The Trve Vse of Armorie :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Trve Vse of Armorie

shewed by Historie, and plainly proued by example: the necessitie therof also discouered: with the maner of differings in ancient time, the lawfulness of honourable funerals and moniments: with other matters of Antiquitie, incident to the advancing of Banners, Ensignes, and marks of noblesnesse and cheualrie, By William Wyrley

Wyrley, William (1565-1618)

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LORD CHANDOS.

CAPITALL DE BVZ.

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LORD CHANDOS.

THE GLORIOVS LIFE AND HONORABLE DEATH OF SIR IOHN CHANDOS, LORD OF SAINT Saluiour, le Vicount, great Seneschall of Poyctow, high Constable of Acquitaine, Knight of the honorable order of the Garter, elected by the first founder king Edward the third at his institution thereof.

Let none reioice too much in fortunes state,
Reading the storie of my tragike death,
But watchfull be t'attend some turning fate,
Which like wild whirlwind all our dooings sweath.
For as graue Senec, in wise morals seath,
No mortall man with Gods gaine fauor might
Of warrantice, to see next mornings light.

No earthly one, how goodly so he seeme
Fine, faire, or perfect how so he appear,
Renowmed, rich, of excellent esteeme,
That firmly stands, and fixed forme doth bear,
For wauing fortune so the ship will stear,
With giddie guiding to hir fond intent,
Nor wit nor prowesse can bad rule preuent.

Vncertaine more than is slow Lidian brooke,
Which dallieth his winding banks within
Fast forward hasts, then doth regardant looke
Staying in doubt, th'ocean t'enter in,
Or to reslide where first it did begin
Yet suddenly, quicke plungeth in amaine
After much showe turnes backe to springs againe.

No whistling fowler hath so many gins,
No wading fisher halfe so many baits,
No nimble spider threeds so many spins,
No toiling hunter tenth part of deceits
That fortune hath of woondrous ticing feats,
Training men on, triumphing in their fall,
Shewing them honie, poisning them with gall.

As Æacus imagind was to deale
With Tantalus deluded with the pray
Of hungers ease: and scalding thirsts assaile,
Whom wearie proffers make to emptie way,
Yet near vncaught the luring frute doth stay,
So are they fed high honors seeke to gaine,
Sheed manies blood and purpose not obtaine.

When fortune shewes hir friendly countenance,
What mightie ones in selfe conceits we seeme,
Weightie affaires dispose by ordinance,
As what we list to bring to passe we deeme,
In our owne reach ech thing we do esteeme,
We him appoint to death, and him we rease,
Welding whole world as doth our liking please.

Led onward with hope of long assurance,
We neuer thinke of fortunes frowning,
But high honors plant as if perdurance
had promised continuall showring,
Fresh still to increase increased springing,
But long before proud honor taketh roote
Wisest forecasting proued is no boote.

Oft when we are most busie tampering,
Some foes to trap within our plotted snares,
Not him vnlike who pit is digging,
Headlong into it fals himselfe vnwares,
So we surprised in our owne affaires,
For fortune that attendeth worldlie chaunce,
Where smooth she smild, now blinketh wide askaunce.

For proofe marke me of hir deare darlings one
That seemd to haue hir fettred fast in giues,
It might be thought that onely I alone
Faire fauor had: and thus she daily striues
To haue the chiefest regement of our liues,
That when she list to knit the brows and frowne
He standing high is quickly tumbled downe.

When first that woorthy golden booke began
For Magistrates bright mirror cleare indeed,
Through which eternall praise the Authors wan,
Streight I beleeud as truly as my Creed
My hard mishap so happely would speed,
As that some one of those rare learned men
My blis and bale would haue vouchsaft to pen.

In perfect die could they haue pictured
False turncote with true shadowes in true kind,
Hir fained shew of truth, and truest falshed,
Hir glosing face, and hir vnconstant mind,
And hir continuall foe-mate still I find,
Since fates she driues my spent life to rehearse
In lowly rimes refuse of loftie verse.

Outragious she slayeth without remorse
Alike most woorthy and vnwoorthy wight,
As roling waue that needs must haue the force
Tossing light things subiected to great might
Respectles where or when so ere they light,
So careles she not caring when or how
She casteth downe or maketh low to bow.

What time King Edward first inuaded France
With good aid of th'erle of Henauld won,
Friend fortune then mine actes seemd to aduance,
So euenly my silken threed did run.
High enterprise what I attempt was done
With shining glory, and faire honors name,
As golden trumpe shield soorth Iohn Chandos fame.

Then as my King by Cambray Cittie past
I armd approchd the barriers of the towne,
There lept I in, my foes some wondred fast
To see my deed: a Squier of renowne
Iohn de Saint Ager, stroue to beat me downe:
Right strong we coped with sterne courage bold
Our mightie bufs some ioyed to behold:

Ecchoing stroks on eithers helmet lights
With sparkling fier thundering mightilie,
All for glorious praises both our fights
Stird with youths heat and mindfull dignitie,
Th'assailed strikes and both incessantly
Imprinting dents do yeald, so I at last
Returnd with praise: on with the Armie past.

When as the French had gathered mightie power
Came to Vironfosse, where treatie ended war,
Froisard me recounts among the flower
Of English Squiers, sets my fame full far.
In his large booke is shone: how much we are
In reuerence bound, vnto such learned clarks
As with their paine eternize broad our warks.

For if none should register noble deed,
Thers none would striue to shew his noblenes,
Or presse in vertues others to exceed,
If memorie none made were of valiantnes:
Freshlie burgening to future ages,
This pricking spur doth harts heroick heaue,
To thinke fell death faire Fame cannot bereaue.

Some sots there be so scrupulous that nought
At all beleeue but what themselues do see,
These coy iudgers haue seld or nener thought
Of times forepast what mightie men might be:
Of others deem by thimbecilitie,
Found in themself, recall in question when
Our acts memorizd are by learned men.

This truce expirde King Edward new prepard
puissantly to passe the foming flud,
Which gate king Phillip strongly thought t'aue bard,
Decking a fleete thick seeming like a wood,
Whereof had charge three captaines seamen good,
Sir Hugh Kyriell, Babuchet, Barbnoire,
With stretched sailes the narrow seas do scower.

These Chieftaines fortie thousand men command
Laid by French King to stop vs if they could:
Which when our King had spide he doth demand
What masts they were so thicke he doth behould,
His Pylot named them and well he tould,
These were the foes that so his costes anoid,
Southamton towne, and th'yle of Wight destroid.

Replide the king: Saint George, God be our guide,
I much desire with yonder fleete to fight,
A looffe to winde-ward all our Nauie wride
To view the turne right goodlie was the sight,
Banners, pensils, stremers, wauing bright:
Ladies we had whose minds these sights might daunt,
Going to see the Queene brought bed at Gaunt:

Whose presences fresh minds incouraged
With double flame t'assaile the enimie,
For trustie seruants oft had vowed
For their sweete sakes t'prooue all extremitie
T'fight for his Ladie knights felicitie,
hot feruent loue makes coldest coward bold,
desirous much gaie Ladies grace to hold.

In front the French foorth plast a goodly ship
The Christopher: from ours but latelie tane,
Fraught full of those which we compeld to skip
mid washing waues vnto their dismall bane,
Thus may we note how Fortunes fuls do wane,
Blith this ship of Clarions now doth sound
And euen now with horror doth abound.

Our foes whose number fower for one did pas,
Like men at armes they Fortune striue to trie,
Hideous broyle, monsterous noise there was
Enuffe t'haue made a fainting hart to die,
On surging seas more fell fierce battails be
Then on firme land: ech one must bide the fray,
And fight it out there is no other way.

From dashing ships the pointed arrow flie
Like stones of haile forst by an esterne winde,
Wherewith great numbers Frenchmen stout do die,
And now to boord, then linked chaines do binde
Bigge ships so fast, they cannot soone vntwinde,
Fierce strong incounters and huge deadly blowes
From forced arme that many ouerthrowes.

From morne till noone indurd tempesteous broile
With mightie rage vpon the raging floud,
We English soldiers tooke no little toile,
Stout enimies aduentrous tride and good,
Yet voiding scoppers voided out their bloud,
Neere vnto Sluce they were all take and slaine,
Victorious we do home returne againe.

About this time the Duke of Britton died,
Wanting issue for so right noble place,
A brother one he had by fathers side
Iohn Earle Mountfort sprong of ancient race:
Another brother had he in like case,
Begot of father one and mother same
Dead: left issue, a noble vertuous dame:

Married well vnto sir Charles of Bloys
Extract from race right honorable faire,
Germaine cosen to Phillip of Valoys,
Strife great begon for the Duke of Brittons chaire,
For either of these claimed to be heir.
Braue King of France Bloys his part maintaind:
Stout English King, the Mountforts he sustaind.

To Britton did send backe thrise noble knight
Sir Robert D'artois Earle of Richmount made,
Whose banner blew with golden lillies dight
A Castile labell faire for difference laid:
And by his skill in valiant warlike trade
He conquerd Vaus, and countrie proching neer:
But conquered towne did cost him very deer,

For in defence of it he knightly died.
His too soone losse displeasd king Edward so,
Enraged sware he would not long abied
Till well he were reuenged of his fo,
Strongly prepard to Britton doth he go,
Soone brake we holds, and tore wald castles strong,
Foure mightie towns besiegd at once ere long.

The Normain Duke like right valiant prince
Came with foure thousand proper men at armes,
And thirtie thousand of others to conuince
Our English troups that dreadles were of harms,
By skilfull means of two wise Cardnals charms
Calme peace was made three whole yeers to endure,
And valiant kings both sware to keepe it sure.

Thus he that in eternall heauens rayns
And harts of kings hath in his gouernance,
Their frowning storms vnto faire smiling gleams
Doth change vnto his heauenly pleasance,
Rules oft their thoughts so to his ordinance.
They may deuise, but he will whole dispose,
What long they build, he soonest ouerthrowes.

Thyer a thousand three hundred fortie, more,
Saint George his day king Edward did prepare
A royall feast, proclaiming it before
In Fraunce, Flaunders in Henault, and Almaine,
All knights that would vouchsafe to take the paine
Should safetie haue for to returne in peace
When as the iusts and knightly sports did cease.

And there the king selected prooued knights
In martiall feats and battelous stoure,
That had their shields shone to their en'mies sights,
And forcement made with strong redoubted power,
Due praises gaind and durable honour,
And made vs sweare that feasts continuance,
Which was maintaind through noble chevachance.

Thus as the king triumphant sports did hold,
Newes him was brought did much his mind displease
How Lord Clisson had lost his head they told,
And maletrait, the French kings ire t'apease,
Conceiud bicause some did false rumor raise,
Vntrue they were vnto the crowne of Fraunce,
Ten Lords there died, such still is fortunes chaunce.

Which knowne report caused king Edwards frowns,
And fierce maintaind the French had broke the peace:
Sir Henrie Leon set at ten thousand crowns
For ransome when he promisd not to cease
For to defie his king in open presse,
Th'erle of Darbie he into Gascoyn sends
To vengefull war his mind he all intends.

Which valiant Earle Plantagenet namde
At Hampton barkt, at Burdeux doth ariue
(His banner, England with French label famde)
He thought to shew vnto his foes beliue,
Staid at Burdeux but euen daies thrise fiue,
Bergarath, Angolesme, and Aguilon,
With thirtie holds and towns he tooke anon.

Toth court of Fraunce this voiage well was knowne
How this stout Earle so many towns had wone,
The spoile his soldiers got far wide was blowne,
The king pondering of this mischiefe done,
He sommons made, and sent Duke Iohn his sonne
Attended with a hundred thousand men,
His late lost towns for to obtaine agen.

This mightie host did Angolesme inclose,
Which braue Iohn Norwich an Englishsquire held
Hardly constraind, wisely doth dispose
His buisnes and this mightie armie weld:
Thanks his good wit that so his lesson speld.
An honest shift to find at time of need,
Deserueth praise vpon the happie speed.

It was the eue, before our Ladie day,
He saw the towne began to mutonie
Vnto the wals he tooke the readie way
Made none acquainted with his priuitie,
His cap toth host he waued speedily,
They are aduisd: demanding what he ment:
He said to speake with Duke was his intent.

The courteous Lord him quickly satisfied,
Then being come demanded if he would
Yeeld: he said I am not so aduised
Most noble Duke, the towne I well may hold,
I doe intreat your grace we may be bold,
The morrow next without yours disturbance
To doe vnto our Ladie reuerence.

In honor of whom I your grace requier
Of one daies truce for me and all my band:
The Norman Duke agreed to his desier.
With thanks Iohn bowed like a pliant wand:
The morrow morne faire armed he doth stand
Streight parted downe in blew and fierie red,
With ermine, Lyon sterne ramping decked.

Then issuing the French to Armor stirred,
He stepped foorth and willed them to stay:
Sirs he said? your Duke vs peace hath granted
Which I must vse to mine owne best assay:
On suddenly some went without delay
Vnto the Duke: declard what had been said,
And how as yet the Armie had him staid.

When this good duke his wise excuse had hard
Commandment gaue that he should safe depart,
His promise giue he wild should not be bard,
For kept he would tho woorser were his mart:
A vertue fitting well his Princely hart.
The Captaine gone, then Angolesme doth yeeld
With seauen Townes more, the Frenchmen hold the field,

Right strong before Aguillon be they come,
Plast in the meddowes faire about the hould,
A hundred thousand men, a goodly sume,
on foote and horsebacke well and truely tould,
Before they part this Castle haue they would,
The Duke so vowd, vnlesse for him the king
His Father sent and for no other thing:

Full seauen months the armie held their ground,
Within which time so many braue assaies
For to defend so many practise found
In forraging so many goodly fraies,
Such skirmiges and that such sundrie waies,
To win the same: as Greekes had neuer more
When they strong Ilion planted were before.

This Castle strongly seated is betweene
Two sliding streames, that vessels well may beare:
Enuironed with gawdie meddow greene,
Vpon the which right bitter bickering are
Oft on the riuers fight they without feare,
Sir Gualter Mannie chiefe of the English band,
Full expert knight on water or on land.

