henry the eight euer had in the Princesse Mary his Daughter , fearing she should alter the state of Religion in the Land , by matching with a Stranger , confessing the right that King Henries issue had to the Crowne .

And vnto faire Elizabeth shall leaue it .

A Prophecie of Queene Maries barrennes , & of the happy and glorious raigne of Queene Elizabeth : her restoring of Religion , the abollishing of the Romish seruitude , and casting aside the yoake of Spaine .

The Lord Gilford Dudley , to the Lady Iane Gray . THus from the strongest treble-walled Tower , Swan-like I sing , before my dying hower ; O if there were such power but in my verse , As in these woes , my wounded hart doe pierce , Stones taking sence , th' obdurate flint that heares , Should at my plaints dissolue it selfe to teares . Lend mee a teare , I le pay thee with a teare , And interest to , if thou the stock forbeare ; woe , for a woe , and for thy interest lone , I will returne thee franckly two for one ; I le giue thee howers of woe , and yeares of sorrow , And turne the day to night , the night to morrow . And if thou think'st tyme yet doth passe to soone , when euening comes , wee 'll make it but our noone ; And if a griefe proue weake , and not of force , I will exchange a better for a worse ; And if thou thinke too quickly sorrowe ends , Another twice so long shall make amends . Perhaps thou 'lt iudge , in such extreames as these , That words of comfort might farre better please ; But such strange power , in thy perfection liueth , As smyles in teares , and teares in gladnes giueth . Yet thinke not Iane , that cowardly I faint , As begging mercy by thys sad complaint ; Or yet suppose my courage daunted so , That thou shouldst stand betwixt mee , and my foe , That grym-aspected death should now controule , And seeme so fearefull to my parting soule , For were one life , a thousand lifes to mee , Yet were all those too few to die with thee ; when thou thy woes so patiently doost beare , As if in death , no cause of sorrow were , And no more doost lyfes dissolution shun , Then if colde age his longest course had run . Thou which didst once giue comfort to my woe , Now art alone , become my comforts foe ; Not that I leaue wherein I did delight , But that thou art debarr'd my wished sight ; For if I speake , and would complaine my wrong , Straightwayes thy name doth come into my tongue ; And thou art present as thou still didst lie , Or in my hart , or in my lypps , or eye . No euill plannet raigned at thy birth , Nor was that hower prodigious heere on earth ; No fatall marke of froward destenie , Could be diuin'd in thy natiuitie ; T is onely I , that dyd thy fall deuise , And thou by mee , art made a sacrifice ; As in the East , whereas the louing wiues , Doe with theyr husbands euer end theyr liues , And crown'd with garlands , in theyr brydes attire , Goe with theyr husbands to that holy fire ; And shee vnworthy thought to liue of all , whom feare of death , or danger doth appall . I boast not of Northumberlands great name , Nor of Ketts conquest , which adornes the same ; When he to Norfolke led his troupes from farre , And yok'd the Rebells in the chayne of warre , when our White-beare , dyd furiously respire , The flames that sing'd theyr Villages with fire , And brought sweet peace in safetie to our dores , Yet left our fame vpon the Easterne shores ; Nor of my princely Brothers , which might grace , And plant true honour in the 〈◊〉 race ; Nor of Grayes match , my chydren borne by thee , Alied to Yorke and Lancaster should be ; But of thy vertues proudly boast I dare , That shee is mine , whom all perfections are . I crau'd no kingdome , though I thee did craue , And hauing thee , I wish'd no more to haue . Yet let me say , how ere thys fortune fell , Mee thinks a Crowne should haue becom'd thee well , Mee thinks thy wisedome was ordaind alone , To blesse a scepter , beautifie a throne ; Thy lyps a sacred oracle retaine , where in all holy prophecies remaine ; More highly priz'd thy vertues were to mee , Then Crownes , then Kingdoms , or then Scepters bee . So chast thy loue , so innocent thy life , A wifed virgine , and a mayded wife ; The greatest gifts that heauen could giue mee heere , Nothing so sweet , so good , so pure , so deare . Thys was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of late , Ere worldly cares 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Before these troubles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 confound , Or warre , or weapon , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 wound ; Ere dreadfull Armies did 〈◊〉 our shores , Or walls were shaken with the 〈◊〉 roars . Suspect bewrayes our thoughts , betrayes our words , One Crowne is guarded with a thousand swords ; To meane estate but common woes are showne , But Crownes haue cares that euer be vnknowne ; And wee by them are to those dangers led , Of which the least wee are experienced . When Dudley led his Armies to the East , Of all the bosome of the Land possest , what earthly comfort was it that he lack'd , That with a Counsells warrantie was back'd ? That had a kingdome , and the power of Lawes , Still to maintaine the iustnes of his cause ; And with the Clergies helpe , the Commons ayde , In euery place the peopled Kingdom sway'd . But what ( alas ) can Parliaments auaile , When Maries might , must Edwards acts repeale ? When Suffolks power , doth Suffolks hopes withstand , Northumberland , doth leaue Northumberland . And those which should our greatnes vnderprop , Raze our foundation , ouerthrow our top . Ere greatnes come , we wish it with our hart , But beeing come , wee wish it would depart , And indiscreetly follow that so fast , which when it comes , brings perrill at the last . If any man doe pittie our offence , Let him be sure to get him farre from hence , Heere is no place , no comfort heere at all , For any one that shall bewaile our fall , And we in vaine of mercy should but thinke , Our brinie teares the sullen earth doth drinke . O that all teares for vs should be forlorne , And all abortiue when they should be borne ; Mothers that should theyr chyldrens fortunes rue , Fathers in death to kindly bid adew ; Friends of theyr friends , a kinde farewell to take , The faythfull seruaunt mourning for our sake ; Brothers and sisters waiting on our Beere , Mourners to tell what we were liuing heere ; Those eares are stopt which should bewaile our fall , And we the mourners , and the dead and all ; And that which first our pallace was ordaind , The prison , which our liberty restraind , And where our Court we held in princely state , There now alone , are left disconsolate . Thus then resolu'd , as thou , resolu'd am I , Die thou for me , and I for thee will die ; And yet that heauen Elizabeth may blesse , Be thou ( sweet Iane ) a faithfull Prophitesse . with that health gladly resaluting thee , which thy kind farewell , wish'd before to mee .

