University of Virginia Library

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II. VOL. II. THE CIVILE WARS BETWEEN THE TWO HOUSES OF LANCASTER AND YORKE. 1595–1623.

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THE FIRST FOWRE

Bookes of the ciuile wars between the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke.

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9

THE FIRST BOOKE.

1

I sing the ciuill Warres, tumultuous Broyles,
And bloody factions of a mightie Land:
Whose people hautie, proud with forraine spoyles,
Vpon themselues turn-backe their conquering hand;

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10

Whil'st Kin their Kin, Brother the Brother foyles;
Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band;
Bowes against Bowes, the Crowne against the Crowne;
Whil'st all pretending right, all right's throwne downe.

2

What / furie, ô what madnes held thee so,
Deare England (too too prodigall of blood)
To waste so much, and warre without a foe,
Whilst Fraunce, to see thy spoyles, at pleasure stood!
How much might'st thou haue purchast with lesse woe,
T'haue done thee honour and thy people good?
Thine might haue beene what-euer lies betweene
The Alps and vs, the Pyrenei and Rhene.

3

Yet now what reason haue we to complaine?
Since hereby came the calme we did inioy;
The blisse of thee Eliza; happie gaine
For all our losse: when-as no other way
The Heauens could finde, but to vnite againe
The fatall sev'red Families, that they
Might bring foorth thee: that in thy peace might growe
That glorie, which few Times could euer showe.

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11

4

Come sacred Virtue: I no Muse, but thee,
Inuoke, in this great labour I intend.
Doo thou inspire my thoughts, infuse in mee
A power to bring the same to happie end.
Rayse vp a worke, for later times to see,
That may thy glorie, and my paynes commend.
Make me these tumults rightly to rehearse:
And giue peace to my life, life to my verse.

5

And thou Charles Montioy (who didst once afford
Rest for my fortunes, on thy quiet shore;
And cheer'dst mee on, these measures to record
In grauer tones, then I had vs'd before)
Beholde: my gratitude makes good my word
Ingag'd to thee (although thou be no more)
That I, who heretofore haue liu'd by thee,
Doo giue thee now a roome to liue with me.

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12

6

And MEMORIE, preserv'resse of things done,
Come thou, vnfold the woundes, the wracke, the waste:
Reueale to me how all the strife begunne
Twixt Lancaster and Yorke, in ages past:
How causes, counsels, and euents did runne,
So long as these vnhappie times did last;
Vnintermixt with fiction's fantasies.
I versifie the troth, not Poetize.

7

And to the ende wee may with better ease
Discerne the true discourse; vouchsafe to showe,
What were the times foregoing, neere to these,
That these we may with better profit knowe:
Tell, how the world fell into this disease,
And how so great distemperature did growe.
So shall we see, by what degrees it came,
“How things, at full, do soone wex out of frame.

8

Ten Kings had, from the Norman Conqueror, raign'd,
With intermixt and variable fate,
When England to her greatest height attain'd
Of powre, dominion, glorie, wealth, and State;

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13

After it had, with much adoo, sustain'd
The violence of Princes, with debate
For titles, and the often mutinies
Of Nobles, for their ancient liberties.

9

For, first, the Norman, conquering all by might,
By might was forc't to keepe what he had got;
Mixing our Customes and the forme of Right
With foraine Constitutions he had brought:
Maistering the mightie, humbling the poorer wight
By all seuerest meanes that could be wrought:
And, making the succession oubtfull, rent
This new-got State, and left it turbulent.

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14

10

VViliam his sonne, tracing his fathers wayes
(The great men spent in peace, or slaine in fight)
Vpon depressed weaknes onely preyes,
And makes his force maintaine his doubtfull right:
His elder brothers clayme, vexing his dayes,
His actions and exactions still incite:
And giuing Beastes, what did to Men pertaine
(Tooke for a Beast) himselfe in th'end was slaine.

11

His brother Henrie next commands the State:
Who, Roberts title better to reiect,
Seekes to repacifie the peoples hate;
And with faire shewes, rather then in effect,
Allayes those grieuances that heauie sate:
Reformes the lawes, which soone hee did neglect;
And rest of sonnes, for whom he did prepare,
Leaues crowne and strife, to Maude his daughters care.

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15

12

Whom Stephen his nephew (falsifying his Oath)
Preuents; assayles the Realme; obtaines the Crowne;
Such tumults raysing as torment them both,
Whil'st both held nothing certainely their owne:
Th'afflicted State (diuided in their troth
And partiall faith) most miserable growne,
Endures the while, till peace, and Stephens death,
Gaue some calme leasure to recouer breath.

13

When Henrie, sonne to Maude the Empresse, raignes,
And England into forme and greatnes brought,
Addes Ireland to this Scepter, and obtaines
Large Prouinces in Fraunce; much treasure gote,
And from exactions here at home abstaynes:
And had not his rebellious children sought
T'imbroyle his age with tumults, he had beene
The happiest Monarch that this State had seene.

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14

Him, Richard followes in the gouernment:
Who much the glory of our Armes increast;
And all his fathers mighty treasure spent,
In that deuoutfull Action of the East:
Whereto, whiles he his forces wholly bent,
Despight and treason his designes opprest;
A faithlesse brother, and a fatall King,
Cut-off his growth of glory, in the spring.

15

Which wicked brother, contrary to course,
False Iohn vsurpes his Nephew Arthurs right;
Gets to the Crowne by craft, by wrong, by force;
Rules it with lust, oppression, rigour, might;
Murders the lawfull heire without remorse:
Wherefore procuring all the worlds despight,
A Tyrant loath'd, a homicide conuented,
Poysoned he dyes, disgrac't and vnlamented.

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16

Henrie his sonne is chosen King, though young,
And Lewes of France (elected first) beguil'd;
After the mighty had debated long,
Doubtfull to choose a straunger or a child:

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18

With him, the Barrons (in these times growne strong)
Warre for their auncient Lawes so long exil'd.
He graunts the Charter that pretended ease;
Yet kept his owne, and did his State appease.

17

Edward, his sonne, a Martiall King, succeedes;
Iust, prudent, graue, religious, fortunate:
Whose happy ordered Raigne most fertile breedes,
Plenty of mighty spirits to strength his State:
And worthy mindes, to manage worthy deedes,
Th'experience of those times ingenerate:
For, euer great imployment, for the great,
Quickens the blood, and honour doth beget.

18

And had not his mis-led lasciuious Sonne,
Edward the second, intermitted so
The course of glory happily begunne
(Which brought him and his fauorites to woe)
That happy current without stop had runne
Vnto the full of his sonne Edwards flowe:
But, who hath often seene, in such a State,
Father and Sonne like good, like fortunate?

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19

But now, this great Succeeder, all repaires,
And reinduc't that discontinued good:
He builds vp strength & greatnes, for his heires,
Out of the virtues that adornd his blood:
He makes his Subiects Lords of more then theirs;
And sets their bounds farre wider then they stood.
His powre, and fortune, had sufficient wrought,
Could but the State haue kept what he had got.

20

And had his heire surviu'd him in due course,
What limits England hadst thou found? what barre?
What world could haue resisted so great force?
O more then men! (two thunderbolts of warre)
Why did not Time your ioyned worth diuorce,
T'haue made your seueral glories greater farre?
Too prodigall was Nature, thus to doe;
To spend in one Age, what should serue for two.

21

But now the Scepter, in this glorious State,
Supported with strong powre and victorie,
Was left vnto a Child; ordain'd by fate
To stay the course of what might growe too hie:
Here was a stop, that Greatnesse did abate,
When powre vpon so weake a base did lie.

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20

For, least great fortune should presume too farre,
Such oppositions interposed are.

22

Neuer this Iland better peopled stood;
Neuer more men of might, and minds addrest:
Neuer more Princes of the royall blood,
(If not too many for the publique Rest)
Nor euer was more treasure, wealth and good;
Then when this Richard first, the Crowne possest;
The second of that name, in two accurst:
And well we might haue mist all, but the first.

23

In this mans Raigne, began this fatal strife
(The bloudie argument whereof we treate)
That dearely cost so many'a Prince his life;
And spoyld the weake, and euen consum'd the great:
That, wherein all confusion was so rife,
As Memory euen grieues her to repeat,
And would that time might now this knowledge lose;
But that tis good to learne by others woes.

24

Edward the third, being dead, had left this child,
(Sonne of his worthy sonne deceast of late)
The Crowne and Scepter of this Realme to wield:
Appointing the protectors of his State
Two of his sonnes, to be his better shield;
Supposing Vncles, free from guile or hate,

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21

Would order all things for his better good,
In the respect and honour of their bloud.

25

Of these, Iohn, Duke of Lancaster, was one,
(Too great a Subiect growne, for such a State.
The title of a King, and glorie wonne
In great exploits his mind did eleuate
Aboue proportion kingdomes stand vpon:
Which made him push at what his issue gate)
The other, Langley: whose mild temperatness
Did tend vnto a calmer quietnesse.

26

With these, did Woodstock interpose his part;
A man, for action violently bent,
And of a spirit averse, and ouer-thwart;
Which could not sute a peace-full gouernment:
Whose euer-swelling, and tumultuous heart
Wrought his owne ill and others discontent.
And these had all the manage of affayres,
During the time the King was vnder yeares.

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27

And in the first yeares of his gouernment,
Things past, as first; the warres in France proceed,
Though not with that same fortune and euent,
Being now not followed with such carefull heed;
Our people here at home, growne discontent,
Through great exactions, insurrections breed:
Priuate respects hindred the Common-weale:
And idle ease doth on the mighty steale.

28

Too many Kings breed factions in the Court:
The head too weake, the members growne too great.
Which euermore doth happen in this sort,
When Children rule; the plague which God doth threat
Vnto those Kingdomes which he will transport
To other Lynes, or vtterly defeat:
“For, the ambitious, once inur'd to raigne,
“Can neuer brook a priuate state againe.

29

“And Kingdomes euer suffer this distresse,
“Where one, or many, guide the infant King:
“Which one or many (tasting this excesse
“Of greatnesse & command) can neuer bring
“Their thoughts againe t'obay, or to be lesse.
“From hence, these insolencies euer spring;

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23

“Contempt of others, whom they seek to foyle:
“Then follow leagues, destruction, ruine, spoyle.

30

And whether they, which vnder-went this charge,
Permit the King to take a youthfull vaine,
That they their priuate better might inlarge:
Or whether he himselfe would farther straine
(Thinking his yeeres sufficient to discharge
The gouernment) and so assum'd the raine:
Or howsoeuer, now his eare he lends
To youthfull counsell, and his lustes attends.

31

And Courts were neuer barren yet of those
Which could with subtile traine, and apt aduice,
Worke on the Princes weakenesse, and dispose
Of feeble frailtie, easie to entice.
And such, no doubt, about this King arose,
Whose flatterie (the dangerous nurse of vice)
Got hand vpon his youth, to pleasures bent:
Which, led by them, did others discontent.

32

For, now his Vncles grew much to mislike
These ill proceedings; were it that they saw
That others, fauour'd, did aspiring seeke
Their Nephew from their counsels to withdraw,

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24

(Seeing him of nature flexible, and weake)
Because they onely would keepe all in awe;
Or that indeede they found the King and State
Abus'd by such as now in office sate.

33

Or rather else, they all were in the fault;
Th'ambitious Vncles, th'indiscreete young King,
The greedie Councell, and the Minions naught;
And altogether did this tempest bring:
Besides, the times, with all iniustice fraught,
Concurr'd, with such confus'd misgouerning,
That wee may truely say, This spoyld the State,
“Youthfull Counsaile, priuate Gaine, partiall Hate.

34

And then the King, besides his iealousies
Which nourisht were, had reason to be led
To doubt his Vncles for their loyalties;
Since Iohn of Gaunt (as was discouered)
Had practised his death in secret wise;
And Gloster openly becomes the head
Vnto a league, who all in armes were bent
T'oppose against the present gouernement;

35

Pretending to remoue such men as were
Accounted to abuse the king, and State.

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25

Of whome, the chiefe they did accuse, was Veere,
Made Duke of Ireland, with great grace of late;
And diuers else, who for the place they beare
Obnoxious are, and subiect vnto hate.
And these must be sequestred with all speed:
Or else they vow'd, their swordes should doo the deed.

36

The King was forc't in that next Parliament,
To grant them what he durst not well refuse.
For, thither arm'd they came, and fully bent
To suffer no repulse, nor no excuse:
And here they did accomplish their intent;
Where Iustice did her sword, not Ballance, vse.
For, euen that sacred place they violate,
Arresting all the Iudges as they sate.

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26

37

And here had many worthy men their ende,
Without all forme, or any course of Right.
“For, still these broyles, that publike good pretend,
“Worke most iniustice, being done through spight.
“For, those aggrieued euermore do bend
“Against such as they see of greatest might:
“Who, though they cannot helpe what will go ill;
“Yet, since they may doo wrong, are thought they will.

38

And yet herein I meane not to excuse
The Iustices, and Minions of the King
(Who might their office and their grace abuse)
But blame the course held in the managing:
“For, great-men, ouer-grac't, much rigor vse;
“Presuming fauorits discontentment bring:
“And disproportions harmonie do breake;
“Minions, too great, argue a king too weake.

39

Now, that so much was granted, as was sought;
A reconcilement made, although not ment,
Appeas'd them all in shewe, but not in thought,
Whilst euery one seem'd outwardly content:

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27

Though hereby king, nor peeres, nor people got
More loue, more strength, or easier gouernment;
But euery day, things still succeeded worse.
“For good from Kings is seldome drawne by force.

40

And thus it loe continued, till by chaunce
The Queene (which was the Emperours daughter) di'de:
When-as the King, t'establish peace with Fraunce,
And better for home-quiet to prouide,
Sought by contracting marriage to aduance
His owne affayres, against his Vncles pride;
Tooke the young daughter of King Charles to wife:
Which after, in the end, rays'd greater strife.

