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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| 8. | THE EIGHT BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND. |
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188
THE EIGHT BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND.
CHAP. XXXVIII.
Eight
Henry (heire indubitate of Yorke and Lancaster)
Succeeded, and with Kingly rites his Father did interre.
His minde, his words, his lookes, his gaet, his lynaments, and Stature,
Weare such for Maiestie as shew'd a King compos'd by Nature.
All Subiects now of ciuill strife, all counter-minds for Raigne,
All enuious of his Empier now weare rid, weare pleas'd, or slaine.
Rich weare his sundrie Tryumphs, but his cost had foyzen than
When Terwin and strong Turnay in resisting France he wan:
When Maximilian Emperour did vnder Henry fight:
When English Ships did often put the French Sea-powre to flight:
And that the French King was inforc'll to craue and buy his peace,
Who, wiuing louely Mary, so the warres for then did cease.
Succeeded, and with Kingly rites his Father did interre.
His minde, his words, his lookes, his gaet, his lynaments, and Stature,
Weare such for Maiestie as shew'd a King compos'd by Nature.
All Subiects now of ciuill strife, all counter-minds for Raigne,
All enuious of his Empier now weare rid, weare pleas'd, or slaine.
Rich weare his sundrie Tryumphs, but his cost had foyzen than
When Terwin and strong Turnay in resisting France he wan:
When Maximilian Emperour did vnder Henry fight:
When English Ships did often put the French Sea-powre to flight:
And that the French King was inforc'll to craue and buy his peace,
Who, wiuing louely Mary, so the warres for then did cease.
This sister to our King, and then the French Kings goodly Queene,
Was welcommed with Tryumphes such as erst in France vnseene.
Iustes, Barriers, Tylts, and Turneyes were proclaym'd each wheare for All:
Wherefore to Paris at the time flockt Marsielists full tall,
With Princes braue, and Ladies faire of euery Realme about,
And hence, with moe, Charles Brandon, in fine Chiualrie most stout,
Whose bodie fitted to his mind, whose minde was puesant, and
Whose puesance yeelded not to Mars, this Mars in France did land:
With whō incoūtred valiāt knights, but none might him withstand.
The English-French Queene standing theare, admir'd for beautie rare,
Behild the Tryumphs, in the which high Feates performed ware.
But Brandon (yet not Duke) he was the Knight aboue the rest
That in her eye (nor did she erre) acquited him the best.
For whether that he trots, or turnes, or bounds, his barded Steede,
Did runne at Tylt, at Random, or did cast a Speare with heede,
Or fight at Barriers, he in all did most her fancie feede.
Weake on a Couch her King lay theare whom though she loued well,
Yeat likte she Brandon, and the same lou'd her ere this befell:
For chastly had they fancied long before she came to Fraunce,
Or that from meane estate to Duke the king did him aduaunce.
Was welcommed with Tryumphes such as erst in France vnseene.
Iustes, Barriers, Tylts, and Turneyes were proclaym'd each wheare for All:
Wherefore to Paris at the time flockt Marsielists full tall,
With Princes braue, and Ladies faire of euery Realme about,
189
Whose bodie fitted to his mind, whose minde was puesant, and
Whose puesance yeelded not to Mars, this Mars in France did land:
With whō incoūtred valiāt knights, but none might him withstand.
The English-French Queene standing theare, admir'd for beautie rare,
Behild the Tryumphs, in the which high Feates performed ware.
But Brandon (yet not Duke) he was the Knight aboue the rest
That in her eye (nor did she erre) acquited him the best.
For whether that he trots, or turnes, or bounds, his barded Steede,
Did runne at Tylt, at Random, or did cast a Speare with heede,
Or fight at Barriers, he in all did most her fancie feede.
Weake on a Couch her King lay theare whom though she loued well,
Yeat likte she Brandon, and the same lou'd her ere this befell:
For chastly had they fancied long before she came to Fraunce,
Or that from meane estate to Duke the king did him aduaunce.
The dayes of Triumph weare expir'd, & English Peeres, with praise
Come home, and Lewes King of France decea'st within few daies.
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke then, with honour furnisht hence,
Was sent to France for to returne the widow Queene from thence:
Who had been wed scarce thrice three weekes vnto a sickly King,
To her, a fayre young Queene, therefore smal time might solace bring.
Yet lesse did time than braue Duke Charles asswage fair Maries griefe:
He chats, she cheers, he courts, she coyes, he wowes, she yeelds in brife.
No winds (thought she) assist those Sayles that seeke no certain Shore,
Nor find they constant liues that but they liue respect no more:
Let each ones life ayme some one end: as, if it be to marrie,
Then see, heare, loue, and soone conclude, it betters not to tarrie.
To cast too many doubts (thought she) weare oft to erre no lesse
Than to be rash: And thus, no doubt, the gentle Queene did gesse,
That seeing This or That at first or last had likelyhood,
A man so much a manly Man weare peeuishly withstood:
Then Kisses reuel'd on their Lips to eithers equall good.
And, least King Henry should dissent, they secretly did wead,
And then sollicet his good will, and of their wishes spead.
The periur'd valiant Scotch-king Iames, slaine at braue Flodons Slaughter,
Had also left in widowhood Englands faire elder Daughter.
She also weds a Scottish Earle, vnlicenc'st of her Brother:
And was to her Sons Daughters Sonne, now sixt Iames, great-Grandmother.
Come home, and Lewes King of France decea'st within few daies.
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke then, with honour furnisht hence,
Was sent to France for to returne the widow Queene from thence:
Who had been wed scarce thrice three weekes vnto a sickly King,
To her, a fayre young Queene, therefore smal time might solace bring.
Yet lesse did time than braue Duke Charles asswage fair Maries griefe:
He chats, she cheers, he courts, she coyes, he wowes, she yeelds in brife.
No winds (thought she) assist those Sayles that seeke no certain Shore,
Nor find they constant liues that but they liue respect no more:
Let each ones life ayme some one end: as, if it be to marrie,
Then see, heare, loue, and soone conclude, it betters not to tarrie.
To cast too many doubts (thought she) weare oft to erre no lesse
Than to be rash: And thus, no doubt, the gentle Queene did gesse,
That seeing This or That at first or last had likelyhood,
A man so much a manly Man weare peeuishly withstood:
Then Kisses reuel'd on their Lips to eithers equall good.
And, least King Henry should dissent, they secretly did wead,
190
The periur'd valiant Scotch-king Iames, slaine at braue Flodons Slaughter,
Had also left in widowhood Englands faire elder Daughter.
She also weds a Scottish Earle, vnlicenc'st of her Brother:
And was to her Sons Daughters Sonne, now sixt Iames, great-Grandmother.
A scruple, after twentie yeeres, did enter Henries mind,
For wedding of Queene Katherin, a Lady faire and kind,
Spaynes Daughter, then the Emperours Aunt, & for her vertuous life,
Well worthie Henry: But for she had beene his Brothers Wife,
And also of their coiture surmise directed Lawes,
He seem'd in conscience toucht, and sought to rid him of the Cause.
Then was the matter of Deuorse through Christendome disputed,
The Match of all adiudged voyd, and so the Queene non-suted.
She, after teares to him from whom she was to be deuorste,
Did humbly say: and am I not, my Lord, to be remorst,
That twentie yeeres haue beene your Wife, & borne your Childrē, and
Haue lou'd and liu'd obediently, and vnsuspected stand:
I am (ah too too sweetly err'd) I was, poore Soule, the same
Whom once you did preferre, nor now of me you need to shame.
The blossomes of my beautie weare your Bootie, nor my fauour
Now alters so to alter so from me your late behauiour.
