Albions England A Continued Historie of the same Kingdome, from the Originals of the first Inhabitants thereof: With most the chiefe Alterations and Accidents theare hapning, vnto, and in the happie Raigne of our now most gracious Soueraigne, Queene Elizabeth: Not barren in varietie of inuentiue and historicall Intermixtures: First penned and published by William Warner: and now reuised, and newly inlarged by the same Author: Whereunto is also newly added an Epitome of the whole Historie of England |
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| 10. | THE TENTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND. |
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240
THE TENTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND.
CHAP. LIIII.
In
Scotland, France, and Netherland whilst Philip and the Pope
Did Swordes and ciuill Tumults broach, of prizing them in hope,
Her Highnes, through the highest Power, inabled was to ayde
Those Countries, to defend her owne, and Phillips to inuayde.
Of Scotland first, and then of France, and Belgike shall be saide:
When first of other things shall be this short Remembrance made.
Did Swordes and ciuill Tumults broach, of prizing them in hope,
Her Highnes, through the highest Power, inabled was to ayde
Those Countries, to defend her owne, and Phillips to inuayde.
Of Scotland first, and then of France, and Belgike shall be saide:
When first of other things shall be this short Remembrance made.
It is a saying auncient (not autenticall, I win)
That who-so England will subdew, with Ireland must begin.
Imagine Stukelies onely name includeth all that's ill:
He forging worth, and to our State Maleuolent in will,
Of bounteous Pensions was therefore possest in Spayne long while,
Vntill (for it a Nature was in Stukelie to begile)
The King, whom he had cozen'd long, him purpos'd to exile.
Then for the Pope the Fugitiue a welcome Agent was:
(For nothing ill, might worke vs ill, hath Spaine and Rome let pas)
Of him he had an Armie, that for Irelands Conquest sayles:
When through a fight in Barbarie that expedition fayles.
But how had guiltles England then deseru'd such hostile Spight?
Her Rebell why relieued they? why arm'd they him to fight?
Why did? (why doe I aske that know the Spaniard so ambitious,
The Romaine Prelate pompious, and, which more is, auaricious?)
Why did, I say, Pope Pius Bull, and Gregories Calfe disqueate
Our Sou'raigne, and her Subiects, that did neuer them mis-treate?
Vnles for Princes to giue Lawes to theirs be to offend
Proud Spayne, and Rome: if so, as so, let God the Quarrell end.
What else had England done, when they did foster there, with more,
Our Traytor Mooreton, sent from them to stirre an here-Vprore,
Which cost the North, two northerne Earles, and their Consorts fulsore?
He whispring, how that Bull had made Anathema our Queene,
Depriu'd her all Authoritie, discharg'd her Subiects cleene,
Blest all her Foes, curst all her Friends, left England Anies praye,
And all for damned that did ayde or her in ought obaye.
So arrogant, malitious, and mischieuous is that Bull,
That Belzebub, the Prince of hell, appeares in it at full.
Why sent they it by Felson to be bishoped at Paules?
Why fee'd they Fitz-Morice, that in Ireland marshal'd Brawles?
Saunders, that false seditious Priest that fortified theare,
Why march't he with their Ensignes? Why did they those charges beare?
They shooke our Hiue, & forst vs forth to sting thē when they fee'd
False Desmond, and the Rebell now, that as the rest shall speed,
For God against all Traytors hath assured wrath decreed.
These Sturres, and more in Ireland and a many Treasons heere,
Haue they abetted, to the King of Catholikes full deere.
More than his paper Pellets to the Pope hath beene at cost:
His Alchumie, a dram to win, a pound of Gold hath lost.
Was it for loue they did erect Receptacles for Ours?
Or so by schooled Treacheries to adde vnto their Powrs?
Their Iesuistes, our Iudasses, act so remote from Loue,
As Faiths Relaps, Rebellion, and to Regecide they moue.
Story, insatiate of the blood of Martyrs, and a many
Blood-thirstie Priests, bloodier than whom nor hath nor might be any,
Tutring their Naturall Princes death, and Ruine of our State
Doe they, and then did nourish when twixt vs seem'd no debate.
That Spanish-Iewish, Atheist, and Lop-heauie-headed Leach,
(Vnworthy a Physitions name) fowle Lopas, we impeach,
And Parret that aspiring Knight, hence bryb'd for duties breach.
Hence haue beene poysned of our Peeres, whom Bribes could not orereach.
But what are these, and more than these, to it the Guizian Scot,
Fatall to Seas of blood, and to her owne by earned lot,
Did with our Foes against our State and Soueraignes life complot?
Wherein King Phillip and the Pope especially weare hot.
That who-so England will subdew, with Ireland must begin.
Imagine Stukelies onely name includeth all that's ill:
He forging worth, and to our State Maleuolent in will,
Of bounteous Pensions was therefore possest in Spayne long while,
Vntill (for it a Nature was in Stukelie to begile)
The King, whom he had cozen'd long, him purpos'd to exile.
Then for the Pope the Fugitiue a welcome Agent was:
(For nothing ill, might worke vs ill, hath Spaine and Rome let pas)
241
When through a fight in Barbarie that expedition fayles.
But how had guiltles England then deseru'd such hostile Spight?
Her Rebell why relieued they? why arm'd they him to fight?
Why did? (why doe I aske that know the Spaniard so ambitious,
The Romaine Prelate pompious, and, which more is, auaricious?)
Why did, I say, Pope Pius Bull, and Gregories Calfe disqueate
Our Sou'raigne, and her Subiects, that did neuer them mis-treate?
Vnles for Princes to giue Lawes to theirs be to offend
Proud Spayne, and Rome: if so, as so, let God the Quarrell end.
What else had England done, when they did foster there, with more,
Our Traytor Mooreton, sent from them to stirre an here-Vprore,
Which cost the North, two northerne Earles, and their Consorts fulsore?
He whispring, how that Bull had made Anathema our Queene,
Depriu'd her all Authoritie, discharg'd her Subiects cleene,
Blest all her Foes, curst all her Friends, left England Anies praye,
And all for damned that did ayde or her in ought obaye.
So arrogant, malitious, and mischieuous is that Bull,
That Belzebub, the Prince of hell, appeares in it at full.
Why sent they it by Felson to be bishoped at Paules?
Why fee'd they Fitz-Morice, that in Ireland marshal'd Brawles?
Saunders, that false seditious Priest that fortified theare,
Why march't he with their Ensignes? Why did they those charges beare?
They shooke our Hiue, & forst vs forth to sting thē when they fee'd
False Desmond, and the Rebell now, that as the rest shall speed,
For God against all Traytors hath assured wrath decreed.
These Sturres, and more in Ireland and a many Treasons heere,
Haue they abetted, to the King of Catholikes full deere.
More than his paper Pellets to the Pope hath beene at cost:
His Alchumie, a dram to win, a pound of Gold hath lost.
Was it for loue they did erect Receptacles for Ours?
Or so by schooled Treacheries to adde vnto their Powrs?
242
As Faiths Relaps, Rebellion, and to Regecide they moue.
Story, insatiate of the blood of Martyrs, and a many
Blood-thirstie Priests, bloodier than whom nor hath nor might be any,
Tutring their Naturall Princes death, and Ruine of our State
Doe they, and then did nourish when twixt vs seem'd no debate.
That Spanish-Iewish, Atheist, and Lop-heauie-headed Leach,
(Vnworthy a Physitions name) fowle Lopas, we impeach,
And Parret that aspiring Knight, hence bryb'd for duties breach.
Hence haue beene poysned of our Peeres, whom Bribes could not orereach.
But what are these, and more than these, to it the Guizian Scot,
Fatall to Seas of blood, and to her owne by earned lot,
Did with our Foes against our State and Soueraignes life complot?
Wherein King Phillip and the Pope especially weare hot.
Here, but in Reuerence of her Sonne, an happie Prince in all,
Religion, Peace, his Subiects Loue, of Emperie not small,
Precelling his Progenitors, a Iusticer vpright,
Yea ouer-long it weare we should Particulars resight,
How Nature, Wit, and Virtue, decke his body, words, and minde,
Or, if his Fames Deminatiue in any thing we finde,
It is but part of Maiestie, through Purantizme declynde,
Yea, if for him, whom (and deseru'd) we haue so firme a frend,
It might, I say, be spoke, not thus of Marie should we end.
Her Fauours vnto Dauid Rize, offensiue to the King
His Highnes Father, but for him in Storie would we bring,
With hers, and Bothuels double wrong to Eithers married Bead,
How they wrought Paricidie, how the treacherous Couple wead,
How, odious to their Owne, with hard escape of liues they flead,
How, since our Prisnor, blood she sought, and much through her was shead,
Yea all that Buchanā doth wright should largely here be read.
Yeat not her Infancie should be vpbraided with the blood
Of many thousand slaughtred Soules, when periur'd Scots withstood
Her Marriage with Prince Edward, which Eight Henrie swore them to,
When they esteem'd vs Hereticks (so Papists Oathes vn-doe.)
But, for th' aforesaid Reuerence, touch we but Hers, and Her,
That, indirectly, heer did her abortiue Clame prefer.
Religion, Peace, his Subiects Loue, of Emperie not small,
Precelling his Progenitors, a Iusticer vpright,
Yea ouer-long it weare we should Particulars resight,
How Nature, Wit, and Virtue, decke his body, words, and minde,
Or, if his Fames Deminatiue in any thing we finde,
It is but part of Maiestie, through Purantizme declynde,
Yea, if for him, whom (and deseru'd) we haue so firme a frend,
It might, I say, be spoke, not thus of Marie should we end.
Her Fauours vnto Dauid Rize, offensiue to the King
His Highnes Father, but for him in Storie would we bring,
With hers, and Bothuels double wrong to Eithers married Bead,
How they wrought Paricidie, how the treacherous Couple wead,
How, odious to their Owne, with hard escape of liues they flead,
How, since our Prisnor, blood she sought, and much through her was shead,
Yea all that Buchanā doth wright should largely here be read.
Yeat not her Infancie should be vpbraided with the blood
Of many thousand slaughtred Soules, when periur'd Scots withstood
243
When they esteem'd vs Hereticks (so Papists Oathes vn-doe.)
But, for th' aforesaid Reuerence, touch we but Hers, and Her,
That, indirectly, heer did her abortiue Clame prefer.
CHAP. LV.
King
Iames the fourth, that fayld his faith, and lost for it his life,
Had Iames the Fift, by Margaret, our Danghter, and his Wife:
Fift Iames, through Melancholy ends, for Ours gainst him good chance,
And left this Marie, whom the Scots, an Infant, wead to France:
Thus, from Seuenth Henries Daughter, she her Title did aduance.
But howsoere by blood, or by our Lawes, she here could clame,
T'is sure, too soone and treacherously she did preferre the same,
And first and last vnto our Queene her selfe a Foe did frame.
Our Marie was no sooner dead, but that her Guizards arme,
And into Scotland Locusts-like in her Pretext did swarme,
Whilst she, in France, did vndertake our royall Armes and Stile:
Behoou'd therfore our Queene to stand vpon her Guard meane while.
