The legend of great Cromvvel. By Michael Drayton Esquier

THE LEGEND OF GREAT CROMWEL . A Wak'd , and trembling betwixt rage and dread With the lowd slander ( by the impious time ) That of my actions euery where is spred , Through which to honour falsely I should clime , From the sad dwelling of th' vntimely dead , To quit me of that execrable crime , Cromwell appeares his wretched plight to show , Much that can tell , one much that once did know . Roughly not made vp in the common mould , That with the vulgar vilely I should die , What thing so strange of Cromwell is not told ? What man more prais'd ? who more condemn'd then I ? That with the world when I am waxed old , Most t' were vnfit that fame of me should lie With fables vaine my historie to fill , Forcing my good , excusing of my ill . You that but hearing of my hated name , Your ancient malice instantly bewray , And for my sake your ill deserued blame Vpon my legend publikely shall lay , Would you forbeare to blast me with defame , Might I so meane a priuiledge but pray , He that three ages hath endur'd your wrong , Heare him a little that hath heard you long . Since Romes sad ruine here by me began , Who her Religion pluckt vp by the roote , Of the false world such hate for which I wan , Which still at me her poisned'st darts doth shoot ; That to excuse it , doe the best I can , Little I feare my labour me will boote : Yet will I speake my troubled heart to ease , Much to the minde , her selfe it is to please . O powerfull number , from whose stricter law Heart-mouing musicke did receiue the ground Which men to faire ciuilitie did draw With the brute beast when lawlesse he was found : O if according to the wiser saw There be a high diuinitie in sound , Be now abundant prosp'rously to aide The pen prepar'd my doubtful case to pleade . Putney the place made blessed in my birth , Whose meanest cottage simply me did shrowd , To me as dearest of the English earth ; So of my bringing that poore village prou'd , Though in a time when neuer lesse the dearth Of happie wits , yet mine so well allow'd That with the best she boldly durst confer Him that his breath acknowledged from her . Twice flow'd proud Thames as at my comming wood , Striking the wondring borderers with feare , And the pale Genius of that aged flood Vnto my mother labouring did appeare , And with a countenance much distracted stood , Threatning the fruit her pained wombe should beare : My speedie birth being added thereunto , Seem'd to foretell that much I came to doe , That was reserued for those worser daies , As the great ebbe vnto so long a flow , When what those ages formerly did raise , This when I liu'd did lastly ouerthrow , And that great'st labour of the world did seaze , Only for which immedicable blow Due to that time me dooming heauen ordai'nd , Wherein confusion absolutely raign'd . Vainly yet noted this prodigious signe , Often predictions of most fearfull things , As plagues , or warre , or great men to decline , Rising of Commons , or the death of Kings ; But some strange newes though euer it diuine , Yet forth them not immediatly it brings , Vntill the'ffects men afterward did learne , To know that me it chiefly did concerne . Whil'st yet my father by his painfull trade , Whose laboured Anuile only was his fee , Whom my great towardnes strongly did perswade In knowledge to haue educated mee : But death did him vnluckily inuade , Ere he the fruites of his desire could see , Leauing me yong , then little that did know How me the heauens had purpos'd to bestow . Hopelesse as helplesse most might me suppose , Whose meannesse seem'd their abiect breath to draw : Yet did my breast that glorious fire inclose , Which their dull purblind ignorance not saw , Which still is setled vpon outward showes , The vulgars iudgement euer is so raw , Which the vnworthiest sottishly doe loue In their owne region properly that moue . Yet me my fortune so could not disguise , But through this cloud were some that did me know , Which then the rest more happie or more wise , Me did relieue when I was driuen low , Which as the staier by which I first did rise , When to my height I afterward did grow , Them to requite my bounties were so hie , As made my fame through euery eare to flie . That height and Godlike puritie of minde Resteth not still , where titles most adorne With any , nor peculiarly confinde To names , and to be limited doth scorne : Man doth the most degenerate from kinde , Richest and poorest both alike are borne ; And to be alwaies pertinently good , Followes not still the greatnes of our blood . Pitie it is that to one vertuous man That marke him lent to gentrie to aduance , Which first by noble industrie he wan , His baser issue after should inhance , And the rude slaue not any good that can , Such should thrust downe by what is his by chance : As had not he been first that him did raise , Nere had his great heire wrought his grandsires praise . How weake art thou that makest it thy end To heape such worldly dignities on thee , When vpon fortune only they depend , And by her changes gouerned must bee ? Besides the dangers still that such attend , Liuel'est of all men purtraied out in mee , When that for which I hated was of