41

For, now his vncle Gloster much repin'd,
Against this French alliance and this peace:
As either out of a tumultuous minde;
(Which neuer was content the warres should cease:)
Or that he did dishonorable finde
Those articles which did our State decrease;
And therefore storm'd because the Crowne had wrong:
Or that he fear'd, the King would growe too strong.

42

But whatsoeuer mou'd him; this is sure,
Hereby he wrought his ruine in the end;
And was a fatall cause, that did procure
The swift approching mischiefes that attend.

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28

For loe, the King no longer could indure
Thus to be crost in what he did intend;
And therefore watcht but some occasion fit
T'attache the Duke, when he thought least of it.

43

And Fortune, to set forward this intent,
The Cont S. Paule, from France, doth hither bring:
Whom Charles the sixt imploy'd in complement,
To see the Queene, and to salute the King.
To whom he shewes his Vncles discontent,
And of his secret dangerous practising,
How he his Subiectes sought to sulleuate,
And breake the league with Fraunce concluded late.

44

To whom the Cont, most cunningly replies;
“Great Prince, it is within your power, with ease
“To remedy such feares, such iealousies,
“And rid you of such mutiners as these;
“By cutting off that, which might greater rise,
“And now at first, preuenting this disease,
“And that before he shall your wrath disclose;
“For, who threats first, meanes of reuenge doth lose.

45

“First take his head, then tell the reason why:
“Stand not to finde him guiltie by your lawes;
“You easier shall with him your quarrell trie
“Dead then aliue, who hath the better cause.

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29

“For, in the murmuring vulgar, vsually
“This publique course of yours compassion drawes;
“Especially in cases of the great:
“Which worke much pitty, in the vndiscreat.

46

“And this is sure, though his offence be such:
“Yet doth calamitie attract commorse:
“And men repine at Princes blood-shed much,
“(How iust-soeuer) iudging tis by force.
“I know not how their death giues such a tuch,
“In those that reach not to a true discourse;
“As so shall you, obseruing formall right,
“Be held still as vniust, and win more spight.

47

“And, oft, the cause may come preuented so:
“And therefore when tis done, let it be heard.
“For, thereby shall you scape your priuate wo.
“And satisfie the world too, afterward.
“What neede you weigh the rumors that shall go?
“What is that breath, being with your life compar'd?
“And therefore, if you will be rul'd by me,
“In secret sort, let him dispatched bee.

48

And then arraigne the chiefe of those you finde
Were of his faction secretly compact:
Who may so well be handled in their kinde;
As their confessions, which you shall exact,

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30

May both appease the aggrieued peoples minde,
And make their death to aggrauate their fact.
So shall you rid your selfe of dangers quite;
And shew the world, that you haue done but right.

49

This counsell, vttred vnto such an eare
As willing listens to the safest wayes,
Workes on the yeelding matter of his feare;
Which easily to any course obayes.
For, euery Prince, seeing his daunger neere,
By any meanes his quiet peace assaies.
“And still the greatest wrongs, that euer were,
“Haue then been wrought, when Kings were put in feare.

50

Call'd in with publique pardon, and release,
The Duke of Gloster, with his complices;
All tumults, all contentions seem to cease,
The land rich, people pleas'd, all in happinesse:
When sodainely Gloster came caught, with peace;
VVarwicke, with profered loue and promises:
And Arundell was in, with cunning brought:
Who else abrode, his safetie might haue wrought.

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51

Long was it not, ere Gloster was conuayd
To Calice, and there strangled secretly:
VVarwicke and Arundell close prisoners laid,
Th'especiall men of his confederacie:
Yet VVarwickes teares and base confessions staide
The doome of death; and came confin'd thereby,
And so prolongs this not long base-begg'd breath:
But Arundell was put to publique death.

52

Which publique death (receiu'd with such a cheare,
As not a sigh, a looke, a shrink bewrayes
The least felt touch of a degenerous feare)
Gaue life to Enuie, to his courage prayse;
And made his stout-defended cause appeare
With such a face of Right, as that it layes
The side of wrong t'wards him, who had long since
By Parliament forgiuen this offence:

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53

And in the vnconceiuing vulgar sort,
Such an impression of his goodnes gaue
As Sainted him, and rays'd a strange report
Of miracles effected on his Graue:
Although the Wise (whome zeale did not transport)
“Knew, how each great example still must haue
“Something of wrong, a taste of violence;
“Wherewith, the publique quiet doth dispense.

54

The King foorth-with prouides him of a Guard;
A thousand Archers daily to attend:
Which now vpon the act he had prepar'd,
As th'argument his actions to defend:
But yet the world hereof conceiu'd so hard,
That all this nought auaild him in the end.
“In vaine, with terror is he fortified,
“That is not guarded with firme loue beside.

55

Now storme his grieued Vncles, though in vaine;
Not able better courses to aduise.
They might their grieuance inwardly complaine;
But outwardly they needes must temporise.
The King was great; and they should nothing gaine
T'attempt reuenge, or offer once to rise:
This league with Fraunce had made him now so strong,
That they must needes as yet indure this wrong.

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56

For, like a Lion that escapes his boundes,
Hauing beene long restrain'd his vse to stray,
Ranges the restless woods, stayes on no groūd,
Riots with blood-shed, wantons on his praie;
Seekes not for neede, but in his pride to wound,
Glorying to see his strength and what he may:
So this vnbridled King (freed of his feares)
In liberty, himself thus wildely beares.

57

For, standing now alone, he sees his might
Out of the compasse of respectiue awe;
And now beginnes to violate all right,
While no restraining feare at hand he saw.
Now he exacts of all, wastes in delight,
Riots in pleasure, and neglects the law:
He thinkes his Crowne is licenst to do ill.
“That lesse should list, that may do what it wil.

58

Thus b'ing transported in this sensuall course,
No friend to warne, no counsell to withstand,
He still proceedeth on from bad to worse;
Sooth'd in all actions that he tooke in hand,
By such as all impietie did nurse,
Commending euer what hee did command.
“Vnhappie Kings! that neuer may be taught
“To know themselues, or to discerne their fault.

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59

And whilst this course did much the kingdome daunt,
The Duke of Herford being of courage bolde,
As sonne and heire to mighty Iohn of Gaunt,
Vtters the passion which he could not holde
Concerning these oppressions, and the want
Of gouernment: which he to Norfolke told;
To th'end, he (being great about the king)
Might do some good, by better counselling.

60

Hereof doth Norfolke presently take hold,
And to the king the whole discourse relate:
Who, not conceipting it, as it was told,
But iudging it proceeded out of hate;
Disdeigning deepely to be so controwl'd,
That others should his Rule preiudicate,
Charg'd Herford therewithall: who re-accus'd
Norfolke, for words of treason he had vs'd.

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61

Norfolke denies them peremptorily.
Herford recharg'd, and supplicates the king,
To haue the combate of his enemie;
That by his sword hee might approue the thing.
Norfolke desires the same, as earnestly:
And both with equall courage menacing
Reuenge of wrong; that none knew which was free:
For, times of faction, times of slaunder bee.

62

The combate granted, and the day assign'd,
They both in order of the field appeare,
Most richly furnisht in all Martiall kinde,
And at the point of intercombate were;
When (lo) the king chang'd sodainely his minde,
Casts downe his warder to arrest them there;
As being aduis'd a better way to take,
Which might for his more certaine safetie make.

63

For, now considering (as it likely might)
The victorie should hap on Herfords side
(A man most valiant and of noble sprite,
Belou'd of all, and euer worthy tri'd)
How much he might be grac't in publique sight,
By such an act, as might aduance his pride,
And so become more popular by this;
Which he feares, too much he already is.

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36

64

And therefore he resolues to banish both,
Though th'one in chiefest fauour with him stood,
A man he dearely lou'd; and might be loth
To leaue him, that had done him so much good:
Yet hauing cause to do as now he doth,
To mitigate the enuie of his blood,
Thought best to lose a friend, to rid a foe;
And such a one, as now he doubted so.

65

And therefore to perpetuall exile hee
Mowbray condemnes; Herford but for ten yeares:
Thinking (for that the wrong of this decree,
Compar'd with greater rigour, lesse appeares)
It might of all the better liked bee:
But yet such murmuring of the fact he heares,
That he is faine foure of the ten forgiue,
And iudg'd him sixe yeares in exile to liue.

66

At whose departure hence out of the Land,
How did the open multitude reueale
The wondrous loue they bare him vnder-hand!
Which now, in this hote passion of their zeale,
They plainely shew'd; that all might vnderstand
How deare he was vnto the common weale.
They feard not to exclaime against the King;
As one, that sought all good mens ruining.

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37

67

Vnto the shore, with teares, with sighes, with mone,
They him conduct; cursing the bounds that stay
Their willing feete, that would haue further gone,
Had not the fearefull Ocean stopt their way:
“Why Neptune, Hast thou made vs stand alone
“Diuided from the world, for this, say they?
“Hemd-in, to be a spoyle to tyrannie,
“Leauing affliction hence no way to flie?

68

“Are we lockt vp, poore soules, heere to abide
“Within the waterie prison of thy waues,
“As in a fold, where subiect to the pride
“And lust of Rulers we remaine as slaues?
“Here in the reach of might, where none can hide
“From th'eye of wrath, but onely in their Graues?
“Happie confiners you of other landes,
“That shift your soyle, and oft scape tyrants hands.

69

“And must we leaue him here, whom here were fit
“We should retaine, the pillar of our State?
“Whose vertues well deserue to gouerne it,
“And not this wanton young effeminate.
“Why should not he in Regall honour sit,
“That best knowes how a Realme to ordinate?
“But, one day yet, we hope thou shalt bring backe
“(Deare Bullingbrooke) the Iustice that we lacke.

---

38

70

“Thus muttred, loe, the malecontented sort;
“That loue Kings best, before they haue them, still;
“And neuer can the present State comport,
“But would as often change, as they change will.
For, this good Duke had wonne them in this sort
By succ'ring them, and pittying of their ill,
That they supposed streight it was one thing,
To be both a good Man, and a good King.

71

When-as the grauer sort that saw the course,
And knew that Princes may not be controld,
Lik't well to suffer this, for feare of worse;
“Since, many great, one Kingdome cannot hold.
For, now they saw, intestine strife, of force,
The apt-diuided State intangle would,
If he should stay whom they would make their head,
By whom the vulgar body might be led.

72

“They saw likewise, that Princes oft are faine
“To buy their quiet, with the price of wrong:
And better 'twere that now a few complaine,
Then all should mourne, aswell the weake as strong:
Seeing still how little Realmes by chaunge do gaine;
And therefore learned by obseruing long,
“T'admire times past, follow the present will,
“Wish for good Princes, but t'indure the ill.

---

39

73

For, when it nought auailes, what folly then
To striue against the current of the time?
Who will throwe downe himselfe, for other men,
That make a ladder by his fall to clime?
Or who would seeke t'imbroyle his Country, when
He might haue rest; suffering but others crime?
“Since wise men euer haue preferred farre
“Th'vniustest peace, before the iustest warre.

74

Thus they considered, that in quiet sate,
Rich or content, or else vnfit to striue:
Peace-louer wealth, hating a troublous State,
Doth willing reasons for their rest contriue:
But, if that all were thus considerate,
How should in Court, the great, the fauour'd thriue?
Factions must be, and these varieties:
And some must fall, that other-some may rise.

75

But, long the Duke remain'd not in exile,
Before that Iohn of Gaunt, his father, dies:
Vpon whose state the king seis'd now, this while,
Disposing of it, as his enemies.
This open wrong no longer could beguile
The world, that saw these great indignities.
Which so exasperates the mindes of all,
That they resolu'd, him home againe to call.

---

40

76

For, now they saw, t'was malice in the King
(Transported in his ill-conceiued thought)
That made him so to prosecute the thing
Against all law, and in a course so naught.
And this aduantage to the Duke did bring
More fit occasions; whereupon he wrought.
“For, to a man so strong, and of such might,
“He giues him more, that takes away his right.

77

The King in this meane time (I know not how)
Was drawne into some actions, foorth the Land,
T'appease the Irish, that reuolted now:
And, there attending what he had in hand,
Neglects those parts from whence worse dangers growe;
As ignorant, how his affayres did stand:
Whether the plot was wrought it should be so,
Or that his fate did draw him on to go.

78

Most sure it is, that hee committed here
An ignorant and idle ouersight;
Not looking to the Dukes proceedings there,
Being in the Court of Fraunce, where best he might;
Where both the King and all assured were
T'haue stopt his course, being within their right;
But now he was exil'd, he thought him sure;
And, free from farther doubting, liv'd secure.

---

41

79

So blindes the sharpest counsels of the wise
This ouershadowing Prouidence on hie;
And dazleth all their clearest sighted eyes,
That they see not how nakedly they lie.
There where they little thinke, the storme doth rise,
And ouercasts their cleare securitie:
When man hath stopt all wayes saue onely that,
Which (as least doubted) Ruine enters at.

80

And now was all disorder in th'excesse,
And whatsoeuer doth a change portend;
As, idle luxurie, and wantonnesse,
Proteus-like varying Pride, vaine without ende:
Wrong-worker Riot (motiue to oppresse)
Endless Exactions, which the idle spend;
Consuming Vsurie, and credits crackt,
Call'd-on this purging Warre, that many lackt.

81

Then Ill-perswading want, in Martiall mindes,
And wronged patience (long opprest with might)
Loosenes in all (which no religion bindes)
Commaunding force (the measure made of Right)
Gaue fuell to this fire, that easie findes
The way t'inflame the whole indangerd quite:
These were the publique breeders of this Warre;
By which, still greatest States confounded are.

---

42

82

For, now this peace with Fraunce had shut in here
The ouergrowing humours Warres do spend.
For, where t'euacuate no imployments were,
Wider th'vnwieldy burthen doth distend,
Men, wholly vs'd to warre, peace could not beare;
As knowing no other course, whereto to bend:
For, brought vp in the broyles of these two Reames,
They thought best fishing still, in troubled streames.

