A Metrical History of England Or, Recollections, in Rhyme, Of some of the most prominent Features in our National Chronology, from the Landing of Julius Caesar to the Commencement of the Regency, in 1812. In Two Volumes ... By Thomas Dibdin |
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 | A Metrical History of England |  |
268
“Young Harry's the lad for me.”
Mrs. Brookes.
Mrs. Brookes.
Who gain'd at Agincourt the victor's bays,
Nor took himself, but gave to Heav'n, the praise!
Tickel.
Nor took himself, but gave to Heav'n, the praise!
Tickel.
“By pleasure's bright allurements led along,
“Soon did he shake his head, and say that all was wrong!
“Then, streams of radiance mark'd his destin'd way;
“Where'er he trod the magic gleams appear;
“His burnish'd breast-plate sparkled on the day,
“And glory's harp still roll'd along his ear.”
Leigh Hunt's Palace of Pleasure.
“Soon did he shake his head, and say that all was wrong!
“Then, streams of radiance mark'd his destin'd way;
“Where'er he trod the magic gleams appear;
“His burnish'd breast-plate sparkled on the day,
“And glory's harp still roll'd along his ear.”
Leigh Hunt's Palace of Pleasure.
“Not to day, O! lord,
“Oh! not to-day! Think not upon the fault
“My father made in compassing the crown.
“I Richard's body have interred new,
“And on it have bestowed more contrite tears,
“Than from it issued forced drops of blood.
“Five hundred poor have I in yearly pay,
“Who, twice a day, their wither'd hands hold up
“To Heav'n, to pardon blood!—And I have built
“Two chauntries, where the sad and solemn priests
“Sing still for Richard's soul!
Shakespeare.
“Oh! not to-day! Think not upon the fault
“My father made in compassing the crown.
“I Richard's body have interred new,
“And on it have bestowed more contrite tears,
“Than from it issued forced drops of blood.
“Five hundred poor have I in yearly pay,
“Who, twice a day, their wither'd hands hold up
“To Heav'n, to pardon blood!—And I have built
“Two chauntries, where the sad and solemn priests
“Sing still for Richard's soul!
Shakespeare.
“In our fifth Harry's reign, when 'twas the fashion
“To thump the French, poor creatures, to excess,
“Tho' Britons now-a-day show more compassion,
“And thump them, certainly, a great deal less.
“For Harry's reign, when flush'd Lancastrian roses
“Of York's pale blossoms had usurp'd the right,
“As wine drives nature out of drunkards' noses,
“'Till red, triumphantly, eclipses white
“In Harry's reign.—But let me to my song,
“Or, good King Harry's reign may seem too long.”
George Colman, the Younger.
“To thump the French, poor creatures, to excess,
“Tho' Britons now-a-day show more compassion,
“And thump them, certainly, a great deal less.
269
“Of York's pale blossoms had usurp'd the right,
“As wine drives nature out of drunkards' noses,
“'Till red, triumphantly, eclipses white
“In Harry's reign.—But let me to my song,
“Or, good King Harry's reign may seem too long.”
George Colman, the Younger.
HENRY V. surnamed of MONMOUTH.
Scarce Bolingbroke lay quietly inurned,
E're the succeeding Prince with ardour burn'd
To pay obedience to a sire's behest,
And keep the nobles from reflective rest.
E're the succeeding Prince with ardour burn'd
To pay obedience to a sire's behest,
And keep the nobles from reflective rest.
But first with manly promptness it was said,
To stigmatise the life he lately led,
Young Henry bade his former friends draw near,
And on his own, as on their faults severe;
Taking an ample share of serious blame,
Pointed the better path to honest fame,
Admonish'd, gave the means, their lives to mend—
Yet promised only further to befriend,
When merit justly claiming his regard,
By reformation led, should seek reward.
To stigmatise the life he lately led,
Young Henry bade his former friends draw near,
And on his own, as on their faults severe;
Taking an ample share of serious blame,
Pointed the better path to honest fame,
Admonish'd, gave the means, their lives to mend—
Yet promised only further to befriend,
When merit justly claiming his regard,
By reformation led, should seek reward.
Those who of late reproved his lawless youth,
And served his father with unyielding truth,
They trembling now approach'd the rising sun,
But found his thoughtless race of error run;
Advancement on their former zeal attends,
And all are hailed as counsellors and friends.
