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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| 7. | THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND. |
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164
THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND.
CHAP. XXXIIII.
Now let vs freshly (Muse) to Mars and Mercurie repaer,
At least so farforth as we may without controwlment daer.
Richard the third, Henry the Seauenth (last subiects of our pen)
Was slaine, was crownde, with hate, with loue, as worste, as best of men:
So not with Yorke and Lancaster doth wonted enuie raigne,
Nor can AEneas Off-springs now of Orphansie complaine.
But that Cadwalladers Fore-doomes in Tuders should effect
Was vnexpected, saue that God doth destinies direct.
Els Owen Tuder had not wiu'd Fift Henries noble Queene:
Nor had they of their bodies Earles Penbrooke and Richmon seene.
Nor Margret, Sommersets sole heire, to Richmon had beene weade:
Nor they the heire of Lancaster, Henry the Seuenth, had bread:
Nor he of Yorkes Inheritrix, Elizabeth, had sped:
Nor they vnited either house all other titles dead.
Yeat, eare this vnion, Either so ariued to their right,
As Psiches on an errant sent to Hell by Venus spight:
Worse Ferrymen than Charon, Floods contagious more than Styx,
Worse Porters than fowle Cerberus were pleas'd, past, stood betwixt.
How therefore Either dangerously their Labyrinth did passe
Shall not be ouerpassed: Thus their seuerall fortune was.
At least so farforth as we may without controwlment daer.
Richard the third, Henry the Seauenth (last subiects of our pen)
Was slaine, was crownde, with hate, with loue, as worste, as best of men:
So not with Yorke and Lancaster doth wonted enuie raigne,
Nor can AEneas Off-springs now of Orphansie complaine.
But that Cadwalladers Fore-doomes in Tuders should effect
Was vnexpected, saue that God doth destinies direct.
Els Owen Tuder had not wiu'd Fift Henries noble Queene:
Nor had they of their bodies Earles Penbrooke and Richmon seene.
Nor Margret, Sommersets sole heire, to Richmon had beene weade:
Nor they the heire of Lancaster, Henry the Seuenth, had bread:
Nor he of Yorkes Inheritrix, Elizabeth, had sped:
Nor they vnited either house all other titles dead.
Yeat, eare this vnion, Either so ariued to their right,
As Psiches on an errant sent to Hell by Venus spight:
Worse Ferrymen than Charon, Floods contagious more than Styx,
165
How therefore Either dangerously their Labyrinth did passe
Shall not be ouerpassed: Thus their seuerall fortune was.
Henries the fourth, the fifte, and sixt successiuely did raigne,
Vntill fourth Edwards sword to him did lawfull Empire gaine:
Lancastrians droupe, the Yorkests had their long expected day:
Sixt Henry and the Prince his sonne, by stabbes were made away:
The foresaid Margaret (sole heire of Romerset, earst wife
Of Tuder, Earle of Richmond) had by him a Sonne in life,
To whom, from her, the Crowne-right of Lancastrians did accrewe:
He from his English foes himselfe by secrete stealth withdrewe
To little Brutaine, wheare he found the Duke a frend full trewe.
This Henry, Earle of Richmond, now poore Lancasters Remaine,
Was by fourth Edward practis'd home by many a subtell traine:
Whome once the gentle Duke (beguilde with promises vnment)
Deliuered to the English-men, with whome he homewards went.
Forsaken Ladd (for yet he was a Ladd) what did remaine
But certaine death, so to assure his foes vncertaine raine:
Which to establish many a Prince of his Allies were slaine.
But him, eare brought a-boorde, the Duke (aduised better) stayd,
And him (as if by chaunce escapte) to Sanctuarie conuaid.
The Lambe so rescued from the Wolfe, that priuiledged place
Assured him till Edwards death, and then he hoped grace.
Vntill fourth Edwards sword to him did lawfull Empire gaine:
Lancastrians droupe, the Yorkests had their long expected day:
Sixt Henry and the Prince his sonne, by stabbes were made away:
The foresaid Margaret (sole heire of Romerset, earst wife
Of Tuder, Earle of Richmond) had by him a Sonne in life,
To whom, from her, the Crowne-right of Lancastrians did accrewe:
He from his English foes himselfe by secrete stealth withdrewe
To little Brutaine, wheare he found the Duke a frend full trewe.
This Henry, Earle of Richmond, now poore Lancasters Remaine,
Was by fourth Edward practis'd home by many a subtell traine:
Whome once the gentle Duke (beguilde with promises vnment)
Deliuered to the English-men, with whome he homewards went.
Forsaken Ladd (for yet he was a Ladd) what did remaine
But certaine death, so to assure his foes vncertaine raine:
Which to establish many a Prince of his Allies were slaine.
But him, eare brought a-boorde, the Duke (aduised better) stayd,
And him (as if by chaunce escapte) to Sanctuarie conuaid.
The Lambe so rescued from the Wolfe, that priuiledged place
Assured him till Edwards death, and then he hoped grace.
But he that was Protector of his murthered Nephewes than
Vsurped England, and became a Monsture not a man:
Richard the third (omitting all his tyrannies beside)
To be possessed of the Earle by many a message tride.
Great wealth was sent, greater assum'de, but nothing might preuaile:
The gratious Duke abhord to set his guiltles frend to sayle:
But furnished with money, men, and armor shipt him thence
To winne his right: yeat churlish Seas did lett such kind pretence.
Full hardly Richmonds threatned Ship escapt our armed Shore,
For Richard of the Riuall got intelligence before.
Return'de, the Duke did sicken, and Landcise did beare the sway,
And he for Masses great was brib'de Earle Henry to betray,
Yeat, through wise Bishop Murtons meanes, by stealth he scapte away.
In trauell then from Brutaine to his Grome himselfe was Grome,
By interchaunged rayment, till to Angers they weare come.
The French King, pittying his distresse, pretended asked aide,
And secrete platformes for his weale his English friends had laide.
Henry in France, at home his Friends bester them, and the Foe
Meane time with hope, with fraud, with feare imployde his witts also.
Now of the Earles conspiracy the totall drift was this:
Elizabeth the daughter of fourth Edward vow'd he his,
And she was vow'd to him, if God with victory him blisse:
Our wounded Englands healing balme, for thus there of ensew'de:
The factious Families vnite, the Tyrant was subdew'de,
And thence the surname Tuder doth Plantagenet include.
Vsurped England, and became a Monsture not a man:
Richard the third (omitting all his tyrannies beside)
To be possessed of the Earle by many a message tride.
Great wealth was sent, greater assum'de, but nothing might preuaile:
The gratious Duke abhord to set his guiltles frend to sayle:
But furnished with money, men, and armor shipt him thence
To winne his right: yeat churlish Seas did lett such kind pretence.
Full hardly Richmonds threatned Ship escapt our armed Shore,
For Richard of the Riuall got intelligence before.
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And he for Masses great was brib'de Earle Henry to betray,
Yeat, through wise Bishop Murtons meanes, by stealth he scapte away.
In trauell then from Brutaine to his Grome himselfe was Grome,
By interchaunged rayment, till to Angers they weare come.
The French King, pittying his distresse, pretended asked aide,
And secrete platformes for his weale his English friends had laide.
Henry in France, at home his Friends bester them, and the Foe
Meane time with hope, with fraud, with feare imployde his witts also.
Now of the Earles conspiracy the totall drift was this:
Elizabeth the daughter of fourth Edward vow'd he his,
And she was vow'd to him, if God with victory him blisse:
Our wounded Englands healing balme, for thus there of ensew'de:
The factious Families vnite, the Tyrant was subdew'de,
And thence the surname Tuder doth Plantagenet include.
As hardly as her husband did Elizabeth escape:
For why? like Stratageme for both did bloody Richard shape.
Whilste that her Father liued, now a King, and now exilde,
Her crosses then did happen from such victors as weare milde.
But now the same that murthered her Brothers to be King,
That did with fraud begin and then with bloud conclude ech thing,
That flattred friends to serue his turne, and then destroyde the same,
That was her Vncle, yeat did hate her Mothers very name,
That thought he liued not because his Neeces weare vndead,
Theis now (and blame her not) in her a world of terror bread.
But of vnpriuiledged bloud yet had he store to spill,
Yet sanctuaries weare not forc'te, yet but expecting ill.
Theare ofte the Queene her Mother, Shee, and Sisters would reporte
Their happie and vnhappie daies, the fewer of first sorte.
For why? like Stratageme for both did bloody Richard shape.
Whilste that her Father liued, now a King, and now exilde,
Her crosses then did happen from such victors as weare milde.
But now the same that murthered her Brothers to be King,
That did with fraud begin and then with bloud conclude ech thing,
That flattred friends to serue his turne, and then destroyde the same,
That was her Vncle, yeat did hate her Mothers very name,
That thought he liued not because his Neeces weare vndead,
Theis now (and blame her not) in her a world of terror bread.
But of vnpriuiledged bloud yet had he store to spill,
Yet sanctuaries weare not forc'te, yet but expecting ill.
Theare ofte the Queene her Mother, Shee, and Sisters would reporte
Their happie and vnhappie daies, the fewer of first sorte.
Happy was I (the olde Queene said) when as a Maide vnweade,
Nor Husbands weale nor Childrens woe mistempered my head.
Yeat I, beloued, loued and so left that free estate,
And thought me happyer than before, for louely was my Mate,
Iohn Gray (a sweet Esquier for his prowysse dubbed Knight)
Was, as behoued, all my ioy: who, slaine in factious fight,
Your Father, Daughters, late my Lord and Husband now in earth,
From me had many a secret curse, as motyue of his death:
Lancastrian was my husband, and that faction had the wourste,
So, to releeue my Widdowhood, I kneel'd to whom I curste.
Edward (for Henry was depoes'de, and Edward seaz'd the Crowne)
(I wot not for what forme of mine) did raise me kneeled downe,
And gaue me chearefull words, and tooke me curteously aside,
And playd the ciuell Wanton, and me amorously he eide:
His plea was loue, my sute was Land: I plie him, he plies me:
Too bace to be his Queene, too good his Concubine to be
I did conclude, and on that point a while we disagree.