83

Like to a Riuer, that is stopt his course,
Doth violate his bankes, breakes his owne bed,
Destroyes his bounds, and ouer-runs, by force,
The neighbour-fieldes, irregularly spred:
Euen so this sodaine stop of Warre doth nurse
Home broyles, within it selfe, from others led:
So dangerous the change hereof is tri'd
Ere mindes 'come soft, or otherwise imploid.

84

But, all this makes for thee, ô Bullingbrooke,
To worke a way vnto thy Soueraintie.
This care, the Heauens, Fate, and Fortune tooke,
To bring thee to thy Scepter easily.
Vpon thee fall's that hap, which him forsooke,
Who, crownd a King, a King yet must not die.
Thou wert ordaind, by Prouidence, to rayse
A quarrell, lasting longer then thy dayes.

---

43

85

For, now this absent Lord, out of his Land
(Where though he shew'd great sprite and valor then;
Being attended with a worthy band
Of valiant Peeres, and most couragious men)
Gaue time to them at home, that had in hand
Th'vngodly worke, and knew the season when:
Who faile not to aduise the Duke with speed;
Solliciting to what hee soone agreed.

86

Who presently, vpon so good report,
Relying on his friends fidelitie,
Conueyes himselfe out of the French Kings Court,
Vnder pretence to go to Britannie:
And, with his followers, that to him resort,
Landed in England: Welcom'd ioyfully
Of th'altring vulgar, apt for changes still;
As headlong carried with a present will.

87

And com'n to quiet shore, but not to rest;
The first night of his ioyfull landing here,
A fearefull vision doth his thoughts molest:
Seeming to see in reuerent forme appeare

---

44

A faire and goodly woman all distrest;
Which, with full-weeping eyes and rented haire,
Wringing her hands (as one that griev'd and prayd)
With sighes commixt with words, vnto him said;

88

“O! whither dost thou tend, my vnkinde Sonne?
“What mischiefe dost thou go-about to bring
“To her, whose Genius thou here lookst vpon,
“Thy Mother-countrey, whence thy selfe didst spring?
“Whither thus dost thou, in ambition, run,
“To change due course, by foule disordering?
“What bloodshed, what turmoyles dost thou commence,
“To last for many wofull ages hence?

89

“Stay here thy foote, thy yet vnguilty foote,
“That canst not stay when thou art farther in,
“Retire thee yet vnstain'd, whil'st it doth boote;
“The end, is spoyle, of what thou dost begin:
“Iniustice neuer yet tooke lasting roote,
“Nor held that long, Impietie did win.
“The babes, vnborne, shall (ô) be borne to bleed
“In this thy quarrell, if thou do proceede.

90

This said, she ceast: when he in troubled thought
Griev'd at this tale and sigh't, and thus replies;
“Deare Countrey, ô I haue not hither brought
“These Armes to spoyle, but for thy liberties:

---

45

“The sinne be on their head, that this haue wrought;
“Who wrongd me first, and thee do tyrannise.
“I am thy Champion, and I seeke my right:
“Prouok't I am to this, by others spight.

91

“This, this pretence, saith shee, th'ambitious finde
“To smooth iniustice, and to flatter wrong.
“Thou dost not know what then will be thy minde,
“When thou shalt see thy selfe aduanc't and strong.
“When thou hast shak't off that, which others binde;
“Thou soone forgettest what thou learnedst long.
“Men do not know what then themselues will bee,
“When-as, more then themselues, themselues they see.

92

And herewithall, turning about he wakes,
Lab'ring in spirit, troubled with this strange sight:
And mus'd a while, waking aduisement takes
Of what had past in sleepe and silent night:
Yet hereof no important reck'ning makes,
But as a dreame that vanisht with the light:
The day designes, and what he had in hand
Left it to his diuerted thoughts vnscand.

93

Doubtfull at first, he warie doth proceed;
Seemes not t'affect that, which he did effect;
Or else perhaps seemes, as he meant indeed,
Sought but his owne, and did no more expect.
Then, Fortune, thou art guiltie of his deed:
That didst his state aboue his hopes erect:
And thou must beare some blame of his great sinne;
That leftst him worse, then when he did beginne.

---

46

94

Thou didst conspire with Pride, and with the Time,
To make so easie an ascent to wrong,
That he who had no thought so hie to clime
(With fauouring comfort still allur'd along)
Was with occasion thrust into the crime;
Seeing others weakenes and his part so strong.
“And who is there, in such a case that will
“Do good, and feare, that may liue free with ill?

95

We will not say nor thinke, O Lancaster,
But that thou then didst meane as thou didst sweare
Vpon th'Euangelists at Doncaster,
In th'eye of heauen, and that assembly theare,
That thou but as an vpright orderer,
Sought'st to reforme th'abused Kingdome here,
And get thy right, and what was thine before;
And this was all; thou would'st attempt no more:

96

Though we might say, and thinke, that this pretence
Was but a shadow to the intended act;
Because th'euent doth argue the offence,
And plainely seemes to manifest the fact:
For that hereby thou mightst win confidence
With those, whom else thy course might hap distract,
And all suspicion of thy drift remoue;
“Since easily men credit whom they loue.

---

47

97

But, God forbid wee should so neerly pry
Into the lowe-deepe-buried sinnes long past,
T'examine and conferre iniquitie,
Whereof faith would no memorie should last:
That our times might not haue t'exemplifie
With aged staines, but, with our owne shame cast,
Might thinke our blot the first, not done before;
That new-made sinnes might make vs blush the more.

98

And let vnwresting Charitie beleeue
That then thy oath with thy intent agreed;
And others faith, thy faith did first deceiue;
Thy after-fortune forc't thee to this deed.
And let no man this idle censure giue,
Because th'euent proues so, 'twas so decreed.
“For, oft our counsels sort to other end,
“Then that which frailtie did at first intend.

99

Whil'st those that are but outward lookers on
(Who sildome sound these mysteries of State)
Deeme things were so contriv'd as they are done,
And hold that policie, which was but fate;
Imagining, all former acts did run
Vnto that course they see th'effects relate;
Whil'st still too short they come, or cast too far,
“And make these great men wiser then they ar.

---

48

100

But, by degrees he ventures now on blood;
And sacrifiz'd, vnto the peoples loue,
The death of those that chiefe in enuie stood:
As, th'Officers (who first these dangers proue)
The Treasurer, and those whom they thought good,
Busby and Greene, by death he must remoue:
These were the men, the people thought, did cause
Those great exactions, and abus'd the lawes.

101

This done, his cause was preacht with learned skill,
By Arundel, th'Archbishop: who there show'd
A Pardon sent from Rome, to all that will
Take part with him, and quit the faith they ow'd
To Richard; as a Prince vnfit and ill:
On whom the Crowne was fatally bestow'd.
And easie-yeelding zeale was quickly caught,
With what the mouth of grauity had taught.

102

O that this power, from euerlasting giuen
(The great alliance made twixt God and vs;
Th'intelligence that earth doth hold with heauen)
Sacred Religion; ô that thou must thus
Be made to smooth our wayes vniust, vneuen;
Brought from aboue, earth-quarrels to discusse!
Must men beguile our soules, to winne our wils,
And make our Zeale the furtherer of ils?

---

49

103

But, the ambitious, to aduance their might,
Dispense with heauen, and what Religion would.
“The armed will finde right, or els make right;
If this meanes wrought not, yet an other should.
And this and other now do all incite
To strength the faction that the Duke doth hold:
Who easily obtained what he sought;
His vertues and his loue so greatly wrought.

104

The King, still busied in this Irish warre
(Which by his valour there did well succeed)
Had newes, how here his Lords reuolted are,
And how the Duke of Herford doth proceede:
In these, affaires he feares are growne too farre;
Hastes his returne from thence with greatest speed:
But was by tempests, windes, and seas debarr'd;
As if they likewise had against him warr'd.

105

But, at the length (though late) in Wales he lands:
Where, thoroughly inform'd of Henries force,
And well aduertis'd how his owne case stands
(Which to his griefe he sees tends to the worse)
He leaues t'Aumarle, at Milford, all those bandes
He brought from Ireland: taking thence his course
To Conway (all disguis'd) with fourteene more,
To th'Earle of Salisburie, thither sent before:

---

50

106

Thinking, the Earle had rays'd some Armie there;
Whom there he findes forsaken all alone:
The forces, in those parts which leuied were,
Were closely shrunke away, disperst and gone.
The king had stayd too long; and they, in feare,
Resolued euerie man to shift for one.
At this amas'd, such fortune he laments;
Foresees his fall, whereto each thing consents.

107

In this disturb'd tumultuous broken State,
Whil'st yet th'euent stood doubtfull what should bee;
Whilst nought but headlong running to debate,
And glittering troupes and armor, men might see:
Furie, and feare, compassion, wrath, and hate,
Confus'd through all the land, no corner free;
The strong, all mad, to strife, to ruine bent;
The weaker waild: the aged they lament,

108

And blame their many yeeres that liue so long,
To see the horrour of these miseries.
Why had not we (said they) di'd with the strong,
In forraine fieldes, in honourable wise,
In iust exployts, and noble without wrong,
And by the valiant hand of enemies?
And not thus now reserued, in our age,
To home-confusion, and disordered rage.

---

51

109

Vnto the Temples flocke the weake, deuout,
Sad wayling Women; there to vow and pray
For husbands, brothers, or their sonnes gone out
To blood-shed: whom nor teares, nor loue could stay.
Here, graue religious Fathers (which much doubt
The sad euents these broyles procure them may)
As Prophets warne, exclaime, disswade these crimes,
By the examples fresh of other times.

110

And (ô!) what, do you now prepare, said they,
Another Conquest, by these fatall wayes?
What, must your owne hands make your selues a pray
To desolation, which these tumults rayse?
What Dane, what Norman, shall prepare his way
To triumph on the spoyle of your decayes?
That, which nor Fraunce, nor all the world, could do
In vnion, shall your discord bring you to?

111

Conspire against vs, neighbour nations all,
That enuie at the height whereto w'are growne:
Coniure the barbarous North, and let them call
Strange furie from farre distant shores vnknowne;
And let them altogether on vs fall,
So to diuert the ruine of our owne:
That we, forgetting what doth so incense,
May turne the hand of malice, to defence.

---

52

112

Calme these tempestuous spirits, O mighty Lord;
This threatning storme that ouer-hangs the Land.
Make them consider, ere they 'vnsheath the sword,
How vaine is th'earth, this point whereon they stand;
And with what sad calamities is stor'd
The best of that, for which th'Ambitious band:
“Labor the ende of labor, strife of strife;
“Terror in death, and horrour after life.

113

Thus they in zeale, whose humbled thoughts were good,
Whil'st in this wide-spread volume of the skies,
The booke of Prouidence disclosed stood;
Warnings of wrath, foregoing miseries
In lines of fire and characters of blood,
Their fearefull formes in dreadfull flames arise;
Amazing Comets, threatning Monarchs might,
And new-seene Starres, vnknowne vnto the night.

114

Red fierie Dragons in the ayre do flye,
And burning Meteors, pointed-streaming lightes:
Bright Starres in midst of day appeare in skie,
Prodigious monsters, ghastly fearefull sights:
Strange Ghostes, and apparitions terrifie:
The wofull mother her owne birth affrightes;
Seeing a wrong deformed infant borne,
Grieues in her paines, deceiv'd in shame doth mourne.

---

53

115

The earth, as if afeard of blood and wounds,
Trembles in terrour of these falling bloes:
The hollow concaues giue out groning sounds,
And sighing murmures, to lament our woes:
The Ocean, all at discord with his boundes,
Reiterates his strange vntimely flowes:
Nature all out of course, to checke our course,
Neglects her worke, to worke in vs remorse.

116

So great a wracke vnto it selfe doth, lo,
Disorder'd proud mortalitie prepare,
That this whole frame doth euen labour so
Her ruine vnto frailty to declare:
And trauailes to fore-signifie the wo
That weake improuidence could not beware.
“For heauen and earth, and ayre and seas and all,
“Taught men to see, but not to shun their fall.

117

Is man so deare vnto the heauens, that they
Respect the wayes of earth, the workes of sinne?
Doth this great All, this Vniuersall, weigh
The vaine designes that weakenesse doth begin?
Or doth our feare, father of zeale, giue way
Vnto this errour ignorance liues in?

---

54

And deeme our faults the cause that moue these powres,
That haue their cause from other cause then ours?

118

But, these beginnings had this impious Warre,
Th'vngodly blood-shed that did so defile
The beautie of thy fields, and euen did marre
The flowre of thy chiefe pride, thou fairest Ile:
These were the causes that incenst so farre
The ciuill wounding hand inrag'd with spoyle;
That now the liuing, with afflicted eye,
Looke backe with griefe on such calamitie.

---

55

THE SECOND BOOKE.

1

In dearth of faith, and scarcitie of friendes,
The late great mighty Monarch, on the shore
In th'vtmost corner of his Land, attendes
To call backe false obedience, fled before;
Toyles, and in vaine his toyle, and labour spendes:
More harts he sought to gaine, he lost the more:

---

56

All turn'd their faces to the rising sunne,
And leaue his setting-fortune, night begunne.

2

Percy, how soone, by thy example led,
The household traine forsooke their wretched Lord!
When, with thy staffe of charge dishonoured,
Thou brak'st thy fayth, not steward of thy word,
And tookst his part that after tooke thy head;
When thine owne hand had strengthned first his sword.
“For, such great merits do vpbraid, and call
“For great reward, or thinke the great too smal.

3

And Kings loue not to be beholding ought:
Which makes their chiefest friends oft speed the worst.
For, those, by whom their fortunes haue bin wrought,
Put them in minde of what they were at first.
Whose doubtfull faith if once in question brought,
Tis thought they will offend because they durst:
And taken in a fault are neuer spar'd;
“Being easier to reuenge, then to reward.

4

And thus these mightie actors, sonnes of change,
These partizanes of factions, often tri'd;
That, in the smoake of Innouations strange,
Builde huge vncertaine plots of vnsure pride:
And, on the hazard of a bad exchange,
Haue ventur'd all the stocke of life beside;
“Whilst Princes, rais'd, disdaine to haue bin rais'd
“By those whose helpes deserue not to be prais'd.

