Loves martyr or, Rosalins complaint. Allegorically shadowing the truth of Loue, in the constant Fate of the Phoenix and Turtle. A Poeme enterlaced with much varietie and raritie; now first translated out of the uenerable Italian Torquato Caeliano, by Robert Chester. With the true legend of famous King Arthur, the last of the nine Worthies, being the first Essay of a new British Poet: collected out of diuerse Authenticall Records. To these are added some new compositions, of seuerall moderne Writers whose names are subscribed to their seuerall workes, upon the first Subiect: viz. the Phoenix and Turtle |
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The strange Birth, honorable Coronation,
and most vnhappie Death of famous Arthur King of Brytaine.
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 | Loves martyr |  |
36
The strange Birth, honorable Coronation, and most vnhappie Death of famous Arthur King of Brytaine.
Of noble Arthurs birth, of Arthurs fall,
Of Arthurs solemne Coronation,
Of Arthurs famous deedes Heroyicall,
Of Arthurs battels and inuasion,
And that high minded worthie Brytish King,
Shall my wits memorie be deifying.
Of Arthurs solemne Coronation,
Of Arthurs famous deedes Heroyicall,
Of Arthurs battels and inuasion,
And that high minded worthie Brytish King,
Shall my wits memorie be deifying.
In the last time of Vter surnam'd Pendragon,
So called for his wittie pollicies,
Being a King of estimation,
In famous Brytaine mongst his owne allies,
There was a mightie Duke that gouern'd Cornwaile,
That held long warre, and did this King assaile.
So called for his wittie pollicies,
Being a King of estimation,
In famous Brytaine mongst his owne allies,
There was a mightie Duke that gouern'd Cornwaile,
That held long warre, and did this King assaile.
This Duke was nam'd the Duke of Tintagil:
After these hot bred warres were come to end,
He soiourn'd at a place cald Terrabil,
From whence Pendragon for this Duke did send,
And being wounded sore with Cupids sting,
Charg'd him his Wife vnto the Court to bring.
After these hot bred warres were come to end,
He soiourn'd at a place cald Terrabil,
From whence Pendragon for this Duke did send,
And being wounded sore with Cupids sting,
Charg'd him his Wife vnto the Court to bring.
His Wife a passing Ladie, louely, wise,
Chaste to her husbands cleare vnspotted bed,
Whose honor-bearing Fame none could supprize,
But Vesta-like her little time she led:
Igrene her name on whose vnequall beautie
Pendragon doted, led by humane folly.
Chaste to her husbands cleare vnspotted bed,
Whose honor-bearing Fame none could supprize,
37
Igrene her name on whose vnequall beautie
Pendragon doted, led by humane folly.
At length he broke his mind vnto a Lord,
A trustie Councellour and noble Friend,
That soone vnto his minds griefe did accord,
And his Kings louing loue-thoughts did commend,
Telling Pendragon this should be his best,
To tell the Dutchesse of his sweete request.
A trustie Councellour and noble Friend,
That soone vnto his minds griefe did accord,
And his Kings louing loue-thoughts did commend,
Telling Pendragon this should be his best,
To tell the Dutchesse of his sweete request.
But she a Woman, sterne, inexorable,
Willing fond Lusts inchauntments to resist,
All his tongues smoothing words not penetrable,
In her chaste bosomes Gate could not insist,
But straight she told her Husband how she sped,
Lest that his grace should be dishonoured.
Willing fond Lusts inchauntments to resist,
All his tongues smoothing words not penetrable,
In her chaste bosomes Gate could not insist,
But straight she told her Husband how she sped,
Lest that his grace should be dishonoured.
And counseld him to passe away in haste,
That Nights darke duskie mantle might oreshade,
Their flying bodies, least at last they taste,
More miserie then Time did ere inuade,
“For Lust is such a hot inflamed thing,
“It gouerneth mans senses, rules a King.
