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145
[CORDILA]
Cordila shewes how by despaire when she was in prison she slue herselfe. the yeare before Christe. 800.
Yf any wofull wight haue cause, to waile her woe:
Or griefes are past do pricke vs Princes tel our fal:
My selfe likewise must needes constrained eke do so,
And shew my like misfortunes and mishaps withal.
Should I keepe close my heauy haps and thral?
Then did I wronge: I wrongde my selfe and thee,
Which of my facts, a witnes true maist bee.
Or griefes are past do pricke vs Princes tel our fal:
My selfe likewise must needes constrained eke do so,
And shew my like misfortunes and mishaps withal.
Should I keepe close my heauy haps and thral?
Then did I wronge: I wrongde my selfe and thee,
Which of my facts, a witnes true maist bee.
A woman yet must blushe when bashfull is the case,
Though truth bid tell the tale and story as it fell:
But sith that I mislike not audience time nor place
Therefore, I cannot still keepe in my counsaile well:
No greater ease of hart then griefes to tell,
It daunteth all the dolours of our minde,
Our carefull harts thereby great comfort finde.
Though truth bid tell the tale and story as it fell:
But sith that I mislike not audience time nor place
Therefore, I cannot still keepe in my counsaile well:
No greater ease of hart then griefes to tell,
It daunteth all the dolours of our minde,
Our carefull harts thereby great comfort finde.
For why to tell that may recounted be againe,
And tell it as oure cares may compasse ease:
That is the salue and medcine of our paine,
Which cureth corsyes all and sores of our disease:
It doth our pinching panges, and paines apease:
It pleades the part of an assured frende,
And telles the trade, like vices to amende.
And tell it as oure cares may compasse ease:
That is the salue and medcine of our paine,
Which cureth corsyes all and sores of our disease:
146
It pleades the part of an assured frende,
And telles the trade, like vices to amende.
Therefore if I more willing be to tell my fall,
And shew mishaps to ease my burdened brest and minde:
That others haply may auoide and shunne like thrall,
And thereby in distresse more ayde and comfort finde.
They maye keepe measure where as I declinde,
And willing be to flye like bruite and blame:
As I to tell, or thou to write the same.
And shew mishaps to ease my burdened brest and minde:
That others haply may auoide and shunne like thrall,
And thereby in distresse more ayde and comfort finde.
They maye keepe measure where as I declinde,
And willing be to flye like bruite and blame:
As I to tell, or thou to write the same.
For sith I see the prest to heare that wilt recorde,
What I Cordila tell to ease my inward smart:
I will resite my storye tragicall ech worde,
To the that giust an eare to heare and ready art,
And lest I set the horse behinde the cart,
I minde to tell ech thinge in order so,
As thou maiste see and shewe whence sprang my wo.
What I Cordila tell to ease my inward smart:
I will resite my storye tragicall ech worde,
To the that giust an eare to heare and ready art,
And lest I set the horse behinde the cart,
I minde to tell ech thinge in order so,
As thou maiste see and shewe whence sprang my wo.
My grandsyre Bladud hight that found the Bathes by skill,
A fethered king that practisde for to flye and soare:
Whereby he felt the fall God wot against his will,
And neuer went, roode, raignde nor spake, nor flew no more.
Who dead his sonne my father Leire therefore,
Was chosen kinge, by right apparent heyre,
Which after built the towne of Leircestere.
A fethered king that practisde for to flye and soare:
Whereby he felt the fall God wot against his will,
And neuer went, roode, raignde nor spake, nor flew no more.
147
Was chosen kinge, by right apparent heyre,
Which after built the towne of Leircestere.
He had three daughters, first and eldest hight Gonerell:
Next after hir, my sister Ragan was begote:
The thirde and last was, I the yongest namde Cordell,
And of vs all, our father Leire in age did dote.
So minding hir that loude him best to note,
Because he had no sonne t'enioye his lande:
He thought to giue, where fauoure most he fande.
Next after hir, my sister Ragan was begote:
The thirde and last was, I the yongest namde Cordell,
And of vs all, our father Leire in age did dote.
So minding hir that loude him best to note,
Because he had no sonne t'enioye his lande:
He thought to giue, where fauoure most he fande.
What though I yongest were, yet men me iudgde more wise
Then either Gonorell, or Ragan had more age,
And fayrer farre: wherefore my sisters did despise
My grace, and giftes, and sought my praise t'swage:
But yet though vice gainst vertue die with rage,
It cannot keepe her vnderneth to drowne,
But still she flittes aboue, and reapes renowne.