But Conscience is the colour of this quarrell: well I wot,
I also haue a conscience that in this accuseth not:
But as the same, perhaps, may say that me succeedes say I,
That for the pleasure of a Prince goe many things awry.
For wedding of Queene Katherin, a Lady faire and kind,
Spaynes Daughter, then the Emperours Aunt, & for her vertuous life,
Well worthie Henry: But for she had beene his Brothers Wife,
And also of their coiture surmise directed Lawes,
He seem'd in conscience toucht, and sought to rid him of the Cause.
Then was the matter of Deuorse through Christendome disputed,
The Match of all adiudged voyd, and so the Queene non-suted.
She, after teares to him from whom she was to be deuorste,
Did humbly say: and am I not, my Lord, to be remorst,
That twentie yeeres haue beene your Wife, & borne your Childrē, and
Haue lou'd and liu'd obediently, and vnsuspected stand:
I am (ah too too sweetly err'd) I was, poore Soule, the same
Whom once you did preferre, nor now of me you need to shame.
The blossomes of my beautie weare your Bootie, nor my fauour
Now alters so to alter so from me your late behauiour.
But Conscience is the colour of this quarrell: well I wot,
I also haue a conscience that in this accuseth not:
But as the same, perhaps, may say that me succeedes say I,
That for the pleasure of a Prince goe many things awry.
Which her Fore-doomes seem'd to effect in her that her succeeded,
In Queene Anne Bullyn: who, for she in Lutherisme proceeded,
Was hated of the Papists, and enui'd because preferr'd,
And through the Kings too light beleefe (for Kinges haue sometimes err'd
She lost her head, and might haue said (some thought) ere she did dye,
That for the pleasure of a Prince goe many things awry.
So dyde the gracious Mother of our now most glorious Queene,
Whose zeale in reuerent Fox his works autenticall is seene.
The Kings foure other Queenes (for why? he dide a Sexamus)
Shall passe, though Iane did beare a Sonne to him, a King to vs,
Edward the Sixt: and of the same we shall deliuer thus.
In Queene Anne Bullyn: who, for she in Lutherisme proceeded,
Was hated of the Papists, and enui'd because preferr'd,
And through the Kings too light beleefe (for Kinges haue sometimes err'd
She lost her head, and might haue said (some thought) ere she did dye,
That for the pleasure of a Prince goe many things awry.
So dyde the gracious Mother of our now most glorious Queene,
191
The Kings foure other Queenes (for why? he dide a Sexamus)
Shall passe, though Iane did beare a Sonne to him, a King to vs,
Edward the Sixt: and of the same we shall deliuer thus.
CHAP. XXXIX.
Svch as was Loue in Figure of Ascanius, when the sameIn kisses slie did shead himselfe into the Tyrian Dame,
Or such as was sweete Hyacint, Apollos louely Boy,
Or Iupiters Ganymædes, rapt vp to heauen from Troy,
Or rather like yoong Salomon, in sentencing betwixt
Two mothers claiming one-same Child, was yoong Edward the Sixt.
Now Rome fell sicke in England, but how long she lay in traunce
We list not write, alonly death to her did neuer chaunce.
For old Rome neuer lackt that durst their liues for her bestoe,
Nor new Rome that to Hell for her dare soules and bodies goe.
Then true Religion might be said with vs in Primatiue,
The Preachers and the people both then practiuely did thriue.
Our decent Church-Rites, still in print, scarce practise (worthy those
Whose reuerrent heads collected them frō whence true wisedō groes:
Not mangled then of Nouesses and curious Doults, which now
Would haue they know not what, & would reforme they know not how,
Omitting or admitting as their owne Conceits allow)
192
And, were our Church-Lords now for zeale, as Church-lawes now
Soone might like vnion be, now by indifferencie withstood (for good,
For giue to vulgar Heads the head, and looke for all confused,
At once they publish and repeale, all else, saue Order, vsed:
And as Kytts Campe ill-form'd good forme at their reforming Tree,
Sonnes oft by aime consorting voice their Fathers hang'd should be,
So, wheare the Multitude preuaile, they censure ere they see.
But (might I be so bould to speake to them should speake to mee)
A good example would doe good in Church-men, seeing thay
In saying troth are lesse beleeu'd, not doing as the say.
I know our Church men know that Faith is dead where lacke good works,
Yeat know I not what pollicie in Almes vnpreached lurks.
Some teach (& well) that these concurre, but few doe vrge the Theame
Of charitie, affeard, perhaps our Mote should vrge their Beame.
But feare not, Fathers, preach at full Loue, good workes, & Remorse,
More will your bad Examples let than shall your words inforce.
To preach by halfes is to be worse than those tongue-holly Iauels,
That cite good words, but shift off works and Discipline By Cauells.
Oft haue ye handled pithily (not preached without neede)
What good to giue, what hurt to take, frō those that Soules do feede,
But so obscurely hath beene blancht of good workes else-wheare done,
As many, boasting onely Faith, faiths fruits selfe-aptly shonne.
When such a faith is but the faith of that faith-fruitles Deuill
That cited Scripture vnto Christ, applying good to euill.
Tell whether that the Leuite or Samaritane did better:
Tell wherein Dines liu'd and dide to Lazarus a Debter:
Vnknot sententious Salomon his Parable which is,
Full Cloudes will raine vpon the Earth: How thus is meant by this.
Rich mē by Cloudes, poore men by Earth (els Clerks expoūd amis)
Tell, how some Cloudes but misell Rayne: that is, if so they giue
A peny Almes or twaine a yeare they thinke they much releeue.
Some Clouds flash down their Shewres, that is, som set vp two or three,
193
Some Clouds haile downe their Raine, beat flat, hurt, & helpe not the ground:
That is, vpbraid whō they releeue, & hold thē seruile bound.
Some Clouds giue Snow, that lights and lies a moysture moystles: so
Doe those that say, alas, God helpe, and nothing else bestoe.
Some Cloudes doe shewre into the Seas: say such do giue to such
Whom Almes make idle, or belike to recompence as much.
Some Clouds with lightning, thunder, & lowd winds drip downe their raine:
That is, giue sildom almes, & those proclaim'd & seen, ere taine.
Some Clouds retayne but forme of clouds, with figure black as Coale:
That is, looke bigge, Examine long, but Scriptumest their doale.
Som gracious Clouds shed temprate Shewres on thirstie earth indeed:
That is, the Orphant, Widdow, Thrall, succour, protect and feed.
Say also whatsoere we giue to whosoere it bee,
Though giuen in sight of men, if not because that men should see,
But with Deuotion, as a worke from Faith thar cannot seuer,
God for such cheerefull Almes will be our bounteous Almner euer.
Say, make not as it weare Quest of quere ere Yee giue,
But giue yee Almes as men be poore, not as poore men doe liue.
Prouided common Beggers nor disordered Lossels, who
Men know prouided for, or can but labour none will doe,
Then whom doe say (for so is sooth) no Creatures worse desarue,
Take you no Orators for them, but that they hang or starue.
And thus for this Our Ouerture to it reduceth mee:
The Vncles of this Orphant King, so long as they agree,
Vphild Religion, King, themselues, and Realme in happie state:
Which then began to ruinate when they begun debate.
194
CHAP. XL.
Some say their falling out was through two haughtie womens strife,The Admirals Queene Bigama, and Lord Protectors Wife.
These (for what glory enuies not one woman in an other?)
Began a brawle that ended with the bloods of either Brother.
Tis thought the Earle of Warwick threw close fewell to this fire,
And nourisht it to cut of them, that so he might aspire:
For when the one had lost his head, he foorthwith tooke in hand
To forge the Lord Protector false vnto the King and Land:
Who though he, tryed by his Peeres, of treason was acquited,
Yeat also of a Statute new he being then indighted,
Was hardly found a Felon, and too stricktly sentenc'st so:
For meanest fault is high offence vrg'd of a mightie Foe.