But chiefly him whose bold and upright mind
(To all distinction, in his duty, blind,)
Maintain'd the honor of his master's place,
Nor would permit a prince the law disgrace
Without reproof; his ancient sovereign then
Proclaim'd himself most blest of royal men.
In such a son who feared to disobey,
Or rather, who, for disobedience shown,
Submitted gracefully his fault to own,
Confess'd himself inferior to the laws,
And turn'd past censure to deserv'd applause.
And served his father with unyielding truth,
270
But found his thoughtless race of error run;
Advancement on their former zeal attends,
And all are hailed as counsellors and friends.
But chiefly him whose bold and upright mind
(To all distinction, in his duty, blind,)
Maintain'd the honor of his master's place,
Nor would permit a prince the law disgrace
Without reproof; his ancient sovereign then
Proclaim'd himself most blest of royal men.
In such a son who feared to disobey,
Or rather, who, for disobedience shown,
Submitted gracefully his fault to own,
Confess'd himself inferior to the laws,
And turn'd past censure to deserv'd applause.
The youthful monarch now to Paris sends,
Proposing France and England should be friends,
That Catherine's
hand with his in wedlock join'd,
A league of lasting amity might bind;
But then, for dowry, 'tis demanded, France
Two million crowns, prompt payment, should advance;
With an old debt of near two million more,
As King John's ransom, bargained for before.
Then Normandy and other lands beside,
Were woo'd with much more ardor than the bride.
France offers Harry, and I think no slight,
A wife, eight hundred thousand crowns, with right
Of Sovereignty in Guienne, and to be Lord
Of Rouerne, Saintongue, Aug'more, Perigord;
But Henry ready with a numerous fleet,
Refused, for less than what he ask'd to treat.
There be some cunning folks to think inclined,
The King had pretty well made up his mind,
That France would surely beg to be excused,
From terms on purpose framed to be refused;
Whether such policy suit ill or well
With honest dealing, is not mine to tell,
My task but gives in brief the Sovereign's acts,
'Tis your's to make due inference from facts.
Proposing France and England should be friends,
271
A league of lasting amity might bind;
But then, for dowry, 'tis demanded, France
Two million crowns, prompt payment, should advance;
With an old debt of near two million more,
As King John's ransom, bargained for before.
Then Normandy and other lands beside,
Were woo'd with much more ardor than the bride.
France offers Harry, and I think no slight,
A wife, eight hundred thousand crowns, with right
Of Sovereignty in Guienne, and to be Lord
Of Rouerne, Saintongue, Aug'more, Perigord;
But Henry ready with a numerous fleet,
Refused, for less than what he ask'd to treat.
There be some cunning folks to think inclined,
The King had pretty well made up his mind,
272
From terms on purpose framed to be refused;
Whether such policy suit ill or well
With honest dealing, is not mine to tell,
My task but gives in brief the Sovereign's acts,
'Tis your's to make due inference from facts.
There is a tale, but founded not in truth,
That Charles the Dauphin, slighting Henry's youth,
A tun of tennis balls in gibe sent o'er,
As suited to the life Hal led before;
But all historians of respected name
The verity of such an act disclaim;
France at all time, from circumstances, was far
From wishing ought that might provoke a war.
That Charles the Dauphin, slighting Henry's youth,
A tun of tennis balls in gibe sent o'er,
As suited to the life Hal led before;
But all historians of respected name
The verity of such an act disclaim;
France at all time, from circumstances, was far
From wishing ought that might provoke a war.
“Now all the youth of England are on fire,”
And France is threaten'd with our hottest ire;
When treason midst an host of knightly peers,
Close to the King's her felon banner rears,
Lord Scrope, Earl Cambridge, and Sir Thomas Grey,
Conspire (supposed with March,) to take away
The crown and life of Harry; Justice keen,
As sudden as unlook'd for, steps between
The plot and execution, treason fails,
The traitors fall, and gallant Henry sails.
And France is threaten'd with our hottest ire;
When treason midst an host of knightly peers,
Close to the King's her felon banner rears,
Lord Scrope, Earl Cambridge, and Sir Thomas Grey,
Conspire (supposed with March,) to take away
273
As sudden as unlook'd for, steps between
The plot and execution, treason fails,
The traitors fall, and gallant Henry sails.