all , Soon'st from me fled , scarse tarrying for my fall . You that but boast your ancestors proud stile , And the large stem whence your vaine greatnes grew , When you your selues are ignorant and vile , Nor glorious thing dare actually pursue , That all good spirits would vtterly exile , Doubting their worth should else discouer you , Giuing your selues vnto ignoble things ; Base I proclaime you though deriu'd from Kings . Vertue but poore , God in this earth doth place Gainst the rude world to stand vp in his right , To suffer sad affliction and disgrace , Not ceasing to pursue her with despight : Yet when of all she is accounted base , And seeming in most miserable plight , Out of her power new life to her doth take , Least then dismai'd when all doe her forsake . That is the man of an vndaunted spirit , For her deare sake that offereth him to dye , For whom , when him the world doth disinherit , Looketh vpon it with a pleased eye , What 's done for vertue thinking it doth merit , Daring the proudest menaces defie , More worth then life , how ere the base world rate him , Belou'd of heauen , although the earth doth hate him . Iniurious time , vnto the good vniust , O how may weake posteritie suppose Euer to haue their merit from the dust , Gainst them thy partialitie that knowes To thy report O who shall euer trust , Triumphant arches building vnto those Alowd the longest memorie to haue , That were the most vnworthie of a graue ? But my cleere mettle had that powerfull heate , As it not turn'd with all that fortune could : Nor when the world me terriblest did threat , Could that place winne which my hie thoughts did hold , That waxed still more prosperously great , The more the world me stroue to haue control'd , On my owne Columes constantly to stand , Without the false helpe of anothers hand . My youthfull course thus wisely did I steere , T' auoid those rocks my wrack that else did thret : Yet some faire hopes from farre did still appeare , If that too much my wants me did not let : Wherefore my selfe aboue my selfe to beare , Still as I grew I knowledge stroue to get , To perfect that which in the Embryon was , Whose birth I found time well might bring to passe . But when my meanes to faile me I did finde , My selfe to trauell presently betooke , As much distastfull to my noble minde , That the vile world into my wants should looke , And of my selfe industriously inclinde , To measure others actions with my booke , I might my iudgement rectifie thereby , In matters that were difficult and hie . When loe it hapt that fortune as my guide , Of me did with such prouidence dispose , That th' English Merchants then who did reside At Antwerpe , me their Secretarie chose , ( As though in me to manifest her pride ) Whence to those principalities I rose , To pluck me downe , whence afterward she fear'd Beyond her power that almost she had rear'd . When first the wealthie Netherlands mee train'd In wise commerce most proper to the place , And from my countrie carefully me wain'd , That with the world did chiefly winne me grace , Where great experience happily I gain'd ; Yet here I seem'd but tutor'd for a space , For hie imployment otherwise ordain'd , Till which the time I idely entertain'd . For hauing Boston businesse in hand , The charge thereof on Chambers being laid , Comming to Flanders hapt to vnderstand Of me , whom he requested him to aid ; Of which when I the benefit had scand , Weighing what time at Antwerpe I had staid , Quickly me wonne faire Italy to trie , Vnder a cheerefull and more luckie skie : For what the meanest cleerely makes to shyne , Youth , wit , and courage , all in me concurre In euery proiect , that so powerfull tryne By whose kinde working brauely I did sturre , Which to each hie and glorious designe ( The time could offer ) freely did me spurre , As forcing fate some new thing to prepare ( Shewing successe ) t' attempt that could me dare : Where now my spirit got roomth it selfe to show , To the fair'st pitch doth make a gallant flight , From things that too much earthly were and low , Strongly attracted by a Genuyne light , Where higher still it euery day did grow ; And being in so excellent a plight , Crau'd but occasion happily to proue How much it sate each vulgar spirit aboue . The good successe th' affaires of England found , Much prais'd the choice of me that had been made : For where most men the depth durst hardly found , I held it nothing boldly through to wade My selfe , and through the strait'st waies I woond . So could I act , so well I could perswade As meerely Iouiall , me to mirth applie , Compos'd of freedome and alacritie . Not long it was ere Rome of one did ring ( Hardly shall Rome so full daies see again ) Of freemens catches to the Pope I sing , Which wan much licence to my countrimen , Thither the which I was the first did bring , That were vnknowne to Italy till then : Light humours them when iudgement doth direct , Euen of the wise winne plausible respect . And those from home that pensions were allow'd , And here did for Intelligence remaine , Vnder my power themselues were glad to shroud , Russell and Pace yea oftentimes were faine , When as their names they durst not haue auow'd , Me into their