The King thus lost his Vncles both, to his no little woe.
Now
Warwick was become a Duke, feared of high and lowe,
Full little thinking that himselfe the next to Blocke should goe
The two Prince-loyall Semers erst made let vnto his lust,
But now remained none whose faith or force he did mistrust,
The Orphant King fell sicke (but here suspend what some suspect)
The new Duke of Northumberland meane while did all direct.
It was contriu'd King Edward from his Sisters gaue the Crowne,
Their Fathers Former Act and Will, by wrested law, put downe:
The Sisters Daughters Daughter of Eight Henry, Lady Iane,
Was publisht heire apparant, and that right from Mary taine,
And from Elizabeth (though both by Lawe and birth preceed her)
And when by full Confedracie the Crowne-right was decreed her,
And Glyford Dudly, fourth-borne Sonne vnto Northumberland,
Had married her, and nothing seem'd the Plot-forme to withstand,
King Edward (entred seauenteene yeeres of age, & seauen of Raigne)
Departed to that endles rest his vertuous life did gaine.
The Councell then conuent: But who will thinke, perhaps, that one
Should alter All, to alter true Discents vnto a Throne?
Iane, Suffolks Daughter, Gylfords Wife (One worthie such estate
For righteous and religious life, who nerethelesse should wate
Her Intrest after others two, The yoonger of which twaine
Did match, yea Mate her vertues) was proclamed Queene to raigne,
And in the tower of London hild Estate and princely Traine.
Meane while flead Mary, doubting lesse her Scepters losse than life:
But sildome fayles a rightfull cause that comes to open strife:
The Commons knew our either Law prefer'd a Sisters Right
Before a Cosens, and for it did many fadge to fight.
Full little thinking that himselfe the next to Blocke should goe
The two Prince-loyall Semers erst made let vnto his lust,
But now remained none whose faith or force he did mistrust,
The Orphant King fell sicke (but here suspend what some suspect)
The new Duke of Northumberland meane while did all direct.
It was contriu'd King Edward from his Sisters gaue the Crowne,
Their Fathers Former Act and Will, by wrested law, put downe:
The Sisters Daughters Daughter of Eight Henry, Lady Iane,
Was publisht heire apparant, and that right from Mary taine,
195
And when by full Confedracie the Crowne-right was decreed her,
And Glyford Dudly, fourth-borne Sonne vnto Northumberland,
Had married her, and nothing seem'd the Plot-forme to withstand,
King Edward (entred seauenteene yeeres of age, & seauen of Raigne)
Departed to that endles rest his vertuous life did gaine.
The Councell then conuent: But who will thinke, perhaps, that one
Should alter All, to alter true Discents vnto a Throne?
Iane, Suffolks Daughter, Gylfords Wife (One worthie such estate
For righteous and religious life, who nerethelesse should wate
Her Intrest after others two, The yoonger of which twaine
Did match, yea Mate her vertues) was proclamed Queene to raigne,
And in the tower of London hild Estate and princely Traine.
Meane while flead Mary, doubting lesse her Scepters losse than life:
But sildome fayles a rightfull cause that comes to open strife:
The Commons knew our either Law prefer'd a Sisters Right
Before a Cosens, and for it did many fadge to fight.
Northumberland with Armes pursu'd the Lady Mary, and
Obseru'd directions from the Peeres: who when they vnderstand
Of Maries strength of flocking Friends, on sudden came to pas
That they proclaimed Mary Queene, and Iane her Prisner was:
And well was he, that late did seeme a Foe, might first salute
The Queene, and all vnto the Duke did their Amisse impute.
For, soothly, more the Peeres did feare than fauour him alway:
Who, though he seem'd as forward now in Maries cause as thay,
Yeat was he taken and in tow'rd, and lost his head for this:
A Warrior braue: But than his Sier, himselfe, one Sonne of his,
Like Polititians seldome liu'de: who in three seuerall Raignes
Successiuely did shew them such, though losse did proue their gaines.
The Duke thus dead, Suffolke, Lord Gray, Lord Gylford, Lady Iane,
Obseru'd directions from the Peeres: who when they vnderstand
Of Maries strength of flocking Friends, on sudden came to pas
That they proclaimed Mary Queene, and Iane her Prisner was:
And well was he, that late did seeme a Foe, might first salute
The Queene, and all vnto the Duke did their Amisse impute.
For, soothly, more the Peeres did feare than fauour him alway:
Who, though he seem'd as forward now in Maries cause as thay,
Yeat was he taken and in tow'rd, and lost his head for this:
A Warrior braue: But than his Sier, himselfe, one Sonne of his,
Like Polititians seldome liu'de: who in three seuerall Raignes
Successiuely did shew them such, though losse did proue their gaines.
Weare executed: But we blanch the rest, excepting twaine,
196
Because the Dukes their Fathers, all the Councell, all of name,
Yea and King Edwards Pattents seald for them, not they, did frame
What so was done in this, yeat they must perish for the same.
Who higher then this Couple late? and who more wretched now?
Of more then much remayned nought, nor law did life allow.
Vnhappie Youths, not for they die, but for the mutuall greefe.
Of him for her, of her for him, which tortur'd them in cheefe.
Come was the day, the tragicke day, wherein they both should die,
When Either, passing to their end, ech other did espie,
Shee in her lodging waiting death, prepared her that day,
And he in being lead thereto, her Lodging in his way.
Assending and dissending Signes then fly and fall apace,
And each bemones the other more than mindes their priuate cace.
Their Eies, that looked Loue ere wile, now looke their last adew,
And staine their faces, faultles ere this dismall enter-vew:
Their Eares, earst listning ioies, are deafe, vnles to sighes profound:
Their tongs, earst talking ioies, those looks & sighes did now cōfounde
What parts soere of them had felt or tasted ioyes ere this,
Weare senceles now of any ioy, saue hope of heauenly blis.
Whilst Either thus for Earthly Pompe no longer time did looke,
He passeth to the fatall Blocke, she praying on her booke:
Whence (hauing made a godly end) he was return'd, whilst Shee
Prepard for like, and of her Lord the senceles Tronke did see.
A sight more deathful than her death that should consort him straite,
And for the which her feareles eies did euery moment waite.
She vnabashed, mounting now the Skaffold, theare attends
The fatall Stroke, and vnto God her better parte commends,
And as she liu'd a vertuous life so vertuously she ends.
197
CHAP. XLI.
Omitting Knights, three Dukes, three Lords, also a Queene elect
Then perisht thus, and somewhat some of Edwards death suspect:
All which fell out a Stratagem, in God his secret Dome,
That should induce a Tragedie to England meant from Rome:
For when these mightie Potentates, through Ones Ambition, fell,
Queene Mary seem'd to shut vp Heauen, and set wide open Hell.
Whence swarmed Papish Tyrants, that false doctrine did erect,
Whilst that seduced Mary did Gods threatned cause neglect.
Blamelesse she was not, for a Crowne that could her Foes ore-goe:
Nor all too blame, for mightie States do and haue erred so,
To whom the Scriptures weare obscured by Christs Italian Foe.
Her courage was not common, yeat abused ouer much
By Papists cheefly, She her selfe too naturally such.
Heere hence she is reprooued of a most tyrannous Raigne.
And of a thristles Mariage with the trustles King of Spaine.
Then perisht thus, and somewhat some of Edwards death suspect:
All which fell out a Stratagem, in God his secret Dome,
That should induce a Tragedie to England meant from Rome:
For when these mightie Potentates, through Ones Ambition, fell,
Queene Mary seem'd to shut vp Heauen, and set wide open Hell.