At Harfleur now the gallic drums,
Give note our English hero comes.
Give note our English hero comes.
Harfleur surrenders; Henry's host
Prepares for Calais, when 'tis found
That France, collecting all her boast
Of rank and valour, line the coast,
And with proud threat the British band surround.
Prepares for Calais, when 'tis found
That France, collecting all her boast
Of rank and valour, line the coast,
And with proud threat the British band surround.
Henry makes offer Harfleur to restore,
And to retrace his steps; the French deny;
The English Chief has but one project more,
To beat his four-fold enemy or die.
And to retrace his steps; the French deny;
The English Chief has but one project more,
To beat his four-fold enemy or die.
Oh, memory of Crecy, come again,
And Poictiers too.—Shades of the slain ne'er scoff,
Let your bright blades assist to mend my pen,
Or Agincourt will come most tamely off.
The French, who 'ere a pris'ner had been taken,
Had sold the English as they did before,
Lost ev'ry purchase, cou'dn't save their bacon,
And got, to clench the nail, one drubbing more.
Their gilded herald asked our iron King
His army's safety, and his own to buy;
Harry thrice answer'd he'd do no such thing,
And his applauding troops with shouts reply.
And Poictiers too.—Shades of the slain ne'er scoff,
Let your bright blades assist to mend my pen,
Or Agincourt will come most tamely off.
274
Had sold the English as they did before,
Lost ev'ry purchase, cou'dn't save their bacon,
And got, to clench the nail, one drubbing more.
Their gilded herald asked our iron King
His army's safety, and his own to buy;
Harry thrice answer'd he'd do no such thing,
And his applauding troops with shouts reply.
The French, astonish'd at our not retreating
On any terms, so pitied us the beating
Intended for us, they'd no heart to give it,
And (Memory of the deed will long out-live it!)
The kind compassionating well-bred elves,
Were good enough to take it on themselves;
In two words, never was a day so dashing,
Nor ever did Mounseer get such a thrashing.
On any terms, so pitied us the beating
Intended for us, they'd no heart to give it,
And (Memory of the deed will long out-live it!)
The kind compassionating well-bred elves,
Were good enough to take it on themselves;
In two words, never was a day so dashing,
Nor ever did Mounseer get such a thrashing.
Six Princes
of the blood were slain outright,
Or, a-la-modern French, the dust did bite;
Archbishop Sens, and Constable of France,
Fall also victims to the English lance.
Orleans, two Bourbouns, Vendome, D'Eu, who yield
With Boucicaut, and Richemonte on the field,
Of fourteen thousand captives swell the train,
Who mourn at least ten thousand comrades slain!
The Duke of York, brave Suffolk, and as few
As thirty more, if chronicles speak true,
Were all who fell on conquering Harry's side;
Among them Davy Gam, of Wales the pride,
Who being ask'd how many were the foe?
Answered, “Hur did not quite exactly know:
“But this hur poldly wou'd peg leave to say,
“There wou'd pe found enough upon that day,
“To die, be taken, or to run away.”
Yet this great victory, like those of yore,
At Cressy and Poictiers, produced no more
Than reputation,—Henry made a pause,
In which his foes recruit their sinking cause.
To England, with his pris'ners, sailed away,
Gaining alone the honor of that day;
While in succession to dissentions rude,
A two years truce the adverse Kings conclude.
Or, a-la-modern French, the dust did bite;
Archbishop Sens, and Constable of France,
Fall also victims to the English lance.
275
With Boucicaut, and Richemonte on the field,
Of fourteen thousand captives swell the train,
Who mourn at least ten thousand comrades slain!
The Duke of York, brave Suffolk, and as few
As thirty more, if chronicles speak true,
Were all who fell on conquering Harry's side;
Among them Davy Gam, of Wales the pride,
Who being ask'd how many were the foe?
Answered, “Hur did not quite exactly know:
“But this hur poldly wou'd peg leave to say,
“There wou'd pe found enough upon that day,
“To die, be taken, or to run away.”
Yet this great victory, like those of yore,
At Cressy and Poictiers, produced no more
Than reputation,—Henry made a pause,
In which his foes recruit their sinking cause.
276
Gaining alone the honor of that day;
While in succession to dissentions rude,
A two years truce the adverse Kings conclude.