societie t'retaine , Rising before me mightie as they were , Great though at home , yet did they need me there . In forraine parts nere friends I yet forsake That had before been deeply bound to mee , And would againe I vse of them should make , But still my starres command I should be free , And all those offers lightly from me shake , Which to requite I fettred else might bee , And though that oft great perils me oppunge , And meanes were weak , my mind was euer strong . And those great wants fate to my youth did tie Me from delights of those rich countries dryue , Thereby inforc'd with painfull industrie Against affliction manfully to stryue Vnder her burthen faintly not to lie , But since my good I hardly must deryue , Vnto the same to make my selfe a way Through all the power against me she could lay . As a Comedian where my life I led , For so a while my need did me constraine , With other my poore countrimen ( that plai'd ) Thither that came in hope of bettter gaine , Whereas when fortune seem'd me low to tred Vnder her feete , she set me vp againe , Vntill the vse me bad her not to feare Her good and ill that patiently could beare . Till Charles the fift th' emperiall power did bend Gainst Rome , which Burbon skilfully did guide , Which sore declining Italy did rend ; For th' right that him her holinesse denide , Wholly her selfe inforced to defend Gainst him that iustly punished her pride , To which my selfe I lastly did betake , Seeing thereof what fortune ment to make . And at the siege with that great Generall seru'd , When he did girt her stubborne waste with steele , Within her walls who well neere being staru'd , And that with faintnes she began to reele , Shewing her selfe a little as she swaru'd : First her then noting I began to feele , She whose great power so far abroad did roame , What in her selfe she truly was at home . That the great schoole of the false world was then , Where her 's their subtill practises did vie , Amongst that mightie confluence of men , French plots propt vp by English policie , The German powers , false shuffling , and agen All countermin'd by skilfull Italy , Each one in possibilitie to win , Great rests were vp and mightie hands were in . ●ere first to worke my busie braine was set , My inclination finding it to please This stirring world which strongly still did whet ) To temper in so dangerous assaies , Which did strange formes of policies beget ; Besides in times so turbulent as these , Wherein my studies hopefully did bend Vnto that point the wisest made their end : And my experience happily me taught ●nto the secrets of those times to see , From whence to England afterward I brought Those slights of state deliu'red vnto mee , ●n t'which were then but very few that sought , Nor did with th' umour of that age agree , After did great and fearfull things effect , Whose secret working few did then suspect . When though t' were long it hapned yet at last Some hopes me homeward secretly allur'd , When many perils strangely I had past , As many sad calamities endur'd Beyond the Moone , when I began to cast By my rare parts what place might be procur'd , If they at home were to the mightie knowne , How they would seeme compared with their owne Or if that there the great should me neglect , As I the worste that vainly did not feare , To my experience how to gaine respect In other countries that doe hold it deare , And now occasion seemed to reiect , Whil'st still before me other rising were , And some themselues had mounted to the skie , Little before vnlike to thriue as I. When now in England Bigamie with blood Lately begot by luxurie and pride , In their great'st fulnes peremptorie stood ; Some there unto that diligently prid , Stillie were fishing in that troubled flood For future changes wisely to prouide , Finding the world so rankly then to swell , That till it brake it neuer could be well . ●●t floting long vpon my first arryue , ●hil'st many doubts me seemed to appall , ●●ke to a barke that with the tide doth dryue , ●●uing not left to fasten it with all , ●●us with the time by suffring I doe stryue ●●to what harbor doubtfull yet to fall ; Vntill inforc'd to put it to the chance , Casting the fair'st my fortune to aduance . ●aking my selfe to mightie Wolsey knowne , ●●a● Atlas which the gouerment vp stai'd , ●hich from meane place in little time was growne ●p vnto him , that weight vpon him lai'd , ●nd being got the neerest to his throne , ●e the more easly the gre●● kingdome swai'd , Leauing there on his wearded selfe to breath , Whil'st euen the greatest faire sat him beneath . ●here learned Mo●e and Gardiner I met , ●●en in those times immatchable for wit , ●ble that were the 〈◊〉 spirit to whet , ●…nd did my humour excellently fit , ●… to their ranke that worthily did get ●here as their proud 〈◊〉 it or to sit , O 〈◊〉 excellence to 〈◊〉 is the mother , Wit doth as ●reathles one beget another . This Founder of the palaces of Kings , Whose veines with more then vsuall spirit were fild● A man ordained to the mighti'st things , In Oxford then determining to build To Christ a Colledge , and together brings All that thereof the great foundation wills , There me imploies , whose industrie he found Worthie to