Then either Gonorell, or Ragan had more age,
And fayrer farre: wherefore my sisters did despise
My grace, and giftes, and sought my praise t'swage:
But yet though vice gainst vertue die with rage,
It cannot keepe her vnderneth to drowne,
But still she flittes aboue, and reapes renowne.
Yet nathelesse, my father did me not mislike:
But age so simple is, and easye to subdue:
As childhode weake, thats voide of wit and reason quite:
They thincke thers nought, you flater fainde, but all is true:
Once olde and twice a childe, tis said with you,
Which I affirme by proofe, that was definde:
In age my father had a childishe minde.
But age so simple is, and easye to subdue:
As childhode weake, thats voide of wit and reason quite:
They thincke thers nought, you flater fainde, but all is true:
Once olde and twice a childe, tis said with you,
Which I affirme by proofe, that was definde:
In age my father had a childishe minde.
148
He thought to wed vs vnto nobles three, or Peres:
And vnto them and theirs, deuide and part the lande:
For both my sisters first he sent as first their yeares
Requirde their mindes, and loue, and fauour t'understand.
(Quod he) all doubtes of duty to abande,
I must assaye and eke your frendships proue:
Now tell me eche how much you do me loue.
And vnto them and theirs, deuide and part the lande:
For both my sisters first he sent as first their yeares
Requirde their mindes, and loue, and fauour t'understand.
(Quod he) all doubtes of duty to abande,
I must assaye and eke your frendships proue:
Now tell me eche how much you do me loue.
Which when they aunswered, they loude him wel and more
Then they themselues did loue, or any worldly wight:
He praised them and said he would againe therefore,
The louing kindnes they deserude in fine requite:
So found my sisters fauour in his sight,
By flatery fayre they won their fathers hart:
Which after turned, him and mee to smart.
Then they themselues did loue, or any worldly wight:
He praised them and said he would againe therefore,
The louing kindnes they deserude in fine requite:
So found my sisters fauour in his sight,
By flatery fayre they won their fathers hart:
Which after turned, him and mee to smart.
But not content with this he minded me to proue,
For why he wonted was to loue me wonders well:
How much dost thou (quoth he) Cordile thy father loue?
I will (said I) at once my loue declare and tell:
I loude you euer as my father well,
No otherwise, if more to know you craue:
We loue you chiefly for the goodes you haue.
For why he wonted was to loue me wonders well:
How much dost thou (quoth he) Cordile thy father loue?
I will (said I) at once my loue declare and tell:
I loude you euer as my father well,
No otherwise, if more to know you craue:
We loue you chiefly for the goodes you haue.
149
Thus much I said, the more their flattery to detect,
But he me answerd therunto again with Ire,
Because thou dost thy fathers aged yeares neglect,
That loude the more of late then thy desertes require,
Thou neuer shalt, to any part aspire
Of this my realme, emong thy sisters twayne,
But euer shalt vndotid ay remayne.
But he me answerd therunto again with Ire,
Because thou dost thy fathers aged yeares neglect,
That loude the more of late then thy desertes require,
Thou neuer shalt, to any part aspire
Of this my realme, emong thy sisters twayne,
But euer shalt vndotid ay remayne.
Then to the king of Albany for wife he gaue
My sister Gonerell, the eldest of vs all:
And eke my sister Ragan for Hinnine to haue,
Which then was Prince of Camber and Cornwall:
These after him should haue his kingdome all
Betwene them both, he gaue it franke and free:
But nought at all, he gaue of dowry mee.
My sister Gonerell, the eldest of vs all:
And eke my sister Ragan for Hinnine to haue,
Which then was Prince of Camber and Cornwall:
These after him should haue his kingdome all
Betwene them both, he gaue it franke and free:
But nought at all, he gaue of dowry mee.
At last it chaunst the king of Fraunce to here my fame,
My beutie braue, was blazed all abrode eche where:
And eke my vertues praisde me to my fathers blame
Did for my sisters flattery me lesse fauoure beare.
Which when this worthy king my wrongs did heare,
He sent ambassage likte me more then life,
T'intreate he might me haue to be his wife.
My beutie braue, was blazed all abrode eche where:
And eke my vertues praisde me to my fathers blame
Did for my sisters flattery me lesse fauoure beare.
Which when this worthy king my wrongs did heare,
He sent ambassage likte me more then life,
T'intreate he might me haue to be his wife.