Lord William Graie, our English Mars, not Martiall more than wise,
Did with an Armie hence pack thēce our dāgerous Neighbour Guise:
Nor died few of Either part, whilst Marie thus would rise:
Since when the League did oft her Right, with wrong too much, surmise.
Had Iames the Fift, by Margaret, our Danghter, and his Wife:
Fift Iames, through Melancholy ends, for Ours gainst him good chance,
And left this Marie, whom the Scots, an Infant, wead to France:
Thus, from Seuenth Henries Daughter, she her Title did aduance.
But howsoere by blood, or by our Lawes, she here could clame,
T'is sure, too soone and treacherously she did preferre the same,
And first and last vnto our Queene her selfe a Foe did frame.
Our Marie was no sooner dead, but that her Guizards arme,
And into Scotland Locusts-like in her Pretext did swarme,
Whilst she, in France, did vndertake our royall Armes and Stile:
Behoou'd therfore our Queene to stand vpon her Guard meane while.
Lord William Graie, our English Mars, not Martiall more than wise,
Did with an Armie hence pack thēce our dāgerous Neighbour Guise:
Nor died few of Either part, whilst Marie thus would rise:
Since when the League did oft her Right, with wrong too much, surmise.
Of Cōquests Spaine, of Cōuerts Rome our Queene doth cheefly barr,
Gainst her therefore they chiefely wrought Conspiracies and Warre:
And not for Maries Title, or her any virtuous Giftes,
Thinke that they her in leagued, but from her to plot their Driftes.
Her selfe meane while, false-Paradi'zd, besybbing, AEsops Croe,
Vain-glorious through the Foxes gloze, did ende her song in woe.
Gainst her therefore they chiefely wrought Conspiracies and Warre:
244
Thinke that they her in leagued, but from her to plot their Driftes.
Her selfe meane while, false-Paradi'zd, besybbing, AEsops Croe,
Vain-glorious through the Foxes gloze, did ende her song in woe.
Sufficeth what is said before, to shew wherefore she flead:
Here was she taken, whom if Scots had taken, had been dead:
Put vnder Guarde: and so was meete should one that quarreld Ours,
And not her selfe alone, but had Abbettors forren Powrs.
Yeat Princely her Allowance, and more stately, as is sayde,
Than had she been in Scotland: nor was Libertie denayde
Of Hauking, Hunting, and Disports: that, had she been content,
Her merriest and securest daies a Prisoner she spent.
Scotland, though labourd of our Queene, would not receiue her, and
Such Treacher, though imprison'd here, prou'd she to either Land,
That death awaited her at Home, and, had we let her goe,
She was the Leagues shot-Anchor might our Queene and State o're-throe.
Percie and Neuell, auncient Earles, This yet in Spanish paye,
(Though bacely ill, too well for him his Countrie would betray)
That other headed, both her Wreckes, wee touch but by the way:
With that succeeding County, who concurring with his brother,
Once pardon'd, still conspyred, and (Lawes Progresse so to smother)
Dispatcht himselfe: Paget and moe, like guiltie as those other,
Whose faultes & falls had Rome and Spayne their Father, her their Mother,
Omit we Norfolks House, from first of Howards made a Prince,
Though fauor'd of the Commons, haue defected euer since.
As Absolom vs'd Curtesie but as Ambitions smoake,
Last Thomas Duke of Norfolke so did his aspyring cloke,
Whom promis'd faith once free'd, but that promise soone he broke.
Him for Confedrate with those Earles, rebelling, Proofes did touch:
And with this Scottish Queene that he Intelligence had much:
Her Marriage that he closely sought, and her Escape pretended,
And in her Right, had fadg'd their wrong, her Highnes Raine had ended:
Of Rising neer to London, and to take it Plots they layde:
From Netherland the Spanish King had promised them ayde:
From Scotland into Spayne should be the Infant-King betrayde:
Ireland meane-while with aduerse Armes should also be ore-layde:
And hereof, to and fro the Pope, weare Letters still conuayde,
All which, and more directly prou'd he, pitied, lost his head:
Nor ought his death, from being such, did stand his Sonne in steade.
So hardly finde we Great-men in their Greatnes satisfide,
Or for their Greatnes, not to be of other men enuide.
But what is All to those haue All, when but in Trifles crost,
Disgrace, or greefe, or Grudge vn-queat no lesse than all weare lost?
Conclude we then, all Riches, Forme, Pompe, Worlds Applause, but Winde:
Conclude we then, to Monarchize is to cōmand the minde.
Throckmorton yeat, more priuie and more practising than those,
With her, Mendoza, Papists here, forren, and Land-leapt Foes,
Did Mischiefes that imported more our practiz'd State disclose.
But when of Parry, Babington, and their Attempts I thinke,
With whome this Scottish Lady in their bloody hopes did linke,
All foresaid Practises seeme then Epitomies to it
Whereto these folliall Traytors did themselues and Senses fit.
Here was she taken, whom if Scots had taken, had been dead:
Put vnder Guarde: and so was meete should one that quarreld Ours,
And not her selfe alone, but had Abbettors forren Powrs.
Yeat Princely her Allowance, and more stately, as is sayde,
Than had she been in Scotland: nor was Libertie denayde
Of Hauking, Hunting, and Disports: that, had she been content,
Her merriest and securest daies a Prisoner she spent.
Scotland, though labourd of our Queene, would not receiue her, and
Such Treacher, though imprison'd here, prou'd she to either Land,
That death awaited her at Home, and, had we let her goe,
She was the Leagues shot-Anchor might our Queene and State o're-throe.
Percie and Neuell, auncient Earles, This yet in Spanish paye,
(Though bacely ill, too well for him his Countrie would betray)
That other headed, both her Wreckes, wee touch but by the way:
With that succeeding County, who concurring with his brother,
Once pardon'd, still conspyred, and (Lawes Progresse so to smother)
Dispatcht himselfe: Paget and moe, like guiltie as those other,
Whose faultes & falls had Rome and Spayne their Father, her their Mother,
Omit we Norfolks House, from first of Howards made a Prince,
Though fauor'd of the Commons, haue defected euer since.
As Absolom vs'd Curtesie but as Ambitions smoake,
Last Thomas Duke of Norfolke so did his aspyring cloke,
Whom promis'd faith once free'd, but that promise soone he broke.
Him for Confedrate with those Earles, rebelling, Proofes did touch:
And with this Scottish Queene that he Intelligence had much:
Her Marriage that he closely sought, and her Escape pretended,
And in her Right, had fadg'd their wrong, her Highnes Raine had ended:
245
From Netherland the Spanish King had promised them ayde:
From Scotland into Spayne should be the Infant-King betrayde:
Ireland meane-while with aduerse Armes should also be ore-layde:
And hereof, to and fro the Pope, weare Letters still conuayde,
All which, and more directly prou'd he, pitied, lost his head:
Nor ought his death, from being such, did stand his Sonne in steade.
So hardly finde we Great-men in their Greatnes satisfide,
Or for their Greatnes, not to be of other men enuide.
But what is All to those haue All, when but in Trifles crost,
Disgrace, or greefe, or Grudge vn-queat no lesse than all weare lost?
Conclude we then, all Riches, Forme, Pompe, Worlds Applause, but Winde:
Conclude we then, to Monarchize is to cōmand the minde.
Throckmorton yeat, more priuie and more practising than those,
With her, Mendoza, Papists here, forren, and Land-leapt Foes,
Did Mischiefes that imported more our practiz'd State disclose.
But when of Parry, Babington, and their Attempts I thinke,
With whome this Scottish Lady in their bloody hopes did linke,
All foresaid Practises seeme then Epitomies to it
Whereto these folliall Traytors did themselues and Senses fit.
Our Centinels, almost too late, the Larum bell did ring,
Yeat hardly then to arme her selfe our Generall they bring:
The Queene of Scots, frō Ours almost her Crowne & life had priz'de,
Eare to preuent the same she would, by audience, be aduis'de.
When gentle Durance might not salue that Daunger, did remaine,
(Which God, and Nature tolerate) slea rather than be slaine:
To which our Parliament aduis'd our Queene, but long in vaine,
So far was she from fooing her that sought her life and Rayne.
Yeat hardly then to arme her selfe our Generall they bring:
The Queene of Scots, frō Ours almost her Crowne & life had priz'de,
Eare to preuent the same she would, by audience, be aduis'de.
When gentle Durance might not salue that Daunger, did remaine,
(Which God, and Nature tolerate) slea rather than be slaine:
To which our Parliament aduis'd our Queene, but long in vaine,
So far was she from fooing her that sought her life and Rayne.
246
CHAP. LVI.
Now thirtie sixe our greatest Peeres and States had power to heare,
And to determine, and, as found, her to condemne or cleare,
By Statute passed in our Queene her seuen and twentith yeare.
These Noble Tryers, iustly then examining the Cause,
With reuerent Note of her, who heard and spoke to euery Clause,
Did, after diuers Daies so spent, adiudge, by Verdict trew,
Her guiltie of most trayterous Conspiracies not fewe:
And then from Fothering haye themselues to Parliament with-drewe,
And to determine, and, as found, her to condemne or cleare,
By Statute passed in our Queene her seuen and twentith yeare.
These Noble Tryers, iustly then examining the Cause,
With reuerent Note of her, who heard and spoke to euery Clause,
Did, after diuers Daies so spent, adiudge, by Verdict trew,
Her guiltie of most trayterous Conspiracies not fewe:
And then from Fothering haye themselues to Parliament with-drewe,
Of this Infection, that our Peers and People had, and would
Remediles impoyson, if not medcine it we should,
By sone decision of the Lymme whence all the bayne did floe,
Our Publike Weales Phisitions much did argue to and froe.
Did neuer English Parliament, fully conuented then,
Consist of Noblier, Learneder, Wiser, and worthier men:
By these it was debated how this common Foe might liue,
Without her death whom God to vs a common Blisse doth giue.
Much was it labord, wished much some Course herein might holde,
But to resolue of any none had reason to be bolde.
Here still obdurate Malice to her Maiestie was cleere:
If she preuaild, Religion was assurd an Altring heere:
Our Nobles Crocodile, at home, and hence, our Foe-hop't Head:
Then must our Queene, Religion, Realme, or She for them be dead.
Wherefore from Either House were sent the chiefest men to craue
Her Highnes that the passed Doome might Execution haue:
Whereof She askt to be aduisde, and (earnest her to saue)
Dismissed them with louing words, and biddeth them expect
Her answer shortly, nor did She the sending it neglect:
Though contrarie to it that all did, hopingly, affect
For she, perplexed in that case, did lastly them direct
To studie meanes how both might liue, the Perill ouer-past,
Which much amaz'd: yeat solemnly they handell it at last.
Mercie to her Malice in her might happily preuent,
Was said, but not resolu'd, for oft she Mercy vnder went,
When rose the Earles, and other times, yeat neuer did repent,
But of our Queene to be destroyd had made her Testament.
A straiter Garde, Bonds, Hostages, were also nam'd in vaine:
For, should she prize our Queene, who then durst her or thē detaine?
Or what were these to recompence the Losse we should sustaine?
For Loyaltie to take her Oth, was thought to purpose small:
Such Othes she oft had falsifide, nor thought it sinne at all
To breake them to an Heretike (our Queene so Papists call.)