worke vpon the noblest ground . Yet in the entrance wisely that did feare Coyne might fall short , yet with this worke on fire , Wherefore such houses as Religious were Whose being no necessitie require , But that the greater very well might beare , From Rome the Card'nall cunningly did hier , Winning withall his Soueraigne to consent , Both colouring with so holy an intent . This like a symptome to a long disease Was the forerunner to this mightie fall , And but too vnaduisedly did ceaze Vpon the part that ruinated all , Which had the worke been of so many daies And more againe , recouer hardly shall : But loe it sunke which time did long vphold , Where now it lies euen leueld with the mould . Thus thou great Rome here first wast ouerthrowne , Thy future harmes that blindly couldst not see , And in this worke they only were thine owne , Whose knowledge lent that deadly wound to thee , Which to the world before had they not showne , Nere had those secrets been descri'd by mee , Nor by thy wealth so many from the plow Worne those hie types wherein they florish now . After when as the Cardinall againe Into hie fauour with the King mee brought , With whom my selfe so well I did demeane , As that I seem'd to exercise his thought , And his great liking strongly did retaine With what before my Master me had taught , From whose example by those Cels were small , Sprang the subuersion lastly of them all . Yet many a let was cast into the way , Wherein I ran so steddily and right , And many a snare my aduersaries lay , Much wrought they with their power , much with their slight , Wisely perceiuing that my smallest stay Fully requir'd the vtmost of their might , To my ascendant hasting me to clime , There as the first predomining the time , Knowing what wealth me earnestly did wooe , Which I through Wolsey hapned had to finde , And could the path most perfectly vntoo , The King thereafter earnestly inclin'd , Seeing besides what after I might doe If so great power me fully were assign'd , By all their meanes against me strongly wrought , Lab'ring as fast to bring their Church to nought . Whil'st to the King continually I sue , And in this businesse faithfully did stirre Strongly t' approue my iudgement to be true Gainst those who most supposed me to erre , Nor the least meanes which any way I knew Might grace me , or my purposes preferre Did I omit , till wonne I had his eare , Most that me mark'd when least he seem'd to heare This wound to them thus violently giuen , Enuie at me her sharpest darts doth roue , Affecting the supremacie of heauen , As the first Giants warring against Ioue , Heap'd hils on hils , the Gods till they had driuen The meanest shapes of earthly things to proue : So must I shift from them against me rose , Mortall their hate , as mightie were my foes . But their great force against me wholly bent Preuail'd vpon my purposes so farre , That I my ruine scarsely could preuent , So momentarie worldly fauours are , That till the vtmost of their spight was spent , Had not my spirit maintain'd a manly warre , Risen they had when laid I had been low , Vpon whose ruine after I did grow . When the great King their strange reports that tooke That as pernitious as they potent were , Which at the faire growth of my fortune strooke , Whose deadly malice blame me not to feare , Me at the first so violently shooke , That they this frame were likely downe to beare , If resolution with a setled brow Had not vpheld my peremptorie vow . Yet these encounters thrust me not awry , Nor could my courses force me to forsake , After this ship wrack I againe must trye Some happier voyage hopefull still to make , The plots that barren long we see did lie , Some fitting season plentifully take , One fruitfull haruest frankly doth restore What many winters hindred had before . That to account I strickly call my wit How it this while had managed my state , My soule in counsell summoning to sit , If possible to turne the course of fate , For waies there be the greatest things to hit , If men could finde the peremptorie gate , And since I once was got so neere the brinke More then before , t' would grieue me now to sink . Bedford whose life ( some said ) that I had sau'd In Italy , one me that fauoured most , And reuerend Hayles who but occasion crau'd To shew his loue , no lesse that I had cost , Who to the King perceiuing me disgrac'd , Whose fauour I vnluckily had lost , Both with him great , a foote set in withall If not to stay , to quallifie my fall . Hie their regard , yet hier was their hap , Well neere quite sunke recouer me that could , And once more get me into fortunes lap , Which well my selfe might teach me there to hold , Escap'd out of so dangerous a trap , Whose praise by me to ages shall be told , As the two props by which I only rose , When most supprest , most trod on by my foes . This me to vrge the premunire wonne , Ordain'd in matters dangerous and hie , In t'which the heedlesse Prelacie were runne , That back vnto the Papacie did flye , Sworne to that sea , and what before was done Due to the King , dispensed were thereby , In t'which first entring offred me the meane That to throw downe alreadie that did leane . This was to me that ouerflowing sourse , From whence his bounties plentifully spring , Whose speedie current with vnusuall force Bare me into the bosome of the King , By putting him into that readie course Which soone to passe his purposes might bring , Where those which late imperiously controld me , Pale strook with feare stood trembling to behold me . When state to me those ceremonies show'd That to so great a fauorite were due , And fortune still with honours did me load , As though no meane she in my rising knew , Or heauen to me more then to man had ow'd , ( What to the world vnheard of was and new ) And was to other sparing of her store Till she could giue , or ask I could no more . Those hie preferments he vpon me laid , Might make the world me publikely to know Such as in iudgement rightly being wai'd , Seemed too great for me to vndergoe , Nor could his hand from powring on be stai'd Vntill I so abundantly did flow , That looking downe whence lately I was cloame , Danger bid feare if further I should roame . For first from Knighthood rising in degree , The office of the Iewell house my lot , After the Rowles he frankly gaue to mee , From whence a priuie Counseller I got , Chose of the Garter : and the Earle to bee Of Essex : yet sufficient these not But to the great Vicegerencie I grew , Being a title as supreame as new . So well did me these dignities befit , And honour so me euery way became , As more then man I had been made for it , Or as from me it had deriu'd the name : Where was that man whose loue I not requit Beyond his owne imaginarie aime , Which had me succourd nerely being driuen As things to me that idely were not giuen ? What tongue so slow the tale shall not report Of hospitable Friscobald and mee , And shew in how reciprocall a sort My thankes did with his curtesie agree , When as my meanes in Italy were short That me relieu'd , lesse great that would not bee , When I of England Chancellor was made , His former bounties librally repaid ? The maner briefly gentler Muse relate , Since oft before it wisely hath been told , The sudden change of vnauoided fate , That famous Merchant reuerend Friscobald Grew poore , and the small remnant of his state Was certaine goods to England he had sold , Which in the hands of Creditors but bad , Small hope to get , yet lesser meanes he had . Hither his wants him forcibly constrain'd , Though with long trauell both by land and seas , Led by this hope that only now remain'd , Whereon his fortune finally he laies , And if he found that friendship here were fain'd , Yet at the worst it better should him please , Farre out of sight to perish here vnknowne , Then vnrelieu'd bee pitied of his owne . It chanc'd as I toward Westminster did ride , Mongst the great concourse passing to and fro , An aged man I happily espide , Whose outward looks much inward griefe did show , Which made me nere him , and the more I ey'd Him , me thought more precisely I should know , Reuoluing long it came into my minde , This was the man to me had been so kinde : Was therewithall so ioyed with his sight , ( With the deare sight of his so reuerend face ) That I could scarsely keepe me from t' alight , And in mine armes him openly embrace ; Weighing yet ( well ) what some imagine might , He being a stranger and the publike place Checkt my affection ; till some fitter hower On him my loue effectually might shower . Neuer quoth I was fortune so vniust As to doe wrong vnto thy noble hart , What man so wicked could betray the trust Of one so vpright of so good desart ? And though obey necessitie thou must , As when the great'st the same to me thou art , Let me alone the last be left of all , That from the rest declin'd not with thy fall . And calling to a Gentleman of mine , Wise and discreete that well I knew to bee , Shew'd him that stranger , whose deiected eyne Fixt on the earth nere once lookt vp at mee , Bid yonder man come home to me and dine ( Quoth I ) bespeake him reuerently ( you see ) Scorne not his habit , little canst thou tell How rich a minde in those meane rags doth dwell . He with my name that kindly did him greete , Slowly cast vp his deadly-mouing eye , That long time had been fixed on his feete , To looke no higher then his miserie , Thinking him more calamitie did greete , Or that I had supposed him some Spye , With a deepe sigh that from his heart he drew , Quoth he his will accomplisht be by you . My man departed and the message done , He whose sad heart with strange impressions strooke , To thinke vpon this accident begun , And on himselfe suspitiously to looke , Into all doubts he fearfully doth runne , Oft himselfe cheering oft himselfe forsooke : Strangely perplext vnto my house doth come , Not knowing why iudg'd nor dreading yet his doome . My seruants set his comming to attend , That were therein not common for their skill , Whose vsage yet the former did amend : He hop'd not good , nor guiltie was of ill , But as a man whose thoughts were at an end , Fortune ( quoth he ) then worke on me thy will , Wiser then man I thinke he were that knew Whence this may come , or what therof ensue . His honoured presence so did me inflame , That though being then in presence of my Peeres , Daine not the lesse to meete him as he came , ( That very