But when I was his Queene (sweete King) not for I was his Queene,
But for himselfe, and for the loue that passed vs betweene,
I held me happiest vnder heauen: yea, when his aduerse Line
Discrowned him, I had ynough that I was his, he mine.
Then, after fortunes often change, he died, and I suruiue
A life exceeding death for griefe and griefes Superlatiue.
My heart, ah Sonnes, my heart (deare Hearts) was dead ere he did die:
Too yong were yee to censure of your vncles tyranny.
Then wept shee, and her daughters wept: their onely talke alwaies
Was passed ioyes, or present woes: nor hope they better daies,
But in Earle Richmonds good successe, that now a power did raise.
Nor Husbands weale nor Childrens woe mistempered my head.
Yeat I, beloued, loued and so left that free estate,
167
Iohn Gray (a sweet Esquier for his prowysse dubbed Knight)
Was, as behoued, all my ioy: who, slaine in factious fight,
Your Father, Daughters, late my Lord and Husband now in earth,
From me had many a secret curse, as motyue of his death:
Lancastrian was my husband, and that faction had the wourste,
So, to releeue my Widdowhood, I kneel'd to whom I curste.
Edward (for Henry was depoes'de, and Edward seaz'd the Crowne)
(I wot not for what forme of mine) did raise me kneeled downe,
And gaue me chearefull words, and tooke me curteously aside,
And playd the ciuell Wanton, and me amorously he eide:
His plea was loue, my sute was Land: I plie him, he plies me:
Too bace to be his Queene, too good his Concubine to be
I did conclude, and on that point a while we disagree.
But when I was his Queene (sweete King) not for I was his Queene,
But for himselfe, and for the loue that passed vs betweene,
I held me happiest vnder heauen: yea, when his aduerse Line
Discrowned him, I had ynough that I was his, he mine.
Then, after fortunes often change, he died, and I suruiue
A life exceeding death for griefe and griefes Superlatiue.
My heart, ah Sonnes, my heart (deare Hearts) was dead ere he did die:
Too yong were yee to censure of your vncles tyranny.
Then wept shee, and her daughters wept: their onely talke alwaies
Was passed ioyes, or present woes: nor hope they better daies,
But in Earle Richmonds good successe, that now a power did raise.
Too soone had Richard notice that Earle Henry would ariue,
By precontract his eldest Neece Elizabeth to wiue:
And well he knew in Yorks descent she was immediate heire,
And Henry like in Lancaster, a Match for him to feare.
Which to preuent he flattered his Neeces from their mother:
Who, fearefull Ladies, did expect like deaths as had their brother.
And as they feare did he effect, which for the troubles then
Was vneffected: now behou'd to winne him loue of men:
Yeat casts he how he might conuay to him his Neeces right,
Soone compassing his Wifes dispatch, whose life stood in his light.
Then plyes he his amazed Neece to his incestious bead,
Of her abhor'd, Shee in conceite by faith fore-plighted spead.
This marrage motion gawles her more than any former greefe:
Her selfe, Friends, Realme, Conspiracie, & all it toucht in breefe,
And therefore death, late feared, now she fantaseth in cheefe.
Meane while did Henry land, incampe, fight, and subdewe his Foe,
And, marrying her, long ciuill warres in England ended so.
By precontract his eldest Neece Elizabeth to wiue:
And well he knew in Yorks descent she was immediate heire,
And Henry like in Lancaster, a Match for him to feare.
Which to preuent he flattered his Neeces from their mother:
Who, fearefull Ladies, did expect like deaths as had their brother.
And as they feare did he effect, which for the troubles then
Was vneffected: now behou'd to winne him loue of men:
168
Soone compassing his Wifes dispatch, whose life stood in his light.
Then plyes he his amazed Neece to his incestious bead,
Of her abhor'd, Shee in conceite by faith fore-plighted spead.
This marrage motion gawles her more than any former greefe:
Her selfe, Friends, Realme, Conspiracie, & all it toucht in breefe,
And therefore death, late feared, now she fantaseth in cheefe.
Meane while did Henry land, incampe, fight, and subdewe his Foe,
And, marrying her, long ciuill warres in England ended so.
CHAP. XXXV.
Seauenth
Henries forraine busenes had succesfull honor: heere
Three schol'd Dædalien-Icarists (whose mounting cost them deere)
Did interrupt the peace. The first a Priests bace Puple: he
By his Complottors was pretenst'e Duke Clarence sonne to be.
A many of our natiue Peeres, some forraine Princes too,
Submissiuely behight him aide in all that they might doo.
The Lad was lofty, for himselfe he harrollized well,
At full he could his lessons, and a formale lie would tell.
For him was sought a bloody field, the Victory the Kinges:
Lambert the forged Yorkest, and the Priest (that fram'd his winges)
Weare taken: For minority the Icarus was quit,
The Dedalus, for cleargie rites, was but intowr'd for it.
Three schol'd Dædalien-Icarists (whose mounting cost them deere)
Did interrupt the peace. The first a Priests bace Puple: he
By his Complottors was pretenst'e Duke Clarence sonne to be.
A many of our natiue Peeres, some forraine Princes too,
Submissiuely behight him aide in all that they might doo.
The Lad was lofty, for himselfe he harrollized well,
At full he could his lessons, and a formale lie would tell.
For him was sought a bloody field, the Victory the Kinges:
Lambert the forged Yorkest, and the Priest (that fram'd his winges)
Weare taken: For minority the Icarus was quit,
The Dedalus, for cleargie rites, was but intowr'd for it.
Thus scapte the Priest. The mother Queene to her that now was Queene
Found harder sentence for a crime more venale, as I weene.
Shee that did forward Henry with her friends, her purse, her wit,
That had conspir'd, conceil'd, concur'd, for him the Crowne to git,
And had him now her sonne in law, vnchanncy Queene, fore-went
Her whole reuenewes, and her age as if tndurance spent:
Because against her heart, good Soule (for bootles to withstand)
See yeelded all her daughters to the late Vsurpers hand,
Whereby the Vnion might haue quaild, and for it might, she must
Indure such law, strict law to her of malice not vniust.
Found harder sentence for a crime more venale, as I weene.
169
That had conspir'd, conceil'd, concur'd, for him the Crowne to git,
And had him now her sonne in law, vnchanncy Queene, fore-went
Her whole reuenewes, and her age as if tndurance spent:
Because against her heart, good Soule (for bootles to withstand)
See yeelded all her daughters to the late Vsurpers hand,
Whereby the Vnion might haue quaild, and for it might, she must
Indure such law, strict law to her of malice not vniust.
Than good old Queene Elizabeth our next young Phaeton
Had gentlier Iudgement: He till then frō Realme to Realme had gone,
And now in Ireland (hoping no such honor) was at Corke
Saluted by some Rebels theare for Richard Duke of Yorke,
Fourth Edwards second son. Those Stiles to him were strange, but thay
Did feofe them on the bace-borne Muffe, and him as King obay.
The Yorkesh Faction (though they knew the error) let not slip
Occasion, that they now might haue Lancastrians on the hip:
Margret, fourth Edwards sisters heart for ioy here of did skip.
Shee had him soone to Burgone, and informes him euery thing
That might concerne Yorks pettegree, or apted for a King:
Maliciously repining still at Lancasters successe,
And often would thus or thus-like, her heart with tongue expresse.
Had gentlier Iudgement: He till then frō Realme to Realme had gone,
And now in Ireland (hoping no such honor) was at Corke
Saluted by some Rebels theare for Richard Duke of Yorke,
Fourth Edwards second son. Those Stiles to him were strange, but thay
Did feofe them on the bace-borne Muffe, and him as King obay.
The Yorkesh Faction (though they knew the error) let not slip
Occasion, that they now might haue Lancastrians on the hip:
Margret, fourth Edwards sisters heart for ioy here of did skip.
Shee had him soone to Burgone, and informes him euery thing
That might concerne Yorks pettegree, or apted for a King:
Maliciously repining still at Lancasters successe,
And often would thus or thus-like, her heart with tongue expresse.
God hath forgot our house of Yorke, nay Yorke it selfe forgot:
To my late Brother Richards soule cleaue euermore this blot.
He made away our friends to make a way vnto our Foe,
To Lancaster, proud Lancaster, I, thence these teares doe floe.
Had he stock't vp that hated stocke, had he rac'st out that Race,
Python had ceast, and he had beene Apollo in that cace.
That Henry was Lancastrian, and that Henry was aliue,
And where he liu'd, and that he should not liue, if we would thriue,
He knew ywis: yeat knew he not his death how to contriue.
The Duke of Brutaine is no God, then how the diuell y'ste
That both my brothers, laboring him, of whom they labord myste?
Their Sinons weare too simple, and their bribes but petite geere:
Whē, had they bought him with their souls, they had not bought him deere.
The heire of Lancaster (fie how it loathes to sound that name)
Enioyes the Crowne: nay worse, enioyes to wife a Yorkesh Dame:
Worser, the name Plantagenet is buryed in the same:
And, worst of all, their Title such as law bids vs disclame.
Who would haue lookt such change to chaunce? oh how I feed like will,
As AEtas daughter, AEsons house with tragedies to fill?
Who can endure to see their friends decline, their Foes ascend?
I see it, and for seeing so doe wish my life had end.
To my late Brother Richards soule cleaue euermore this blot.
He made away our friends to make a way vnto our Foe,
To Lancaster, proud Lancaster, I, thence these teares doe floe.
Had he stock't vp that hated stocke, had he rac'st out that Race,
Python had ceast, and he had beene Apollo in that cace.
That Henry was Lancastrian, and that Henry was aliue,
And where he liu'd, and that he should not liue, if we would thriue,
He knew ywis: yeat knew he not his death how to contriue.
The Duke of Brutaine is no God, then how the diuell y'ste
That both my brothers, laboring him, of whom they labord myste?
170
Whē, had they bought him with their souls, they had not bought him deere.
The heire of Lancaster (fie how it loathes to sound that name)
Enioyes the Crowne: nay worse, enioyes to wife a Yorkesh Dame:
Worser, the name Plantagenet is buryed in the same:
And, worst of all, their Title such as law bids vs disclame.
Who would haue lookt such change to chaunce? oh how I feed like will,
As AEtas daughter, AEsons house with tragedies to fill?