This courteous knight sage, imagenatiue,
Found to his foes much warlike buisnes,
Right warilie affaires doth he contriue
For sure defence of honor spotles,
Couragious knight and valiant doubtles:
Yellow banner he shewd, three Cheurons blacke
An English Lion on the highmost stake.

Whilst thus thassailaunt and defendaunt striue
Euery day some practise new to doe,
The King of England maks hast to ariue
Hearing declard his friends besiged so,
Conueniently he hasts himselfe to go
To rease the Duke: from Hamton port he saild,
Contrary wind made that his purpose faild.

For where he thought in Gascoine to take land
Sir Godfrey Harcourt causd him change his mind,
Whose reasons being by grauest counsell scand
And likte bicause contrary was the wind,
A faire large bay in Constantine we find
Cald Hogg saint vast: from shipping well ariud
In Battails three our Armie is contriud.

Toward wealthfull Cane we onward hold our way,
And all the Countrie wast with sword and fier,
The Earle of Tankervile made with vs a fray
Fast to the towne we forst him to retier,
After taken by his owne desier
Within the towne, of which we Masters were
And Countrie round all trembled fast with feare.

Our soueraine determinde in his mind
To passe through France to Callis if he could:
The Castle of Poys we in the way do find
Rease assault and easly gaine the hould,
Nothing so strong might dure our forcement bould
Absent the owner of the fort away:
Spoild was the towne bicause they false did play.

Two damesels faire were in this Castle found
Of bewtie rare and of fine tender age,
Who rudely Rauisht had been in that stound
Saue that Lord Bassett, and my selfe in rage
Did them defend, and by aduisement sage,
Safely protect, and brought before the King
Which them receiud and thankt vs for the thing.

Right princely he and sweetly intertaind
These Virgins, causing them to be conuaid
To Corby towne: high praise hereby we gaind.
Ech armed Knight who Knighthood true hath waid
Will suffer no foule act done silly maid,
A souerain praise it is to armed Knight
Outragious acts to hinder by his might.

What wight, vile sin forbids not if he may,
Consents and giltie is to wicked ill.
The King doth march to Callis seeking way
The riuer of some we are attaind vntill
Where Godmare say a Knight of warlike skill,
Hauing in charge from soueraigne to keepe
The passages where water was not deepe.

The Knight obeyd, and Knightly did his best,
Due woorthie praise ech man doth well deserue
That to his power fulfils his Princes hest,
Tho tickle fortune seeme oft times to swerue
As vnto him who leader like did serue:
Strong Archer shot so whely all togither
From kept defence the Frenchmen they deseuer.

When this Baron I meane sir Godmare say,
Sawe this huge mischiefe light amongst his men
What he can helpe when fortune sayeth nay:
Fairly withdrew the best he could as then,
Its wisedome good for ech commander when
Things crosse fall out, to gouerne so his will
That he the more for lesser do not spill.

Into the water brauely did we mount
Which at that time passed with channell loe,
Where ouerthrowne Knights were of good account
The passage won, dame fortune fauored so
To be admierd how she can ouerthroe,
Thus we Blanchtaque by noble courage gaine
Gladded with ioy in lew of passed paine.

Thus when we had acquierd the further banke,
The gratious King as duety doth requier
To mightie God yeeldeth most humble thanke:
Highly inflamed King Philips boyling yer
In streete to close vs was his chiefe desier,
Angerly vexed with Lord Godmare fay
Till sir Iohn Henault doth his rage allay.

Foorth hould we martch to Cressie in Ponthew,
The King his mind the Campe should there be staid
Well informed the Frenchmen him pursew,
A space pondring lastly to vs said,
This Land my mothers dower should haue staid
It giuen was: therefore here make I choice,
To challenge it from Philip of Valoys.

And for that we were scarcely one gainst eight,
We warely batteled at aduantage
Th'assayling tempter by fine skilfull sleight
Of warlike heed for to indammage,
Three battailes ordred for knightly vsage:
Ith first the Prince, and Earle of Warwicke were
In guls a fes six croslets gold did beare.

Sir Reignald Cobham, strongly armd in red
Three sable stars plast on a Cheuron gold.
Sir Barthelmew Burwash in like colour sped
Gold ramping Lion queue doth forked hold.
Amongst these first, my name is also told.
Sir Richard Stafford in gold shield did beare
A gulie Cheuron and blew Labell faire.

With vs there were eight hundred men at Armes,
Two thousand Archers, Brigands a thousand
Purposely bent to worke fell enimies harms:
Ith second did th'earle of Northanton stand,
With men at Armes iust numbred to our band
Twelue hundred Bowes: in gold Lord Basset dight
Three Rubie piles a quarter ermins bright.

Faire clad in Armes seuen hundred the king
With bowmen thousands two for gard abide
Well pointed and directed euerie thing,
Our second battell moude somwhat aside
Vs first to second as the time espide:
The king withdrew him to a windmill hill,
Where he and his all day they stooden still.

When as the French thus heard of our addresse
They forward came bedect right sightly,
It pleasure was taview their noblenesse,
Their gilded armors glistering brightly,
To fight with them stird vs more lightly:
High valerous mind where enterprise is braue
Would conquer honor and due praises craue.

Too long to tell the fierce incounters made,
The puissant strength or courage of the foe,
How euerie prince in order doth inuade,
Or how the arrowes slew like flakes of snowe,
Or how the horse their masters ouerthrow,
Or how we were oppressed so with might,
As that we sent vnto the king a knight:

Requesting him with his fresh power to aid
His tender sonne so fiercely fought withall:
What slaine or wounded is my sonne he said:
That thus they send and for my succour call:
Neither: the knight? then tell him that he shall
Replide the king? his first worne spurs obtaine
To him and his the honor shall remaine.

When as we heard this answer vs resent,
As lions fell with fasting mawes near pinde
Amongst the herds new come do fellie rent
The sillie flocke: such like our vs finde.
For many lines from bodies we vntwinde,
Fourscore banners deiected to the ground,
And sixscore knights were there prostrated found,

And thirtie thousand of the common sort:
With sir Reignald Cobham three Heraulds sent
Searching the fields of truth to giue report
For to be slaine: so fully were we bent
To fight when as we hard the Kings intent:
Some Knights yet thought he dealt but ouer hard
That of his succour we were so debard.

This happie day by noble valiantnes
We vanquished, immortall fame we gaind:
And so the King held on his purposes
To Callis, where as we long time remaind:
That stoutest Knights garding the towne con'straind,
Surrender make of Callis to his will,
All which he doth with English people fill.

Duke Hanniball when as graue senate sent
And him home cald to aid his natiue soyle,
From Italy with no lesse anguish went,
Then did Duke Iohn from Aguillon recoyle,
Long hauing lean was loth to suffer foyle,
But his sad father wild him thence in hast
Vs to resist that much his Countrie wast.

How turning times do trauerse humane course,
From ruffling war to calmest quietnes,
And doth allay the mightiest rage and force
Appearing plesant temperat stilnes,
Freed of Tumult, stur or buisnes,
For clanging trumpet and harsh armors sound
Daintie blis and meriment is found:

For Cardnall Guy of Bullen he was sent
As legate into Fraunce, well doth intreat
Firme peace between the kings, vntill was bent
Their raged minds: t'endure without deceat
Twixt them and theirs, till two yeers out were beat.
Home went our king: but Britton was except
Where two braue Ladies cruel wars they kept:

The one of Mountfort intitled Countesse,
Whose husband dide a prisoner late in France,
Redoubted Lady of great valientnes
Sharp wars maintaind for all hir Lords mischance,
Amason like would ride with sheild and Launce,
Defend hir selfe with battelous axe in fist
Threatning blowes bestow and well resist.

On swelling seas puissance hath she tride,
In stormie fight amongst the mightiest
With enimies blood the marble waters dide,
With braue Bundutia or Viragoes best,
Great Edelsleda or the woorthiest,
Of manly dames, that wouen maile haue worne,
She may compare for valerous adorne.

Th'other possest a Lions hart in brest
Little Inferiour to hir couragious foe,
Sir Charls of Bloys hir husband now did rest
A prisoner, fell fortune would it so:
Gainst whom she oft hir mightie power did shoe.
These warlike dames hard wars do still maintaine
T'on for hir sonne, th'other for husbands gaine.

The two yeers truce expierd King Phillip died,
And Iohn his sonne was Crowned in his sted.
Our Prince of Knights when he his time espied
Surnamed blacke: from England is hesped,
And into Gascoine warlike Knights he led,
Whose vertue good and courage did abound,
And for no death would flee on foote of ground.

To Thoulous, and Carcasson led his host
Late before the Riuer of Garron past,
Hauing burned and spoyled all the cost,
With pillage store and prisners fiaunct fast
To Burdeux safe returned at the last,
Tho th'earle of Arminack and th'earle of Fois
Had Countries charge with soldiers of some chois.

The prince fresh in the flowers of his youth
So much desierd to follow martiall deeds,
As duly to recount of him the truth
His noble thought thereon he onely feeds,
Right busie Lord, to sow wilde otes his seeds,
A second rode doth into Berry make,
And countrie round at pleasure spoile and take.

King Iohn informed of our chevachaunce
His sommons cald: but first of all he sent
Three Barons wise t'aduise our ordinaunce:
Lord Craon, Bowciqualt, and the Herment,
Cald of Chaumount: who ordred their intent
Vs to intrap: abushment one they plast,
From which we droue them to a castle fast,

Cald Remorentine: the prince doth me command
To go persuade these foresaid knights to yeeld,
I salued them, which done I do demand
Surrender of the castle which they held
Vnto my Lord, that matters so would weld
Of curtesie, vnto his rendred foe
Of custome vsed in like case to shoe.

This rendring mart they thought too bad to make
All three men of prooued valure much,
In silken white that puffing blast did shake
Blacke egle spred whose either head doth tuch
The banners sides: sir Bowcequalts was such,
That foorth he hoised wefting in the winde,
Thinking he doth himselfe in safetie finde:

Plaine said he would no follie such commit
As to become a prisner without cause,
Trusting right well himselfe for to acquit,
But morrow morne they yeelded without pause
Thereto compeld by raging fiers lawes,
Of well conceiued hope they were beguild,
Their fortresse left, forsaken and exild.

Like sparkling lightning droue by southern blast,
Scorching all it findeth in hit power,
The valerous prince proceedeth with like waste
In burning Townes, in raising many a Tower,
Such hideous stormes he on the French doth shower,
Rich spoiles we gained, and great booties wone,
Without controle of ought which we had done.

The valiant and renowmed king of Fraunce
When as he hard our Prince in field to be,
Vowed to fight, in armes to prooue his chaunce,
And carefull was by Poyicters towne least we
Should there repasse, or that he should vs see:
Woorthie king most woorthie glorious crowne,
Right valiant Lord, though Fortune now did frowne.

He sommoned braue Dukes, stout Earles and Lords
In batteled armes before him to appeere,
With so much haste as hastie speed affords
Encountring strength against vs foes to reare,
Resolud to fight as one deuoid of feare,
No spare of coste to furnish his intent,
Loftie thoughts on vengfull battaile bent:

When this great masse of men all mustered were
The battailes three ordained out of hand,
Gay duke of Orleaunce first well gouernd there,
Where sixe and thirtie wauing banners stand,
Long pennons twice so many there were fand,
Beate with fine armes of euerie Lord and knight
Most glorious vnto the gasers sight:

Charls duke of Normandie had second guiding,
The third, stout king, and there drest to behold
Faire knights in glistering armors shining,
Proud stamping steeds richly trapt in gold,
High placed crests that hautie helme doth hold,
Trim flower of France in their braue araie,
For gallantnes here present were full gaie

Ordred: did mount on steed as white as snowe,
Of courage like the king that on him sate,
Knightly armd ride foorth from ranke to rowe
With smiling grace his men to animate,
Did pleasing and right stirring words relate
So Castor like, with kingly resemblaunce
And kindled heat his speech he did aduaunce:

My Lords in parle at Parris when you be
Your English foes you stoutly menace,
Desiring that so happie day to see
To find them ranged in some open place,
Heere is the thing apparant to your face
The onely thing that you so much did craue,
The English plast in open field you haue:

And as the king was in this parlaunce
Lord Ribamount, who had our battels seen
Sent for that cause to view our guidaunce,
Approcht the king saying, sir as I ween,
Your enimies in one battell placed been
Are men at arms two thousand as I gesse,
Fiue thousand, fiue hundred, archers no lesse:

Right sagely they and warily ordred ar
With bowmen they haue all the hedges lind,
None can approch the streights the watching bar
We hard aduenture and perilous find
If we assaile: the king requiers his mind
Which way were best: for he ment to inuade,
Then presently all things were readie made.

As thus the king prepared was to fights
The cardnall of Perigourt came in hast,
Full lowly on his knees toth king resits
How dangerously he might deere subiects wast,
Pondring if it pleasd his grace to cast
With him all his peers his enimies wear
A desperate remnant waying what was thear,

Willing the King to giue him leaue to prooue,
Whether the Prince so to him would agree
Peace might be had: the Prince thereto did mooue
If with his honor it might concluded be,
Faire offers made: king Iohn would none but he
Himselfe, and more, a hundred in his field
Of his owne choice as prisners all should yeeld:

Whilst busie cardnall spent this day in vaine,
It being truce: some speciall knights did ride
Their foes to view, and maner of their traine,
I riden foorth, returning me espide
Lord Cleremount, who quicklie to me hied,
Chandos quoth he? how long thus haue you borne
My sole deuise, and for your owne it worne?

We both were clad in vestments wrought as one,
A Ladie blew in glistering Phœbus raies:
I then replid, its onely mine alone
And none of yours? whereto the Frenchman saies,
You English ianglers vse such speech alwaies,
Of your grosse wits can nothing new deuise,
What others weare, is pleasing to your eies.

But if the truce withheld not I would prooue,
It whole were mine and that you did me wroong.
Why sir (I said to morrow ile not remooue
From of the field, I will be in the throng,
But if it chance I meete you them among,
Ile make it good for all your fluent tong,
That properly to me it doth belong.