hardly could containe my teares ) Kindly salute him , call him by his name , And oft together aske him how he cheeres , With still along maintaining the extreame ; Yet thought the man he had been in a dreame . At length t'wake him gently I began With this demaund , if once he did not know One Thomas Cromwell a poore Englishman , By him relieu'd when he was driuen low : When I perceiu'd he my remembrance wan , Yet with his teares it silently did show : I wept for woe to see mine host distrest , But he for ioy to see his happie guest . Him to the Lords I publisht by my praise , And at my table carefully him set , Recounting them the many sundrie waies I was vnto this gentleman indebt , How great he was in Florence in those daies , With all that grace or reuerence him might get : Which all the while yet silently he heares , Moisting ( among ) his viands with his teares . And to lend fulnes lastly to his fate Great summes I gaue him , and what was his due Made knowne , my selfe became his aduocate , And at my charge his creditors I sue , Recouering him vnto his former state : Thus he the world began by me anew , That shall to all posteritie expresse His honored bountie and my thankfulnesse . But Muse recount , before thou further passe , How this great change so quickly came about , And what the cause of this sad downfall was , In euery part the spatious Realme throughout , Being effected in so little space , Leaue not thereof posteritie to doubt , That with the world obscured else may bee , If in this place reuealed not by thee . If the whole land did on the Church relie , Hauing full power Kings to account to call , That to the world read only policie , Besides Heauens keyes to stop or let in all , Let me but know from her supremacie How she should come so suddenly to fall : T was more then chance sure put a hand thereto , That had the power so great a thing to do . Or ought there were had biding vnder Sunne , Who would haue thought those edifices great , Which first Religion holily begun , The Church approu'd , and wisdome richly seate , Deuotion nourish'd , faith allowance wonne , And all that them might any way compleate , Should in their ruines lastly buried lye , But that begun and ended from the skye ? And the King late obedient to her lawes , Against the Clerke of Germany had writ , As he that first stird in the Churches cause , Against him greatliest that oppugned it , And wan from her so gratefull an applause , Then in her fauour chiefly that did sit , That as the prop , whereon she only stai'th , Him she instyl'd Defender of the faith . But not their power , whose wisdomes them did place In the first ranke , the oracles of state , Who that opinion strongly did embrace , Which through the land receiued was of late , Then ought at all preuailed in this case , O powerfull doome of vnauoided fate , Whose depth not weake mortality can know , Who can vphold what heauen will ouerthrow ? When time now vniuersally did show The power to her peculiarly annex'd , With most abundance then when she did flow , Yet euery hower still prosp'rously she wex'd , But the world poore did by loose riots grow , Which serued as an excellent pretext , And colour gaue to pluck her from her pride , Whose only greatnes suffred none beside . Likewise to that posteritie did doubt Those at the first not rightly did adore , Their fathers that too credulous deuout Vnto the Church contributed their store , And to recouer only went about What their great zeale had lauished before , On her a strong hand violently lai'd , Praying on that , they gaue for to be pray'd . And now the King set in a course so right , Which I for him laboriously had tract , ( Who till I learn'd him , did not know his might ) I still to prompt his power with me to act , Into those secrets got so deepe a sight , That nothing lastly to his furtherance lackt , And by example plainly to him showne , How all might now be easly ouerthrowne . In taking downe yet of this goodly frame He suddenly not brake off euery band , But tooke the power first from the Papall name , After a while let the Religion stand , When lim by lim he daily did it lame , First tooke a leg , and after tooke a hand , Till the poore semblance of a bodie left , But all should stay it , vtterly bereft . For if some Abbey hapned voyd to fall By death of him that the superiour was , Gaine that did first Church libertie enthrall , Only supreame , promoted to the place , Mongst many bad the worst most times of all , Vnder the colour of some others grace , That by the slander , from his life should spring , Into contempt it more and more might bring . This time from heauen when by the secret course , Dissension vniuersally began , ( Preuailing as a planetarie sourse ) I' th Church beleeuing , as Mahumitan , When Luther first did those opinions nurse , Much from great Rome in little space that wan , It to this change so aptly did dispose , From whose sad ruine ours so great arose . That here that fabrique vtterly did faile , Which powerfull fate had limited to time , By whose strong law it naturally must quaile , From that proud height to which it long did clime , Letting gainst it the contrary preuaile , Therein to punish some notorious crime , For