Notes of the Chronicle historie . Nor of Ketts conquest which adornes the same .

I Ohn Duke of Northumberland , when before he was Earle of Warwicke , in his expedition against Ket , ouerthrew the Rebels of Norfolke and Suffolke , encamp'd at Mount Surrey in Norfolke .

Nor of my Princely Brothers which might grace .

Gilford Dudley as remembring in this place the towardnes of his Brothers , which were all likely in deede to haue raysed that house of the Dudleys , of which he was a fourth Brother , if not suppressed by their Fathers ouerthrow .

Nor of Grayes match my children borne by thee .

Noting in this place the alliance of the Lady Iane Gray , by her Mother , which was Frauncis the Daughter of Charles Brandon , by Mary the French Queene , Daughter to Henry the seauenth , and Sister to Henry the eight .

To blesse a Scepter beautifie a 〈◊〉 .

Sildome hath it euer beene knowne of any woman endued with such wonderfull gifts , as was this Lady , both for her wisedome and learning , of whose skill in the tongues one reporteth by this Epigram .

Miraris Ianam Graio sermone valere , Quo primum nata est tempore Graia fuit . When Dudley led his Armies to the East .

The Duke of Northumberland prepared his power at London , for his expedition against the Rebels in Norfolk , and making hast away , appoynted the rest of his forces to meete him at Newmarket Heath : of whom this saying is reported , that passing through Shorditch , the Lord Gray in his company seeing the people in great numbers came to see him , he sayd , The people presse to see vs , but none bid God speede vs .

That with the Counsels warranty was back'd .

Iohn Dudley , Duke of Northumberland , when he went out against Queene Mary , had his Commission sealed for the generalship of the Army , by the consent of the whole Counsell of the Land , in so much that passing through the Counsell Chamber at his departure : the Earle of Arondell wished that hee might haue gone with him in that expedition , and to spend his blood in the quarrell .

When Suffolks power doth Suffolks hopes withstand , Northumberland doth leaue Northumberland .

The Suffolke men were the first , that euer resorted to Queene Mary in her distres , repayring to her succours , whilst she remained both at Keningall , and at Fremingham Castell , still encreasing her aydes , vntill the Duke of Northumberland , was left forsaken at Cambridge .

FINIS .