150
My father was content withall his harte, and sayde,
He gladly should obtaine his whole request at will
Concerning me, if nothing I herin denayde:
But yet he kept by their intisment hatred still,
(quoth he) your prince his pleasure to fulfill,
I graunt and giue my daughter as you craue:
But nought of me for dowry can she haue.
He gladly should obtaine his whole request at will
Concerning me, if nothing I herin denayde:
But yet he kept by their intisment hatred still,
(quoth he) your prince his pleasure to fulfill,
I graunt and giue my daughter as you craue:
But nought of me for dowry can she haue.
King Aganippus well agreed to take me so,
He deemde that vertue was of dowries all the best:
And I contentid was to Fraunce my father fro
For to depart, & hoapte t'enioye some greater rest.
I maried was, and then my ioyes encreaste,
I gate more fauoure in this prince his sight,
Then euer princesse of a princely wight.
He deemde that vertue was of dowries all the best:
And I contentid was to Fraunce my father fro
For to depart, & hoapte t'enioye some greater rest.
I maried was, and then my ioyes encreaste,
I gate more fauoure in this prince his sight,
Then euer princesse of a princely wight.
But while that I these ioyes enioyd, at home in Fraunce
My father Leire in Britayne waxed aged olde,
My sisters yet them selues the more aloft t'aduaunce,
Thought well they might, be by his leaue, or sans so bolde:
To take the realme & rule it as they wold.
They rose as rebels voyde of reason quite,
And they depriude him of his crowne and right.
My father Leire in Britayne waxed aged olde,
My sisters yet them selues the more aloft t'aduaunce,
Thought well they might, be by his leaue, or sans so bolde:
To take the realme & rule it as they wold.
They rose as rebels voyde of reason quite,
And they depriude him of his crowne and right.
151
Then they agreed, it should be into partes equall
Deuided: and my father threscore knightes & squires
Should alwayes haue, attending on him still at cal.
But in six monthes so much encreasid hateful Ires,
That Gonerell denyde all his desires,
So halfe his garde she and her husband refte:
And scarce alowde the other halfe they lefte.
Deuided: and my father threscore knightes & squires
Should alwayes haue, attending on him still at cal.
But in six monthes so much encreasid hateful Ires,
That Gonerell denyde all his desires,
So halfe his garde she and her husband refte:
And scarce alowde the other halfe they lefte.
Eke as in Scotlande thus he lay lamenting fates,
When as his daughter so, sought all his vtter spoyle:
The meaner vpstarte gentiles, thought themselues his mates
And betters eke, see here an aged prince his foyle.
Then was he faine for succoure his, to toyle.
With all his knightes, to Cornewall there to lye:
In greatest nede, his Raganes loue to trye.
When as his daughter so, sought all his vtter spoyle:
The meaner vpstarte gentiles, thought themselues his mates
And betters eke, see here an aged prince his foyle.
Then was he faine for succoure his, to toyle.
With all his knightes, to Cornewall there to lye:
In greatest nede, his Raganes loue to trye.
And when he came to Cornwall, Ragan then with ioye,
Receiued him and eke hir husbande did the lyke:
There he abode a yeare and liude without a noy,
But then they tooke, all his retinue from him quite
Saue only ten, and shewde him dayly spite,
Which he bewailde complayning durst not striue,
Though in disdayne they laste alowde but fiue.
Receiued him and eke hir husbande did the lyke:
There he abode a yeare and liude without a noy,
But then they tooke, all his retinue from him quite
Saue only ten, and shewde him dayly spite,
Which he bewailde complayning durst not striue,
Though in disdayne they laste alowde but fiue.
152
On this he deemde him, selfe was far that tyme vnwyse,
When from his doughter Gonerell to Ragan hee:
Departed erste yet eache did him poore king despise,
Wherfore to Scotlande once againe with hir to bee
And bide he went: but beastly cruell shee,
Bereaude him of his seruauntes all saue one,
Bad him content him self with that or none.
When from his doughter Gonerell to Ragan hee:
Departed erste yet eache did him poore king despise,
Wherfore to Scotlande once againe with hir to bee
And bide he went: but beastly cruell shee,
Bereaude him of his seruauntes all saue one,
Bad him content him self with that or none.
Eke at what time he askte of eache to haue his garde,
To garde his grace where so he walkte or wente:
They calde him doting foole and all his hestes debarde,
Demaunded if with life he could not be contente.
Then he to late his rigour did repente,
Gainst me and sayde, Cordila now adieu:
I finde the wordes thou toldste mee to to true.