Contrarie vnto sacred vsage
I was not in my armes inuested,
Ware strange deuise too great abusage,
And an others which he not disgested,
No knightly minde should be infested
With error such, his owne armes not to weare,
But found conceits and others toys to beare:

Too cruell I causd this braue noble kild
The morrow when hydeous was the fray,
For checking me I made his blood be spild,
His murther I commanded that same day
Prouiding that no ransome he should pay,
For which God would the like to hap to me
In my discourse as you shall plainly see:

What greater burden to a noble mind
Then to be clogged with murtherous thought?
What mightier harme can braue captains find
Then when their noble doings are foorth sought?
That they vnto their fame such blame haue brought:
This cholerike action oft I did repent
When God on me threw equall punishment.

When labring Cardnall could no truce obtaine
He did depart: but we that day had spent
Right busily, did ech deuise ordaine
That best was thought or Art could best inuent:
Eight thousand we that in this iourney went:
Threescore our foes mongst which two thousand knights
Full goodly Armd; t'aue seene these gorgeous sights.

The morrow day when blushing sunne did rise
Great pleasure twas thus to behold vs dight:
One of the things that most delights mans eies
Is for to see a glistering Armie bright,
Faire drest in Armes, in order duely pight,
Prepard to ioine: euen so both parties were
And euer I about the Prince was nere:

Who Hector like in battelous Armes was clad,
Enuirnd as he intending to haue burnd
The Greekish fleets: said noble harts be glad,
High victorie almightie God hath turnd
To fewest folkes and greatest number spurnd,
If we be slaine we all haue valiant friends
To venge our deaths on those that worke our ends:

Therefore I pray ech Lord in presence now,
To prooue his best, and haue regard to see
His honor kept, I heer my Lords do vow,
A Knight most good and resolute to be,
And that no chaunce shall make me yeeld or flee.
Most mightie Prince thy words did so inflame
Our setled minds to die was but a game.

And as the battailes now approchen near,
Sir Iames Audley clad in glorious red
Faire fretted gold: doth to the Prince appear,
Requesting that for former seruice led
T'is father and to him in loyall sted,
To giue him leaue the foremost man to be
For to assaile the ventrous enimie.

Sweetly accords the prince to his desier,
Gaue him his hand, and wisht him well to speed,
Such speciall grace that he might there acquier
All present knights in vertue to exceed:
He chose a place to make his vow a deed,
And by the helpe of four right trustie squiers
He woon th'achieument of his high desiers.

Sir Eustace Dabrigcourt fearing t'be behind
Did baisse his gleaue and well imbrace his shield,
And as the arrow from the bow doth twind
He flieth towards the enimies field,
An Almain knight his comming well behield
In siluer targ that bare fiue roses red,
They strongly meet and both downe tumbled,

Dabscote no harme receiued by his fall
But lightly vp himselfe againe doth rease,
Fiue Almains streight they light vpon him all
At once: and beare him downe with mightie feas.
So mongst his foes tide to a chear he staies,
Vntill that we that ground recouered had
Losd, he fard, like tiger raging mad.

Heere lustie knights were and aduenturous
As euer foming courser carried,
At good vertue most brauely æmulous
Euer thinking too long they tarried,
Vntill that enimies stout they harried,
The venturous hart doth oft aduenture chieue
That manie hearers scarcely will beleeue.

So hideous waxt the stur, so strong the broyle,
So fell the fight, so cruell was the shot,
And men at armes they stroue with forced toyle,
Nor shields, nor armors gay defended not
The bodies from the shafts, who paid the scot
Where right they hit: and thus discomfit was
Their martiall host that foremost on did pas.

I waited time and spake vnto the prince,
Sir sir passe foorth, the iourneys yours I see,
Set on the king, good fight must him conuince,
He valerous is I know he will not flee,
This day you vowd a knight most good to bee.
He quickly said, Iohn, forward lets aduaunce?
We so performe, we tooke the king of Fraunce

With as much toile as Phillips sonne did take
Darius: we the French kings person wan,
No need there is large prosses for to make,
Or slaughter shew how it befell as than
Or prisoners name, but seuenteen earls we wan
With many Lords and knights which we did gaine,
And near fix thousand one and other slaine:

In this strong medle taken was a knight
The Chattelon of Dampost neer alide
Toth Cardnall: th'inflamed prince had fight
Of him: humblie had I not denide,
Distressed Chattelon suddenly had dide,
The noble prince tooke in high dispite
Thats maister would against him let him fight.

This battaile to the French maulpartuis,
Two leagues from Poycters cruell and furious,
Enduring with horrible noise and huis
From prime till noone, the prince desirous
Like stoutest lion t'be victorious,
With princelike courage foes pursues apace
And many knights beares he downe in chase.

No heed tooke I good prisoner rich to gaine,
But had regard the prince so well to guide,
Hot, fresh, and yoong, wherfore I ply my paine
As dutie would, left harme should him betide,
His owne desier was I should abide
His person near, in thickest of the fraies,
He credits what I speake: to my great praise.

All as we would: glad prince did franke bestow
A stately supper t'prisoner king and praid
His good content, though buisnes gainst him goe,
For your owne selfe renowmed king he said,
Your prowes past all those to you obaid,
Byth true censure of our best skilled knights
The soueraigne praise you wan in all the fights.

What triumphing in England knowne these newes
At Burdeux, what great reioicing seene
In forren courts how honored all our crewes
Where they became? my seruice as I weene
That heere I did was highly in esteeme,
About a prince men thought me meet to be
As well for counsell as for cheualrie.

King Iohn int' England gladly was conueid
On trampling steed through London doth he ride:
Note fortunes change a king that scepter sweid
With large command, through noble Fraunce doth bide,
In forren land: there pricking him beside
His conquerer on cole black hobbie plast,
On whom the woondring vulgars praises blast.

No Romain in his triumphs glorious
Through citie passing with trumpets sounding
More apparant appeered victorious,
Than our braue prince by modest riding
At peoples plause with ioy abounding,
Remembring those high words he earst did say,
Neuer shall England ransome for me pay.

Betwixt the kings there grew agreement,
And if performd then backe Iohn should retier.
The peeres of Fraunce denide their kings intent,
Wherat king Edward stormd with furious yer,
And vowd their plague with wastfull sword and fier
Vntill they grant the thing which he thought good:
Strongly prepard he past the swelling flud,

Lands at Callis, thence marcheth in aray
With brauerie such and shew of martiall might,
In goodly armors dect so fine and gay,
All beat with Arms fine banners tossing light,
On vs dan Phœbus ioyd to haue a fight,
With fauning face he seemd on vs to smile
We fresh be seen reflexion cast the while.

Vndoubtedly in all the world was not
More noble band than heer were present now,
What knight was he that honor had not got,
In some strange land well shone his vertue how
For leader good a man might him allow,
Most happie realme, thrise happie is that king
Whose subiects fame in forren regions ring:

First if the prince of Wales I should recite,
Or Henrie Duke late Darbie Earle before,
Or Reignald Cobham that much renowmed knight,
Lord Mowbray, Manny, Basset, with great store,
Lord Audley, Willoughby, and many more
Than now I shew: what if I tell my name
And say that Chandos was not lest in fame.

Fame our names imblasoned not so far
For tennise plaie or handling of a lute,
Nor dauncing fine or glistering as a star,
As women drest in most vnseemly sute,
Our chiefest musicke trumpe and checking flute,
Our daunce, our march: our tennise oft to feele,
Thundring blowes: our clothing tried steele.

Through Picardie and Artoys spoyld we passe
Int fertile Cambray making there some stay,
In former places found we little grasse,
Toward Thyriach we martch anone away
Till foulding siege to Cittie Reames we lay,
Which countrie was so wasted and so foild
That all our horse for want wel ny wer spoyld:

Sir Barthelmew Burwash whilst siege doth hold,
My selfe, Lord Audley, and Lord Mucedent,
Sir Richard Pontchardon, a prudent knight and bold
agreed all fowr, and with our troups we went
To Chalous in Campayne, for ventures bent
We approcht strong Cragney a castle hey,
Whereas two knights couragious captaines be

Ton Caples cald: who bare in golden sheild
An ancred crosse of sables: we asseild
Rudely the hold, from whence some one did weild
A mightie stone, that head a peeces peild
Of Lord Mucedent: but it was not feild,
For to reuenge his hard mischance againe
Tooke the hould and all the soldiers slaine.

Seauen weeks at Reames the king made his abode,
and forrage faild and men began to want,
For still we knights the countrie ouer rode,
Whereby ech thing waxed exceeding scant,
Then to remooue the king and nobles mant,
Chalous, Troys, and countries neere we wast
Passing the riuer Muson at the last.

So foorth we marcht keeping same ordinance
At first ordaind to Aguyllon we came,
Did hauke and hunt passing in pleasaunce,
Oft tride our horse and vsed warlike game,
Which still among, much did the Frenchmen tame,
Nothing vnlesse too hot for vs could staie
T'heauie or cold but we did beare away.

Sweeping from hence to Paris ward apace
The countie of Neuers and Gastenoys we waste,
Raunge at our wils continuing foorth our race
Vntill that we at Burge le royne were plast
Two leagues fro Paris: and so the towne we facst.
Well famed Fraunce might waile, for nought but flame
Was to be found in bowels of the same:

Where Meroue puissant warrier raind
Whom fierce Attila ouerthrew in fight,
Where Charls le main that many kingdomes gaind,
In all Europa feared for his might,
Vnconstant fortune taking so far flight,
Sometimes the yoke on others shoulders laid
With biting snaffle now are strongly staid:

From Burg le royne to Mont le herri we
In sightly wise our battailes all do draw,
Our constant dealing when the french Lords see
Perseuering still in Fraunce to make a flawe
Consuming all as fier doth the strawe,
Vnto a peace to mooue our king they ment
Their Chaunclor and their learned counsaile sent.

They vnderstood our king would not depart
Till pleasing peace he conquerd as he voud,
Which thing neere toucht duke Charls his tender hart,
And nobles for owne harmes too hawtie proud
Faire conditions twixt them were aloud,
By thundring storme which God from heauen sent
And knotted haile our king doth first relent:

A written deed at Charters there was framd
Betwixt the kings, their heires, allies and friends,
In which faire townes, strong castles all were namd
toth king and his were giuen for amends
For passed paine, and so the strife it ends,
More Castles, Townes, more Cities and more ground
Were giuen then in England could be found.

Some speeches were braue dukedome to inclose
Of Britton, in the charter of this peace:
Yet do they not of it so well dispose
So as fresh wars in that place did not cease,
How track of time hard bound doth of release
Charls thoughts vpbound within his stubborne brest,
Them foorth to loose supposed now his best.

Home went his grace, soone I repasse the seas
As regent and lieuetenant for my king
Taking the othes, possessions and the keas,
Of Lords, Cities, Castles, which did wringe
Some Frenchmens harts like percing adders sting:
Great griefe it was subiuged to be bound
To strangers most vncurteous they had found:

I stewards, bailifes and captaines do ordaine
As liked me: and this when I had done
Came to Nyort, there purposd to remaine,
Keeping estate whereby mens harts I won
Largely I spent most like a Princes son,
In plentious fare bountifull and much,
King Edwards loue and lowance to me such:

His royall loue to me was passing rare,
Numbers thought I did deserue no lesse,
Courteous I aduisd and would not spare
But liberall be, fraught with temperatenesse,
Faire points of honor would I not disgresse,
Amongst braue Lords, faire Ladies, I esteemd
Of great estates in gentle fauor deemd:

Foorth of the charter was except the land
Saint Saluiour, sir Godfrey Harecourts late,
Who Pollux like at Constantine did stand
To his defence, when slaine was euerie mate
With weldie axe, his stroke so heauie sate,
Not prowdest enemie durst sad blowes abide
Till at the length two horsemen at him ride

Inragd beare downe a knight most cheualrous,
Which stradling set his legs to stand more suer
On surest leg: and there dispiteous
They beare him downe who fights whilst he may duer,
Liue still his praise and glory fresh in vre,
For wisdome and prooude skill in martiall facts
No liuing knight one iote exceeds his acts.

With plainest difference of Earle Harcourts race
In glorious red two golden bars did beare:
Daring gainst foe toth vtterance shew his face,
Which tride he was well woorthie armes to weare,
Amongst his foes that durst them noblie reare,
The home made knight that neuer ward in field
Small title hath vnto a noble sheild.

In his past life his land he did behest
To my good king and he to me it gaue,
Toth valiant Iohn of Fraunce he made request
For his consent that I the same might haue:
He gently seald to what the king doth craue,
I it enioid well woorth in yeerely rent
Of hundred franks fifteene: which free I spent

Most bountifully, amongst soldiers bould
To gallant men my purse was neuer closd,
Which caused that as often as I would
I had companions, valiants lads disposd
To warlike feats, that strongest holds haue posd:
Sweet behauiour ioind to liberall hand
Reasons I was with manly soldiers mand.

Braue Duke of Lancaster mars his Henrie dide,
Whilst I at Nyort kept so high estate
Faire cosen Germaine to the king allide,
Good gentle Duke, lamented was thy fate
Mongst valiant knights thou nobly ledst of late,
When as thou didst with Darbie title raine
As after when the Dukedome thou didst gaine:

In battelous Arms before the king of Fraunce
Like Pallas knight thou entredst roiall list,
Gainst Brownswick Duke, full bent to prooue the chaunce
Of doubtfull combat, the king cause why it mist
Staid the euent: great eithers losse he wist.
This Brownswick Duke tride strong champion bold
Bare faire in red two lions passant gold.

True golden fame, blacke death cannot defile,
Glistering honor buds from dustie graue,
Ech noble Lord that beareth glorious stile
Spend must his life eternall praise to haue,
As thou high Duke didst honor euer saue,
Most mightie God let England neuer want
Such noble Lords true honor seeke to plant.

