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 |
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CAPITALL DE BVZ.
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 | The Trve Vse of Armorie |  |
109
CAPITALL DE BVZ.
THE HONORABLE LIFE AND LANGVISHING DEATH OF Sir Iohn de Gralhy Capitall de Bvz, one of the Knights elected by the first founder of the Garter into that noble order, And somtime one of the principall Gouernors of Guyen, Ancestor to the French King that now is.
Love is a thing that cannot be compeld,
Nor further wrested then his liking growes,
Not mines of wealth, nor honors glory weld,
Nor blandisment with hir faire pleasing shoes:
Not gastfull death, from which great horror growes:
Not lothd imprisonment, nor loue of libertie,
Nor sad conceits plungd in perplexitie.
Nor further wrested then his liking growes,
Not mines of wealth, nor honors glory weld,
Nor blandisment with hir faire pleasing shoes:
Not gastfull death, from which great horror growes:
Not lothd imprisonment, nor loue of libertie,
Nor sad conceits plungd in perplexitie.
The more you striue, the more you vainely striue,
Thinking to mooue a constant setled mind:
Such one as seeks not after gainfull thriue,
But firmely doth his thoughts to honor bind,
And troubles makes him faster for to twind,
Fast gaged band of loue, and scornes to liue,
More rather then the same he will vnriue.
Thinking to mooue a constant setled mind:
Such one as seeks not after gainfull thriue,
But firmely doth his thoughts to honor bind,
And troubles makes him faster for to twind,
Fast gaged band of loue, and scornes to liue,
More rather then the same he will vnriue.
Rather then that one iot of plighted truth,
Good valiant hart, will swerue from voud behest,
It suffer will, much woe and pining ruth,
With endles griefes, and torments ouer prest:
For true loue dwels but in a valiant brest:
Harboreth but, in high Heroique thought:
For cowards loue is fickle, light, and nought.
Good valiant hart, will swerue from voud behest,
It suffer will, much woe and pining ruth,
With endles griefes, and torments ouer prest:
For true loue dwels but in a valiant brest:
Harboreth but, in high Heroique thought:
For cowards loue is fickle, light, and nought.
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Record my selfe, a knight in Gascoine borne,
And to the house of Foix by wife allide,
Germaine Remond, from him fame did adorne,
With Phœbus surname for his wittie guide,
His honor, wealth, estate, were bruted wide,
For errant knights, such as braue Arms professe,
Right welcome these, strange knights his chiefest gesse.
And to the house of Foix by wife allide,
Germaine Remond, from him fame did adorne,
With Phœbus surname for his wittie guide,
His honor, wealth, estate, were bruted wide,
For errant knights, such as braue Arms professe,
Right welcome these, strange knights his chiefest gesse.
And vnder him I first gan Arms to wear,
Learnd faire to ride, and tame the raging steed,
To don my helme, and couch my thretning spear,
To brandish sword, to serue his maisters need,
That daring foe by these his end might reed:
To weld resisting shield, with gold bedight,
On sables crosse, fiue siluer scallops bright.
Learnd faire to ride, and tame the raging steed,
To don my helme, and couch my thretning spear,
To brandish sword, to serue his maisters need,
That daring foe by these his end might reed:
To weld resisting shield, with gold bedight,
On sables crosse, fiue siluer scallops bright.
The English partie strongly I maintaind,
And euer armd against the crowne of Fraunce:
Much honor, praise and noblenes I gaind,
Most highly me king Edward did aduaunce,
Deckt in his knightly Garter gay I praunce,
Mongst first elected, is my name enrold,
And euer went my valure vncontrold:
And euer armd against the crowne of Fraunce:
Much honor, praise and noblenes I gaind,
Most highly me king Edward did aduaunce,
Deckt in his knightly Garter gay I praunce,
Mongst first elected, is my name enrold,
And euer went my valure vncontrold:
At Poicters field, in battelous aray,
I raunged was among the hardie knights,
My shining pennon westing I display
Amid the throngs in thickest of the fights:
On whom soeuer my sad axe it lights,
Is either feld, or slaine, or prisoner bound,
So dealt I death, and many a dolefull wound.
I raunged was among the hardie knights,
My shining pennon westing I display
Amid the throngs in thickest of the fights:
On whom soeuer my sad axe it lights,
Is either feld, or slaine, or prisoner bound,
So dealt I death, and many a dolefull wound.
Sir Charls D'artoys, and many knights were tane,
By me and mine, that ransoms rich we gaine,
For through the presse I pressing made a lane,
Of ventring Arms delighted with the paine:
No trifling heere, nor leasure was to faine,
But fight, or die, or yeeld with foule reproofe,
Defend, assaile, for honor and behoofe.
By me and mine, that ransoms rich we gaine,
For through the presse I pressing made a lane,
Of ventring Arms delighted with the paine:
No trifling heere, nor leasure was to faine,
But fight, or die, or yeeld with foule reproofe,
Defend, assaile, for honor and behoofe.
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The battaile wone, our furie all was laid,
In such triumphant iolitie we groe,
That ech one thinks him selfe so well apaid,
As numbers of our captiues we let goe
On their gagd faiths, we trust them euen soe,
Word, and deed, deare Christian blood is saude,
The conquest ours, the thing we onely craud.
In such triumphant iolitie we groe,
That ech one thinks him selfe so well apaid,
As numbers of our captiues we let goe
On their gagd faiths, we trust them euen soe,
Word, and deed, deare Christian blood is saude,
The conquest ours, the thing we onely craud.
The noble mind nought but the conquest seeks:
And where the quarrels but for titles cause
Faire wars should be, not like reuenging Greeks,
Whom scattered blood, and fier made to pawse:
For as our God is iust in all his lawes,
Plagues the murtherous, and bloodthirstie mind,
With blood, for blood, as those fell Greeks did find.
And where the quarrels but for titles cause
Faire wars should be, not like reuenging Greeks,
Whom scattered blood, and fier made to pawse:
For as our God is iust in all his lawes,
Plagues the murtherous, and bloodthirstie mind,
With blood, for blood, as those fell Greeks did find.
I ouer passe the taking of King Iohn,
His yoongest son, and many a great estate,
The numbers slaine, of Erles, and Lords, ech one,
But fortune here, did yoong Lord Barckeley mate
Pursuing foe, with swift and speedie gate,
With courage stout: through too much courage lost,
His iorney did a Barons ransom cost.
His yoongest son, and many a great estate,
The numbers slaine, of Erles, and Lords, ech one,
But fortune here, did yoong Lord Barckeley mate
Pursuing foe, with swift and speedie gate,
With courage stout: through too much courage lost,
His iorney did a Barons ransom cost.
A squier he spide to void the field in hast,
Well mounted braue, he after him doth hie,
The French lookt backe, and was not much agast,
Though fine in Armes, the Lord he dight espie,
In field of gneuls, ten formed croslets bee,
Of siluer bright, a cheuron them betweene,
Full knightly Lord one might him easly deeme.
Well mounted braue, he after him doth hie,
The French lookt backe, and was not much agast,
Though fine in Armes, the Lord he dight espie,
In field of gneuls, ten formed croslets bee,
Of siluer bright, a cheuron them betweene,
Full knightly Lord one might him easly deeme.
This skilfull squier, a warie man at Armes
Practisde in fight, and heedy in his deed,
The Lord venterous, dreadles of all harms,
Fast spurring coms, as he that thought to speed,
But fortune him, a little faild at need,
Right poysent bloe he stroke, and haples mist,
For th'others checke hit right vpon his wrist.
Practisde in fight, and heedy in his deed,
The Lord venterous, dreadles of all harms,
Fast spurring coms, as he that thought to speed,
But fortune him, a little faild at need,
Right poysent bloe he stroke, and haples mist,
For th'others checke hit right vpon his wrist.
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Th'incountring stroke did force his sword to fall
Into the field: the Lord dismounted streight
As he no misaduenture could apall,
But as he stoupt, the squier by cunning sleight,
Picketh his sword, and pearst his thies with weight:
Iohn Helens light, the Lord his prisoner swore,
Drew out his sword, and from the field him bore.
Into the field: the Lord dismounted streight
As he no misaduenture could apall,
But as he stoupt, the squier by cunning sleight,
Picketh his sword, and pearst his thies with weight:
Iohn Helens light, the Lord his prisoner swore,
Drew out his sword, and from the field him bore.
Such doth of wars the rare aduentures fall,
Most sonst to loose when least we do mistrust.
Now was blacke prince so buissie t'order all
His great affairs, abstaine a space he must
From Armes, but I, left that mine Armour rust,
With cosen Foix to war in Pruce do wend,
Where Sarisines soules full fast to hell we send:
Most sonst to loose when least we do mistrust.
Now was blacke prince so buissie t'order all
His great affairs, abstaine a space he must
From Armes, but I, left that mine Armour rust,
With cosen Foix to war in Pruce do wend,
Where Sarisines soules full fast to hell we send:
Like Christian knights on miscreants we war:
High honor gaine, and home we ment returne,
But now in France was falne so foule a iar,
To heare the same ech honest eare would burne,
The pesant French, did at the gentle spurne,
No Scythian, nor lothd Parthian act
So monstrous euer, both for forme, and fact.
High honor gaine, and home we ment returne,
But now in France was falne so foule a iar,
To heare the same ech honest eare would burne,
The pesant French, did at the gentle spurne,
No Scythian, nor lothd Parthian act
So monstrous euer, both for forme, and fact.
This clownish rabble by troups assembled,
Vntill that they six thousand were increast,
They still increast, outragious waxed,
Neuer meaning, from mischiefe to haue ceast,
But practised, who should be likst a beast,
Of their bad horrible acts, one ile recite,
To shew the substance of their vile delight:
Vntill that they six thousand were increast,
They still increast, outragious waxed,
Neuer meaning, from mischiefe to haue ceast,
But practised, who should be likst a beast,
Of their bad horrible acts, one ile recite,
To shew the substance of their vile delight:
Within his house they tooke a woorthy knight,
And on a broch they thrust his murthered corse,
Then rosted him, in wife and childrens sight,
Now after twelue had rauisht hir perforse,
To eate the scorched flesh, without remorse,
Of hir deare Lord they did compell: then slew
Hir piteous selfe, that lothed life to vewe.
And on a broch they thrust his murthered corse,
Then rosted him, in wife and childrens sight,
Now after twelue had rauisht hir perforse,
To eate the scorched flesh, without remorse,
Of hir deare Lord they did compell: then slew
Hir piteous selfe, that lothed life to vewe.
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What cruell Atreus, might the like deuise?
What bloodie Progne, like torture could inuent?
Nor he, nor she, nor Diuell, I surmise
Might haue bethought more dierfull bad euent:
Or worken thing of more astonishment:
Most villanous doer of wicked thing,
Their hellish voice, make him their beastly king.
What bloodie Progne, like torture could inuent?
Nor he, nor she, nor Diuell, I surmise
Might haue bethought more dierfull bad euent:
Or worken thing of more astonishment:
Most villanous doer of wicked thing,
Their hellish voice, make him their beastly king.
At Chalons, occasion offered stay,
In our returne from Pruce, to enter Fraunce,
Of these helhounds, we heard the people say
How diuers Ladies, like were to mischaunce
In Meulx: for these dogbolt crewes aduaunce,
Thither enragd, with spoile, and rauishment,
Sad murther, cause of wofull pale lament:
In our returne from Pruce, to enter Fraunce,
Of these helhounds, we heard the people say
How diuers Ladies, like were to mischaunce
In Meulx: for these dogbolt crewes aduaunce,
Thither enragd, with spoile, and rauishment,
Sad murther, cause of wofull pale lament:
Which newes foorth told, the Earle and I accord,
To rescue them, or do our best deuoyre,
There once ariud: vs welcoms they afford
Most glad the Ladies of their present power:
Ioy makes their tears distill like siluer shower:
Faire Duches of Normandie,and Orleance,
With more, three hundred, all in like mischance.
To rescue them, or do our best deuoyre,
There once ariud: vs welcoms they afford
Most glad the Ladies of their present power:
Ioy makes their tears distill like siluer shower:
Faire Duches of Normandie,and Orleance,
With more, three hundred, all in like mischance.
Though I were English, yet tender pitie mooud
My melting hart, to fauor their distresse:
Twixt both the kings, peace for a space was prooud,
If not? what armed knight could haue done lesse,
Than to comfort chast Ladies comfortlesse,
Against such feends, sterne bent to rude vprore,
Nine thousand thought, yea som did number more:
My melting hart, to fauor their distresse:
Twixt both the kings, peace for a space was prooud,
If not? what armed knight could haue done lesse,
Than to comfort chast Ladies comfortlesse,
Against such feends, sterne bent to rude vprore,
Nine thousand thought, yea som did number more:
And to the gates of Meulx inragd they came,
Which opened were byth villains of the towne,
Full were the streets, with catiues void of shame,
With chilling fear, the Ladies swapped downe,
In deadly sownd, to heare ech rakehell clowne,
Yeall showting threts, which made our house to shiuer,
Compasd part with Marne, the gentle riuer.
Which opened were byth villains of the towne,
Full were the streets, with catiues void of shame,
With chilling fear, the Ladies swapped downe,
In deadly sownd, to heare ech rakehell clowne,
Yeall showting threts, which made our house to shiuer,
Compasd part with Marne, the gentle riuer.
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Against their rage our gates we open wide,
Wherin there stood in glorious arms so bright,
The Earle of Foix: and goodly armd beside,
Him stands the Duke of Orleance warly dight.
Their noble banners before them both they pight,
Foix bare gold, three pales of streaming blood.
Thother Fraunce: with faire large difference good.
Wherin there stood in glorious arms so bright,
The Earle of Foix: and goodly armd beside,
Him stands the Duke of Orleance warly dight.
Their noble banners before them both they pight,
Foix bare gold, three pales of streaming blood.
Thother Fraunce: with faire large difference good.
With thretning Axe in hand I was at hand,
And my disuelopt pennon me before,
Thus when these clowns perceiud vs fearles stand
Purposely Armd their filthie corps to gore,
As cewting Curs, trudge when the lions rore,
So hartlesse clowns, fled from our tried might,
Base clowns, base thoughts, and basely take their flight.
And my disuelopt pennon me before,
Thus when these clowns perceiud vs fearles stand
Purposely Armd their filthie corps to gore,
As cewting Curs, trudge when the lions rore,
So hartlesse clowns, fled from our tried might,
Base clowns, base thoughts, and basely take their flight.
We slew the beas till wearie conquering tooles
Were foule distaind with filthie rascald blood,
This dunghill broode, these brainsicke fuming fooles,
That furies rage, incensed raging wood,
Of their wild gore we make a gushing flood:
Of these base slaues, we seuen thousand slew,
Fetherd with fear, the rest fast nimbly flew.
Were foule distaind with filthie rascald blood,
This dunghill broode, these brainsicke fuming fooles,
That furies rage, incensed raging wood,
Of their wild gore we make a gushing flood:
Of these base slaues, we seuen thousand slew,
Fetherd with fear, the rest fast nimbly flew.
Lothing the slaughter of this rascald rout,
Cause chaffering townsmen taken had their part,
Bright flaming fier, we cast the towne about,
To teach them learne more ciuill kind of art,
The Ladies court vs, with freed willing hart,
High praises ring of this that we had wrought:
Clownish practise soon are to ending brought.
Cause chaffering townsmen taken had their part,
Bright flaming fier, we cast the towne about,
To teach them learne more ciuill kind of art,
The Ladies court vs, with freed willing hart,
High praises ring of this that we had wrought:
Clownish practise soon are to ending brought.
A speciall time for valure to be shone,
A rare aduenture for heroique spirits,
Heer was that boyling valure might be shone,
We ours extend and giue vs but our rights,
The clowns nine thousand, gatherd in our fights,
My cosen Foix and selfe, had threescore launce,
With them we did atchiue this happie chaunce.
A rare aduenture for heroique spirits,
Heer was that boyling valure might be shone,
We ours extend and giue vs but our rights,
The clowns nine thousand, gatherd in our fights,
My cosen Foix and selfe, had threescore launce,
With them we did atchiue this happie chaunce.
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In such a cause, for noble knight to die
And sacrifice himselfe for iust defence
Of Ladies truth: beleeue it suer will I,
Of mightie God he shall haue recompence,
And in some sort for other sins dispence,
Braue knight, chast Ladie, bound is to defend,
Chast dame, braue knight, in honor to attend.
And sacrifice himselfe for iust defence
Of Ladies truth: beleeue it suer will I,
Of mightie God he shall haue recompence,
And in some sort for other sins dispence,
Braue knight, chast Ladie, bound is to defend,
Chast dame, braue knight, in honor to attend.
