Lydgate's Fall of Princes Edited by Dr. Henry Bergen ... presented to The Early English Text Society by The Carnegie Institution of Washington |
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[How Brounchild / queene of Fraunce slouh hir kyn /
brought the londe in diuisioun, and aftir was
honged / and hewen in pecys smale.] |
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 | Lydgate's Fall of Princes |  |
[How Brounchild / queene of Fraunce slouh hir kyn / brought the londe in diuisioun, and aftir was honged / and hewen in pecys smale.]
She cam arraied nothing lik a queen,
Hir her vntressid; Bochas took good heed,
In al his book he had afforn nat seen
A mor woful creature in deede.
With weeping eyen, totorn[e] was hir weede,
Rebuking Bochas, he had lefft behynde
Hir wrechidnesse for to putte in mynde.
Hir her vntressid; Bochas took good heed,
In al his book he had afforn nat seen
A mor woful creature in deede.
With weeping eyen, totorn[e] was hir weede,
Rebuking Bochas, he had lefft behynde
Hir wrechidnesse for to putte in mynde.
Vnto myn auctour she sodenli abraide,
Lik a woman that wer with wo chekmaat.
First of alle thus to hym she saide:
“Sumtyme I was a queen of gret estat
Crownid in Fraunce; but now al desolat
I stonde in soth. Brunnechild[e] was my name,
Which to reherse I haue a maner shame.
Lik a woman that wer with wo chekmaat.
First of alle thus to hym she saide:
“Sumtyme I was a queen of gret estat
Crownid in Fraunce; but now al desolat
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Which to reherse I haue a maner shame.
Thou wer besi to write the woful caas
Withynne thi book off Arsynoe,
Dist seruise to queen Cleopatras,
Of Rosymounde thou writ also parde;
And among alle thou hast forgete me,
Wherbi it seemeth thou dost at me disdeyne,—
List no parcel to writen of my peyne.”
Withynne thi book off Arsynoe,
Dist seruise to queen Cleopatras,
Of Rosymounde thou writ also parde;
And among alle thou hast forgete me,
Wherbi it seemeth thou dost at me disdeyne,—
List no parcel to writen of my peyne.”
Whan Bochas herd, of cheer he wex riht sad,
Knowyng nothing of that she ded endure.
“I-wis,” quod he, “afforn I haue nat rad
In no cronicle nor in no scripture
Of your woful froward auenture.”
“No?” quod she, “I pray you tak good heede,
So as thei fille I wil reherse in deede.”
Knowyng nothing of that she ded endure.
“I-wis,” quod he, “afforn I haue nat rad
In no cronicle nor in no scripture
Of your woful froward auenture.”
“No?” quod she, “I pray you tak good heede,
So as thei fille I wil reherse in deede.”
Bochas with Brunnechilde gan debate anon:
“Sothli,” quod he, “this the condicioun
Of you wommen almost euerichon;
Ye haue this maner, withoute excepcioun,
Of your natural inclynacioun,
Of your declaryng this obseruaunce to keepe:
Nothyng to seyn contrarye to your worshepe.
“Sothli,” quod he, “this the condicioun
Of you wommen almost euerichon;
Ye haue this maner, withoute excepcioun,
Of your natural inclynacioun,
Of your declaryng this obseruaunce to keepe:
Nothyng to seyn contrarye to your worshepe.
Nature hath tauht you al that is wrong texcuse,
Vndir a courtyn al thyng for to hide;
With litil greyn your chaff ye can abuse;
On your diffautis ye list nat for to bide:
The galle touchid, al that ye set aside;
Shewe rosis fresshe; weedis ye leet passe,
And fairest cheer[e] wher ye most trespace.
Vndir a courtyn al thyng for to hide;
With litil greyn your chaff ye can abuse;
On your diffautis ye list nat for to bide:
The galle touchid, al that ye set aside;
Shewe rosis fresshe; weedis ye leet passe,
And fairest cheer[e] wher ye most trespace.
And yiff ye shal telle your owne tale,
How ye be fall[e] fro Fortunis wheel,
Ye will vnclose but a litil male,
Shewe of your vices but a smal parcel:
Brotil glas sheweth brihter than doth steel;
And thouh of vertu ye shewe a fair pretence,
He is a fool that yiueth to you credence.”
How ye be fall[e] fro Fortunis wheel,
Ye will vnclose but a litil male,
Shewe of your vices but a smal parcel:
Brotil glas sheweth brihter than doth steel;
And thouh of vertu ye shewe a fair pretence,
He is a fool that yiueth to you credence.”