In England cause the prince kept princely port
Most like himselfe: the counsell thoughten best
Int' Acquitaine that he should make resort,
Partly for that the Gascoins do request
His presence: and reuenewes largely rest
His noblenes right noble to vphold.
And Gascoin Lords desier that he would

Repasse the seas: he answereth their desiers
Once landed, carefull I to meet him well
Accompaned, with knights and youthfull squiers
On coursers mounted decked euerie sell,
And receiuing him at warlike Rochell
We thence attended vnto Poycters towne
As reason wild and dutie had vs bowne:

Of Acquitaine I Cunstable was ordaind,
High honors giuen and feastings to me made
Continually his fauor more I gaind,
Through enterprises of account I wade,
Noble exploits I end by skilfull trade,
Which plaisd him so as he loude me euer
Bicause in honor still I do perseuer:

Peter of Lusignon King of Cypresse Ile
Made means to all the Kings of Christendome
From iarring discord to abstaine a while
Helpe to repulse the miscreants late come
Their borders neere: and much of neighbors wone.
Had been in Italie, France, and Almaine,
In Flaunders, England, came to Acquitaine:

Not when swift fame had pierced hautie skies
Admetus praise which made Apollo bowe
Downe from estate, to view with leeuing eies
His bountifulnes, which seen made him alowe
So well of it, and further did avowe
Fame sparing was: yet suer my Prince exceeds
The praises of Admetus lib'rall deeds.

For when he hard of this strange kings ariue,
He sent me foorth with knights accompaned
In gentlenes could with right courteous striue:
At kings first entrance he saw well placed
Fortie knights so many squiers faced,
All for the honor of Lady Princes
Faire was the iusts ech prooued blamles:

More signe of loue, more shew of princelie power,
Rare welcoms giuen, fine curtesies withall,
Of curtesie sweete prince a pearles flower:
Nor wandring king did neuer see nor shall
More store of knights in earthly regents hall.
The prince me will to take him to my guide
Him plesaunce shew in his dominions wide:

A vermile crosse the Cyprian king still wore,
For holy voyage he had vndertake
Against the Turke: his soueraign to adore
In glorious Arms: a partie prince to make
He wild, and found to no good seruice slake
Our loued prince: departed well content,
Great intercourse of loues betwixt them blent.

Thus hauing been most kindly intertaind,
By me: and stout sir Thomas Phelton much,
Sir Neal Loring, sir Simon Basset, daind
Him well to treat: sir Baldwine Freuile such
His kindnes shewd, as spite could not but gruch
To see the like: he safely went his way
The principalitie through I him conuay.

King Iohn of Fraunce into England past
Braue king, faire queen, gay nobles for to see
Through true firme loue which doth eternall last
Whers fained loue, small iars remembred be,
No vertues more in phear of high degree
Than were resiant in this soueraine,
Whose woorthie praises euer may remaine.

Bloodie parcas what meanest thou to sheare
His vitall twine so woorthie longer life,
Canst thou, pale malice, such priuly vertues beare?
Than bluntest coulter duller be thy knife:
Amongst best things thou mischiefe euer rife:
But mightie God oft takes away the best
For our bad sins, or for to ease his blest.

Whilst this good king in England made his stay,
Him sicknes tooke with sharpe incresment sore
And strong oppresment at Sauoy where he lay,
Death doth approch then flesh can breath no more
His losse king Edward greatly doth deplore,
From England Parris: to stately tombe conueid,
And Charls his sonne the Regall scepter sweid:

Oh vading flower why flatterest thou thy selfe
In pompeous seat of mightie maiestie,
Fraile honors titles or foule wasting pelfe,
Forgetting great eternall dignitie,
Scorneth mightiest earthly Imperie:
What low inferior fears of you amisse
That high superior threts againe ywis.

Sir Iohn Montfort in th'aprill of his youth
Gay Arms gan weld: and with successe begon
In Britton: to sir Charls of Bloys his ruth,
This faire new knight was that braue Countesse sonne
Of whom I spake: Bloys hearing what was don
By him, and how he sieged strong Alroy,
And with sharpe war the countrie doth destroy,

Told king Charls: who aiding cosen Bloys,
Sent sir Bertram Glesquine who doth intreat
Knights such he knew of whom he had good choyse,
Him to assist in ventrous warlike feat:
Sir Bertrams praises now were waxen great.
King Charls him had in reuerence and account
In praisfull vertues cause he doth surmount.

Yoong Earle Mountfort of their assemblie hard,
Seald letters into Acquitaine doth send
To some good knights telling how he fard,
Especially he writ to me his frend
Willing my presence, helpfull to defend
His heritage: I soone agreed to go
If my good prince would say it should be so.

I licence craue for this departaunce,
If that thereby I might not breake the peace,
The prince said no breach: and releasaunce
Gaue vnto me and others, who not cease
Him to beseech my numbers to increase,
Through Xanton, Poyictow I passe vnto Alroy
Friendly welcomd with no little ioy,

Of Earle Iohn and many a valiant knight,
Accounting all themselues in safetie now
So long as me amongst them haue they might,
My counsaile their opinions so allow,
And twas not long ear some plaine told hus how,
Sir Charls Bloys accompaned doth aduaunce
In best appoint that hath been seene in Fraunce,

And faste approcht: which newes when so I knew
I placed me where comming I behold
A seemely band, as eie did euer vewe,
And goodly dight as hart desier cold,
Oftlie returning vnto freends I told,
That I had seene of noblenes the flower
For discipline in ordring of a power,

One cannot cast a gloue from off his hand
But it on Launce will or on basnet light,
So properly in order plast they stand,
Their leader is a Lord of great insight,
They haue vs taught our battails soone to dight:
My friends then said, sir you our Chieftaine are
Please you command and all we will prepare?

Though yoong Earle were soueraine in the place,
To Martiall buisnesses yet I tend
By princely letters from King Edwards grace
To me, he wild the Earldome to defend
Heedy for this, my time here well to spend:
Three battails then I ordred with good hast,
And in the first sir Robert Canole plast

Lord of Duriuall, hardie Britton borne
Sir Oliuer Clisson the next doth guide
Whom Lion white in red crownd, doth adorne.
The third fresh Earle, with whom my selfe abide,
Him well t'aduise for doute what might betide,
Reregard of fiue hundred men I made,
To sir Hugh Caueley these few words I said,

Sir knight, this companie I appoint to you,
Withdraw your selfe and chuse some peece of ground,
From thence not buge vnlesse you plainly vewe
Vs to disrout, then hasting in that stound
Vs reunited to place retier you round,
Lately left: there tending like do stay
More better seruice can no man do this day.

When stout sir Hue all hard my speeches passe
Right shamefast waxt, and thus in haste replide:
Such charge to take he neuer minded was
With feruent words flatlie the same denide,
Halfe angrie asking what weaknes I espide
In bodie his, with foremost not to fight,
Willing the gifter to some other wight.

Aduisedly to him I answered,
Your valour sir I passing tried know,
Your high desiers I throughly measured
Strong ablenes to fight in foremost row,
Bicause right sage and wife your selfe I know
This charge I giue, wishing you that place
In which you shall acquier thankefull grace,

With honor and applause amongst the best,
And furthermore I faithfull promise giue
To you sir knight, to grant the first request
You shall demaund if that Iohn Chandos liue,
My rightfull treating herein do not depriue:
This noble soldier tookt still in dispite
He might not in the front of battaile fight.

Whose setled minde to see well neare I weepe,
Him to that passe it commen was I told
He or my selfe the reregard must keepe,
Which better was, allow his iudgement should,
Confusd he staid, yet take the charge he would,
For which salt teares distill from manly eies
Departs to ground that fittest he espies:

A Baron rich in Britton there did dwell
Lord Beumanoyr, a prisoner safely sworne
Vs English too: which thought he might do well
Spending his time fell strife might out be worne,
To passe between of both sides was he borne,
By his spent trauell so much he brought to pas
As one whole day and night of truce there was:

Gay Phœbus lodgd faire Luna prest in place,
Our English soldiers most requested me
Largely telling the poorenes of their case
With much expence, that I should not agree
To peace: determined to win or die
By battaile: to whom I easely giue consent
As one thereto by inclination bent.

Chast Cynthia gon, Aurora blushed
Lord Beumanoyr betime was stirring
From his campe toward vs his footings sped,
In hope to speed: I soon departing
We salued at our first incountring:
He wild I would indeuor to accord
These parties for the goodnes of our Lord.

Contrarie to his iust desiering
I answered, good sir of Beumanoyr?
I counsell that you haste retiering
From whence you came, our companies deuoyr
Is you t'inclose, and slaie as destroier
Of their desiers: they so hate talke of peace
Therefore herein your best is for to ceace,

And furthermore tell to sir Charls of Bloys,
Earle Iohn this day will Duke of Britton be
Or slaine abide, shunning other choise:
When this rich Baron hard these words of me,
Said Chandos, Chandos? as good will as yee,
Or your yoong Lord, my Lord hath to the fray
Calme peace yet offereth if you said not nay.

We both depart and both to friends returne,
I scarcely ariud Earle Mountfort asked
What newes? for he in longing thoughts doth burne
I told him now that he was hardly tasked,
But fairest truth I fouliest masked:
Lord Beumanoyr hath sent you word by me,
This day your foe will Duke of Britton be,

Or else this day he will not breath at all:
Which message told he colour seemd to change
Willed t'aduance and streight to battell fall,
T'inflame his courage I from truth did range
Somwhat to make the matter seeme more strange,
I said aduise, whether you will fight or leaue.
Yes by Saint George: our banner forward heaue.

Lord Beumanoyr his answer likewise framd
Saying, he had the prowdest langage hard
Of me, that euer erst: foorth to Bloys he namd
What were my words, but more he plain declard
How that all right I said clean him debard
From truest title to great dukedome quite.
He doth reply: God knowes whose is the right.

The Ermine banners of the dukedome right
Were placed, ech gainst other orderly,
To see braue Lords vnder their pennons dight
All beat with Arms bedecked properly,
So feateously both battels beautify,
As to the gaser well it might appeere
That all the Vallewer in the world was heere.

As raging tides about some Ilsland meet
In stredned channell forced by a prime,
With like incounter both our battels greet
Like bustling rage was shewed at this time,
Red sprinkling bloud our weapons doth begrime,
A brauer battell better fought by skill
Was neuer seene our present age vntill.

Our enimies more than we in number were
And opened vs by strength of fighting well,
Sir Hugh Caueley, quickly succord there,
Beat backe fierce foes, eger, stout and fell,
Four times that the very truth to tell,
His siluer banner, with gulie fes in sight
Between three calues of sables, set vs right.

Like armed Mars with weldie axe in hand
Complet formd and full of valiantnes,
In hammered steele strongly do I stand,
Full fraught with strength as well as hardines,
Few durst a bide me in my furiousnes,
The Earl I wild to do now this or that,
He me beleeud, wherby much fame he gat:

On th'erle of Aucer and fierce French I set
With courage such as they discomfit were,
To say the truth right valiant knights we met
As by prooud vertue plaine they made appere
Which nought auaild: by strength was taken there
Th'erle of Aucer, Iognie, and Lord of Preer,
Rich Norman baron ransome cost him deer:

Their banners torne and cast down to the ground,
Their companie in maruels mischiefe then,
In battell if that one to flee be found
He causeth three, if three, there flieth ten,
If ten, twentie, and then a hundred men.
When giuen them was this stronge ouerthro,
On Glesquine I and sturdie Brittons go,

Where many a mightie feat of Arms was doon,
Where many heauie sounding blow was giuen,
Where many a prisoner rescude was and woon,
Where many a basnet was a sunder riuen,
Where many a man dead to the earth was driuen:
Hote Earle of Raix, who maruels wrought that day
I prisoner tooke and swore with me to stay,

Vnder my pennon was brauely taken heer
Sir Bertram Glesquine, then all fled that might
Excepting some that held their Lord full deer
Which strong vnite and sharply gan to fight,
But thither streight my selfe and power I dight,
Then was atchieued many a feat of Arms,
Slaine were our foes and beaten downe by swarms:

Heer murthered was Right noble gentle knight
Sir Charls of Bloys, his face towards his foes:
For so it was determind ouer night
Ton of these Earls vnto his ending goes,
Our enimies the selfesame thing dispose,
Both parts resolud this day should be the last
Betwixt these Earls, and so the dice were cast:

No man of honor almost doth escape,
For when they forced were to fearfull flight
Much mischiefe fell, for many knights mishape
For cruell slaughter, happened in this fight
The scambling chace eight leags endurd right,
Ending almost at the gate of Reans
And som our friends in it good booties geans:

This battell finisht was neer to Alroy
Whilst Phœbus in the ballance wandred,
The present yeer of mans eternall ioy,
A thousand threescore and three hundred,
And single four, as some haue numbred,
Earle Montforts banner on high bush was pight,
Returning friends of it might haue a fight:

As ech commander foes left to pursue
From weary chase he thither might him get,
Long time it was or all togither drew,
Much ioy was made when as we all were met,
My Guydhome next vnto th'earls Ermins set
Sir Eustace Dabscote, sir Mathew Gorney,
Bare palie gold and Azure euenley,

Sir Robert Canole, sir Iohn Bouchier came,
Sir Walter Huet, sir Hue Caueley stout,
For this daies seruice woorthie lasting fame,
Who ordred vs we ginning to disrout,
From mongst his friends strong foes he beateth out,
I wild the Earl to ioy at his good hap
Since he was placed in dame Fortunes lap,

He said your prowes it sir knight atchiud
all knights so thinke that here with vs remaine,
Deserued honor ought not to be depriud,
Next vnto God by you I battaile gaine,
And drinking recht a flagon glad and faine
To me: and said, drinke now to our good speed,
And thus on conquest gladed thoughts do feed,

As ioyfull meriment was in making nowe
All chaffed from the chase like wounded bore,
Sir Oliuer Clisson, with eie beate from his browe
Comes bringing with him prisners noble store,
Though his great wound did greeue him very sore,
Approching yet light from his courser downe,
Et fut receue come cheualier asses boune.

Now to Duke Iohn by Heraulds word was brought
His late riuall dead they saw to lie,
Then said the Duke he shall of me be sought,
I rather would in such estate him spie
Then for the Dukedome striuing armd to bee,
When slaine he sawe him couered with his shield
He wept, but soone I tooke him from the field:

More needfull cause had I to weepe alas
Then he, because I caused so his death,
And from that place I willed him to pas,
For sir quoth I, euen thus the matter swaieth,
By this mans end the Dukedome with you staieth,
On these great Lordships fie vpon them all
That are possest by others deadly fall:

To Guingant Towne good Earle of Bloys was borne,
In reuerent sort he there entombed lies,
Whose name the Clargie do so much adorne
With martiers crowne for truths defence that dies,
A heauie clog might on my conscience pries
That would no peace, vntill this Earle were ded,
Almightie God causd me with like be sped.