which at length iust dooming heauen decreed , That on her buildings ruine here should feed . Th' authoritie vpon her she did take , And vse thereof in euery little thing , Finding her selfe how oft she did forsake , In her owne bounds her neuer limiting , That awfull feare and due obedience brake Which her reputed holinesse did bring , From slight regard soone brought her into hate With those that much disliked her estate . And that those parts she cunningly had plai'd , Beliefe vnto her miracles to winne , Vnto the world were euery day bewrai'd , From which the doubt did of her power begin , Damnation yet to question what she said Made most suspect the faith they had been in , When their saluation easly might be bought , Found not this yet the way that they had sought . When those ill humours ripned to a head , Bred by the ranknes of the plentious land , And they not only strangely from her fled , Bound for her ancient libertie to stand , But what their fathers gaue her being dead , The sonnes rap'd from her with a violent hand , And those her buildings most of all abus'd , That with the waight their fathers coffins brus'd . The wisest and most prouident but build , For time againe to wastfully destroy , The costly piles and monuments we guild , Succeeding time shall reckon but a toy , Vicissitude impartially wild , The goodliest things be subiect to annoy , And what one age did studiously maintaine , The next againe accounteth vile and vaine . Yet time doth tell , in some things they did erre , That put their helpe her brauerie to deface , When as the wealth , that taken was from her , Others soone raised , that did them displace , Their titles and their offices conferre On such before , as were obscure and base , Who would with her they likewise downe should goe , And o'rthrew them that her did ouerthrow . And th' Romish rites that with a cleerer sight The wisest thought they iustly did reiect , They after saw that the receiued light Not altogether free was from defect , Mysterious things being not conceiued right , There of bred in the ignorant neglect , For in opinion something short doth fall , Wants there hath been and shall be still in all . But negligent securitie and ease Vnbridled sensualitie begat , That only sought his appetite to please , As in the midst it of abundance sat , The Church not willing others should her praise That she was leane , when as her lands were fat , Her selfe to too much libertie did giue , Which some perceiu'd that in those times did liue . Pierce the wise Plowman in his vision saw Conscience sore hurt , yet sorer was affraid The seuen great sinnes to hell him like to draw , And to wise Clergie mainly cri'd for aid ; Falne ere he wist ( whom perill much did awe ) On vncleane Priests whil'st faintly he him staid , Willing good Clergie t' ease his wretched case , Whom these strong Giants hotly had in chase . Clergie call'd Friers which neere at hand did dwell , And them requests to take in hand the cure , But for their Leechcraft that they could not well , He listed not their dressing to endure , When in his eare Need softly him did tell ( And of his knowledge more did him assure ) They came for gain their end which they did make , For which on them the charge of soules they take . And voluntarie pouertie profest , By food of Angels seeming as to liue ; But yet with them th' accounted were the best That most to their fraternitie doe giue , And beyond number that they were increas'd : If so ( quoth Conscience ) thee may I beleeue , Then t' is in vaine more on them to bestow , If beyond number like they be to grow . The Frier soone feeling Conscience had him found , And hearing how Hypocrisie did thriue , That many Teachers euery where did wound , For which Contrition miserably did grieue : Now in deceit to shew himselfe profound , His former hopes yet lastly to reuiue Gets the Popes letters , whereof he doth shape Him a disguise from Conscience to escape . And so towards goodly Vnitie he goes , A strong-built Castle standing very hie , Where Conscience liu'd to keepe him from his foes , Whom lest some watchfull Centinell should spie , And him vnto the garrison disclose , His cowle about him carefully doth tie , Creepes to the gate and closely thereat beate , As one that entrance gladly would intreate . Peace the good porter readie still at hand It doth vnpin , and praies him God to saue , And after saluing kindly doth demaund What was his will , or who he there would haue ? The Frier low lowting crossing with his hand , Speak with Contrition ( quoth he ) I would craue . Father ( quoth Peace ) your comming is in vaine , For him of late Hypocrisie hath slaine . God shield ( quoth he ) and turning vp the eyes , To former health I hope him to restore , For in my skill his sound recouerie lies , Doubt not thereof if setting God before . Are you a Surgeon , Peace againe replies ? Yea ( quoth the Frier ) and sent to heale his sore : Come neere ( quoth Peace ) and God your comming speed , Neuer of help Contrition had more need . And for more haste he haleth in the Frier , And his Lord Conscience quickly of him told , Who entertain'd him with right friendly cheere : O Sir ( quoth he ) intreate you that I could To lend your