To banish her, were to possesse our Foes of their desier,
For vs to rid away the smoake, and runne into the fier,
To set her free to make a Head for them against our Queene:
In few, no safetie for vs, but in her death was seene:
So wholly by the Parliament concluded was, and so
Reported to her Maiestie, still pittying her Foe.
Remediles impoyson, if not medcine it we should,
By sone decision of the Lymme whence all the bayne did floe,
Our Publike Weales Phisitions much did argue to and froe.
Did neuer English Parliament, fully conuented then,
Consist of Noblier, Learneder, Wiser, and worthier men:
By these it was debated how this common Foe might liue,
Without her death whom God to vs a common Blisse doth giue.
Much was it labord, wished much some Course herein might holde,
But to resolue of any none had reason to be bolde.
Here still obdurate Malice to her Maiestie was cleere:
If she preuaild, Religion was assurd an Altring heere:
Our Nobles Crocodile, at home, and hence, our Foe-hop't Head:
Then must our Queene, Religion, Realme, or She for them be dead.
247
Her Highnes that the passed Doome might Execution haue:
Whereof She askt to be aduisde, and (earnest her to saue)
Dismissed them with louing words, and biddeth them expect
Her answer shortly, nor did She the sending it neglect:
Though contrarie to it that all did, hopingly, affect
For she, perplexed in that case, did lastly them direct
To studie meanes how both might liue, the Perill ouer-past,
Which much amaz'd: yeat solemnly they handell it at last.
Mercie to her Malice in her might happily preuent,
Was said, but not resolu'd, for oft she Mercy vnder went,
When rose the Earles, and other times, yeat neuer did repent,
But of our Queene to be destroyd had made her Testament.
A straiter Garde, Bonds, Hostages, were also nam'd in vaine:
For, should she prize our Queene, who then durst her or thē detaine?
Or what were these to recompence the Losse we should sustaine?
For Loyaltie to take her Oth, was thought to purpose small:
Such Othes she oft had falsifide, nor thought it sinne at all
To breake them to an Heretike (our Queene so Papists call.)
To banish her, were to possesse our Foes of their desier,
For vs to rid away the smoake, and runne into the fier,
To set her free to make a Head for them against our Queene:
In few, no safetie for vs, but in her death was seene:
So wholly by the Parliament concluded was, and so
Reported to her Maiestie, still pittying her Foe.
In more sententious, learned, and delibrate sort, than I
Can set it downe, past all toucht heer: So did her Maiestie
In answering earst, and now to them her Aunswer Aunswer-lesse
Sweet Adumbrations of her Zeale, Mercie, and Wit expresse.
But with her Oracle that bod them do, and doe it not,
Play'd they as Alexander did with King Gordians Knot.
Can set it downe, past all toucht heer: So did her Maiestie
In answering earst, and now to them her Aunswer Aunswer-lesse
Sweet Adumbrations of her Zeale, Mercie, and Wit expresse.
But with her Oracle that bod them do, and doe it not,
Play'd they as Alexander did with King Gordians Knot.
248
Of
Spayns huge Nauy, toucht before, great rumor now was spread,
And that th' Inuaders meant to make this Scottish Queene a head:
For which continued doubt of her in English hearts was shead.
Not in the Vulgars only, but some Nobles of this Land,
Who had (not knowing it our Queene) then got into their hand
The Writ of Execution, that her Heading did purport:
The which was executed soone, and in a solemne sort.
And that th' Inuaders meant to make this Scottish Queene a head:
For which continued doubt of her in English hearts was shead.
Not in the Vulgars only, but some Nobles of this Land,
Who had (not knowing it our Queene) then got into their hand
The Writ of Execution, that her Heading did purport:
The which was executed soone, and in a solemne sort.
This nature-frended Lady (had she bin as wise as wittie,
Who by the Massacres in France had learnt to leaue of Pittie,
Made there too apt for bloody Acts, the Pope for it to blame)
To take her death, too much deseru'd, her selfe did meekely frame.
She bids commend her to her Sonne, and will him to eschew
Ill Practises and Policies, for thence her Sorowes grew:
True Romish, Scottish, and true French, tell all my Friends I die.
When Meluin (vnto whom she spake) did, weeping, thus replie,
The wofulst Message, Madame, this that euer me befell,
When of my Queene and Mistresse Death I shall the tidings tell,
She, kissing him, sayes pray for me, and bids him so farewell.
Then of a debt was due from her she did the payment craue,
And that her Seruants might enioy those legacies she gaue,
And to attend her at her death some of her owne to haue.
All which the Earles commissioned did yeeld vnto, and so
She to the black-clad Scaffold, there to take her death, did go.
Now Mary Stewards Troubles shall haue ending once or twise
She said, and not to mone for her did giue to Hers aduise:
And whilst the Writ in reading was no more regarded it,
Then if it had secured or concerned her no whit.
Beades at her Girdle hung, at end of them a Medall, and
An Agnus-Dei bout her necke, a crost-Christ in her hand.
They prayed her to set a-part those popish Toyes, and pray
In faith to Christ, in onely whom her whole Saluation lay,
And, offring then to pray with her, that Offer she withstood,
Alleaging that our Prayers can doe Catholiques no good.
So doth the Popes false Calendar of Saints of Sense bereaue
Our Traytors, who dye Papists that therein it them receaue.
Was neuer yet Religion heard so pestilent as this,
Their murdring vs, for Lawfull, of their Creed a portion is:
So had they schooled her, and that her bloodie Mischiefs past
Were meritorious, which the Pope would honor so at last.
That, euen then, the Gospels Light illuminate her heart
Was prayd of Ours, whilst she with hers prayd, as pleasde her, a-part.
Then to her wofull Seruants did she passe a kinde a-dew:
And kissing of her Crucifix, vnto the Block her drew,
And feareles, as if glad to dye, did dye to Papisme trew.
Which, and her other Errors (who in much did euer erre)
Vnto the Iudge of Mercie and of Iustice we referre.
If euer such Conspirator, of it impenitent,
If euer Soule, Pope-schooled so, that Sea to Heauen sent,
If euer one, ill-liu'd, did dye a Papist God wards bent,
Then happie she. But so, or not, it happie is for vs
That of so dangerous a Foe we are deliuer'd thus.
Who by the Massacres in France had learnt to leaue of Pittie,
Made there too apt for bloody Acts, the Pope for it to blame)
To take her death, too much deseru'd, her selfe did meekely frame.
She bids commend her to her Sonne, and will him to eschew
Ill Practises and Policies, for thence her Sorowes grew:
True Romish, Scottish, and true French, tell all my Friends I die.
When Meluin (vnto whom she spake) did, weeping, thus replie,
The wofulst Message, Madame, this that euer me befell,
When of my Queene and Mistresse Death I shall the tidings tell,
She, kissing him, sayes pray for me, and bids him so farewell.
Then of a debt was due from her she did the payment craue,
And that her Seruants might enioy those legacies she gaue,
And to attend her at her death some of her owne to haue.
All which the Earles commissioned did yeeld vnto, and so
She to the black-clad Scaffold, there to take her death, did go.
Now Mary Stewards Troubles shall haue ending once or twise
She said, and not to mone for her did giue to Hers aduise:
And whilst the Writ in reading was no more regarded it,
Then if it had secured or concerned her no whit.
Beades at her Girdle hung, at end of them a Medall, and
An Agnus-Dei bout her necke, a crost-Christ in her hand.
They prayed her to set a-part those popish Toyes, and pray
In faith to Christ, in onely whom her whole Saluation lay,
And, offring then to pray with her, that Offer she withstood,
249
So doth the Popes false Calendar of Saints of Sense bereaue
Our Traytors, who dye Papists that therein it them receaue.
Was neuer yet Religion heard so pestilent as this,
Their murdring vs, for Lawfull, of their Creed a portion is:
So had they schooled her, and that her bloodie Mischiefs past
Were meritorious, which the Pope would honor so at last.
That, euen then, the Gospels Light illuminate her heart
Was prayd of Ours, whilst she with hers prayd, as pleasde her, a-part.
Then to her wofull Seruants did she passe a kinde a-dew:
And kissing of her Crucifix, vnto the Block her drew,
And feareles, as if glad to dye, did dye to Papisme trew.
Which, and her other Errors (who in much did euer erre)
Vnto the Iudge of Mercie and of Iustice we referre.
If euer such Conspirator, of it impenitent,
If euer Soule, Pope-schooled so, that Sea to Heauen sent,
If euer one, ill-liu'd, did dye a Papist God wards bent,
Then happie she. But so, or not, it happie is for vs
That of so dangerous a Foe we are deliuer'd thus.
The brauely mannag'd Iorney of the Countie Sussex, who
Did merit praise beyond my Penne, Sir William Druries too
Made into Scotland, added to Lord Greis said Prowesse theare,
Did lesser rid our Queene and Realme their Realme & King of feare,
Than Maries end: Who of her selfe all Treasons did prefer,
Gainst either State, our forraine Foes deriu'd Pretexts from her:
But thus Elizabeth hath salu'd Ours and Scotch Troubles: Now
Ensues we shew her aids to France, who wrought their Broyles & how.
Did merit praise beyond my Penne, Sir William Druries too
Made into Scotland, added to Lord Greis said Prowesse theare,
Did lesser rid our Queene and Realme their Realme & King of feare,
Than Maries end: Who of her selfe all Treasons did prefer,
Gainst either State, our forraine Foes deriu'd Pretexts from her:
But thus Elizabeth hath salu'd Ours and Scotch Troubles: Now
Ensues we shew her aids to France, who wrought their Broyles & how.
250
CHAP. LVII.
It by a Polititian, a Germaine, (to whose lore,
Haue Machiuilian French-Euents since sorted euermore)
Before Queene-Mother, Charles the King, and others priuate, was
Aduisde a Monarch absolute in France to bring to pas.
Aristocratick gouernmēt, nor Democratick pleasd,
But where to one Mans Emperie is Monarchia seasde.
He told his Trauels, and in States his Obseruations: how,
Besides the onely Turke, he none a Monarch did allow:
Who suffreth none by Might, by Wealth, or Blood, to ouer-top:
Himselfe giues all Preferment, and whom listeth him doth lop:
His Bands of Ianizartes, who are form'd and nourisht still
From Childhood his owne Creatures, hold all at his owne will:
He out of these his Captaines, and his Bassies doth elect:
They, to deserue their Founders trust, his only Weale affect:
The rather, for their Dignities, and all that All possesse
Determine at his will, behooues therefore not to transgresse.
Saue his Religion, none is vsde, vnlesse in Conquests late,
And that of Policie, thereby to adde vnto his State,
Nor euen there permits he of Religion to debate.
Nor walled Townes, nor Fortresses, his Empire doth digest,
Except vpon the Frontires, for securing of the rest.
His Subiects thus, Theirs, and the whole, at his Deuotion, needs
No Imposts, Taxes, or the like, whence Tumult often breeds.
Haue Machiuilian French-Euents since sorted euermore)
Before Queene-Mother, Charles the King, and others priuate, was
Aduisde a Monarch absolute in France to bring to pas.
Aristocratick gouernmēt, nor Democratick pleasd,
But where to one Mans Emperie is Monarchia seasde.