For measure such as we to other meat
Is oft vnlookt remeasured againe,
By iustest God from his tribunall seat:
Wherefore great Lords that now in world do raine
Warelie heed what harme to selues you gaine,
And all your dooings peasd with temperaunce
Brings quiet end freed from anoyaunce:

This valerous hap soone blasted was abroad
How by my counsaile had Lord Mountfort don,
Which caused many me with praise to load
When knowne how knightly we the battaile won:
Displeasd king Charls, fraile Fortune so did run,
Much sorrow he for cosen Bloys doth make,
And much for Glesquine and for others sake:

Duke Mountfort letters writ of credence
Vnto king Edward, ioifully he sent
By a Poursuuant, performing diligence
Found the king, and shewd how buisnes went,
For which good newes he so his fauor bent
As for a Herauld true he him allowd
Surnamed Windsore fairely him indowd.

We hold the fields, win Townes and Castles strong,
Wasting, spoiling, conquering as we go,
Colde king of Fraunce tooke counsaile ear too long
Wise message sent Earle Mountforts minde to kno,
The Dukedome whether he would hold or no
Of him: but then, Lord Latimear was sent
Int' England for to know the kings intent:

Which vnderstood these parties do accord,
That our yoong Earl should Duke of Britton be,
But lowly homage, now he must afford
Vnto king Charls, and so they all agree
Without heirs mals if that he hap to die
It shall descend vnto the Bloys his son,
Still quiet now and brawling wars are done.

Our Irish seas do neuer rage so rough
When northern windes doth on their billows smite,
As though they would the threatning rocks so tough
Make leuell with their calmnes for dispite,
And ouldest pilote from passage doth affright,
Yet brething Zephirus can their raging slake
As gentle as the meanest standing lake:

How soone great God can rage of wars alaie,
For where but late the trembling mother cride
Dreading hir babe: in safetie doth she plaie,
None carefull now their treasures close to hide,
None watcheth now for doubt what may betide,
Britton but now, with bluddie wars did rage,
And now faire concord doth all furie swage.

Now doth weare the great Castilian Crowne
Dan Peter: whose extremest rage was such
As on him all his chiefest nobles frowne,
And vulgar commons at his doing gruch,
Some said his deeds whole Christendome did tuch,
The Pope, the French, and Arragon agree,
Him to depose and Henrie plast to be:

And for that cause the foresaid states do pay
Sir Bertram Glesquins ransome vnto me,
For hundred thousand franks I said not nay,
From his gagd fiaunce cleere I set him free,
These states request me into their iorney,
As one to rule, and speciall roume to beare,
I flat refusd my liking was not there.

Yet certaine of my princes knights did go:
When these troups assembled were in Spaine
They thirtie thousand soldiers were and mo,
When ech considered the euill raine
Of Peter, and the nobles he had slaine
They him depose, and Henrie do adorne
As king, although Alphonsus bastard borne:

Thus he possest: bestoweth right largelie
And soldiers bountifull him account:
To Siuile citie first in haste doth flie
Forsaken king, thence to high sea doth mount
Accompaned with Dan Casters, in count
Faithfull knight: to Galitia ward amaine
Making saile, there of one castle faine

Called Coulone: on craggie cliffe strong plast,
Distressed selfe, welth, children, and treasure,
There doubting staid, sent trustie knight in haste
T'acquitain, with letters shewing the seasure
Of bastard Henries, wrongfull displeasure,
Vnto my Prince: who thought too hard euent
Was falne on him and too sharpe punishment:

Spitefull Fortune great enimie to those
Of high degree, what pastime canst thou take?
Through turning times thy selfe so to dispose
Of mightie king meane fugitiue to make,
But peeuish selfe thou all men wilt forsake:
To highest things peasd leuell dost thou ame,
At sharpest fals thou makest sporting game,

A king but late vnto whose onely becke
Whole Castile bowd: lines like a prisner pend,
Dares not appeere for feare of too great checke
And stateliest troupes of nobles with attend,
Remayns one knight like, sad Æneas frend
Large countries late obeid his bending will,
And now possest but barren basest hill:

The Prince cald me these letters in his hand
And braue sir Thomas Phelton speedilie,
In most princely fauor we highly stand,
Sir Knights quoth he, strange news is come to me
Which vnto you shall soone imparted be,
Which don he wild as was his vsage
Our opinions to so great voyage,

Then presently a parlement was cald,
To which repaird the noble Gascoine knights,
Arminack, Gomigines, Dalbreth stald
In highest rooms: from hence four woorthie Wights
T'england sent as reason wils of rights:
King Edward he our iourney doth allow,
Fresh Iohn of Gaunt to go with vs doth vow.

Without delay into Nauar were wild
Sir Thomas Phelton and my selfe to fleet,
We so exploit with iourney labring hild,
As with the king at Pampelune we meet,
From loued prince him do we nobly greet,
He promisd be, at Bayon by a day,
With courteous leaue we home returne our way.

Our prince, dan Peter both do meet him there,
With parle much at last he condescends
Hard passages to ope that straightest were,
For which dan Peter promisd for amends
The Groine, and countrie shoring that extends
To Sauater, and more a hundred thousand franks,
Thus he an aid toth prince and all his ranks.

The prince two heraulds doth dispatch with speed,
To Castile ward, giuing his knights to kno
The purposd war, and what he had decreed,
His pleasure knowne, they came king Henrie fro,
But why they part they little to him sho:
Then Caueley, Dabscote, and bold Huet was,
Gay sir Iohn Deuereux, all thence do passe

Companions some hard not so soone this newes,
Safe to returne much toiling they endure,
King Henrie closely vp all passage mewes,
In dangerous state remaine the most vnsure,
The prince doubted his enimies might allure
Them to their wils, which well twelue hundred were
Of pyked men in welding shield or spere,

At th'entrie of Foix inclosd they stay
And may not pas, th'erle doth flat forbid
Them t'enter in his countrie any way,
Most noble prince of message send me did
Toth Earle of Foix, and shew him he would rid
Him of these men, and that what harme they should
His countrie do, that he remend it would.

The Erle accords to their safe passage:
I chaffer so as them I wholie hier,
Mongst whom in wars full many a trustie gage
All which one word would worke to my desier,
To busie prince I hastelie retier:
These waged soldiers do themselues deuide
By companies, toard Acquitaine they ride,

Toward Tholouse some, their rediest iourney take
At Mountabon the riuer seeke to passe,
Sir Guy Dazay and Earle of Narbone make
Quick sommons, and of soldiers gether a masse,
Sir Iohn Comes Mountabons captaine was:
The French toth towne sent courrors riding
T'see if companions would be stirring:

Sir Iohn demaunds why thus in armors drest
They came t'inuade the principalitie?
They chaffing said our enimies with you rest
Whom we will rouse for their iniquitie,
Sir Iohn, sir Iohn you know not curtesie,
If thus you harbour the pillers of the land
Here be their foes will wake them out of hand:

Lords he replide, heer be some men of war
Into Montaubon lately entered,
That with my Lord the prince retained ar
And him must serue as is indented
Better vndoon than soon repented,
Aduise you well ere forward you proceed,
My princes frowns you haue good cause to dreed.

But when our men tride and aduenterous,
Threatning enimies plast before them see
To hazard battell hard and dangerous
They ment: ordaining ech thing feateouslie
Though pressing enimies far more numbers be:
Sir Iohn Comes, his soldiers all armed
Then to assist great need required,

Sir Perducas Dalbreth, sir Robert Cheney,
Passe all before, requesting safe they might
Go by in peace, the Frenchmen fierce denie:
Then suddenly terrible was the fight,
Back to the towne our men were beaten right
Nandon of Begerant, and Burg of Bertvell,
Had rid all night and came in time so well

Vnto their aid: as foes were take or slaine,
Rich prisoners were woon and fienced
Vpon their faiths: which lost our men there gaine,
For with their othes the Pope dispenced,
Wherof our captains to me complained,
And wild redresse in this they thoughten wrong
To me of Arms the iudgement did belong:

To cipher plainly how braue Lords did cum
gaily beseen with valiant numbers,
How Lord Dalbreth was countermand his sum
Of thousand spears: wherat he woonders,
Or else what lets peect buisnes sunders,
Or all winter t'shew the princes charge
Where things past count asking recitall large,

With buisnes much we pearse into Nauare,
With toiling more some streights we got beand
Which asperous, foule and stiepie doubtles are,
Mantled with snow was all t'high mountaine land,
Horse nor man scarce on their feete might stand,
Our armie closd, in three we do deuide
That one might passe whilst other two abide:

On munday armd like youthfull Troyilus
And fresh as he in all his iolitie,
As stirring, weldie, and as cheualrous
As Chaucer makes him in felicitie,
Past Iohn of Gaunt: and with him passed I,
Twelue hundred pensils vnder me remaine
Wrought with my armes that glisteren on the plaine.

On twesday past our Hector princelie,
Spanish Peter: and Charls king of Nauare:
Lewis Harcourt, in barons dignitie,
Sir Thomas Phelton well drest for war,
His brother William of selfe had little care
King of Malorques on wensday ouer came
Accompaned with Lords of peereles fame,

Erle Arminak, Dalbreth bold Gascoynes all,
Pomiers, Gomigines, and stout Mucident,
And of Buiff couragious capitall,
Lord Clisson, and sir Robert Canol went,
Barnerd le Sall, that was to scaling bent,
Of Rounceuauls we haue forsake the streights
Which flieng Fame to bastard Henrie beits.

And more how we strong Sauatar had won,
Placed at the entrie into Spaine,
When storming king all hard what we had don
He sommons forst, and doth such numbers gaine,
Entring in armes into the open plaine,
Which newes foreriders to the prince haue tould,
Who saith the bastard valiant is and bould:

The cherefull trumpet soundeth to addres,
Fresh knights furbishen armors hastelie:
And many squiers to stirre vp hardines
The noble prince doth knight immediatelie;
Some made the duke, and some were made by me:
But th'ennimie battaile doth denie before
Braue Frenchmen come in number fortie score.

Right warlike band which bold sir Bertram led,
And wise sir Arnole Cleped Dandrehen,
With heedie toiling wairie iourney sped
At Spannish campe ariuing with their men,
It hapt vnto king Henries brethren when
They new were come to ride out hoste to vew
With the attempt some haples ouerthrew,

Strike fierce into the Canton where I set
The watch: I stirring they recoile with speed,
Returning they with both the Pheltons met,
Which foorth were rid to do some valiant deed,
With hundreds two well Armed for their need,
Sir Richard Cauton, sir Hugh Hastings
With other knights of faire proceedings,

These Spaniards six thousand were no lesse,
And when our English once they had espide,
Which little mountaine t'aue had in distresse
With shooting ioy amaine they toard them ride,
Where many a skilfull feat of war was tride,
But in the end they were all take but one
And he too rash doth lose himselfe alone:

For when he saw proud Spaniards placed
In leueld plaine, his sharp gleiue he taketh,
His hard resisting sheild he soone imbraced,
Towards the thickest speedie hast he maketh,
One stroke he dead: then bright sword he shaketh
So vigorously, in his threatning hand
And stroke, and foynd, and lasht, whilst he might stand.

Armed he was in red most glorious,
Two Ermin Lions passant crowned gold,
With Scottish treasure diffrence spatious,
His brother and his friends the fight behold,
And saw his ending too aduenterous bold:
Raging furor, fair knighthood doth confound,
Sir William Phelton brought dead to ground.

Spaniards of faire aduenture ioyious,
The leaders were king Henries bretheren
Their iourney to their brother prosperous
They glad declare, shew prisoners taken,
Great thanks he gaue: and residue threaten,
Soft stepped foorth a soldier bold and wise,
Praying the king heerin to take aduise:

Sir saue your grace: your speech I not gain say,
But yonders armed manie a prooued knight
As euer rangde in battelous affray,
Hardie in Arms and matchles in strong might,
If with stout prince you do assemble fight,
Youl find no fliers what so ere betide
Twixt life and death toth vntraunce theile abide,

In reuerent sort vnto your grace I speake,
Abstain from war, let fierce enimies be,
Contagious aire will make their strongest weake,
Your countrie left behind them shall you see,
They pincht with want it so will chaunce that we
May fight with them, who present are the flower
Of cheualrie, of wisdom, and of power.

Marshall replide the king, I so desier
The princes power with good power to meet,
He shall not (by my fathers soule) retier,
Till him I do in ioined battell greet,
Seuen thousand I haue armed head and feet
Of genetors full twentie thousand more,
And threescore thousand: which haue truly swore

Me not to faile,therefore sir Arnole I
A basht to be, may seeme to haue no cause,
Stout willing numbers vowd haue with me to die,
Yet full six daies vpon these things they pause:
We forward come compeld by hungers lawse,
The swift riuer near to the groyne we passe,
Where as we find a better soile for grasse.

At entrance first when we approched Spaine
King Henrie seald letter sent our Prince,
Requesting knowledge and the title plaine
Why so with power he sought him to conuince,
The Herauld was retained euer since
He came till now: wherein seuen weeks spent
Now backe by him his answer thus he sent,

That his true cosen he was come to aide
In rightfull cause as iustice doth desier,
Therefore, quoth he, Earle Cristmer hauing waid
Your great wrong thus to the Crowne t'aspier,
Am come in armes, but yet I faire requier
You both t'accord, right king to haue the crowne,
Your selfe rich lands: but if at this you frowne

Then you chiefe cause of slaughter, spoile and blood
Which I God knowes am passing loth to sheed,
I wish you would well ponder of the good
We offer: and not trust th'uncertaine speed
Of fickle chaunce, so careles in hit heed,
Here rest your frends if that you say not nay,
Dated from Groyne in March the thirtith day.

This Herauld gon, his letters red with all,
Sir Bertram said now shortly shall we haue
A doo: therefore O noble King let call
Ech officer, his charge to order braue,
The hawtie prince doth nought but battaile craue,
Replide the king, I little do him dreed,
Good hope is of a furtherance to the speed:

Int' three their fights: the first sir Bertram lad,
Aduentrous French and strangers where with him
Th'erls of Dancell, and sanxes second had
Greatly renowmed cause they late did win,
The third stout King, martiall passing trim,
A hundred thousand the one and other were
Right noblie seene before vp deckt appere:

As busie king pricketh from ranke to ranke,
Neerer Naueret we a little drew,
Where they behold vs raised on a banke
From vnder which we all the vallies vew,
Couerd with helms: whose banners some I knew
Gainst me ear this reasd had they been and borne,
Taken and beat, and all too peeces torne.