That Nights darke duskie mantle might oreshade,
Their flying bodies, least at last they taste,
More miserie then Time did ere inuade,
“For Lust is such a hot inflamed thing,
“It gouerneth mans senses, rules a King.
And as the Duchesse spake, the Duke departed,
That neither Vter nor his Councell knew,
How his deepe bosomes Lord the Dutchesse thwarted,
But marke the story well what did ensue:
Soone as the King perceiued their intent,
Intemperate Rage made him impatient.
That neither Vter nor his Councell knew,
How his deepe bosomes Lord the Dutchesse thwarted,
But marke the story well what did ensue:
Soone as the King perceiued their intent,
Intemperate Rage made him impatient.
38
Away with Musicke for your strings do iarre,
Your sound is full of Discords, harsh and ill,
Your Diapazon, makes a humming warre
Within mine eares, and doth my sences fill
With immelodious mourning; She is gone
That rul'd your selues and Instruments alone.
Your sound is full of Discords, harsh and ill,
Your Diapazon, makes a humming warre
Within mine eares, and doth my sences fill
With immelodious mourning; She is gone
That rul'd your selues and Instruments alone.
Away fond riming Ouid, lest thou write
Of Prognes murther, or Lucretias rape,
Of Igrens iourney taken in the night,
That in the blacke gloom'd silence did escape:
O could no Dogge haue bark'd, no Cocke haue crow'd,
That niight her passage to the King haue show'd.
Of Prognes murther, or Lucretias rape,
Of Igrens iourney taken in the night,
That in the blacke gloom'd silence did escape:
O could no Dogge haue bark'd, no Cocke haue crow'd,
That niight her passage to the King haue show'd.
No mirth pleasde Vter, but grimme Melancholy
Haunted his heeles, and when he sate to rest,
He pondred in his mind Igrenas beautie,
Of whom his care-craz'd head was full possest:
Nothing was now contentiue to his mind,
But Igrenes name, Igrene to him vnkind.
Haunted his heeles, and when he sate to rest,
He pondred in his mind Igrenas beautie,
Of whom his care-craz'd head was full possest:
Nothing was now contentiue to his mind,
But Igrenes name, Igrene to him vnkind.
At last his noble Peeres with pitie mou'd,
To see the Kings sodaine perplexitie,
With a great care that their Liege Emperour lou'd,
For to allay his great extremitie,
Did counsell him to send for Garloyes wife,
As he would answer it vpon his life.
To see the Kings sodaine perplexitie,
With a great care that their Liege Emperour lou'd,
For to allay his great extremitie,
Did counsell him to send for Garloyes wife,
As he would answer it vpon his life.
Then presently a Messenger was sent,
To tell the Duke of his wifes secret folly:
This was the substance of his whole intent,
To bring his wife to Court immediatly:
Or within threescore dayes he did protest,
To fetch him thither to his litle rest.
To tell the Duke of his wifes secret folly:
This was the substance of his whole intent,
39
Or within threescore dayes he did protest,
To fetch him thither to his litle rest.
Which when the Duke had warning, straight he furnish'd
Two Castles with wel-fenc'd artillerie,
With vitailes and with men he garnish'd,
His strongest Holds for such an enemie:
And in the one he put his hearts-deare Treasure,
Faire Igrene that he loued out of measure,
Two Castles with wel-fenc'd artillerie,
With vitailes and with men he garnish'd,
His strongest Holds for such an enemie:
And in the one he put his hearts-deare Treasure,
Faire Igrene that he loued out of measure,
That Castle which the Duke himselfe did hold,
Had many Posternes out and issues thence,
In which to trust his life he might be bold,
And safely the warres Furie to commence:
But after-telling time did wonders worke,
That Foxes in their holes can neuer lurke.
Had many Posternes out and issues thence,
In which to trust his life he might be bold,
And safely the warres Furie to commence:
But after-telling time did wonders worke,
That Foxes in their holes can neuer lurke.