He told his Trauels, and in States his Obseruations: how,
Besides the onely Turke, he none a Monarch did allow:
Who suffreth none by Might, by Wealth, or Blood, to ouer-top:
Himselfe giues all Preferment, and whom listeth him doth lop:
His Bands of Ianizartes, who are form'd and nourisht still
From Childhood his owne Creatures, hold all at his owne will:
He out of these his Captaines, and his Bassies doth elect:
They, to deserue their Founders trust, his only Weale affect:
The rather, for their Dignities, and all that All possesse
Determine at his will, behooues therefore not to transgresse.
Saue his Religion, none is vsde, vnlesse in Conquests late,
And that of Policie, thereby to adde vnto his State,
Nor euen there permits he of Religion to debate.
Nor walled Townes, nor Fortresses, his Empire doth digest,
Except vpon the Frontires, for securing of the rest.
His Subiects thus, Theirs, and the whole, at his Deuotion, needs
No Imposts, Taxes, or the like, whence Tumult often breeds.
251
Discourst of his Experience thus, he then descends to it,
Whereby of Momuchta might himselfe the French King fit.
Where as (quoth he) French Policie consists of Three Estates,
The Princes, Nobles, Commons, and each one of th' other wates
For hearts and helpes, and oft the King is bridled of those Three,
Himselfe therefore, such Lets remou'd, sole Monarch thus might bee.
Of ancient Peeres, of valiant Men, great Lords, and Wisemen all,
By forced Warre, of fraudfull peace, to temporize the fall:
Whereto Religions quarrell then presented meane not small.
Meane while, vntill of them by turnes weare Riddance, did behoue
To worke them Mal-contents, the King to labor vulgar Loue.
Immediately, euen from himselfe, No whit at their Request,
To passe preferments, not to them, but els as likes him best:
And but of Peeces ruinous the Great-Ones to possesse.
And when his Creatures shall grow to more, those Great to lesse,
To quarrell then those Nobles, when in them great hearts would lurke,
That for the Souldier, or the sword of Iustice, should make worke.
So to prouide that of the States be no Conuention nam'd:
Religion not disputed of: Strong Townes, which oft haue tam'd
The French Kings, be dismantled: And when things as thus be fram'd,
His Maiestie (quoth he) shall hit the Marke whereat is aim'd.
Whereby of Momuchta might himselfe the French King fit.
Where as (quoth he) French Policie consists of Three Estates,
The Princes, Nobles, Commons, and each one of th' other wates
For hearts and helpes, and oft the King is bridled of those Three,
Himselfe therefore, such Lets remou'd, sole Monarch thus might bee.
Of ancient Peeres, of valiant Men, great Lords, and Wisemen all,
By forced Warre, of fraudfull peace, to temporize the fall:
Whereto Religions quarrell then presented meane not small.
Meane while, vntill of them by turnes weare Riddance, did behoue
To worke them Mal-contents, the King to labor vulgar Loue.
Immediately, euen from himselfe, No whit at their Request,
To passe preferments, not to them, but els as likes him best:
And but of Peeces ruinous the Great-Ones to possesse.
And when his Creatures shall grow to more, those Great to lesse,
To quarrell then those Nobles, when in them great hearts would lurke,
That for the Souldier, or the sword of Iustice, should make worke.
So to prouide that of the States be no Conuention nam'd:
Religion not disputed of: Strong Townes, which oft haue tam'd
The French Kings, be dismantled: And when things as thus be fram'd,
His Maiestie (quoth he) shall hit the Marke whereat is aim'd.
When this, & worse than thus, this worse than Machiuel had said,
With that Conuenticles Applause, so working was not staid.
For hence, if Accidents we shall obserue, may be collected
The ciuill Warres and Butcheries in France to haue effected.
Religion gaue the colour, whear, though infinite were slaine,
The Church reform'd did not resist yeat still by losse did gaine:
For blood of Martyrs well is said to be the Churches Seede,
Where Massacres haue plashed there is spread a triple Breede.
In Sense it seem'd a sillie Spring, should Europe ouer-floe,
Whence Luther his occasion tooke against the Gospels Foe:
As Scotlands foresaid Giuzian Broyles, euen France her Tumults so,
From other then Religions cause did at beginning groe.
So Ioseph sold, and Christ betrayd, was meeter than was ment
Of Ben-Iamests, or by the false Iscarots foule Intent:
But howsoeuer ill haps well, Woe stayes whence ill is sent.
French second Henries Fauorites, the Constable, and Guize,
The one of them ambitiously the others Hight enuies:
Each growing crosse, and crossing, it to Factions grew at length,
Poore Hugenotz vndoubted then, nor dreamed they of strength:
Alone in Henries, Francis, and ninth Charles their Raignes, of them
French Papists, as our Maries, did to Martyrdome condemne.
But by such Law as Wolues doe Lambes, those Innocents for most
Were slaughtered, whole Townes somtimes with these in them they rost:
And like now threatned Guize against the Saints in euery Cost.
The Guizians (so that Faction shall in this Report be sayd)
Through Nonage of the Pope-taught King, grew Mighty and obayd:
Queene-Mother (Mischief-Mistres) in their Pageant featly playd.
Meane while the Royals and the Peeres they Practise to betray:
Some in the bloodie Massacre at Paris made away.
But what offend I Christian Eares with horror of that deede?
From Sarazens, nor Sauages did euer like proceede.
Let that blacke Marrage-Feast, when were so many Thousands slaine
Of Saints, at peace with God and men, be neuer nam'd againe:
Let be a Law in euery Land, to punish such as speake
That Christians should, like Hel-hoūds, so with God & Nature break:
Farre be it that Posterities should heare, that Charles the King
For such foule Murthers bon-fiers bod, and caused Bels to ring.
Yeat tell the Popes Procession, and his Iubilee for this:
For Popes be impudent, and bads their blessings neuer mis,
To haue them Fathers of those Acts no Newes at all it is.
With that Conuenticles Applause, so working was not staid.
For hence, if Accidents we shall obserue, may be collected
The ciuill Warres and Butcheries in France to haue effected.
Religion gaue the colour, whear, though infinite were slaine,
The Church reform'd did not resist yeat still by losse did gaine:
For blood of Martyrs well is said to be the Churches Seede,
Where Massacres haue plashed there is spread a triple Breede.
In Sense it seem'd a sillie Spring, should Europe ouer-floe,
Whence Luther his occasion tooke against the Gospels Foe:
As Scotlands foresaid Giuzian Broyles, euen France her Tumults so,
252
So Ioseph sold, and Christ betrayd, was meeter than was ment
Of Ben-Iamests, or by the false Iscarots foule Intent:
But howsoeuer ill haps well, Woe stayes whence ill is sent.
French second Henries Fauorites, the Constable, and Guize,
The one of them ambitiously the others Hight enuies:
Each growing crosse, and crossing, it to Factions grew at length,
Poore Hugenotz vndoubted then, nor dreamed they of strength:
Alone in Henries, Francis, and ninth Charles their Raignes, of them
French Papists, as our Maries, did to Martyrdome condemne.
But by such Law as Wolues doe Lambes, those Innocents for most
Were slaughtered, whole Townes somtimes with these in them they rost:
And like now threatned Guize against the Saints in euery Cost.
The Guizians (so that Faction shall in this Report be sayd)
Through Nonage of the Pope-taught King, grew Mighty and obayd:
Queene-Mother (Mischief-Mistres) in their Pageant featly playd.
Meane while the Royals and the Peeres they Practise to betray:
Some in the bloodie Massacre at Paris made away.
But what offend I Christian Eares with horror of that deede?
From Sarazens, nor Sauages did euer like proceede.
Let that blacke Marrage-Feast, when were so many Thousands slaine
Of Saints, at peace with God and men, be neuer nam'd againe:
Let be a Law in euery Land, to punish such as speake
That Christians should, like Hel-hoūds, so with God & Nature break:
Farre be it that Posterities should heare, that Charles the King
For such foule Murthers bon-fiers bod, and caused Bels to ring.
Yeat tell the Popes Procession, and his Iubilee for this:
For Popes be impudent, and bads their blessings neuer mis,
To haue them Fathers of those Acts no Newes at all it is.
But more than twise sixe yeares ere this the ciuill Warres begun,
When on the Lambes of Vāssie did the Guizian Butchers run:
Euen when the Edict had giuen Peace vnto the Church reform'd,
And odious to the Papists seem'd that Peace, who therefore storm'd,
Euen then the Duke of Guize, who earst had figur'd for the Crowne,
Hence calculating hopes, did set his bad Designements downe:
Alonly quarrelling, till then, the Princes of the blood,
Who, partly quail'd, were yet vnkild, and to their tackling stood.
So with the Papists bands the Duke himselfe, not for deuotion,
But aduantagious seem'd that Meane for blood-drifts and Promotion.
This faction thus had Heart and Head, the other yet vnborne,
Till to the Prince of Condie flockt the Hugenotz, forlorne,
And told the sauage Butcheries at Vassie newly made,
By ruthles and seditious Guize on Thousands, whilst they prayde.
Like skathed Sheepe, escaped from blood-sucking dogs, they quake,
Imploring his protection, which he then did vndertake.
Thus, through Necessitie, this Part had also Heart and Head:
Euen after hundreds thousands such good Christians so were dead.
This knowne, to him from euery Part the Persecuted flie,
So was the Prince of vertuous Troopes possessed by and by.
When on the Lambes of Vāssie did the Guizian Butchers run:
Euen when the Edict had giuen Peace vnto the Church reform'd,
And odious to the Papists seem'd that Peace, who therefore storm'd,
253
Hence calculating hopes, did set his bad Designements downe:
Alonly quarrelling, till then, the Princes of the blood,
Who, partly quail'd, were yet vnkild, and to their tackling stood.
So with the Papists bands the Duke himselfe, not for deuotion,
But aduantagious seem'd that Meane for blood-drifts and Promotion.
This faction thus had Heart and Head, the other yet vnborne,
Till to the Prince of Condie flockt the Hugenotz, forlorne,
And told the sauage Butcheries at Vassie newly made,
By ruthles and seditious Guize on Thousands, whilst they prayde.
Like skathed Sheepe, escaped from blood-sucking dogs, they quake,
Imploring his protection, which he then did vndertake.
Thus, through Necessitie, this Part had also Heart and Head:
Euen after hundreds thousands such good Christians so were dead.
This knowne, to him from euery Part the Persecuted flie,
So was the Prince of vertuous Troopes possessed by and by.
CHAP. LVIII.
Not
Spayne this while, that held from France great Signories, did sleepe,
But through the Fingers into It, with lusting Eies, did peepe:
At least, by nourishing those Broyles, all got She hopes to keepe.
For It (whose Scituation so Spaynes scattred Realmes disioynes)
Her Teeth had watred long, and now, to weaken France her Loynes,
Gainst France she Frāce doth strengthē with the Smother of her gold,
And for that Purchase to the Diuell, is fear'd, her Soule is sold.
Directions also came from Rome, that setteth all on fier:
That, by what Right or wrong so ere, the Guize should still aspier:
To send the royall Bloods to Heauen or Hell, it skils not how:
Were Pardons sent for Murthers: Buls to cleare Alleageance vow:
That, on Damnation, none perswade, much lesse of Peace allow.