Sir Bertram Glesquine thimperiall egle bare
In siluer, gulie baston ouer all:
Sixe white spur rowels Dandrahen doth reare
In field of red, a checkered fes doth stall
Of th'on and th'other colour: then I call
My banner for, vproled I hit bring
Vnto my Prince, in presence Spanish king,

Beloued Lord behould my banner hear,
Vouchsafe the pains it to vnfould for me,
Graunting licence this day it vp to rear,
Thanks good Father yours: and your large bountie,
Faire lands I hold t'maintaine it in degree.
The Prince, and King as two that all vs rules
Disuellope siluer a sharpned pile of gules:

Right well they wish: with dutie I depart
To my good freends companions feareles,
Take here my banner and yours with good hart,
Which all you beare in greatest buisnes,
I said I know your valuers peareles:
All plast on foote, all ordred be so well,
That prieng spite would say we did excell:

Here mightie prince the cristall skies beheld
Praieng to God the iourney might be ours,
Aduance he cride God shall the buisnes weld:
Duke Iohn and I fierce charge the stragers powers
Dashing with force, as some mightie towers
Together rusht, right long lasteth the fraie
Or either could be opened any way:

Much foyning here with speares and axes fell,
Much rushing here with shields and pauish strong,
Much striuing here ech other to excell,
Much strugling here as hapneth in like throng,
And by much strength we mixe ech other among,
Amongst the rest was I feld to the ground,
And Spannish captaine fallen on me I found

Cald Martine Ferrant: greatly in esteeme
Amongst his nation for his woorthines,
In dangerous furie I drew a knife full keene
That oft I wore, and through true valiantnes
I deadly wounded Martine dredles,
Slaine he abides, streight vp rose I againe
Rescude by right valiant friends with paine.

Like chaffed Lion scaped from the toile,
Amide his foes fell ragd in angrie moode,
Heer byting one, there doing other foile,
Inflamd I fare as furious Lion wood,
Amongst the French tride matchles soldiers good,
Excepting vs, we forced them t'open
Whereby aray and order all was broken.

Well to report, they knightly did their power
Vs to resist which prooud companions were
Sir Robert Cheney, sir Perducas a flower,
In mars his field: sir Robert Bricquet there
Laid him about: too long to name them here
Fierce foughten so as wonder t'was to see:
All these bould French or slaine or taken bee.

Too sloe I praise couragious Iohn of Gaunt
Like Priams sonne strong broyling mid his foes,
All timorousnes from him bed he auaunt,
And boldly in amongst the thickest throes,
Such poissant, weldie and so thicke his bloes,
Whom sound he hits with staggring steps doth reel
They knew it sure that his sad thundring feel.

Sir Bertram and sir Arnold taken were,
I taking none attended to the fight,
Yet many a Lord about me taken nere,
On King Henrie we driue with all our might,
Who shewed himselfe a kingly leader right,
Most terrible and stormie grew the fray,
And stout Henrie did many fliers stay.

Princely Edward mirror of Cheualrie,
Accompaned with martiall puissance
So hotte assaild the enimies fast do flie,
Recouering horse some swift away do praunce
Desierous Henrie with gentle semblaunce
Returnd them oft: braue Edward beat them thence
As oft: for nought gainst him could ablie fence:

Which pestilence when stout King Henrie sawe
Assuredly if taken to be slaine,
From out so sharp a tempest doth withdraw:
Quickly mount we vnto our horse againe,
Chasing our foes fleeing lost field amaine,
Great slaughter and miserable drowning
Of those that sought the riuers passing:

Some do repasse the bridge to Naueret neare,
Sad towne right fast their flying friends receaue,
Hard pursued and surprisde with feare,
Take is the towne where many life do leaue,
Of trustiest hope we flatly them bereaue,
Of saint Iames grand Prior: chiefe of Calcan
Both taken here with many a valiant man.

Proud Darius Campe was little richer
When Macedonian soldiers entred,
Gold, siluer vessels glorious glister,
Things that increase stout soldiers venter,
To reaching thought these toyes no tempter,
Yet meaner soldier that liueth by the ware,
Of his maintenance ought to haue some care.

Dam Peter would the prisoners all to die,
But gentle Prince their pardons doth obtaine,
Reason wild him no demand denie,
But lowlie said high Prince the realme of Spaine
By your good vertue t'me restord againe:
When tidings came how Henrie safe was fled,
He was perplext and pesterd in his hed.

Thus turning times their changes often haue,
Thus fortune fraile is mouing too and froe,
Thus things that are, do passe, and others craue
Their place: which hasting after them do goe,
Mad fortune like vnconstant wind doth bloe.
What was not is, what is, right soone doth cease,
Now ruffling war: then sweet temperat peace.

What sots be we to heed so great a care
For worldlines that no man can combine
In saftie; what dolts sweetest sleepe to spare
For earthly trifles slipper then the slime,
No earthly great, but wasted is with time,
He crownd, he fled, he fled and then he crownd,
Regno Regnaui, fortunes wheele goth round.

This act knowen wrought contrarie effects,
Our friends reioyst, thers great sorrow make,
Ours hopt with ioy: thers worser ils suspects
Then be: for most mens harts will quake
Dreding worst till best the better make:
This spanish Peter dealeth very ill
With noble Prince possessed of his will.

Fairly possest all Spaine is at his beck,
Vanisht so great a hundred thousand armd,
Gay fortunes fauns, after frowning check,
Too small a salue where thou so greatly harmd,
Fie on thy spite so many nobles charmd.
For euer long Dam Peter proud was slaine,
And bastard Henrie crowned king againe.

Most countries famd faire prince to highest skies,
Him woorthie thought Imperiall crowne to weare,
Goodly his fame for princely praise doth rise:
Three mightie kings by him discomferd were
Of which the brauest he away did beare:
Th'other two as Philip, and Henrie,
Fast fled the field and feard his cheualrie.

No couenant held king Peter that he seald,
To our good prince ith vale of oliues staid
Sent to him knights, but smally that auaild
Delaying scuces for himselfe he laid:
Which soundest counsell circumstances waid,
Sir Dandrehen the beugie of vitams were
Exchangd for knights of ours late taken there

Sir Thomas Phelton, sir Richard Cawton,
Sir Hue Hastings, armd gold we do redeem
With gulie manuch, and siluer labell on
These taken were, thought act of high esteem
By Henries brethren dastads plainly seem:
Parching drought and hot infesting aire
Causes vrging hastie home repaire.

Huge vastie Ocean stirred with large wind
High mounting waues demonstrat mightie rage,
So shipmen tost and toild themselues do find,
Esteeming that stormes neuer will asswage
Till drenched bodies pawned be in gage,
So Æolus huffs, so billowes big arise,
As to be lost ech man himselfe doth prise:

Vnexpected, so gently breaths a calme
As gliding channell smilingly doth pas,
The wanton Dolphin dallieth on ech walme,
Large sea it selfe seemeth as smooth as glas,
Sweete cheerefull songs are chaunted for alas
The sayler drinks, quicke boy hies to the top,
Ech nouist stands, and doth on hatches hop,

Glistering swords vnshethed for reuenge
Blacke thretning frowns, fell furie felt withall,
The rumored noise and sound of armors clenge
is husht, to battaile none doth trumpet call,
Scaling ladders reare none against the wall,
Now rage, now calme, now war, now pleasant peace,
Now blooddie broil, and now the battails ceace.

To Acquitaine returned noble prince,
And into England fresh valerous Iohn,
Sir Bertram Glesquine prisoner euer since
Our fights to me: remaining once alon
In chamber with the prince, who askt anon
How he fard: and what most people said
That he so long as prisoner with him staid:

Well most gratious prince he answered,
For though prisoner sworne I do abide,
It is with knight most nobliest vertued
I know: and diuers people talke beside
Vnto my praise: you doubt to let me ride:
Be God not so, the Prince replied, pay
A hundred thousand franks and go your way.

He tooke the word, and soone the monie paid
Against my minde: yet do I not denie
The deed: but sure he should haue staid
Till Dan Peter sent vs safe the monie
He promisd: by him impeached suer t'be,
Wanting which a fowage was desierd
To pay the soldiers for this iourney hierd:

This taxe displeasd our Gascoyns maruels much,
Who flat refusd at all to pay the same,
In open words at princes doings gruch
In counsaile chamber at Paris him they blame,
With ticing words cold Charls his minde they flame,
He venters t'send, the prince a sommoning
At Paris court to make appeering:

Sterne looking Lion hauing run his race,
Safe home retierd, still resting in his den,
The prickeard foxe should send tis noble grace
Bidding him come, and make account as then
Of wrongs he wrought: or threaten him to pen
In bower: fierce Lion fell, couragious
Would storme, at bringer, sender, meruelous,

Tossing his head: this answer to the fox
Poore hartles wight thy father haue I had,
In grasping pawes giuing his kindred knox
For lended life thy sier fauor had,
What desperate furie vexed thee so mad,
My onely name me thinks should cause thee quaile,
Beware I plucke not off thy bushing taile:

For head thoult saue within some peeuish hole,
Neere like to this the princes speaking
The same his case, with words he doth controle
King Charls: and saith his to Parris comming
Shalbe with helmet his head inclosing:
Armd threescore thousand waiting him vpon,
Letters in haste he writ to me anon.

(Int Constantine: first when this speech was had
Of taxe: (I went) for much I hit disleeke,
I knew the Gascoyns would account it bad,
Being great commanders furthermore would seeke
Redresse: and here we lost more in a weeke
Then was recouered the remnant of my life,
And thus againe began new cause of strife.)

His pleasure knowen right reddie speed I make,
Attained streight faire Angolesme in hast,
Smooth sea but late more still then standing lake
So roreth, as the world it would all wast,
For Charls defide King Edward at the last,
So flaming wars were open on ech side,
To Mountabon commanded I do ride:

Vnto the French to hold war frontier
The Captall Beuff, sir Lewes Harcourt went,
Sir Richard Pontchardon, for mars a soldier
Whose sables shield siluer plats ysprent:
We issues make, of most knightly euent,
Two Gascoin Lords warie bushment make,
Tooke a Seneshall namd sir Thomas Wake,

Armd in siluer two fair bars of red,
Three rundels in the lostie chiefe do stand
In sable bordure deepely ingreled,
This venture hap betwixt Lusiguen and
Meribell: great error soone was fand
In so weake riding: we closer trouping kept
Toward our enimies well appointed stept

Vnto Terriers, and siege about it laid,
Raised assaults the which auailed nought,
Fearing least too long a time we staid,
Good myners got that so their buisnes wrought
The strong foundations of the wals out sought,
Spoyld was the Towne and greatest numbers slaine,
We heaped welth and treasure in it gaine.

Atchiued to Mountabon we retier,
Sir Eustace Dabscote new come from Nauar
Vnto the prince, foorth sent by his desier
Vs to assist in this braue fronting war
In Ermins sheild three hamets red he bare,
We him receud as fresh as Aprils flower
Faire Marques Iuliers onely paramour:

In true amors liud this knight valerous
And Ladies forme in brest close shrined,
Absent thoughts vewd Ladie glorious,
With Iulie thinking stout hart it pined
And mightie goodly things it shrined
For to attempt: knight of amorous trade
Lou'd Ladies fauor hath more valiant made:

Sir Robert Canole in Britton rested,
Where he large lands and heritage possest
From thenglish his hart he neuer wrested,
Euer most true and loyall to vs prest
Knowing how the French themselues addrest
On vs to win: with threescore men at armes
Like nomber archers dreadles of their harmes,

Left Britton, and ariud at Rochell Towne:
Where sir Iohn Deuereux captaine doth remaine,

Countee changed to Sir Walter Deuereux the elder houss.

Whose gulie armor with faire fes was bowne
In cheefe three plats of siluer standen plaine,
He noblie doth sir Robert intertaine,
Staid not long doth Angolesme attaine
Where of his knights th'prince maks him soueraine,

And sent him now asscotiat passing well
With stirring knights towards vs forth the launce
Came to Agen, from whence not far doth dwell
Sir Perducas Dalbreth that ward for Fraunce,
Speaking with him, preached so by chaunce
As English he for euer doth abide,
Commanding well three hundred by his side.

So marching they to Darmell siege do lay
Strong fortresse and most able to endure,
Besides in it fiue warlike captains stay
Skild in defence, and warie garding suer,
The onely practise cheefe they put in vre,
I hard of this and those which were with me
Thither to wend we shortly all agree:

But in our way to Mountsac neere we came,
Strong towne and kept: we thought to passe it bie
Foure, vittaild sommers going vnto the same
We met, asking, they do not ought denie,
How stood the towne, and then we backward wrie,
Take it: and leaue sir Robert Mutton there,
In siluer shield a cinquefoile blue doth beare:

Hauing sped we to the siege approched,
Where sir Robert doth highly vs receaue,
Well pondring here how little we incroched
Of these stout fiue: we it and them do leaue.
Marched to Doume, and there assault do heaue,
Strongly seated by nature and by art,
But long we staid not ear we thence depart,

We resting here Chandos my Herauld goes
Vnto sike prince from vs of credence sent,
Declaring t'him the order of our foes
And other affairs great and importent,
Willing herein his gratious plaisment,
He gone: Gauaches, Foyns, and Rochmadore
We gaind, and make them English subiects swore:

Toward Villa frank we swingd and countrie spoile,
Faire townes, strong castles, by treatie or by force
We take: with flame doth champion countrie broile,
In Thoulasine we prosecute like course,
And Villa frank was take with some remorse,
The Duke of Aniow fell angrie in his mind
At vs: but yet no remedie durst find.