Ech knight that clothes himselfe in burnisht steele
For Ladies truth and noble damsels right,
Least that reproch and bashfull shame he feele
Must hazard life, and enter dangerous fight,
As heer did we, Ioue abled much our might,
These rascald peasants like to mad dogs slaine,
With thanks rewards remercied was our paine.
For Ladies truth and noble damsels right,
Least that reproch and bashfull shame he feele
Must hazard life, and enter dangerous fight,
As heer did we, Ioue abled much our might,
These rascald peasants like to mad dogs slaine,
With thanks rewards remercied was our paine.
About this time from Parris safe was fled
By cunning sleight king Charls king of Nauare,
His buisnes slie so craftily he sped
Or that the busie regent were aware,
Spitefull defiance to him he doth declare,
And to the mightie realme in generall
The like, and then he ward vnto them all.
By cunning sleight king Charls king of Nauare,
His buisnes slie so craftily he sped
Or that the busie regent were aware,
Spitefull defiance to him he doth declare,
And to the mightie realme in generall
The like, and then he ward vnto them all.
His part I tooke with those of my retaine,
He frankly paid and we did freshly serue,
Stoutest Frenchmen we mightily constraine
For hunger many readie were to sterue,
The earth vntild, none did the vineyard carue.
We patisd all the countrie to and fro,
That no man durst without our pasport go.
He frankly paid and we did freshly serue,
Stoutest Frenchmen we mightily constraine
For hunger many readie were to sterue,
The earth vntild, none did the vineyard carue.
We patisd all the countrie to and fro,
That no man durst without our pasport go.
Thus of the fields and of the riuers Lords,
Faire castles, towns, we daily wan and tooke,
Vntill the Legate Cardnals set accords
Between the Regent, and the king, who tooke
His oth to be bon Francoys on a booke:
Before Melune, his brother Philip was,
All malecontent from thence he soon did pas.
Faire castles, towns, we daily wan and tooke,
Vntill the Legate Cardnals set accords
Between the Regent, and the king, who tooke
His oth to be bon Francoys on a booke:
Before Melune, his brother Philip was,
All malecontent from thence he soon did pas.
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Int Normandie he, and I to Cleremount,
For iarring wars were thundred openly
To Fraunce, for that they held not of account,
The treatise made in England sincerely,
In Beauesine, I warred right fiercely,
Till Edward king, safe past the raging streames,
Fully resolude to place his siege to Reames.
For iarring wars were thundred openly
To Fraunce, for that they held not of account,
The treatise made in England sincerely,
In Beauesine, I warred right fiercely,
Till Edward king, safe past the raging streames,
Fully resolude to place his siege to Reames.
For me he sent, I speedily obeyed,
Hauing wadge war to all the countrie round
And came in time, when as his siege he leayd,
To th'intended towne, and all the prochaine ground
We rifled, and toth siege brought what we found,
The countries neere, were growne so passing pore,
With thriftie hand, the creasing yearth none store.
Hauing wadge war to all the countrie round
And came in time, when as his siege he leayd,
To th'intended towne, and all the prochaine ground
We rifled, and toth siege brought what we found,
The countries neere, were growne so passing pore,
With thriftie hand, the creasing yearth none store.
From thence the king remoud to Aguylon,
Staid there the lent: for that an English squier
Had tane Flauigni, cald Iohn Dalison,
Wherein prouision was of great acquier,
With as good wine as need would well desier,
The squier was armed, all in trustie blew
A shining siluer scuchion faire to vew:
Staid there the lent: for that an English squier
Had tane Flauigni, cald Iohn Dalison,
Wherein prouision was of great acquier,
With as good wine as need would well desier,
The squier was armed, all in trustie blew
A shining siluer scuchion faire to vew:
From thence toward Parris, with consuming waste
No costly building from our wrathfulnes,
Ech thing almost, we turne vnto degaste,
Proud Frenchmens ioy we bring to balefulnes,
Their arbors spoile, and vineyards pittiles,
That fairest buildings, make we fowlest place,
And goodliest worke, we batter, breake and race:
No costly building from our wrathfulnes,
Ech thing almost, we turne vnto degaste,
Proud Frenchmens ioy we bring to balefulnes,
Their arbors spoile, and vineyards pittiles,
That fairest buildings, make we fowlest place,
And goodliest worke, we batter, breake and race:
Neere to the citie when the king was plast,
Commands a Herauld to him speedilie:
Toth regent Charls, he said depart in hast,
And shew him here is staid his enimie,
That much desiers him and his knights to see,
In warding arms, as noble knighthood should
Defend his countrie by his courage bould:
Commands a Herauld to him speedilie:
Toth regent Charls, he said depart in hast,
And shew him here is staid his enimie,
That much desiers him and his knights to see,
In warding arms, as noble knighthood should
Defend his countrie by his courage bould:
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This messenger performs commanded charge,
But Charls in battaile so to trie ne ment:
Some noble Lords hearing this message large,
To issue out, for fight were fully bent:
But th'regent staid them dreading detriment:
For by experience had he learned late
In pitched feilds that little good he gate.
But Charls in battaile so to trie ne ment:
Some noble Lords hearing this message large,
To issue out, for fight were fully bent:
But th'regent staid them dreading detriment:
For by experience had he learned late
In pitched feilds that little good he gate.
Sir Walter Mannie toth barriers went,
Conducting fresh yoong knights new made before,
Full of proud courage, through new aduancement:
Fierce was the fraie, and many wounded sore,
In Parris were of prooued knights good store.
When time he spide faire backe his fighters drue,
Full soberlike rash perils to eschue:
Conducting fresh yoong knights new made before,
Full of proud courage, through new aduancement:
Fierce was the fraie, and many wounded sore,
In Parris were of prooued knights good store.
When time he spide faire backe his fighters drue,
Full soberlike rash perils to eschue:
Like aged Pylote tride in many a flawe,
High towering fleet hath in charge to guide,
Leads foorth by counsaile, and sad sober sawe,
Aduising turne of winde, and change of tide,
Sholes, sands, and rocks, that vnder water bide,
Performes his voyage, by his warie heed
Such at Parris prooued Lord Mannies deed:
High towering fleet hath in charge to guide,
Leads foorth by counsaile, and sad sober sawe,
Aduising turne of winde, and change of tide,
Sholes, sands, and rocks, that vnder water bide,
Performes his voyage, by his warie heed
Such at Parris prooued Lord Mannies deed:
The king remooud: most surely I thought,
And counsaile tooke with fixe of my accord,
That gaie yoong knights such as aduentures sought,
Whereof in Parris numbers great there hord,
Some issue after vs they would afford,
This thought of mine, did come to good effect,
The French do sallie as I did suspect:
And counsaile tooke with fixe of my accord,
That gaie yoong knights such as aduentures sought,
Whereof in Parris numbers great there hord,
Some issue after vs they would afford,
This thought of mine, did come to good effect,
The French do sallie as I did suspect:
A valiant troupe that prowesse tride professe
On stamping coursers properlie prepard,
Careles come on, some hoping to conuince,
That scatter should from out their battaild ward,
Or whom t'incounter nought at all they card,
They past, the busment, we had closely laid,
They past, we glad, and little time we staid:
On stamping coursers properlie prepard,
Careles come on, some hoping to conuince,
That scatter should from out their battaild ward,
Or whom t'incounter nought at all they card,
They past, the busment, we had closely laid,
They past, we glad, and little time we staid:
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Three Gascoins we, three English were the rest,
Lord Moubrey armed in desierous red,
A siluer Lion ramping reddie prest
To raise his foe: Lord Neuill forward sped,
In glistering Armes most goodly clothed,
In guelie shield he siluer saltier bare,
Stout Pounchardon we fix the Christains were:
Lord Moubrey armed in desierous red,
A siluer Lion ramping reddie prest
To raise his foe: Lord Neuill forward sped,
In glistering Armes most goodly clothed,
In guelie shield he siluer saltier bare,
Stout Pounchardon we fix the Christains were:
Of this attempt: two hundred we command,
In ruinous house sequestred from the way,
We ambuscade, where one might well haue paund
His life, no foes would there haue made astay,
With bustling noise, we bustle to the fray,
Like furious tempest foorth we rushen fast,
The French lookt backe amased at our hast:
In ruinous house sequestred from the way,
We ambuscade, where one might well haue paund
His life, no foes would there haue made astay,
With bustling noise, we bustle to the fray,
Like furious tempest foorth we rushen fast,
The French lookt backe amased at our hast:
With wonderment from whence we issue could,
Turning their reains our fury to withstand,
Strongly our points ariue with courage bould,
Ech against foe direct with leueld hand,
That from their seats some tumbled to the land,
Some horse and man, reuersed ouer quite,
So fell enragd, so strongly some do smite:
Turning their reains our fury to withstand,
Strongly our points ariue with courage bould,
Ech against foe direct with leueld hand,
That from their seats some tumbled to the land,
Some horse and man, reuersed ouer quite,
So fell enragd, so strongly some do smite:
When as we had our course with courage run,
Ech drew his sword, where many a proper feat
And practise of faire Armes was brauely dun,
Sometimes it seemd, the Frenchmen had the bet,
And straight againe it seemd that we did get,
Of all our coast I wan the soueraine praise,
With Lord Compreney on the French it staies.
Ech drew his sword, where many a proper feat
And practise of faire Armes was brauely dun,
Sometimes it seemd, the Frenchmen had the bet,
And straight againe it seemd that we did get,
Of all our coast I wan the soueraine praise,
With Lord Compreney on the French it staies.
Who noblie fought vnder his banner faire,
A Beucle red in siluer plast betweene
Six martlets blacke: slaine he that did it beare,
The Lord himselfe was taken on the greene,
And all these troups are now disparted cleene,
The most there dide, some into Parris ran,
Or else they had been taken euery man:
A Beucle red in siluer plast betweene
Six martlets blacke: slaine he that did it beare,
The Lord himselfe was taken on the greene,
And all these troups are now disparted cleene,
The most there dide, some into Parris ran,
Or else they had been taken euery man:
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Valiant harts whose thoughts to honor bend
Sleepe not in rest, but daily do deuise
New matters and strange accidents to send,
Their praises foorth in golden sounding wise:
Whilst sluggish knight, in sloth and slumber lies,
Vnwoorthie arms, who doth not vse the same,
Foule wight that brings fair honors marks to shame.
Sleepe not in rest, but daily do deuise
New matters and strange accidents to send,
Their praises foorth in golden sounding wise:
Whilst sluggish knight, in sloth and slumber lies,
Vnwoorthie arms, who doth not vse the same,
Foule wight that brings fair honors marks to shame.
What booteth it of Gentries brag to boast,
What vaileth it, old ensignes foorth to show
To tell how grandsiers whon in many a coast,
When we our selues no warlike practise trow?
But rest our selues with this old idle know,
Our shields the signes of Antique moniments
We maken babish lothly instruments.
What vaileth it, old ensignes foorth to show
To tell how grandsiers whon in many a coast,
When we our selues no warlike practise trow?
But rest our selues with this old idle know,
Our shields the signes of Antique moniments
We maken babish lothly instruments.
Well when we had our buisnes brought to passe,
And in good couenant all our prisoners bound,
We marcht where as the king of England was,
Our welcoms do with hattie praise abound,
Prisoners vs their maisters courteous found,
Foorth on we hold, vntill that peace was toke
At Charters, and our Armie vp it broke.
And in good couenant all our prisoners bound,
We marcht where as the king of England was,
Our welcoms do with hattie praise abound,
Prisoners vs their maisters courteous found,
Foorth on we hold, vntill that peace was toke
At Charters, and our Armie vp it broke.
Our king this Charter in October gaue
At Callis on the fowr and twentith day,
After the virgins sonne was come to saue
All mankind lost and wandred far astray,
One thousand, three hundred, threescore I reckon may:
Now on the king, int' England I attend,
Where good intreatie much I might commend.
At Callis on the fowr and twentith day,
After the virgins sonne was come to saue
All mankind lost and wandred far astray,
One thousand, three hundred, threescore I reckon may:
Now on the king, int' England I attend,
Where good intreatie much I might commend.
Yet staid not long, but into Bearne I sped
To Ortoys, where I found the Earle of Foys:
Letters I receiud and speedily red,
From Naueroys king, who gladly did reioise,
For wide it bruted was by common voice,
That Iohn of Fraunce, was now in England ded,
And he thought long till Fraunce he harrowed.
To Ortoys, where I found the Earle of Foys:
Letters I receiud and speedily red,
From Naueroys king, who gladly did reioise,
For wide it bruted was by common voice,
That Iohn of Fraunce, was now in England ded,
And he thought long till Fraunce he harrowed.
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Sendeth for me, as chiefetaine to attend
His wars, by guidment of my prooued skill:
To his intreatie soone I condescend,
Requesting other knights vnto my will,
Imbarkt, and wind so well our sailes doth fill,
As safe at Cherbroke we descend to shore,
Men at arms and soldiers twentie score:
His wars, by guidment of my prooued skill:
To his intreatie soone I condescend,
Requesting other knights vnto my will,
Imbarkt, and wind so well our sailes doth fill,
As safe at Cherbroke we descend to shore,
Men at arms and soldiers twentie score:
Breathing life toth melancolious thought,
Of this sad king: because he late had lost
Maunt, and Meulanc, both byth treason sought
Of Bouciquall, and Glesquins brittish host,
T'haue sweete reuenge he spare would for no cost,
Right glad was I that th'youthfull Regent,
Should haue some newes against his corwnment:
Of this sad king: because he late had lost
Maunt, and Meulanc, both byth treason sought
Of Bouciquall, and Glesquins brittish host,
T'haue sweete reuenge he spare would for no cost,
Right glad was I that th'youthfull Regent,
Should haue some newes against his corwnment:
At Eureux then I made my chiefe amasse,
And found I had full seauen hundred speares,
Three hundred archers: fiue hundred there was
Of brigands: to hus most willingly appeares,
Captaines companions not dreading future feares,
But he that brought greats numbers to our aide,
Of armed heds, for enterprise araide
And found I had full seauen hundred speares,
Three hundred archers: fiue hundred there was
Of brigands: to hus most willingly appeares,
Captaines companions not dreading future feares,
But he that brought greats numbers to our aide,
Of armed heds, for enterprise araide
Was sir Iohn Ionel, a valiant English knight,
And sir Iames Planchine with him did resort:
Against our foes we strong and freshlie dight,
For our delights consist in warlike sport:
With courage good we march foorth in effort,
T'incounter foe, is plast our whole intent,
Much wishing triall of his hardiment.
And sir Iames Planchine with him did resort:
Against our foes we strong and freshlie dight,
For our delights consist in warlike sport:
With courage good we march foorth in effort,
T'incounter foe, is plast our whole intent,
Much wishing triall of his hardiment.
To Passie ward, and to the brig of Tharch,
We drew: casting the warie Frenchmen would
The riuer of Sene ore passe at that same arch:
Pretended iorney if they onward hould,
Transierd they were, as it was to me tould,
For as we rode the twesday in Whitson weeke
I met a Herauld (who well for me did seeke)
We drew: casting the warie Frenchmen would
The riuer of Sene ore passe at that same arch:
Pretended iorney if they onward hould,
Transierd they were, as it was to me tould,
For as we rode the twesday in Whitson weeke
I met a Herauld (who well for me did seeke)
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Surnamed Faulcon: I knew him passing well,
For he toth king of England doth pertaine,
In haste I asked if he could foorth tell
Newes of the French? faire I him entertaine,
He answere framd, in reuerent sort againe:
I came my Lord from where they do abide
Expecting your approching at this tide.
For he toth king of England doth pertaine,
In haste I asked if he could foorth tell
Newes of the French? faire I him entertaine,
He answere framd, in reuerent sort againe:
I came my Lord from where they do abide
Expecting your approching at this tide.
What haue they past the riuer yea or no?
On this same side they rest (he doth replie)
Neere vnto Passie, they do abide I tro.
What numbers and what captains to discrie
I will him, and then plainly sheweth he
Fifteene hundred of fighting men they were,
That Bertram Glesquine cheefest rule did beare.
On this same side they rest (he doth replie)
Neere vnto Passie, they do abide I tro.
What numbers and what captains to discrie
I will him, and then plainly sheweth he
Fifteene hundred of fighting men they were,
That Bertram Glesquine cheefest rule did beare.