Whence swarmed Papish Tyrants, that false doctrine did erect,
Whilst that seduced Mary did Gods threatned cause neglect.
Blamelesse she was not, for a Crowne that could her Foes ore-goe:
Nor all too blame, for mightie States do and haue erred so,
To whom the Scriptures weare obscured by Christs Italian Foe.
Her courage was not common, yeat abused ouer much
By Papists cheefly, She her selfe too naturally such.
Heere hence she is reprooued of a most tyrannous Raigne.
And of a thristles Mariage with the trustles King of Spaine.
But when rich Brabants supreame Faire, the Bakers daughter, staide
The King in dalliance, and the Queene had newes that false he plaide,
Tis thought his tarriance greeu'd, & told that one should counsell this:
Haue patience, Madam, so it was was and will be as it is:
Fourth, Edward did the like, yeat lou'd his Queene no whit the lesse,
Nor did the like vnpatient her, that knew him to transgresse
As guiltie of a Leash of Loues, Shores wife and other twaine:
She knew as Streams, if stopt, surrownd so Kings will shew they raigne:
As did our second Henry, whom his Queene oft crost in vaine.
Which, and one other Story, if it please you that I tell,
I shall: Yea doe (quoth she:) Then thus (quoth he) it once befell.
The King in dalliance, and the Queene had newes that false he plaide,
Tis thought his tarriance greeu'd, & told that one should counsell this:
Haue patience, Madam, so it was was and will be as it is:
Fourth, Edward did the like, yeat lou'd his Queene no whit the lesse,
Nor did the like vnpatient her, that knew him to transgresse
As guiltie of a Leash of Loues, Shores wife and other twaine:
She knew as Streams, if stopt, surrownd so Kings will shew they raigne:
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Which, and one other Story, if it please you that I tell,
I shall: Yea doe (quoth she:) Then thus (quoth he) it once befell.
Not knowen of Rosamund, his eie had stoed her in his heart:
Faire Maide, quoth he, beleeue me faire and all so faire thou art
That, weare I Henry Englands King, thou shouldst be Englāds Queene:
But so must faile, for Elenour already is betweene.
He bod me buy thy loue, if so it might be bought with Golde,
If not, he bod me sweare he loues: in faith he loues, be bolde:
He bod me aske, if so he came, what should his welcome be,
And if, perhaps, he lated weare if he should lodge with thee,
Protesting secreasie thereof to all, vnlesse to me:
With promise to performe at full each promise as I make it:
I promise Loue, Wealth, Secresie, then promise thou to take it.
Faire Maide, quoth he, beleeue me faire and all so faire thou art
That, weare I Henry Englands King, thou shouldst be Englāds Queene:
But so must faile, for Elenour already is betweene.
He bod me buy thy loue, if so it might be bought with Golde,
If not, he bod me sweare he loues: in faith he loues, be bolde:
He bod me aske, if so he came, what should his welcome be,
And if, perhaps, he lated weare if he should lodge with thee,
Protesting secreasie thereof to all, vnlesse to me:
With promise to performe at full each promise as I make it:
I promise Loue, Wealth, Secresie, then promise thou to take it.
Content you Sir (quoth Rosamund) you aime your markes amis:
I am not for his Highnes, nor for me his Highnes is.
And should he know (I shame he should) of this your Brokage bace,
He would acquaint you what it weare your Soueraigne to disgrace.
Whoso you be, be still the same, or better if you may,
Thinke not Lord Cliffords daughter will vnmaiden her for pay,
But know, if Henries selfe were heere, himselfe should haue a nay.
Then know (quoth he) which being knowen, well maist thou know I loue thee,
I am the King, and for I am the rather let it mooue thee.
In sooth, sweete Wench, thou saiest nay thou knowest not whereto:
For, weare my wish at worke, lesse good my with than worke would do.
What, fearst thou shame? no shame to be beloued of a King:
Or dread'st thou sinne? The Pope for pay absolueth euery thing:
Or doubt'st thou iealous Elenour? I will remooue that doubt:
At Woodstocke shall she finde thy bower, but neuer finde thee out.
Theare shalt thou passe a pleasant life, commanding me and mine:
Then loue, beloued Rosamund, a King subiects him thine.
He kist, She blusht, and long it was ere loue from her he wroung,
For, whilst it played in her heart, it paused on her toung.
I am not for his Highnes, nor for me his Highnes is.
And should he know (I shame he should) of this your Brokage bace,
He would acquaint you what it weare your Soueraigne to disgrace.
Whoso you be, be still the same, or better if you may,
Thinke not Lord Cliffords daughter will vnmaiden her for pay,
But know, if Henries selfe were heere, himselfe should haue a nay.
Then know (quoth he) which being knowen, well maist thou know I loue thee,
I am the King, and for I am the rather let it mooue thee.
In sooth, sweete Wench, thou saiest nay thou knowest not whereto:
For, weare my wish at worke, lesse good my with than worke would do.
What, fearst thou shame? no shame to be beloued of a King:
Or dread'st thou sinne? The Pope for pay absolueth euery thing:
Or doubt'st thou iealous Elenour? I will remooue that doubt:
At Woodstocke shall she finde thy bower, but neuer finde thee out.
Theare shalt thou passe a pleasant life, commanding me and mine:
Then loue, beloued Rosamund, a King subiects him thine.
He kist, She blusht, and long it was ere loue from her he wroung,
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Not Sibils Caue at Cuma, nor the Labyrinth in Creat,
Was like the Bower of Rosamund, for intricate and great.
The Pellicane theare neasts his Bird, and sporteth oft with her,
Conducted by a Clew of thread, els could he not but err.
Besides her Maydes, a Knight of trust attended on her theare,
Who suffred for her Beautie, long concealing it for feare.
At length at full and formally he courted her for grace,
But all in vaine, nought booted him to haue both time and place:
Henry, quoth she, begonne and he shall end my thoughts vnchast.
Nor peach't she him, nor he, dismist, did hold, himselfe disgrac'st.
The Kings three Sonnes had notice of their Fathers Leiman now,
So had the Queene, and they of such coriuing disallow.
Came I from France Queene Dowager, quoth she, to pay so deere
For bringing him so great a wealth as to be Cuckquean'd heere?
Am I so old a woman, he so young a wanton growen,
As that I may not please, that pleas'd, and still might with his owen?
What is the Drab, or tempting Diuell? or wherefore doteth he?
The French King once, himselfe euen now for faire preferred me.
And hath he toyled vp his Game? and settles he to loue her?
Nor Heauen nor hell shall crosse my course but that I will remoue her.
Was like the Bower of Rosamund, for intricate and great.
The Pellicane theare neasts his Bird, and sporteth oft with her,
Conducted by a Clew of thread, els could he not but err.
Besides her Maydes, a Knight of trust attended on her theare,
Who suffred for her Beautie, long concealing it for feare.
At length at full and formally he courted her for grace,
But all in vaine, nought booted him to haue both time and place:
Henry, quoth she, begonne and he shall end my thoughts vnchast.
Nor peach't she him, nor he, dismist, did hold, himselfe disgrac'st.
The Kings three Sonnes had notice of their Fathers Leiman now,
So had the Queene, and they of such coriuing disallow.
Came I from France Queene Dowager, quoth she, to pay so deere
For bringing him so great a wealth as to be Cuckquean'd heere?
Am I so old a woman, he so young a wanton growen,
As that I may not please, that pleas'd, and still might with his owen?
What is the Drab, or tempting Diuell? or wherefore doteth he?
The French King once, himselfe euen now for faire preferred me.
And hath he toyled vp his Game? and settles he to loue her?
Nor Heauen nor hell shall crosse my course but that I will remoue her.
Like Phrogne, seeking Philomel, she seeketh for and found
The Bower that lodg'd her Husbands Loue, built partly vnder ground.