To garde his grace where so he walkte or wente:
They calde him doting foole and all his hestes debarde,
Demaunded if with life he could not be contente.
Then he to late his rigour did repente,
Gainst me and sayde, Cordila now adieu:
I finde the wordes thou toldste mee to to true.
And to be short, to Fraunce he came alone to mee,
And tolde me how my sisters him our father vsde:
Then I besought my king with teares vpon my knee,
That he would aide my father thus by them misusde
Who nought at all my humble heste refusde:
But sent to euery coste of Fraunce for ayde,
Wherwith my father home might be conueide.
And tolde me how my sisters him our father vsde:
Then I besought my king with teares vpon my knee,
That he would aide my father thus by them misusde
153
But sent to euery coste of Fraunce for ayde,
Wherwith my father home might be conueide.
The soldiers gathered from eche quarter of the land,
Came at the length to know the king his mind & will:
Who did commit them to my fathers aged hand,
And I likewise of loue and reuerent mere goodwill
Desirde my king, he would not take it ill,
If I departed for a space withall:
To take a parte, or ease my fathers thrall.
Came at the length to know the king his mind & will:
Who did commit them to my fathers aged hand,
And I likewise of loue and reuerent mere goodwill
Desirde my king, he would not take it ill,
If I departed for a space withall:
To take a parte, or ease my fathers thrall.
This had: I partid with my father from my fere,
We came to Britayne with our royall campe to fight:
And manly fought so long our enmies vanquisht were
By martiall feates, and force by subiectes sword and might.
The Britishe kinges were fayne to yelde our right,
And so my father well this realme did guide,
Three yeares in peace and after that he dide.
We came to Britayne with our royall campe to fight:
And manly fought so long our enmies vanquisht were
By martiall feates, and force by subiectes sword and might.
The Britishe kinges were fayne to yelde our right,
And so my father well this realme did guide,
Three yeares in peace and after that he dide.
Then I at Leircester in Ianus temple made,
His tombe and buried there his kingly regall corse,
As sondry tymes in life before he often bade:
For of our fathers will we then did greatly force,
We had of conscience eke so much remorce,
That we supposde those childrens liues to ill:
Which brake their fathers testament, and will.
His tombe and buried there his kingly regall corse,
As sondry tymes in life before he often bade:
For of our fathers will we then did greatly force,
We had of conscience eke so much remorce,
That we supposde those childrens liues to ill:
Which brake their fathers testament, and will.
154
And I was queene the kingdome after still to holde,
Till fiue yeares paste I did this Iland guyde:
I had the Britaynes at what becke & bay I wolde,
Till that my louing king myne Aganippus dyde.
But then my seate it faltered on eache side,
Two churlishe Impes began with me to Iarre,
And for my crowne wadgde with me mortal warre.
Till fiue yeares paste I did this Iland guyde:
I had the Britaynes at what becke & bay I wolde,
Till that my louing king myne Aganippus dyde.
But then my seate it faltered on eache side,
Two churlishe Impes began with me to Iarre,
And for my crowne wadgde with me mortal warre.
The one hight Morgan th'elder sonne of Gonerell
My sister, and that other Conidagus hight
My sister Ragans sonne, that loude me neuer well:
Both nephewes mine, yet wolde against me Cordel fight,
Because I loude always that semed right:
Therfore they hated me, and did pursue,
Their aunte and queene as she had bene a Iewe.
My sister, and that other Conidagus hight
My sister Ragans sonne, that loude me neuer well:
Both nephewes mine, yet wolde against me Cordel fight,
Because I loude always that semed right:
Therfore they hated me, and did pursue,
Their aunte and queene as she had bene a Iewe.
This Morgane was that time the prince of Albany,
And Conidagus king of Cornewale and of Wales:
Both which, at once prouided their artillery,
To worke me wofull wo, & mine adherentes bales:
What nede I fill thyne eares with longer tales?
They did preuaile by might and powre so faste
That I was taken prisoner at laste.
And Conidagus king of Cornewale and of Wales:
Both which, at once prouided their artillery,
To worke me wofull wo, & mine adherentes bales:
What nede I fill thyne eares with longer tales?
They did preuaile by might and powre so faste
That I was taken prisoner at laste.
In spitefull sorte, they vsed then my captiue corse,
No fauoure shewde to me, extincte was mine estate.
Of kinred, princesse bloud, or pere was no remorce,
But as an abiecte vile and worse they did me hate,
To lie in darksome dongeon was my fate:
As twere a thiefe mine aunswers to abyde,
Gainst right and iustice, vnder Iaylours guyde.