---

57

5

But thus is Richard left, and all alone
Saue with th'vnarmed title of his right;
And those braue troupes, his fortune-followers gone,
And all that pompe (the complements of might)
Th'amuzing shadowes that are cast vpon
The state of Princes, to beguile the sight,
All vanisht cleane, and only frailty left;
Himselfe, of all, besides himselfe, berest:

6

Like when some great Colossus, whose strong base
Or mightie props are shrunk or sunke away,
Fore-shewing ruine, threatning all the place
That in the danger of his fall doth stay,
All straight to better safetie flocke apace;
None rest to helpe the ruine, while they may.
“The perill great, and doubtfull the redresse,
“Men are content to leaue Right in distresse.

7

And looke, how Thames, inricht with many a Flood,
And goodly Riuers (that haue made their Graues,
And buried both their names and all their good
Within his greatnes, to augment his waues)
Glides on, with pompe of Waters, vnwithstood,
Vnto the Ocean (which his tribute craues)
And layes vp all his wealth, within that powre,
Which in it selfe all greatnes doth deuowre:

---

58

8

So flocke the mighty, with their following traine,
Vnto the all-receiuing Bullingbrooke:
Who wonders at himselfe, how hee should gaine
So many harts as now his partie tooke;
And with what ease, and with how slender paine,
His fortune giues him more then he could looke:
What he imagind neuer could be wrought
Is powrd vpon him, farre beyond his thought.

9

So, often, things which seeme at first in showe,
Without the compasse of accomplishment,
Once vent'red on, to that successe do growe,
That euen the Authors do admire th'euent;
So many meanes which they did neuer knowe
Do second their designes, and do present
Straunge vnexpected helps, and chiefly then
When th'Actors are reputed worthy men.

10

And Richard, who lookt Fortune in the backe,
Sees headlong-lightness running from the right,
Amazed standes to note how great a wracke
Of faith, his riots caus'd, what mortall spight
They beare him, who did law and iustice lacke;
Sees how concealed hate breakes out in sight,
And feare-depressed enuie (pent before)
When fit occasion thus vnlockt the dore.

---

59

11

Like when some mastiue whelpe, dispos'd to play,
A whole confused heard of beastes doth chace,
Which with one vile consent run all away;
If any hardier then the rest in place
But offer head, that idle feare to stay,
Backe straight the daunted chaser turnes his face,
And all the rest (with bold example led)
As fast run on him, as before they fled:

12

So, with this bold opposer, rushes-on
This many-headed monster, Multitude:
And he, who late was feard, is set vpon,
And by his owne (Actæon-like) pursu'd;
His owne, that had all loue and awe forgone:
Whom breath and shadowes onely did delude,
And newer hopes, which promises perswade;
Though rarely men keepe promises so made.

13

Which when he saw; thus to himselfe complaines:
“O why do you, fond, false-deceiued, so
“Run headlong to that change that nothing gaines,
“But gaine of sorrow, onely change of wo?
“Which is all one, if he be like who raignes:
“Why will you buy, with blood, what you forgoe?
“Tis nought, but shewes, that Ignorance esteemes:
“The thing possest is not the thing it seemes.

---

60

14

“And when the sinnes of Bullingbrooke shall be
“As great as mine, and you vnanswered
“In these your hopes; then may you wish for me
“Your lawfull Sov'raigne, from whose faith you fled;
“And, grieued in your soules, the error see
“That shining promises had shadowed:
“As th'humorous sicke, remouing, finde no ease,
“When changed Chambers change not the disease.

15

“Then shall you finde this name of Libertie
“(The watch-word of Rebellion euer vs'd;
“The idle eccho of Vncertaintie,
“That euermore the simple hath abus'd)
“But new-turnd Seruitude and Miserie;
“And euen the same and worse, before refus'd.
“Th'aspirer once attaind vnto the top,
“Cuts off those meanes by which himselfe got vp.

16

“And with a harder hand, and streighter raine,
“Doth curbe that loosenes he did finde before;
“Doubting th'occasion like might serue againe,
“His owne example makes him feare the more.
“Then, ô iniurious Land, what dost thou gaine
“To aggrauate thine owne afflictions store?
“Since thou must needs obay Kings gouernement;
“And no rule, euer yet, could all content.

---

61

17

“What if my youth hath offered vp to lust
“Licentious fruites of indiscreet desires,
“When idle heate of vainer yeeres did thrust
“That furie on: yet now when it retires
“To calmer state, why should you so distrust
“To reape that good whereto mine age aspires?
“The youth of Princes haue no boundes for sinne,
“Vnlesse themselues do make them boundes within.

18

“Who sees not, that sees ought (wo worth the while)
“The easie way, that Greatnesse hath to fall?
“Enuirond with deceit, hemm'd-in with guile,
“Sooth'd vp in flatterie, fawned on of all:
“Within his owne, liuing as in exile;
“Heares but with others eares, or not at all:
“And euen is made a prey vnto a fewe,
“Who locke vp grace that would to other shewe:

19

“And who (as let in lease) do farme the Crowne,
“And ioy the vse of Maiestie and might;
“Whil'st we hold but the shadow of our owne,
“Pleas'd with vaine shewes, and dallied with delight:
“They, as huge vnproportion'd mountaines, growne
“Betweene our land and vs, shadowing our light,
“Bereaue the rest of ioy, and vs of loue,
“And keepe downe all, to keepe themselues aboue.

---

62

20

“Which wounds, with griefe, poore vnrespected zeale,
“When grace holdes no proportion in the parts;
“When distribution, in the Common-weale,
“Of charge and honour due to good desarts
“Is stopt; when others greedie hands must deale
“The benefite that Maiestie imparts:
“What good we meant, comes gleaned home but light,
“Whilst we are robd of prayse, they of their right.

21

Thus he complaind; when, lo, from Lancaster
(The new intit'led Duke) with order sent
Arriv'd Northumberland, as to conferre
And make relation of the Dukes intent:
And offred there, if that he would referre
The controuersie vnto Parlement,
And punish those that had abus'd the State,
As causers of this vniuersall hate;

---

63

22

And also see that Iustice might be had
On those the Duke of Glosters death procur'd,
And such remov'd from Councell as were bad;
His cosin Henry would, he there assur'd,
On humble knees before his Grace be glad
To aske him pardon, to be well secur'd,
And haue his right and grace resto'rd againe:
The which was all he labour'd to obtaine.

23

And therefore doth an enterparle exhort,
Perswades him leaue that vnbeseeming place,
And with a princely hardinesse resort
Vnto his people, that attend his Grace:
They meant his publique good, and not his hurt;
And would most ioyfull be to see his face:
He layes his soule to pledge, and takes his Oath,
The ost of Christ, an ostage for his troth.

24

This proffer, with such protestations, made
Vnto a King that so neere danger stood,
Was a sufficient motiue to perswade,
When no way else could shew a face so good:
Th'vnhonourable meanes of safety, bade
Danger accept, what Maiesty withstood.
“When better choyses are not to be had,
“We needes must take the seeming best of bad.

---

64

25

Yet standes he in doubt, a while, what way to take
Conferring with that small remaining troope
Fortune had left; which neuer would forsake
Their poore distressed Lord, nor neuer stoope
To any hopes the stronger part could make.
Good Carlile, Ferby, and Sir Stephen Scroope,
With that most worthy Montague, were all
That were content with Maiesty to fall.

26

Time spare, and make not sacrilegious theft
Vpon so memorable constancie:
Let not succeeding Ages be bereft
Of such examples of integritie:
Nor thou magnanimous Leigh must not be left
In darknesse, for thy rare fidelitie;
To saue thy faith, content to lose thy head;
That reuerent head, of good men honoured.

27

Nor will my Conscience I should iniury
Thy memorie most trusty Ienico,
For b'ing not ours; though wish that Gasconie
Claym'd not, for hers, the faith we reuerence so;

---

65

That England might haue this small companie
Onely to her alone, hauing no moe:
But le'ts diuide this good betwixt vs both,
Take she thy birth, and we will haue thy troth.

28

“Graue Montague, whom long experience taught
“In either fortune, thus aduis'd his King:
“Deare Sou'raigne know, the matter that is sought,
“Is onely now your Maiesty to bring
“(From out of this poore safetie you haue got)
“Into theyr hands, that else hold euery thing:
“For, now, but onely you they want, of all;
“And wanting you, they nothing theirs can call.

29

“Here haue you craggie Rocks to take your part;
“That neuer will betray their faith to you:
“These trusty Mountaines here will neuer start,
“But stand t'vpbraid their shame that are vntrue.
“Here may you fence your safetie with small art,
“Against the pride of that confused Crew:
“If men will not, these verie Cliffes will fight,
“And be sufficient to defend your right.

30

“Then keepe you here, and here shall you behold,
“Within short space, the slyding faith of those
“That cannot long their resolution hold,
“Repent the course their idle rashnesse chose:

---

66

“For, that same mercenarie faith (they sold)
“With least occasions discontented growes,
“And insolent those voluntarie bands;
“Presuming how, by them, he chiefly stands.

31

“And how can he those mightie troupes sustaine
“Long time, where now he is, or any where?
“Besides, what discipline can he retaine
“Whereas he dares not keepe them vnder feare,
“For feare to haue them to reuolt againe?
“So that it selfe when Greatnesse cannot beare,
“With her owne waight, must needes confus'dly fall,
“Without the helpe of other force at all.

32

“And hither to approche hee will not dare;
“Where deserts, rockes, and hilles, no succours giue;
“Where desolation, and no comforts are;
“Where few can do no good, many not liue.
“Besides, we haue the Ocean to prepare
“Some other place, if this should not relieue:
“So shall you tire his force, consume his strength,
“And weary all his followers, out, at length.

33

“Doe but referre to time, and to small time;
“And infinite occasions you shall finde
“To quaile the Rebell, euen in the prime
“Of all his hopes, beyond all thought of minde:
“For, many (with the conscience of the crime)
“In colder blood will curse what they design'd:

---

67

“And bad successe, vpbrayding their ill fact,
“Drawes them, whom others draw, from such an act.

34

“For, if the least imagin'd ouerture
“But of conceiv'd reuolt men once espie;
“Straight shrinke the weake, the great will not indure,
“Th'impatient run, the discontented flie:
“The friend his friends example doth procure,
“And all togither haste them presently
“Some to their home, some hide: others, that stay,
“To reconcile themselues, the rest betray.

35

“What hope haue you, that euer Bullingbrooke
“Will liue a Subiect, that hath tri'd his fate?
“Or what good reconcilement can you looke,
“Where he must alwayes feare, and you must hate?
“And neuer thinke that he this quarrell tooke
“To reobtaine thereby his priuate state.
“T'was greater hopes, that hereto did him call:
“And he will thrust for all, or else lose all.

36

“Nor trust this suttle Agent, nor his oth.
“You knowe his faith: you tri'd it before hand.
“His fault is death: and now to lose his troth,
“To saue his life, he will not greatly stand.
“Nor trust your kinsmans proffer; since you, both
“Shew, blood in Princes is no stedfast band.
“What though he hath no title? he hath might:
“That makes a title, where there is no right.

---

68

37

Thus he: when that good Bishop thus replies,
Out of a minde that quiet did affect:
“My Lord, I must confesse, as your case lies,
“You haue great cause your Subiects to suspect,
“And counterplot against their subtelties,
“Who all good care and honestie neglect;
“And feare the worst what insolence may do,
“Or armed fury may incense them to.

38

“But yet, my Lord, feare may aswell transport
“Your care, beyond the truth of what is meant;
“As otherwise neglect may fall too short,
“In not examining of their intent:
“But, let vs weigh the thing which they exhort.
“Tis Peace, Submission, and a Parlement:
“Which, how expedient 'tis for either part,
“Twere good we iudg'd with an vnpartiall hart.

39

“And first, for you my Lord, in griefe we see
“The miserable case wherein you stand;
“Voyde here of succour, helpe, or maiestie,
“On this poore promontorie of your Land:
“And where how long a time your Grace may be
“(Expecting what may fall into your hand)
“Wee know not; since th'euent of things do lie
“Clos'd vp in darkenes, farre from mortall eye.

---

69

40

“And how vnfit it were, you should protract
“Long time, in this so dangerous disgrace?
“As though that you good spirit and courage lackt
“To issue out of this opprobrious place:
“When euen the face of Kings do oft exact
“Feare and remorse in faultie subiects base;
“And longer stay a great presumption drawes
“That you were guilty, or did doubt your cause.

41

“What Subiects euer so inrag'd would dare
“To violate a Prince, t'offend the blood
“Of that renowmed race, by which they are
“Exalted to the height of all their good?
“What if some things by chaunce misguided were,
“Which they haue now rebelliously withstood?
“They neuer will proceed with that despight
“To wracke the State, and to confound the right,

42

“Nor doe I think that Bullingbrooke can bee
“So blind-ambitious, to affect the Crowne;
“Hauing himselfe no title, and doth see
“Others, if you should fayle, must keepe him downe.
“Besides, the Realme, though mad, will neuer gree
“To haue a right succession ouerthrowne;
“To rayse confusion vpon them and theirs,
“By preiudicing true and lawfull heires.

---

70

43

“And now it may be, fearing the successe
‘Of his attemptes, or with remorse of minde,
“Or else distrusting secret practises,
“He would be glad his quarrell were resign'd;
“So that there were some orderly redresse
“In those disorders which the Realme did finde:
“And this, I thinke, he now sees were his best;
“Since farther actions further but vnrest.

44

“And, for th'impossibilitie of peace
“And reconcilement, which my Lord obiects;
“I thinke, when doing iniurie shall cease
“(The cause pretended) then surcease th'effects:
“Time and some other Actions may increase
“As may diuert the thought of these respects;
“Others law of forgetting iniuries
“May serue our turne in like calamities.

45

“And for his oath, in conscience, and in sense,
“True honour would not so be found vntrue,
“Nor spot his blood with such a foule offence
“Against his soule, against his God, and you.
“Our Lord forbid, that ever with th'expence
“Of heauen and heauenly ioyes, that shall insue,
“Mortalitie should buy this little breath,
“T'indure the horror of eternall death.