Who can endure to see their friends decline, their Foes ascend?
I see it, and for seeing so doe wish my life had end.
When that her darling had his looer she left him to his wings:
Who flead not to worse company or at lesse game than Kings.
He lighteth in the French Kings Court, wheare (honord as the same
From whom he falsely would contriue a Crowne by forged name)
He had Supplies, and English ayds, and Irish troupes also,
With which he lands in England: where King Henry met the Foe.
On either part the Battell was right bloodie, but at length
The King subdues, and Perken flead the land, dispoyld of strength.
Then, as the French, the Scotch King did repute of him: whereby
He wyu'd a Lady passing fayre and of the Kings Allie,
The Earle of Huntlies daughter, of the scotch-blood-royall bread.
Shee both before, and after that her low-pris'd Mate was dead,
When well she knew his parentage, and felt his ebbed state,
In onely sorrow did abound, in loue no whit abate:
Howbeit in the English Court prefer'd to high estate.
Who flead not to worse company or at lesse game than Kings.
He lighteth in the French Kings Court, wheare (honord as the same
From whom he falsely would contriue a Crowne by forged name)
He had Supplies, and English ayds, and Irish troupes also,
With which he lands in England: where King Henry met the Foe.
On either part the Battell was right bloodie, but at length
The King subdues, and Perken flead the land, dispoyld of strength.
Then, as the French, the Scotch King did repute of him: whereby
He wyu'd a Lady passing fayre and of the Kings Allie,
The Earle of Huntlies daughter, of the scotch-blood-royall bread.
Shee both before, and after that her low-pris'd Mate was dead,
When well she knew his parentage, and felt his ebbed state,
In onely sorrow did abound, in loue no whit abate:
Howbeit in the English Court prefer'd to high estate.
Theare (for she was of comely parts and vncompeered face)
Shee, often brauely courted, yeelds no Courtier labor'd grace.
To one among'st the rest, that most admired her answers chaste,
She sayd, besides the sinne and that I so might liue disgrae'ste,
A Presedent of wrong and woe did make me long since vow
Chastly to liue the Loue of him whom Fates should me allow.
I knew, quoth she, a Knight (a Knight he was in each respect)
I knew a Ladie (fayre she was but fouly to be chect)
They loued long (if that to loue and leaue may loue be sayd)
Till lastly she conceiued loue wheare loue should be denayd.
Then he (whose Sowles-Soule goddiz'd her) perceiuing her vntruth,
Became vnlike himselfe, and mou'd, saue her, each one to ruth.
At last he runs distraught about, and what his moods conceited
He did: confusedly he wept, askt, answered, and intreated:
Ah many a time (for though his words lackt methode, yeat they mooued)
He had these speeches, arguments how earnestly he loued.
Shee, often brauely courted, yeelds no Courtier labor'd grace.
To one among'st the rest, that most admired her answers chaste,
She sayd, besides the sinne and that I so might liue disgrae'ste,
A Presedent of wrong and woe did make me long since vow
Chastly to liue the Loue of him whom Fates should me allow.
I knew, quoth she, a Knight (a Knight he was in each respect)
I knew a Ladie (fayre she was but fouly to be chect)
171
Till lastly she conceiued loue wheare loue should be denayd.
Then he (whose Sowles-Soule goddiz'd her) perceiuing her vntruth,
Became vnlike himselfe, and mou'd, saue her, each one to ruth.
At last he runs distraught about, and what his moods conceited
He did: confusedly he wept, askt, answered, and intreated:
Ah many a time (for though his words lackt methode, yeat they mooued)
He had these speeches, arguments how earnestly he loued.
CHAP. XXXVI.
My Mistresse is a Paragon, the fayrest Fayre aliue:
Atrides and AEacides for faire lesse faire did striue:
Her colour fresh as damaske Rose, her breath as Violet,
Her bodie white as Iuorie, as smooth as polisht Iet,
As soft as Downe, & were she downe, Ioue might come downe & kisse
A Loue, so fresh, so sweet, so white, so smooth, so soft as this.
The Clecnæan Lions spoyles for her I would redresse:
I would the Lernan Hydras heads with sword and fire suppresse.
My force the Erymantheon Bore should brauely ouer-match:
The swift-foote golden-horned Stag I, running, would ore-catch:
My bow the Birds of Stymphalus from wastfull prayes should chace:
Of her proud Baldricke would I spoyle the Amazon at Thrace:
Augeæs washed Stables should my seauenth Labour end:
I with the Bull of Calidon, victorious, would contend:
On horse-deuoured Diomede like honour should be wonne:
The Spanish Robber Geron should by me to death be done:
In spight of Spight in Hespera I golden fruit would pull:
Three-headed Cerberus in chaynes should make the Iury full:
Beast, Snake, Bore, Stag, Birds, Bealt, Plankes, Bull, Theefe, Fruit, Dog, Diomead,
Chokt, seat'd, paunch'd, cought, pearst, priz'd, washt, thrown, slaine, puld, chaned, hors-sead,
Were labours lesse than I would act, might I of her be spead.
Dull mal-contented Saturne rulde the houre when I was borne:
Had Iupiter then starr'd I had not liued now forlorne:
Or Mars had steel'd my milky heart with manlier moodes than thees:
Or Mercurie had apted me to plead for Louers fees:
Or Sol infused sense to search what better me behou'd:
Or Venus made me louely, so for loue to be belou'd:
Or Luna (opposite to Loue) had bettered the best:
Ah, could seauen Planets and twelue Signes constell one such vnrest?
Then lou'd that Sier of Gods when he had vow'd his childrens death:
That Sonne of his made wanton scapes with Lasses on the earth:
Dirus, aske Vulcan and his Arte if thou didst loue or noe:
And Hermes that he Herse lou'd will not disclaime I troe:
Nor weart thou Phœbus chaste, although thou wor'st a willow withe:
Thou, Citherea, hadst a leash of Loues besides the Smith:
Endimion gaynst Diana could vouch farther than the eye:
Thus lou'd ye all, ye churlish Starres, yeat let ye Louers dye.
This said he, and for this he said, I for the ruth of this
Did vow, that whoso once were mine I would be onely his.
Atrides and AEacides for faire lesse faire did striue:
Her colour fresh as damaske Rose, her breath as Violet,
Her bodie white as Iuorie, as smooth as polisht Iet,
As soft as Downe, & were she downe, Ioue might come downe & kisse
A Loue, so fresh, so sweet, so white, so smooth, so soft as this.
The Clecnæan Lions spoyles for her I would redresse:
I would the Lernan Hydras heads with sword and fire suppresse.
My force the Erymantheon Bore should brauely ouer-match:
The swift-foote golden-horned Stag I, running, would ore-catch:
My bow the Birds of Stymphalus from wastfull prayes should chace:
Of her proud Baldricke would I spoyle the Amazon at Thrace:
Augeæs washed Stables should my seauenth Labour end:
I with the Bull of Calidon, victorious, would contend:
On horse-deuoured Diomede like honour should be wonne:
172
In spight of Spight in Hespera I golden fruit would pull:
Three-headed Cerberus in chaynes should make the Iury full:
Beast, Snake, Bore, Stag, Birds, Bealt, Plankes, Bull, Theefe, Fruit, Dog, Diomead,
Chokt, seat'd, paunch'd, cought, pearst, priz'd, washt, thrown, slaine, puld, chaned, hors-sead,
Were labours lesse than I would act, might I of her be spead.
Dull mal-contented Saturne rulde the houre when I was borne:
Had Iupiter then starr'd I had not liued now forlorne:
Or Mars had steel'd my milky heart with manlier moodes than thees:
Or Mercurie had apted me to plead for Louers fees:
Or Sol infused sense to search what better me behou'd:
Or Venus made me louely, so for loue to be belou'd:
Or Luna (opposite to Loue) had bettered the best:
Ah, could seauen Planets and twelue Signes constell one such vnrest?
Then lou'd that Sier of Gods when he had vow'd his childrens death:
That Sonne of his made wanton scapes with Lasses on the earth:
Dirus, aske Vulcan and his Arte if thou didst loue or noe:
And Hermes that he Herse lou'd will not disclaime I troe:
Nor weart thou Phœbus chaste, although thou wor'st a willow withe:
Thou, Citherea, hadst a leash of Loues besides the Smith:
Endimion gaynst Diana could vouch farther than the eye:
Thus lou'd ye all, ye churlish Starres, yeat let ye Louers dye.
This said he, and for this he said, I for the ruth of this
Did vow, that whoso once were mine I would be onely his.
Why? these his words did sauor wit, not one distraught (quoth he:)
Nay heare the rest of his vnrest, it followeth thus (quoth she.)
Oft would he kisse a senceles Tree and say, sweet Mistresse mine,
I was, I am, and will be still the same and euer thine:
Beleeue me, or if so you doubt, Anatomize my braine,
And ore my Senses see your selfe the Soufrentesse to raigne:
Beleeue me, or if so you doubt, rip out my heart, and see
Your selfe in it, in it you are, and euermore will bee:
Beleeue me, or if so you doubt, commannd I forthwith dye,
And see your selfe the onely heauen whereto my soule doth flye:
If such I seeme and be not such, let nought betide me well:
If such I seeme and be not such, I wish no heauen but hell:
If such I seeme and be not such, your Fauours let me mis.
With that he blest himselfe and sayd, ah, what a wish was this?
Then steps he to some other Tree, and, as vnto a frend,
Bewayles himselfe, with long discourse of loue, to little end:
And (as it were a mysterie) thus many a time would tell
Of one Erickmon, as might seeme, with him acquainted well.
Who would (quoth he) haue thought that he had doted on a Lasse?
Who rather would haue thought the Girle so gilefull as she was?
Once brau'd he it and often found with silken Wenches grace,
Yeat (and I wonder) faults he not, though hauing time and place:
He neuer hild but gracious thoughts of women, yeat, I winne,
The fayrest She he euer saw might quit his thoughts of sinne.
When of the Court and Citie both he could sufficient say,
From eithers busie Vanities he getteth him away:
Amongst the woods his happiest dayes by-come or to be past
He found, had not Gynettas face intrapped him at last.
Nor Court nor Citie had she seene, yeat eithers prayse she had:
So much more worth by howe much lesse she was vn-nicely clad.