No fauoure shewde to me, extincte was mine estate.
Of kinred, princesse bloud, or pere was no remorce,
But as an abiecte vile and worse they did me hate,
To lie in darksome dongeon was my fate:
As twere a thiefe mine aunswers to abyde,
Gainst right and iustice, vnder Iaylours guyde.
155
For libertie at lengthe I suid, to subiectes were:
But they kepte me in pryson close deuoyde of truste,
If I might once escape, they were in dreade and feare,
Their fawning frendes with me would proue vntrue and iust.
They tolde me take it paciently I muste,
And be contented that I had my life:
Sithe with their mothers I began the strife.
But they kepte me in pryson close deuoyde of truste,
If I might once escape, they were in dreade and feare,
Their fawning frendes with me would proue vntrue and iust.
They tolde me take it paciently I muste,
And be contented that I had my life:
Sithe with their mothers I began the strife.
Whereby I sawe might nothing me preuayle to pray,
Or pleade, or proue, defende, excuse or pardon craue.
They herde me not, despisde my plaintes, sought my decay,
I might no lawe, nor loue, nor right, nor iustice haue:
No frendes, no faith, nor pitie could me saue:
But I was from all hope of licence barde,
Condemde my cause like neuer to be herde.
Or pleade, or proue, defende, excuse or pardon craue.
They herde me not, despisde my plaintes, sought my decay,
I might no lawe, nor loue, nor right, nor iustice haue:
No frendes, no faith, nor pitie could me saue:
But I was from all hope of licence barde,
Condemde my cause like neuer to be herde.
Was euer lady in such wofull wreckfull wo:
Depriude of princely powre, berefte of libertie,
Depriud in all these worldly pompes, hir pleasures fro,
And brought from welthe, to nede distresse, and misery?
From palace proude, in prison poore to lye:
From kingdomes twayne, to dungion one no more:
From Ladies wayting, vnto vermine store.
Depriude of princely powre, berefte of libertie,
Depriud in all these worldly pompes, hir pleasures fro,
And brought from welthe, to nede distresse, and misery?
From palace proude, in prison poore to lye:
From kingdomes twayne, to dungion one no more:
From Ladies wayting, vnto vermine store.
From light to darke, from holsom ayre to lothsom smell:
From odewr swete, to sweate: from ease, to grieuous payne:
From sight of princely wights, to place where theues do dwel:
From deinty beddes of downe, to be of strawe full fayne:
From bowres of heauenly hewe, to dennes of dayne:
From greatest haps, that worldly wightes atchieue:
To more distresse then any wretche aliue.
From odewr swete, to sweate: from ease, to grieuous payne:
From sight of princely wights, to place where theues do dwel:
From deinty beddes of downe, to be of strawe full fayne:
From bowres of heauenly hewe, to dennes of dayne:
From greatest haps, that worldly wightes atchieue:
To more distresse then any wretche aliue.
156
When firste I lefte the crowne of Fraunce, did me exalte,
And eke my noble king, myne Aganippus true:
And came to Englande for their heynous factes, and faulte:
Which from his right and kingdom quite our father threw,
To take this realme, to raigne and treason knew:
I thinke of all misfortunes was the worste,
Or else I deeme, was some of vs accurste.
And eke my noble king, myne Aganippus true:
And came to Englande for their heynous factes, and faulte:
Which from his right and kingdom quite our father threw,
To take this realme, to raigne and treason knew:
I thinke of all misfortunes was the worste,
Or else I deeme, was some of vs accurste.
For marke my haplesse fall that drawes at length to ende,
As in this pryson vile, on lyue I lingering laye:
When I had mourned long, but founde no faithfull frende
That could me helpe, or ayde, or comforte any way,
Was serude at meate, as those their kinges betraye,
With fare God wot was simple, bare and thinne,
Could not sustayne the corps it entred in.
As in this pryson vile, on lyue I lingering laye:
When I had mourned long, but founde no faithfull frende
That could me helpe, or ayde, or comforte any way,
Was serude at meate, as those their kinges betraye,
With fare God wot was simple, bare and thinne,
Could not sustayne the corps it entred in.
And when the sighes, & teares, & plaintes nigh burst my hart,
And place, and stenche and fare nighe poysond euery pore:
For lacke of frendes to tell my seas of giltlesse smarte,
And that mine eyes had sworne to take swete slepe no more,
I was content sithe cares oppreste me sore,
To leaue my foode, take mourning plaintes and crie,
And lay me downe, let griefe and nature trie.