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Quo[d] Brunnechild, “I do riht weel espie
Thou hast of wommen a fals oppynyoun,
How that thei can flatre weel & lie
And been dyuers of disposicioun;—
Thou myhtest haue maad an excepcioun
Of hih estatis & them that gentil been,
Namli of me, that was so gret a queen.”
Thou hast of wommen a fals oppynyoun,
How that thei can flatre weel & lie
And been dyuers of disposicioun;—
Thou myhtest haue maad an excepcioun
Of hih estatis & them that gentil been,
Namli of me, that was so gret a queen.”
“Your hih estat boff Kynde hath no poweer
To chaunge in nature nouther cold nor heete:
But let vs passe and leue this mateer,
Theron tabide or any mor to plete;
Of your compleynt seith to me the grete.
Be weie of seruise to you I shal me quite,
As ye declare take my penne & write.”
To chaunge in nature nouther cold nor heete:
But let vs passe and leue this mateer,
Theron tabide or any mor to plete;
Of your compleynt seith to me the grete.
Be weie of seruise to you I shal me quite,
As ye declare take my penne & write.”
“Tak heed,” quod she, “& with riht good auis
Fro the trouthe bewar that thou nat varie!
Whilom in France regnid kyng Clowis,
Hadde a sone that namyd was Clotarye,
Clothair an heir which callid was Lotarie;
And this Lotarie, namyd the secounde,
Hadde sonis foure, in stori it is founde.
Fro the trouthe bewar that thou nat varie!
Whilom in France regnid kyng Clowis,
Hadde a sone that namyd was Clotarye,
Clothair an heir which callid was Lotarie;
And this Lotarie, namyd the secounde,
Hadde sonis foure, in stori it is founde.
To the cronicle who can taken heed,
As it is I put in remembraunce,
Whan ther fadir, the myhti kyng, was ded,
Atween thes foure partid was al France,
Ech be hymsilff[e] to haue gouernaunce,
Be oon assent, as brothir onto brothir,
Weryng her crownis, ech quit hem onto othir.
As it is I put in remembraunce,
Whan ther fadir, the myhti kyng, was ded,
Atween thes foure partid was al France,
Ech be hymsilff[e] to haue gouernaunce,
Be oon assent, as brothir onto brothir,
Weryng her crownis, ech quit hem onto othir.
The same tyme, I, callid Brunnechild,—
Me list nat varie fro the old writyng,—
Hadde a fadir namyd Leuychild,
Of al Spayne souereyn lord and kyng.
My saide fathir, to ful gret hyndryng
Of bothe rewmys (the fame ronne ful ferre),
Tween Spaigne & Fraunce gan a mortal werre.
Me list nat varie fro the old writyng,—
Hadde a fadir namyd Leuychild,
Of al Spayne souereyn lord and kyng.
My saide fathir, to ful gret hyndryng
Of bothe rewmys (the fame ronne ful ferre),
Tween Spaigne & Fraunce gan a mortal werre.
The brethre foure, in Fraunce crownid kynges,
Ageyn my fadir made strong diffence,
Of marcial pride & fortunat chaungyngis,
Whan thei mette be mortal violence,
Of sodeyn slauhtre fill suich pestilence
On outher parti, the feeld lik a gret flood
With the terrible effusioun of blood.
Ageyn my fadir made strong diffence,
Of marcial pride & fortunat chaungyngis,
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Of sodeyn slauhtre fill suich pestilence
On outher parti, the feeld lik a gret flood
With the terrible effusioun of blood.
To bothe reumys the werris wer importable,
Causid of deth[e] passyng gret damage;
Souhte menys, wex be assent tretable,
Of blood sheedyng tappese the woful rage.
Bi oon accord I was youe in mariage
To Sigibert, regnyng tho in Fraunce,
Tueen bothe rewmys to maken alliaunce.”
Causid of deth[e] passyng gret damage;
Souhte menys, wex be assent tretable,
Of blood sheedyng tappese the woful rage.
Bi oon accord I was youe in mariage
To Sigibert, regnyng tho in Fraunce,
Tueen bothe rewmys to maken alliaunce.”
“Nay, nay,” quod Bochas, “I deeme it is nat so;
Tween you & me ther mut begynne a striff.
Beth auised; taketh good heed herto:
The first assuraunce of mariage in your lyff,
Of Chilperik ye wer the weddid wiff,
Cronicles seyn, what-euer ye expresse,
In this mateer wil bere with me witnesse.”