She entred, but so intricate weare Turnings to and fro,
That welneere she had lost herselfe, but could not finde her Foe:
Yeat out she got, and backe she goes with her Attendants, who
Admire their furious Mistresse, and mislike what she would doe.
With her Confederates oft she went, preuented of her will,
Howbeit lastly did preuaile: For-hap did hit so ill,
That whilst the Knight did issue out, suspecting no assaut,
He was assailed, and from him his giding Clew they caught:
So wonne they vnto Rosamund. Whom when the Queene did vew,
Most brauely clad in rich Attire (her selfe more rich of hew)
The beautie and the brauenese of the Person and the place
Amazed her and hers, who stoode at gaze a certaine space.
No maruell, quoth the Queene, that oft the Court did mis the King,
Soone such an Hebe hither such a Iupiter might bring.
Now, trust me, weare she not a Whoore, or anies Whoore but his,
She should be pardon'd: But in faith I must not pardon this.
A Queane coriuall with a Queene? Nay kept at Racke & Manger?
A Husband to his honest bed through her become a Stranger?
A bide who list, abye she shall, how so I buy the daunger.
The Bower that lodg'd her Husbands Loue, built partly vnder ground.
She entred, but so intricate weare Turnings to and fro,
That welneere she had lost herselfe, but could not finde her Foe:
Yeat out she got, and backe she goes with her Attendants, who
Admire their furious Mistresse, and mislike what she would doe.
With her Confederates oft she went, preuented of her will,
Howbeit lastly did preuaile: For-hap did hit so ill,
That whilst the Knight did issue out, suspecting no assaut,
He was assailed, and from him his giding Clew they caught:
So wonne they vnto Rosamund. Whom when the Queene did vew,
Most brauely clad in rich Attire (her selfe more rich of hew)
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Amazed her and hers, who stoode at gaze a certaine space.
No maruell, quoth the Queene, that oft the Court did mis the King,
Soone such an Hebe hither such a Iupiter might bring.
Now, trust me, weare she not a Whoore, or anies Whoore but his,
She should be pardon'd: But in faith I must not pardon this.
A Queane coriuall with a Queene? Nay kept at Racke & Manger?
A Husband to his honest bed through her become a Stranger?
A bide who list, abye she shall, how so I buy the daunger.
Faire Rosamund surprised thus, eare thus she did suspect,
Fell on her humble knees, and did her fearefull hands erect.
She blush't out beauty, whilst the teares did wash her pleasing face,
And begged Pardon, meriting no lesse of common grace.
So farfoorth as it lay in me I did, quoth she, withstand,
But what may not so great a King by meanes or force command?
And daerst thou Minton, quoth the Queene, thus article to me,
That then wert Non-plus when the King commenced Lust to thee.
Nay, best he take thee to the Court, Be thou his Queene, do call
Me to attendance, if his Lust may stand for Law in all.
I know it Strumpet, so harps he, and thou doest hope the same:
But lo I liue, and liue I will, at least to marre that game.
With that she dasht her on the Lippes, so dyed double red:
Hard was the heart that gaue the blow, soft were those lips that bled.
Then forc't she her to swallow downe (prepar'd for that intent)
A poisned Potion: which dispatch, to whence they came they went.
Fell on her humble knees, and did her fearefull hands erect.
She blush't out beauty, whilst the teares did wash her pleasing face,
And begged Pardon, meriting no lesse of common grace.
So farfoorth as it lay in me I did, quoth she, withstand,
But what may not so great a King by meanes or force command?
And daerst thou Minton, quoth the Queene, thus article to me,
That then wert Non-plus when the King commenced Lust to thee.
Nay, best he take thee to the Court, Be thou his Queene, do call
Me to attendance, if his Lust may stand for Law in all.
I know it Strumpet, so harps he, and thou doest hope the same:
But lo I liue, and liue I will, at least to marre that game.
With that she dasht her on the Lippes, so dyed double red:
Hard was the heart that gaue the blow, soft were those lips that bled.
Then forc't she her to swallow downe (prepar'd for that intent)
A poisned Potion: which dispatch, to whence they came they went.
The wronged Wench, the Quintessence of Beautie, and the same
(Saue that intised of a King) stood free from all defame,
Did forthwith sicken, so that helpe for her might none be found,
When to the Knight that garded her, then greeued of a wound,
She said: Weare it that Henry knew his Rosamund weare thus,
No waightie busines might withhold but he would visit vs.
Full well I lou'd and loue him still, that should not loue him so,
And for I should not worthely I labour of this woe.
Ah, Beauty thou betraies thy selfe to euery amorous Eie,
To trap thy proud Possessors what is it but Wantons trie?
Wheare-through it seldome haps the Faire from meant deciets to flie
At least the nicest Faire aliue shall vanish once as I.
Vaine Beauty stoupe to Vertue, for this latter is for euer,
Wheareas that former altereth with euery Ayre and Feuer.
I pray the Queene of Pardon, whom I pardon from my hart:
Fare well my present Friends: But thou, sweet King, wheare so thou art,
Ten Thousand times farewell to thee: My God, whome I offended,
Vouch safe me Mercy: Saying which, her life she sweetly ended.
So died faire Rose (no longer Rose, nor faire, in sent, or sight)
Whome pensiue Henry did inter, and soone her wrong did right.
The Queene imprison'd, and his Sonnes, rebelling, put to flight.
Thus wrought they sorrowes to thēselues in wreaking of their spight,
Nor lou'd the King thenceforth the Queene, or left to err anew.
(Saue that intised of a King) stood free from all defame,
Did forthwith sicken, so that helpe for her might none be found,
When to the Knight that garded her, then greeued of a wound,
She said: Weare it that Henry knew his Rosamund weare thus,
No waightie busines might withhold but he would visit vs.
Full well I lou'd and loue him still, that should not loue him so,
And for I should not worthely I labour of this woe.
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To trap thy proud Possessors what is it but Wantons trie?
Wheare-through it seldome haps the Faire from meant deciets to flie
At least the nicest Faire aliue shall vanish once as I.
Vaine Beauty stoupe to Vertue, for this latter is for euer,
Wheareas that former altereth with euery Ayre and Feuer.
I pray the Queene of Pardon, whom I pardon from my hart:
Fare well my present Friends: But thou, sweet King, wheare so thou art,
Ten Thousand times farewell to thee: My God, whome I offended,
Vouch safe me Mercy: Saying which, her life she sweetly ended.
So died faire Rose (no longer Rose, nor faire, in sent, or sight)
Whome pensiue Henry did inter, and soone her wrong did right.
The Queene imprison'd, and his Sonnes, rebelling, put to flight.
Thus wrought they sorrowes to thēselues in wreaking of their spight,
Nor lou'd the King thenceforth the Queene, or left to err anew.
Now rests our other promis'd Tale, a common Tale (if true)
Like lesse had harmed Elenour, and more may profite you:
Be bitter and it betters not, be patient and subdue.
King Phillip is not gone but to returne, which when he shall
Your Maiestie must not exclaime if so you would recall.
Impatience chaungeth smoke to flame, but Ielousie is Hell:
Some wiues, by Patience, haue reduc't ill husbands to liue well,
As did this Lady of an Earle, of whome I now shall tell.
Like lesse had harmed Elenour, and more may profite you:
Be bitter and it betters not, be patient and subdue.
King Phillip is not gone but to returne, which when he shall
Your Maiestie must not exclaime if so you would recall.
Impatience chaungeth smoke to flame, but Ielousie is Hell:
Some wiues, by Patience, haue reduc't ill husbands to liue well,
As did this Lady of an Earle, of whome I now shall tell.
CHAP. XLII.