My Herauld come in quercy doth vs find,
Tribulation greatly we had brought
The countrie in: to learne the princes mind
We readie, his pleasure hauing sought,
Desiering all his mind should whole be wrought,
Accordingly to Angolesme we goe,
Prest to depart we let our Captains knoe,

What towne, strong fortresse, so from French they take
For keeping it to haue at all no dout,
We strongly would such speed vnto them make
That angred enimies should not get them out,
Doutles they were a braue and ventrous rout
Ortigo, Wisk, and Bernard and Delasale,
Who ouer a wall like anie cat would scale.

These three the castle of Belperch do gaine,
Olde Queene of Fraunce Duke Borbons mother there
Made her abode: great cause had she to plaine
Such companions of her rulers were,
How so she plaine hard Fortune must she bere,
Ortigo, Launt, and Bernard Wysk I weene
With sale, right happie thus to rule a Queene,

From Quercy we: from Burdell so retierd
Both erles of Cambrig and of Penbroke
It hauing wone as greatly they desierd,
Where sir Iohn Mountague at the skirmige toke
Two brethren Batfoyls oft their hoste awoke,

Arnaldin & Barnardine

At Angolesme arriued all by chaunce,
To ech the prince shewd lowly semblance.

Still purposing fierce foes with war to vex,
The Roch sur you a fortresse mightie strong
Which enimies held, we thought to ours tanex:
Iohn Bloudew captaine was the French among,
The peece toth Duke of Aniow did belong
Thinking it against our power sure
Ablie well, one yeare strong to indure,

Attempting we gaind it in little space,
Madlie displeasd the fretting Duke his minde,
Poore Bloudew found with him but little grace,
For in sacke some drowned do him finde,
In which the Duke some caused him to binde,
We returned, of wished purpose sped,
The castle won, and captaine Bloudew ded:

Magnanimous Proteselaue that desirde
The threatning Troians first for to inuade,
Therby vnto perpetuall fame aspirde,
Of loftie honor gaining highest grade,
Before the best the ventring way he made,
So oftentimes when men do most dispise
Their liues faire fame ene then doth highest rise:

Our Proteselaue, at Poicters that vs led
Sir Ieams Audley, thrise renowmed knight
Sharpe sickness tooke, causing him keepe his bed
Wherin he dide, with praises euer bright,
His funerall the prince caused be dight
Most solemly, himselfe in person there
At Poycters where his bodie we Iteer:

Thus changing time about doth changes wheele,
Present in office I do him succeed.
Shortly making stoutest Frenchmen feele
My being there: I euer found good speed
Which greatly made them stand of me in dreed.
Although bright sun heer Poyctow seemd to lose,
Yet many deemd another to them rose.

For Seneschall of Poyctow was I made
Int' Aniow then I ment to make a rode,
Gathered knights, and men of warlike trade,
Th'erl of Penbroke at Mortain made abode,
Chandos my herauld vnto him he yode,
To ride with me him most humbly praying
With his command: he sent me the denaying.

At first he seemed gladly to agree,
Æmulous som about him that attend,
Affirmd the honor would remaine to me
Of his iourney: and farther do defend
That by himselfe it honor was to wend.
A batchelor I, respecting his regard
So he refusd, but yet I forward fard

Foorth sending, hauing gathered som my friends
Sir Thomas Percie, who in sun bright banner raisd
A blew lion rampine, which difference fends
From challenging: sir Thomas Spencer plaisd
With me to ride, sir Eustace Dabscote seasd
His launce and came: sir Thomas Balester
All in good will the French stout to master,

Sir Iohn Crinell, sir Steuen Gouseton
Three roses gold in Azurd shield had pend,
Sir Neal Loring, who fairly Arms put on
Quarterly white, and red, of guls a bend:
Sir Richard Dargenton doth knightly wend,
Who faire in Corall bar as we beheld,
Three siluer cups bright glistering in the field:

Burned Aniow: bout Loundonoys we bide,
Right plentious, rich, and good the countrie was
By Crewse green banks, we Thourayn ouer ride
Burning, wasting, that many shrike alas,
Thence to Vicount Rochaorts land we pas,
Sir Lewis Sanxer I hard did rest vs near
Who Campain banner did sans difference bear:

Toth Earl this caused me to send againe,
Desierous this Marshall fresh to vew,
Created for old was sir Dandrehen,
Notwithstanding th'erl all this well knew
He yet to me excuses framd of new,
I discontent for orgule that he did
Refuse: dischargd, and back to Poycters rid:

Earl Iohn of Penbroke gatherd soldiers bold
Entring spoild, where late I left before
A manche of rubie richly set in gold
In banner ventelan en la vent he bore,
Rochaorts lands he burneth very sore,
One day by noon vnto Puirone he came,
The frenchmen well aduised had the same,

Well purposing to rest him there all night,
Dismounting soone as one that dreaded nought,
His people all from off their horses light,
Some herbage for themselues and them they sought,
But here they all close in a trap were cought:
Sir Lewis Sanxer, for the noueltie
Of his new office, sought for dignitie,

He knew the erl couragious gaie and yoong
More sooner for to be intrapt then I,
His folks assaild, the foemate was too strong
At entrance they our Ladie Sanxer crie,
Of therls troupe a hundred and twentie die
At greeting first: therle him soone adrest
Assembling fast his masd freends the neerest,

Sir Thomas Percey, sir Baldwine Freuile,
Perceiuing strength and foes furiousnes
Into a house their men within a while
They drew: the French making great ioyousnes
Apperceiuing them well so succourles,
Saieng they should most dearely and suerly pay
For their misdeeds before they went away:

So fierce assaile, so fine defence againe,
So strong attempt, and then so sure resist,
Such eger climing, such tumbling downe amaine,
More briefer worke no soldier euer wist,
That afternoone the French their purpose mist,
Wearie and toild at night they make retrait
The morrow morne determind of their fait.

Ne could they scape so hardlie inclosed,
The French men thought they had them sure and fast:
Good watch they kept least any escaped,
Distressed erl strange misse auenture cast
And found himselfe oppressed sore at last,
For vittaile none, nor comfort ought at all,
But helpfull hands, and bad thin stonie wall:

At silents hower and darkest of the night,
Good squier he cald in whom he trusted much:
Intreating him with swiftest speed he might
To Poycters: considering danger such,
From needfull iourney true squier doth not gruch
From postern parting, wandred vp and downe
All night could finde no way to Poycters towne:

Till broad day, his horse then wearie was
Yet traueling by nine to me he came,
Found me kneeling as custome vsd at masse,
The state of his left Lords doth plainly frame
Repeating oft the erle of Penbroks name,
Praieng aide: greatly I repinde
At former act so easely not inclinde:

Pawsing a space, then dinner was prepard
And I disposd to dine before I went,
About this time the fight exceeding hard,
The erle a second squier to me hent
Willing him ride ragd foes for to preuent,
From finger taking his knowne ring of gold
Chandos from me salute, praie him he wold

Giue me releefe: so hardly in distresse,
By storming foes: who many ladders brought
Right egerly ascending to oppresse
Them toild within so vertuously they wrought,
That desperate climers deerely climing bought,
So well induring as woonder was to see
So weake a place defended strong to bee.

This knightly erl was as couragious,
As full of comfort in extremitie,
As any Lord that armes battelous
Euer put on to quaile his enimie:
As braue defending prooued most plainlie
Daring do, what to tride armes belongeth
As proudest he, largest praise out throngeth.

This latter squier entring in my hall
On bended knee doth foorth sad message tell,
I staide, halfe dind, pondring said I shall
Be highly blamd, and sure I do not well,
To suffer him lost whose valor doth excell,
So high allide, companion at assaies
To my good Lord of Cambrig woorthy praise,

Himselfe great Lord extraght from noble birth:
Presently commanding ech to horse
Vnto my knights words full of pleasing mirth,
Most glad to see me bent to sweet remorse,
Grand gallop we hold a hastned corse,
Which newes was brought vnto the French by chaunce
Fast comming I was with two hundred launce.

All sodenly they left oft to assaile
Long wearie erle, and fast away they flie,
These fresh gallant of hoped purpose faile,
Thinking not good my comming to abie,
Or toyled sore a battaile for to trie,
My drawing neere our labred friends do iudge
When fast they saw away their foes to trudge,

Then leaping on such horses as they had
Leau Puirone, mounting some two on one,
Some walke a foote whose chaunces were so bad
To lose their horse way with the Frenchmen gone,
In this estate we encounter them anon
Slo comming onward: where as great semblaunce
And shew of loue made at incountraunce,

Saluings done low thanks both giue and take,
Gaie erle as blith as scaped bird from snare
To Mortayn glad his reddie way doth make,
Accounting me cheefe cause of his welfare
Saith to his frends, we much beholding are
To Chandos: at great pleasure doth recount
His scape, my aide, to Poycters I remount:

Ech one which from aduentures dangerous
Is safe escaped by good accident,
Though losse were much beseeming dolerous
Yet selfe escaping is woes bannisment,
The greater danger greater meriment,
Forpassed trauell most pleasant telling,
Sweet is fresh aire to lost prisners smelling.

Pale enuie greeues, when matter wants to grieue,
At others weale pines more then owne mischaunce,
Ioyes when disaster hap doth all depriue
Some mortall wight of happie pleasaunce,
Full sadly beweeping ech faire semblaunce,
Bad fauorite of blacke infernall diuell,
Gladly delighting in most wicked euill:

Cancred malice sound reasons enimie,
Vile enuies cheefest agent of her thought,
Wide blasting bellowes to raging furie,
For wilfull selfe mischiefe hath out sought,
Where ginnings bad there endings euer nought,
As true loues flame the minde to honor boundeth,
So malice rage the sences all confoundeth,

As lurcking sparke in hept straw inclosed,
Feeling winde quicke life of cresment blowing
Stealing at first, to strong flambes disposed
His late couer, with furious bestowing
Both selfe and couers sooner ore throwing,
So lurking malice cares not selfe to burne
So that others with selfe she ouerturne:

No state so holly free from enuies bait,
No man so voud, but malice seeks to raine,
Prieng occasion the humor doth awaite
Of better sort, glad if she can then gaine
To take reuenge to weakest humors straine,
Her onely heauen in black reuenge doth rest
As soueraine good reuenge she counteth best.

An Abbey strong seuen leags from Poycters stood,
Called Saint Saluine, a place of some defence,
Wherein there celd a Monke of enuious moode,
That his superior hated: through pretence
Of buisnes some, one day he got him thence
To the roch of Poisay where did remaine
Two captains French right glad of me to gaine:

Caring not, what, or how, so they might haue,
Knowing wicked monke to these two he came,
In close darke night to come of them doth craue,
He would restore the towne to them agame,
Sir Lewis saint Iulian, Carlonet frame
Their wils to his, the towne is so betraid
The knight it kept and there as captain staid:

False cursed monke, true causer of my death,
What made thee gad thy ciuill cloister out?
Sweet contemplation vowd not thee staieth,
Monsterous furie stird thy thought no dout
Vsing thy worke to bring my end about,
Hadst thou been of blessed Barnards trade
Good thoughts diuine had thee more honest made:

I whom slie fortune neuer once did mate,
In high dispite tooke so foule treason don,
Wicked treason wrought my luckles fate,
The vilest plague that raineth vnder sun
Goodnes neuer by thy bad working don.
Practicing thoughts had I lost place t'regaine
Forcing not how or by what subtile traine:

To armed knights and squiers in my charge
Bout this reprince I secretly do send,
Bold Poytouins to me in bounties large
Of louing thoughts which freely they did lend,
Vnto my requesting soon condescend,
On Newyeers eue the period of the yeere
They commen are to me they loued deere:

Sir Richard Dangle, sir Lewis Harcourt came,
Two golden bars that bare in field of guls,
Pons, Dargenton, Pount Chardons must I name,
Sir Thomas Percy the Rochelos that ruls,
Sir Baldwine Freuile, from me he not reculs,
A patie crosse of red in gold he bare
On which fiue losinges varrey placed are:

When ech braue knight with his bold ventring band
Ariued were, three hundred spears we found,
With iudgement much our great buisnes scand,
Poycters we left, and swift away we bound,
None but we chiefe commanders knew the ground,
Where well I thought to bring fine feat to pas,
By wondrous hap I much deceaued was:

Approched close vnto saint Saluins wals
In deepe diches buisie to ascending,
Our horses giuen to wayting boys there cals
A shirling horne, with sharp sownd eccoing,
We were discride I warely doubting
Said we haue faild, and willed to remount,
What worlds deuise is woorthy good account.

What practices we mortall men deuise,
God doth dispose as likes his pleasure best,
Our wise conceats, right foolish doth he prise,
Vaine the soundest iudgements of our brest,
His high decrees permanently do rest:
We platforms lay but sequell neuer see,
Example plainly doth appear in me:

Rebounding horne shirl hard the worst I dout,
Casting indeed my thoughts beond the Moone
Vngratious fortune, me to my teeth doth flout,
Making my deepe pondrings all vndoone,
My long studies were confounded soone:
Mightie God my dooings laught to scorne,
Daunting my courage byth sounding of a horne:

The reasons why it sounds that proper hower
From Poysay roch, with onely fortie launce
Came Carlonet, to seeke sir Lewis power
Ariuing here with vs by luckles chaunce,
With ioyned soldiers pointed to aduaunce
This night int Poyctow hoping there to win,
His horne doth winde his friend should let him in:

Had I taken the oportunitie
Faire, offered by these captains absence,
The towne had I surprised speedilie
And well atchiued forewished pretence,
Against decreed fate, finde no defence
Wight euer could, why should I hope alone
To finde the grace that erst found neuer none?

Of these two Frenchmen their foorth outriding
We ignorant euerie one retier,
Vnto Chauigney: there purposd I some byding
Good knights of Poyctow courteouslie desier
Ift pleased me t'command their seruice hier:
I render thanks with no: they farwels take
Some English knights with them a partie make,

The latest night of all forepassed yeare
My valiant friends and I disceuered,
Aduenterous harts well worthy arms to beare:
Come to my house from saddle alighted,
Sir Thomas Percy me kindly asked
If I determind here to make my staie
Till morrow morne that it were perfect daie,

Why gentle knight, quoth I, do you inquier?
Replieng said, departing I request:
Him wished I remount ats owne desier:
In melancholious troubled thoughts I rest
Which to remooue attendants gan to iest,
With iangling words and chatting meriment:
A stranger entreth with fast approchment

Saieng: my Lord I speedy newes haue brought,
I, what: he told, sir Lewis and Carnet were
Both ridden foorth, and so aduentures sought:
Of small account I hould the thing I heare,
Perhaps say thel' buy their ventring deare,
Our armed friends to ride that had a minde
Are strong inuffe if that they may them finde.