Tween you & me ther mut begynne a striff.
Beth auised; taketh good heed herto:
The first assuraunce of mariage in your lyff,
Of Chilperik ye wer the weddid wiff,
Cronicles seyn, what-euer ye expresse,
In this mateer wil bere with me witnesse.”
“Thouh summe bookis reherse so & seyn,
Lik as ye haue maad heer mencioun,
Ther rehersaile stant in noun certeyn;
For be thassent of outher regioun,
Spayne and Fraunce in ther conuencioun
Ordeyned so in my tendre age,
To Sigibert I was youe in mariage.
Lik as ye haue maad heer mencioun,
Ther rehersaile stant in noun certeyn;
For be thassent of outher regioun,
Spayne and Fraunce in ther conuencioun
Ordeyned so in my tendre age,
To Sigibert I was youe in mariage.
Ymenivs was nat ther present,
Whan we took our chaumbre toward niht;
For Thesiphone, hir sustren of assent,
Infernal goddessis bar the torchis liht.
And as the torchis shewid dirk or briht,
Therbi the peeple present, oon & alle,
Dempte of the mariage what sholde befalle.
Whan we took our chaumbre toward niht;
For Thesiphone, hir sustren of assent,
Infernal goddessis bar the torchis liht.
And as the torchis shewid dirk or briht,
Therbi the peeple present, oon & alle,
Dempte of the mariage what sholde befalle.
This custum vsid of antiquite:
Fro ther templis of goddis & goddessis,
At mariages of folk of hih degre
Torchis wer born, of whom men took witnessis,
As thei wer dirk or shewed ther brihtnessis,
The difference seyn in ech estat,
Yif it wer toward or infortunat.
Fro ther templis of goddis & goddessis,
At mariages of folk of hih degre
Torchis wer born, of whom men took witnessis,
As thei wer dirk or shewed ther brihtnessis,
The difference seyn in ech estat,
Yif it wer toward or infortunat.
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Of this mariage short processe for to make,
The torchis brente, & yit thei wer nat briht,—
Shewed out komerous smokes blake;
Of consolacioun lost was al the liht.
Thus in dirknesse wastid the firste niht:
Ther vers, ther songis of goddis & goddessis
Wer al togidre of sorwe and heuynessis.
The torchis brente, & yit thei wer nat briht,—
Shewed out komerous smokes blake;
Of consolacioun lost was al the liht.
Thus in dirknesse wastid the firste niht:
Ther vers, ther songis of goddis & goddessis
Wer al togidre of sorwe and heuynessis.
Thes wer the toknis the niht of mariage,
Pronostiques of gret aduersite;
Yit of nature I hadde this auauntage
Of womanheed and excellent beute;
And lik a queen in stonis & perre
I was arraied, clad in purpil red,
With a crowne of gold upon myn hed.
Pronostiques of gret aduersite;
Yit of nature I hadde this auauntage
Of womanheed and excellent beute;
And lik a queen in stonis & perre
I was arraied, clad in purpil red,
With a crowne of gold upon myn hed.
Solempneli crownid queen of Fraunce,
Which for to seen folk faste gan repaire.
Of al weelfare I hadde suffisaunce,
Clomb of Fortune ful hih vpon the staire.
A sone I hadde, which callid was Clotaire,
Be Sigibert, be record of writyng,
Thridde of þat name in Fraunce crownid kyng.
Which for to seen folk faste gan repaire.
Of al weelfare I hadde suffisaunce,
Clomb of Fortune ful hih vpon the staire.
A sone I hadde, which callid was Clotaire,
Be Sigibert, be record of writyng,
Thridde of þat name in Fraunce crownid kyng.
So wolde God the day whan he was born
He hadde be put in his sepulture,
In sauacioun of blood shad heer-toforn:
Caused the deth of many creature,
As dyuers bookis recorden in scripture,
Ground and gynnyng, as maad is mencioun,
Withynne this lond of gret deuysioun.
He hadde be put in his sepulture,
In sauacioun of blood shad heer-toforn:
Caused the deth of many creature,
As dyuers bookis recorden in scripture,
Ground and gynnyng, as maad is mencioun,
Withynne this lond of gret deuysioun.
He with his brethre, of whom I tolde late,
At hym begonne the first occasioun”—
“Nat so,” quod Bochas, “ye faillen of your date.