Lord Aucer was, and Vicount Beumont there:
Maister ofth crosbowes: Lord Chalon: and Beweu:
Tharchpriest: and sir Edward Remie were:
These French and Brittons there my selfe did vewe:
Of your owne countrie some knights I also knewe,
There is the Lord Dalbreth his companie,
Properly armd a valiant meanie.
Maister ofth crosbowes: Lord Chalon: and Beweu:
Tharchpriest: and sir Edward Remie were:
These French and Brittons there my selfe did vewe:
Of your owne countrie some knights I also knewe,
There is the Lord Dalbreth his companie,
Properly armd a valiant meanie.
Sir Aymone of Pomiers: the soldich
Lord of Lestrayt: then gan I angerly
To waxen red, and much in minde I wish
Reuenge to those I hard so busely,
Though frends to seeke me as an enimy:
For Dalbreth selfe I aske, and he replide
With Charls the Regent now he doth abide,
Lord of Lestrayt: then gan I angerly
To waxen red, and much in minde I wish
Reuenge to those I hard so busely,
Though frends to seeke me as an enimy:
For Dalbreth selfe I aske, and he replide
With Charls the Regent now he doth abide,
Who sunday next to Reams t'be crownd is led,
And after that I studied had a space
I laid my hand vpon my buissie hed,
Be there (quoth I) such Gascoyne Lords in place?
Yes suer he said: I tooke it in disgrace,
Gascoyne thus, gainst Gascoyne, then I swore
By that same cap that saint Anthony wore.
And after that I studied had a space
I laid my hand vpon my buissie hed,
Be there (quoth I) such Gascoyne Lords in place?
Yes suer he said: I tooke it in disgrace,
Gascoyne thus, gainst Gascoyne, then I swore
By that same cap that saint Anthony wore.
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My Lord (said Faulcon) a herauld by doth stay
From tharchpriest sent of message vnto you:
That herauld French let pack him hence away,
For not at all my person shall he vewe,
Tharchpriest his master is a knight vntrew,
Then sir Iohn Ionell, wild he should be brought,
But I said no, his message is for nought,
From tharchpriest sent of message vnto you:
That herauld French let pack him hence away,
For not at all my person shall he vewe,
Tharchpriest his master is a knight vntrew,
Then sir Iohn Ionell, wild he should be brought,
But I said no, his message is for nought,
His master faine our dealing would descrie,
And for no other would he hither come,
I angle, and prate, he would so many a lie,
That paine it were to heare him part or some,
When Faulcon thus had hard my settled dome,
He went whereas the herauld French doth staie,
Faire answer gaue the other went his waie,
And for no other would he hither come,
I angle, and prate, he would so many a lie,
That paine it were to heare him part or some,
When Faulcon thus had hard my settled dome,
He went whereas the herauld French doth staie,
Faire answer gaue the other went his waie,
For otherwise then I in choler spake,
This modest herauld smoothly me excusd
In peacefull maner he the best did make,
As one that strife and discord flat refusd,
Peace, meeknes, loue, his cjuill hart had vsd,
For rancor, malice, pale enuie, and wrong,
Vnto no heraulds office doth belong,
This modest herauld smoothly me excusd
In peacefull maner he the best did make,
As one that strife and discord flat refusd,
Peace, meeknes, loue, his cjuill hart had vsd,
For rancor, malice, pale enuie, and wrong,
Vnto no heraulds office doth belong,
Throughly waieng euery thing at large,
Being buisnes of so great a substance,
As valiant foes as welden sheild or targe
Were named, and of as good approuance,
That thus gainst me were come in ordnance,
To praise the foes, doth honors owne aduance,
What seuer is theuent of battailes chaunce:
Being buisnes of so great a substance,
As valiant foes as welden sheild or targe
Were named, and of as good approuance,
That thus gainst me were come in ordnance,
To praise the foes, doth honors owne aduance,
What seuer is theuent of battailes chaunce:
If one reproch his foe of cowardise,
And with base words him greatly doth defame,
Afterwards doth of hoped purpose misse,
Being ouerthrowne: much to his owne shame
Hath he foorth told: foes honorable name
Doth conquest make right great and glorious,
And abiect triumphs more lesser famous.
And with base words him greatly doth defame,
Afterwards doth of hoped purpose misse,
Being ouerthrowne: much to his owne shame
Hath he foorth told: foes honorable name
Doth conquest make right great and glorious,
And abiect triumphs more lesser famous.
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Who can assure himselfe of victorie,
That is but flesh and blood as others are?
Then foule is it, and too great infamie,
The basenes of the foe for to declare,
Which often hurts owne selfe at vnaware:
Mean conquest is it, base rascolds to subdue,
Vnto the foe giue then faire praises due.
That is but flesh and blood as others are?
Then foule is it, and too great infamie,
The basenes of the foe for to declare,
Which often hurts owne selfe at vnaware:
Mean conquest is it, base rascolds to subdue,
Vnto the foe giue then faire praises due.
Thus both we parties of ech other hard
By both these heraulds: presently I sent
To Eureux, shewing the captain how I fard,
Willing him all such to fight that ment,
To send them foorth to me incontinent,
Which if performd, I then do vow to fight
With these French troupes attain them if I might.
By both these heraulds: presently I sent
To Eureux, shewing the captain how I fard,
Willing him all such to fight that ment,
To send them foorth to me incontinent,
Which if performd, I then do vow to fight
With these French troupes attain them if I might.
Directed by this heraulds warie guide,
It hapned that the four and twentith day
In pleasants month of all faire Vernas pride,
To Chocherell ward we light into the way,
Where we behold foemats provd display,
So many banners wefting in the aire,
They seemed twise the number that they were.
It hapned that the four and twentith day
In pleasants month of all faire Vernas pride,
To Chocherell ward we light into the way,
Where we behold foemats provd display,
So many banners wefting in the aire,
They seemed twise the number that they were.
Whose glistering marks when as I do behold,
And many knew whom faithfull friends I thought,
I thought gainst me they neuer raise them would,
As great a matter percing coine hath wrought,
My countrimen should no such gaine haue sought,
And leagmen to one king and soueraine,
But kingly rule no louing harts doth gaine:
And many knew whom faithfull friends I thought,
I thought gainst me they neuer raise them would,
As great a matter percing coine hath wrought,
My countrimen should no such gaine haue sought,
And leagmen to one king and soueraine,
But kingly rule no louing harts doth gaine:
They made three battels and a reregard,
The first had Glesquine, and his Brittons bold,
The Earle of Aucer ruld the second ward,
Th'archpriest did their tertian battell hold,
The Gascoins held the rergard that I told,
Led by Pomiers, the souldish, and Curtone,
Perducas Dalbreth, my neighbors euerie one.
The first had Glesquine, and his Brittons bold,
The Earle of Aucer ruld the second ward,
Th'archpriest did their tertian battell hold,
The Gascoins held the rergard that I told,
Led by Pomiers, the souldish, and Curtone,
Perducas Dalbreth, my neighbors euerie one.
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When as they busie were in marshalling,
Themselues to fight within the meddowes faire,
On Itons banks, which doth neere Couches spring,
Shoring a hill, we plainly do appeer
By a little wood, and to our enimies neere,
Into the which our boies, and carriage went,
Lest in the fight they suffer detriment.
Themselues to fight within the meddowes faire,
On Itons banks, which doth neere Couches spring,
Shoring a hill, we plainly do appeer
By a little wood, and to our enimies neere,
Into the which our boies, and carriage went,
Lest in the fight they suffer detriment.
We egal battails gainst our foes ordaine,
Except a reregard, and with his English crew
Sir Iohn Ionell our first did well deraine:
The second rightly plast in order dew
I ruld my selfe: the third as faire to vew
The Marnel held: my banner high was pight
Vpon a bush appeering plaine in sight,
Except a reregard, and with his English crew
Sir Iohn Ionell our first did well deraine:
The second rightly plast in order dew
I ruld my selfe: the third as faire to vew
The Marnel held: my banner high was pight
Vpon a bush appeering plaine in sight,
That if our men were scattered in the fray
Thither they might as time would serue retier,
Twice twentie men, about mine ensigne stay
It to defend and honor to acquier,
Thus how to win I plast my whole desier,
And vantage tooke ofth' hill for more auaile,
Purposd to let my enimies me assaile:
Thither they might as time would serue retier,
Twice twentie men, about mine ensigne stay
It to defend and honor to acquier,
Thus how to win I plast my whole desier,
And vantage tooke ofth' hill for more auaile,
Purposd to let my enimies me assaile:
Which they perceiuing drew to counsaile all,
Many of them that day had eate no meat,
Thinking betimes to fight which I did stall,
Some thirstie were, nigh sweltred with the heat,
Some scorcht almost, and choked with their sweate,
Some presently would fight without delay,
The wiser some that thing would flat denay:
Many of them that day had eate no meat,
Thinking betimes to fight which I did stall,
Some thirstie were, nigh sweltred with the heat,
Some scorcht almost, and choked with their sweate,
Some presently would fight without delay,
The wiser some that thing would flat denay:
Of weightie affairs as thus they hould debate,
And counsailes hard, and verdits too and fro,
The Gascoyns who perused well my state,
Taught by triall, my dealing for to kno,
Said, Lords aduise, ear forward that yee go,
A better knight, found is there in no land,
Then is the Captall for to lead a band.
And counsailes hard, and verdits too and fro,
The Gascoyns who perused well my state,
Taught by triall, my dealing for to kno,
Said, Lords aduise, ear forward that yee go,
A better knight, found is there in no land,
Then is the Captall for to lead a band.
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First do ordaine some men of armes t'assaile
Those that his banner haue in charge to gard,
Much heedie care in this for to preuaile,
Then thirtie of the best that may be spard
Mounted well, and so to take regard
For nothing else, but suerly to aduise
To take the Captall prisoner for a prise,
Those that his banner haue in charge to gard,
Much heedie care in this for to preuaile,
Then thirtie of the best that may be spard
Mounted well, and so to take regard
For nothing else, but suerly to aduise
To take the Captall prisoner for a prise,
And carrie him straight from out the field amaine,
For otherwise, so long as he may bide
To win the same it will be passing paine,
The Captall is a knight so nobly tride,
But of his men when his surprise is spide,
They sodenly will so discomfort be,
As ours you shall the iorney present see.
For otherwise, so long as he may bide
To win the same it will be passing paine,
The Captall is a knight so nobly tride,
But of his men when his surprise is spide,
They sodenly will so discomfort be,
As ours you shall the iorney present see.
Beshrew his hart that there did praise me so,
For by his counsaile was I ouertane,
And for that I mine enimies wise do kno
And heedy were, to bring me to my bane,
I held the hill, which made them nothing faine,
For by no art, or policie they could
Me there assaild, vnlesse be lost they would.
For by his counsaile was I ouertane,
And for that I mine enimies wise do kno
And heedy were, to bring me to my bane,
I held the hill, which made them nothing faine,
For by no art, or policie they could
Me there assaild, vnlesse be lost they would.
When they perceiud me plast in such a strength,
New counsaile then these gallants new deuise,
Ech thing well waid, they all accord at length
That me t'attempt they might be thought vnwise,
High mounting Phœbus blasing, hotly fries,
Some of them faint, and neither bread nor wine,
Nor no auitaile had they for to dine.
New counsaile then these gallants new deuise,
Ech thing well waid, they all accord at length
That me t'attempt they might be thought vnwise,
High mounting Phœbus blasing, hotly fries,
Some of them faint, and neither bread nor wine,
Nor no auitaile had they for to dine.
Good policie it oft is to refuse,
And warie deale when foes strong numbers beene,
Sir Bertram slie, our doings doth peruse,
Which smally pleasing were to him I weene,
And then he said, Lords, I do suerlie deeme,
If we make shoe back ore the brig t'retier,
Our foes will soone descend in great desier,
And warie deale when foes strong numbers beene,
Sir Bertram slie, our doings doth peruse,
Which smally pleasing were to him I weene,
And then he said, Lords, I do suerlie deeme,
If we make shoe back ore the brig t'retier,
Our foes will soone descend in great desier,
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And thinke wele flie, then round vpon the plaine,
We may returne, in order duly pight
With wishing courage set on them amaine,
Obseruing former constitutions right,
This counsell liked was of euery knight,
They execute, which when I do espie
Fine cunning working easly I descrie.
We may returne, in order duly pight
With wishing courage set on them amaine,
Obseruing former constitutions right,
This counsell liked was of euery knight,
They execute, which when I do espie
Fine cunning working easly I descrie.
But sir Iohn Ionel, hastily to me said,
Sir see you not how yonder Frenchmen flee?
Yes sure quoth I, their doings I haue waid,
They thinke to vs no good I easly see,
But tole vs from the strength wherin we bee,
Suddenly back vnto his men he hide
And fight he would whatseuer should betide:
Sir see you not how yonder Frenchmen flee?
Yes sure quoth I, their doings I haue waid,
They thinke to vs no good I easly see,
But tole vs from the strength wherin we bee,
Suddenly back vnto his men he hide
And fight he would whatseuer should betide:
And boldly spake such as my person loue
Rest not behind: with battelous glaue in fist
He forward floong: but when I saw him moue,
Of great presumption that deed I tooke and wist
The knight too far the enimies meaning mist,
I frowning said he fights not without me,
Our foes in order swiftly turned be.
Rest not behind: with battelous glaue in fist
He forward floong: but when I saw him moue,
Of great presumption that deed I tooke and wist
The knight too far the enimies meaning mist,
I frowning said he fights not without me,
Our foes in order swiftly turned be.
This English knight right brauely dealt his blowes
Amongst the Brittons with couragious stower,
With mightie force he many ouerthrowes,
In haste I came to aid him with my power,
At first our foes do find their turning sower:
Saint George we cride, our Ladie Glesquine they,
So fell and bitter gan this mortall frey:
Amongst the Brittons with couragious stower,
With mightie force he many ouerthrowes,
In haste I came to aid him with my power,
At first our foes do find their turning sower:
Saint George we cride, our Ladie Glesquine they,
So fell and bitter gan this mortall frey:
Now when the battels strong assembled were,
Th'arch priest streight departed from the field,
Willing his men his banner on to bere,
And crie his cries, as if his place he held,
Gainst me himselfe his Arms would neuer weld,
He promise kept, well made to me before,
For which of treasons some accusd him sore.
Th'arch priest streight departed from the field,
Willing his men his banner on to bere,
And crie his cries, as if his place he held,
Gainst me himselfe his Arms would neuer weld,
He promise kept, well made to me before,
For which of treasons some accusd him sore.
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Sir Iohn Ionel who first this fray began,
Payed for rashnes at too high a rate,
Mad furie that confoundest euery man,
Who wisdome wants thy raging to abate,
Doth oft too soone his error find too late,
When strength, and blood, and life, and all is lost,
Purchast too deare the wit that so much cost.
Payed for rashnes at too high a rate,
Mad furie that confoundest euery man,
Who wisdome wants thy raging to abate,
Doth oft too soone his error find too late,
When strength, and blood, and life, and all is lost,
Purchast too deare the wit that so much cost.
Who wars doth vse must nought at all be greeud
To haue the worse, or conquerd be in field,
For he that triumphs most of all atcheeud,
Hath eftsoons lost his strong resisting shield,
Vnconstant fortune is constant very sield,
Losse is no shame, nor to be lesse then foe,
As selfe esteemes ech man is euen soe,
To haue the worse, or conquerd be in field,
For he that triumphs most of all atcheeud,
Hath eftsoons lost his strong resisting shield,
Vnconstant fortune is constant very sield,
Losse is no shame, nor to be lesse then foe,
As selfe esteemes ech man is euen soe,
This hardy knight sore wounded was and dide,
Who had before delt thundring strokes amaine,
Lord Beumont French among the dead doth bide,
Sir Baldwine Danekine here likewise slaine:
They bought it deare before the place they gaine:
My ventrous men stroue with commended pride
Presuming victory would with them abide,
Who had before delt thundring strokes amaine,
Lord Beumont French among the dead doth bide,
Sir Baldwine Danekine here likewise slaine:
They bought it deare before the place they gaine:
My ventrous men stroue with commended pride
Presuming victory would with them abide,
Th'instructed thirtie, found me where I deale
So huge and mightie bloes, as that no plate,
No hardned steele, no quilt, nor warped meale
Could make resist, but yeelded open gate
To my sharpe axe, my bloes so heuie sate,
But here these thirtie sease me in the fray,
And by fine force they bear me thence away.
So huge and mightie bloes, as that no plate,
No hardned steele, no quilt, nor warped meale
Could make resist, but yeelded open gate
To my sharpe axe, my bloes so heuie sate,
But here these thirtie sease me in the fray,
And by fine force they bear me thence away.