And place, and stenche and fare nighe poysond euery pore:
For lacke of frendes to tell my seas of giltlesse smarte,
And that mine eyes had sworne to take swete slepe no more,
I was content sithe cares oppreste me sore,
To leaue my foode, take mourning plaintes and crie,
And lay me downe, let griefe and nature trie.
Thus as I pyning lay my carkas on couch of strawe,
And felte that payne erste neuer creature earthly knewe:
Me thought by night a gryzely ghost in darkes I sawe,
Eke nerer still to me with stealing steps she drewe.
She was of coloure pale, a deadly hewe:
Hir clothes resembled thousand kindes of thrall,
And pictures playne, of hastened deathes withall.
And felte that payne erste neuer creature earthly knewe:
Me thought by night a gryzely ghost in darkes I sawe,
Eke nerer still to me with stealing steps she drewe.
157
Hir clothes resembled thousand kindes of thrall,
And pictures playne, of hastened deathes withall.
I musing lay in paynes and wondred what she was,
Mine eyne stode still, mine haire rose vp for feare an ende.
My fleshe it shoke and trembled: yet I cryde alasse,
What wight art thou, a foe or else what fawning frende?
If death thou arte, I praye thee make an ende?
But th'arte not death: arte thou some fury sente?
My wofull corps with paynes to more tormente?
Mine eyne stode still, mine haire rose vp for feare an ende.
My fleshe it shoke and trembled: yet I cryde alasse,
What wight art thou, a foe or else what fawning frende?
If death thou arte, I praye thee make an ende?
But th'arte not death: arte thou some fury sente?
My wofull corps with paynes to more tormente?
With that she spake I am (quoth she) thy frend Despaire
Which in distresse eache worldly wight with spede do ayde:
I rid them from their foes, if I to them repayre,
To long from thee by other caytiues was I stayde.
Now if thou arte to die no whit affrayde,
Here shalt thou choose of instrumentes, beholde?
Shall ridde thy restlesse life, of this be bolde.
Which in distresse eache worldly wight with spede do ayde:
I rid them from their foes, if I to them repayre,
To long from thee by other caytiues was I stayde.
Now if thou arte to die no whit affrayde,
Here shalt thou choose of instrumentes, beholde?
Shall ridde thy restlesse life, of this be bolde.
And therwithall she spred her garmentes lap asyde,
Vnder the which a thousand thinges I sawe with eyes:
Both knyues, sharpe swordes, poynadoes all bedyde
With bloud, and poysons prest which she could well deuise.
There is no hope (quoth she) for thee to ryse,
And get thy crowne or libertie agayne:
But for to liue, long lasting pining payne.
Vnder the which a thousand thinges I sawe with eyes:
Both knyues, sharpe swordes, poynadoes all bedyde
With bloud, and poysons prest which she could well deuise.
There is no hope (quoth she) for thee to ryse,
And get thy crowne or libertie agayne:
But for to liue, long lasting pining payne.
158
Loe here (quoth she) the blade that Did' of Carthage highte,
Whereby she was from thousande panges of payne let passe:
With this she slewe hir selfe, after Aeneas flighte:
When he to sea from Tyrian shores departed was,
Do chouse of these thou seest from woes to passe,
Or bid the ende prolonge thy paynefull dayes,
And I am pleasde from thee to get my wayes.
Whereby she was from thousande panges of payne let passe:
With this she slewe hir selfe, after Aeneas flighte:
When he to sea from Tyrian shores departed was,
Do chouse of these thou seest from woes to passe,
Or bid the ende prolonge thy paynefull dayes,
And I am pleasde from thee to get my wayes.
With that was I (poore wretche) content to take the knife,
But doubtfull yet to dye, and fearefull faine would bide:
So still I lay in study with my selfe at bate and strife,
What thing were best of both these deepe extreames vntride.
My hope all reasons of dispayre denide,
And she againe replide to proue it best
To dye, for still in life my woes increast.
But doubtfull yet to dye, and fearefull faine would bide:
So still I lay in study with my selfe at bate and strife,
What thing were best of both these deepe extreames vntride.
My hope all reasons of dispayre denide,
And she againe replide to proue it best
To dye, for still in life my woes increast.
She calde to minde, the ioyes in Fraunce I whilom had:
She tolde me what a troupe of Ladies was my traine,
And howe the Lords of Fraunce and Britaynes both were glad,
Of late to waite on mee and subiects all were faine.