Then in all haste came Vter with his hoast,
Pitching his rich pauilions on the ground,
Of his aspiring mind he did not boast,
For Loue and Anger did his thoughts confound,
Hot warre was made on both sides, people slaine,
And many Death-doore-knocking Soules complaine.
Pitching his rich pauilions on the ground,
Of his aspiring mind he did not boast,
For Loue and Anger did his thoughts confound,
Hot warre was made on both sides, people slaine,
And many Death-doore-knocking Soules complaine.
Loue and minds anguish so perplext the King,
For Igrene that incomparable Dame,
That Cupids sicknesse pearc'd him with a sting,
And his warres lowd Alarums ouercame,
Venus intreated Mars awhile to stay,
And make this time a sporting Holiday.
For Igrene that incomparable Dame,
That Cupids sicknesse pearc'd him with a sting,
And his warres lowd Alarums ouercame,
Venus intreated Mars awhile to stay,
And make this time a sporting Holiday.
40
Then came sir Ulfius a most noble Knight,
And askt his king the cause of his disease,
Being willing in a subiects gracious right,
Vter Pendragons mind in heart to please:
Ah said the King, Igrene doth captiuate
My Heart, and makes my Senses subiugate.
And askt his king the cause of his disease,
Being willing in a subiects gracious right,
Vter Pendragons mind in heart to please:
Ah said the King, Igrene doth captiuate
My Heart, and makes my Senses subiugate.
Courage my gracious Liege, I will go find
That true diuining prophet of our Nation,
Merlin the wise that shall content your mind,
And be a Moderator in this action:
His learning, wisedome, and vnseene experience,
Shall quickly giue a Salue for loues offence,
That true diuining prophet of our Nation,
Merlin the wise that shall content your mind,
And be a Moderator in this action:
His learning, wisedome, and vnseene experience,
Shall quickly giue a Salue for loues offence,
So Vlfius at the length from him departed,
Asking for Merlin as he past the way,
Who by great fortunes chance sir Vlfius thwarted,
As he went by in beggers base aray:
Demanding of the Knight in baseuesse meeke,
Who was the man he went so farre to seeke?
Asking for Merlin as he past the way,
Who by great fortunes chance sir Vlfius thwarted,
As he went by in beggers base aray:
Demanding of the Knight in baseuesse meeke,
Who was the man he went so farre to seeke?
Vlfius amazed at his base attire,
Told him it was presumption to demaund
The name of him for whom he did enquire,
And therefore would not yeeld to his command:
Alas said Merlin I do plainly see,
Merlin you seeke, that Merlin I am he.
Told him it was presumption to demaund
The name of him for whom he did enquire,
And therefore would not yeeld to his command:
Alas said Merlin I do plainly see,
Merlin you seeke, that Merlin I am he.
And if the King will but fulfill my hest,
And will reward my true deseruing heart,
In his loues agonies he shal be blest,
So that he follow what I shall impart,
Vpon my Knighthood he will honor thee,
With fauour & rewards most royally.
And will reward my true deseruing heart,
In his loues agonies he shal be blest,
41
Vpon my Knighthood he will honor thee,
With fauour & rewards most royally.
Then Vlfius glad departed in all hast,
And rode a maine to king Pendragons sight,
Telling his Grace Merlin he met at last,
That like a Lampe will giue his Louelaies light,
Where is the man? I wisht for him before.
See where he stands my Liege at yonder doore.
And rode a maine to king Pendragons sight,
Telling his Grace Merlin he met at last,
That like a Lampe will giue his Louelaies light,
Where is the man? I wisht for him before.
See where he stands my Liege at yonder doore.
When Vter saw the man, a sudden ioy,
And vncompre'nded gladnesse fild his hart:
With kind embracements met him on the way,
And to him gan his secrets to impart.
Leaue off, quoth Merlin, I do know your mind,
The faire-fac'd Lady Igrene is vnkind.
And vncompre'nded gladnesse fild his hart:
With kind embracements met him on the way,
And to him gan his secrets to impart.
