A Noble dewel, or, An Unmatchable combate betwixt Sir VVilliam [Gray] and the Earl of Southast [sic] being a true relation how this b[?] E. of Southast murthered Sir William Gray, son to the right ho[nourable] the Lord Gray ... tune of, Sir George VVharton

A NOBLE DEWEL , OR , An unmatchable Combate betwixt Sir William and the Earl of Southast .

Being a true relation how this b●… E. of Southast Murthered Sir William Gray , Son to the Right Ho●… the Lord Gray , which news is sad to the Nacion of Scotland , and how the waites for triall for the same .

Tune of , Sir George Wharton .

2 woodcuts: portraits of swordsmen

MY heart doth bléed to tell the wo or chance of grief that late befel At Biglesworth in Bedfordshire as I to you for truth will tell , There was two valliant Noble men , that very rashly fell at words , And nothing could appease their wraths till they betook them to their Swords . The one was called Sir William Gray , the good Lord Gray his Son and Heir , The other Sir Iames as they him call , or Earl of Southeist as I hear , It séems their quarel they began , within the house of Parliament , And til this Earl had kild Sir Gray , he could not rest nor be contend , About Religion they out fell , the Earl he was a Presbyteir , Sir William did his ways deny , he being a Loyall Cavelier , For our late King as I am told , in Scotland often kept his court , At the house of Sir William Gray , he and his Nobles did their resort . And for his true obedience then , as I do wrightly understand He made was the chiefest Governor , in the Northern part of fair Scotland It séems the Earl of Southeist calld , did kill Sir William for this thing , Because be Governor was made , and much advanced by the King . This Earl was governor before , out of Commission late was thrown , Even by this present Government , so that he could not call 't his own , And good Sir Gray put in his place , but truth it brought him into thrall , For though that cruel bloody Earl , his rist was causer of his fall . You sée the bloody minds of those , which lately had the Sword in hand , And if they had it so again , they quickly would confound the Land For to find opportunity this wicked Earl he did invent , How he might Murther Noble Gray , for truth it was his full intent .

The second part , to the same Tune .

woodcut: 4 swordsmen WIthin the house of Parliament , the Earl fell out with Noble Gray But yet before they did depart , they loving friends the 〈◇〉 went away , It was not known the Earl did ow , the least ill will at that same time To noble Gray or unto his , or any of his Royall line . They rod together thirty Miles , to Beglisworth from London Town , And in the way was no distast , until they lit there at the Crown . They supped together too that night , as peacefully as men could do , But yet a sudden accidence , betim● i th morning did ●nsue , The Earl he rose i th morn ●etime , vith mischief harbored in his brest , H● come unto the Chamber where , sir William Gray , he lay at rest , And call'd Sir G●ay to go with him , unto the Fields to take the Ayr , And he God wot not thinking ill , did with him to the Fields repair , Like to a Lamb that went to dy , not ●●inking death to be so near , Eve● so befel the same ye sée , to Noble Gray as doth appear . He left his man abed that morn , because he came in late at night , Desiring them to let him lye , till he returned back with the Knight , His bedfellow and Kindsman too , went as a second in the place , If that the Earl should offer him , any abuse or eke disgrace . He did no sooner come in field , but both the seconds and the Earl , Did plot contrive against Sir Gray , his courage purposel to q●eal , The Earl began the quarrel then , and Noble Gray did so outdare , And said he was a better man , then all the Grays in Scotland were , And said to him come fight with me , thou cowardise which art no man , Which forced Valiant Gray to take , his glitering Sword within his hand , And so the battle fierce began , and Noble Gray he plaid his part , But yet at length unhappily , the Earl he thrust him to the heart , This being done they dragd him too a stinking ditch which there was by , And robbed him of his Iewels rich , and then they presently did fly , Vnto the Crown whereas there coach , stood ready for their safe convay , But by a man it was found out , which did them presently betray . When they was took they did them search whereas they found them full of Gold , A golden watch and ring which cost , five hundred pounds his man thus told , They had them to the Iustice straight , and he did send them to the Goal , Whereas they wait for tryall now , I think there s no man will them bail , And thus I will conclude my song , I wish all Traytors to be ware , And not to murder as they do , lest they fall in the hang-mans snare .