Now, by her children wounded, Gallia bleeds,
And “civil dudgeon” foreign wars succeeds;
Henry returns and joins King Charles—poor elf,
To fight against the Dauphin for himself;
Wins lower Normandy, each claim renews
That France erst did, but dare not now refuse,
Proving our sacred Master's lesson good,
“No kingdom self-divided ever stood.”
Thus Henry strength from Charles's weakness gains,
And each ambitious wish with ease obtains;
Kate's hand endowed with treasure, province, town,
And the reversion of the Gallic crown,
(Which came in time, for he had pawn'd his own.)
And “civil dudgeon” foreign wars succeeds;
Henry returns and joins King Charles—poor elf,
To fight against the Dauphin for himself;
Wins lower Normandy, each claim renews
That France erst did, but dare not now refuse,
Proving our sacred Master's lesson good,
“No kingdom self-divided ever stood.”
Thus Henry strength from Charles's weakness gains,
And each ambitious wish with ease obtains;
Kate's hand endowed with treasure, province, town,
And the reversion of the Gallic crown,
(Which came in time, for he had pawn'd his own.)
277
At Troyes a solemn treaty they prepare,
When England is of France decreed the heir;
The Dauphin, scorning to resign his right,
Subdues and is subdued, in frequent fight.
Henry to reinforce his troops comes over,
And levies bands which rendezvous at Dover;
Mean time the Scots, by gallant Buchan led,
Against us in the Dauphin's cause make head;
For England royal Clarence heads the strife,
And loses, in a brother's cause, his life.
Dorset and Somerset, of English lords,
With Huntingdon, resign their captive swords,
When Henry with his new-raised force arrives,
To 'venge his brother's and his warriors' lives,
Beyond the Loire the Dauphin's standard chaced,
And well retrieved what late our arms disgraced.
Scarce had his conquering sword this laurel won,
'Ere Catherine presents him with a son;
His glory and success attain their height,
When death converts his brilliant day to night.
When England is of France decreed the heir;
The Dauphin, scorning to resign his right,
Subdues and is subdued, in frequent fight.
Henry to reinforce his troops comes over,
And levies bands which rendezvous at Dover;
Mean time the Scots, by gallant Buchan led,
Against us in the Dauphin's cause make head;
For England royal Clarence heads the strife,
And loses, in a brother's cause, his life.
Dorset and Somerset, of English lords,
With Huntingdon, resign their captive swords,
When Henry with his new-raised force arrives,
To 'venge his brother's and his warriors' lives,
278
And well retrieved what late our arms disgraced.
Scarce had his conquering sword this laurel won,
'Ere Catherine presents him with a son;
His glory and success attain their height,
When death converts his brilliant day to night.
The Lollards still, from persecuting zeal,
Were doom'd the fires of bigotry to feel;
And good Lord Cobham, for opinion's sake,
With other martyrs suffered at the stake.
Few other incidents to tell remain,
The visit of an Emp'ror graced this reign;
Three Popes at once assume St. Peter's Chair,
And-Seven Dolphins swam to Greenwich fair!!!
A modest Poet claims some notice here,
Somewhat of Chaucer “doth in him appear;”
And it were well, perhaps, you think for me,
To take good note by “hys humiletie;”
Thro' which fair veil a spark of genius shines,
As is “set forth” in these “his pythie lines.”
Were doom'd the fires of bigotry to feel;
And good Lord Cobham, for opinion's sake,
With other martyrs suffered at the stake.
Few other incidents to tell remain,
The visit of an Emp'ror graced this reign;
Three Popes at once assume St. Peter's Chair,
And-Seven Dolphins swam to Greenwich fair!!!
279
Somewhat of Chaucer “doth in him appear;”
And it were well, perhaps, you think for me,
To take good note by “hys humiletie;”
Thro' which fair veil a spark of genius shines,
As is “set forth” in these “his pythie lines.”
“I am a monk by my profession,
“Of Bury, call'd John Lydgate by my name,
“And wear a habit of perfection,
“Altho' my life agree not with the same;
“That meddle should with things spiritual,
“As I must needs confess unto you all.”
“Of Bury, call'd John Lydgate by my name,
“And wear a habit of perfection,
“Altho' my life agree not with the same;
“That meddle should with things spiritual,
“As I must needs confess unto you all.”