An Earle (quoth he) had wedded, lou'd, was lou'd, and liued long
Full true to his fayre Countesse, yeat at last he did her wrong.
Once hunted he, vntill the Chace, long fasting, and the heate
Did house him in a peakish Graunge within a Forrest great.
Wheare, Knowne, & welcom'd (as the place & persons might afforde)
Browne bread, whig, bacon, curds, & milke were set him on the Borde,
A Cushion made of Lists, a Stoole halfe backed with a houpe
We are brought him, & he sitteth down besides a sorry Coupe
The poore old Couple wish't their bread were wheat, their whig were Perry,
Their bacō beefe, their milke & curds were creame to make him merry.
Meane while (in Russet neatly clad, with linnen white as Swanne,
Her selfe more white, saue rosie wheare the rudy colour ranne,
Whom naked Nature, not the Aydes of Arte, made to excell)
The Good mans Daughter sterres to see that all weare feat and well.
The Earle did marke her, and admire such Beautie there to dwell.
Yeat fals he to their homely fare, and hild him at a feast:
But as his hunger slacked so an amorous heat increast,
When this repast was past, and thanks, and welcome too, he sayd
Vnto his Oste and Ostesse, in the hearing of the Mayd,
Yee know (quoth he) that I am Lord of this and many Townes,
I also know that you be poore, and I can spare you pownes,
So will I, so yee will consent that yonder Lasse and I
May bargaine for her Loue, at least doe giue me leaue to try:
Who needs to know it? Nay who dares into my doings pry?
First they mislike, yeat at the length for lucar were mislead,
And then the gamesome Earle did wowe the Damsell for his bead.
He tooke her in his armes, as yet so coyish to be kist
As Mayds that know themselues belou'd and yeeldingly resist.
In fewe, his offers were so large she lastly did consent,
With whom he lodged all that night, and early home he went.
Full true to his fayre Countesse, yeat at last he did her wrong.
Once hunted he, vntill the Chace, long fasting, and the heate
Did house him in a peakish Graunge within a Forrest great.
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Browne bread, whig, bacon, curds, & milke were set him on the Borde,
A Cushion made of Lists, a Stoole halfe backed with a houpe
We are brought him, & he sitteth down besides a sorry Coupe
The poore old Couple wish't their bread were wheat, their whig were Perry,
Their bacō beefe, their milke & curds were creame to make him merry.
Meane while (in Russet neatly clad, with linnen white as Swanne,
Her selfe more white, saue rosie wheare the rudy colour ranne,
Whom naked Nature, not the Aydes of Arte, made to excell)
The Good mans Daughter sterres to see that all weare feat and well.
The Earle did marke her, and admire such Beautie there to dwell.
Yeat fals he to their homely fare, and hild him at a feast:
But as his hunger slacked so an amorous heat increast,
When this repast was past, and thanks, and welcome too, he sayd
Vnto his Oste and Ostesse, in the hearing of the Mayd,
Yee know (quoth he) that I am Lord of this and many Townes,
I also know that you be poore, and I can spare you pownes,
So will I, so yee will consent that yonder Lasse and I
May bargaine for her Loue, at least doe giue me leaue to try:
Who needs to know it? Nay who dares into my doings pry?
First they mislike, yeat at the length for lucar were mislead,
And then the gamesome Earle did wowe the Damsell for his bead.
He tooke her in his armes, as yet so coyish to be kist
As Mayds that know themselues belou'd and yeeldingly resist.
In fewe, his offers were so large she lastly did consent,
With whom he lodged all that night, and early home he went.
He tooke occasion oftentimes in such a sort to hunt,
Whom when his Lady often myst, contrary to his wont,
And lastly was informed of his amorous haunt elsewheare,
It greeu'd her not a little, though she seem'd it well to beare.
And thus she reasons with her selfe: Some fault perhaps in me,
Some what is done that so he doth, Alas, what may it be?
How may I winne him to my selfe? He is a Man, and men
Haue imperfections: It hehooues me pardon Nature then.
To checke him weare to make him checke, although hee now weare cha'ste:
A man controuled of his Wife to her makes lesser haste.
If dutie then or daliance may preuayle to alter him,
I will be dutifull, and make my selfe for daliance trim.
So was she, and so louingly did entertaine her Lord,
As fairer or more faultles none could be for Bed or Bord.
Yeat still he Loues his Leiman, and did still pursue that game,
Suspecting nothing lesse then that his Lady knew the same:
Wherefore, to make him know she knew, she this deuise did frame.
Whom when his Lady often myst, contrary to his wont,
And lastly was informed of his amorous haunt elsewheare,
It greeu'd her not a little, though she seem'd it well to beare.
And thus she reasons with her selfe: Some fault perhaps in me,
Some what is done that so he doth, Alas, what may it be?
How may I winne him to my selfe? He is a Man, and men
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To checke him weare to make him checke, although hee now weare cha'ste:
A man controuled of his Wife to her makes lesser haste.
If dutie then or daliance may preuayle to alter him,
I will be dutifull, and make my selfe for daliance trim.
So was she, and so louingly did entertaine her Lord,
As fairer or more faultles none could be for Bed or Bord.
Yeat still he Loues his Leiman, and did still pursue that game,
Suspecting nothing lesse then that his Lady knew the same:
Wherefore, to make him know she knew, she this deuise did frame.
When long she had been wrong'd, & sought the foresaid meanes in vaine,
She rideth to the simple Graunge but with a slender traine:
She lighteth, entreth, greets them well, and then did looke about her:
The guiltie houshold, knowing her, did wish themselues without her,
Yeat, for she looked merily, the lesse they did misdoubt her.
When she had seen the beautious Wench (thē blushing fairnes fairer)
Such Beauty made the Countesse hold them both excus'd the rather.
Who would not bite at such a Bait? (thought she) & who (though loth)
So poore a Wench, but gold might tempt? sweet errors lead thē both:
Scarce one of twentie that hath brag'd of proffer'd Gold denied:
Or of such yeelding Beautie baulkt but (tenne to one) hath lied.
Thus thought she. And she thus declares her cause of cōming thether:
My Lord, oft hunting in these Partes, through trauell, night, or wether,
Hath often lodged in your House, I thanke you for the same,
For why? it doth him iolly ease to lie so neere his Game:
But for you haue not furniture, beseeming such a Guest,
I bring his owne, and come my selfe to see his lodging drest.
With that two Sumpters were discharg'd, in which were Hangings braue,
Silke Couerings, Curtens, Carpets, Plate, & al such turn should haue.
When all was hansomly dispos'd, She prayes them to haue caer
That nothing hap in their default that might his health impaer:
And, Damsell, quoth she, (for it seemes this houshold is but three,
And for thy Parents age that this shall chiefely rest on thee)
Doe me that good, else would to God he hither come no more.
So tooke she horse, and ere she went bestowed gould good store.
She rideth to the simple Graunge but with a slender traine:
She lighteth, entreth, greets them well, and then did looke about her:
The guiltie houshold, knowing her, did wish themselues without her,
Yeat, for she looked merily, the lesse they did misdoubt her.
When she had seen the beautious Wench (thē blushing fairnes fairer)
Such Beauty made the Countesse hold them both excus'd the rather.
Who would not bite at such a Bait? (thought she) & who (though loth)
So poore a Wench, but gold might tempt? sweet errors lead thē both:
Scarce one of twentie that hath brag'd of proffer'd Gold denied:
Or of such yeelding Beautie baulkt but (tenne to one) hath lied.
Thus thought she. And she thus declares her cause of cōming thether:
My Lord, oft hunting in these Partes, through trauell, night, or wether,
Hath often lodged in your House, I thanke you for the same,
For why? it doth him iolly ease to lie so neere his Game:
But for you haue not furniture, beseeming such a Guest,
I bring his owne, and come my selfe to see his lodging drest.