Fast to the rescue crie my friends apace,
When they perceud me rauisht in this wise,
Much broyling there, much foyning for a space,
Forth' rescue some, and some to saue their prise,
But foes preuaile as earst they did deuise,
To Vernon then I was transport in hast,
And there in saftie strong and suerly plast:
When they perceud me rauisht in this wise,
Much broyling there, much foyning for a space,
Forth' rescue some, and some to saue their prise,
But foes preuaile as earst they did deuise,
To Vernon then I was transport in hast,
And there in saftie strong and suerly plast:
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As much respect they tooke to win the field,
Such heedie care was had lest I were slaine,
The noble mind with murther very seld
His fame and estimation will distaine,
His foe may liue and ransome yeeld againe,
To saue when one may slay an enimie
Is chiefest vertue praisd in cheualrie.
Such heedie care was had lest I were slaine,
The noble mind with murther very seld
His fame and estimation will distaine,
His foe may liue and ransome yeeld againe,
To saue when one may slay an enimie
Is chiefest vertue praisd in cheualrie.
From Vernon t'Parris with ioy I was conueid,
Where tharchpriest of the king is fouly blamde
For his depart, but all the matter weid
Although the Lords of Fraunce him much defamde,
Yet holpe I much t'excuse him badly namde,
The matter furthered for that he lately had,
In Burgoyne slaine foure hundred robbers bad:
Where tharchpriest of the king is fouly blamde
For his depart, but all the matter weid
Although the Lords of Fraunce him much defamde,
Yet holpe I much t'excuse him badly namde,
The matter furthered for that he lately had,
In Burgoyne slaine foure hundred robbers bad:
What harme tooke I through much mistrustfulnes
Toward him that did my faithfull friend remaine,
Calling his truth in question questionles,
That faire my fauor sought to entertaine,
His carefull message flatly I disdaine,
Preiudicating his intendiment
Was for to worke me some foule bad euent,
Toward him that did my faithfull friend remaine,
Calling his truth in question questionles,
That faire my fauor sought to entertaine,
His carefull message flatly I disdaine,
Preiudicating his intendiment
Was for to worke me some foule bad euent,
Yet time discouered his fidelitie,
And my outragious rash mistrusting
Great mischiefe bred through wicked ielousie,
Of frendly honest thoughts: often working
The minde from truth, by bad misdeeming,
The friend suspected without giuing cause,
Is breach sometime of truest trueloues lause.
And my outragious rash mistrusting
Great mischiefe bred through wicked ielousie,
Of frendly honest thoughts: often working
The minde from truth, by bad misdeeming,
The friend suspected without giuing cause,
Is breach sometime of truest trueloues lause.
Tharchpriest he sent vnto me for my good,
But I refused to heare his message,
Being distempered in my cholericke moode,
Which bare the rule then vnto my dommage,
Reason I taste the follie of my rage,
Yet now we talked at Parris being,
And good leasure had of cold agreeing:
But I refused to heare his message,
Being distempered in my cholericke moode,
Which bare the rule then vnto my dommage,
Reason I taste the follie of my rage,
Yet now we talked at Parris being,
And good leasure had of cold agreeing:
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For by the meanes of Lord Dalbreth I went,
About the citie where I pleased best,
The coward Charls so cruellie was bent,
Against Lord Saqueuile, with me distrest
As he cut off his noble cheefest crest:
Lord Ganuile, at that present time had dide
But that his sonne a meane did well prouide.
About the citie where I pleased best,
The coward Charls so cruellie was bent,
Against Lord Saqueuile, with me distrest
As he cut off his noble cheefest crest:
Lord Ganuile, at that present time had dide
But that his sonne a meane did well prouide.
Who notice gaue vnto this king of Fraunce
That if he vsd t'is father any tort,
Or that he died reprocht with sad mischaunce,
The Lord Lauall, a man of great resort
His prisoner now would vse in equall sort,
By this braue deed this noble sonne did saue
His fathers life they sought for to depraue:
That if he vsd t'is father any tort,
Or that he died reprocht with sad mischaunce,
The Lord Lauall, a man of great resort
His prisoner now would vse in equall sort,
By this braue deed this noble sonne did saue
His fathers life they sought for to depraue:
Renowmed act well woorthie woorthie sonne,
For parents life to hazard life and all,
Careles striuing, owne selfe to be vndon
Rather then suffer so his fathers fall,
No danger strange he danger ought to call,
That sonne, or friend, desireth to be namd,
Suffering father, friend, by death defamd,
For parents life to hazard life and all,
Careles striuing, owne selfe to be vndon
Rather then suffer so his fathers fall,
No danger strange he danger ought to call,
That sonne, or friend, desireth to be namd,
Suffering father, friend, by death defamd,
I well haue seene a master guide his barke,
When blustring winds and tumbling waues did rage,
Sauing himselfe and friends with care and carke,
Vntill the swelling surges did aswage,
This skyphier haue I seene through dotage,
To sand his ship in calme and quiet floud,
When neither blasts nor tides his course withstood:
When blustring winds and tumbling waues did rage,
Sauing himselfe and friends with care and carke,
Vntill the swelling surges did aswage,
This skyphier haue I seene through dotage,
To sand his ship in calme and quiet floud,
When neither blasts nor tides his course withstood:
More harder much in compas good to liue,
When careles heed our minde hath whole possest,
And sense to daintie pleasure quite is giue,
Then when we are with anguishment distrest,
In troublous times we hide our guidment best,
For hundred vice the thoughts doth conquerd make,
When bathing hart doth floting pleasure take:
When careles heed our minde hath whole possest,
And sense to daintie pleasure quite is giue,
Then when we are with anguishment distrest,
In troublous times we hide our guidment best,
For hundred vice the thoughts doth conquerd make,
When bathing hart doth floting pleasure take:
130
As by my selfe a patterne of reproofe,
Who well did saile when fretting tide did thret,
From sholes and flats I warie lay aloofe,
No gaping fish no hoped praie could get,
My leueld course by carde and compas set,
Yet did I ground when least was winde and tide,
Strike on the cliues in danger to haue dide:
Who well did saile when fretting tide did thret,
From sholes and flats I warie lay aloofe,
No gaping fish no hoped praie could get,
My leueld course by carde and compas set,
Yet did I ground when least was winde and tide,
Strike on the cliues in danger to haue dide:
For whilst at Parris prisoner I remaine
In banding pleasure void of warines,
The king and nobles me sweetly entertaine,
So that I furthered much their buisnes,
Holpe to perswade a band of sikernes,
And peace betwixt the Kings Nauare and Fraunce,
So was I quite of ransome and finaunce:
In banding pleasure void of warines,
The king and nobles me sweetly entertaine,
So that I furthered much their buisnes,
Holpe to perswade a band of sikernes,
And peace betwixt the Kings Nauare and Fraunce,
So was I quite of ransome and finaunce:
The Lord Dalbreth full often for me spoke,
And greatly holpe the battaile of Alroy,
Which was performd with manie a blooddie stroke,
Which to king Charls brought little cause of ioy,
Yet treaties had and faire exchanges coy,
Which all fell out to further my desier,
I was redeemd as prisoner could requier:
And greatly holpe the battaile of Alroy,
Which was performd with manie a blooddie stroke,
Which to king Charls brought little cause of ioy,
Yet treaties had and faire exchanges coy,
Which all fell out to further my desier,
I was redeemd as prisoner could requier:
Subtile Charls shewed me great signes of loue,
Castle Denemoux with thappurtnance gaue,
Willing my seruice for his more behoue,
His pension rich far more then I did craue,
I homage yeeld for these rewards I haue,
Into Acquitaine to the prince I came,
Who hearing this full sharpely doth me blame,
Castle Denemoux with thappurtnance gaue,
Willing my seruice for his more behoue,
His pension rich far more then I did craue,
I homage yeeld for these rewards I haue,
Into Acquitaine to the prince I came,
Who hearing this full sharpely doth me blame,
And said I was too woondrous couetous,
Lands to take in Fraunce, where nothing loud,
Nor honored, and thus dispiteous
Spake he, by reason none it could be prooud,
That I two Lords might serue, thus Iulie moud,
A squier I, resent vnto the king,
Surrendring castle and ech other thing:
Lands to take in Fraunce, where nothing loud,
Nor honored, and thus dispiteous
Spake he, by reason none it could be prooud,
That I two Lords might serue, thus Iulie moud,
A squier I, resent vnto the king,
Surrendring castle and ech other thing:
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Making abodement with the loued Prince,
Whose wisdome seeing me bashed in such sort,
And how his words so much did me conuince
He all forgot, turnd all to pleasant sport,
Endewd me rich for to maintaine my port,
Doubtles I loude his fauor so entier,
Than Crœsus coine I did it more desier.
Whose wisdome seeing me bashed in such sort,
And how his words so much did me conuince
He all forgot, turnd all to pleasant sport,
Endewd me rich for to maintaine my port,
Doubtles I loude his fauor so entier,
Than Crœsus coine I did it more desier.
Let him that stands heed well he do not slide:
For he that in a Princes fauor dwels
Must wary watch, lest blame to him betide,
And carefull be when meaner sences swels,
It to surpresse, when seuer it rebels,
And not to yeeld, to ought that may displease
His soueraines mind and breed his owne disease:
For he that in a Princes fauor dwels
Must wary watch, lest blame to him betide,
And carefull be when meaner sences swels,
It to surpresse, when seuer it rebels,
And not to yeeld, to ought that may displease
His soueraines mind and breed his owne disease:
Heed and temperance are the things whereby
Men must them rule that liue in Princes grace.
Far out stretched, recheth his persaunt eie,
Vewing ech person, time and secret place,
Much beond his rule and dreded mace:
Therefore disseuerd from thy soueraines sight,
Doe as his eie vpon thy act were pight.
Men must them rule that liue in Princes grace.
Far out stretched, recheth his persaunt eie,
Vewing ech person, time and secret place,
Much beond his rule and dreded mace:
Therefore disseuerd from thy soueraines sight,
Doe as his eie vpon thy act were pight.
I with my Prince and in my Countrie staid,
Till that Don Peter was come out of Spaine.
Bastard Henrie of crueltie he vpbraid,
In crueltie deposing him of raine,
The Prince resolud to place him there againe,
Sending for me and many a Gascoine Lord,
That vnto him our legence due afford:
Till that Don Peter was come out of Spaine.
Bastard Henrie of crueltie he vpbraid,
In crueltie deposing him of raine,
The Prince resolud to place him there againe,
Sending for me and many a Gascoine Lord,
That vnto him our legence due afford:
Him I attend and highly was esteemd,
Amongst the noblest held I euer place,
For highly was my knightly seruice deemd,
As well for Mars as prudent Pallas grace,
With Lord Clisson sprong of Brittish race,
This Spanish iourney did I companie hould
An expert knight in ventring arms right bould.
Amongst the noblest held I euer place,
For highly was my knightly seruice deemd,
As well for Mars as prudent Pallas grace,
With Lord Clisson sprong of Brittish race,
This Spanish iourney did I companie hould
An expert knight in ventring arms right bould.
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And when the prince this king restored had
To former height, inuest in Royall state,
Full like him selfe, he dealt with vs but bad,
His peruersnes too long were to relate,
His breach of promise wrought the great debate,
That hapt between the Gascoins and my Lord
The prince: fell cause of war and much discord:
To former height, inuest in Royall state,
Full like him selfe, he dealt with vs but bad,
His peruersnes too long were to relate,
His breach of promise wrought the great debate,
That hapt between the Gascoins and my Lord
The prince: fell cause of war and much discord:
Though many Gascoin Lords my kinsmen near
The English left and French themselues out shoe,
Yet I gainst them did still my banner rear,
In fronting war my time I did bestoe,
With Chandos to Mountaboune armd I goe,
That soon I trust we made our foes to feele
Our Axes sharpned were with caruing steele:
The English left and French themselues out shoe,
Yet I gainst them did still my banner rear,
In fronting war my time I did bestoe,
With Chandos to Mountaboune armd I goe,
That soon I trust we made our foes to feele
Our Axes sharpned were with caruing steele:
Now when the French the English had defide,
And noise of strifes were bruted openly,
Sport was to see the captains them diuide,
As their affections led them stirringly,
Without requests to yeeld them willingly,
Those that were French did English streight become,
Contrariwise there changed other some:
And noise of strifes were bruted openly,
Sport was to see the captains them diuide,
As their affections led them stirringly,
Without requests to yeeld them willingly,
Those that were French did English streight become,
Contrariwise there changed other some:
Lord Chanoyne Robersart he English turnd,
Whose hautie seruice welcomed our king:
Sir Perducas Dalbreth toth French returnd,
Who gulie shield about his neck did fling
Wrapt with dented bordure siluer shining:
Do what one can affection will be free,
Spite of desert or highest dignitie.
Whose hautie seruice welcomed our king:
Sir Perducas Dalbreth toth French returnd,
Who gulie shield about his neck did fling
Wrapt with dented bordure siluer shining:
Do what one can affection will be free,
Spite of desert or highest dignitie.
Bold sir Hue Caueley now in Arragon,
This thundring newes of wars had plainly hard,
With all his soldiers he arriud anon
At Angolesme a partie for to ward,
The prince him had in reuerent regard,
And presently him noble chiftaine made
Of thousands two, and sent him to inuade
This thundring newes of wars had plainly hard,
With all his soldiers he arriud anon
At Angolesme a partie for to ward,
The prince him had in reuerent regard,
And presently him noble chiftaine made
Of thousands two, and sent him to inuade
133
The lands of Lord Dalbreth and Arminacke,
The greatest two of all our Gascoyne Lords,
Where many a tower and towne he fiercely bracke,
And fier and bloud vnto his foes affords:
Thus all we captains growing of accords
Seeke to defend, and to oftend our foes,
Which likewise so themselues towards vs dispose:
The greatest two of all our Gascoyne Lords,
Where many a tower and towne he fiercely bracke,
And fier and bloud vnto his foes affords:
Thus all we captains growing of accords
Seeke to defend, and to oftend our foes,
Which likewise so themselues towards vs dispose:
When Canole, Chandos, and sir Thomas Phelton,
Who did in red two ermine lions beare
Passant crowned gold: my selfe for one,
Go to the prince, who held vs all full deare,
Such companions as behinde vs weare,
We promised new fortresse if they gaine
And then besiegd we rescue will amaine:
Who did in red two ermine lions beare
Passant crowned gold: my selfe for one,
Go to the prince, who held vs all full deare,
Such companions as behinde vs weare,
We promised new fortresse if they gaine
And then besiegd we rescue will amaine:
Which of our friends did three encourage so
As they Belperch do win and there they kept:
About this time did fortune ouerthro
Lord Chandos, for whose losse great numbers wept:
The Duke of Burbon little space he slept,
For that our captains held his mother fast
Within Belperch where they perforce were plast:
As they Belperch do win and there they kept:
About this time did fortune ouerthro
Lord Chandos, for whose losse great numbers wept:
The Duke of Burbon little space he slept,
For that our captains held his mother fast
Within Belperch where they perforce were plast:
Duke Burbon hauing purueied iollie store
Of warlike knights strong siege did bout them lay,
With battering engins he constraind them sore,
His power still increasing day by day,
To sir Iohn Deuereux, they sent without delay
Which Seneschall of Limson was, and he
Toth former promise was a partie:
Of warlike knights strong siege did bout them lay,
With battering engins he constraind them sore,
His power still increasing day by day,
To sir Iohn Deuereux, they sent without delay
Which Seneschall of Limson was, and he
Toth former promise was a partie:
This gentle knight toth prince in haste he came,
And did their case with such effect declare
In shewing that to vs it would be blame,
If that we should not succour them that bare
Themselues so well, good words he did not spare
For their behoofe: and so it was agreed
The captains should be rescude with some speed.
And did their case with such effect declare
In shewing that to vs it would be blame,
If that we should not succour them that bare
Themselues so well, good words he did not spare
For their behoofe: and so it was agreed
The captains should be rescude with some speed.