“But seeing, as I did in this proceed,
“At his commands whom I could not refuse,
“I humbly do beseech all those that read,
“Or leisure have this story to peruse,
“If any fault therein they find to be,
“Or error that committed is by me,
“That they will of their gentleness, take pain,
“The rather to correct, and mend the same,
“Than rashly to condemn it with disdain;
“For well I wot, it is not without blame,
“Because I know the verse therein is wrong,
“As being some too short, and some too long.”
“At his commands whom I could not refuse,
“I humbly do beseech all those that read,
“Or leisure have this story to peruse,
“If any fault therein they find to be,
“Or error that committed is by me,
280
“The rather to correct, and mend the same,
“Than rashly to condemn it with disdain;
“For well I wot, it is not without blame,
“Because I know the verse therein is wrong,
“As being some too short, and some too long.”
In this reign too, thus singeth Tom Occleve,
Who for his “mayster” Chaucer's loss doth grieve:
“But well awaye so is myne hert'e wo',
“That the honour of English tongue is dede,
“Of which I wont was han cousel rede!
“O, mayster dere, and fader reverent!
“My mayster Chaucer, flowre of eloquence!
“What eyled Deth? alas! why wode he sle' the?
“O Deth thou didst no harm singuliere,
“In slaughter of him, both all the land it smarteth;
“But nathless yt hast thou no power,
“His name to sle,” &c, &c.
Who for his “mayster” Chaucer's loss doth grieve:
“But well awaye so is myne hert'e wo',
“That the honour of English tongue is dede,
“Of which I wont was han cousel rede!
“O, mayster dere, and fader reverent!
“My mayster Chaucer, flowre of eloquence!
“What eyled Deth? alas! why wode he sle' the?
“O Deth thou didst no harm singuliere,
“In slaughter of him, both all the land it smarteth;
“But nathless yt hast thou no power,
“His name to sle,” &c, &c.
“He was not only anxious to repair his own misconduct. but also to make amends for those iniquities into which his father had been betrayed. He expressed the deepest sorrow at the fate of the unhappy Richard; performed his funeral obsequies with pomp and solemnity; and cherished all who had been attached to him.” Hume.
He was, perhaps, the first English Monarch who had ships of his own; two were called the King's Chamber, and the King's Hall; they had purple sails, and were large and beautiful; there were also the Trinitie, the Grace de Dieu, the Holy Ghost, and many more which now be lost. Vide J. P. Andrews.
With the English Army there was only one Surgeon, who, says Rymer's Fædera, had engaged to find fifteen more; three of whom were to act as Archers.
“The King had been rescued by Davy Gam, and two others, right valiant Welchmen, Roger Vaughan and Walter Lloyd, of Brecknock, who were knighted as they lay bleeding to death.” Monstrelet.
The revenues of the Government, and the grants of Parliament, were so inadequate to Henry's expensive armies and expeditions, that he was forced to pawn his crown to his uncle, Cardinal Beaufort, for a large sum; and certain jewels to the Lord Mayor of London, for ten thousand marks; he was also obliged to pledge two gold chased basons, weighing together 28lb. 80z. to two Canons of Saint Paul's, for six hundred marks; and two golden shells to the Dean of Lincoln, for one hundred more.—The cost of his army was great: each Knight received 20s. per diem; a 'Squire, 10s. and each Archer, 5s—Besides which, he had a costly band of music, among which were ten clarions, which played an hour, night and morning, before his tent. Bertrand De Moleville, J.P. Andrews, Rymer's Fædera, Monstrelet, &c.
In the battle of Bareges, where a Knight, wounded the Duke of Clarence in the face, and the mace of Lord Buchan deprived him of his life.
“Benedict, Gregory, and John, the Council of Constance, sate to terminate this schism. Henry sent nine English prelates thither; one of whom, Richard Clifford, Bishop of London, was the first nominated by the Council to be Pope, and the first nominated him that succeeded, which was Otho Colonna, by the name of Martin the Fifth.” Medulla Historiæ Anclicanæ.
In the third year of Henry's Reign, four of them were taken; they made their appearance in the Thames on Candlemas day, but author finding that date no rhyme to “St. Peter's Chair,” took the liberty of treating the said Dolphins with an Easter or Whitsuntide peep at the grand gala of the London 'prentices.
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