Leaue off, quoth Merlin, I do know your mind,
The faire-fac'd Lady Igrene is vnkind.
But if your Maiesty will here protest,
And sweare as you are lawfull King annointed,
To do my will, nothing shall you molest,
But follow my directions being appointed.
I sweare quoth Vter by the Euangelists,
He dyes for me that once thy will resists.
And sweare as you are lawfull King annointed,
To do my will, nothing shall you molest,
But follow my directions being appointed.
I sweare quoth Vter by the Euangelists,
He dyes for me that once thy will resists.
Sir, said the Prophet Merline, this I craue,
That shall betoken well what ere betide,
The first faire sportiue Night that you shall haue,
Lying safely nuzled by faire Igrenes side,
You shall beget a sonne whose very Name,
In after-stealing Time his foes shall tame.
That shall betoken well what ere betide,
The first faire sportiue Night that you shall haue,
Lying safely nuzled by faire Igrenes side,
You shall beget a sonne whose very Name,
In after-stealing Time his foes shall tame.
42
That child being borne your Grace must giue to me,
For to be nourished at my appointment,
That shal redound much to his maiestie,
And to your Graces gracious good intent:
That shall be done: (quoth Merlin) let's away,
For you shall sleepe with Igrene ere't be day.
For to be nourished at my appointment,
That shal redound much to his maiestie,
And to your Graces gracious good intent:
That shall be done: (quoth Merlin) let's away,
For you shall sleepe with Igrene ere't be day.
And as Ioue stole to faire Alcmenas bed,
In counterfeiting great Amphytrio,
By the same lust-directed line being led,
To Igrenes louely chamber must you go:
You shall be like the Duke her husbands greatnesse,
And in his place possesse her Husbands sweetnesse.
In counterfeiting great Amphytrio,
By the same lust-directed line being led,
To Igrenes louely chamber must you go:
You shall be like the Duke her husbands greatnesse,
And in his place possesse her Husbands sweetnesse.
And you my noble Lord sir Vlfius,
Shall be much like sir Brustias a faire Knight,
And I will counterfeit the good Iordanus,
And thus weele passe together in the night,
But see you question not, say you are diseased,
And hie to bed there shall your heart be pleased.
Shall be much like sir Brustias a faire Knight,
And I will counterfeit the good Iordanus,
And thus weele passe together in the night,
But see you question not, say you are diseased,
And hie to bed there shall your heart be pleased.
But on the morow do not rise my Liege,
Vntill I come to councell for the best,
For ten miles off you know doth lie the Siege,
That will not turne these night-sports to a iest,
Pendragon pleas'd hafted for to embrace,
The sweet'st got pray that euer King did chase.
Vntill I come to councell for the best,
For ten miles off you know doth lie the Siege,
That will not turne these night-sports to a iest,
Pendragon pleas'd hafted for to embrace,
The sweet'st got pray that euer King did chase.
Soone as the Duke of Tintagill did perceiue,
That Vter left alone his royall armie,
He issued from his Castle to bereaue,
The souldiers of their liues by pollicie:
But see his fortune, by that wily traine,
That he had laid for others he was slaine.
That Vter left alone his royall armie,
He issued from his Castle to bereaue,
43
But see his fortune, by that wily traine,
That he had laid for others he was slaine.
The subtill-lust directed King went on,
Maskt in a strange deuised new found shape,
To simple-minded Igrene vnlike Pendragon,
And three long houres lay in his louers lap:
There he begat the christian King of Kings,
Whose fame Caister Swannes in pleasure sings.
Maskt in a strange deuised new found shape,
To simple-minded Igrene vnlike Pendragon,
And three long houres lay in his louers lap:
There he begat the christian King of Kings,
Whose fame Caister Swannes in pleasure sings.
Assoone as day-betok'ning Phœbus Chariot,
Had crost his sisters waggon in the skie,
Merlin in haste to Vters chamber got,
Bidding good morrow to his Maiestie:
And told him vnrecalled Time did stay,
To haste him from his pleasure thence away.