She tould I had bin bind Queene of kingdomes twaine,
And how my nephewes had my seate and crowne:
I could not rise, for euer fallen downe.
She tolde me what a troupe of Ladies was my traine,
And howe the Lords of Fraunce and Britaynes both were glad,
Of late to waite on mee and subiects all were faine.
She tould I had bin bind Queene of kingdomes twaine,
And how my nephewes had my seate and crowne:
I could not rise, for euer fallen downe.
A thousand thinges, beside resited then dispaire:
She tould the woes in warres, that I had heapt of late:
Rehearst the prison vile, in steede of Pallas faire:
My lodging lowe and mouldy meates my mouth did hate,
She shewde mee all the dongeon where I sate,
The dankeishe walles, the darkes and bad me smell:
And bide the sauour if I likt it well.
She tould the woes in warres, that I had heapt of late:
Rehearst the prison vile, in steede of Pallas faire:
My lodging lowe and mouldy meates my mouth did hate,
She shewde mee all the dongeon where I sate,
The dankeishe walles, the darkes and bad me smell:
And bide the sauour if I likt it well.
159
Whereby I wretch deuoide of comfort quite and hope,
And pleasures past comparde with present paines I had:
For fatall knife slipt forth my fearefull hand did grope,
Dispaire in this to ayde my sencelesse limmes was glad,
And gaue the blade to ende my woes she bad.
I will (quoth I) but first with all my hart:
Ile pray the Gods, reuenge my wofull smart.
And pleasures past comparde with present paines I had:
For fatall knife slipt forth my fearefull hand did grope,
Dispaire in this to ayde my sencelesse limmes was glad,
And gaue the blade to ende my woes she bad.
I will (quoth I) but first with all my hart:
Ile pray the Gods, reuenge my wofull smart.
If any wronge deserue the wrecke I pray you skyes,
And starres of light, if you my wofull plight do rue:
O Phoebus cleare I thee beseech and pray likewise,
Beare witnes of my plaints well knowne to Gods are true.
You see from whence these iniuries they grue,
Then let like vengeaunce hap and light on those:
Which vndeserued were my deadly foes.
And starres of light, if you my wofull plight do rue:
O Phoebus cleare I thee beseech and pray likewise,
Beare witnes of my plaints well knowne to Gods are true.
You see from whence these iniuries they grue,
Then let like vengeaunce hap and light on those:
Which vndeserued were my deadly foes.
God graunt a mortall strife betwene them both may fall,
That one the other may without remorse distroye:
That Conidagus may, his cosin Morgan thrall,
Because he first decreast my wealth, bereft my ioye.
I pray you Gods he neuer be a Roy.
But caitife may be payde with such a frende:
As shortly may him bring, to sodaine ende.
That one the other may without remorse distroye:
That Conidagus may, his cosin Morgan thrall,
Because he first decreast my wealth, bereft my ioye.
I pray you Gods he neuer be a Roy.
But caitife may be payde with such a frende:
As shortly may him bring, to sodaine ende.
Farewell my Realme of Fraunce, farewell Adieu:
Adieu mes nobles tous, and England now farewell:
Farewell Madames my Ladyes, car ie suis pardu:
Il me fault aler, desespoir m'a donne conseil
De me tuer, no more your Queene farewell.
My nephewes mee oppresse with maine and might,
A captiue poore, gainst iustice all and right.
Adieu mes nobles tous, and England now farewell:
Farewell Madames my Ladyes, car ie suis pardu:
Il me fault aler, desespoir m'a donne conseil
160
My nephewes mee oppresse with maine and might,
A captiue poore, gainst iustice all and right.
And therewithall the sight did faile my dazeling eyne,
I nothing sawe saue sole Dispayre bad mee dispatch,
Whom I behelde, she caught the knife from mee I weene,
And by hir elbowe carian death for mee did watch.
Come on (quoth I) thou hast a goodly catch,
And therewithal Dispayre the stroke did strike:
Whereby I dyde, a damned creature like.
I nothing sawe saue sole Dispayre bad mee dispatch,
Whom I behelde, she caught the knife from mee I weene,
And by hir elbowe carian death for mee did watch.
Come on (quoth I) thou hast a goodly catch,
And therewithal Dispayre the stroke did strike:
Whereby I dyde, a damned creature like.
Which I alasse lament, bid those aliue beware,
Let not the losse of goodes or honour them constraine:
To play the fooles, and take such carefull carke and care,
Or to dispaire for any prison pine or paine.