At sixteene yeares such was she as at Twentie, and at both
Well worth the louing, for her loore, her face, and comely groth.
Thence, waxing amorous, he checkt his eyes that checkt him so,
Which checks as oft were countercheckt by Loue his mightier Foe.
He loath'd to liue that liu'd to loue, and lou'd to losse, for why?
He scorn'd that wontlesse passion, or an amorous Foole to dye.
Full often therefore would he balke her sight that pleas'd him most,
And, if perceau'd to be in loue, false freedome would he bost.
But all for nought, not absence or sweete exercise of wit,
Or ought besides might put aside Loues ouer-mastring fit.
Thus pyned ere he pleadeth loue (yeat pleasing her so well,
As none had fitter time and place his hearts vnrest to tell)
At length he flatly sayes he loues: when (words to sweet for trew)
Her answere was she liked him, and so attonement grew.
Then vncontroulled kisses and imbracings (often mixt
With lesse then loue too grosse, though more than should be such betwixt
Were currant: And if euer man did fish before the net,
If euer man might credit her did hy her credit set,
If euer man for heartie loue deserued honest meede,
Erickmon might beleeue himselfe to be belou'd indeede.
More arguments of earnest loue gaue neuer Mayde than she,
Lesse cause to falsifie that loue gaue neuer Man than he.
Howbeit, on aduantage play'd Gynetta all this while,
And by externall smoothnes did obscure internall guile.
Thus whilst he hopt he hild her least, so altereth the cace
With such as she, Ah such it is to build on such a face.
This sayd he, and for this he sayd, I for the ruth of this
Did vowe that who so once were mine I would be onely his.
Nay heare the rest of his vnrest, it followeth thus (quoth she.)
Oft would he kisse a senceles Tree and say, sweet Mistresse mine,
I was, I am, and will be still the same and euer thine:
Beleeue me, or if so you doubt, Anatomize my braine,
And ore my Senses see your selfe the Soufrentesse to raigne:
Beleeue me, or if so you doubt, rip out my heart, and see
Your selfe in it, in it you are, and euermore will bee:
Beleeue me, or if so you doubt, commannd I forthwith dye,
173
If such I seeme and be not such, let nought betide me well:
If such I seeme and be not such, I wish no heauen but hell:
If such I seeme and be not such, your Fauours let me mis.
With that he blest himselfe and sayd, ah, what a wish was this?
Then steps he to some other Tree, and, as vnto a frend,
Bewayles himselfe, with long discourse of loue, to little end:
And (as it were a mysterie) thus many a time would tell
Of one Erickmon, as might seeme, with him acquainted well.
Who would (quoth he) haue thought that he had doted on a Lasse?
Who rather would haue thought the Girle so gilefull as she was?
Once brau'd he it and often found with silken Wenches grace,
Yeat (and I wonder) faults he not, though hauing time and place:
He neuer hild but gracious thoughts of women, yeat, I winne,
The fayrest She he euer saw might quit his thoughts of sinne.
When of the Court and Citie both he could sufficient say,
From eithers busie Vanities he getteth him away:
Amongst the woods his happiest dayes by-come or to be past
He found, had not Gynettas face intrapped him at last.
Nor Court nor Citie had she seene, yeat eithers prayse she had:
So much more worth by howe much lesse she was vn-nicely clad.
At sixteene yeares such was she as at Twentie, and at both
Well worth the louing, for her loore, her face, and comely groth.
Thence, waxing amorous, he checkt his eyes that checkt him so,
Which checks as oft were countercheckt by Loue his mightier Foe.
He loath'd to liue that liu'd to loue, and lou'd to losse, for why?
He scorn'd that wontlesse passion, or an amorous Foole to dye.
Full often therefore would he balke her sight that pleas'd him most,
And, if perceau'd to be in loue, false freedome would he bost.
But all for nought, not absence or sweete exercise of wit,
Or ought besides might put aside Loues ouer-mastring fit.
Thus pyned ere he pleadeth loue (yeat pleasing her so well,
As none had fitter time and place his hearts vnrest to tell)
174
Her answere was she liked him, and so attonement grew.
Then vncontroulled kisses and imbracings (often mixt
With lesse then loue too grosse, though more than should be such betwixt
Were currant: And if euer man did fish before the net,
If euer man might credit her did hy her credit set,
If euer man for heartie loue deserued honest meede,
Erickmon might beleeue himselfe to be belou'd indeede.
More arguments of earnest loue gaue neuer Mayde than she,
Lesse cause to falsifie that loue gaue neuer Man than he.
Howbeit, on aduantage play'd Gynetta all this while,
And by externall smoothnes did obscure internall guile.
Thus whilst he hopt he hild her least, so altereth the cace
With such as she, Ah such it is to build on such a face.
This sayd he, and for this he sayd, I for the ruth of this
Did vowe that who so once were mine I would be onely his.
Why? this concern'd not him, nor shewd a mā distraught, (quoth he.)
Nay heare the rest of his vnrest, it followeth thus (quoth shee.)
Then (sheading teares) he to the Tree so spoken to would say,
Was not Gynetta false that did Erickmon so betray?
But hath my Mistresse cause to change? what cause, thinke you, should moue
I fram'd me hers, she fayn'd her mine, my loue is euer loue.
May ye faire face proue one foule botch, those shining eies proue bleard
That sweete breath stench, like proofe to all that faire or sweete appeard
In her that wrongs her true loue: let her loathed euer lust,
Begge may she, and, vnpittied, pine, rot, perish on the dust,
And, dead, be damned, that vnto her true-loue is vniust.
Yee men say all Amen, or if amend your selues ye must,
Curse not (this Mad-man sayd) but sweare that women be vntrew,
Their loue is but a Mummerie, or as an Aprils dew,
Got with a toy, gon with a toy, gifts, flattrie, gawdes, or wine
Will make her checke & flie to game lesse faire, perhaps, than thine,
More amorous than men, and men conuay their loue lesse fine.
If such they are (as such they are) and will be whilst they be,
Why am I then so true of loue? because not borne a she.
How shall I do? my Heart is lost, and I am left in woe:
Met any man a poore tame Heart? the Heart, good Folke, Iowe:
Strucken, maimed, all of gore, and drouping doth it goe.
A Lasse once fauour'd, or at least did seeme to fauour it,
And fosterd vp my frollicke Heart with many a pleasing bit:
She lodg'd him neere her Bower, whence he loued not to gad,
But waxed cranke, for why? no Heart asweeter Layer had.
But whether that some other Deere estranged her, or not,
Or that of course her game is Change, my Heart lackt brouse I wot.
Despysd, displeasde, and quite disgrac'd, my Heart euen to this day
Dislodged, wandring, woe-begon, I wot not wheare doth stray.
But see, ah see, I see how Loue casts off Desire his Hound,
A fell fleet Dogge, that hunts my Heart by parsee each-wheare found.
Sweet Cynthea rate the eger Curre, and so thy foe preuent,
For, loe, a farre my chased Heart imboste and almost spent.
Thankes, gentle Goddesse, now the Lad pursues a bootles chace:
My Heart recouers Couert wheare the Hound cannot hold pace.
Now tappas closely, silly Heart, vnrowse not and so liue:
The Huntsmans-selfe is blinde, the Hound at Losse doth ouer-giue.
But lift, alas Loues Beagles be vncoupeld, Beautie praites,
And driues my Heart from out the thicks, and at Receit awaites
Vaine-hope, and either now falls in, and now my Heart must dye,
Now haue they him at Bay, and now, in vayne, he fights to flye.
Auaunt Desire, ha Curre, auaunt, the Bore so rase thy hyde:
Vnto the fall of my poore Heart see see how Loue doth ryde:
Hearke how he blowes his death: ah see, he now the Say doth take
Of my poore Heart, that neuer more for Loue shall pastime make.
Thus liu'd he till he left his life, and for the ruth of this
I vow'd, that who so once were mine I would be only his.
Nay heare the rest of his vnrest, it followeth thus (quoth shee.)
Then (sheading teares) he to the Tree so spoken to would say,
Was not Gynetta false that did Erickmon so betray?
But hath my Mistresse cause to change? what cause, thinke you, should moue
I fram'd me hers, she fayn'd her mine, my loue is euer loue.
May ye faire face proue one foule botch, those shining eies proue bleard
That sweete breath stench, like proofe to all that faire or sweete appeard
In her that wrongs her true loue: let her loathed euer lust,
Begge may she, and, vnpittied, pine, rot, perish on the dust,
And, dead, be damned, that vnto her true-loue is vniust.
Yee men say all Amen, or if amend your selues ye must,
Curse not (this Mad-man sayd) but sweare that women be vntrew,
Their loue is but a Mummerie, or as an Aprils dew,
Got with a toy, gon with a toy, gifts, flattrie, gawdes, or wine
Will make her checke & flie to game lesse faire, perhaps, than thine,
More amorous than men, and men conuay their loue lesse fine.
175
Why am I then so true of loue? because not borne a she.
How shall I do? my Heart is lost, and I am left in woe:
Met any man a poore tame Heart? the Heart, good Folke, Iowe:
Strucken, maimed, all of gore, and drouping doth it goe.
A Lasse once fauour'd, or at least did seeme to fauour it,
And fosterd vp my frollicke Heart with many a pleasing bit:
She lodg'd him neere her Bower, whence he loued not to gad,
But waxed cranke, for why? no Heart asweeter Layer had.
But whether that some other Deere estranged her, or not,
Or that of course her game is Change, my Heart lackt brouse I wot.
Despysd, displeasde, and quite disgrac'd, my Heart euen to this day
Dislodged, wandring, woe-begon, I wot not wheare doth stray.
But see, ah see, I see how Loue casts off Desire his Hound,
A fell fleet Dogge, that hunts my Heart by parsee each-wheare found.
Sweet Cynthea rate the eger Curre, and so thy foe preuent,
For, loe, a farre my chased Heart imboste and almost spent.
Thankes, gentle Goddesse, now the Lad pursues a bootles chace:
My Heart recouers Couert wheare the Hound cannot hold pace.
Now tappas closely, silly Heart, vnrowse not and so liue:
The Huntsmans-selfe is blinde, the Hound at Losse doth ouer-giue.