With that two Sumpters were discharg'd, in which were Hangings braue,
Silke Couerings, Curtens, Carpets, Plate, & al such turn should haue.
When all was hansomly dispos'd, She prayes them to haue caer
That nothing hap in their default that might his health impaer:
And, Damsell, quoth she, (for it seemes this houshold is but three,
And for thy Parents age that this shall chiefely rest on thee)
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So tooke she horse, and ere she went bestowed gould good store.
Full little thought the Countie that his Countesse had done so,
Who, now return'd from farre affaires, did to his sweet-Heart go.
No sooner set he foote within the late deformed Cote,
But that the formall change of things his wondring Eies did Note.
But when he knew those goods to be his proper goods (though late,
Scarce taking leaue) he home returnes the Matter to debate.
The Countesse was a bed, and he with her his lodging tooke:
Sir, welcome home (quoth she) this Night for you I did not looke.
Then did he question her of such his Stuffe bestowed so.
Forsooth (quoth she) because I did your Loue and Lodging knoe,
Your Loue to be a proper Wench, your Lodging nothing lesse,
I hild it for your health the house more decently to dresse.
Well wot I, notwithstanding her, your Lordship loueth me,
And greater hope to hold you such by queat then brawles I see:
Then for my duetie, your delight, and to retaine your fauour,
All done I did, and patiently expect your wonted Hauour.
Her Patience, Witte, & Aunswere wrought his gentle teares to fall,
When (kissing her a score of times) Amend, sweete wife, I shall
He said, and did it: And your Grace may Phillip so recall.
Who, now return'd from farre affaires, did to his sweet-Heart go.
No sooner set he foote within the late deformed Cote,
But that the formall change of things his wondring Eies did Note.
But when he knew those goods to be his proper goods (though late,
Scarce taking leaue) he home returnes the Matter to debate.
The Countesse was a bed, and he with her his lodging tooke:
Sir, welcome home (quoth she) this Night for you I did not looke.
Then did he question her of such his Stuffe bestowed so.
Forsooth (quoth she) because I did your Loue and Lodging knoe,
Your Loue to be a proper Wench, your Lodging nothing lesse,
I hild it for your health the house more decently to dresse.
Well wot I, notwithstanding her, your Lordship loueth me,
And greater hope to hold you such by queat then brawles I see:
Then for my duetie, your delight, and to retaine your fauour,
All done I did, and patiently expect your wonted Hauour.
Her Patience, Witte, & Aunswere wrought his gentle teares to fall,
When (kissing her a score of times) Amend, sweete wife, I shall
He said, and did it: And your Grace may Phillip so recall.
But he (whoso he was) that thus had dubled Tales to cease
Queene Maries griefe, for Phillips guile, as well had hild his peace.
Her no perswading might disswade from pensiuenes of hart,
Vntill that his Vnkindnesse in her Deaths-Scene acts it part.
But howsoere or whatsoere her cause of death might seeme,
Her death did many a good mans life from Tyrannie redeeme,
For, as in Passion, so was she in Papistrie extreeme.
Ill might it therefore boode at her to make our Holly-day.
Of somewhat said and somewhat scapt then thus much by the way.
Queene Maries griefe, for Phillips guile, as well had hild his peace.
Her no perswading might disswade from pensiuenes of hart,
Vntill that his Vnkindnesse in her Deaths-Scene acts it part.
But howsoere or whatsoere her cause of death might seeme,
Her death did many a good mans life from Tyrannie redeeme,
For, as in Passion, so was she in Papistrie extreeme.
Ill might it therefore boode at her to make our Holly-day.
Of somewhat said and somewhat scapt then thus much by the way.
205
CHAP. XLIIII.
Before we toucht (and little els) what Courses hapt at home,
But now, in few, at forren Acts of Natiue Kings we rome:
Of Brittish and of English Kings, more famous than the rest,
This sparing Catalogue ensewes, whose deedes we thus digest.
But now, in few, at forren Acts of Natiue Kings we rome:
Of Brittish and of English Kings, more famous than the rest,
This sparing Catalogue ensewes, whose deedes we thus digest.
Æneas
Off-spring, famous Brute, did set from Greekish thrall
Sixe thousand Phrygian Knights: by him did Guyan Guffer fall:
He conqering this Ile, his Name vnto his Conquest gaue,
And of his Cornish Cambries men couragious yet we haue.
Yorkes Builder, Ebranke, that subdu'd the Cimbrians and the Gawles,
And built the best of Scottish Townes, and next in our number fals.
When Brennus and Belynus had Eight spacious Kingdomes wonne,
Had slaine two Consuls, sacked Rome, and matchles Armes had done,
And built ten Cities, better feird in Italy this day,
Those Kingly Brothers, as must all, their debt to Nature pay.
Gurguinus slew the Dacian King, wonne Tribute, and the same
Gaue Spanish Exiles Ireland, whence our Scottish Nation came.
Cassibelæne did twice beate backe from Brittish Seas and Shore
The worthie Cæsar, that but then was victor euermore:
And thirdly had preuailed but for Luds reuolted Sonne,
When as braue Nennius hand to hand of Cæsar honor wonne.
Guydar and Aruiragus wonne of Claudius Cæsar spoyle:
The former in a second Field did stout Vaspasian foyle.
When as the wandring Scots and Picthts King Marius had subdude,
He gaue the Liuers dwellings, lesse than where they since intru'de.
Constantius, wedding Coyls heyre, was Monarke of the West,
Who, with this Ilands Scepter, of Romes Empire was possest.
Great Constantine, that worthely a Worthie might be said,
The Brittish Romaine Emperour, through out the world obayd,
He made his Siege Bizantium, that retaines his name ere since,
And made (but so vnwitting marde) the Priest of Rome a Prince.
Maximian as Emperiall and as valerous as any,
With Brittish armour did subdue both Kings and Kingdomes many.
What speake we of great Arthur, of his Chiualrie or Court?
Precelling all, sole President of vertue prow's and port,
A King of many Kings, his Knights in all Exploits were seene,
He was in deede a Worthie, and the Worthiest of the Neene.
Fiue Crownes King Malgo prized. And in Battels fiftie fiue
Against the Miscreants valiantly did King Alured thriue:
Rollo (whose Seede should conquer vs) he hence did brauely beate:
That, mauger Fraunce, in Normandie his Scythian Troopes did seate.
He that re-monarchiz'd our Ile King Athelstone did slay
Sixe Kings, twelue Dukes, and countlesse tale of Heathen in one day:
The one of Nyne, his Knight Sir Guy, we toucht but by the way.
Omitting other Kings and Knights, too long in few to say,
Of Brittish race and many, and of Saxon Princes some,
Whose blood by Normaine Mixture now is tripartite become.
Or (For, perhaps, from such Consort the Brutes seruice will be)
Three blended blouds of Nations three hath giuen vs Natures three,
The Saxon prowesse, Danish pompe, and Normaine Pollicee:
And of the Romanes and the Picths we are no portion small:
Foure of which Nations Scythia bred, we thriuing in them all.
Sixe thousand Phrygian Knights: by him did Guyan Guffer fall:
He conqering this Ile, his Name vnto his Conquest gaue,
And of his Cornish Cambries men couragious yet we haue.
Yorkes Builder, Ebranke, that subdu'd the Cimbrians and the Gawles,
And built the best of Scottish Townes, and next in our number fals.
When Brennus and Belynus had Eight spacious Kingdomes wonne,
Had slaine two Consuls, sacked Rome, and matchles Armes had done,
And built ten Cities, better feird in Italy this day,
Those Kingly Brothers, as must all, their debt to Nature pay.