I foorth inquier, which way French captains hould:
To Poicters ward he said with speedie race:
Most carefull I, lest seeking enimies should
Do some dispite sounding t'my disgrace,
Deepe pondering vpon that thing a space
Called to ride, but little hauing gon
We caught the track of Frenchmens horse anon:

Fast galloping strong brig for to attaine
Vnder which Vingenna doth swiftly slide,
Percy them spieng, strikes with spurs amaine
It first to gaine, being on the other side
With so quicke and valiant speed he hide
There ariuing to stop fierce foe, doth light
With companie few like valerous knight:

A foote lights the foe, it apperceiuing
Egerly bent him stoutly to assaile
Who noblie trusted to good defending,
As manly he their bouldnes could not quaile,
French horses giuen vnto their boys, ith taile
Of them came I, with floting banner spred:
Which seene they knew, and fast away they fled,

Leauing their masters horses in the place,
To whom I riding briefely gan to say
With taunting words: intend you French a space
That armed raunge this countrie night and day,
Rich prisoners take and ransoms beare away,
Castles, townes, and other things you gaine
In stealing sort, where seneschall I remaine:

100

Asking of me no leaue, at pleasure
Riding, you two so mightie maisters be,
From of this soile springs all your treasure,
We now must reckon, how so we shall agree
For iniuries so great you offer me,
And know this thing doth please me passing well
We fit are met that I these words may tell:

More than a yeer and halfe haue I desierd
Conueniently to incounter you,
Told haue I been how greatly you requierd
In open plaine my personage to vew,
I am Iohn Chandos aduise me this is trew,
Your feat of Arms from which your praise doth grow
We mean to prooue and lessen much I trow,

Still stood the French holding themselues all coy,
Seeme not dismaid: but whilst to them I speake
A hardie Britton thinking not to toy
Vnto one Dodale my seruant gaue a beake,
Downe from his horse he tumbled all too weake,
Which busling buisnes when I had espide,
Chaffing a fresh I to the rescue hide:

I hastly turning, of my men demaund
Why suffer you your fellow to be slaine?
A foote, a foote, with speed I do commaund
feard Dodale, rescude was with little paine,
And to sharp battell ech one doth him straine,
Ech one prepard for fending and defence,
And on all parts the battell doth commence.

Foorth I proceed in knightly order clad,
In weldie armes and in right faire addresse,
Side vesture wide of glistring white I had,
Which two large piles full goodly do impresse
Of glorious red that wrongs seeke to redresse,
Downe to the ground doth sweeping vestment flake
One pile before and one plast on my backe:

101

In my right hand strong thretning instrument,
Prepared for to worken wrathfulnes,
Targ on my left, in which faire mark imprent
Of rightfull arms true signes of noblenes,
High crest on helme gay note of woorthines,
Big chiftains hed white wreath inueloped,
In proper colours featly dressed:

With kindled courage as I forward rusht
Purposing my enimies ouerthro,
My foot did slide and all proud brauerie crusht,
Flundring, almost flat on earth I go,
But Iaques Marten sent at me a blo
Whilst thus I staggered, which doth attaine
Near to my eie and entred to my braine:

The mischief double my visor was not downe,
Besides the stroke at all I did not see,
For that ith lands that long to Burdenx towne
In chasing of a hart I lost my eie,
Most foolish sport great harme thou bredst to me
Fiue yeere before: the dolor that I feele
By this fame stroke I to the earth do reele.

Twise wallowing ore as wounded vnto death,
Striuing Frenchmen would win me to their side,
But Edward Clifford my vnkle, bout him laith
So mightily none durst fell blowes abide,
Betwixt his legs me wounded doth bestride,
Where friendship and true kindred are conbind
There neuer doth knit true loues, band vntwind.

Vnhappie wight that gaue my deadly wound
Heeded by a valiant English squier,
Vpon him running purposd to confound
The striker: with inraged furious ier
Striuing for reuenge with hot desier:
Sir Iohn Cambo, sir Bertram Case do fare
Like men through rage, depriud of wisdom are.

102

Though maruels well my valiant seruants fought
Against their foes and for reuenge do striue,
Yet being too few their striuing was for nought,
Ah how they mist their maister now aliue
That wonted was prooud courage to reuiue.
Aliue alas I lay in pitious plight
With deadly wound right dolefull to their fight:

Lusac brig built high is in the middest,
Where Percie Frenchmens comming doth abide:
The foes and I met in the valley lowest,
Wherfore of him bad buisnes was not spide,
The foe recoyld he thought: doth t'Poyicters ride,
Knowing lest of sorrow fullest mischaunce
How groueling I prostrate on ground in traunce:

The French though winners angerly complaine
Bicause of horse they thus frustrated be
Our garcons void, seeing my mischaunce amaine
Theirs fled so soon as they my banner see,
The place they said by vertuous cheualrie,
Remains with vs: yet we sore traueled
Laden with armor must needs be staied

By enimies: since in countrie wandred
Of theirs we be six leags from any friend,
Our hurt people and many sore wounded
T'whom reasons laws wilds vs to attend,
Two foorth they sent: thus staying at wits end.
Three warlike captains fast toward them praunce
Hauing them sought with armd two hundred launce,

Sir Richard Dangle, sir Lewis Harcourt,
Sir Baldwine Freuile, with wasting banners light,
Which when the French see in so stronge effort
With glistering Arms, for sought battell dight
Vnto my men these words they vtter right,
We you acquite from othes and promise free,
Desiering in faire Arms good companie,

103

You losse haue had, we rather you should gaine
Then yonder foes that come gainst vs so fast,
Sad were my friends, for me their maister slaine,
Yet condescend vnto their wils at last,
Mischieuous fortune thus to and fro doth cast,
These conquerors now, are prisoners to their thrall,
From one to thother thus she hurls the ball.

A goodly custome of our passed wars
That passing faire and Christianlike did seeme,
For euer at the end of hottest iars,
The conquests selfe so much we did esteeme
That ransom better than spilt blood we deeme,
On solem oth we oft great prisoners trust
That would redeem their gaged promise iust,

For curtesie at end of battels rage
We Englishmen and French are greatly famde,
For cruell handling and slauish vsage
Rough Almains and sterne Spaniards greatly blamde,
Vnciuill, rude, and beastly were they namde,
Vndoutedly braue knight most valerous
Vnarmed is most sweet and courteous:

With baissed launce the knights approch amaine,
Foorth stept the French willing them to hold,
For as tane prisoners they do all remaine:
My heauie seruants that same thing haue told,
When coummen knights saw me lie on the mold
In wounded state, they greatly do bemone
My luckles death that heer was slaine alone:

Sharpe brinish teares trickle from their eies,
Some wring their hands making full pitious griefe,
Some fill the eare with their resounding cries
My speciall seruants such whose sole reliefe,
Stay, comfort, aid, and succor was I chiefe.
I heard one waile my hard and luckles chaunce,
And in his mone my praises high aduaunce:

104

Sweete gentle knight he said faire peerles flower
Of Mars his traine, good valiant champion stout,
What wicked wight to forge bad gleaue had power
Whereby bright lampe of life was striken out?
Blacke colie smith when first thou wents about,
This toole to forge: I would thou hadst ben mad,
Dan Vulcans luck or woorse mischaunce hadst had,

Braue England neuer bred a brauer knight,
Puissant Fraunce hath felt no fierceser foe,
Fairer conditionde neuer liuing wight,
More curtesies no earthly man did knoe,
More finer wit, more iudgement none did shoe
In his attempts: more honors none hath gaind
By high exployts then those thou hast attaind.

From out our bunch our Orients pearle is gon,
From treasure ours our rarest iewell lost,
From iuorie ours stolne is our whitest bon,
Reft from our welth rich thing of greatest cost,
Of all our pillars falne is most surest post,
Good Chandos slaine I saie no more but this,
Best English knights thy presence much will mis:

Companions bold adiutors of thy acts,
Captains stout whose harts with thee did dwell,
Soldiers true the furtherers of thy facts,
For thy mischaunce their pleasures will expell
As onely he they loued deerely well:
This speech I hard but could not speake againe
Oppressed I so much with dolefull paine:

Right pensiuely resorteth to my minde,
Lord Cleremount slaine at Poycters feild
Not far from hence: sir Charls of Bloys I finde
My conscience neere, whom I from peace withheild:
Now I as he lay tumbled by my sheild,
Ech captaine that doth slaie when he may saue
Some blooddie end must euer looke to haue:

105

More praisefull vertue in a conquerer
Then mansuetie is none to be found,
More famous neuer any victorer
Then those whose acts do breath good gentle sound,
Loth tyrant hatefuls name vpon the ground,
As thundring storme suffers smooth calme at last
Well intreating should be when battails past,

Vertuous clemencie spareth life from death,
When gastly Mors attacheth with sharpe dart
The onely thing dasht mind in quiet sleath,
From crueltie is free to haue the hart,
Sweete soule it makes most ioyfully depart,
A princely thing the yeeldeds life to spare
Most manly minde in victor doth declare:

On sheilds and pauish laied warely
Borne to Mortimer, plast on softned bed
My wounded hed vnarmed charely,
And salues applied to that which freshly bled,
In dolerous plight I laie, thus sore bested,
But in the space of fowr and twentie howers
Foorth flew my soule to faire Elisian bowers,

The English they lament my sodaine losse,
Some Frenchmen ioyed much at my mischaunce,
Because I woonted was with them to tosse
In warlike wise to their anoyaunce,
My fortunes fauors they thought abundaunce
Frends English loud, because in me they found
Bountie, valure, and vertue, to abound:

Foes French, feared from hence growed their hate:
Vile giddie fortune laugh vntill thou burst,
Triumph and ioy that thus thou gaues a mate
To me shewing hatefull spite at woorst,
Who trusts thy fauns is senceles, mad and curst,
Toling me on vnto my sharpe decay,
Setting my sun and closing vp my day:

106

At prosperous things thy leuell dost thou ame,
Proud though thou hast thus foild me in the feild,
No fretting time shall yet decay my name,
Thou strengthles art bright glory to ore weild,
But vertuous fame thy spite obscureth seild,
All mortall men be subiect to mishap
But cheefely those that sit in fortunes lap.

I Chandos felt the force of fortunes power
How fickle she, how soone she doth decay,
In greatest brauery me lesse then in an hower
She did confound, as here perceaue you may:
At Chauigney if I had made my stay,
What I desirde had come vnto my hand,
For Frenchmen had been taken and their band,

Or being come if that I had not slid,
And so receud my fatall deadly blo,
Or that my vysore closed downe had bid,
Or Percy had of my aduenture kno,
What do I here of ifs fond resons sho?
My dismall day my latest time was doon,
My oyle all spent, and hastie course out run:

My death bewaild mongst Lords and noble dames,
For that in me much noblenes they found,
Full many a knight my great misfortune blames
To whom my curtesie often did abound,
For my large fame about the world did sownd,
A batchelers life pursuing armes I liud,
In countries cause, that hastie death depriud:

What glorious praise deserues that woorthy wight,
Whose armd bodie as bulwark gainst the foe,
Dispising life in throngs of foes doth fight
For cuntries cause and sweetest sweet bestow?
Though bodies die, wide do their praises gro,
Seld well got honor sufferd is to die
But memorized liues perpetually.

107

I count not my past death vnfortunate
Because I was in my kings quarrell slaine,
But that when least I thought of fortunes mate
Alone I was brought to my finall baine:
Why God so would the reasons shewed I plaine,
Though like offence on earth God pardoneth,
Great dangers is of that still lasting death:

For though vile murtherer florish as a palme
Fast planted in faire Iordans meddows flore,
And goodlike daies passe foorth in pleasant calme,
And bended peoples knee him doth adore,
Great kingdome rules, from one toth other shore,
Yet douted is it that eternally
He is condemnd to hels perplexitie:

Wherefore good captains sprong of English race,
That faire atchiue makes Lords of life or death,
To yealded foe shew woonted English grace,
Before you kill do as olde prouerbe saith,
Talke, eate, drinke, sleepe, and often take your breath,
Ear you execute thing of importaunce,
Then seldome will ensue repentaunce:

Rare is the vertue hurt not to reharme,
Great fortitude offences to remit,
Shining glorie to strong conquering arme,
To sheath his sword, when ended fighting fit,
Which happie fames doth so togither knit
As wering age can neuer waste the same,
Pleasant musicke to sound mild victors name:

Armed knight true staie of commonwealth
Selfe gouerning in goodly temperaunce,
Conseruer of her cheefest states in health,
Good winner of her peacefull plesaunce,
For lawyer none could plead his ordinaunce,
Vnles thy armed bodie did defend
Him and the thing whereto his speech doth tend.

108

Departed life, the Prince my heire remaind
Vnto my goods, which great esteemed were
Foure hundred thousand Franks which I had gaind
In wars pursuit, of body I had no heire,
On expert knight King Edward loued deare
Sir Allain Bocquesels, who bare in shield of gold
A Lion blew that siluer fret did sold,

Saint Saluiours lands sir Godfrey Harcourts
Late, he bestowd: and sir Thomas Percie
My office had: and thus coy fortune sourts,
Some now aloft and then cast downe we see,
Thus gasing stages euer filled bee,
He was, he is, heis vp, and now heis downe,
He liues, he dies, here is, here was the towne.

Ah throughfare full of balefull miseries,
Hard passage couerd with sharp thretning rocks,
Vile toilsome life subiect to destinies,
Mad fools on stage whom flouting fortunes mocks,
Poore silly sheepe to slaughter led by flocks,
Drunke peeuish men, whom safties thought confound,
Dreaming they neuer shall consume in ground:

As silent night brings quiet pawse at last
To painfull trauels of forepassed day,
So closing death doth rest to labors cast,
Making of our toilfull worke a stay,
Thoughts, griefes, sad cares, are bandon then away,
In pomp and glory though braue daies we spend,
Yet happie none vntill be knowen his end.

FINIS.

William Wyrley.