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Therle of Cambrige faire brother to the prince,
Therle of Penbroke prest for deeds of arms,
Sir Iohn Montague who Batfoyles did conuince,
Sir Thomas Phelton dreadles of his harms,
Sir Robert Canole that oft the Frenchmen charms,
My selfe: we met a noble knightly crew
As of so many eie did euer vew:
Therle of Penbroke prest for deeds of arms,
Sir Iohn Montague who Batfoyles did conuince,
Sir Thomas Phelton dreadles of his harms,
Sir Robert Canole that oft the Frenchmen charms,
My selfe: we met a noble knightly crew
As of so many eie did euer vew:
At Lymoges the erls their musters tooke
Fifteene hundred launce our selues we found,
Three thousand others, bent on their foes to looke,
And ioyne with them though numbers do abound,
This hard the French trencht in a peece of ground
With strong inclosure like a castle wall,
That from the fight their ventring foes should stall:
Fifteene hundred launce our selues we found,
Three thousand others, bent on their foes to looke,
And ioyne with them though numbers do abound,
This hard the French trencht in a peece of ground
With strong inclosure like a castle wall,
That from the fight their ventring foes should stall:
But when we were in opposition plast,
Against the French: a herauld soone was sent
Toth Duke, who closed lay more halfe agast,
The herauld told him through bould hardiment,
We there were riude with vigerous entent
With him to fight: the Duke this answere drest,
That fight he would not so at our request.
Against the French: a herauld soone was sent
Toth Duke, who closed lay more halfe agast,
The herauld told him through bould hardiment,
We there were riude with vigerous entent
With him to fight: the Duke this answere drest,
That fight he would not so at our request.
And looke how he was dard at Turnehen,
So was he now: our herauld morrow morne
To him rewent: who safe himselfe doth pen,
He said, sir Duke, euen she that hath you borne
Before your face shall led be to your scorne,
Way with my Lords lesse her you rescue will
We tooke her thence, cold Duke he sate him still.
So was he now: our herauld morrow morne
To him rewent: who safe himselfe doth pen,
He said, sir Duke, euen she that hath you borne
Before your face shall led be to your scorne,
Way with my Lords lesse her you rescue will
We tooke her thence, cold Duke he sate him still.
Shirle trumpets sound fresh courage to inflame,
We all are raungd in battelous aray
Launte, Wiske, and Sale, these ventrous three I name,
That from the castle issued at noone day
And Burbons mother brought with them away:
Two noble knightly soldiers did receaue
Led her thence and askt the Duke no leaue.
We all are raungd in battelous aray
Launte, Wiske, and Sale, these ventrous three I name,
That from the castle issued at noone day
And Burbons mother brought with them away:
Two noble knightly soldiers did receaue
Led her thence and askt the Duke no leaue.
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When Thaniou Duke his armie mightie made,
And Glesquines power to his he had vnite,
They forward came the Princes land tinuade,
Tooke Aguillon byth' thretning siege they pight,
Which made me woonder when I knew it right,
The selfe captaine did once so well it hould
That hundred thousand men ne take it could.
And Glesquines power to his he had vnite,
They forward came the Princes land tinuade,
Tooke Aguillon byth' thretning siege they pight,
Which made me woonder when I knew it right,
The selfe captaine did once so well it hould
That hundred thousand men ne take it could.
On Dordon riuer a towne is planted faire
Cald Lind, a league from Bergareth no more,
Which Phelton and my selfe did well repaire,
With vittails and artilleries fencing store,
Well puruied now with that it had before:
Sir Touius Batfoyle captaine there doth rest,
And promise voud to gard the towne at best.
Cald Lind, a league from Bergareth no more,
Which Phelton and my selfe did well repaire,
With vittails and artilleries fencing store,
Well puruied now with that it had before:
Sir Touius Batfoyle captaine there doth rest,
And promise voud to gard the towne at best.
And thither doth the Duke of Aniou mooue,
Enuirning close the towne in such a wise,
The dwellers thinke it best for their behooue
To render it, and do their strength despise,
Thunstable commons like Protheus guise
Are so delighted in ech chaffring change,
Like fleeting tides their thoughts do euer range:
Enuirning close the towne in such a wise,
The dwellers thinke it best for their behooue
To render it, and do their strength despise,
Thunstable commons like Protheus guise
Are so delighted in ech chaffring change,
Like fleeting tides their thoughts do euer range:
The captaine also was becommen French,
infest with loue of glittering ticing gould
Too foule a swill a soldiers minde to drench,
That thoughts to honor euer fasten should,
And his giue promise permanent to hould:
I vnderstood how all this practise went
At Bergareth: and to be there I ment.
infest with loue of glittering ticing gould
Too foule a swill a soldiers minde to drench,
That thoughts to honor euer fasten should,
And his giue promise permanent to hould:
I vnderstood how all this practise went
At Bergareth: and to be there I ment.
At this deliuerie: sir Thomas Phelton and
My selfe do ride, what time the sun was plast
Betwixt the east and west in lower land:
We came as French were reddie entring fast
At thother gate: to Batfoyle spide I hast,
Traitrous Batfoyle was busie t'entertaine
My croching foes in hope of greedie gaine:
My selfe do ride, what time the sun was plast
Betwixt the east and west in lower land:
We came as French were reddie entring fast
At thother gate: to Batfoyle spide I hast,
Traitrous Batfoyle was busie t'entertaine
My croching foes in hope of greedie gaine:
136
In hands I shooke my suer bright shaking sword
Enflamde with courage as reason did requier,
I plainly shewd I came not now to bourd,
Traitor I said, take heere deserued hier,
Treasons no more thou shalt from hence conspier:
And as I spake I lent him such a bloe
That soule and bodie doth a sunder goe,
Enflamde with courage as reason did requier,
I plainly shewd I came not now to bourd,
Traitor I said, take heere deserued hier,
Treasons no more thou shalt from hence conspier:
And as I spake I lent him such a bloe
That soule and bodie doth a sunder goe,
A iust reward for such foule treason don.
But when the French our wefting banners vew
Their backs they turne and swift away they run,
Lightly clad with feare they nimbly flew,
The townsmen ginne their dealing false to rew
Lay all the fault in him that I had slaine,
And so the towne did English still remaine.
But when the French our wefting banners vew
Their backs they turne and swift away they run,
Lightly clad with feare they nimbly flew,
The townsmen ginne their dealing false to rew
Lay all the fault in him that I had slaine,
And so the towne did English still remaine.
The Duke and Glesquine went to Limoges,
Where the Dukes Berrie and Burbon siege do hould,
Which citie yeelded was byth tretrousnes
Of their Bishop: which matter being tould
Vnto the prince, he sware reuenge he would
So vile despite, by his deere fathers soule,
Which oth he kept unbroke and euer whole.
Where the Dukes Berrie and Burbon siege do hould,
Which citie yeelded was byth tretrousnes
Of their Bishop: which matter being tould
Vnto the prince, he sware reuenge he would
So vile despite, by his deere fathers soule,
Which oth he kept unbroke and euer whole.
From Coynoc then he marcht in braue aray,
Twelue hundred Lords, knights and hardie squiers,
A thousand archers, so many Brigands sway,
That all the countrie dread their flaming iers,
On sharp reuenge do boile their hot desiers,
Sir Thomas Percie, and Lord Rosse was there,
Who did in gules three siluer Bogets bear.
Twelue hundred Lords, knights and hardie squiers,
A thousand archers, so many Brigands sway,
That all the countrie dread their flaming iers,
On sharp reuenge do boile their hot desiers,
Sir Thomas Percie, and Lord Rosse was there,
Who did in gules three siluer Bogets bear.
Sir William Mesnile a chiff of burnisht gold
Three gemels finely set in Azurd shield:
Sir Simon Borley six bars equall told
Of black, and yellow, in his chiff he held
Of the mettaile, two pales as first is speld,
In midst a scuchion of Rubie fairly dight,
In it three bars of ermins plainly pight:
Three gemels finely set in Azurd shield:
Sir Simon Borley six bars equall told
Of black, and yellow, in his chiff he held
Of the mettaile, two pales as first is speld,
In midst a scuchion of Rubie fairly dight,
In it three bars of ermins plainly pight:
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Right fierce assault the citie so was tane,
Many an innocent with the nocent died,
Man, woman, childe, were brought to blooddie bane,
Such wofull rigor did this towne betide,
The duke of Lancaster stoutlie here was tried
In single fraie, the erle of Cambrig and
The erle of Penbroke, fighting so are fand,
Many an innocent with the nocent died,
Man, woman, childe, were brought to blooddie bane,
Such wofull rigor did this towne betide,
The duke of Lancaster stoutlie here was tried
In single fraie, the erle of Cambrig and
The erle of Penbroke, fighting so are fand,
Which tripart combate was so noblie fought
As sick prince tooke pleasure it t'behould,
Causing his litter neerer to be brought,
The French resist so long as ear they could
And lasht and stroke, with noble courage bould,
But conquerd yeeld, and yeelding fauor finde,
As noble arms her sacred lawes assinde:
As sick prince tooke pleasure it t'behould,
Causing his litter neerer to be brought,
The French resist so long as ear they could
And lasht and stroke, with noble courage bould,
But conquerd yeeld, and yeelding fauor finde,
As noble arms her sacred lawes assinde:
Deuine mercy whose lore I euer loud,
The soueraine good that God to man affords,
Most like to God man hath his likenes prooud
That treasure such within sweete heauen hords,
And you great captains and renowmed Lords,
That manage arms hold mercy in your minde,
Bloods wilfull spiller seld doth mercie finde.
The soueraine good that God to man affords,
Most like to God man hath his likenes prooud
That treasure such within sweete heauen hords,
And you great captains and renowmed Lords,
That manage arms hold mercy in your minde,
Bloods wilfull spiller seld doth mercie finde.
I was right glad from this that so I bide
At Bergareth, the frontier to sustaine:
And now through Fraunce with ventring troupe did ride
Sir Robert Canole to the Frenchmens paine:
Welth and treasure did such abundance gaine,
His soldiers, but siluer and gold esteemd,
Oystrige feathers or what was daintie deemd.
At Bergareth, the frontier to sustaine:
And now through Fraunce with ventring troupe did ride
Sir Robert Canole to the Frenchmens paine:
Welth and treasure did such abundance gaine,
His soldiers, but siluer and gold esteemd,
Oystrige feathers or what was daintie deemd.
Not vertues selfe can lengthen mortall daies,
Yet fame prouides that vertue should not die,
Obliuion repugnes good fame alwaies,
True writers of braue acts doth still defie,
Ech wight depriud of honor shut should lie
She much desiers: all couered with the corse
Of valiant deeds she taketh no remorse.
Yet fame prouides that vertue should not die,
Obliuion repugnes good fame alwaies,
True writers of braue acts doth still defie,
Ech wight depriud of honor shut should lie
She much desiers: all couered with the corse
Of valiant deeds she taketh no remorse.
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If Phrigian Poet should the praises shew
Of noble Priam and his woorthie sons,
Their high exploits set foorth in order dew,
Although large fame of all their doings runs,
Yet but defendaunts when toth sight it cums:
Assailant conqueror, this braue English king
Triumphant victors his noble offspring.
Of noble Priam and his woorthie sons,
Their high exploits set foorth in order dew,
Although large fame of all their doings runs,
Yet but defendaunts when toth sight it cums:
Assailant conqueror, this braue English king
Triumphant victors his noble offspring.
As Priam nor his sonnes left nought behind
But golden praise pronounst by writers skill,
And none could now their names or dooings find,
So hugely woxt the vastie world to fill,
Vnlesse it had dropt from a heedie quill:
So Muse and Mars togither must agree
The first, the last, makes liue eternally.
But golden praise pronounst by writers skill,
And none could now their names or dooings find,
So hugely woxt the vastie world to fill,
Vnlesse it had dropt from a heedie quill:
So Muse and Mars togither must agree
The first, the last, makes liue eternally.
And since our Hector stout came out of Spaine
He languished, which greatly made vs grieue,
For stealingly ech hower increast his paine,
Gainst which with courage good he much did striue,
Wasting sicknes quite doth his strength depriue:
Now into England to returne he ment
Of peyred helth to seeke amendement.
He languished, which greatly made vs grieue,
For stealingly ech hower increast his paine,
Gainst which with courage good he much did striue,
Wasting sicknes quite doth his strength depriue:
Now into England to returne he ment
Of peyred helth to seeke amendement.
He sent for all his squiers, knights and Lords
That of him hold: and when we present were,
Such princely gentle language he affords
As might braue courage and allegance steare,
Full sweetly spake he like a noble peere,
In euery thing he wild vs to obay
His brother Gaunt which regent heere should stay.
That of him hold: and when we present were,
Such princely gentle language he affords
As might braue courage and allegance steare,
Full sweetly spake he like a noble peere,
In euery thing he wild vs to obay
His brother Gaunt which regent heere should stay.
Then shipping takes the gentlest knight aliue
And most renowmed for his woorthines:
Right pensiue I that sicknes did depriue
His health that bread the Frenchmens sikernes,
In batteled Arms they found him matchles,
For so he pinde, and inly grew his griefe,
As finall death did worke his first reliefe.
And most renowmed for his woorthines:
Right pensiue I that sicknes did depriue
His health that bread the Frenchmens sikernes,
In batteled Arms they found him matchles,
For so he pinde, and inly grew his griefe,
As finall death did worke his first reliefe.
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He newly gon: fowre Britton knights aduaunce
Themselues to take Mountpaon: and they sped
So well by practise as the matter chaunct,
The Lord therof French turned in that sted:
Which known did make Duke Iohn to shake his hed:
Sommons he forst and vowd it to regaine
In conquering wise or die with deadlie paine.
Themselues to take Mountpaon: and they sped
So well by practise as the matter chaunct,
The Lord therof French turned in that sted:
Which known did make Duke Iohn to shake his hed:
Sommons he forst and vowd it to regaine
In conquering wise or die with deadlie paine.
It toucht him near, bicause it lay him near,
So on a day with kindled courage stout
From Bourdeux accompanied strongly faire
He doth depart with his braue warlike rout,
Of Poyctow, Xanton, and Gascoine, there about:
Of th'english Phelton, Freuile, and Rosse, there was
Sir Michael Delapole did in this iourney passe,
So on a day with kindled courage stout
From Bourdeux accompanied strongly faire
He doth depart with his braue warlike rout,
Of Poyctow, Xanton, and Gascoine, there about:
Of th'english Phelton, Freuile, and Rosse, there was
Sir Michael Delapole did in this iourney passe,
Whose cornerd shield was laid with skilfull blew,
A fesse between three Liberds heads of gold:
Sir William Bewchampe gay as bridegroome new
Armed in red right stately to behold,
A girdle plast between six martlets told:
Glistering bright like Phœbus in his pride:
Well could he iust, and comly could he ride:
A fesse between three Liberds heads of gold:
Sir William Bewchampe gay as bridegroome new
Armed in red right stately to behold,
A girdle plast between six martlets told:
Glistering bright like Phœbus in his pride:
Well could he iust, and comly could he ride:
Now when we were this castle plast before,
And ordred had ech thing in order dew
We raisd assault, but were resisted sore
A whole long day: then back our soldiers drew,
This castle was inuirond with deep stew,
So fast we fild with fagots vp the mot
As to the wals with much adoe we got:
And ordred had ech thing in order dew
We raisd assault, but were resisted sore
A whole long day: then back our soldiers drew,
This castle was inuirond with deep stew,
So fast we fild with fagots vp the mot
As to the wals with much adoe we got:
And now much worke and buisnes was begun,
And many a man reuerst and ouerthrowne,
More feller stur was none vnder the sun,
So that this newes was bruted wide and knowne
At saint Maquere all our striuing showne,
Where Iohn Maltrait Siluester Buds did hold
Two hardie Brittons couragious, tride and bold:
And many a man reuerst and ouerthrowne,
More feller stur was none vnder the sun,
So that this newes was bruted wide and knowne
At saint Maquere all our striuing showne,
Where Iohn Maltrait Siluester Buds did hold
Two hardie Brittons couragious, tride and bold:
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These two could not agree, which he should part,
To sucker sieged frends: then by accords
They cuts would draw: so fortune and not art
Should chuse: and chance, the longest cut affords
To Buds: whereat they laugh with pleasant words,
Foorth he comes with twelue right hardie men
Got in where we his frends full close do pen:
To sucker sieged frends: then by accords
They cuts would draw: so fortune and not art
Should chuse: and chance, the longest cut affords
To Buds: whereat they laugh with pleasant words,
Foorth he comes with twelue right hardie men
Got in where we his frends full close do pen:
Loue of frend despiseth dangerous feare.
We one whole quarter of the wall downe breake,
Then marshalling ourselues to enter there,
A lowly herauld they sent in haste to speake
Vnto our Duke: finding themselues too weake:
Enraged he so much in angrie minde
Small was the grace that they were like to finde.
We one whole quarter of the wall downe breake,
Then marshalling ourselues to enter there,
A lowly herauld they sent in haste to speake
Vnto our Duke: finding themselues too weake:
Enraged he so much in angrie minde
Small was the grace that they were like to finde.