Who was cheef cause of [this] discencioun?”
“Sothli,” quod she, “to myn oppynyoun,
Amon[g] hem-silff, I dar weel specefie,
The cheef gynnyng was fraternal envie.”
At hym begonne the first occasioun”—
“Nat so,” quod Bochas, “ye faillen of your date.
Who was cheef cause of [this] discencioun?”
“Sothli,” quod she, “to myn oppynyoun,
Amon[g] hem-silff, I dar weel specefie,
The cheef gynnyng was fraternal envie.”
“Keep you mor cloos; in this mateer ye faille.
Folwyng the tracis of your condicioun,
Ye halte foule in your rehersaille:
For of your owne imagynacioun
Ye sewe the seed of this discencioun
Among thes kynges, yif ye taken heed,
Bi which in France many man was ded.”
Folwyng the tracis of your condicioun,
Ye halte foule in your rehersaille:
For of your owne imagynacioun
Ye sewe the seed of this discencioun
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Bi which in France many man was ded.”
Than Brunnechild[e] gan to chaunge cheere;
To Bochas seide with face ful cruel,
“Nat longe agon thou knew nat the maneer
Of my lyuyng but a smal parcel;
Me seemeth now thou knowest euerideel,
So that ye may withoute lenger striff
Sitte as a iuge, that knowe so weel my lyff.
To Bochas seide with face ful cruel,
“Nat longe agon thou knew nat the maneer
Of my lyuyng but a smal parcel;
Me seemeth now thou knowest euerideel,
So that ye may withoute lenger striff
Sitte as a iuge, that knowe so weel my lyff.
Whan thes brethre stoden at discord,
Ech ageyn other bi mortal violence,
Vndir colour to tretyn of accord
With a maner feyned dilligence,
Chilperik ther beyng in presence,
Whilom brothir to Sigibert the kyng,
Was slayn among hem be fals conspiryng.
Ech ageyn other bi mortal violence,
Vndir colour to tretyn of accord
With a maner feyned dilligence,
Chilperik ther beyng in presence,
Whilom brothir to Sigibert the kyng,
Was slayn among hem be fals conspiryng.
On whos deth auengid for to be,
As Sigibert did[e] hymsilff auaunce,
Among the pres he slay[e]n was parde . . .”
“Nat so,” quod Bochas, “but of fals gouernaunce,
Of your mysleuyng fill this vnhappi chaunce,
That Sigibert was moordred in sothnesse
Oonli be occasioun of your doubilnesse.
As Sigibert did[e] hymsilff auaunce,
Among the pres he slay[e]n was parde . . .”
“Nat so,” quod Bochas, “but of fals gouernaunce,
Of your mysleuyng fill this vnhappi chaunce,
That Sigibert was moordred in sothnesse
Oonli be occasioun of your doubilnesse.
Folwyng the traces of newefangilnesse,
Geyn Sigibert ye wrouht[e] ful falsli,
Whan ye loued of froward doubilnesse
Landrik the erl of Chaumpayne & of Bry;
For bi your outrage & your gret foly
The kyng was slay[e]n, and ye did assente,
In a forest on huntyng whan he wente,
Geyn Sigibert ye wrouht[e] ful falsli,
Whan ye loued of froward doubilnesse
Landrik the erl of Chaumpayne & of Bry;
For bi your outrage & your gret foly
The kyng was slay[e]n, and ye did assente,
In a forest on huntyng whan he wente,
Which callid was the forest of Compyne.”
“Alas!” quod she, brak out in compleynyng,
“Bochas, Bochas, thou dost sore vndermyne
Alle the surfetis doon in my lyuyng!
Thou knowest the slauhtre of Sigibert the king,
Which that was wrouht, alas, be myn assent,—
How knowist thou it, that wer nat ther present?
“Alas!” quod she, brak out in compleynyng,
“Bochas, Bochas, thou dost sore vndermyne
Alle the surfetis doon in my lyuyng!
Thou knowest the slauhtre of Sigibert the king,
Which that was wrouht, alas, be myn assent,—
How knowist thou it, that wer nat ther present?
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Of thes debatis and of al this werre,
With rebukis rehersed heer in veyn,
In rehersaille gretli thou dost erre;
For which I caste—be riht weel certeyn—
In my diffence to replie ageyn.
It was nat I; for she that thou dost meene
Was Fredegundus, the lusti yonge queene.
With rebukis rehersed heer in veyn,
In rehersaille gretli thou dost erre;
For which I caste—be riht weel certeyn—
In my diffence to replie ageyn.