If they be giltlesse let them so remaine,
Farre greater follye is it for to kill,
Themselues dispayring, then is any ill.
Let not the losse of goodes or honour them constraine:
To play the fooles, and take such carefull carke and care,
Or to dispaire for any prison pine or paine.
If they be giltlesse let them so remaine,
Farre greater follye is it for to kill,
Themselues dispayring, then is any ill.
Sith first thereby their enmyes haue, that they desyre:
By which they proue to deadly foes vnwares a frende:
And next they cannot liue, to former blisse t'aspyre
If God do bring their foes in time to sodaine ende:
They lastly as the damned wretches sende,
Their soules to hell, when as they vndertake
To kill a corps: which God did liuely make.
By which they proue to deadly foes vnwares a frende:
And next they cannot liue, to former blisse t'aspyre
If God do bring their foes in time to sodaine ende:
They lastly as the damned wretches sende,
Their soules to hell, when as they vndertake
To kill a corps: which God did liuely make.
FINIS.
161
The Authour.
Now when this desperate Queene had ended thus
Hir tale, and told what haplesse grace she had:
As of her talke some pointes I did discusse,
In slomber fallen I waxed wondrous sad.
Hir nephewes dealings were me thought to bad:
Which greude mee much, but Morpheus bad let bee,
And therewithal presented one to mee.
Hir tale, and told what haplesse grace she had:
As of her talke some pointes I did discusse,
In slomber fallen I waxed wondrous sad.
Hir nephewes dealings were me thought to bad:
Which greude mee much, but Morpheus bad let bee,
And therewithal presented one to mee.
Of stature tall a worthy princely wight,
In countenaunce he seemde yet mourning still:
His complet harnesse not so braue in sight,
Nor sure as ours, made now adayes by skill:
But clampt together, ioynts but ioyned ill:
Vnfit, vnhandsome, heauy, houge and plaine,
Vnweldy wearing, ratling like a chaine.
In countenaunce he seemde yet mourning still:
His complet harnesse not so braue in sight,
Nor sure as ours, made now adayes by skill:
But clampt together, ioynts but ioyned ill:
Vnfit, vnhandsome, heauy, houge and plaine,
Vnweldy wearing, ratling like a chaine.
162
Wherethroughe he had receiude a deadly stroake,
By sworde, or other instrument of warre,
And downe his thighes the bloud by sithes did soake
Which I perceiued as he came a farre.
“Now sith (quoth he) to heare you present are:
“I will declare my name, life, factes and fall.
And therewith thus he gan to tell it all,
By sworde, or other instrument of warre,
And downe his thighes the bloud by sithes did soake
Which I perceiued as he came a farre.
“Now sith (quoth he) to heare you present are:
“I will declare my name, life, factes and fall.
And therewith thus he gan to tell it all,
LENUOY.
When as this desperate Queene had ended thus
Her tale, and tolde the haplesse grace she had:
As of her playnte som poyntes I did discusse,
Her sisters dealings were (mee thought) to bad.
Her cosens cruell both, for Kindomes mad.
Her owne estate most pityfull to see,
A Queene by kinred captiue kepte to bee.
Her tale, and tolde the haplesse grace she had:
As of her playnte som poyntes I did discusse,
Her sisters dealings were (mee thought) to bad.
Her cosens cruell both, for Kindomes mad.
Her owne estate most pityfull to see,
A Queene by kinred captiue kepte to bee.
So wise a Queene, so fayre a Princesse wrongde,
So dutifull in parents plight of yore:
By rebells vile hir cousens to bee throngde,
Such hatred hir ambitiously that bore.
Who euer saw such cruelty before?
Cordilaes state most pitifull to see,
By kinred cloce in prison kepte to bee.
So dutifull in parents plight of yore:
By rebells vile hir cousens to bee throngde,
Such hatred hir ambitiously that bore.
Who euer saw such cruelty before?
Cordilaes state most pitifull to see,
By kinred cloce in prison kepte to bee.
But next from Wales in warlike armoure came
With wounded corps Morganus th'Albane king,
In woefull wise his doubtfull tale to frame,
And of his auntes distresse reports each thing.
Hee from Glamorgan this for truth doth bring,
That who by slaughter seekes a prince to bee,
As traytoure falles beneath his first degree.
With wounded corps Morganus th'Albane king,
In woefull wise his doubtfull tale to frame,
And of his auntes distresse reports each thing.
Hee from Glamorgan this for truth doth bring,
That who by slaughter seekes a prince to bee,
As traytoure falles beneath his first degree.
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