hand vnto my Coosin deare Contrition , whom a sore disease doth hold , That wounded by Hypocrisie of late , Now lieth in most desperate estate . Sir ( quoth the Frier ) I hope him soone to cure , Which to your comfort quickly you shall see , Will he a while my dressing but endure ; And to Contrition therewith commeth hee , And by faire speech himselfe of him assure , But first of all going thorough for his fee : Which done ( quoth he ) if outwardly you show Sound , t'not auailes if inwardly or no. But secretly assoiling of his sin , No other med'cine will vnto him lay , Saying that heauen his siluer him should win , And to giue Friers was better then to pray , So he were shrieu'd what need he care a pin . Thus with his patient he so long did play , Vntill Contrition had forgot to weepe , This the wise Plowman shew'd me from his sleepe . He saw their faults that loosly liued then , Others againe our weaknesses shall see : For this is sure he bideth not with men That shall know all to be what they should bee : Yet let the faithfull and industrious pen Haue the due merit ; but returne to mee , Whose fall this while blind fortune did deuise , To be as strange as strangely I did rise . Those secret foes yet subt'ly to deceiue , That me maligning lifted at my state , The King to marry forward still I heaue , ( His former wife being repudiate ) To Anne the sister of the Duke of Cleaue , The German Princes to confederate , To back me still gainst those against me lay , Which as their owne retain'd me here in pay . Which my destruction principally wrought , When afterward abandoning her bed , Which to his will to passe could not be brought , So long as yet I beare about my head The only man her saftie that had sought , Of her againe and only fauoured , Which was the cause he hasted to my end , Vpon whose fall hers likewise did depend . For in his hie distemprature of blood Who was so great whose life he did regard ? Or what was it that his desires withstood He not inuested were it nere so hard ? Nor held he me so absolutely good , That though I crost him yet I should be spar'd , But with those things I lastly was to goe , Which he to ground did violently throw . When Winchester with all those enemies Whom my much power from audience had debar'd , The longer time there mischiefs to deuise , Feeling with me how lastly now it far'd , When I had done the King that did suffice , Lastly thrust in against me to be heard , When all was ill contrarily turn'd good , Making a maine to th' shedding of my blood . And that the King his action doth deny , And on my guilt doth altogether lay , Hauing his ryot satisfied thereby , Seemes not to know how I therein did sway , What late was truth conuerted heresie : When he in me had purchased his pray , Himselfe to cleere and satisfie the sin , Leaues me but late his instrument therein . Those lawes I made my selfe alone to please , To giue me power more freely to my will , Euen to my equals hurtfull sundrie waies , ( Forced to things that most doe say were ill ) Vpon me now as violently ceaze , By which I lastly perisht by my skill , On mine owne neck returning ( as my due ) That heauie yoke wherein by me they drew . My greatnes threatned by ill-boding eyes , My actions strangely censured of all , Yet in my way my giddines not sees The pit wherein I likely was to fall : O were the sweets of mans felicities Often amongst not temp'red with some gall , He would forget by his oreweening skill , Iust heauen aboue doth censure good and ill . Things ouer ranck doe neuer kindly beare , As in the corne the fluxure when we see Fill but the straw when it should feed the eare , Rotting that time in ripening it should bee , And being once downe it selfe can neuer reare : With vs well doth this similie agree , ( By the wise man ) due to the great in all , By their owne weight b'ing broken in their fall . Selfe-louing man what sooner doth abuse , And more then his prosperitie doth wound ? Into the deepe but fall how can he chuse That ouer strides whereon his foote to ground ? Who sparingly prosperitie doth vse , And to himselfe doth after-ill propound , Vnto his height who happily doth clime , Sits aboue fortune , and controlleth time . Not chusing that vs most delight doth bring , And most that by the generall breath is freed , Wooing that suffrage , but the vertuous thing Which in it selfe is excellent indeed , Of which the depth and perfect managing Amongst the most , but few there be that heed , Affecting that agreeing with their blood , Seldome enduring neuer yet was good . But whil'st we striue too suddenly to rise By flattring Princes with a seruill tong , And being soothers to their tyrannies , Worke our more woes by what doth many wrong , And vnto others tending iniuries , Vnto our selues it hapneth oft among In our owne snares vnluckily are caught , Whil'st our attempts fall instantly to naught . The Counsell Chamber place of my arrest , Where chiefe I was , when greatest was the store , And had my speeches noted of the best , That did them as hie Oracles adore : A Parliament was lastly my enquest , That was my selfe a Parliament before , The Tower hill scaffold last I did ascend : Thus the great'st man of England made his end . FINIS .