It was nat I; for she that thou dost meene
Was Fredegundus, the lusti yonge queene.
This Fredegunde, thou shalt [weel] vndirstonde,
Riht womanli and fair of hir visage,—
Chilperik was whilom hir husbonde;
For hir beute took hir in mariage.
Bi hir treynys & hir gret outrage
He was aftir, the stori who list reede,
At myscheef slayn; thou shalt so fynde in deede.”
Riht womanli and fair of hir visage,—
Chilperik was whilom hir husbonde;
For hir beute took hir in mariage.
Bi hir treynys & hir gret outrage
He was aftir, the stori who list reede,
At myscheef slayn; thou shalt so fynde in deede.”
“Thouh ye be langage make strong diffence
In thes mateeres, which cause me to muse,
I haue ageyn you lost my pacience,
That so sotilli wolde yoursilf excuse.
Contrariousli your termys ye abuse;
For Clotaire, I haue so rad, parde,
Was nat engendred of Sigibert nor of the.
In thes mateeres, which cause me to muse,
I haue ageyn you lost my pacience,
That so sotilli wolde yoursilf excuse.
Contrariousli your termys ye abuse;
For Clotaire, I haue so rad, parde,
Was nat engendred of Sigibert nor of the.
I remembre ful weel that I haue rad
That Childepert, thouh ye therat disdeyne,—
Record of auctours that prudent been & sad,—
How he in trouthe was gendrid of you tweyne,
Which in his deyng (me list nat for to feyne)
Lefft sonis two, the story ye may reede,—
Theobart & Thederik to succeede.”
That Childepert, thouh ye therat disdeyne,—
Record of auctours that prudent been & sad,—
How he in trouthe was gendrid of you tweyne,
Which in his deyng (me list nat for to feyne)
Lefft sonis two, the story ye may reede,—
Theobart & Thederik to succeede.”
“Bochas,” quod she, “thouh thou turne vp-so-doun
Thes said[e] stories, rehersid heer in deede,
Folwyng of malis thyn own oppynyoun,
Maugre thi wil[le], foorth I wil proceede
As I began; tak therto good heede:
First Theodorik, thou shalt vndirstonde,
Cosyn germyn was to myn husbonde,
Thes said[e] stories, rehersid heer in deede,
Folwyng of malis thyn own oppynyoun,
Maugre thi wil[le], foorth I wil proceede
As I began; tak therto good heede:
First Theodorik, thou shalt vndirstonde,
Cosyn germyn was to myn husbonde,
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Kyng of Burgoyne that tyme, and non other.
He of hatreede and indignacioun
Slouh Theobart, which that was his brother,
His wiff, his childre, for short conclusioun,
Which in the myhti famous regioun
Of Autrasie regnid as lord & kyng.
What-euer thou seist, this soth & no lesyng.”
He of hatreede and indignacioun
Slouh Theobart, which that was his brother,
His wiff, his childre, for short conclusioun,
Which in the myhti famous regioun
Of Autrasie regnid as lord & kyng.
What-euer thou seist, this soth & no lesyng.”
“Nay,” quod Bochas, “it was al otherwise;
I may nat suffre how ye go ther among.
Al this langage of newe that ye deuise,
Brouht to a preef, concludeth vpon wrong.
What sholde we lenger this mateer drawe along?
Yoursilf wer cause, wher ye be lothe or fayn,
Be Theodorik that Theobart was slayn.
I may nat suffre how ye go ther among.
Al this langage of newe that ye deuise,
Brouht to a preef, concludeth vpon wrong.
What sholde we lenger this mateer drawe along?
Yoursilf wer cause, wher ye be lothe or fayn,
Be Theodorik that Theobart was slayn.
The ground heerof gan parcel of envie,
Bi your froward brennyng couetise,
Which that ye hadde onli to occupie,
To reule the lond aftir your owne guise.
And yif I shal pleynli heer deuise
Of thes myscheeuys rehersed, God do boote,
Ye wer your-silff[e] ground, cheef cropp & roote.”
Bi your froward brennyng couetise,
Which that ye hadde onli to occupie,
To reule the lond aftir your owne guise.
And yif I shal pleynli heer deuise
Of thes myscheeuys rehersed, God do boote,
Ye wer your-silff[e] ground, cheef cropp & roote.”