---

71

46

“And therefore, as I thinke, you safely may
“Accept this proffer; that determine shall
“All doubtfull courses by a quiet way,
“Needfull for you, fit for them, good for all.
“And here, my Sov'raigne, to make longer stay
“T'attend for what you are vnsure will fall,
“May slippe th'occasion, and incense their will:
“For, Feare, that's wiser then the truth, doth ill.

47

Thus he perswades, out of a zealous minde;
Supposing, men had spoken as they ment:
And, vnto this, the King likewise inclin'd:
As wholly vnto peace, and quiet bent:
And yeeldes himselfe to th'Earle, goes, leaues-behind
His safetie, Scepter, Honor, Gouernement:
For, gone, all's gone: he is no more his owne;
And they rid quite of feare, he of the Crowne.

48

A place there is, where proudly rais'd there stands
A huge aspiring Rock, neighb'ring the Skies;
Whose surly brow imperiously commaunds
The Sea his boundes, that at his proud feete lies:
And spurnes the waues, that in rebellious bands
Assault his Empire, and against him rise:
Vnder whose craggy gouernment, there was
A niggard narrow way for men to passe.

---

72

49

And here, in hidden cliffes, concealed lay
A troope of armed men, to intercept
The vnsuspecting King, that had no way
To free his foote, that into danger stept.
The dreadfull Ocean, on the one side, lay:
The hard-incroching Mountaine th'other kept:
Before him, he beheld his hateful foes:
Behind him, trayterous enemies inclose.

50

Enuiron'd thus, the Earle begins to cheere
His al-amased Lord, by him betrayde;
Bids him take courage, ther's no cause of feare,
These troopes, but there to guard him safe, were layd.
To whom the King; What neede so many here?
This is against your oath, my Lord, he said.
But, now hee sees in what distresse he stood:
To striue, was vaine; t'intreat, would do no good.

51

And therefore on with careful hart he goes;
Complaines (but, to himselfe) sighes, grieues, and freats;
At Rutland dines, though feedes but on his woes:
The griefe of minde hindred the minde of meats.
For, sorrow, shame, and feare, scorne of his foes,
The thought of what he was, and what now threats,
Then what he should, and now what he hath done,
Musters confused passions all in one.

---

73

52

To Flint, from thence, vnto a restless bed,
That miserable night, he comes conuayd;
Poorely prouided, poorely followed,
Vncourted, vnrespected, vnobayd:
Where, if vncertaine sleepe but hoouered
Ouer the drooping cares that heauy weigh'd;
Millions of figures, fantasie presents
Vnto that sorrow, wakened griefe augments.

53

His new misfortune makes deluding sleepe
Say 'twas not so (False dreames the trueth denie).
Wherewith he starts; feels waking cares do creepe
Vpon his soule, and giues his dreame the lie;
Then sleepes againe: and then againe, as deepe
Deceites of darknes mocke his miserie.
So hard believ'd was sorrow in her youth:
That he thinks truth was dreams, & dreams were truth.

54

The morning light presents vnto his view
(Walking vpon a turret of the place)
The trueth of what hee sees is prov'd too true;
A hundred thousand men, before his face,
Came marching on the shore, which thither drew:
And, more to aggrauate his great disgrace,
Those he had wronged, or done to them despight,
(As if they him vpbrayd) came first in sight.

---

74

55

There might hee see that false forsworne vile crue,
Those shameless agents of vnlawfull lust,
His Pandars, Parasites (people vntrue
To God and man, vnworthy any trust)
Preacing vnto that fortune that was new,
And with vnblushing faces formost thrust;
As those that still with prosperous fortune sort,
And are as borne for Corte, or made in Cort.

56

There hee beheld, how humbly diligent
New Adulation was to be at hand;
How ready Falsehood stept; how nimbly went
Base pick-thank Flattery, and preuents Command:
Hee saw the great obay, the graue consent,
And all with this new-rays'd Aspirer stand;
But, which was worst, his owne part acted there,
Not by himselfe; his powre, not his, appeare.

57

Which whilst he view'd, the Duke he might perceiue
Make towards the Castle, to an interview.

---

75

Wherefore he did his contemplation leaue,
And downe into some fitter place withdrew;
Where now he must admitte, without his leaue,
Him, who before with all submission due
Would haue beene glad, t'attend, and to prepare
The grace of audience, with respectiue care.

58

Who now being come in presence of his king
(Whether the sight of Maiestie did breed
Remorse of what he was incompassing,
Or whether but to formalize his deed)
He kneeles him downe with some astonishing,
Rose; kneeles againe: (for, craft wil still exceed)
When-as the king approch't, put off his Hood,
And welcomd him, though wisht him little good.

---

76

59

“To whom, the Duke began: My Lord, I knowe
“That both vncall'd, and vnexpected too,
“I haue presumed in this sort to showe
“And seeke the right which I am borne vnto:
“Yet pardon I beseech you, and allow
“Of that constraint, which driues me thus to doo.
“For, since I could not by a fairer course
“Attaine mine owne, I must vse this of force.

---

77

60

“Well: so it seemes, deare Cosin, said the King;
“Though you might haue procur'd it otherwise:
“And I am here content, in euery thing
“To right you, as your selfe shal best deuise:
“And God voutsafe, the force that here you bring
“Beget not England greater iniuries.
And so they part: the Duke made haste from thence:
It was no place to ende this difference.

61

Straight towards London, in this heate of pride,
They forward set; as they had fore-decreed:
With whom, the Captiue King constraind must ride,
Most meanely mounted on a simple Steed:
Degraded of all grace and ease beside,
Thereby neglect of all respect to breed.
For, th'ouer-spreading pompe of prouder might
Must darken vveaknes, and debase his sight.

62

Approaching neere the Cittie, hee was met
With all the sumptuous shewes ioy could deuise:
Where new-desire to please did not forget
To passe the vsuall pompe of former guise.

---

78

Striuing Applause, as out of prison let,
Runnes-on, beyond all bounds, to nouelties:
And voyce, and hands, and knees, and all do now
A strange deformed forme of welcome showe.

63

And manifold Confusion running greetes,
Shoutes, cries, claps hands, thrusts, striues and presses neere:
Houses impov'risht were, t'inrich the streetes,
And streetes left naked, that (vnhappie) were
Plac't from the sight where Joy with Wonder meetes;
Where all, of all degrees, striue to appeare;
Where diuers-speaking Zeale one murmure findes,
In vndistinguisht voyce to tell their mindes.

64

He that in glorie of his fortune sate,
Admiring what hee thought could neuer be,
Did feele his blood within salute his state,
And lift vp his reioycing soule, to see
So many hands and hearts congratulate
Th'aduancement of his long-desir'd degree;
When, prodigall of thankes, in passing by,
He resalutes them all, with chearefull eye.

65

Behind him, all aloofe, came pensiue on
The vnregarded King; that drooping went
Alone, and (but for spight) scarce lookt vpon:
Iudge, if hee did more enuie, or lament.

---

79

See what a wondrous worke this day is done;
Which th'image of both fortunes doth present:
In th'one, to shew the best of glories face;
In th'other, worse then worst of all disgrace.

66

Novv Isabell, the young afflicted Queene
(Whose yeares had neuer shew'd her but delights,
Nor louely eyes before had euer seene
Other then smiling ioyes, and ioyfull sights;
Borne great, matcht great, liv'd great, and euer beene
Partaker of the worlds best benefits)
Had plac't her selfe, hearing her Lord should passe
That way, where she vnseene in secret was;

68

Sicke of delay, and longing to behold
Her long-mist Loue in fearefull ieoperdies:
To whom, although it had, in sort, beene told
Of their proceeding, and of his surprize;
Yet thinking they would neuer be so bold
To lead their Lord in any shamefull wise,
But rather would conduct him as their King;
As seeking but the States reordering.

69

And foorth shee lookes, and notes the formost traine;
And grieues to view some there she wisht not there:
Seeing the chiefe not come, stayes, lookes againe;
And yet she sees not him that should appeare:
Then backe she stands, and then desires as faine
Againe to looke, to see if hee were neere:

---

80

At length a glittering troupe farre off she spies,
Perceiues the throng, and heares the shouts and cries.

70

Lo, yonder now at length he comes, sayth shee:
Looke, my goode women, where he is in sight:
Do you not see him? yonder, that is hee,
Mounted on that white Courser, all in white,
There where the thronging troupes of people bee;
I know him by his seate, he sits s'vpright:
Lo, now he bowes: deare Lord, with what sweet grace!
How long, haue I longd to behold that face!

71

O what delight my hart takes by mine eye!
I doubt me, when he comes but something neere,
I shall set wide the window: what care I
Who doth see me, so him I may see cleare?
Thus doth false ioy delude her wrongfully
(Sweete Lady) in the thing she held so deare.
For, neerer come, she findes she had mistooke;
And him she markt, was Henrie Bullingbrooke.

72

Then Enuie takes the place in her sweet eyes,
Where Sorrow had prepar'd her selfe a seat:
And words of wrath, from whence complaints should rise,
Proceed from egre lookes, and browes that threat:
Traytor, saith shee; ist thou, that in this wise
To braue thy Lord and King, art made so great?
And haue mine eyes done vnto me this wrong,
To looke on thee? for this, staid I so long?

---

81

73

Ah, haue they grac't a periur'd Rebell so?
Well; for their errour I will weepe them out,
And hate the tongue defil'd, that praysde my foe,
And loath the minde, that gaue me not to doubt:
What? haue I added shame vnto my woe?
Ile looke no more: Ladies, looke you about,
And tell me if my Lord be in this traine;
Least my betraying eyes should erre againe.

74

And in this passion turnes her selfe away:
The rest looke all, and carefull note each wight;
Whil'st she, impatient of the least delay,
Demaundes againe; And what, not yet in sight?
Where is my Lord? What, gone some other way?
I muse at this. O God, graunt all goe right:
Then to the window goes againe at last,
And sees the chiefest traine of all was past;

75

And sees not him her soule desir'd to see:
And yet hope, spent, makes her not leaue to looke.
At last, her loue-quicke eyes, which ready be,
Fastens on one; whom though she neuer tooke
Could be her Lord; yet that sad cheere which hee
Then shew'd, his habit and his woful looke,
The grace he doth in base attire retaine,
Caus'd her she could not from his sight refraine.

---

82

76

What might he be, she said, that thus alone
Rides pensiue in this vniuersall ioy?
Some I perceiue, as well as we, do mone:
All are not pleas'd with euery thing this day.
It may be, hee laments the wrong is done
Vnto my Lord, and grieues; as well he may.
Then he is some of ours: and we, of right,
Must pittie him, that pitties our sad plight.

77

But stay: ist not my Lord himselfe I see?
In truth, if 'twere not for his base aray,
I verily should thinke that it were hee;
And yet his basenes doth a grace bewray:
Yet God forbid; let me deceiued be,
And be it not my Lord, although it may:
Let my desire make vowes against desire;
And let my sight approue my sight a lier.

78

Let me not see him, but himselfe; a King:
For so he left me; so he did remoue.
This is not he: this feeles some other thing;
A passion of dislike, or else of loue.
O yes; 'tis he: that princely face doth bring
The euidence of Maiestie to prooue:
That face, I haue conferr'd, which now I see,
With that within my heart, and they agree.

---

83

79

Thus as she stood assur'd, and yet in doubt;
Wishing to see, what seene she griev'd to see;
Hauing beliefe, yet faine would be without;
Knowing, yet striuing not to know 'twas hee:
Her heart relenting, yet her heart so stout
As would not yeeld to thinke what was, could be:
Till, quite condemn'd by open proofe of sight,
Shee must confesse; or else denie the light.

80

For, whether loue in him did sympathize,
Or chaunce so wrought, to manifest her doubt;
Euen iust before, where she thus secret pries,
He stayes, and with cleare face lookes all about;
When she: Tis, ô, too true; I know his eyes:
Alas, it is my owne deare Lord cries out:
And, with that crie, sinks downe vpon the flore:
Abundant griefe lackt words to vtter more.

81

Sorrow keepes full possession in her heart,
Lockes it within, stops vp the way of breath,
Shuts senses out of doore from euerie part;
And so long holdes there, as it hazardeth

---

84

Oppressed Nature, and is forc't to part,
Or else must be constrain'd to stay with death:
So, by a sigh, it lets in sense againe;
And sense, at length, giues words leaue to complaine.

82

Then, like a torrent had beene stopt before,
Teares, sighes, and words, doubled togither flowe;
Confus'dly striuing whether should do more,
The true intelligence of griefe to showe.
Sighes hindred words: words perisht in their store:
Both, intermixt in one, together growe.
One would do all: the other, more then's part;
Being both sent equall Agents, from the hart.

83

At length, when past the first of sorrowes worst,
When calm'd confusion better forme affordes;
Her heart commands, her words should passe out first,
And then her sighes should interpoint her words;
The whiles her eyes out into teares should burst:
This order with her sorrow she accordes;
Which, orderless, all forme of order brake:
So, then began her wordes, and thus she spake;

84

What? dost thou thus returne againe to mee?
Are these the triumphs, for thy victories?
Is this the glorie thou dost bring with thee,
From that vnhappie Irish enterprise?

---

85

And haue I made so many vowes to see
Thy safe returne, and see thee in this wise?
Is this the lookt-for comfort thou dost bring?
To come a Captiue, that wentst out a King?

85

And yet, deare Lord, though thy vngratefull Land
Hath left thee thus; yet I will take thy part:
I doo remaine the same, vnder thy hand;
Thou still dost rule the kingdome of my hart:
If all be lost, that gouernment doth stand;
And that shall neuer from thy rule depart:
And so thou bee, I care not how thou bee:
Let Greatnes goe; so it goe without thee.