Had crost his sisters waggon in the skie,
Merlin in haste to Vters chamber got,
Bidding good morrow to his Maiestie:
And told him vnrecalled Time did stay,
To haste him from his pleasure thence away.
Vter amaz'd with Igrene in his armes,
Wisht that the Prophet had no vse of tongue,
Whose dolefull sound breath'd forth these harsh Alarmes,
And like the night-Crow craokt a deadly song;
Ah what a hell of griefe t'was to depart,
And leaue the new-got Treasure of his heart.
Wisht that the Prophet had no vse of tongue,
Whose dolefull sound breath'd forth these harsh Alarmes,
And like the night-Crow craokt a deadly song;
Ah what a hell of griefe t'was to depart,
And leaue the new-got Treasure of his heart.
Then by the lawne-like Hand he tooke his louer,
Being warm'd with blood of a dissembling Husband,
Desire in her cheekes she could not smother,
And her Loue-dazeling eye none could withstand:
He kist her twice or thrice and bad adue,
As willing his nights pleasure to renue:
Being warm'd with blood of a dissembling Husband,
Desire in her cheekes she could not smother,
And her Loue-dazeling eye none could withstand:
He kist her twice or thrice and bad adue,
As willing his nights pleasure to renue:
44
But when the late betrayed Lady knew,
How that her true betrothed Lord was slaine,
Ere that nights reuelling did first ensue,
In secret to her selfe she wept amaine:
Amaz'd and maruelling who that should be,
That rob'd her husband of his treasurie.
How that her true betrothed Lord was slaine,
Ere that nights reuelling did first ensue,
In secret to her selfe she wept amaine:
Amaz'd and maruelling who that should be,
That rob'd her husband of his treasurie.
And to her selfe she gan for to relate,
The iniuries of her vnspotted life,
And in her mind she liu'd disconsolate,
Banning her base-bad Fortune being a wife;
Wishing for euer she had liu'd a maide,
Rather then her chast thoughts should be betraid.
The iniuries of her vnspotted life,
And in her mind she liu'd disconsolate,
Banning her base-bad Fortune being a wife;
Wishing for euer she had liu'd a maide,
Rather then her chast thoughts should be betraid.
The noble Councell that attended Vter,
Began with grauitie for to deuise,
That (where their King had doted much vpon her)
Her beautie his young thoughts to equalize,
To knit them both in Hymens sacred right,
And then in lawfull wife to tast delight.
Began with grauitie for to deuise,
That (where their King had doted much vpon her)
Her beautie his young thoughts to equalize,
To knit them both in Hymens sacred right,
And then in lawfull wife to tast delight.
This motion made vnto their Soueraigne,
Of a warme lustie stomacke youthfull bloud,
Thought it a heauen such a Saint to gaine,
That would reuiue his spirits, do him good:
And gaue consent to haue her honoured,
With mariage Rites, the which were soone performed.
Of a warme lustie stomacke youthfull bloud,
Thought it a heauen such a Saint to gaine,
That would reuiue his spirits, do him good:
And gaue consent to haue her honoured,
With mariage Rites, the which were soone performed.
Halfe a yeare after as the King and Queene,
Then growing great with child a bed were lying,
The Curtaines drawne vnwilling to be seene:
This pollicie the King himselfe deuising:
Asking whose child it was that she did beare,
Speake gentle Igrene tell me without feare.
Then growing great with child a bed were lying,
The Curtaines drawne vnwilling to be seene:
45
Asking whose child it was that she did beare,
Speake gentle Igrene tell me without feare.
The Queene amazed at this question,
Being fully wrapt in pale timiditie,
Knew not to answer this sad action,
Because she fully knew her innocencie:
He vrg'd her still, at length she waxed bold,
And stoutly to the King the truth she told.
Being fully wrapt in pale timiditie,
Knew not to answer this sad action,
Because she fully knew her innocencie:
He vrg'd her still, at length she waxed bold,
And stoutly to the King the truth she told.