But lift, alas Loues Beagles be vncoupeld, Beautie praites,
And driues my Heart from out the thicks, and at Receit awaites
Vaine-hope, and either now falls in, and now my Heart must dye,
Now haue they him at Bay, and now, in vayne, he fights to flye.
Auaunt Desire, ha Curre, auaunt, the Bore so rase thy hyde:
Vnto the fall of my poore Heart see see how Loue doth ryde:
Hearke how he blowes his death: ah see, he now the Say doth take
Of my poore Heart, that neuer more for Loue shall pastime make.
Thus liu'd he till he left his life, and for the ruth of this
I vow'd, that who so once were mine I would be only his.
Yeat (sayd her Sutor) the escapt vnpunisht, as may seeme.
Not so, quoth she, a Conscience prickt is deeply plagu'd I deeme.
Then Scotland warr'd on England, and in that same warre did end
The Knight that had coryued, so the Ladie lost each frend.
Oft saw I her in teares, and oft I heard her to complayne
For faith erst lost, for losse now found, deuiding sighes in twayne.
There be that say (if truely sayd) vn-bodied Soules haue walk't,
And of the Ghosts of these two Knights the like abroad was talkt.
Her eares had this and shee the heart that dared not her eyes,
For thether whence the brute did grow she (feareles faultie) hies.
Her Followers stood aloofe when she, alone approching, sayd:
Beloued both, what boods his fight? (they seem'd as if they frayd)
Ah, pardon me (sweet First-belou'd) my guile I graunt was great,
So is my griefe: My latter Loue, refraine, let me intreate.
But whilst she spoke of deadly wounds they both did seeme to fall,
And after vanisht, leauing her perplext in feare not small.
Who thenceforth fared as the Knight that died for her distraught,
Stil haunted of the Ghosts, & haunts ye place where they had faught,
Vntill of her despayring life her selfe the Period wraught.
Thus liu'd she still she left her life, and for the ruth of this
I vow'd, that who so once were mine I would be onely his.
Not so, quoth she, a Conscience prickt is deeply plagu'd I deeme.
176
The Knight that had coryued, so the Ladie lost each frend.
Oft saw I her in teares, and oft I heard her to complayne
For faith erst lost, for losse now found, deuiding sighes in twayne.
There be that say (if truely sayd) vn-bodied Soules haue walk't,
And of the Ghosts of these two Knights the like abroad was talkt.
Her eares had this and shee the heart that dared not her eyes,
For thether whence the brute did grow she (feareles faultie) hies.
Her Followers stood aloofe when she, alone approching, sayd:
Beloued both, what boods his fight? (they seem'd as if they frayd)
Ah, pardon me (sweet First-belou'd) my guile I graunt was great,
So is my griefe: My latter Loue, refraine, let me intreate.
But whilst she spoke of deadly wounds they both did seeme to fall,
And after vanisht, leauing her perplext in feare not small.
Who thenceforth fared as the Knight that died for her distraught,
Stil haunted of the Ghosts, & haunts ye place where they had faught,
Vntill of her despayring life her selfe the Period wraught.
Thus liu'd she still she left her life, and for the ruth of this
I vow'd, that who so once were mine I would be onely his.
Tush, this was but a Phantasie, quoth he, of subtill Feends,
Deluding her simplicitie in figure of her frends:
I heare not that they said or did aught taching her vntruth.
But foolish was her feare, the like I censure of your ruth.
And shall I tell what they did tell, and say what they did doe?
I will, for so, perhaps, you will surcease (quoth she) to wowe.
The Ghost resembling him to whom she had disloyall bin
Sayd: I, and This, and thou be thus and shalbe doom'd for sin:
For dotage in my loue, for his deceitfull lust, we twaine
Of fresh-sore wounds do hourely faint, hurt, heale, heale, hurt againe:
Nor can I vtter halfe we see, and feare, and suffer still
Of endles Torments: onely thou art Auctresse of such ill.
Who loue, belou'd, beleeue no life but wheare their loue doth liue,
To fault is then their murdrous fact that first defect doth giue:
He had not faulted or I falne hadst thou hild faith to mee:
Ah little feele we in regard of Plagues prepar'd for thee.
Thus said he, and, for thus he said, I for the ruth of this,
Did vow that who so once were mine I would be onely his.
Deluding her simplicitie in figure of her frends:
I heare not that they said or did aught taching her vntruth.
But foolish was her feare, the like I censure of your ruth.
And shall I tell what they did tell, and say what they did doe?
I will, for so, perhaps, you will surcease (quoth she) to wowe.
The Ghost resembling him to whom she had disloyall bin
Sayd: I, and This, and thou be thus and shalbe doom'd for sin:
For dotage in my loue, for his deceitfull lust, we twaine
Of fresh-sore wounds do hourely faint, hurt, heale, heale, hurt againe:
Nor can I vtter halfe we see, and feare, and suffer still
Of endles Torments: onely thou art Auctresse of such ill.
Who loue, belou'd, beleeue no life but wheare their loue doth liue,
To fault is then their murdrous fact that first defect doth giue:
177
Ah little feele we in regard of Plagues prepar'd for thee.
Thus said he, and, for thus he said, I for the ruth of this,
Did vow that who so once were mine I would be onely his.
Well, Madame (quoth the Gentleman) be this so, or a shift,
I see to frustrate my demaund is honestly your drift:
Then so, or not so, or what so you shall inferre of this
It matters not, Perkin is yours, and be you onely his.
For, sooth to say, weare all said false, it were indeed a hell
To haue a Loues-Coryuall, and as none could brooke it well,
So none should aske, and none should yeeld to alter loue begone
Therefore, sweete Lady, I conclude such ill is well vndone.
Mine amorous sute hath here an end: and would you might preuaile
With Perken too, that proudly striues to beare too high a saile.
So may you, if perhaps you haue for him so apt a taile
As this you told to me for me, although as hardly trew
As this which I shall tell, that doth include a morall view
Of matter woorth the note for him, the rather tould by you:
Then heare it, for our leisure and the order of my Q.
I see to frustrate my demaund is honestly your drift:
Then so, or not so, or what so you shall inferre of this
It matters not, Perkin is yours, and be you onely his.
For, sooth to say, weare all said false, it were indeed a hell
To haue a Loues-Coryuall, and as none could brooke it well,
So none should aske, and none should yeeld to alter loue begone
Therefore, sweete Lady, I conclude such ill is well vndone.
Mine amorous sute hath here an end: and would you might preuaile
With Perken too, that proudly striues to beare too high a saile.
So may you, if perhaps you haue for him so apt a taile
As this you told to me for me, although as hardly trew
As this which I shall tell, that doth include a morall view
Of matter woorth the note for him, the rather tould by you:
Then heare it, for our leisure and the order of my Q.
CHAP. XXXVII.
Svppose (for so must be suppos'd) that Birdes and Beastes did speake:
The Cuckooe sometimes lou'd the Owle, and so with her did breake,
Then flew the Owle by day, so did the Cuckooe all the yeere,
So did the Swallow and the Batte: but howe it hapned heare.
The Cuckooe by the Swallow (then the Swallow was his Page)
Did send the Owle a sucking Mouse, a tydie for the age:
The Bat (the Bat then seru'd the Owle) preferd the Bringer and
The Present to her Mistres sight, that in her Todd did stand.
My maister to your Owleship, quoth the swallow, sends by me
This Modicum, desiring you to take the same in gree.
The Owle, that neuer till that day had tasted flesh of Mouse,
Had quickly lopte a Limbe or two, and feasteth in her house
The Swallow with a cursee of her then disgorged wheat:
When, talking of the daintie flesh, and elswhat, as they eate,
The Bat (then waiting at the boorde) fetcht siges a two or three:
The Owle did aske the cause. And doe you aske the cause, quoth she,
Why thus I sigh when thus in sight my kindred murthred be?
My selfe was sometimes such, and such am still, saue now I fly:
With that she freshly wept: and thus proceeded by and by.
The Cuckooe sometimes lou'd the Owle, and so with her did breake,
Then flew the Owle by day, so did the Cuckooe all the yeere,
So did the Swallow and the Batte: but howe it hapned heare.
178
Did send the Owle a sucking Mouse, a tydie for the age:
The Bat (the Bat then seru'd the Owle) preferd the Bringer and
The Present to her Mistres sight, that in her Todd did stand.
My maister to your Owleship, quoth the swallow, sends by me
This Modicum, desiring you to take the same in gree.
The Owle, that neuer till that day had tasted flesh of Mouse,
Had quickly lopte a Limbe or two, and feasteth in her house
The Swallow with a cursee of her then disgorged wheat:
When, talking of the daintie flesh, and elswhat, as they eate,
The Bat (then waiting at the boorde) fetcht siges a two or three:
The Owle did aske the cause. And doe you aske the cause, quoth she,
Why thus I sigh when thus in sight my kindred murthred be?
My selfe was sometimes such, and such am still, saue now I fly:
With that she freshly wept: and thus proceeded by and by.
A fresh, quoth she, now comes to minde mine Auncestors ill hap,
Whō pride made praies to Kestrels, Kites, Cats, Weasels, Baē, & trap:
My Grandsier (for wheare Nature failes in strength she adds in wit)
Was full of Science: But, insooth, he misapplied it.
The Weasell, Prince of Vermen (though besides a vertuous Beast)
By shrewdnes of my Grandsiers wit his Holes with hoords increaste,
And seem'd to conn him thankes, whō none besides had cause to thank
For Princes Fauours often make the fauored too cranke.
Not only Mice, but Lobsters, Cats, and noble Vermen paide
In comming Coram Nobis for some crime against them laide.
But, God, it is a world to see, when purposes be sped,
How Princes, hauing fatted Such, are with their fatnes fed:
The Weasel seru'd my Grandsier so, and euery Vermen laught
To see himselfe in Snare that had in Snares so many caught.
Now also liue some wylie Beasts, and fatly do they feede
Mongst Beasts of chace & birds of game, with lesse, then needfull heed.
My Graundsier dead, my Father was in fauour nerthelesse,
Nor did his Father more than he for high Promotion presse:
And (though I say it) long time he deserued fauors well,
For quayling Foe men, and at home such Vermen as rebell:
And for the same the Weasell did him mightily preferre:
But Honors made him haughtie, and his haughtines to erre.