86

And welcome come, how-so vnfortunate;
I will applaud what others do despise:
I loue thee for thy selfe, not for thy State:
More then thy selfe, is what without thee, lies:
Let that more goe, if it be in thy fate:
And hauing but thy selfe, it will suffize:
I married was not to thy Crowne, but thee;
And thou, without a Crowne, all one to mee.

87

But what do I, heere lurking idlie, mone
And wayle apart, and in a single part
Make seuerall griefe; which should be both in one;
The touch being equall of each others hart.
Ah, no: sweet Lord, thou must not mone alone.
For, without me, thou art not all thou art;

---

86

Nor my teares, without thine, are fully teares:
For thus vnioyn'd, sorrow but halfe appeares.

88

Ioyne then our plaints, and make our griefe full griefe:
Our state being one, let vs not part our care.
Sorrow hath onely this poore bare reliefe,
To be bemon'd of such as wofull are.
And should I rob thy griefe, and be the thiefe
To steale a priuate part, and seuerall share,
Defrawding sorrow of her perfect due?
No, no, my Lord; I come to helpe thee rue.

89

Then foorth she goes, a close concealed way
(As grieuing to be seene not as she was);
Labors t'attaine his presence all she may:
Which, with most hard a-do, was brought to passe.
For, that night, vnderstanding where he lay,
With earnest 'treating she procur'd her Passe
To come to him: Rigor could not denie
Those teares, so poore a suite, or put her by.

90

Entring the chamber, where he was alone
(As one whose former fortune was his shame)
Loathing th'vpbrayding eye of any one
That knew him once, and knowes him not the same:
When hauing giuen expresse command that none
Should presse to him; yet hearing some that came
Turnes angerly about his grieued eyes:
When, lo, his sweete afflicted Queene he spyes.

---

87

91

Straight cleares his brow; and with a borrowed smile,
What, my deare Queene? welcome, my deare, he sayes:
And (striuing his owne passion to beguile,
And hide the sorrow which his eye betrayes)
Could speake no more; but wrings her hands, the while:
And then, Sweet Lady; and againe he stayes:
Th'excesse of ioy and sorrow both affordes
Affliction none, or but poore niggard wordes.

92

Shee that was come with a resolved hart,
And with a mouth full stor'd, with wordes well chose;
Thinking, This comfort wil I first impart
Vnto my Lord, and thus my speach dispose:
Then thus Ile say, thus looke, and with this art
Hide mine owne sorrow to relieue his woes;
When being come, all this prov'd nought but winde;
Teares, lookes, and sighes, do only tell her minde.

93

Thus both stood silent and confused so,
Their eyes relating how their hearts did morne:
Both bigge with sorrow, and both great with wo
In labour with what was not to be borne:
This mightie burthen, wherewithall they goe,
Dies vndeliuered, perishes vnborne;
Sorrow makes silence her best Orator,
Where words may make it lesse, not shew it more.

---

88

94

But he, whom longer time had learn'd the art
T'indure affliction, as a vsuall touch;
Straines foorth his wordes, and throwes dismay apart,
To rayse vp her, whose passions now were such
As quite opprest her ouercharged hart
(Too small a vessell to containe so much)
And cheeres and mones, and fained hopes doth frame,
As if himselfe beleeu'd, or hop't the same.

95

And now, the while these Princes sorrowed,
Forward Ambition (come so neere her ende)
Sleepes not, nor slippes th'occasion offered,
T'accomplish what it did before intend:
A Parlement is foorthwith summoned
In Richards name; whereby they might pretend
A forme, to grace disorder, and a showe
Of holy right, the right to ouerthrowe.

96

Order, how much predominant art thou!
That if but onely thou pretended art;
How soone, deceiv'd mortalitie doth bow
To follow thine, as still the better part!
Tis thought, that reuerent Forme will not allow
Iniquitie, or sacred right peruart.
Within our soules, since then thou dwell'st so strong;
How ill do they, that vse thee, to do wrong!

---

89

97

So ill did they, that in this formall course
Sought to establish a deformed right:
Who might as well effected it by force;
But that men hold it wrong, what's wrought by might.
Offences vrg'd in publique are made worse:
The shew of iustice aggrauates despight.
“The multitude, that looke not to the cause,
“Rest satisfied, so it seeme done by lawes.

98

And now they diuerse articles obiect
Of rigor, malice, priuate fauourings,
Exaction, riot, falsehood, and neglect;
Crimes done, but sildome answered by Kings:
Which Subiectes doe lament, but not correct.
And all these faults, which Lancaster now brings
Against a King, must be his owne, when hee,
By vrging others sinnes, a King shall be.

99

For, all that was most odious was deuis'd,
And publisht in these articles abrode.
All th'errours of his youth were here compris'd,
Calamitie with obloquie to lode:

---

90

And more to make him publikely despis'd,
Libels, inuectiues, rayling rimes, were sow'd
Among the vulgar, to prepare his fall
With more applause and good consent of all.

100

Looke how the day-hater, Mineruas bird,
Whil'st priuiledg'd with darknes and the night,
Doth liue secure t'himselfe, of others feard;
If but by chaunce discouered in the light,
How doth each little Fowle (with enuie stirr'd)
Call him to iustice, vrge him with despight;
Summon the feathered flockes of all the wood,
To come to scorne the tyrant of their blood:

101

So fares this King, lay'd open to disgrace,
Whil'st euerie mouth full of reproche inuayes;
And euerie base detractor, in this case,
Vpon th'aduantage of misfortune playes:
Downe-falling Greatnes, vrged on apace,
Was followed-hard, by all disgracefull wayes;
Now in the point t'accelerate an end,
Whil'st miserie had no meanes to defend.

102

Vpon those articles in Parlement
So haynous made, inforc't, and vrg'd so hard,
He was adiudg'd vnfit for gouernment,
And of all regal powre and rule debarr'd:
For, who durst contradict the Dukes intent?
Or, if they durst, should patiently be heard?

---

91

Desire of change, old wrongs, new hopes, fresh feare,
Being far the maior part, the cause must beare.

103

Yet must we thinke, that some which saw the course
(The better fewe, whom passion made not blinde)
Stood careful lookers-on, with sad commorse,
Amaz'd to see what headlong rage design'd:
And, in a more considerate discourse
Of tragicall euentes, thereof diuin'd;
And would excuse and pittie those defects,
Which, with such hate, the aduerse parte obiects:

104

“Saying, better yeeres might worke a better care,
“And time might well haue cur'd what was amisse;
“Since all these faults fatall to Greatnes are,
“And worse deserts haue not beene punisht thus:
“But yet in this, the heauens, we feare, prepare
“Confusion for our sinnes, aswell as his;
“And his calamitie beginneth our:
“For, he his owne, and we abus'd his powre.

105

Thus murmur'd they; when to the king were sent
Certaine who might perswade him to forsake
And leaue his Crowne, and with his free consent
A voluntarie Resignation make;

---

92

Since that he could no other way preuent
These dangers which he else must needes partake:
For, not to yeeld, to what feare would constraine,
Would barre the hope of life, that did remaine.

106

And yet this scarce could worke him to consent
To yeeld vp that so soone, men hold so deare.
Why, let him take (sayd he) the gouernement,
And let me yet the name, the title beare:
Leaue me that shewe, and I wil be content;
And let them rule and gouerne without feare.
What, can they not my shadow now indure,
When they of all the rest do stand secure?

107

Let me hold that, I aske no other good:
Nay, that I will hold; Henrie do thy worst,
For, ere I yeeld my Crowne, I'le lose my blood;
That blood, that shall make thee and thine accurst.
Thus resolute a while he firmly stood,
Till loue of life, and feare of being forc't,
Vanquisht th'innated valour of his minde;
And hope, and friends, so wrought, that he resign'd.

108

Then to the Towre (where he remained) went
The Duke, with all the Peeres in company,
To take his offer with his free consent,
And this his Resignation testifie;
And thereof to informe the Parlement,
That all things might be done more formally,

---

93

And men thereby rest better satisfide;
As of an act not forc't, or falsifide.

109

And forth h'is brought vnto th'accomplishment,
Deckt with the Crowne in princely robes that day;
Like as the dead, in other Landes are sent
Vnto their Graues, in all their best aray:
And euen like good, did him this ornament.
For, what he brought, he must not beare away;
But buries there his glory and his name,
Intomb'd both in his owne and others blame.

---

94

110

And there vnto th'assembly of these States,
His sorrow for their long indured wrong
Through his abus'd authority relates,
Excuses wish confessions mixt among:
And glad he sayes, to finish all debates,
He was to leaue the Rule they sought-for long;
Protesting, if it might be for their good,
He would as gladly sacrifice his blood.

111

There, he his Subiectes all (in generall)
Assoyles and quites of oath and fealtie,
Renounces interest, title, right and all
That appertaind to kingly dignitie;
Subscribes thereto, and doth to witnesse call
Both heauen and earth, and God, & Saints on hie,
To testifie his act, and doth professe
To do the same with most free willingnesse.

112

Tis said, with his owne hands he gaue the Crowne
To Lancaster, and wisht to God he might
Haue better ioy thereof then he had knowne,
And that his power might make it his by right:
And furthermore he crav'd, of all his owne,
But life, to liue apart a priuate wight;
The vanity of Greatnes he had tri'd,
And how vnsurely standes the foote of pride.

---

95

113

This brought to passe, the Lords returne with speed,
The Parlement hereof to certifie;
Where, they at large publisht the Kings owne deed,
And forme of his resignement verbally:
And thereupon doth Lancaster proceede
To make his claime vnto the Monarchie;
And shewes the right he hath, both by descent,
And by recouerie, to the gouernement.

114

Which being granted, Canterburie rose
And animates them, by the sacred word,
“In this their course: and by his Text, he showes
“How well they made their choyce of such a Lord;
“Who, as a man was able to dispose
“And guide the State: and how the royall sworde
“Ought to be at a mans commandement;
“Not at a childes, or one as impotent.

---

96

115

“Since, when the greatnes of his charge exceedes
“The smallnesse of his powers, he must collate
“The same on others: whence, sayes he, proceedes
“This rauenous expilation of the State;
“Whence no man any more the publike heedes,
“Then so much as imports his priuate state.
“Our Health is from our head: if that be ill,
“Distemp'red, faint, and weake, all the rest will.

---

97

116

“Then to the present, all his speach he drawes,
“And shewes what admirable parts abound
“In this braue Prince; being fit to giue them lawes,
“Fit for his valour, fit for iudgement sound.
And Lancaster, indeed I would thy cause
Had had as lawfull and as sure a ground,
As had thy vertues, and thy noble hart,
Ordaind, and borne for an Imperial part.

---

98

117

Then had not that confus'd succeeding Age
Our fieldes ingrayn'd with bloud, our riuers dy'd
With purple-streaming woundes of our owne rage,
Nor seene our Princes slaughtred, Peeres destroyd.

---

99

Then hadst not thou, deare Countrie, com'n to vvage
Warre vvith thy selfe, nor those afflictions try'd
Of all consuming discorde here so long;
Too mightie novv, against thy selfe too strong.

---

100

[[THE THIRD BOOKE.]]

1

Now risen is that Head, by which did spring
The birth of two strong Heads, two Crownes, two rights;
That monstrous shape, that afterward did bring
Deform'd confusion to distracted wights.

---

101

Now is attain'd that dearely purchast thing
That fill'd the world with lamentable sights:
And now, attain'd, all care is how to frame
Meanes to establish, and to hold the same.

2

First, he attends to build a strong conceipt
Of his vsurped powre, in peoples mindes;
And armes his cause with furniture of weight:
Which easily the sword, and Greatnesse findes.
Succession, Conquest, and election straight
Suggested are, and prov'd in all their kindes.
More then ynough they finde, who finde their might
Hath force to make all, that they will haue, Right.

3

Though one of these might verie well suffise
His present approbation to procure.
“But who his own cause makes, doth stil deuise
“To make too much, to haue it more then sure.
“Feare casts too deepe, and euer is too wise:
“No vsuall plots, the doubtfull can secure.
And all these disagreeing Claymes he had,
With hope to make one good of many bad.

---

102

4

Like vnto him that fears, and faine would stop
An inundation working-on apace,
Runs to the Breach, heapes mightie matter vp,
Throwes indigested burthens on the place,
Lodes with huge weights, the out-side, & the top,
But leaues the inner partes in feeble case;
Whil'st th'vnder-searching water, working-on,
Beares (proudly) downe, all that was idly don:

5

So fares it with our indirect desseignes,
And wrong contriued labors, at the last;
Whil'st working Time, and iustice vndermines
The feeble frame, held to be wrought so fast:
Then when out-breaking vengeance vncombines
The ill-ioyn'd plots so fayrely ouer-cast;
Turnes vp those huge pretended heapes of showes,
And all these weake illusions ouer-throwes.

---

103

6

But, after, hauing made his title plaine,
Vnto his Coronation he proceedes:
Which, in most sumptuous sort (to intertaine
The gazing vulgar, whom this splendor feeds)
Is stately furnisht, with a glorious traine:
Wherein, the former Kings he far exceedes;
And all t'amuse the world, and turne the thought
Of what & how 'twas done, to what is wrought.

7

And that he might on many props repose,
He strengths his owne, & who his part did take:
New Officers, new Councellors he chose:
His eldest sonne, the Prince of Wales doth make;
His second, Lord high Steward: and, to those
Had hazarded their fortunes for his sake,
He giues them charge, as merites their deseart;
And rayses them, by crushing th'aduerse part.

8

So that hereby, the vniuersall face
Of Court, with all the Offices of State
Are wholly chang'd, by death, or by disgrace,
Vpon th'aduantage of the peoples hate;

---

104

“Who, euer enuying those of chiefest place
“(Whom neither worth nor vertue, but their fate
“Exalted hath) doo, when their Kings doo naught
“(Because it's in their powre) iudge it their faute.

9

And in their steed, such as were popular,
And wel-deseruing, were aduanc't by grace.
Graue Shirley, he ordaines Lord Chancelor;
Both worthy for his vertues, and his race:
And Norburie hee appoints for Treasurer;
A man, though meane, yet fit to vse that place:
And others, t'other roomes; whom people hold
So much more lov'd, how much they loath the old.