With that he kist his Queene that was beguil'd,
And did recomfort her being halfe forlorne,
Telling t'was he that did beget the child,
The child that from her faire wombe should be borne:
With that a sudden ioy did repossesse
Her pensiue hart, whome Fortune late did blesse.
And did recomfort her being halfe forlorne,
Telling t'was he that did beget the child,
The child that from her faire wombe should be borne:
With that a sudden ioy did repossesse
Her pensiue hart, whome Fortune late did blesse.
Then Merlin (that did alwaies loue the King,
As bearing chiefe affiance to his countrey)
Sought to prouide for the childs nourishing,
Therein to shew his well disposed dutie.
As thou decreest said Vter, must it be,
My deare Sonnes fortunes Ile commit to thee.
As bearing chiefe affiance to his countrey)
Sought to prouide for the childs nourishing,
Therein to shew his well disposed dutie.
As thou decreest said Vter, must it be,
My deare Sonnes fortunes Ile commit to thee.
Well said the Prophet, I do know a Lord,
A faithfull passing true disposed man,
That to your Graces pleasure will accord,
And in your seruice do the best he can:
Commit your child vnto his custodie,
A man renoun'd in famous Britany.
A faithfull passing true disposed man,
That to your Graces pleasure will accord,
And in your seruice do the best he can:
Commit your child vnto his custodie,
A man renoun'd in famous Britany.
46
His name Sir Hector: send a Messenger,
To will him come vnto the Court with speede,
And that your Maiestie must needes conferre,
Of matters helpefull in a Princes neede.
When he is come your Grace may certifie,
You'le put your sonne & heire to his deliuerie.
To will him come vnto the Court with speede,
And that your Maiestie must needes conferre,
Of matters helpefull in a Princes neede.
When he is come your Grace may certifie,
You'le put your sonne & heire to his deliuerie.
And when that Fortunes child kind Fortunes heire,
(For so the Destinies prognosticate)
Shall be brought foorth into the open aire,
That of faire Igrene lately was begate:
At yonder priuie Posterne being vnchristened,
You must deliuer it me to be baptized.
(For so the Destinies prognosticate)
Shall be brought foorth into the open aire,
That of faire Igrene lately was begate:
At yonder priuie Posterne being vnchristened,
You must deliuer it me to be baptized.
As Merlin had deuised, so t'was done:
For all the Court to him did yeeld obeysance:
And now Sir Hector to the King is come,
And to Pendragon made his deare affiance,
Wishing his Wife might nourish that bright sonne,
Whose Mornings glorie was not yet begunne.
For all the Court to him did yeeld obeysance:
And now Sir Hector to the King is come,
And to Pendragon made his deare affiance,
Wishing his Wife might nourish that bright sonne,
Whose Mornings glorie was not yet begunne.
Then when the louely Queene was soone deliuered,
Of that rich bearing Burthen to her ioy,
The King himselfe in person hath commaunded,
Two Ladies and two Knights to beare the boy,
Bound vp in cloth of gold being rich of State,
And giue it to the pooreman at the gate,
Of that rich bearing Burthen to her ioy,
The King himselfe in person hath commaunded,
Two Ladies and two Knights to beare the boy,
Bound vp in cloth of gold being rich of State,
And giue it to the pooreman at the gate,
So Merlin had the Prince at his disposing,
Committing it to Hectors faithfull wife:
Now nothing wanted but the sweete baptizing,
To grace the Prince of Princes all his life:
A holy reuerent Man indu'de with fame,
Arthur of Britaine cald the Princes name.
Committing it to Hectors faithfull wife:
Now nothing wanted but the sweete baptizing,
47
A holy reuerent Man indu'de with fame,
Arthur of Britaine cald the Princes name.