And not alone gainst France this League was halowed, but gainst all
That worke the Gospell to erect, wherby the Pope might fall.
Was more than time, troe we, to goe, should not the Church vs call.
But call did they, and come did we, and to their labors fall,
When were their townes demolished, with slaughters thear not smal.
But through the Fingers into It, with lusting Eies, did peepe:
At least, by nourishing those Broyles, all got She hopes to keepe.
For It (whose Scituation so Spaynes scattred Realmes disioynes)
Her Teeth had watred long, and now, to weaken France her Loynes,
Gainst France she Frāce doth strengthē with the Smother of her gold,
And for that Purchase to the Diuell, is fear'd, her Soule is sold.
254
That, by what Right or wrong so ere, the Guize should still aspier:
To send the royall Bloods to Heauen or Hell, it skils not how:
Were Pardons sent for Murthers: Buls to cleare Alleageance vow:
That, on Damnation, none perswade, much lesse of Peace allow.
And not alone gainst France this League was halowed, but gainst all
That worke the Gospell to erect, wherby the Pope might fall.
Was more than time, troe we, to goe, should not the Church vs call.
But call did they, and come did we, and to their labors fall,
When were their townes demolished, with slaughters thear not smal.
This busie Head of that bad League (for yet the monstrous Beath
Of Sextus Quintus and the Diuell, the grand League, had not breath)
This Guize bereft vs Calice, and in France our Peeces all:
Then fell in hand with Scotland, thence with vs in hand to fall:
This, in his Neece the Scottish Queene her claime, did all he might
To dispossesse Elizabeth our Queene of regall right:
This on the infant-Person of his naturall King had seazde:
And prosecuted now in France what violence him pleasde:
The Popes sworne Butcher, and proud Spains fore-Runner, to prepare
Her waies for France and England, which their Owners cannot spare:
This with the blood of Innocents made Channels ouer-floe:
Against this Cham, and his Beau-Peeres, inuited English goe.
Els, saue that God can all, was feard Religion should haue quaild,
And Spanyards, nestling ouer neere, had easlier vs assaild:
For on the Theator of France, the Tragedie was ment
Of England too: Wherefore our Queene her interruptors sent.
Of Sextus Quintus and the Diuell, the grand League, had not breath)
This Guize bereft vs Calice, and in France our Peeces all:
Then fell in hand with Scotland, thence with vs in hand to fall:
This, in his Neece the Scottish Queene her claime, did all he might
To dispossesse Elizabeth our Queene of regall right:
This on the infant-Person of his naturall King had seazde:
And prosecuted now in France what violence him pleasde:
The Popes sworne Butcher, and proud Spains fore-Runner, to prepare
Her waies for France and England, which their Owners cannot spare:
This with the blood of Innocents made Channels ouer-floe:
Against this Cham, and his Beau-Peeres, inuited English goe.
Els, saue that God can all, was feard Religion should haue quaild,
And Spanyards, nestling ouer neere, had easlier vs assaild:
For on the Theator of France, the Tragedie was ment
Of England too: Wherefore our Queene her interruptors sent.
How Ambrose, Earle of Warwick, did in France high feates not few,
How bloodie Claudie, Duke of Guize, a common Souldier slew,
How Francis, sonne of that same Guize, did ciuill Broyles renew,
The persecuting Francis, Charles, and Henries hence a-dew,
How these said Kings, to worke themselues French Monarchs Atheists plaid,
And doting ouermuch on Rome, their Realme and selues betraid,
The skarlet Borbone, whom the Guize a painted French King made,
Salcedo fayling Monsiurs Death, which the league conspier,
The Prince of Orenge, murthred through Farnesian Parmas hier,
Renounced Condie poysned, in his time the Leaguers feare,
How Pope-sent Saunders gainst our Queene in Ireland Armes did beare,
(For Leaguers then in Pollicie preuented Lettes each-wheare,
By Armies, or Armadas, or their scattred Iesuists, who
Haue had small cause to brag that they with England had to doe)
The often sworne and for-sworne Peace, that hapned in the while
Queene-Mother, Phillip, Pope, and Guise, the French Kings did begile,
Queene-Mother for ambition of imployment, King of Spayne,
To make his Vsurpations sure, yea France it selfe to gaine,
The Pope to keepe his pompe in plight, Guise for the Regall Ring,
How all, though drifting diffringly, at length to end did bring
The House Valoys, of Capets Stocke (which Stocke had quite decaide,
But that it pleaseth God the Crowne in Burbons House is staide)
How till the Barricados Feast, when Guise vn-vizard was,
Vnder Religions Cloake the Routes in wasted France did pas,
And after then, both Hugenote and Papist too, if frend
Vnto Valoys or Burbon, found like Enmitie or end,
Of Sauoy (hoping France) his Aydes and ill successe in all,
How Guise and Lorraine in the Pit for Henrie dig'd did fall,
How Frier Iames, Pope-blest and brib'd of Mayne, did Henrie kill,
How vnto Mayne, pursewing Broyles, it wrought not to his will,
The Massacres and Stratagems did in these Tumults chance,
How God in all his Warres did blesse Nauar, now King of France,
And how, next God, that Frāce is French our Queene is Author cheef,
All These, thus blanch't, we leaue, and shall of Belgick be as breefe.
How bloodie Claudie, Duke of Guize, a common Souldier slew,
How Francis, sonne of that same Guize, did ciuill Broyles renew,
The persecuting Francis, Charles, and Henries hence a-dew,
How these said Kings, to worke themselues French Monarchs Atheists plaid,
And doting ouermuch on Rome, their Realme and selues betraid,
The skarlet Borbone, whom the Guize a painted French King made,
255
The Prince of Orenge, murthred through Farnesian Parmas hier,
Renounced Condie poysned, in his time the Leaguers feare,
How Pope-sent Saunders gainst our Queene in Ireland Armes did beare,
(For Leaguers then in Pollicie preuented Lettes each-wheare,
By Armies, or Armadas, or their scattred Iesuists, who
Haue had small cause to brag that they with England had to doe)
The often sworne and for-sworne Peace, that hapned in the while
Queene-Mother, Phillip, Pope, and Guise, the French Kings did begile,
Queene-Mother for ambition of imployment, King of Spayne,
To make his Vsurpations sure, yea France it selfe to gaine,
The Pope to keepe his pompe in plight, Guise for the Regall Ring,
How all, though drifting diffringly, at length to end did bring
The House Valoys, of Capets Stocke (which Stocke had quite decaide,
But that it pleaseth God the Crowne in Burbons House is staide)
How till the Barricados Feast, when Guise vn-vizard was,
Vnder Religions Cloake the Routes in wasted France did pas,
And after then, both Hugenote and Papist too, if frend
Vnto Valoys or Burbon, found like Enmitie or end,
Of Sauoy (hoping France) his Aydes and ill successe in all,
How Guise and Lorraine in the Pit for Henrie dig'd did fall,
How Frier Iames, Pope-blest and brib'd of Mayne, did Henrie kill,
How vnto Mayne, pursewing Broyles, it wrought not to his will,
The Massacres and Stratagems did in these Tumults chance,
How God in all his Warres did blesse Nauar, now King of France,
And how, next God, that Frāce is French our Queene is Author cheef,
All These, thus blanch't, we leaue, and shall of Belgick be as breefe.
But be it first remembred how, euen for the Parents sinne,
God plagueth in Posteritie: as came to passe, I winne,
In second Henries (of the Church reform'd a bloodie Foe,
Though otherwise a worthie Prince, nor tache we him but so)
And Katherine de Medicis, whose Atheisme wrought much woe.
These had fowre Sonnes, not one of which did die a naturall death,
All Issules, Valoyses Males none extant on the Earth.
No maruell, euen to Dauids Seed for Dauids sinne hap't such:
And though the holy Writ containes that Storie yet to tuch
This Purpose, let vs heare it here, Example vrgeth much.
God plagueth in Posteritie: as came to passe, I winne,
In second Henries (of the Church reform'd a bloodie Foe,
Though otherwise a worthie Prince, nor tache we him but so)
And Katherine de Medicis, whose Atheisme wrought much woe.
These had fowre Sonnes, not one of which did die a naturall death,
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No maruell, euen to Dauids Seed for Dauids sinne hap't such:
And though the holy Writ containes that Storie yet to tuch
This Purpose, let vs heare it here, Example vrgeth much.
CHAP. LIX.
Of holy Dauid and his House, the Man approu'd to be,
By Gods owne Mouth to Gods owne heart, the many Troubles see:
His Soule was euer godly firme, though fraile in flesh as Man:
For who of Adams Seede from sinne acquite them could or can.
Our walls of flesh that close our Soules God knew too weake, & gaue
A further Guard, euen euery Man an Angell Guide to haue:
And Men to vs be Angels, whilst they worke our Soules to saue.
For, eare his Fall, Man was not left vnto himselfe so free,
But that he had a Law and Those that should his Temptors be,
And tempted, then the Spirit, that for God himselfe was made,
Was dared by the Flesh, that to the Spirit earst obayde
The Soule by either laboured to thriue, or be betrayde.
To erre is proper then to Men, but brutish to persist:
With Praise and Prayer still to God, as Dauid thriu'd or mist,
He plied, more in louing God than liuing godly blist.
Vngratefull Saule distressing him or what eare then befell,
Or afterwards, nor other then domesticke Greefes we tell.
The troublous Sequels Nathan tould of Dauids House, when as,
To wanton it with Bethsabe, Vrias murthred was,
Effecting now, is only it whereto our Pen shall pas:
Thamar, Ammon, Absolom, Adoniah also wrought
Vnto their Father woe enough, let these on Stage be brought.
By Gods owne Mouth to Gods owne heart, the many Troubles see:
His Soule was euer godly firme, though fraile in flesh as Man:
For who of Adams Seede from sinne acquite them could or can.
Our walls of flesh that close our Soules God knew too weake, & gaue
A further Guard, euen euery Man an Angell Guide to haue:
And Men to vs be Angels, whilst they worke our Soules to saue.
For, eare his Fall, Man was not left vnto himselfe so free,
But that he had a Law and Those that should his Temptors be,
And tempted, then the Spirit, that for God himselfe was made,
Was dared by the Flesh, that to the Spirit earst obayde
The Soule by either laboured to thriue, or be betrayde.
To erre is proper then to Men, but brutish to persist:
With Praise and Prayer still to God, as Dauid thriu'd or mist,
He plied, more in louing God than liuing godly blist.
Vngratefull Saule distressing him or what eare then befell,
Or afterwards, nor other then domesticke Greefes we tell.
The troublous Sequels Nathan tould of Dauids House, when as,
To wanton it with Bethsabe, Vrias murthred was,
257
Thamar, Ammon, Absolom, Adoniah also wrought
Vnto their Father woe enough, let these on Stage be brought.
Now to the Tribes was Dauid as the Zodiack to the Signes,
Euen Signifer to euery Prince that circled his Confines:
A Monarche great, in Acts and Fame more great, but great'st of all,
In that he was belou'd of God, nor ceast on him to call,
Who raisd him, often falling, for his Crosses weare not small.
Loue-worth Maacha, Thalmai King of Geshurs Daughter, baire
To Dauid featred Absolom, and Thamar peereles faire.