10

And it behoues him now to doo his best
T'approue his vow, and oath made to the State:
And many great disorders he redrest;
Which alwayes Vsurpation makes the gate
To let it selfe into the peoples brest,
And seekes the publike best t'accommodate:
Wherein, Iniustice better doth then Right:
“For, who reproues the lame, must go vpright.

---

105

11

Though it be easie to accuse a State,
Of imperfection and misgouernment:
And easie to beget in people hate
Of present Rule, which cannot all content;
And fewe attempt it, that effect it not:
Yet, t'introduce a better gouernment
In steed thereof, if we t'example looke,
The vnder-takers haue beene ouer-tooke.

12

Then, against those he strictly doth proceed,
Who chiefe of Glosters death were guiltie thought;
Not so much for the hatred of that deed:
But, vnder this pretext, the meanes he sought
To ruine such whose might did much exceed
His powre to wrong, nor else could well be wrought.
Law, Iustice, blood, the zeale vnto the dead,
Were on his side, and his drift coloured.

13

Here, many of the greatest of the Land
Accus'd were of the act, strong proofes brought out;
Which strongly were refell'd: the Lords all stand,
To cleare their Cause, most resolutely stout:
The King, perceiuing what he tooke in hand
Was not with safety to be brought-about,
Desists to vrge their death, in any wise;
Respecting number, strength, friends, and allies.

---

106

14

Nor was it time now, in his tender raigne,
And infant-young-beginning gouernement,
To striue, with blood; when lenitie must gaine
The mightie men, and please the discontent.
“New Kings do feare; when old Courts farther straine:
Establisht States to all things will consent.
He must dispense with his will, and their crime,
And seeke t'oppresse and weare them out with time.

15

Yet not to seeme, but to haue something done,
In what he could, not as he would effect;
To satisfie the people (that begun,
Reuenge of wrong and iustice to expect)
He caus'd be put to execution, one,
Who to performe this murther was elect;
A base companion, few, or none would misse:
Who first did serue their turne; and now serues his.

16

And, to abase the too high state of those
That were accus'd, and lessen their degrees,
Aumarle, Surry, Exceter, must lose
The names of Dukes; their titles, dignities,
And whatsoeuer honour with it goes;
The Earles, their titles and their Signories:
And all they got in th'end of Richards raigne,
Since Glosters death, they must restore againe;

---

107

17

By this, as if by Ostracisme, t'abate
That great presumptiue wealth, whereon they stand.
For, first, hereby impov'rishing their state,
He killes the meanes they might have to withstand:
Then equals them with other whom they hate
Who (by their spoyles) are raisd to hie command;
That weake, and enuied, if they should conspire,
They wracke themselues, and he hath his desire.

18

Yet, by this grace (which must be held a grace)
As both they, and the world, are made beleeue,
He thinks t'haue dealt benignly in this case,
And left them state ynough, to let them liue;
And that the taking, from thē, meanes & place,
Was nothing, in respect what hee did giue:
But they, that knowe how their owne reckning goes,
Account not what they haue, but what they lose.

19

The Parlement, which now is held, decreed
What-euer pleas'd the King but to propound;
Confirm'd the Crowne, to him, and to his seed,
And by their oath their due obedience bound:

---

108

Which was the powre that stood him best in steed,
And made what-euer broken courses sound.
For, what he got by fortune, fauour, might,
It was the State that now must make his right.

20

Here was agreed, to make all more secure,
That Richard should remaine, for euermore,
Close-prisoner; least the Realme might chaunce indure
Some new reuolt, or any fresh vp-rore:
And, that if any should such broyle procure,
By him, or for him, he should die therefore.
So that a talke of tumult, and a breath,
Would serue him as his passing bell to death.

21

Yet, reuerent Carlile, thou didst there oppose
Thy holy voyce, to saue thy Princes blood;
And freely checktst this iudgement, and his foes:
When all were bad, yet thou dar'dst to be good.
Be it inrold (that time may neuer lose
The memorie) how firme thy courage stood;
When powre, disgrace, nor death, could ought diuert
Thy glorious tongue, thus, to reueale thy heart.

22

“Graue, reuerent Lords, since that this sacred place
“Our Auentine-Retire, our holy hill
“(This place, soule of our State, the Realmes best grace)
“Doth priuiledge me speake what reason will:

---

109

“Let me but say my conscience in this case;
“Least sinne of silence shew my hart was ill:
“And let these walles witnesse, if you will not,
“I do discharge my soule, of this foule blot.

23

“Neuer shall this poore breath of mine consent,
“That he that two and twentie yeeres hath raignd
“As lawfull Lord, and King by iust descent,
“Should here be iudg'd, vnheard, and vnarraignd;
“By Subiects too (Iudges incompetent
“To iudge their King vnlawfully detaind)
“And vnbrought-foorth to plead his guiltless Cause;
“Barring th'Annoynted, libertie of lawes.

24

“Haue you not done inough, with what is done?
“Must needes disorder growe, from bad, to worse?
“Can neuer mischiefe end as it begunne,
“But being once out, must farther out, of force?
“Thinke you, that any meanes, vnder the Sunne,
“Can assecure so indirect a course?
“Or any broken cunning build so strong,
“As can hold out the hand of vengeance long?

---

110

25

Stopt, there, was his too vehement speech with speed,
And he sent close to warde, from where he stood;
His zeale vntimely, deem'd too much t'exceed
The measure of his wit, and did no good.
They resolute, for all this, do proceed
Vnto that iudgement could not be withstood:
The King had all he crav'd, or could compell:
And all was done; let others iudge, how well.

26

Now Muse relate a wofull accident,
And tell the blood-shed of these mightie Peeres,
Who (lately reconcil'd) rest discontent,
Griev'd with disgrace, remayning in their feares:
How-euer seeming outwardly content;
Yet th'inward touch, that wounded honor beares,
Rests closely rankling, and can finde no ease,
Till death of one side cure this great disease.

27

Meanes how to feele, and learne each others hart,
By th'Abbots skill of Westminster is found:
Who, secretly disliking Henries part,
Inuites these Lords, and those hee meant to sound;
Feasts them with cost, and drawes them on with art;
And darke, and doubtfull questions doth propound:
Then playner speakes; and yet vncertaine speakes:
Then wishes well; then off abruptly breakes.

---

111

28

My Lords, saith he, I feare we shall not finde
This long-desired King, such as was thought:
But yet, he may do well: God turne his minde:
Tis yet new dayes: but, Ill bodes new and nought:
Some yet speed well: though all men of my kinde
Haue cause to doubt; his speech is not forgot,
That Princes had too little, we too much.
God giue him grace: but 'tis ill trusting such.

29

This open-close, apparent-darke discourse
Drew-on much speech: and euerie man replies:
And euery man addes heate: and words inforce
And vrge out wordes. For, when one man espies
Anothers minde like his, then ill breedes worse;
And out breaks all in th'end what closest lies.
For, when men well haue fed, th'blood being warme,
Then are they most improuident of harme.

30

Bewray they did their inward boyling spight;
Each stirring other to reuenge their cause.
One sayes he neuer should indure the sight
Of that forsworne, that wrongs both Land and lawes;
Another vowes the same; of his minde, right.
A third t'a point more neere the matter drawes;
Sweares, if they would, he would attempt the thing,
To chace th'vsurper, and replace their King.

---

112

31

Thus one by one, kindling each others fire,
Till all inflam'd, they all in one agree:
All resolute to prosecute their ire,
Seeking their owne, and Countries cause to free;
And haue his first, that their blood did conspire.
For, no way else, they sayd, but this, could be
Their wrong-detained honor to redeeme:
Which, true-bred blood should, more then life, esteeme.

32

And let not this our new-made faithless Lord,
Sayth Surry, thinke, that we are lest so bare
(Though bare inough) but we wil finde a sword
To kill him with, when he shal not beware.
For, he that is with life and will instor'd,
Hath, for reuenge, inough, and needes not care:
For, time brings meanes to furnish him withall:
Let him but wayte occasions as they fall.

33

Then, of the manner how t'effect the thing,
Consulted was: and in the ende agreed,
That at a Maske, and common Reuelling,
Which was ordain'd, they should performe the deed;
For, that would be least doubted of the King,
And fittest for their safetie to proceed:
The night, their number, and the soddaine act,
Would dash all order, and protect their fact.

---

113

34

Besides, they might vnder the faire pretence
Of Tilts and Turnements, which they intend,
Prouide them horse, and armour for defence,
And all things else conuenient for their end:
Besides, they might hold sure intelligence
Among themselues, without suspect t'offend:
The King would thinke, they sought but grace in Court,
With all their great preparing in this sort.

35

A solemne oath religiously they take,
By intermutuall vowes protesting there,
This neuer to reueale; nor to forsake
So good a Cause, for danger, hope, or feare:
The Sacrament, the pledge of faith, they take:
And euerie man vpon his sword doth sweare,
By Knighthood, honor, or what else should binde;
To assecure, the more, each others minde.

36

And when all this was done, and thought well done,
And euerie one assures him good successe,
And easie seemes the thing to euerie one
That nought could crosse their plot, or them suppresse:
Yet one among the rest (whose minde not wonne
With th'ouer-weening thought of hot excesse,
Nor headlong carryed with the streame of will,
Nor by his owne election led to ill)

---

114

37

Iudicious Blunt (whose learning, valor, wit,
Had taught true knowledge in the course of things;
Knew dangers as they were, and th'humerous fit
Of ware-lesse discontent, what end it brings)
Counsels their heat, with calme graue words, and fit
(Words well fore-thought, that from experience springs)
And warnes a warier cariage in the thing;
Least blind presumption worke their ruining.

38

“My Lords, sayth he, I knowe your wisedomes such,
“As that of mine aduice you haue no need:
“I knowe, you knowe how much the thing doth touch
“The maine of all your states, your blood, your seed:
“Yet, since the same concernes my life, as much
“As his whose hand is chiefest in this deed,
“And that my foote must go as farre, as his;
“I thinke, my tongue may speake what needfull is.

39

“The thing we enterprize, I knowe, doth beare
“Great possibilitie of good effect;
“For-that so many men of might there are
“That venture here this action to direct:
“Which meaner wightes, of trust and credite bare,
“Not so respected, could not looke t'effect.
“For none, without great hopes, will follow such
“Whose powre, and honor doth not promise much.

---

115

40

“Besides, this new, and doubtfull gouernment,
“The wauering faith of people vaine, and light;
“The secret hopes of many discontent;
“The naturall affection to the right;
“Our lawfull Sov'raignes life, in prison pent,
“Whom men begin to pittie now, not spight;
“Our well layd plot, and all, I must confesse,
“With our iust cause, doth promise good successe.

41

“But this is yet the outward fayrest side
“Of our desseigne: within, rests more of feare,
“More dread of sad euent yet vndescri'd,
“Then (my most worthy Lords) I would there were:
“But yet, I speake not this as to diuide
“Your thoughts from th'act, or to dismay your cheere;
“Onely to adde, vnto your forward will,
“A moderate feare, to cast the worst of ill.

42

“Danger before, and in, and after th'act,
“You needes must graunt, is great, and to be waigh'd.
“Before; least, while we do the deede protract,
“It be by any of our selues bewraid:
“For, many being priuie to the fact,
“How hard it is to keepe it vnbetraid?
“When the betrayer shal haue life and grace,
“And rid himselfe of danger and disgrace.

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116

43

“For, though some few continue resolute;
“Yet many shrink, which at the first would dare,
“And be the formost men to execute,
“If th'act, and motion at one instant were:
“But, intermission suffers men dispute
“What dangers are, and cast with farther care:
“Cold doubt cauils with honor, scorneth fame:
“And in the end, feare waighes downe faith, with shame.

44

“Then in the act, what perils shall we finde,
“If either place, or time, or other course,
“Cause vs to alter th'order now assign'd?
“Or that, then we expect, things happen worse?
“If either error, or a fainting minde,
“An indiscreet amazement, or remorse,
“In any at that instant should be found;
“How much it might the act, and all confound?

45

“After the deede, the dangers are no lesse;
“Lest that, our forwardnes not seconded
“By our owne followers, and accomplices
“(Being kept backe, or slowe, or hindered)
“The hastie multitude rush-on, t'oppresse
“Confused weakenes, there vnsuccored;
“Or rayse another head, of that same race,
“T'auenge his death, and prosecute the case.

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117

46

“All this (my Lords) must be considered
“(The best and worst of that which may succeede)
“That valour mixt with feare, boldnesse with dread,
“May march more circumspect, with better heed.
“And, to preuent these mischiefs mentioned,
“Is, by our faith, our secrecie, and speed.
“For, euen already is the worke begun,
“And we rest all vndone, till all be done.

47

“And though I could haue wisht another course,
“In open fielde t'haue hazarded my blood;
“Yet some are heere, whose loue is of that force
“To draw my life, whom zeale hath not withstood:
“But, like you not of your desseigne the worse:
“If the successe be good, your course is good:
“And ending well, our honor then begins.
“No hand of strife is pure, but that which wins.

48

This sayd, a sad still silence held their mindes,
Vpon the feareful proiect of their woe;
But that, not long, ere forward Furie findes:
Incouraging perswasions on to goe.
We must (sayd they) we wil, our honour bindes,
Our safety bids, our fayth must haue it so:
We know the worst can come, 'tis thought vpon:
We cannot shift; being in, we must goe on.

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118

49

And on in deed they went; but (ô!) not farre:
A fatal stop trauerst their headlong course;
Their drift comes knowne, and they discouered are:
For, some of many will be false, of force.
Aumarle became the man, that did all marre,
Whether through indiscretion, chance, or worse:
He makes his peace, with offring others blood;
And shewes the King, how all the matter stood.

50

Then lo dismayde, confusion all possest,
Th'afflicted troupe, hearing their plot descride.
Then runnes amaz'd Distresse, with sad vnrest,
To this, to that, to flie, to stand, to hide:
Distracted Terror knew not what was best;
On what determination to abide.
At last, Despaire would yet stand to the Sword,
To trie what friendes would doe, or fate affoord.