But then sir Richard Dangle, sought for me
As one to mercie greatly bent he knoeth:
This noble Duke toth reasons doth agree
That we pronounce: for deer he loude hus both,
So we appeased his conceaued wroth,
Buds his cutting a raunsome deere him cost,
And thus againe the French the fortresse lost.
As one to mercie greatly bent he knoeth:
This noble Duke toth reasons doth agree
That we pronounce: for deer he loude hus both,
So we appeased his conceaued wroth,
Buds his cutting a raunsome deere him cost,
And thus againe the French the fortresse lost.
Mountcounter castle in the marches stands
Of Aniou, and of Poictow, very strong
Foure leagues from Thouars, two captains with bands
Of men it kept, offering neighbors wrong,
The peece toth Duke of Aniow did belong,
Sir Thomas Percie Poictow seneshall
To come to him doth good commanders call:
Of Aniou, and of Poictow, very strong
Foure leagues from Thouars, two captains with bands
Of men it kept, offering neighbors wrong,
The peece toth Duke of Aniow did belong,
Sir Thomas Percie Poictow seneshall
To come to him doth good commanders call:
Assembled soone three thousand armors bright
From citties frends doth mightie engins bring,
And fiercely it assailed day and night,
Incessantly they battring engins fling:
Here were companions courage stirring
Whose harts eirned ought should them resist,
Still toth assault they forward do persist,
From citties frends doth mightie engins bring,
And fiercely it assailed day and night,
Incessantly they battring engins fling:
Here were companions courage stirring
Whose harts eirned ought should them resist,
Still toth assault they forward do persist,
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Sir Walter Huet, and sir Iohn Carswell heare,
Daui of Hulgreue, in ermins finely clad
A scuchion gules: these three them well do beare,
And cheefest praise at this assailment had,
Companions three the Frenchmen greatly drad:
By heedy force and skilfull warie paine,
Won was Mountcounter, neere alth'warders slaine.
Daui of Hulgreue, in ermins finely clad
A scuchion gules: these three them well do beare,
And cheefest praise at this assailment had,
Companions three the Frenchmen greatly drad:
By heedy force and skilfull warie paine,
Won was Mountcounter, neere alth'warders slaine.
And to these three was this faire castle giuen,
Strong frontier war against the French t'maintaine,
Booties rich from them they often driuen
And patised the countrie for their gaine,
Idle to rest for busie wits is paine:
Braue captaines and good soldiers at assaies
Deserue rewards as well as pleasing praies.
Strong frontier war against the French t'maintaine,
Booties rich from them they often driuen
And patised the countrie for their gaine,
Idle to rest for busie wits is paine:
Braue captaines and good soldiers at assaies
Deserue rewards as well as pleasing praies.
Faire Ladie Blanch the noble Henries heir
Duke of Lancaster and of Darbie erle,
Whose titles Iohn of Gaunt did rightly beare,
But death his percing dart too soone did therle
Bereft her life the worlds sweete orient perle.
In widdowers state this hautie duke did bide
When he thaffairs of Gascoyne had in guide:
Duke of Lancaster and of Darbie erle,
Whose titles Iohn of Gaunt did rightly beare,
But death his percing dart too soone did therle
Bereft her life the worlds sweete orient perle.
In widdowers state this hautie duke did bide
When he thaffairs of Gascoyne had in guide:
Don Peter king of Castile and of Spaine
Slaine: he left two daughters heirs behinde,
Which Ladies yoong in great distresse remaine,
Lest froward bastard vnkle should them finde,
Sir Guiscard Dangle had this thing in minde,
Imparts to me these Ladies titles faire,
Then to the duke both we the same declare:
Slaine: he left two daughters heirs behinde,
Which Ladies yoong in great distresse remaine,
Lest froward bastard vnkle should them finde,
Sir Guiscard Dangle had this thing in minde,
Imparts to me these Ladies titles faire,
Then to the duke both we the same declare:
Perswading him to comfort their distresse:
He speciall knights of good account foorth sends,
Declaring how for their behoofulnes
It was, he so himselfe to them commends
And for their safetie all his thoughts attends,
They come: he likes: the eldest doth he wed:
Thus of a wife and kingly title sped.
He speciall knights of good account foorth sends,
Declaring how for their behoofulnes
It was, he so himselfe to them commends
And for their safetie all his thoughts attends,
They come: he likes: the eldest doth he wed:
Thus of a wife and kingly title sped.
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Till September with vs he made his staie,
Then into England purposd he to saile:
My selfe, Mucident, and Lespaire, the swaie
He left of Gascoyne, hoping to preuaile
So with the king as that we should not faile,
Of succors when the spring time did returne,
He gon: in Gascoine made I my soiorne.
Then into England purposd he to saile:
My selfe, Mucident, and Lespaire, the swaie
He left of Gascoyne, hoping to preuaile
So with the king as that we should not faile,
Of succors when the spring time did returne,
He gon: in Gascoine made I my soiorne.
The sommer prochaine truely to record
Was to vs sent much succors and reliefe,
By th'erle of Penbroke and many a noble Lord,
Which all was lost vnto our heauie griefe,
No worser dispite or blinder mischiefe
Could haue befalne: the erle two daies did fight
In Rochell hauen in the townsmen sight,
Was to vs sent much succors and reliefe,
By th'erle of Penbroke and many a noble Lord,
Which all was lost vnto our heauie griefe,
No worser dispite or blinder mischiefe
Could haue befalne: the erle two daies did fight
In Rochell hauen in the townsmen sight,
Yet could not sir Iohn Arden Seneshall
There at that time, perswade the paultrie maire,
With any of his the erle to helpe at all,
But like a broking varlet dasht with feare
Or traitrousnes, no reasons foorth could steare,
In daintie ermins armed was this knight
Gold and azure in fes faire chekered right.
There at that time, perswade the paultrie maire,
With any of his the erle to helpe at all,
But like a broking varlet dasht with feare
Or traitrousnes, no reasons foorth could steare,
In daintie ermins armed was this knight
Gold and azure in fes faire chekered right.
I hard of this and thither hide amaine,
And many knights of England willing bent,
The Lords of Gascoyne with their gallant traine
Of noble harts fraught with hardiment,
We come too late: our enimies tooke Le vent.
Which made me storme and fret with anger sad
That they and we so hard mischaunce had had.
And many knights of England willing bent,
The Lords of Gascoyne with their gallant traine
Of noble harts fraught with hardiment,
We come too late: our enimies tooke Le vent.
Which made me storme and fret with anger sad
That they and we so hard mischaunce had had.
The Constable French assembled mightie power
With him the dukes Berrie and Burbon both,
Gay erls and Lords drest for warlike stower,
In gaining forts his time he whole bestoth,
Besieged one made sir Iohn Deuereux wroth
Saint Seuer namde, at Poicters he did bide
When as the siege Saint Seuer doth betide:
With him the dukes Berrie and Burbon both,
Gay erls and Lords drest for warlike stower,
In gaining forts his time he whole bestoth,
Besieged one made sir Iohn Deuereux wroth
Saint Seuer namde, at Poicters he did bide
When as the siege Saint Seuer doth betide:
143
Sir Thomas Percie he earnest doth desier
To further that his men may rescude be,
Who condescends to that most iust requier,
So foorth they come and both encounter me,
Shewing the state of friends extremitie,
The ground, and strength, that French foemates hield,
We purposed to seeke them in the field:
To further that his men may rescude be,
Who condescends to that most iust requier,
So foorth they come and both encounter me,
Shewing the state of friends extremitie,
The ground, and strength, that French foemates hield,
We purposed to seeke them in the field:
So foorth to friends we letters sent in haste
good numbers gaine and for the rescue pace,
Our enimies receiue these newes at last,
Which mightily their courage doth abace
No will they had t'meete vs in open place,
Our friends ignorant of our present post
Yeelded: and our desiers were wholie lost:
good numbers gaine and for the rescue pace,
Our enimies receiue these newes at last,
Which mightily their courage doth abace
No will they had t'meete vs in open place,
Our friends ignorant of our present post
Yeelded: and our desiers were wholie lost:
When sir Iohn Deuereux of this yeelding hard
He chaft and stampt, for his the castle was:
And thus with vs our Poyctaine buisnes fard:
Thus wauering fortune too and fro doth pas:
Worldly triumphs are like to flowering gras,
Whose fragrant smels and hewe at suns vprise
With liked fauor, vades ere night and dies.
He chaft and stampt, for his the castle was:
And thus with vs our Poyctaine buisnes fard:
Thus wauering fortune too and fro doth pas:
Worldly triumphs are like to flowering gras,
Whose fragrant smels and hewe at suns vprise
With liked fauor, vades ere night and dies.
No knight that cloths himselfe for wars affaires
That alwaies can atchiue his harts request,
All are alike to fortune, none she spares,
Her coiest darlings oft she makes distrest,
Now is she sloe and then too forward prest,
She dandles him, and then on him she frowns,
Here spades she giues, and there she deales her crowns:
That alwaies can atchiue his harts request,
All are alike to fortune, none she spares,
Her coiest darlings oft she makes distrest,
Now is she sloe and then too forward prest,
She dandles him, and then on him she frowns,
Here spades she giues, and there she deales her crowns:
Oftenest times when least we do mistrust
With some od toy are soonest ouertane,
Euerie hower ech daring captaine must
Be well resolud for to attend her wane,
Often she sports to bring vs to our bane,
Yet noble minds must still despise her might,
Braue honor liues maulgree so wicked wight.
With some od toy are soonest ouertane,
Euerie hower ech daring captaine must
Be well resolud for to attend her wane,
Often she sports to bring vs to our bane,
Yet noble minds must still despise her might,
Braue honor liues maulgree so wicked wight.
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It is a world to marke the iollitie
Of seamen floting in the Liquid sea,
His careles thought of dredles ioperdy,
His buisie prattle, his so plesant lay,
Full merrie mate, like gladsome bird in may,
Fairely forward with spredded canuas flies,
Like him that would attaine the hautie skies:
Of seamen floting in the Liquid sea,
His careles thought of dredles ioperdy,
His buisie prattle, his so plesant lay,
Full merrie mate, like gladsome bird in may,
Fairely forward with spredded canuas flies,
Like him that would attaine the hautie skies:
Of all the liues led vnder Phaetons wheele,
He thinkes none can compare in blisfulnes
With his: such tickling ioy his hart doth feele,
And laughing pride at present happines,
Right cherefully whistles to their buisnes
His company: not any helliers end,
Hawser, booling, but soone he will amend:
He thinkes none can compare in blisfulnes
With his: such tickling ioy his hart doth feele,
And laughing pride at present happines,
Right cherefully whistles to their buisnes
His company: not any helliers end,
Hawser, booling, but soone he will amend:
Scarce little chip shall lie vpon the hatch,
But for the swabber hastely doth call,
Cleane and fine ech buisnes to dispatch:
Then to his ioy a fresh he gins to fall
Still thinking selfe the happiest man of all,
Large flag and stremers tossen with the winde,
And he himselfe a verie King in minde.
But for the swabber hastely doth call,
Cleane and fine ech buisnes to dispatch:
Then to his ioy a fresh he gins to fall
Still thinking selfe the happiest man of all,
Large flag and stremers tossen with the winde,
And he himselfe a verie King in minde.
A masse it is to note his miserie
When raging tempests bustle on the flood,
And to admier the strange extremitie
Of him late iocound now chaungd frantike woode,
The flapping brace strikes off his setled hood,
To leeward now the needments tumble fast
Ynuffe to make a stubborne minde agast:
When raging tempests bustle on the flood,
And to admier the strange extremitie
Of him late iocound now chaungd frantike woode,
The flapping brace strikes off his setled hood,
To leeward now the needments tumble fast
Ynuffe to make a stubborne minde agast:
The toilesomst life vnder the circled skie
Doth his appeare, and most vnhappiest,
Such griefe and anguish bout his stomacke bee,
Plaies to prayers he turneth now distrest,
And his sad working seems the weariest
Of labors all: his toyled mates do tend,
But how from death they may themselues defend:
Doth his appeare, and most vnhappiest,
Such griefe and anguish bout his stomacke bee,
Plaies to prayers he turneth now distrest,
And his sad working seems the weariest
Of labors all: his toyled mates do tend,
But how from death they may themselues defend:
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Euery thing out of due order plast,
To trim vp ought thers now at all no care,
With frownings dume, downe are his smilings cast,
And whilst he droups tost in this sad affaire,
The forcefull floud his vessell doth not spaire:
Barely crauling to next recouerd shore
In wailing doth disaster hap deplore.
To trim vp ought thers now at all no care,
With frownings dume, downe are his smilings cast,
And whilst he droups tost in this sad affaire,
The forcefull floud his vessell doth not spaire:
Barely crauling to next recouerd shore
In wailing doth disaster hap deplore.
Like is the state of all aduenterous,
That spend their liues in welding high affairs,
Thinking themselues in times prosperous
Most fortunate: but when swiftly vnwairs
Fortune them flingeth into endles cairs,
Frowning they sit, forsaken desolate,
All male content confessing taken mate.
That spend their liues in welding high affairs,
Thinking themselues in times prosperous
Most fortunate: but when swiftly vnwairs
Fortune them flingeth into endles cairs,
Frowning they sit, forsaken desolate,
All male content confessing taken mate.
Recordaunce make with griefe and dolefulnes,
For double sorrow is it to recorde
Contenting ioy changd into balefulnes,
Good liking turned to bad things abhord,
Fortune hath so her frends both crost and scord:
Let no man then shee seemes to fauor most
To highlie of her lended faunings bost.
For double sorrow is it to recorde
Contenting ioy changd into balefulnes,
Good liking turned to bad things abhord,
Fortune hath so her frends both crost and scord:
Let no man then shee seemes to fauor most
To highlie of her lended faunings bost.
Faire Subise, is a castle seated strong
At riuer Charents meeting with the sea:
Which to a courteous Ladie did belong
That English held and so she ment to staie.
The Lord of Pons toth castle siege doth laie,
Thibauld Duepont, and well three hundred launce,
To that seruice their bodies do aduaunce.
At riuer Charents meeting with the sea:
Which to a courteous Ladie did belong
That English held and so she ment to staie.
The Lord of Pons toth castle siege doth laie,
Thibauld Duepont, and well three hundred launce,
To that seruice their bodies do aduaunce.
Siegd Ladie sent to me desiering
My succors, which I promisd should not faile,
I thought to force the Frenchmens soone retiering
With two hundred I ment for to preuaile,
And streight to be the closed Ladies baile,
I might haue taken hundreds two and two,
But these to serue I iudged were ynow:
My succors, which I promisd should not faile,
I thought to force the Frenchmens soone retiering
With two hundred I ment for to preuaile,
And streight to be the closed Ladies baile,
I might haue taken hundreds two and two,
But these to serue I iudged were ynow:
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Thus on my way toward Subise I proceed
With trustie soldiers well accompined,
With former fortuns I braue courage feed,
Too long from thence me thought I tarried,
Coueting to ride through couerts couered,
Come neer our foes a space I do abide
To fit our arms lest harme should vs betide:
With trustie soldiers well accompined,
With former fortuns I braue courage feed,
Too long from thence me thought I tarried,
Coueting to ride through couerts couered,
Come neer our foes a space I do abide
To fit our arms lest harme should vs betide:
We do remount and entrance make in haste,
Among our foes who now our furie feele,
We sodainly downe cabbind lodgings cast,
They know we brought in hand sharpe caruing steele,
We ring our cries, downe do the carcasse reele,
Who thought themselues most safe and suerly well
The Lord of Pons with me doth prisner dwell:
Among our foes who now our furie feele,
We sodainly downe cabbind lodgings cast,
They know we brought in hand sharpe caruing steele,
We ring our cries, downe do the carcasse reele,
Who thought themselues most safe and suerly well
The Lord of Pons with me doth prisner dwell:
Some fled apace, and some were present slaine,
Some couerts seeke, and some are prisoners sworne,
Some maimed are, left wallowing on the plaine,
Some their armors of their backs haue torne,
With which some others do themselues adorne,
Whilst some toth chace, and some toth spoile do run
A mischiefe hapt and we were all vndon:
Some couerts seeke, and some are prisoners sworne,
Some maimed are, left wallowing on the plaine,
Some their armors of their backs haue torne,
With which some others do themselues adorne,
Whilst some toth chace, and some toth spoile do run
A mischiefe hapt and we were all vndon:
A Welchman came that Euan had to name,
With him he brought foure hundred chosen men,
With torches and with faggots fierie flame,
For passing darke it was befaln as then,
On vs he sets: this rare aduenture when
I did behold, I sought for to withstand,
But in the chace wide scattred all my band.