Nor fairer yeat than virtuous, though disastrously she speade:
Such is admyred Bewtie that hath Worlds of Mischiefes breade.
Ammon, whom Ahinoam bore to Dauid, was the cause
Of hers and his owne griefe, in that he gaue his Eyes no lawes.
For Loue is but a Terme, like as is Eccho but a Voyce,
That This doth babble That doth breed or not is ours the choyce.
Trewe Virtue curbs Affection, and for Conscience flyeth sinne,
To leaue for imperfection, feare, or shame no praise doth winne.
But not so happy he, as feare, or shame, or ought might stay
His rankled thoughts, but sicke, luste sicke, for Thamar Ammon lay,
Till subtell Ionadabs Aduise did her to him betray.
For neuer was Pretence so fowle but some would flatter it,
Nor any thing so pestilent as mis-applied Wit.
Seeme feeble sicke, and when the King thy Father visits thee,
Then faine an Appetite to Meate by Thamar drest (quoth he:)
Aske that she dresse it in thy sight, and of her hand to take it,
When priuate so, thy Market bee as thou doest mar or make it.
Well pleasde this Counsell: Ammon askes, and Dauid yeelds anon.
Nor readier Dauid to bid goe than Thamar to be gon.
Like Philomela, flattering Pandeon she might go
With Tereus that prepos'd her shame, was Thamar forward so:
When either Virgin was surprisde wheare least they look't a Foe.
Euen Signifer to euery Prince that circled his Confines:
A Monarche great, in Acts and Fame more great, but great'st of all,
In that he was belou'd of God, nor ceast on him to call,
Who raisd him, often falling, for his Crosses weare not small.
Loue-worth Maacha, Thalmai King of Geshurs Daughter, baire
To Dauid featred Absolom, and Thamar peereles faire.
Nor fairer yeat than virtuous, though disastrously she speade:
Such is admyred Bewtie that hath Worlds of Mischiefes breade.
Ammon, whom Ahinoam bore to Dauid, was the cause
Of hers and his owne griefe, in that he gaue his Eyes no lawes.
For Loue is but a Terme, like as is Eccho but a Voyce,
That This doth babble That doth breed or not is ours the choyce.
Trewe Virtue curbs Affection, and for Conscience flyeth sinne,
To leaue for imperfection, feare, or shame no praise doth winne.
But not so happy he, as feare, or shame, or ought might stay
His rankled thoughts, but sicke, luste sicke, for Thamar Ammon lay,
Till subtell Ionadabs Aduise did her to him betray.
For neuer was Pretence so fowle but some would flatter it,
Nor any thing so pestilent as mis-applied Wit.
Seeme feeble sicke, and when the King thy Father visits thee,
Then faine an Appetite to Meate by Thamar drest (quoth he:)
Aske that she dresse it in thy sight, and of her hand to take it,
When priuate so, thy Market bee as thou doest mar or make it.
Well pleasde this Counsell: Ammon askes, and Dauid yeelds anon.
Nor readier Dauid to bid goe than Thamar to be gon.
Like Philomela, flattering Pandeon she might go
With Tereus that prepos'd her shame, was Thamar forward so:
When either Virgin was surprisde wheare least they look't a Foe.
So gratious, portly, fresh, and faire, and (which no lesse attract)
So modest, wittie, affable, had Nature her compact,
That such as in his Canticles her Brother hath purtrayde
His Loues Idea, litrally might Thamar such be saide.
Goodly thus, and gladly then, and not suspecting harme,
She, entring wheare he lodged, did afresh the Leacher warme.
His leasing Sicknes then to acte by Arte was more than neede,
For, seeing her, imagine all his Senses sicke in deede.
More could she not, more should she not, than she in kindnes did:
All adding Fewell to the Fier, which yet from her lay hid.
Now, saue of him and her, the Roome was cleard by his deuise,
When he did aske to eate, which she did bring him in a trise:
Full glad (good Soule) her Cookerie might please him any whit,
When not her Cookrie, but her selfe, his appetite did fit:
Concerning which he breakes with her indeuoring her consent:
Whereto amaiz'de, she counter-works, nor would for ought relent.
How pretious her Virginitie, what sinne it to defile,
How for their Fathers Luste much woe was prophesied ere-while,
How Incest was much more a sinne she wished him to way,
How permanent the Shame to both: Enough did Thamar say,
To haue preseru'd Virginitie, if lust had brook't a Nay.
But pleading teares and words lackt waite, by force he rauisht her,
And hauing forst, he forced not to hide how he did erre:
Nor more he loued her ere while but hates her now as much:
Of Lust and vnchast Coiture still is the Sequell such.
Her now vn-virgin'd Eyes did shame to view the common Light,
She therefore would haue stayd, at least not come in cōmon Sight,
Supposing, by her Blushings, all would ayme her altred Plight,
But out his Doores by violence he shutteth her, wherefore
Aloude she cride with bitter teares, her faire attier she tore,
And did all Signes of sorrow, whilst the cause admired was.
But when her Brother Absolom found how had come to pas,
He comforts her in all he might, and to his house conuaies
His wofull Sister, wheare thenceforth, as desolate, she staies:
Like Prognes sister pensiue, but her moodes weare milder still,
This wanting will not speech to rayle, That wanting speech not will.
Contrary-wise thought Absolom of nothing but Reuenge,
And with his choler thinke yee him these thoughts among to menge.
Did Cadmus, for his Sister rapt'e, so many Countries rome?
And shall I sleepe my Sisters Rape, that may be quit at home?
For Rape of one, scarce honest, was at Troy such tenne-years Fight,
And shall one easie bloe seeme much sweet Thamars wrong to right?
Simeon and Leui, worthy Sonnes of Israel our grand-Sier,
Yee in reuenging Dinas Rape haue set mine heart on fier,
Euen mine, that for a greater wrong should greater things acquier.
Poore Sychem, thou didst loue in deede and Marriage Rites affect,
Lewde Ammon, thou did'st lust in deede, and then thy Rape reiect:
Poore Sichem, she a stranger was whom thou so much didst wowe,
Lewde Ammon, she thy Sister was with whome thou hadst to doe:
Poore Sichem, thou to prize thy loue didst leaue thy Godes for hers,
Lewde Ammon, thou to please thy luste no God at all prefers:
But howsoeare in these in this no diffrence shall remaine,
Poore Sichem he was slaughtred, lewd Ammon shall be slaine.
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That such as in his Canticles her Brother hath purtrayde
His Loues Idea, litrally might Thamar such be saide.
Goodly thus, and gladly then, and not suspecting harme,
She, entring wheare he lodged, did afresh the Leacher warme.
His leasing Sicknes then to acte by Arte was more than neede,
For, seeing her, imagine all his Senses sicke in deede.
More could she not, more should she not, than she in kindnes did:
All adding Fewell to the Fier, which yet from her lay hid.
Now, saue of him and her, the Roome was cleard by his deuise,
When he did aske to eate, which she did bring him in a trise:
Full glad (good Soule) her Cookerie might please him any whit,
When not her Cookrie, but her selfe, his appetite did fit:
Concerning which he breakes with her indeuoring her consent:
Whereto amaiz'de, she counter-works, nor would for ought relent.
How pretious her Virginitie, what sinne it to defile,
How for their Fathers Luste much woe was prophesied ere-while,
How Incest was much more a sinne she wished him to way,
How permanent the Shame to both: Enough did Thamar say,
To haue preseru'd Virginitie, if lust had brook't a Nay.
But pleading teares and words lackt waite, by force he rauisht her,
And hauing forst, he forced not to hide how he did erre:
Nor more he loued her ere while but hates her now as much:
Of Lust and vnchast Coiture still is the Sequell such.
Her now vn-virgin'd Eyes did shame to view the common Light,
She therefore would haue stayd, at least not come in cōmon Sight,
Supposing, by her Blushings, all would ayme her altred Plight,
But out his Doores by violence he shutteth her, wherefore
Aloude she cride with bitter teares, her faire attier she tore,
And did all Signes of sorrow, whilst the cause admired was.
But when her Brother Absolom found how had come to pas,
He comforts her in all he might, and to his house conuaies
His wofull Sister, wheare thenceforth, as desolate, she staies:
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This wanting will not speech to rayle, That wanting speech not will.
Contrary-wise thought Absolom of nothing but Reuenge,
And with his choler thinke yee him these thoughts among to menge.
Did Cadmus, for his Sister rapt'e, so many Countries rome?
And shall I sleepe my Sisters Rape, that may be quit at home?
For Rape of one, scarce honest, was at Troy such tenne-years Fight,
And shall one easie bloe seeme much sweet Thamars wrong to right?
Simeon and Leui, worthy Sonnes of Israel our grand-Sier,
Yee in reuenging Dinas Rape haue set mine heart on fier,
Euen mine, that for a greater wrong should greater things acquier.
Poore Sychem, thou didst loue in deede and Marriage Rites affect,
Lewde Ammon, thou did'st lust in deede, and then thy Rape reiect:
Poore Sichem, she a stranger was whom thou so much didst wowe,
Lewde Ammon, she thy Sister was with whome thou hadst to doe:
Poore Sichem, thou to prize thy loue didst leaue thy Godes for hers,
Lewde Ammon, thou to please thy luste no God at all prefers:
But howsoeare in these in this no diffrence shall remaine,
Poore Sichem he was slaughtred, lewd Ammon shall be slaine.
Not more Maachas goodly Sonne in stomaking did threate,
Then did this Newes his Father now offensiuely disqueate:
At poynt almost to act as much as Absolom did plot,
Euen Ammons death, had not he been his Issue first-begot:
For which he earst had hild him Deare, and present Nature wrought,
And that himselfe had amorous Slyps, is likely too, he thought.
But howsoeare, in woe enough he ouerpasseth it,
Which Absolom in wroth enough nor could, nor would forgit:
Two yeares in silence, neartheles, he labord of that fit.
To his Sheep-shearing Dauid and his Brethren he inuites,
(Such as our Wakes, conuenting Kinnes to Feastings and Delightes)
Now listen what Catastropha this Stratagem behightes.
The King excus'd his comming; whome his Sonne importunes so,
As Ammon and his other Sonnes had leaue and will to goe.
Vnwilling though (by what Presage I wot not) Dauid seem'd
Of Ammons going (but what Fate ordain'd hath none redeem'd)
Go did he, wheare full merily he frollicked that tyde,
When, by his Ostes Attendants theare of sudden Wounds he dyde,
(Which after-Banquet did their Lord for onely him prouide.)
More skar'd than hurt the other Sonnes of Dauid flead with speede,
Yeat eare their home-returne the King had notice of the deede,
And feared much their safetie, till them he saw, and then
Was such confused sorrow, more was neuer seene mong'st Men.
To Geshur Absolom escapes, three yeares an Exile thear,
Till Dauids kinde relenting heart to Ioab did appeare,
By meanes of whome, recalled home, he lastly purchast Grace,
Yea well-appay'd was Dauid if weare Absolom in place.
Then did this Newes his Father now offensiuely disqueate:
At poynt almost to act as much as Absolom did plot,
Euen Ammons death, had not he been his Issue first-begot:
For which he earst had hild him Deare, and present Nature wrought,
And that himselfe had amorous Slyps, is likely too, he thought.