51

Then this, then that mans ayde, they craue, implore;
Poste here for helpe, seeke there their followers;
Coniure their friendes they had, labour for more,
Sollicite all reputed fauourers,
Who Richards cause seem'd to affect before:
And, in his name, write, pray, sende messengers;
To try what faith was left, if by this art
Any would step to take Afflictions part.

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119

52

And some were found; and some againe draw backe:
Vncertaine power could not it selfe retaine:
Intreate they may, authoritie they lacke:
And here, and there they march (but, all in vaine)
With desp'rate course; like those that see their wracke
Euen on the Rockes of death, and yet they straine
That death may not them idly finde t'attend
Their certaine last, but worke to meet their end.

53

And long they stand not, ere the chiefe, surpriz'd,
Conclude with their deare blood their tragedie:
And all the rest, disperst run—some disguis'd—
To vnknowne coastes; some to the shores do flye;
Some to the woods, or whither feare aduis'd:
But running from, all to destruction hie.
The breach once made vpon a battered state,
Downe goes Distresse; no shelter shroudes their fate.

54

And now what horror in their soules doth growe!
What sorrowes, with their friendes, and neere allies!
What mourning in their ruin'd houses now!
How many childrens plaints, and mothers cryes!
How many wofull Widowes left to bow
To sad disgrace! what perisht families!
What heires of hie rich hopes, their thoughts must frame
To base-downe-looking pouertie and shame!

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120

55

This slaughter and calamitie fore-goes
Thy eminent destruction, wofull King.
This is the bloody Comet of thy woes,
That doth fore-tell thy present ruyning.
Here was thy ende decreed, when these men rose:
And euen with theirs, this act thy death did bring;
Or hastened, at the least, vpon this ground:
Yet, if not this, another had beene found.

56

Kings (Lords of times and of occasions) may
Take their aduantage, when, and how they list:
For, now the Realme, he thought in this dismay,
T'auoyd like mischiefes, neither would resist,
Nor feele the wound at all; since, by this way,
All future disturbations would desist;
The roote cut off, from whence these tumults rose,
He should haue rest, the Common-wealth repose.

57

He knew this time: and yet he would not seeme
Too quicke to wrath, as if affecting blood;
But yet complaines so farre, that men might deeme
He would 'twere done, and that he thought it good:

---

121

And wisht that some would so his life esteeme,
As ridde him of these feares wherein he stood:
And there-with eyes a Knight, that then was by;
Who soone could learne his lesson, by his eye.

58

The man, he knew, was one that willingly
For one good looke would hazard soule and all;
An instrument for any villanie,
That needed no commission more at all:
A great ease to the King, that should, hereby,
Not neede in this a course of iustice call,
Nor seeme to wil the act: for, though what's wrought
Were his owne deed, he grieues should so be thought.

59

“So foule a thing (ô!) thou Iniustice art,
“That tort'rest both the dooer and distrest.
“For, when a man hath done a wicked part,
“How doth he striue t'excuse, to make the best,
“To shift the fault, t'vnburthen his charg'd hart,
“And glad to finde the least surmise of rest!
“And if he could make his, seeme others sin;
“What great repose, what ease he findes therein!

60

This Knight; but yet, why should I call him Knight,
To giue impietie this reuerent stile?
Title of honour, worth, and vertues right,
Should not be giuen to a wretch so vile:

---

122

But pardon me, if I do not aright:
It is because I will not here defile
My vnstaind verse, with his opprobrious name,
And grace him so, to place him in the same.

61

This caitife goes, and with him takes eight more
As desperate as himselfe; impiously bold
(Such villaines, as he knew would not abhorre
To execute what wicked act he would)
And hastes him downe to Pomfret; where, before,
The restless King, conuaide, was laid in hold:
There would he do the deed, he thought should bring
To him great grace and fauour, with his King.

62

Whether the soule receiues intelligence,
By her neere Genius, of the bodies end
And so impartes a sadnesse to the sense
Fore-going ruine, whereto it doth tend:
Or whether Nature else hath conference
With profound sleepe, and so doth warning send
By prophetizing dreames, what hurt is neere,
And giues the heauie careful hart to feare:

63

How-euer, so it is, the now sad King
(Tost here and there, his quiet to confound)
Feeles a straunge waight of sorrowes, gathering
Vpon his trembling hart, and sees no ground;
Feeles sodaine terror bring cold shiuering;
Listes not to eate, still muses, sleepes vnsound;
His senses droope, his steady eyes vnquicke;
And much he ayles; and yet he is not sicke.

---

123

64

The morning of that day, which was his last,
After a wearie rest rysing to paine,
Out at a little grate his eyes he cast
Vpon those bordering hils, and open Plaine,
And viewes the towne, and sees how people past:
Where others libertie, makes him complaine
The more his owne, and grieues his soule the more;
Conferring captiue-Crownes, with freedome poore.

65

“O happie man, sayth hee, that lo I see
“Grazing his cattle in those pleasant fieldes!
“If he but knew his good (how blessed hee,
“That feeles not what affliction Greatnes yeeldes!)
“Other then what hee is, he would not bee,
“Nor change his state with him that Scepters wieldes:
“Thine, thine is that true life; That is to liue,
“To rest secure, and not rise vp to grieue.

66

“Thou sitst, at home, safe, by thy quiet fire,
“And hear'st of others harmes; but feelest none:
“And there thou telst of Kings, and who aspire,
“Who fall, who rise, who triumphs, who do mone:
“Perhaps thou talkst of mee, and dost inquire
“Of my restraint, why here I liue alone,
“And pittiest this my miserable fall:
“For, pittie must haue part; enuie, not all.

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124

67

“Thrice happy you that looke, as from the shore,
“And haue no venture in the wracke you see;
“No int'rest, no occasion to deplore
“Other mens trauailes, while your selues sit free.
“How much doth your sweet rest make vs the more
“To see our miserie, and what we bee!
“Whose blinded Greatnes, euer in turmoyle,
“Still seeking happy life, makes life a toyle.

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125

68

“Great Dioclesian (and more great therefore
“For yeelding-vp that whereto pride aspires)
“Reckning thy Gardens in Illiria more
“Then all the Empire, all what th'earth admires;
“Thou well didst teach, that he is neuer poore
“That little hath, but he that much desires;
“Finding more true delight in that small ground,
“Then, in possessing all the earth, was found.

69

“Are Kings that freedome giue, themselues not free
“As meaner men, to take what they may giue?
“What, are they of so fatall a degree,
“That they cannot descend from that, and liue?
“Vnlesse they still be Kings can they not bee,
“Nor may they their authority suruiue?
“Will not my yeelded Crowne redeeme my breath?
“Still am I fear'd? is there no way, but death?

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126

70

Scarce this word, Death, from Sorrow did proceed,
When in rusht one, and tels him, such a knight
Is new arriv'd, and comes from Court in speed.
What newes sayd he, with him, that traytrous wight?
What, more remouing yet? alas! what need?
Are we not farre ynough sent out of sight?
Or is this place, here, not sufficient strong
To guard vs in? or must we haue more wrong?

71

By this, the bloody troope were at the dore;
When-as a sodaine and a strange dismay
Inforc't them straine, who should go in before:
One offers, and in offring makes a stay:
An other forward sets, and doth no more:
A third the like, and none durst make the way:
So much the horror of so vile a deed,
In vilest mindes, deterres them to proceed.

72

At length, as to some great aduentrous fight,
This Brauo cheeres these dastards, all hee can;
And valiantly their courage doth incite,
And all against one weake vnarmed man:

---

127

A great exployte, and fit for such a knight;
Wherein, so much renowne his valor wan.
But see, how men that verie Presence feare,
Which once, they knew, Authority did beare.

73

Then, on thrusts one, and he would formost be
To shead anothers blood; but lost his owne:
For, entring in, as soone as he did see
The face of Maiestie, to him well knowne;
Like Marius Souldier at Minternum, hee
Stood still amaz'd, his courage ouer-throwne.
The King, seeing this, starting frō where he sate,
Out from his trembling hand his weapon gate.

74

Thus, euen his foes, who came to bring him death,
Bring him a weapon, that before had none;
That yet he might not idly lose his breath,
But die reueng'd, in action, not alone.
And this good chaunce, that thus much fauoureth,
He slackes not: for, he presently speedes one:
And, Lion-like, vpon the rest he flyes:
And here falles one, and there another lies.

75

And vp and down he trauerses his ground;
Now wardes a felling blowe, now strikes againe,
Then nimbly shiftes a thrust, then lends a wound,
Now backe he giues, then rushes-on amaine.

---

128

His quicke and ready hand doth so confound
These shamefull beastes, that foure of them lie slaine:
And all had perisht happily and well,
But for one act, that (ô!) I grieue to tell.

76

This coward Knight, seeing with shame and feare
His men thus slaine, and doubting his owne end,
Leapes vp into a chaire that (lo) was there,
The-whiles the King did all his courage bend
Against those foure, which now before him were,
Doubting not who behind him doth attend;
And plyes his hands vndaunted, vnaffeard,
And with good heart, and life for life he stird.

77

And whiles he this, and that, and each mans blowe
Doth eye, defend, and shift, being layd-to sore,
Backward he beares for more aduantage now,
Thinking the wall would safegard him the more;
When, lo, with impious hand, ô wicked thou,
That shamefull durst not come to strike before,
Behind him gav'st that lamentable wound,
Which layd that wretched Prince flat on the ground.

78

Now, proditorious wretch, what hast thou done,
To make this barbarous base assassinate
Vpon the person of a Prince, and one
Fore-spent with sorrow, and all desolate?

---

129

What great aduancement hast thou hereby wonne,
By being the instrument to perpetrate
So foule a deed? where is thy grace in Corte,
For such a seruice, acted in this sort?

79

First, he for whom thou dost this villanie
(Though pleas'd therewith) will not auouch thy fact,
But let the weight of thine owne infamie
Fall on thee, vnsupported, and vnbackt:
Then, all men else will loath thy treacherie,
And thou thy selfe abhorre thy proper act:
“So th'Wolfe, in hope the Lyons grace to win
“Betraying other beastes, lost his owne skinne.

---

130

80

But now, as this sweet Prince distended lay,
And him nor Life, nor Death, their owne could call,
(For, Life, remouing, rid not all away;
And Death, though entring, had not seis'd on all)
That short-tym'd motion had a little stay
(The mouer ceasing) though it were but small:
(As th'Organ-sound, a time, suruiues the stop,
Before it doth the dying note giue vp).

81

When, lo, there streames a spring of bloud so fast,
From those deepe woundes, as all imbru'd the face
Of that accursed caytiue, as he past
(After the deed effected) through the place:
And therewithall those dying eyes did cast
Such an vpbrayding looke on his disgrace
(Seeming to checke so cowardly a part)
As left th'impression euen in his hart.

---

131

82

And thus one King, most neere in bloud ally'd,
Is made th'oblation for the others peace.
Which peace yet was not hereby ratifi'd
So, as it could all future feares release.
For, though the other did forthwith prouide
To haue the rumour run of his decease,
By drawing the corps to London, where it was
Layd (three dayes to be seene) with open face:

83

Yet, so great was this execrable deed,
As men would scarce therein belieue their eyes;
Much lesse their eares: and many sought to feed
The easie creditours of nouelties,
By voycing him aliue; how hee was freed
By strange escape out of his miseries:
And many did conspire now to relieue
Him dead, who had forsaken him aliue.

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132

84

And many suffred for his Cause, when now
He had none: many wisht for him againe,
When they perceiv'd th'exchange did not allow
Their hopes so much as they did looke to gaine,
By traffiquing of kings; and all saw how
Their full exspectances were in the wane.
They had a King was more then him before;
But yet a king, where they were nought the more.

85

And sure, this murthered Prince, though weake he was,
He was not ill; nor yet so weake, but that
He shew'd much Martiall valour in his place,
Aduentring oft his person for the State:
And might amongst our better Princes paste;
Had not the flatterie, rapine, and debate
Of factious Lords and greedie Officers
Disgrac't his actions, and abus'd his yeares.

86

Nor is it so much Princes weakenesses,
As the corruption of their Ministers,
Wherby the Common-wealth receiues distress.
For, they, attending their particulars,
Make imperfections their aduantages
To be themselues both Kings and Councellors.
And, sure, this Common-wealth can neuer take
Hurt by weake kings, but such as we doo make.

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133

87

Besides, he was (which people much respect
In Princes, and which pleases vulgarly)
Of goodly personage, and of sweete aspect,
Of milde accesse, and liberalitie;
And feastes, and shewes, and triumphs did affect,
As the delights of youth and iollitie:
But, here, the great profusion and expence
Of his reuenues, bred him much offence:

88

And gaue aduantage vnto enmitie,
This grieuous accusation to prefer;
“That he consum'd the common Treasurie:
“Whereof he being the simple vsager
“But for the State (not in proprietie)
“Did alien at his pleasure, and transfer
“The same t'his minions, and to whome hee list;
“By which, the Common-wealth was to subsist.

89

“Whereby, sayd they, the poore concussed State
“Shall euer be exacted for supplyes.
Which accusation was th'occasion, that
His successour by order nullifies

---

134

Many his Patents, and did reuocate
And reassume his liberalities:
And yet, for all these wastes, these gifts and feasts,
He was not found a Bankrupt in his chests.

90

But they, who tooke to Syndicque in this sorte
The Actions of a Monarch, knew those things
Wherein the accoumpts were likely to fall short
Betweene the State of Kingdomes, and their Kings:
Which president, of pestilent import
(Had not the heauens blest thy indeuourings)
Against thee Henry, had beene likewise brought,
Th'example made of thy example wrought.

91

For, though this bountie, and this liberalness,
A glorious vertue be; it better fits
Great men, then kings: who, giuing in excesse,
Giue not their owne, but others benefits:
Which calles-vp manies hopes, but pleasures lesse;
Destroying far more loue, then it begets.
For, Iustice is their Virtue: that alone
Makes them sit sure, and glorifies the Throne.