After the royall Solemnation,
Of that blacke mournfull weping funerall,
Of Vter that we name the great Pendragon,
By subtill practise brought vnto his fall:
The sixteenth yeare of his victorious raigne,
By poison was this braue Pendragon slaine,
Of that blacke mournfull weping funerall,
Of Vter that we name the great Pendragon,
By subtill practise brought vnto his fall:
The sixteenth yeare of his victorious raigne,
By poison was this braue Pendragon slaine,
His body vnto Stone-heng being brought,
Hard by his brother Aurelius is he laid,
In a faire Monument then richly wrought,
Dead is the King whose life his foes dismaid,
But from his loynes he left a sonne behind,
The right Idea of his fathers mind.
Hard by his brother Aurelius is he laid,
In a faire Monument then richly wrought,
Dead is the King whose life his foes dismaid,
But from his loynes he left a sonne behind,
The right Idea of his fathers mind.
Great Arthur whom we call the Britaines King,
A man renown'd for famous victories,
Saxons and Pictes to homage he did bring,
As you may read in auncient histories:
Our later Chronicles do testifie,
King Arthurs noble mind in Chiualrie.
A man renown'd for famous victories,
Saxons and Pictes to homage he did bring,
As you may read in auncient histories:
Our later Chronicles do testifie,
King Arthurs noble mind in Chiualrie.
Twelue noble battels did King Arthur fight,
Against the Saxons men of hardie strength,
And in the battels put them still to flight,
Bringing them in subiection at the length:
He neuer stroue to driue them quite away,
But stragling here and there he let them stay.
Against the Saxons men of hardie strength,
And in the battels put them still to flight,
Bringing them in subiection at the length:
He neuer stroue to driue them quite away,
But stragling here and there he let them stay.
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In Southry, Kent, and Norfolke did they dwell,
Still owing homage to king Arthures greatnesse,
Whose puissance their pride did alwaies quell,
Yet did he temper rigour with his meeknesse:
And like a Lion scorn'd to touch the Lambe,
Where they submissiue-like vnto him came,
Still owing homage to king Arthures greatnesse,
Whose puissance their pride did alwaies quell,
Yet did he temper rigour with his meeknesse:
And like a Lion scorn'd to touch the Lambe,
Where they submissiue-like vnto him came,
Against the Pictes he held continuall warre,
The which vnto the Saxons were allide,
And with the subtill Scot did alwaies iarre,
Who neuer true to Arthur would abide:
But (scorning his aduancement to the Crowne)
Did thinke by force to pull his greatnesse downe.
The which vnto the Saxons were allide,
And with the subtill Scot did alwaies iarre,
Who neuer true to Arthur would abide:
But (scorning his aduancement to the Crowne)
Did thinke by force to pull his greatnesse downe.
The chiefest cause of this hot mortall strife,
That mou'd these Kings to be dissentious,
Was that the King of Pictes had tane to wife
The eldest sister of Aurelius,
And Cornon king of Scots had married
The youngest sister to his Princely bed.
That mou'd these Kings to be dissentious,
Was that the King of Pictes had tane to wife
The eldest sister of Aurelius,
And Cornon king of Scots had married
The youngest sister to his Princely bed.
Wherefore they thought the Brytish Regiment,
Should haue descended to the lawfull heires
Of Anna, wife to both in gouernment,
And he as King to rule their great affaires:
And do inferre king Arthures barstardie,
And vniust claime to that high dignitie.
Should haue descended to the lawfull heires
Of Anna, wife to both in gouernment,
And he as King to rule their great affaires:
And do inferre king Arthures barstardie,
And vniust claime to that high dignitie.
And presently they do dispatch in hast,
Ambassadours to famous Brytanie,
Of their great Peeres for to demaund at last,
The kingdomes Crowne and kingdomes Royaltie:
Who scorning for to heare a stranger nam'd,
Crowned king Arthur, whom the world hath fam'd.
Ambassadours to famous Brytanie,
Of their great Peeres for to demaund at last,
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Who scorning for to heare a stranger nam'd,
Crowned king Arthur, whom the world hath fam'd.
| Loves martyr | |