But howsoeare, in woe enough he ouerpasseth it,
Which Absolom in wroth enough nor could, nor would forgit:
Two yeares in silence, neartheles, he labord of that fit.
To his Sheep-shearing Dauid and his Brethren he inuites,
(Such as our Wakes, conuenting Kinnes to Feastings and Delightes)
Now listen what Catastropha this Stratagem behightes.
The King excus'd his comming; whome his Sonne importunes so,
As Ammon and his other Sonnes had leaue and will to goe.
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Of Ammons going (but what Fate ordain'd hath none redeem'd)
Go did he, wheare full merily he frollicked that tyde,
When, by his Ostes Attendants theare of sudden Wounds he dyde,
(Which after-Banquet did their Lord for onely him prouide.)
More skar'd than hurt the other Sonnes of Dauid flead with speede,
Yeat eare their home-returne the King had notice of the deede,
And feared much their safetie, till them he saw, and then
Was such confused sorrow, more was neuer seene mong'st Men.
To Geshur Absolom escapes, three yeares an Exile thear,
Till Dauids kinde relenting heart to Ioab did appeare,
By meanes of whome, recalled home, he lastly purchast Grace,
Yea well-appay'd was Dauid if weare Absolom in place.
Lou'd neuer Father more a Sonne than him his Father lou'd,
Prou'd neuer Sonne vngratefull more than he vngratfull prou'd:
For hauing stolne the Peoples hearts, by affable Pretexts,
He faines his vowes at Hebron, but the Diadem affects,
And, by collected Forces theare distressed Dauid more
Than Saule the Cananites, or all hap't after or before:
Enforcing him to flie the Land. But dwell we not of this,
God neuer fauor'd such Attempts, or euer fayled His.
When Dauid seem'd, in common Sence, already on the hip,
Was Absolom himselfe ore-throne, whom God made ouer-slip,
What politicke Achitophel had counseld him to doe,
Whose Counsell not receau'd, he hong himselfe, and worthie too.
Ambitious Absolom now foyl'd, as on his Mule he flead,
Was carried vnderneath an Oke wheare caught vp by the head,
(Euen by those bewtious Locks of which & him such praise is read)
He sighte (and cause he had) and said (or say he might) that All
Which so vniustly seeke to clime, most iustly so doe fall.
But whatsoere he thought or spake, this holds autenticall:
We thinke no greater blisse than such to be as be we would,
When blessed none, but such as be the same that be they should,
Had one Man all that all Men haue he nothing had, vnlesse
He also had a Soule that All as nothing did possesse.
Natures Mynion, Eyes Admier, and now in-ayred Earth,
(For, hanging, Ioabs ruthles speare had vented vitall breath,
Although the King his counter-maunde should haue contraried so)
Effected had his Fathers heart no Substance else but woe:
So kinde and ouer-kinde was he in moning such a Foe.
But thus of this, and thus to him this following Crosse did groe.
Prou'd neuer Sonne vngratefull more than he vngratfull prou'd:
For hauing stolne the Peoples hearts, by affable Pretexts,
He faines his vowes at Hebron, but the Diadem affects,
And, by collected Forces theare distressed Dauid more
Than Saule the Cananites, or all hap't after or before:
Enforcing him to flie the Land. But dwell we not of this,
God neuer fauor'd such Attempts, or euer fayled His.
When Dauid seem'd, in common Sence, already on the hip,
Was Absolom himselfe ore-throne, whom God made ouer-slip,
What politicke Achitophel had counseld him to doe,
Whose Counsell not receau'd, he hong himselfe, and worthie too.
Ambitious Absolom now foyl'd, as on his Mule he flead,
Was carried vnderneath an Oke wheare caught vp by the head,
(Euen by those bewtious Locks of which & him such praise is read)
He sighte (and cause he had) and said (or say he might) that All
Which so vniustly seeke to clime, most iustly so doe fall.
But whatsoere he thought or spake, this holds autenticall:
We thinke no greater blisse than such to be as be we would,
When blessed none, but such as be the same that be they should,
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He also had a Soule that All as nothing did possesse.
Natures Mynion, Eyes Admier, and now in-ayred Earth,
(For, hanging, Ioabs ruthles speare had vented vitall breath,
Although the King his counter-maunde should haue contraried so)
Effected had his Fathers heart no Substance else but woe:
So kinde and ouer-kinde was he in moning such a Foe.
But thus of this, and thus to him this following Crosse did groe.
To epilogue our Tragedie, now Adoniah acts,
With whom, old Dauid to depose, euen Ioabs-selfe compacts:
Yea diuers Captaines did reuolt, and with the Sonne rebell,
Which not a little greeu'd the King, that lou'd the young-man well,
Who, next his brother, did for forme and soly now excell.
Remayn'd but Salomon and he, and he the elder Sonne.
Too forward yeat to practise Rule eare Dauids Raigne was donne.
But what God meaneth is, Amen: The Scepter was behight
To Salomon, and Nathan mou'd the King to doe him right.
Who, aged, caus'd his Diadem to Roialize the head
Of Salomon, annoynted now: which heard, the Rebel flead.
So haue we seene, not yeares farre-past, long-Plottings ouerthrone,
Euen in a trise, to day a Queeue, to morrow lesse than none:
Such was her Fate, but not her Fault, that stoode for Maries Throne
Nor cite I this A Noueltie, like Pul-backs many an one.
Repentant Adoniah now vnto the Altar flies,
And holdeth fast the Hornes thereof: which one, that it espies,
Reporteth vnto Salomon, that sent to fetch him Thence:
Which would not be, till swore the King to pardon his offence:
Whom leaue we now so pardoned, or rather in suspence.
For though a Kings Competitor in one same Land may liue,
Yeat take be heed, the sleightest cause a cause of death doth giue:
Which hapned him, eare hapned this inserted by the way.
With whom, old Dauid to depose, euen Ioabs-selfe compacts:
Yea diuers Captaines did reuolt, and with the Sonne rebell,
Which not a little greeu'd the King, that lou'd the young-man well,
Who, next his brother, did for forme and soly now excell.
Remayn'd but Salomon and he, and he the elder Sonne.
Too forward yeat to practise Rule eare Dauids Raigne was donne.
But what God meaneth is, Amen: The Scepter was behight
To Salomon, and Nathan mou'd the King to doe him right.
Who, aged, caus'd his Diadem to Roialize the head
Of Salomon, annoynted now: which heard, the Rebel flead.
So haue we seene, not yeares farre-past, long-Plottings ouerthrone,
Euen in a trise, to day a Queeue, to morrow lesse than none:
Such was her Fate, but not her Fault, that stoode for Maries Throne
Nor cite I this A Noueltie, like Pul-backs many an one.
Repentant Adoniah now vnto the Altar flies,
And holdeth fast the Hornes thereof: which one, that it espies,
Reporteth vnto Salomon, that sent to fetch him Thence:
Which would not be, till swore the King to pardon his offence:
Whom leaue we now so pardoned, or rather in suspence.
For though a Kings Competitor in one same Land may liue,
Yeat take be heed, the sleightest cause a cause of death doth giue:
Which hapned him, eare hapned this inserted by the way.
Dauid decea'ste, in Salomon was sole and sou'raigne Sway,
When Ioab, to prolong his life, did at the Altar stay.
Euen he that in so many Brunts for Dauid did preuaile,
That, saue for Adoniah now, Allegiance neare did saile,
That, saue for sheaded blood of twaine, could none impeach of wrong,
Euen this grand-Captaine of the Hosts, a luckie Knight so long,
Hand-fasting now the Altar, clames that priuiledge, in vaine:
For thence he would not, and the King commaunds he theare be slaine:
Which Warrant did Banaiah serue. And so this Worthie died,
For Abner and Amasas blood, like-Worthies and as tried.
When Ioab, to prolong his life, did at the Altar stay.
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That, saue for Adoniah now, Allegiance neare did saile,
That, saue for sheaded blood of twaine, could none impeach of wrong,
Euen this grand-Captaine of the Hosts, a luckie Knight so long,
Hand-fasting now the Altar, clames that priuiledge, in vaine:
For thence he would not, and the King commaunds he theare be slaine:
Which Warrant did Banaiah serue. And so this Worthie died,
For Abner and Amasas blood, like-Worthies and as tried.
With Adoniah now remaines we act and ende our Sceanes,
To whō might seeme, small good was meant, what il soerc he meanes:
Wheare crowned Might, and crossed Right so neere together dwell,
Behooues that Forrest-flying Feare, whereof the Fox did tell.
Our factious Lancaster and Yorke thereof could witnes well.
Abisag, Dauids Hebe, that in comfort of his Age,
Attended him at Bed and Boarde, when naturall heate did swage.
Howbeit still a Virgin, and the goodliest Wenche aliue,
Enamours Adoniah, at the least with her to Wiue
He drifteth, not detayned but for Salomons consent:
Of which he moued Bethsabe, for which the Sutor went
To Salomon, that thearewithall was onely not content,
But also tooke occasion hence of more, perhaps, then meant.
Banaiah, by the Kings Commaund, did Adoniah slea:
For Cryme perhaps, perhaps because a Crowne might come in Plea.
For Salomon, diuinely wise, could Subtellizings found:
That much the Maid knew Dauids mind, that Many she had bound,
Whilst gratious earst, with Benefits: her Kinred strong he found:
That Ioab and Abiather weare on his Brothers side:
That his aspiring sleepes nor must be slept the King espide:
Or else-what? Adoniah was dispatched out of hand:
So sped his sute, so was confirm'd to Salomon the Land:
If Others otherwise, not I as others vnderstand.
To whō might seeme, small good was meant, what il soerc he meanes:
Wheare crowned Might, and crossed Right so neere together dwell,
Behooues that Forrest-flying Feare, whereof the Fox did tell.
Our factious Lancaster and Yorke thereof could witnes well.
Abisag, Dauids Hebe, that in comfort of his Age,
Attended him at Bed and Boarde, when naturall heate did swage.
Howbeit still a Virgin, and the goodliest Wenche aliue,
Enamours Adoniah, at the least with her to Wiue
He drifteth, not detayned but for Salomons consent:
Of which he moued Bethsabe, for which the Sutor went
To Salomon, that thearewithall was onely not content,
But also tooke occasion hence of more, perhaps, then meant.
Banaiah, by the Kings Commaund, did Adoniah slea:
For Cryme perhaps, perhaps because a Crowne might come in Plea.
For Salomon, diuinely wise, could Subtellizings found:
That much the Maid knew Dauids mind, that Many she had bound,
Whilst gratious earst, with Benefits: her Kinred strong he found:
That Ioab and Abiather weare on his Brothers side:
That his aspiring sleepes nor must be slept the King espide:
Or else-what? Adoniah was dispatched out of hand:
So sped his sute, so was confirm'd to Salomon the Land:
If Others otherwise, not I as others vnderstand.
Nor better Meede for Merits could these Dauidists alleadge:
Yeat did their Father eate the Grapes that set their Teeth on edge.
Then charitable, godly-wise, and continent weare fit
Should Parents be: So prosper they, Theirs, and whom Theirs begit.