With him he brought foure hundred chosen men,
With torches and with faggots fierie flame,
For passing darke it was befaln as then,
On vs he sets: this rare aduenture when
I did behold, I sought for to withstand,
But in the chace wide scattred all my band.
Lo I that late a conquering sword did hould,
Am now become a squiers captiued thrall,
But late I vanquisht foes with courage bould,
And see the like on me is now befall,
Such are the turns of fortuns tennise ball.
Some of my frends through darknes scape the fraie,
But with my foes as prisner safe I staie:
Am now become a squiers captiued thrall,
But late I vanquisht foes with courage bould,
And see the like on me is now befall,
Such are the turns of fortuns tennise ball.
Some of my frends through darknes scape the fraie,
But with my foes as prisner safe I staie:
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Who proud of their good fortune led me thence
Vnto their fleete at Rochell ancred fast,
No ransome could for libertie dispence,
But I in haste to Paris citie past,
Where my deliuerie was not wrought in hast,
I was the man king Charls did much desier,
Twelue hundred franks he gaue vnto the squier
Vnto their fleete at Rochell ancred fast,
No ransome could for libertie dispence,
But I in haste to Paris citie past,
Where my deliuerie was not wrought in hast,
I was the man king Charls did much desier,
Twelue hundred franks he gaue vnto the squier
Me thither as his lawfull prisoner brought:
This cowardly king in prison closd me close
Fearing I should haue still new trobles wrought,
His badgage minde to craft was whole disposd,
His quaking hart I thinke was euer hosd,
Thus led I foorth a melancholious life,
My body quiet and now my minde at strife:
This cowardly king in prison closd me close
Fearing I should haue still new trobles wrought,
His badgage minde to craft was whole disposd,
His quaking hart I thinke was euer hosd,
Thus led I foorth a melancholious life,
My body quiet and now my minde at strife:
My minde to me no kingdome was at all,
I could not finde that pleasant sweet content
That diuers eld haue found within a wall,
From worlds affairs through wilfull banishment
In this estate found I no easement,
I liud and lackt, I lackt and would haue had,
I had and lothd, such kingdoms all too bad:
I could not finde that pleasant sweet content
That diuers eld haue found within a wall,
From worlds affairs through wilfull banishment
In this estate found I no easement,
I liud and lackt, I lackt and would haue had,
I had and lothd, such kingdoms all too bad:
Perhaps it might haue chaunct some rare deuine
Thus pend in contemplation to haue liud,
Sequestred so with praiers himselfe to pine
From worlds vanities glad to be depriud,
As though he in a hauen of peace ariud
Haue thought of saints, and martiers iollie store,
Dropt his beads and passed sins deplore:
Thus pend in contemplation to haue liud,
Sequestred so with praiers himselfe to pine
From worlds vanities glad to be depriud,
As though he in a hauen of peace ariud
Haue thought of saints, and martiers iollie store,
Dropt his beads and passed sins deplore:
But I that vsd to weare for hawtie crest
Blacke Midas hed: by side a flaming sword,
And sun bright arms vpon my bodie drest,
Sheeld on mine arme, wherein was fairly scord
Antique signes that praises due afford,
Betweene my thies my gaie stout foming steed,
In hand a launce proud courage fresh to feed:
Blacke Midas hed: by side a flaming sword,
And sun bright arms vpon my bodie drest,
Sheeld on mine arme, wherein was fairly scord
Antique signes that praises due afford,
Betweene my thies my gaie stout foming steed,
In hand a launce proud courage fresh to feed:
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Wished some sier that hermits life could lead,
Here to remaine for me in hermitage,
Here might he all his former vowes haue paid
To patron after sollemest vsage,
Well vnto God to saine his message,
I would haue spoke that water of the spring
He should haue had and many another thing:
Here to remaine for me in hermitage,
Here might he all his former vowes haue paid
To patron after sollemest vsage,
Well vnto God to saine his message,
I would haue spoke that water of the spring
He should haue had and many another thing:
To broyle in arms, to watch, to stir, to gard,
Strong to defend, well to offend againe,
Here battailes ioyne, their frontier safe to ward,
Now close to troupe, then goodly to deraine,
These easements were, I thought these things no paine,
Helme, sword, and launce, faire steed, and goodly sheeld,
Whole all my thoughts these braue deuises heeld:
Strong to defend, well to offend againe,
Here battailes ioyne, their frontier safe to ward,
Now close to troupe, then goodly to deraine,
These easements were, I thought these things no paine,
Helme, sword, and launce, faire steed, and goodly sheeld,
Whole all my thoughts these braue deuises heeld:
No torment to a discontented thought,
No feller plague vnto a valiant hart
That rare exploits and high aduentures sought,
Then to be tide so suer he may not start.
How could it chuse but daily breed my smart,
Of faire atchiuements howerly to heare,
And that my selfe in person was not thear:
No feller plague vnto a valiant hart
That rare exploits and high aduentures sought,
Then to be tide so suer he may not start.
How could it chuse but daily breed my smart,
Of faire atchiuements howerly to heare,
And that my selfe in person was not thear:
It rumord was the erle of Salsburie,
Whose shining banner was of siluer bright
In fes faire foild with guely lozings three:
Sir Brian Stapleton a ventrous knight
Who in silken white a sables lion pight,
In ramping wise and flashed faire with gold:
Sir William Luzie did here a partie hold
Whose shining banner was of siluer bright
In fes faire foild with guely lozings three:
Sir Brian Stapleton a ventrous knight
Who in silken white a sables lion pight,
In ramping wise and flashed faire with gold:
Sir William Luzie did here a partie hold
In rubie armd, three Lucie fishes white
Seemd with croslets like to Phœbus face:
Sir Philip Courtney foundring blowes could smite,
Sir William Mesnile a knight of courtly grace,
Seauen ships of Spain they batter, breake and race,
And vnto battaile well themselues addrest
And Glesquin braud before the towne of brest,
Seemd with croslets like to Phœbus face:
Sir Philip Courtney foundring blowes could smite,
Sir William Mesnile a knight of courtly grace,
Seauen ships of Spain they batter, breake and race,
And vnto battaile well themselues addrest
And Glesquin braud before the towne of brest,
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Holding the time sir Robert Canole pight
Which now in haste was gon to Vuryuale,
Theritage which pertaind to him of right.
King Charls well nie excepting him had all
The Brittons harts: now so it did befall
His castle siegd, gaue hostage for a staie,
To yeeld it vp not rescude by a daie,
Which now in haste was gon to Vuryuale,
Theritage which pertaind to him of right.
King Charls well nie excepting him had all
The Brittons harts: now so it did befall
His castle siegd, gaue hostage for a staie,
To yeeld it vp not rescude by a daie,
Sir Hue Brooe that this strong fortresse heild,
That marchet made, who bare in bannerred
On siluer cheuron three roses of the feild:
Sir Robert here ariued in that sted,
Before the rendring day expired,
A herauld, French Constable sent to kno
Hostage whether they would redeeme or no.
That marchet made, who bare in bannerred
On siluer cheuron three roses of the feild:
Sir Robert here ariued in that sted,
Before the rendring day expired,
A herauld, French Constable sent to kno
Hostage whether they would redeeme or no.
Sir Robert flatly held: not any one
In absence his, his castle so should mart:
Thanswerd messenger backe is lightly gone,
Tould his Lords, they make him soone depart,
And shew sir Robert if he so do start
His hostages ech one should hedded be.
Herauld (he said) saie to thy Lords from me
In absence his, his castle so should mart:
Thanswerd messenger backe is lightly gone,
Tould his Lords, they make him soone depart,
And shew sir Robert if he so do start
His hostages ech one should hedded be.
Herauld (he said) saie to thy Lords from me
Three knights, one squier, in prison here I haue,
If they a hundred thousand frankes would giue,
And mine do die no one of these thest saue.
The French of life the hostages depriue:
Which seene sir Robert a scaffold made beliue,
His prisners brought in duke of Aniou sight
Their harmles heds he caused off to smite.
If they a hundred thousand frankes would giue,
And mine do die no one of these thest saue.
The French of life the hostages depriue:
Which seene sir Robert a scaffold made beliue,
His prisners brought in duke of Aniou sight
Their harmles heds he caused off to smite.
The siege brake vp, this execution done:
The castle with sir Robert doth remaine:
True hostage true prisners death haue won,
Such chaffring brought good harts deadly paine,
But noble captains such rigor should refraine,
Lest when their frends they need in such like cace
They make refusall doubting the disgrace.
The castle with sir Robert doth remaine:
True hostage true prisners death haue won,
Such chaffring brought good harts deadly paine,
But noble captains such rigor should refraine,
Lest when their frends they need in such like cace
They make refusall doubting the disgrace.
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Iustice oft from ancient custome growes,
Affection seldom lookes with single eie,
Strict iustice like iniurious dealing showes,
Hard law to make the innocent creature die,
And yet good right appeered for to be:
God loues not right which doth to rigor tend,
Neither of both their crueltie can defend.
Affection seldom lookes with single eie,
Strict iustice like iniurious dealing showes,
Hard law to make the innocent creature die,
And yet good right appeered for to be:
God loues not right which doth to rigor tend,
Neither of both their crueltie can defend.
I likewise heard how noble Iohn of Gaunt
Ariud at Callis with puissant power,
Puissantly the Frenchmen doth he daunt,
Fearfull makes both towne and many a tower,
Numbers my old acquaintance in that stower
As Chanoyne Robersart, sir Hue Caueley,
Sir William Bewchamp, sir Henrie Percie,
Ariud at Callis with puissant power,
Puissantly the Frenchmen doth he daunt,
Fearfull makes both towne and many a tower,
Numbers my old acquaintance in that stower
As Chanoyne Robersart, sir Hue Caueley,
Sir William Bewchamp, sir Henrie Percie,
Sir Walter Huet, sir Steuen Gousenton,
With many more which some did to me name,
Sir Lewis Clifford, sir Richard Pontchardon,
To heare of whom to sorrow brought some game,
I hopt and wisht the French that they might tame,
But in their cheuachey a venture did befall
That was at Parris talkt with ioy of all:
With many more which some did to me name,
Sir Lewis Clifford, sir Richard Pontchardon,
To heare of whom to sorrow brought some game,
I hopt and wisht the French that they might tame,
But in their cheuachey a venture did befall
That was at Parris talkt with ioy of all:
Fowrscore horse of sir Hue Caueleys band
Were ridden foorth aduentures for to trie:
The Lord of Busiers doth it vnderstand,
The Lord of Chin, sir Iohn Buell, these three
With sixscore launce against them ridden be:
Lord Chin was slaine through his great hardines,
Which to his friends was cause of heauines:
Were ridden foorth aduentures for to trie:
The Lord of Busiers doth it vnderstand,
The Lord of Chin, sir Iohn Buell, these three
With sixscore launce against them ridden be:
Lord Chin was slaine through his great hardines,
Which to his friends was cause of heauines:
Thus when they were assembled in such sort
Right felonous and cruell was the fray,
And many a deed was don of good report,
Chin his banner disueloped that day,
Which seen the English orgulous words did say
Gainst Lord Cowcie, which English houerd still,
Who was in Austrige warring at his will:
Right felonous and cruell was the fray,
And many a deed was don of good report,
Chin his banner disueloped that day,
Which seen the English orgulous words did say
Gainst Lord Cowcie, which English houerd still,
Who was in Austrige warring at his will:
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This Chin did raise Lord Cowcies faire deuice,
Which was six bars of varrey and of red:
This was the same, or difference small so nice
and slender, that mongst them this error bred,
Which now were either taken, slaine, or fled:
All men of yoonger house that banners bear
Should haue their difference glistring, large and fair.
Which was six bars of varrey and of red:
This was the same, or difference small so nice
and slender, that mongst them this error bred,
Which now were either taken, slaine, or fled:
All men of yoonger house that banners bear
Should haue their difference glistring, large and fair.
I likewise heard the flower of all our pride
The valiant Prince of Wales departed life,
No earthly thing so good may alwaies bide,
Nor honor such preuailing ouer strife
Where glories most mischaunce is euer rife:
Great things great fals, and far abroad are blown,
Low things low fals, their fallings are not known:
The valiant Prince of Wales departed life,
No earthly thing so good may alwaies bide,
Nor honor such preuailing ouer strife
Where glories most mischaunce is euer rife:
Great things great fals, and far abroad are blown,
Low things low fals, their fallings are not known:
His falling known, was fall of all my joy,
His death depriuer of my comfort chiefe,
His losse the loder of my sad annoy,
His want the wanting of my freed reliefe,
Ah filching death thou felonous bloodie thiefe,
Bereauer of my sole deliueraunce,
Dispoiler of my worldly pleasaunce:
His death depriuer of my comfort chiefe,
His losse the loder of my sad annoy,
His want the wanting of my freed reliefe,
Ah filching death thou felonous bloodie thiefe,
Bereauer of my sole deliueraunce,
Dispoiler of my worldly pleasaunce:
For could it be that any marshallist
Such one as loud to cloth himselfe in Arms,
But honorable presence thine he mist,
And many waies thy losse did worke his harms,
And froward mischiefs backward on him swarms?
Farwell fairst flower of Plantagenets line,
Adiew all comfort to this life of mine.
Such one as loud to cloth himselfe in Arms,
But honorable presence thine he mist,
And many waies thy losse did worke his harms,
And froward mischiefs backward on him swarms?
Farwell fairst flower of Plantagenets line,
Adiew all comfort to this life of mine.
Full many treaties had the English now
Made with the French, which came to small effect:
Some of my friends oftimes did tell me how
In these their parleys they had of me respect,
Yet did no good: which made me to suspect,
That neuer I my weldie Arms should don
For griefe wherof I pine away with mone.
Made with the French, which came to small effect:
Some of my friends oftimes did tell me how
In these their parleys they had of me respect,
Yet did no good: which made me to suspect,
That neuer I my weldie Arms should don
For griefe wherof I pine away with mone.
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The yoong Earle Saint Pole, and three other knights,
In exchange they offerd for me alon,
Which Lord Comigines tane had in faire fights
Bith subtill traine of sir Iohn Harleston,
By his coursers bountie sir Hue Chatelon
Was saud, or else he had full dearly paid,
Bicause from England he was late mistraid.
In exchange they offerd for me alon,
Which Lord Comigines tane had in faire fights
Bith subtill traine of sir Iohn Harleston,
By his coursers bountie sir Hue Chatelon
Was saud, or else he had full dearly paid,
Bicause from England he was late mistraid.
The matter thus: after we came from Spaine,
And that the quarrels fresh gan to renew,
All things to strife and battaile woxt againe,
The French at first the countie of Ponthew
Regaine: this Lord of Chatelon named Hue,
Vnwares he doth sir Nicholas Louaine rest
His prisner: and by slight he him surprest.
And that the quarrels fresh gan to renew,
All things to strife and battaile woxt againe,
The French at first the countie of Ponthew
Regaine: this Lord of Chatelon named Hue,
Vnwares he doth sir Nicholas Louaine rest
His prisner: and by slight he him surprest.
When as the valiant duke of Lancaster
At Callis riud new come from Turnehen,
Intending the Frenchmen proud to master,
He fast prepard to make a rode agen
With store of squiers, knights, and noblemen,
Trauasing Fraunce vp and downe at pleasure
In burning, spoiling and gaining treasure:
At Callis riud new come from Turnehen,
Intending the Frenchmen proud to master,
He fast prepard to make a rode agen
With store of squiers, knights, and noblemen,
Trauasing Fraunce vp and downe at pleasure
In burning, spoiling and gaining treasure:
If oppression to minde valiant
Be offered: by wisdoms warie guid
It so couerneth, through much discontent
As if euer happie chaunce betide,
It shoes the fier close couered it doth hide,
And breaketh foorth into reuenging flame
If euer good occasion mooue the same:
Be offered: by wisdoms warie guid
It so couerneth, through much discontent
As if euer happie chaunce betide,
It shoes the fier close couered it doth hide,
And breaketh foorth into reuenging flame
If euer good occasion mooue the same:
Deepe rooted malice doth not lightly die.