Gurguinus slew the Dacian King, wonne Tribute, and the same
Gaue Spanish Exiles Ireland, whence our Scottish Nation came.
Cassibelæne did twice beate backe from Brittish Seas and Shore
The worthie Cæsar, that but then was victor euermore:
And thirdly had preuailed but for Luds reuolted Sonne,
When as braue Nennius hand to hand of Cæsar honor wonne.
Guydar and Aruiragus wonne of Claudius Cæsar spoyle:
The former in a second Field did stout Vaspasian foyle.
When as the wandring Scots and Picthts King Marius had subdude,
206
Constantius, wedding Coyls heyre, was Monarke of the West,
Who, with this Ilands Scepter, of Romes Empire was possest.
Great Constantine, that worthely a Worthie might be said,
The Brittish Romaine Emperour, through out the world obayd,
He made his Siege Bizantium, that retaines his name ere since,
And made (but so vnwitting marde) the Priest of Rome a Prince.
Maximian as Emperiall and as valerous as any,
With Brittish armour did subdue both Kings and Kingdomes many.
What speake we of great Arthur, of his Chiualrie or Court?
Precelling all, sole President of vertue prow's and port,
A King of many Kings, his Knights in all Exploits were seene,
He was in deede a Worthie, and the Worthiest of the Neene.
Fiue Crownes King Malgo prized. And in Battels fiftie fiue
Against the Miscreants valiantly did King Alured thriue:
Rollo (whose Seede should conquer vs) he hence did brauely beate:
That, mauger Fraunce, in Normandie his Scythian Troopes did seate.
He that re-monarchiz'd our Ile King Athelstone did slay
Sixe Kings, twelue Dukes, and countlesse tale of Heathen in one day:
The one of Nyne, his Knight Sir Guy, we toucht but by the way.
Omitting other Kings and Knights, too long in few to say,
Of Brittish race and many, and of Saxon Princes some,
Whose blood by Normaine Mixture now is tripartite become.
Or (For, perhaps, from such Consort the Brutes seruice will be)
Three blended blouds of Nations three hath giuen vs Natures three,
The Saxon prowesse, Danish pompe, and Normaine Pollicee:
And of the Romanes and the Picths we are no portion small:
Foure of which Nations Scythia bred, we thriuing in them all.
King
William, Englands Conquerour, from Rolla sixt, with pray
Of twice fiue hundred Townes in Fraunce vn-so-met sayld away.
Henry the second, vpon whom the Scotch-King tendant was,
(Which Scots their often ouerthrowes we henceforth ouerpasse,
Who to our Kings, Lords Parramounts, not warres but vprores bring)
Spoylde France, wonne Ireland, and deceast of Iuda chosen King.
Next Lyon-harted Richard he wonne Cypris, Syria, and
Ierusalem, debelling quite the Sowldan from his Land:
He skalde the strong AEgyptian Oste, and king'd his Sisters sonne,
And plagued Fraunce and Austrich for the wrongs they had him don.
First Edward made the Turkes, Sauoies the French, & Flemings trēble.
The third so nam'd to them and moe did Mars himselfe resemble:
Whose Knights, in 2. Richards dayes, so tickled France, and Spaine,
And parts Lugdinian, that no King but Richard seem'd to raine:
Ten thousand were his houshold: Scotch digests we here disdayne.
The fourth and fifth of Henries were as actious as the rest:
Especially the latter was the formost with the best.
Nor yeat Fourth Edwards honor from his Ancestors digrest.
On these doo vulgar Eares and Eyes so brimly waite and gaze,
As they distaske our priuate Penne notorious Laudes to blaze.
Our Catalogue omitteth some for Artes and Iustice good,
Some natur'de well, aduised ill, some worthie Lœthe flood.
Not one fore-cited but deserues at least an Homers Muse,
Although with Agamemnons Vaile Apelles shift I vse:
But colours to that Painter, Art vnto that Poet none
So good, to paint and prayse at ful our following Crowns, saue one,
Since Tuders Seede, Henry the Seauenth, ariued Englands Throne.
Of twice fiue hundred Townes in Fraunce vn-so-met sayld away.
Henry the second, vpon whom the Scotch-King tendant was,
(Which Scots their often ouerthrowes we henceforth ouerpasse,
207
Spoylde France, wonne Ireland, and deceast of Iuda chosen King.
Next Lyon-harted Richard he wonne Cypris, Syria, and
Ierusalem, debelling quite the Sowldan from his Land:
He skalde the strong AEgyptian Oste, and king'd his Sisters sonne,
And plagued Fraunce and Austrich for the wrongs they had him don.
First Edward made the Turkes, Sauoies the French, & Flemings trēble.
The third so nam'd to them and moe did Mars himselfe resemble:
Whose Knights, in 2. Richards dayes, so tickled France, and Spaine,
And parts Lugdinian, that no King but Richard seem'd to raine:
Ten thousand were his houshold: Scotch digests we here disdayne.
The fourth and fifth of Henries were as actious as the rest:
Especially the latter was the formost with the best.
Nor yeat Fourth Edwards honor from his Ancestors digrest.
On these doo vulgar Eares and Eyes so brimly waite and gaze,
As they distaske our priuate Penne notorious Laudes to blaze.
Our Catalogue omitteth some for Artes and Iustice good,
Some natur'de well, aduised ill, some worthie Lœthe flood.
Not one fore-cited but deserues at least an Homers Muse,
Although with Agamemnons Vaile Apelles shift I vse:
But colours to that Painter, Art vnto that Poet none
So good, to paint and prayse at ful our following Crowns, saue one,
Since Tuders Seede, Henry the Seauenth, ariued Englands Throne.
Nor superstitiously I speake, but H. the letter still
Might be obserued ominous to Englands good or ill.
First, Hercules, Hesione, and Hellen were the cause
Of warre to Troy, AEneas Seede becomming so Out-lawes.
Humbar the Hunn with forren Armes did first the Brutes inuaide.
Hellen to Romes Emperiall Throne the Brittish Crowne conuaide.
Hengest and Horsus first did plant the Saxons in this Ile.
Hungar and Hubba first brought Danes that swayed heere long while.
At Harold had the Saxon ende: at Har diknought, the Dane,
Henries the first and second did restore the English Raine.
Fourth Henrie first to Lancaster did Englands Crowne obtaine.
Seauenth Henrie iarring Lancaster and Yorke vnites in peace.
Henrie the Eight did happely Romes Irreligion cease:
The Father of our Mother Nurse, our common Ioyes increase.
Which double H. and H. H. here our homely Poemes Lee,
He saue that salueth all our sinnes: And, God, voutsafe thou me
A prosperous Course in sayling through the Ocean deepe and large
Of her now-Highnes Scepter, for I heere assume that Charge.
Might be obserued ominous to Englands good or ill.
First, Hercules, Hesione, and Hellen were the cause
Of warre to Troy, AEneas Seede becomming so Out-lawes.
Humbar the Hunn with forren Armes did first the Brutes inuaide.
Hellen to Romes Emperiall Throne the Brittish Crowne conuaide.
Hengest and Horsus first did plant the Saxons in this Ile.
Hungar and Hubba first brought Danes that swayed heere long while.
208
Henries the first and second did restore the English Raine.
Fourth Henrie first to Lancaster did Englands Crowne obtaine.
Seauenth Henrie iarring Lancaster and Yorke vnites in peace.
Henrie the Eight did happely Romes Irreligion cease:
The Father of our Mother Nurse, our common Ioyes increase.
Which double H. and H. H. here our homely Poemes Lee,
He saue that salueth all our sinnes: And, God, voutsafe thou me
A prosperous Course in sayling through the Ocean deepe and large
Of her now-Highnes Scepter, for I heere assume that Charge.
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