I will be plaine, he waxt too prowd, and plotted higher drifts
Than fitted him, or fadged well, for who haue thriu'd by shifts?
Nor will I say (because his sonne) he wrong'd the Weasell, but
The Weasell died, and that that did succeede to shifts he put.
For which his Fathers Fortune did oretake him at the last:
Such fickelnesse in earthly pompe, which, flowing ebs as fast.
This double warning might haue iekt vnto my wit, but I
Did follow Kinde: Nay, more, I did importune Dis to fly,
And he did giue me these blacke wings, resembling him that gaue thē,
A proper Gift, and hardly got, to shame me now I haue them.
But know yee Dis? some Pluto him or Limbos God doe call,
Or, aptlier said, in Hell of diuels the Chiefe and Principall:
And somwhat now of him and how I changed say I shall.
Whō pride made praies to Kestrels, Kites, Cats, Weasels, Baē, & trap:
My Grandsier (for wheare Nature failes in strength she adds in wit)
Was full of Science: But, insooth, he misapplied it.
The Weasell, Prince of Vermen (though besides a vertuous Beast)
By shrewdnes of my Grandsiers wit his Holes with hoords increaste,
And seem'd to conn him thankes, whō none besides had cause to thank
For Princes Fauours often make the fauored too cranke.
Not only Mice, but Lobsters, Cats, and noble Vermen paide
In comming Coram Nobis for some crime against them laide.
But, God, it is a world to see, when purposes be sped,
How Princes, hauing fatted Such, are with their fatnes fed:
The Weasel seru'd my Grandsier so, and euery Vermen laught
To see himselfe in Snare that had in Snares so many caught.
Now also liue some wylie Beasts, and fatly do they feede
Mongst Beasts of chace & birds of game, with lesse, then needfull heed.
My Graundsier dead, my Father was in fauour nerthelesse,
Nor did his Father more than he for high Promotion presse:
179
For quayling Foe men, and at home such Vermen as rebell:
And for the same the Weasell did him mightily preferre:
But Honors made him haughtie, and his haughtines to erre.
I will be plaine, he waxt too prowd, and plotted higher drifts
Than fitted him, or fadged well, for who haue thriu'd by shifts?
Nor will I say (because his sonne) he wrong'd the Weasell, but
The Weasell died, and that that did succeede to shifts he put.
For which his Fathers Fortune did oretake him at the last:
Such fickelnesse in earthly pompe, which, flowing ebs as fast.
This double warning might haue iekt vnto my wit, but I
Did follow Kinde: Nay, more, I did importune Dis to fly,
And he did giue me these blacke wings, resembling him that gaue thē,
A proper Gift, and hardly got, to shame me now I haue them.
But know yee Dis? some Pluto him or Limbos God doe call,
Or, aptlier said, in Hell of diuels the Chiefe and Principall:
And somwhat now of him and how I changed say I shall.
I hapned on a Cranny, whilst my Mouse-daies lasted, which
I entring, wandred crooked Nookes and pathes as darke as pitch:
Theare, hauing lost my selfe, I sought the open aire in vaine,
Both wanting foode, & light, and life well neere through trauels paine.
The Moole by chaunce did crosse my way, and (as ye know) her smell
Supplies her want of sight and serues her purposefull as well:
I heard a tracting sound, and, skar'd, my haire did stand vpright,
Nor could I see, or fly, but feare and blesse me from a Spright:
She had me, hild me, questions of my being theare the cause,
And in meane while peruseth me with fauourable clawes.
I was about to plead for life, when she preuents me thus:
Ha, Cosen Mouse, what Fortune giues this meeting heere to vs?
Feare not my Sonne (I call thee Sonne because I loue thee much)
Doe hold thy selfe as merry heere as in a Pantlers hutch.
What know'st not me? or see'st thou not? with that she leadeth me
Into an higher roome, wheare her to be mine Eame I see.
I did my dutie, and my heart was lightned when mine eie
Encountered a friend whereas I made account to die.
Before me sets Shee Viands, and my stomacke seru'd me well:
And, hauing fed, my Grandsiers and my Fathers ends I tell,
(For she enquires for them, ere I acquaint her what befell.)
The reuerent Moole, then sighing, saide: ah, let no vermine thinke
That Fortune euer fauors, or that friends will neuer shrinke:
I did fore-smell their loftie flight would cost them once a fall,
And therefore, Cosen, see thou be forewarned therewithall.
Heere seest thou me (I tell thee, though I prise not Gentry now,
Thine Eame and of the elder house) that long agoe did vow
My selfe a Recluse from the world, and, celled vnder ground,
Least that the gould, the precious stones and pleasures here be found
Might happen to corrupt my minde, for blindnes did I pray,
And so contemplatiuely heere I with contentment stay.
Admitte the Weasell graceth thee, the more he doth the more
The other Vermen will maligne, and enuy thee therefore:
Himselfe, perhaps, will listen to thy ruine for thy store:
Or thou thy selfe, to mount thy selfe, maiest runne thy selfe a shore
That Vermen that hath reason, and his owne defects espies,
Doth seeme to haue a soule, at least doth thriue by such surmies,
For what is it but reason that humaine from brutish tries?
But man, or beast, neither hath troth that this for true denies,
He hath enough that hath wherewith pure Nature to suffies:
In ouerplus an ouercharge for soule and body lies,
For Souldiors, Lawyers, Carrions, Theeues, or Casualties a Prize,
His comber-minde that liues with it and leaues it when he dies,
From whom to catch it scarce his heire staies closing of his eies:
O wretched wealth, which who so wants no Fortune him enuies.
Here maiest thou feast thee with a Mad, & here no Pickethanke pries.
Into thy life, nor words well spoke to ill vnmeant applies:
No Flatterer to vndermind: no tongue no eare for lies:
No gleaning from the Orphant: no oppressed widowes cries:
No bribes to giue, no hands to take: no quarrelling for flies:
No wrongs to right: no lawes to breake, because no law that ties,
But what we lust we doe, nor doe nor lust badd enterprize,
And finde lesse want in Nature, than wits-want in Arts disguize:
Nor any heere in force, in friends, fraud, wealth or wit affies:
O doe thou not so rich, so safe, and iust a life despies:
Theare lacketh not of noble Births to star the courtly skies:
Nor want we Pollititians, thou maiest for thy Soule be wise:
Then leaue thou matters of estate to States, I thee aduise:
And rather sit thou safely still, than for a fall to rise.
I entring, wandred crooked Nookes and pathes as darke as pitch:
Theare, hauing lost my selfe, I sought the open aire in vaine,
Both wanting foode, & light, and life well neere through trauels paine.
The Moole by chaunce did crosse my way, and (as ye know) her smell
Supplies her want of sight and serues her purposefull as well:
I heard a tracting sound, and, skar'd, my haire did stand vpright,
Nor could I see, or fly, but feare and blesse me from a Spright:
She had me, hild me, questions of my being theare the cause,
And in meane while peruseth me with fauourable clawes.
I was about to plead for life, when she preuents me thus:
Ha, Cosen Mouse, what Fortune giues this meeting heere to vs?
Feare not my Sonne (I call thee Sonne because I loue thee much)
Doe hold thy selfe as merry heere as in a Pantlers hutch.
What know'st not me? or see'st thou not? with that she leadeth me
180
I did my dutie, and my heart was lightned when mine eie
Encountered a friend whereas I made account to die.
Before me sets Shee Viands, and my stomacke seru'd me well:
And, hauing fed, my Grandsiers and my Fathers ends I tell,
(For she enquires for them, ere I acquaint her what befell.)
The reuerent Moole, then sighing, saide: ah, let no vermine thinke
That Fortune euer fauors, or that friends will neuer shrinke:
I did fore-smell their loftie flight would cost them once a fall,
And therefore, Cosen, see thou be forewarned therewithall.
Heere seest thou me (I tell thee, though I prise not Gentry now,
Thine Eame and of the elder house) that long agoe did vow
My selfe a Recluse from the world, and, celled vnder ground,
Least that the gould, the precious stones and pleasures here be found
Might happen to corrupt my minde, for blindnes did I pray,
And so contemplatiuely heere I with contentment stay.
Admitte the Weasell graceth thee, the more he doth the more
The other Vermen will maligne, and enuy thee therefore:
Himselfe, perhaps, will listen to thy ruine for thy store:
Or thou thy selfe, to mount thy selfe, maiest runne thy selfe a shore
That Vermen that hath reason, and his owne defects espies,
Doth seeme to haue a soule, at least doth thriue by such surmies,
For what is it but reason that humaine from brutish tries?
But man, or beast, neither hath troth that this for true denies,
He hath enough that hath wherewith pure Nature to suffies:
In ouerplus an ouercharge for soule and body lies,
For Souldiors, Lawyers, Carrions, Theeues, or Casualties a Prize,
His comber-minde that liues with it and leaues it when he dies,
From whom to catch it scarce his heire staies closing of his eies:
O wretched wealth, which who so wants no Fortune him enuies.
Here maiest thou feast thee with a Mad, & here no Pickethanke pries.
Into thy life, nor words well spoke to ill vnmeant applies:
181
No gleaning from the Orphant: no oppressed widowes cries:
No bribes to giue, no hands to take: no quarrelling for flies:
No wrongs to right: no lawes to breake, because no law that ties,
But what we lust we doe, nor doe nor lust badd enterprize,
And finde lesse want in Nature, than wits-want in Arts disguize:
Nor any heere in force, in friends, fraud, wealth or wit affies:
O doe thou not so rich, so safe, and iust a life despies:
Theare lacketh not of noble Births to star the courtly skies:
Nor want we Pollititians, thou maiest for thy Soule be wise:
Then leaue thou matters of estate to States, I thee aduise:
And rather sit thou safely still, than for a fall to rise.
Not for shee was my Elder or mine Eame, but for the place
I hild my peace, that would haue sayd her Moolships minde was bace.
But she perceiues me to dissent, and saieth, Cosen Mouse,
Doe as you like, you shall not finde a prison of my house:
Stay while you will, goe when you will, come and returne at pleasure,
And euer welcome: Vertue is an vncompelled Treasure.
