University of Virginia Library

To the Reader.

No tale of Robinhood I sing.
ne olde wiues stories write:
Nor idle toyes to meruaile at,
vaine people to delight,
But woorkes of woorth most rare & true
to you I doe present:
which to the brauest mindes may be,
a worthy president.
heere Cauallers of high esteeme,
that Londiners contemne:
may know what worthy mindes they bear
and serue like valiant men.
As Lancaster his last attempt,
that hee in Brassill made:
May witnesse well vnto his fame,
if you the same will read:
Rare are his acts, peruse them then,
whose manhood dooth excell:
His haughtie deeds doone to our foes,
the same at large doth tell.
Recorde may wee his worthines,
and write but what is true:
And you that saw the welth he brought,
giue Lancaster his due,
If London-merchaunts dare to doe,
such actions as hee did:
Then why should not their acts be tolde,
why should his fame be hid.
Amongst the cheifest Cauilers,
giue Lancaster his place:
Who by his worthy pollicie,
thefoe man hath disgrast
He is the man whose courage great.
was neuer seene to quaile:
He is the man that formost was,
where wee did foes assaile
Braue Lancaster for woorthines,
in this attempt of thine:
The foeman dooth commend thy worth,
whose vertues so dooth shine:
Then Caualiers of highest prize,
and Citizens of fame:
Extoll his prayse which hath deserude,
and brauely gaind the same:
And gallant Brutes which yet are bound,
your masters to obay:
When time shall make you free againe,
think then what I now say.
Learne by this man of woorth to guyde,
your selues in euerie place:
By land or sea to gaine renowne,
and enemies to disgrace,
your Countrey then your honor shall,
for Prince doe seruice good:
and men that see your woorthynes,
for you will spend their blood.
He is a lamp to light you one,
Fames pallace to attaine:
wherby your names shall euer liue,
if Fame you seeke to gaine.
Learne by his woorth that valiantly,
hath ventured life and limme:
To shame of dastard Coward base,
in place where he hath beene.
His deeds at large doe but peruse,
and then you all shall say:
an act of more resolue hath not,
beene complisht at the sea.