When as the duke passed by Abuile
To Louaines mind repard the iniurie
That Chatelon had done to him erewhile,
Sir Nicholas laid a bushment by a wile
Neere to the towne, for all the streights he knew
Whole three yeers space he vsed them to vewe:
When as the duke passed by Abuile
To Louaines mind repard the iniurie
That Chatelon had done to him erewhile,
Sir Nicholas laid a bushment by a wile
Neere to the towne, for all the streights he knew
Whole three yeers space he vsed them to vewe:
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Sir Hue Chattelon at that instant bode
Within the towne as gardant of the same:
Near vnto it he knew the English rode,
Then of the crossebowes he bare the maisters name,
Them to aduise he thought was for his fame,
Only ten and armed saue his head
He came where as the tending bushment stead:
Within the towne as gardant of the same:
Near vnto it he knew the English rode,
Then of the crossebowes he bare the maisters name,
Them to aduise he thought was for his fame,
Only ten and armed saue his head
He came where as the tending bushment stead:
When valiant Louaine saw his shield of guels
Three varey pales on chiffe of loued gold
A martlet blacke: himselfe he scarcely ruels
For ioy: the man (quoth he) I most desier would
In all the world, I comming do behould,
The ransome deere to him this yeer I paid
Shall rendred be if that he may be staid:
Three varey pales on chiffe of loued gold
A martlet blacke: himselfe he scarcely ruels
For ioy: the man (quoth he) I most desier would
In all the world, I comming do behould,
The ransome deere to him this yeer I paid
Shall rendred be if that he may be staid:
And foorth he breaks, the Frenchmen in that sted
Do maruell much from whence doth noise proceed:
One cried Chatelon yeeld or thou art ded.
To whom said he? to Louaine now with speed.
Replied sir Nicholas ioying at his deed:
Being knightly armd in red fresh to behold
A siluer fes tween many billets gold.
Do maruell much from whence doth noise proceed:
One cried Chatelon yeeld or thou art ded.
To whom said he? to Louaine now with speed.
Replied sir Nicholas ioying at his deed:
Being knightly armd in red fresh to behold
A siluer fes tween many billets gold.
And to the host in iolitie retiers
Prowd of his prisner: afterward conueid
To England: where great ransom he desiers.
When Chatelon his mischaunce had weid
Back in a ship in stealing wise he streid:
This same the cause why he so swift did pas
From friends when medling with Gomigines was.
Prowd of his prisner: afterward conueid
To England: where great ransom he desiers.
When Chatelon his mischaunce had weid
Back in a ship in stealing wise he streid:
This same the cause why he so swift did pas
From friends when medling with Gomigines was.
King Edward his death I heard reported,
Who gloriously in knightly dignitie
Had raind: first noble sonne departed,
Which Hector like with great triumphancie
Had conquerd kings through magnanimitie:
Then followed father woorthie such a sonne
A shining sun which still bright glorie won.
Who gloriously in knightly dignitie
Had raind: first noble sonne departed,
Which Hector like with great triumphancie
Had conquerd kings through magnanimitie:
Then followed father woorthie such a sonne
A shining sun which still bright glorie won.
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The founder of our high fraternitie:
The fortresse of a firme concordance:
The fauor of right noble soueraintie:
The perfect pledge of true assurance:
The constant gage of goodly ordenance:
The founder of the Azurd garter dide
With honor: Ioue, so, long let th'order bide.
The fortresse of a firme concordance:
The fauor of right noble soueraintie:
The perfect pledge of true assurance:
The constant gage of goodly ordenance:
The founder of the Azurd garter dide
With honor: Ioue, so, long let th'order bide.
The strong incursions sir Hue Caueley made
Then Callis captaine were vnto me told:
How sir Iohn Harleston doth fierce inuade
Captaine of Guins: some did to me vnfold,
And how at Arde Gomigines did hold,
Exploiting well: of braue attempts I hard,
But oh my selfe from fair atchiuements bard.
Then Callis captaine were vnto me told:
How sir Iohn Harleston doth fierce inuade
Captaine of Guins: some did to me vnfold,
And how at Arde Gomigines did hold,
Exploiting well: of braue attempts I hard,
But oh my selfe from fair atchiuements bard.
My closure I with great impatience tooke,
Perplexed thoughts oppresse me euery hower,
This vile restraint I heauily do brooke
And bitter sighes continuall foorth I power,
Right safely shut within this warding tower
Still in danger euery day of death,
Least melancholious griefe would stop my breath:
Perplexed thoughts oppresse me euery hower,
This vile restraint I heauily do brooke
And bitter sighes continuall foorth I power,
Right safely shut within this warding tower
Still in danger euery day of death,
Least melancholious griefe would stop my breath:
If thousand marchants venter into Ind,
Seeking forraine stroud for wished gaine,
And only one his ship hath left behind
Through wrack, which peeuish fortune did constraine:
How could it choose but inly breed his paine,
To see the rest in such a reioicing,
For that he hopt: now greeues at the loofing?
Seeking forraine stroud for wished gaine,
And only one his ship hath left behind
Through wrack, which peeuish fortune did constraine:
How could it choose but inly breed his paine,
To see the rest in such a reioicing,
For that he hopt: now greeues at the loofing?
For fellowes many in distressednes
Is to the greeuance much releasment:
Far lesse by ods he thinks his wretchednes
That sees with his the tears of many spent,
To saddest woes it is much easement,
When others with like griefe as ours do mone,
And that we are not wracked all alone.
Is to the greeuance much releasment:
Far lesse by ods he thinks his wretchednes
That sees with his the tears of many spent,
To saddest woes it is much easement,
When others with like griefe as ours do mone,
And that we are not wracked all alone.
155
All other captains, my selfe excepting,
Of ech calling had their deliuerie,
Though somtimes they staid th'expecting,
Being not wrought to wish most speedilie,
Yet ear the end it chaunced still to be:
It was my fortune and not deseruing
That thus I lay in prison staruing.
Of ech calling had their deliuerie,
Though somtimes they staid th'expecting,
Being not wrought to wish most speedilie,
Yet ear the end it chaunced still to be:
It was my fortune and not deseruing
That thus I lay in prison staruing.
Past hope I make a vertue of my need,
With pining patience I my griefe support,
Desiered death comes on with wished speed,
I drooping passe as one stroke alemort,
This hard restraint was vnto me more tort
Than sharpest death that tirant might deuise,
My swelling mind could halfe so sore agrise:
With pining patience I my griefe support,
Desiered death comes on with wished speed,
I drooping passe as one stroke alemort,
This hard restraint was vnto me more tort
Than sharpest death that tirant might deuise,
My swelling mind could halfe so sore agrise:
Thus long I liud, I thought it was too long:
All hopeles of relinquishing my care,
Or relaxment from loth prison strong,
Vnles on booke I would full solemn swear
Against the crowne of Fraunce no Arms to bear.
I flat refusd me leuer were to die
Than to abiure my English loyaltie.
All hopeles of relinquishing my care,
Or relaxment from loth prison strong,
Vnles on booke I would full solemn swear
Against the crowne of Fraunce no Arms to bear.
I flat refusd me leuer were to die
Than to abiure my English loyaltie.
Heere prooud I plaine that force no harts could win,
Heere tride I true that proffers nought preuaile,
Heere was it seen loue forst not of a pin
Sweet libertie, the mind her greats assaile.
No luerments wrought my constant mind to faile,
No, no, my Gascoine bodie bare an English hart
Not mooueable by fortunes ouerthwart.
Heere tride I true that proffers nought preuaile,
Heere was it seen loue forst not of a pin
Sweet libertie, the mind her greats assaile.
No luerments wrought my constant mind to faile,
No, no, my Gascoine bodie bare an English hart
Not mooueable by fortunes ouerthwart.
And in my smart it oft did straine a smile
To thinke how Charls my libertie did dreed,
He doubted least I would within a while
Some broiling wars and battels newly breed,
For quaking fear his hart did euer feed:
How much the English excelled in the war,
So much the French in treaties past them far.
To thinke how Charls my libertie did dreed,
He doubted least I would within a while
Some broiling wars and battels newly breed,
For quaking fear his hart did euer feed:
How much the English excelled in the war,
So much the French in treaties past them far.
156
For by the Parley still they somewhat got.
I leading foorth my life all malecontent
In smoking sighs, which out I daily shot,
But for my soule I thought it pertinent,
Which giuen was and must be permanent,
Most quiet and sweet harmonie to make
Of discords all and all the world forsake.
I leading foorth my life all malecontent
In smoking sighs, which out I daily shot,
But for my soule I thought it pertinent,
Which giuen was and must be permanent,
Most quiet and sweet harmonie to make
Of discords all and all the world forsake.
Fore passed life I ouer canuassing,
Found my great sins exceeding numberous,
Subiected to fraile natures trauasing
Ore whelmd vnlesse by mercie wonderous,
We saued were in world so comberous,
By sweetely Lord, that straied sinners sought,
And perisht soules through blessed torment bought.
Found my great sins exceeding numberous,
Subiected to fraile natures trauasing
Ore whelmd vnlesse by mercie wonderous,
We saued were in world so comberous,
By sweetely Lord, that straied sinners sought,
And perisht soules through blessed torment bought.
And he, diuers waies deuinely worketh
To bring vs in the compas of his fold,
Out of the which what worldling dieth
Perisheth as sage deuines haue told,
He grant vs all our selues therein to hold,
Which made himselfe a subiect for our sin,
Yet Lord of heauen, earth and all therein.
To bring vs in the compas of his fold,
Out of the which what worldling dieth
Perisheth as sage deuines haue told,
He grant vs all our selues therein to hold,
Which made himselfe a subiect for our sin,
Yet Lord of heauen, earth and all therein.
Oh how good God vs often suffereth
With worldly wit our selues to iniurie,
Chaffring as occasion offereth
Respecting not the end, till sodainely
Repentaunce comes our frendly enimie,
And then we crie if this had not been don
Then had not fates so foule against vs run:
With worldly wit our selues to iniurie,
Chaffring as occasion offereth
Respecting not the end, till sodainely
Repentaunce comes our frendly enimie,
And then we crie if this had not been don
Then had not fates so foule against vs run:
If I had not perswaded Iohn of Gaunt
For to make choise to Spanish marriage,
Which thing our buisnes French did greatly daunt,
For he tended as is common vsage
To owne aduancement and aduantage,
I had not lean, he me would haue redeemd
How difficult so ear the matter seemd.
For to make choise to Spanish marriage,
Which thing our buisnes French did greatly daunt,
For he tended as is common vsage
To owne aduancement and aduantage,
I had not lean, he me would haue redeemd
How difficult so ear the matter seemd.
157
And from first time I welded glorious arms
Full carefull I, least murther should attaint
My fame with bad, and blacke reprochfull charms,
Of hellish rumors, to ages to depaint:
Through murther many captains are distaint.
This prouerbe vsd mongst some I highly hate,
(A hedlesse man doth seldome breed debate.)
Full carefull I, least murther should attaint
My fame with bad, and blacke reprochfull charms,
Of hellish rumors, to ages to depaint:
Through murther many captains are distaint.
This prouerbe vsd mongst some I highly hate,
(A hedlesse man doth seldome breed debate.)
But often times for cruell murther don
God stirreth vp our friends vnto our harme:
And father hath been slaughtered by his son:
And brother slaine with brothers blouddy arme:
Oft for one murther thousand men will swarme,
Whom greatest God doth vse as instruments
For sharpe reuenge of murtherers torments.
God stirreth vp our friends vnto our harme:
And father hath been slaughtered by his son:
And brother slaine with brothers blouddy arme:
Oft for one murther thousand men will swarme,
Whom greatest God doth vse as instruments
For sharpe reuenge of murtherers torments.
Most happie knight that vseth temperance
So in past life, that he be not defilde
With murtherers name, which works anoyance
Through world of ages badly be reuilde
And lasting heaps of slander hath vp pilde.
In quarrels iust whilst foes resisting bin
To slay them then in fighting is no sin.
So in past life, that he be not defilde
With murtherers name, which works anoyance
Through world of ages badly be reuilde
And lasting heaps of slander hath vp pilde.
In quarrels iust whilst foes resisting bin
To slay them then in fighting is no sin.
No man of life I euer did depraue
In my cold bloud when striuing fight was don,
In hottest wars I willed bloud to saue
Whereby among my foes great praise I won,
The cheefst thing God hateth vnder sun
Is murther, and for mercy bloud to spill,
Bloud crieth for bloud the prouerbe runneth still.
In my cold bloud when striuing fight was don,
In hottest wars I willed bloud to saue
Whereby among my foes great praise I won,
The cheefst thing God hateth vnder sun
Is murther, and for mercy bloud to spill,
Bloud crieth for bloud the prouerbe runneth still.
Reuenge on hatefull murther doth attend,
And slie occasion doth so warely watch,
As bloud for bloud with earth doth fouly blend,
Merciles plagues this blacke reuenge doth hatch
When parties selfe of plagues tasts but a smatch,
To generations three or fower they run
Till all the brood and ofspring be vndun.
And slie occasion doth so warely watch,
As bloud for bloud with earth doth fouly blend,
Merciles plagues this blacke reuenge doth hatch
When parties selfe of plagues tasts but a smatch,
To generations three or fower they run
Till all the brood and ofspring be vndun.
158
Oh heauenly God that long didst lend me space
My former faults committed to deplore:
Fiue yeeres I did in lothed prison pace
Which my proud nature did too much abhore,
That so I tamed was I thee addore.
I mercy loud, and thou didst mercy lend,
Sweet mercy far more then man may offend.
My former faults committed to deplore:
Fiue yeeres I did in lothed prison pace
Which my proud nature did too much abhore,
That so I tamed was I thee addore.
I mercy loud, and thou didst mercy lend,
Sweet mercy far more then man may offend.
Receaue my soule Lord to thy gouernance,
Most richly since from hell thou it redeemd
I flat renounce all worldly pleasance,
Yea those vaine ioies that I so high esteemd,
How lothsome now that earst so likefull seemd,
Lord since I come thy promise is not old,
Receaue me where the ioies may not be told.
Most richly since from hell thou it redeemd
I flat renounce all worldly pleasance,
Yea those vaine ioies that I so high esteemd,
How lothsome now that earst so likefull seemd,
Lord since I come thy promise is not old,
Receaue me where the ioies may not be told.
LENVOY
Thus closed was his burning lampe of life
That glorious shone in knightly dignitie,
Here was the period set of all his strife,
Conclusion of his fatall destinie,
Lanterne sometime of noble cheualrie,
Dreaded champion whilst the fraie did last,
Louely conqueror at thend of battails blast.
That glorious shone in knightly dignitie,
Here was the period set of all his strife,
Conclusion of his fatall destinie,
Lanterne sometime of noble cheualrie,
Dreaded champion whilst the fraie did last,
Louely conqueror at thend of battails blast.
In prison dide this most valiant knight,
Renoumd and dred for magnanimitie,
His funerall king Charls causd be dight
At Parris in estate most solemnly,
Of barrons, knights, and praieng clergie:
A nobler one could scarcely there be found
Within the French or in the English ground.
Renoumd and dred for magnanimitie,
His funerall king Charls causd be dight
At Parris in estate most solemnly,
Of barrons, knights, and praieng clergie:
A nobler one could scarcely there be found
Within the French or in the English ground.
The king of England lost a trustie hart,
The king of Fraunce a stout couragious fo,
The warlike countrie Gascoine cheefest part,
When thou braue knight wast reft her bowels fro,
Thy glistering fame about the world shall glo
As bright as star set in faire welkings face:
The starrie skie thy fittest dwelling place:
The king of Fraunce a stout couragious fo,
The warlike countrie Gascoine cheefest part,
When thou braue knight wast reft her bowels fro,
Thy glistering fame about the world shall glo
As bright as star set in faire welkings face:
The starrie skie thy fittest dwelling place:
159
For vertue good transcends the decked skie
Enstalde in throne beond ech twinckling star,
No time, day, night, obscures hir glorious eie,
Ech vading substance so she passeth far
Mongst cheefest knights extold for noble war,
Thou houldst thy seat within sweet heauens rest
In paradice prepared for the blest.
Enstalde in throne beond ech twinckling star,
No time, day, night, obscures hir glorious eie,
Ech vading substance so she passeth far
Mongst cheefest knights extold for noble war,
Thou houldst thy seat within sweet heauens rest
In paradice prepared for the blest.
Almightie God, that oft hast England blest
With glorious triumphs ouer enimie,
In thy puissance victorie doth rest
And not in mans weake plotting policie,
Giue t'our Captains in their true cheualrie
Like constant vertue, truth, and courage bold
That Chandos, and the Captall true did hold.
With glorious triumphs ouer enimie,
In thy puissance victorie doth rest
And not in mans weake plotting policie,
Giue t'our Captains in their true cheualrie
Like constant vertue, truth, and courage bold
That Chandos, and the Captall true did hold.
FINIS.
William Wyrley.
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