This past, and thence passe we through deepe darke waies, saue here & theare,
The vaines of gould and pretious stones made light in darke appeare:
Vaste Vaults as large as Iles we passe, great Riuers theare did flow,
Huge wormes & Mōsters theare I saw, which none on earth do know.
On goe we, till I saw a glimps, and she heard noise of flame,
Then said shee praiers, bidding me to blesse me from the same.
I, musing, frain'd her meaning: She her meaning thus did tell.
That flaming Region, euer such (quoth she) is Plutos Hel:
All gould, all mettals, wealth, and pompe that nourish Mortals pride
Are hence and his, and hether they doe theare mis-Guiders gide:
He them inchaunteth, and the same inchaunt the folke on Earth,
Vntill their dying dotage theare finds heere a liuing death.
Still nertheles I wisht to see the hellish Monarch Dis,
When he (more ready to be found then for our profite is)
Ore heard vs, and vnhid himselfe, and shinde in rich array,
And seem'd a glorious Angell, and full gently thus did say.
That slandrous blind bace-minded Moole, friend Mouse, deceiues thee much,
And prates of me, of Hell, and Earth more than is so or such:
Beleeue him not, but rather do beleeue thine eyes, and see
If any earthly pleasure is vntripl'd heere with mee.
Then shewde he sights (which since I found illusions to betray)
Of greater worth than Earth affords, or I haue Art to say:
Nay, more, he bids me aske what so I would, and I should haue it:
Then did I pause, bethinking what was rarest I might craue it.
My Holes were stor'd with corne and croomes, on Earth I walkt at will,
And in her Bowels now had seene indifferently my fill,
Vpon it, nor within it, not sufficing to my pride,
I asked winges, scarce asked when they grew on either side.
I hild my peace, that would haue sayd her Moolships minde was bace.
But she perceiues me to dissent, and saieth, Cosen Mouse,
Doe as you like, you shall not finde a prison of my house:
Stay while you will, goe when you will, come and returne at pleasure,
And euer welcome: Vertue is an vncompelled Treasure.
This past, and thence passe we through deepe darke waies, saue here & theare,
The vaines of gould and pretious stones made light in darke appeare:
Vaste Vaults as large as Iles we passe, great Riuers theare did flow,
Huge wormes & Mōsters theare I saw, which none on earth do know.
On goe we, till I saw a glimps, and she heard noise of flame,
Then said shee praiers, bidding me to blesse me from the same.
I, musing, frain'd her meaning: She her meaning thus did tell.
That flaming Region, euer such (quoth she) is Plutos Hel:
All gould, all mettals, wealth, and pompe that nourish Mortals pride
Are hence and his, and hether they doe theare mis-Guiders gide:
He them inchaunteth, and the same inchaunt the folke on Earth,
Vntill their dying dotage theare finds heere a liuing death.
Still nertheles I wisht to see the hellish Monarch Dis,
When he (more ready to be found then for our profite is)
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And seem'd a glorious Angell, and full gently thus did say.
That slandrous blind bace-minded Moole, friend Mouse, deceiues thee much,
And prates of me, of Hell, and Earth more than is so or such:
Beleeue him not, but rather do beleeue thine eyes, and see
If any earthly pleasure is vntripl'd heere with mee.
Then shewde he sights (which since I found illusions to betray)
Of greater worth than Earth affords, or I haue Art to say:
Nay, more, he bids me aske what so I would, and I should haue it:
Then did I pause, bethinking what was rarest I might craue it.
My Holes were stor'd with corne and croomes, on Earth I walkt at will,
And in her Bowels now had seene indifferently my fill,
Vpon it, nor within it, not sufficing to my pride,
I asked winges, scarce asked when they grew on either side.
Short leaue I tooke, & mounting left the Hell-God and the Moole,
And soared to the open Aire through many a sory hoole.
It was at Twilight, and the Birds were gone to roust, but I
(Inchaunted with the noueltie of flight) vnweared flye,
And had the Sunne been vp, I ween (such pride bewitcht my wit
To Egel-fie my selfe) I had assayd to soare to it:
Not seeing that my limber wings were Leather-like vnplum'de,
But at the Dawning also I of wing-worke still presum'de.
The swallow (and I weene it was this Sallowes father) he
Was earliest vp, with him I met, and he admired me.
I hild him wing, and wistly he suruaies me round about,
And lastly, knowing who I was, did giue me many a flour,
And fled to tell the other birds, what vncouth Fowle was bred,
Who flockt to see me, till with gibes and girds I wisht mee ded.
Then, shifting out of sight, I hung till Twilight in a hoole,
Transformde, derided, hunger-spent, and (minding still the Moole)
In vaine I wisht reducement of my shape, and (which was worste)
My hap was harder than to owne in that distresse a Crust.
Then fled I to my wonted Holes, of hoorded food to get,
Too narrow by mine added wings that did mine entry let.
Now Mise fled me, not to the Moole I would returne for shame,
To Dis I durst not, mong'st the Birds I was a laughing game:
Then curst I mine aspiring minde, then knew I Dis a Diuell,
The Diuell the Prince of Pride, and Pride the roote of euery euill.
Hell, Earth, Aire, Heauen, and what not? then conspiring mine vnrest,
What might remaine but death for me that liued so vnblest?
But as I, fainting, flew that night your Ladiship, Dame Owle,
Did call me to your Todd, and glad to see a new night-fowle,
Did take me to your seruice, thence your Chamberlaine to be:
Ha Iupiter reward it you that so releeued mee.
It is a sweete continuall feast to liue content I see:
No daunger but in high estate, none enuy meane degree.
And soared to the open Aire through many a sory hoole.
It was at Twilight, and the Birds were gone to roust, but I
(Inchaunted with the noueltie of flight) vnweared flye,
And had the Sunne been vp, I ween (such pride bewitcht my wit
To Egel-fie my selfe) I had assayd to soare to it:
Not seeing that my limber wings were Leather-like vnplum'de,
But at the Dawning also I of wing-worke still presum'de.
The swallow (and I weene it was this Sallowes father) he
Was earliest vp, with him I met, and he admired me.
I hild him wing, and wistly he suruaies me round about,
And lastly, knowing who I was, did giue me many a flour,
And fled to tell the other birds, what vncouth Fowle was bred,
Who flockt to see me, till with gibes and girds I wisht mee ded.
Then, shifting out of sight, I hung till Twilight in a hoole,
Transformde, derided, hunger-spent, and (minding still the Moole)
In vaine I wisht reducement of my shape, and (which was worste)
My hap was harder than to owne in that distresse a Crust.
183
Too narrow by mine added wings that did mine entry let.
Now Mise fled me, not to the Moole I would returne for shame,
To Dis I durst not, mong'st the Birds I was a laughing game:
Then curst I mine aspiring minde, then knew I Dis a Diuell,
The Diuell the Prince of Pride, and Pride the roote of euery euill.
Hell, Earth, Aire, Heauen, and what not? then conspiring mine vnrest,
What might remaine but death for me that liued so vnblest?
But as I, fainting, flew that night your Ladiship, Dame Owle,
Did call me to your Todd, and glad to see a new night-fowle,
Did take me to your seruice, thence your Chamberlaine to be:
Ha Iupiter reward it you that so releeued mee.
It is a sweete continuall feast to liue content I see:
No daunger but in high estate, none enuy meane degree.
Then all this processe (quoth the Owle) doth tend, belike, to this,
That I should eate no Mouse-flesh: Nay, Sir Bat, so sweete it is
That thou, so neere of Kinne to them, shalt also serue my lust:
And therewithall in rutheles clawes the haplesse Bat she trust.
That I should eate no Mouse-flesh: Nay, Sir Bat, so sweete it is
That thou, so neere of Kinne to them, shalt also serue my lust:
And therewithall in rutheles clawes the haplesse Bat she trust.
Here meant the Courtior to haue left, whom Perkens Lady prayes
To tell what end such wowing had, And thus here of he sayes:
The Swallow saw that cruell pranke, and flyes aloofe and sayde,
Vngratefull Glutton, what offence hath that thy Seruant made?
Choke mayst thou with the murther: So he left her, and vnto
The Cuckooe telleth what the Owle vnto the Bat did doe.
Varlet (he waxed cholericke) and what of that, quoth he?
Was not the Bat her bond-Slaue, such as thou art now to me?
What tel'st me then of other newes then what her answere is
Vnto mine amourous Message, sayes my Lady nay or yis?
The Swallow told him that through such occurant of the Bat,
He, interrupted, came away vnanswered in that.
A mischiefe, quoth he, both on that and thee ill-fauoured Elfe:
And in a stammering chafe he fled to wowe the Owle himselfe.
The Swallow Mans him thether, whom the deu'lish Owle did hate,
And all because he had reprou'd her tyrannie of late.
The Cuckooe, offering to haue bilde, she coyely turnd her face,
Tis more, quoth she, than needeth that we kisse, as stands the cace:
Rid hence yonn same your knauish Page, you sent him with a Mouse
To spie my secrets, or belike to braue me in my house:
Gods pretious, would you knew I beare a mind lesse bace than that
I can disgest your Drudge with me so saucely should chat:
Iacke Napes, forsooth, did chafe because I eate my Slaue the Bat.
O what a world is this that we can nothing priuate haue
Vncensur'd of our Seruants, though the simplest Gill or Knaue?
Well, rid him of your seruice, Nay, it skils not if of life,
At least if so you meane that we shall loue as man and wife,
For such Colecarriers in an house are euer hatching strife.
The Cuckooe, hearing this complaint, flew on his trusty Page,
And vndiscreatly gaue him strokes that kild him in that rage:
Yeat, ere he lest his life, he thus vnto his Maister said:
Thus many honest seruants in their Maisters hastie brayd
Are Dog-like handled, either yeat like deare in Ioues iust eies:
Of Harlots and of hastines beware, said he, and dies.
To tell what end such wowing had, And thus here of he sayes:
The Swallow saw that cruell pranke, and flyes aloofe and sayde,
Vngratefull Glutton, what offence hath that thy Seruant made?
Choke mayst thou with the murther: So he left her, and vnto
The Cuckooe telleth what the Owle vnto the Bat did doe.
