The valiant actes And victorious Battailes of the English nation from the yeere of our Lord, one thousand three hundred twentie and seuen: being the first yeare of the raigne of the most mightie Prince Edvvard the third, to the yeere 1558. Also, of the peaceable and quiet state of England, vnder the blessed gouernement of the most excellent and vertuous Princesse Elizabeth: A compendious declaration written by C. O. And newly translated out of Latine verse into English meeter. By I. S. [i.e. John Sharrock] |
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| [1]. | [The first Booke.] |
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 | The valiant actes And victorious Battailes of the English nation |  |
[The first Booke.]
How
valiauntly the warlike race of mightie Brute did beare,
Thēselues in blouddy campes of Mars, how they the trēbling speare.
With courage shooke, and troupes of foes by force in fight did foyle,
Full fiften hundred yeares agoe, when Cæsar first this soyle,
With Romish army did assault: his Story teacheth playne,
Which yet doth many a noble act, of this our land containe.
And if that treason his attemptes, had not propt, and vp bore,
In vayne had Iulius set his foote vpon our English shore.
In vayne Gradiuus ofspring had their banners brood displayde,
Nor homadge to the Romish king, nor tribute had bene payde.
But what is of that force? what Realme is of that might and power,
Which ciuill hatred cannot cause the enemy to deuower?
The common people what doe they not breake, and bring to nought,
When once dissentions headlong heat, their retchlesse braines hath rought?
What doth not discord quite consume, diminish, and decay,
What foule Erinnis, fearefull fende, doth rule and beare the sway?
A pearelesse Prince was Cæsar sure, a warlike, haut, and bold,
Whose worthy actes in memorie, deserue to be enrold:
So many kingdomes brought by force, the Romane yoke to hold.
But what? could he without the power diuine, and sacred hest,
Of high Iehoue, such nations fierce, by force haue ouerprest?
The Germaines he by dince of sword subdued in Martiall field,
A nation which in prowesse will not to the Latine yeld.
Both stout in armes, and haut of hart. the warlike Galls he tamde,
Whose vertue rare, to shine in peace, and wars, hath still bene framde.
Why then alone to Romaines, did the glory of war redounde?
Why then the world so vast, to bend at Cæsars becke was bounde,
Eche countryes force, by blouddy Mars made subiect to his might:
Or quayled quite, before his power, and army came in sight?
Undoubtedly that Iesus Christ, our sweete Messias borne:
All nations should be linkt in league, which hatred earst had torne.
All thinges must haue their course, and their disposed order sure:
Which also limittes haue, beyond which time, they cannot dure.
The first that euer Monarch hight, that proude, and pompoue towne,
Which walles of bricke, full huge, ycompast, to her great renowne,
Did Babilon containe, and Ægipt, through thy fluent streames,
O Nyle, when Sol from hye, thereto doth bend his blasing beames:
Replenisht full of corne, and wine, and oyle, and cattell store,
Did foster vp, to other landes, warres scarse were knowne before.
A few yeares after that, the Greekes the prayse of warfare wanne,
Who other nations farre, and neare, subduing ouerranne:
The Italians than the pompe of Greece supprest with might, and mayne:
Which shortly after by the Gothes, were forst to yeld agayne.
As wallowing waues successiuely, the one the other driues:
So he which was depriuer now, an other Prince depriues.
It's God almighty, which all mortall thinges with becke doth guide,
Which seas, and landes doth rule, and eke the Starrie region wide.
He, he, is God of armes, whose thunder dint, resounding shakes,
He is the God of armyes to, which giues at will, and takes.
Which trembling terrour bringes, and manly courage ads agayne,
Which victors makes, and conquered foes, by swourd yeldes to be slayne.
For he behold his enemies force, quite crackes with puissaunt might,
Which Gods hye sacred will esteemes, most worthy of by right.
The Thratian nation fierce, through deedes of armes renowmed are
And they which Northerne nipping cold doth pinche, a people rare,
For Martiall feates, in wit, and manly force who doe excell,
And other pointes of Chiualrye, in fight too prompt, and fell.
Usde oft to blouddy Mars, the Germaynes, corps which hugie haue,
The Polon, and Dalmatian, the Hunne, and doughtie Swaue,
The Flemming, Frenchman fierce, the Spanyard, and the Brytaine haut,
The Scot also through manly hart, prompt for to giue assaut:
The noble feates of Mars, in warfare vse, with might, and mayne,
And neither of the Sommers heat, nor winters cold complayne:
But by their actes, their auncestours, through myndes vnconquered stayne.
Thou warres O mighty kyng doest send, as scourge, and dart most dire,
Sinnes iust reward, when nations proude, prouoke thee vnto ire.
And for their foule, and filthy factes, some dreadfull penaunce pay,
When others by Ioues mighty hest, doe beare the palme away.
Therfore the prayse of eche exployte, and glory great of warre,
Referd must be to God aboue, whose becke doth make, and marre,
Let him to me intending now, of blouddy warres to sing,
Beginnyng bee, and author firme, this worke to end to bring.
Let him with his omnipotent, and heauenly power diuine,
Support, and fauour this attempt, and enterprise, of myne.
Thēselues in blouddy campes of Mars, how they the trēbling speare.
With courage shooke, and troupes of foes by force in fight did foyle,
Full fiften hundred yeares agoe, when Cæsar first this soyle,
With Romish army did assault: his Story teacheth playne,
Which yet doth many a noble act, of this our land containe.
And if that treason his attemptes, had not propt, and vp bore,
In vayne had Iulius set his foote vpon our English shore.
In vayne Gradiuus ofspring had their banners brood displayde,
Nor homadge to the Romish king, nor tribute had bene payde.