Quod Brunnechild, “I conceyue wel & se,
Ye for your part haue lost al reuerence,
Your-silf enarmed to shewe your cruelte
Ageyn[e]s me, touchyng the violence
Of too slauhtris rehersed in sentence:
First how Theodorik his brothir slouh in deede,
Callid Theobart, a pitous thyng to reede;
Ye for your part haue lost al reuerence,
Your-silf enarmed to shewe your cruelte
Ageyn[e]s me, touchyng the violence
Of too slauhtris rehersed in sentence:
First how Theodorik his brothir slouh in deede,
Callid Theobart, a pitous thyng to reede;
Hymsilff[e] aftir stranglid with poisoun,
His wiff, his childre hewe on pecis smale . . .”
“As ye,” quod Bochas, “mak heer mencioun,
Sum part is trewe, but nat al your tale;
For I suppose ye sholde wexe pale
For shame of thyng which ye canat excuse,
Whan Theodorik begynneth you taccuse.
His wiff, his childre hewe on pecis smale . . .”
“As ye,” quod Bochas, “mak heer mencioun,
Sum part is trewe, but nat al your tale;
For I suppose ye sholde wexe pale
For shame of thyng which ye canat excuse,
Whan Theodorik begynneth you taccuse.
He put on you the crym of fals tresoun;
Ye slouh his wiff and his childryn also;
Hymsilf also ye moordred with poisoun:
I wolde wete what ye can seyn herto?”
“Alas,” quod she, “alas, what shal I do!
Was neuer woman, in hih nor louh estat,
Al thyng considred, mor infortunat!
Ye slouh his wiff and his childryn also;
Hymsilf also ye moordred with poisoun:
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“Alas,” quod she, “alas, what shal I do!
Was neuer woman, in hih nor louh estat,
Al thyng considred, mor infortunat!
Fortune of me set now but litil prys,
Bi hir froward furious violence
Turnyng hir wheel & visage of malys,
Causeth to me that no man yeueth credence,
Had in despiht, void of al reuerence,
And thoruh Fortunys mutabilite
Sool [and] abiect and falle in pouerte.
Bi hir froward furious violence
Turnyng hir wheel & visage of malys,
Causeth to me that no man yeueth credence,
Had in despiht, void of al reuerence,
And thoruh Fortunys mutabilite
Sool [and] abiect and falle in pouerte.
O Bochas Iohn, for short conclusioun,
Thou must ageyns me þi stile now auaunce.
I haue disserued to haue punicioun,
And alle the princis & barouns now in France
Crie out on me & axe on me vengaunce;
Refuge is non nor recure in this thing,
Thouh that Clotaire my sone be crownid kyng.
Thou must ageyns me þi stile now auaunce.
I haue disserued to haue punicioun,
And alle the princis & barouns now in France
Crie out on me & axe on me vengaunce;
Refuge is non nor recure in this thing,
Thouh that Clotaire my sone be crownid kyng.
For my defautis foul & abhomynable,
Tofor the iuges of al the parlement
I was foriugid & founde also coupable,
Of euery crym convict be iugement,
Myn accusours ther beyng present,
Of oon & othir stondyng a gret route,
Markid with fyngris of folk þat stood aboute.
Tofor the iuges of al the parlement
I was foriugid & founde also coupable,
Of euery crym convict be iugement,
Myn accusours ther beyng present,
Of oon & othir stondyng a gret route,
Markid with fyngris of folk þat stood aboute.
For verray shame I did myn eyen close,
For them that gaured & cast on me þer siht;
But as folk may be toknys weel suppose,
Myn eris wer nat stoppid half ariht.
Taken be force & lad forth with myht,
Be the hangman drawe ouer hill & vale,
Dismembrid aftir & hewe on pecis smale.
For them that gaured & cast on me þer siht;
But as folk may be toknys weel suppose,
Myn eris wer nat stoppid half ariht.
Taken be force & lad forth with myht,
Be the hangman drawe ouer hill & vale,
Dismembrid aftir & hewe on pecis smale.
With my blood the pament al bespreynt,
Thanked be Fortune, such was myn auenture,
The soule partid, my bodi was so feynt.
Who radde euer of any creature
That mor wo or torment did endure!”—
Praied Bochas to haue al thyng in mynde,
Write hir lyff & leue nothyng behynde.
Thanked be Fortune, such was myn auenture,
The soule partid, my bodi was so feynt.
Who radde euer of any creature
That mor wo or torment did endure!”—
932
Write hir lyff & leue nothyng behynde.
| Lydgate's Fall of Princes | |