Varlet (he waxed cholericke) and what of that, quoth he?
Was not the Bat her bond-Slaue, such as thou art now to me?
What tel'st me then of other newes then what her answere is
Vnto mine amourous Message, sayes my Lady nay or yis?
The Swallow told him that through such occurant of the Bat,
He, interrupted, came away vnanswered in that.
A mischiefe, quoth he, both on that and thee ill-fauoured Elfe:
184
The Swallow Mans him thether, whom the deu'lish Owle did hate,
And all because he had reprou'd her tyrannie of late.
The Cuckooe, offering to haue bilde, she coyely turnd her face,
Tis more, quoth she, than needeth that we kisse, as stands the cace:
Rid hence yonn same your knauish Page, you sent him with a Mouse
To spie my secrets, or belike to braue me in my house:
Gods pretious, would you knew I beare a mind lesse bace than that
I can disgest your Drudge with me so saucely should chat:
Iacke Napes, forsooth, did chafe because I eate my Slaue the Bat.
O what a world is this that we can nothing priuate haue
Vncensur'd of our Seruants, though the simplest Gill or Knaue?
Well, rid him of your seruice, Nay, it skils not if of life,
At least if so you meane that we shall loue as man and wife,
For such Colecarriers in an house are euer hatching strife.
The Cuckooe, hearing this complaint, flew on his trusty Page,
And vndiscreatly gaue him strokes that kild him in that rage:
Yeat, ere he lest his life, he thus vnto his Maister said:
Thus many honest seruants in their Maisters hastie brayd
Are Dog-like handled, either yeat like deare in Ioues iust eies:
Of Harlots and of hastines beware, said he, and dies.
When now her gluttony and spight had thus dispatched twaine.
The Cuckooe, plying amorously her fauour to obtaine,
Euen then, and looking very bigge, in came the Buszard, who
Did sweare that he would kill and slay, I mary would he doe,
If any Swad besides himselfe faire Madam Owle did wowe.
The Cuckooe, seeing him so bog, waxt also wondrous wroth:
But thus the Owle did stint the strife: Shee cals them husbands both:
Now fie (quoth she) if so you could betwixt your selues agree,
Yee both should haue your bellies full, and it no hurt to me.
The Buszard faintly did consent, the Cuckooe said Amen:
And so was Hen inough for Cocke, not Cocke inough for Hen:
For she deceiues them both, and had besides them other game:
The Gentle Buszard dying soone for sorrow of the same.
The Cuckooe wisely sawe it and did say but little to it,
As nooting she was set on it, and knowing she would do it.
But what the Swallow warned him of Harlots proued trew,
For, as was gessed, also him by trecherie she slew.
The Cuckooe, plying amorously her fauour to obtaine,
Euen then, and looking very bigge, in came the Buszard, who
Did sweare that he would kill and slay, I mary would he doe,
If any Swad besides himselfe faire Madam Owle did wowe.
The Cuckooe, seeing him so bog, waxt also wondrous wroth:
But thus the Owle did stint the strife: Shee cals them husbands both:
Now fie (quoth she) if so you could betwixt your selues agree,
Yee both should haue your bellies full, and it no hurt to me.
The Buszard faintly did consent, the Cuckooe said Amen:
And so was Hen inough for Cocke, not Cocke inough for Hen:
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The Gentle Buszard dying soone for sorrow of the same.
The Cuckooe wisely sawe it and did say but little to it,
As nooting she was set on it, and knowing she would do it.
But what the Swallow warned him of Harlots proued trew,
For, as was gessed, also him by trecherie she slew.
The Goddesse Pallas, to giue end vnto these tragicke deedes,
Descended, and (the dead reuiu'd) to Sentence thus proceedes.
The Bat, because begild of Dis, Shee pittieth partly, and
Permits him Twy-light flight: to giue thereby to vnderstand
That to aspire is lawfull, if betwixt a Meane it stand.
The Swallow, for that he was trew and slayne for saying well,
Shee doomb'd a ioyfull Sommers Bird, in Winter time to dwel
Euen with Mineruas secret store, as learned Clarkes do tell.
The Buszard, for he doted more and dared lesse than reason,
Through blinde bace Loue induring wrong reuengeable in season,
She eie-blur'd, and adiudged Praies the dastard'st and least geason.
Vnto the Cuckooe, ouerkinde to brooke Coriuals, she
Adiudg'd a Spring times changeles note, & whilst his yong ones be
By others hatcht, to name and shame himselfe in euery Tree.
But liue, quoth she, vnto the Owle ashamed of the light,
Be wondred at of Birds by day, flie, filch, and howle all night,
Haue lazie wings, be euer leane, in sullen corners rucke,
When thou art seene be thought of folke a signe of euill lucke:
Nor shall thine odious forme, vile Witch, be longer on my Shield:
Whence racing foorth her Figure, so the Goddesse left the field.
Descended, and (the dead reuiu'd) to Sentence thus proceedes.
The Bat, because begild of Dis, Shee pittieth partly, and
Permits him Twy-light flight: to giue thereby to vnderstand
That to aspire is lawfull, if betwixt a Meane it stand.
The Swallow, for that he was trew and slayne for saying well,
Shee doomb'd a ioyfull Sommers Bird, in Winter time to dwel
Euen with Mineruas secret store, as learned Clarkes do tell.
The Buszard, for he doted more and dared lesse than reason,
Through blinde bace Loue induring wrong reuengeable in season,
She eie-blur'd, and adiudged Praies the dastard'st and least geason.
Vnto the Cuckooe, ouerkinde to brooke Coriuals, she
Adiudg'd a Spring times changeles note, & whilst his yong ones be
By others hatcht, to name and shame himselfe in euery Tree.
But liue, quoth she, vnto the Owle ashamed of the light,
Be wondred at of Birds by day, flie, filch, and howle all night,
Haue lazie wings, be euer leane, in sullen corners rucke,
When thou art seene be thought of folke a signe of euill lucke:
Nor shall thine odious forme, vile Witch, be longer on my Shield:
Whence racing foorth her Figure, so the Goddesse left the field.
Ivst Guerdons for Ambition, for poore Soules opprest for well,
For dastard Dotards, Wittolrie, and Harlots nice you tell;
Said Perkens Wife: But thus now of her husbands pride befell.
At last when sundry Armes had end, Henry victorious still,
And Perkens passage was fore-stald, he yeelds, of his owne will,
Himselfe from Churches Priuiledge to Henries Mercy, who
Did onely limitte his abode, and lesse he could not doe.
But when he sought escapes he then had petite punishment,
And after, for some new attempts, to Tower was he sent:
Whence practising escape t'was said, he won to his intent
Young Edward Earle of Warwicke, that indeed was Clarenes sonne,
And euer had beene Prisner theare eare Henries raigne begonne,
And now, by law too strickt me seemes, for this to death was donne.
Perken was hang'd, and hang may such: but that the Earle should die
Some thought hard law, saue that it stood with present pollicie.
Sir William Stanley dide for this (oft King law is doe thus)
Deseruing better of the King: but what is that to vs?
For dastard Dotards, Wittolrie, and Harlots nice you tell;
Said Perkens Wife: But thus now of her husbands pride befell.
At last when sundry Armes had end, Henry victorious still,
And Perkens passage was fore-stald, he yeelds, of his owne will,
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Did onely limitte his abode, and lesse he could not doe.
But when he sought escapes he then had petite punishment,
And after, for some new attempts, to Tower was he sent:
Whence practising escape t'was said, he won to his intent
Young Edward Earle of Warwicke, that indeed was Clarenes sonne,
And euer had beene Prisner theare eare Henries raigne begonne,
And now, by law too strickt me seemes, for this to death was donne.
Perken was hang'd, and hang may such: but that the Earle should die
Some thought hard law, saue that it stood with present pollicie.
Sir William Stanley dide for this (oft King law is doe thus)
Deseruing better of the King: but what is that to vs?
The last of our three Phaetons was tuter'd of a Fryer,
Who, being fitted now by Art and nature to aspier,
(The foresaid name of Warwicke fain'd) seduced folke thereby.
As I my selfe in Essex heard and saw a Traitor dye,
That fain'd himselfe sixt Edward: and to grace out such his lye,
Lookes, bodie, words, and gesture seem'd heroyccall, to view
He had like age, like markes, and all that might inforce it trew,
Whereby to him assisting minds of simple Folke he drew.
Our Cowle-mans foresaid Actor so preuailed, that the Fryer
In Pulpets durst affirme him King, and Aydes for him requier.
But lastly both were taken, both did fault in one same ill,
Yeat rope-law had the Youth, the Fryer liu'd Clergie-knaued still.
When Armour ended Auarice began (for then begins
Who, being fitted now by Art and nature to aspier,
(The foresaid name of Warwicke fain'd) seduced folke thereby.
As I my selfe in Essex heard and saw a Traitor dye,
That fain'd himselfe sixt Edward: and to grace out such his lye,
Lookes, bodie, words, and gesture seem'd heroyccall, to view
He had like age, like markes, and all that might inforce it trew,
Whereby to him assisting minds of simple Folke he drew.
Our Cowle-mans foresaid Actor so preuailed, that the Fryer
In Pulpets durst affirme him King, and Aydes for him requier.
But lastly both were taken, both did fault in one same ill,
Yeat rope-law had the Youth, the Fryer liu'd Clergie-knaued still.
The slye Mercurilest, and more by wyles then valour wins.)
Beneuolences, Taxes and sore Fines for penall lawes,
To Henry hoords, from Henry hearts of many a Subiects drawes.
Empson and Dudley (fur'd Esquiers, more harmefull being gown'd,
To Englands friends than Englands foe, through Auarice profound)
In such exacting chiefly Act, applaused of the King,
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Yeat whē the gracious King found out their racking Rich and Poore,
He then did pardon much, and much did purpose to restore,
But, dying, those two Harptes lost their hated heads therefore.
So hardly fauoured of Kings themselues in bownes containe,
That they, securely stout, at length doe perish through disdaine.
So hardly to some Princes are from priuate Lucar wonne,
As, though their bags ore-flow, they thinke no harme abroad vndone,
Henry (acquite his latter daies of Auarice fore-named)
Deceast for Prowesse, Policie, and Iustice highly famed.
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