Of Scotland, quieted by our Queene, and France by her kept French,
Is toucht: Of Belgike long selfe-vaind, rests how the blood to stench.
Yeat did their Father eate the Grapes that set their Teeth on edge.
263
Should Parents be: So prosper they, Theirs, and whom Theirs begit.
Of Scotland, quieted by our Queene, and France by her kept French,
Is toucht: Of Belgike long selfe-vaind, rests how the blood to stench.
CHAP. LX.
The Inquisition threatned, wrought in Netherlanders feare.
And Signes of altring Regment in their ancient State appeare.
As full-fead Children with their Foode by Peace this people play,
Till, in world-matchles Wealth, did them Securitie betray.
They hearing what King Philip meant against their State, did minde
What in the Fables Morall of the Stock and Stork we finde:
For in the Lady Regent and her Brother Philips Corse,
Their hearts presag'd like diffrence as twixt rigor and remorse.
Arm'd was the Duke of Alua, who by warres, by wiles, by blood,
Shuld cōquer, circūuent, cōsume, those Lands, their Lords, the Good.
These to haue his sufficed not the Spanish King, vnlesse
He Monarchize their Land, their Lawes, and Liberties depresse.
The other Part their Consciences and Priuiledges pleades,
Nor other cause than only thus to armor Either leades.
For There, else-Where, and euer Spayne, when Spayne would Scepters lurch,
Concludes for Spayne though euer Spayne begins for holy-Church.
No Armie was as yet ariu'd, when as the Belgies send
To Philip their submission, and their Loyaltie defend.
If ought were done contrary to his Edicts (as indeede
Weare some too busie Protestants did order-les proceede)
They did transpose that fault vpon those Innouators rude,
Protesting all that Subiects should, and humbly too they sude,
(Vouching his Father, Vncle, Kings, and Emperors of old,
Who let their Liege-men, diffring from their own, Religion hold)
To suffer Consciences in them to God-wards vncontrold.
For which, and for their Charters did they offer Masses large,
And euermore to vnder-go all Truage, Taxe, and Charge.
But Theirs to alter quite in all was it that Philip ment:
To plague therfore those seauenteene Shires was war-flesht Alua sent.
And Signes of altring Regment in their ancient State appeare.
As full-fead Children with their Foode by Peace this people play,
Till, in world-matchles Wealth, did them Securitie betray.
They hearing what King Philip meant against their State, did minde
What in the Fables Morall of the Stock and Stork we finde:
For in the Lady Regent and her Brother Philips Corse,
Their hearts presag'd like diffrence as twixt rigor and remorse.
Arm'd was the Duke of Alua, who by warres, by wiles, by blood,
Shuld cōquer, circūuent, cōsume, those Lands, their Lords, the Good.
These to haue his sufficed not the Spanish King, vnlesse
He Monarchize their Land, their Lawes, and Liberties depresse.
The other Part their Consciences and Priuiledges pleades,
Nor other cause than only thus to armor Either leades.
For There, else-Where, and euer Spayne, when Spayne would Scepters lurch,
Concludes for Spayne though euer Spayne begins for holy-Church.
No Armie was as yet ariu'd, when as the Belgies send
To Philip their submission, and their Loyaltie defend.
If ought were done contrary to his Edicts (as indeede
264
They did transpose that fault vpon those Innouators rude,
Protesting all that Subiects should, and humbly too they sude,
(Vouching his Father, Vncle, Kings, and Emperors of old,
Who let their Liege-men, diffring from their own, Religion hold)
To suffer Consciences in them to God-wards vncontrold.
For which, and for their Charters did they offer Masses large,
And euermore to vnder-go all Truage, Taxe, and Charge.
But Theirs to alter quite in all was it that Philip ment:
To plague therfore those seauenteene Shires was war-flesht Alua sent.
This, like a pleasing poysning Aspe, to act as he did aime,
At first arriuall Pardons did for passed Crimes proclaime.
That tractable kind People so he to his bent did frame.
Who weare not then by hostile meanes men easily to tame.
He thus of them possest, did then, by slie Degrees, surprise
Their Townes, puts Garisons in them, built Cittadels likewise,
Inducts the Inquisition, and strange Imposts did deuise,
Cals pardon'd Crimes in question, faines the Guiltles to offend,
And thus an Aspe, and poysnous more, prou'd Alua in the end.
For why? ambitious men seeke, get, possesse, and practise State,
With restles minds, by fawning Meanes, enuide, in haughtie rate.
This priuiledged Prouince, and this Paradized Earth,
Thus stripped of her golden Fleece, and faintly drawing breath,
Was Phisickt of Elizabeth who with her English Balme,
Then much the poysnous biting of that Spanish Aspe did calme:
Euen Pittie preaching thus to her, that Nature is reuerst,
When as it selfe is not amongst it owne Consorts disperst.
She to that Countries Father, to that honorable Knight,
The Prince of Orange (armed then in Christ his cause to fight,
And for his Countries weale) permits first Voluntarie Aides,
And lastly, when that neighbour Fier too neerly her inuaides,
And their extreame Oppression did her Charitie inuite,
(By Ambassies Spayne often mou'd to do the Belgies right,
Howbeit touching Peace in vaine) she franklier friends their Cause,
Who were inforced to defend their Faith, their Liues, and Lawes,
Against their Soules and Bodies foes, and (which might all perceaue)
Our cause was handled then in theirs, then theirs were ours to leaue,
And (which had often ayded vs in many a Field and Fleete)
In ancient Loue with Burgundie to breake was thought vnmeete.
At first arriuall Pardons did for passed Crimes proclaime.
That tractable kind People so he to his bent did frame.
Who weare not then by hostile meanes men easily to tame.
He thus of them possest, did then, by slie Degrees, surprise
Their Townes, puts Garisons in them, built Cittadels likewise,
Inducts the Inquisition, and strange Imposts did deuise,
Cals pardon'd Crimes in question, faines the Guiltles to offend,
And thus an Aspe, and poysnous more, prou'd Alua in the end.
For why? ambitious men seeke, get, possesse, and practise State,
With restles minds, by fawning Meanes, enuide, in haughtie rate.
This priuiledged Prouince, and this Paradized Earth,
Thus stripped of her golden Fleece, and faintly drawing breath,
Was Phisickt of Elizabeth who with her English Balme,
Then much the poysnous biting of that Spanish Aspe did calme:
Euen Pittie preaching thus to her, that Nature is reuerst,
When as it selfe is not amongst it owne Consorts disperst.
She to that Countries Father, to that honorable Knight,
The Prince of Orange (armed then in Christ his cause to fight,
And for his Countries weale) permits first Voluntarie Aides,
And lastly, when that neighbour Fier too neerly her inuaides,
And their extreame Oppression did her Charitie inuite,
(By Ambassies Spayne often mou'd to do the Belgies right,
265
Who were inforced to defend their Faith, their Liues, and Lawes,
Against their Soules and Bodies foes, and (which might all perceaue)
Our cause was handled then in theirs, then theirs were ours to leaue,
And (which had often ayded vs in many a Field and Fleete)
In ancient Loue with Burgundie to breake was thought vnmeete.
How thence tyrannous Alua was reuoked, all too late,
When pitiously declined was their flourishing Estate:
Ere which Oppression, where the King had countles Profits thence,
Now Ownes he nothing there, not held with infinit Expence.
The Slaughters, Sackings, Mutinies, the Kings Vice-Gerents sence,
How Horne, & Egmond, Coūties braue, through Aluas Athisme spead,
How Orange, through onr Soueraignes Aids preuaild, how lastly dead,
How Anioy also, through her Meanes, became that Peoples head,
How now her Highnes onely-selfe, next God, doth them secure,
Her valiant Warriors there, whose Laudes might speciall Pens allure,
And here mean-while should ours, saue that I cannot but deuine,
Their Chiualrie to be reseru'd for higher Muse than mine:
To which, though some we leaue, yeat (by their leaues) of some is said
Themselues they haue misgouern'd, and their Companies betrayd,
Some More regard of Tents and Trash in their Retreats haue made,
Then of our craised men, may such Conductors low be laide,
And some too ruthles, riotous, and of their Charge remisse,
Haue starued vp in number moe than Foe-slaine number is.
Thus some of some report, perhaps, not true in all as told:
But somewhat somewhere faulteth, for no fier no smoake be bold.
To be officious getteth Friends, plaine Dealing hated is,
Yeat better plainely to reproue, than fainedly to kisse:
We cannot also loue our Friends, and flatter their A-misse.
How these and thus-like passed Thear we ouer-passe it heere:
Note in our Queene Religion wrong'd it selfe did euer cheere,
And, wheare the Spanish Nimrod hunts in Monarchie to hold
All Christendom, through God that drift she chiefly hath controld.
Nor did, nor doth, nor shall it need that thus to her be told:
Who would to God, but works no good, who seeketh fame by ease,
Comes short of both, no lesse than Mappes to very Lands and Seas.
When pitiously declined was their flourishing Estate:
Ere which Oppression, where the King had countles Profits thence,
Now Ownes he nothing there, not held with infinit Expence.
The Slaughters, Sackings, Mutinies, the Kings Vice-Gerents sence,
How Horne, & Egmond, Coūties braue, through Aluas Athisme spead,
How Orange, through onr Soueraignes Aids preuaild, how lastly dead,
How Anioy also, through her Meanes, became that Peoples head,
How now her Highnes onely-selfe, next God, doth them secure,
Her valiant Warriors there, whose Laudes might speciall Pens allure,
And here mean-while should ours, saue that I cannot but deuine,
Their Chiualrie to be reseru'd for higher Muse than mine:
To which, though some we leaue, yeat (by their leaues) of some is said
Themselues they haue misgouern'd, and their Companies betrayd,
Some More regard of Tents and Trash in their Retreats haue made,
Then of our craised men, may such Conductors low be laide,
And some too ruthles, riotous, and of their Charge remisse,
Haue starued vp in number moe than Foe-slaine number is.
Thus some of some report, perhaps, not true in all as told:
But somewhat somewhere faulteth, for no fier no smoake be bold.
To be officious getteth Friends, plaine Dealing hated is,
Yeat better plainely to reproue, than fainedly to kisse:
We cannot also loue our Friends, and flatter their A-misse.
How these and thus-like passed Thear we ouer-passe it heere:
Note in our Queene Religion wrong'd it selfe did euer cheere,
266
All Christendom, through God that drift she chiefly hath controld.
Nor did, nor doth, nor shall it need that thus to her be told:
Who would to God, but works no good, who seeketh fame by ease,
Comes short of both, no lesse than Mappes to very Lands and Seas.
Not onely thus, but in this while her Fleetes haue oftentimes
Set prosperously her men on shore, euen in the farthest Climes:
Whēce haue they brought, by fair Cōmerce, great riches to our land,
Or glorious spoyles from such as did their peace or Prowse withstand:
Of which shall be digested here the Progresse, in some parte,
Though stately be the Subiect, and too slender be our Arte.
Set prosperously her men on shore, euen in the farthest Climes:
Whēce haue they brought, by fair Cōmerce, great riches to our land,
Or glorious spoyles from such as did their peace or Prowse withstand:
Of which shall be digested here the Progresse, in some parte,
Though stately be the Subiect, and too slender be our Arte.
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