But what is of that force? what Realme is of that might and power,
Which ciuill hatred cannot cause the enemy to deuower?
The common people what doe they not breake, and bring to nought,
When once dissentions headlong heat, their retchlesse braines hath rought?
What doth not discord quite consume, diminish, and decay,
What foule Erinnis, fearefull fende, doth rule and beare the sway?
A pearelesse Prince was Cæsar sure, a warlike, haut, and bold,
Whose worthy actes in memorie, deserue to be enrold:
So many kingdomes brought by force, the Romane yoke to hold.
But what? could he without the power diuine, and sacred hest,
Of high Iehoue, such nations fierce, by force haue ouerprest?
The Germaines he by dince of sword subdued in Martiall field,
A nation which in prowesse will not to the Latine yeld.
Both stout in armes, and haut of hart. the warlike Galls he tamde,
Whose vertue rare, to shine in peace, and wars, hath still bene framde.
Why then alone to Romaines, did the glory of war redounde?
Why then the world so vast, to bend at Cæsars becke was bounde,
Eche countryes force, by blouddy Mars made subiect to his might:
Or quayled quite, before his power, and army came in sight?
Undoubtedly that Iesus Christ, our sweete Messias borne:
All thinges must haue their course, and their disposed order sure:
Which also limittes haue, beyond which time, they cannot dure.
The first that euer Monarch hight, that proude, and pompoue towne,
Which walles of bricke, full huge, ycompast, to her great renowne,
Did Babilon containe, and Ægipt, through thy fluent streames,
O Nyle, when Sol from hye, thereto doth bend his blasing beames:
Replenisht full of corne, and wine, and oyle, and cattell store,
Did foster vp, to other landes, warres scarse were knowne before.
A few yeares after that, the Greekes the prayse of warfare wanne,
Who other nations farre, and neare, subduing ouerranne:
The Italians than the pompe of Greece supprest with might, and mayne:
Which shortly after by the Gothes, were forst to yeld agayne.
As wallowing waues successiuely, the one the other driues:
So he which was depriuer now, an other Prince depriues.
It's God almighty, which all mortall thinges with becke doth guide,
Which seas, and landes doth rule, and eke the Starrie region wide.
He, he, is God of armes, whose thunder dint, resounding shakes,
He is the God of armyes to, which giues at will, and takes.
Which trembling terrour bringes, and manly courage ads agayne,
Which victors makes, and conquered foes, by swourd yeldes to be slayne.
For he behold his enemies force, quite crackes with puissaunt might,
Which Gods hye sacred will esteemes, most worthy of by right.
The Thratian nation fierce, through deedes of armes renowmed are
And they which Northerne nipping cold doth pinche, a people rare,
For Martiall feates, in wit, and manly force who doe excell,
And other pointes of Chiualrye, in fight too prompt, and fell.
Usde oft to blouddy Mars, the Germaynes, corps which hugie haue,
The Polon, and Dalmatian, the Hunne, and doughtie Swaue,
The Flemming, Frenchman fierce, the Spanyard, and the Brytaine haut,
The Scot also through manly hart, prompt for to giue assaut:
The noble feates of Mars, in warfare vse, with might, and mayne,
And neither of the Sommers heat, nor winters cold complayne:
But by their actes, their auncestours, through myndes vnconquered stayne.
Thou warres O mighty kyng doest send, as scourge, and dart most dire,
Sinnes iust reward, when nations proude, prouoke thee vnto ire.
And for their foule, and filthy factes, some dreadfull penaunce pay,
When others by Ioues mighty hest, doe beare the palme away.
Therfore the prayse of eche exployte, and glory great of warre,
Referd must be to God aboue, whose becke doth make, and marre,
Beginnyng bee, and author firme, this worke to end to bring.
Let him with his omnipotent, and heauenly power diuine,
Support, and fauour this attempt, and enterprise, of myne.
From William sprōg, hight Conquerour, that stout, & Princely Peere,
King Edward, third of that name, gan the Britayne crowne to weare:
When scarse the number small, of thrise fiue yeares, be had full filde,
A counsellour sage at home, which seedes of Iustice dayly tilde,
And statutes made, and lawes confirmde, the common state to ease,
But chiefly he imployde his care, the Lord of Lordes to please.
Foure times the glittering Sunne, ech signe in heauen wandred had,
The fift time when through Cancers armes, he stealing gan to gad:
A chosen crue of Martiall knightes, king Edward hauing got,
Entented battaile for to wage, agaynst the busie Scot.
The greatest part of all his Realme, with wordes do more increase,
His Princely ire, for that the Scottes, had brake their league, and peace.
Hereto a Taunte full of reproch, against this noble land,
With an old grudge was ioynde, since they on Stanhop were in band.
Moreouer at Northampton, vp the kinges chief Casketts torne,
Wherein they left their bandes of league, the seales tane of beforne.
These causes iust incenst the valiaunt English hartes to fight,
And cleane expelde all faintyng feare, which might their myndes afright.
But yet by speaches fayre, repent if that perchaunce they would:
And eke amend their traitrous myndes, if that which Iustice should,
Attribute due vnto the Crowne of England, they would pay,
To winne the Scottes, the courteous Prince, first frendly did assay.
But they no white at all relent, but more, intende to bring,
Some meanes, whereby to worke the death, of Baliol their king.
Which spying out their treasons false, all perilles to refrayne,
Attaines the English coast by stealth, and so auoydes their trayne.
And setts abroch vnto the king, what fraude they did pretend,
Ungratefull Scottes, their soueraigne leyge, to bring to fatall end.
And then requestes in humble sort, his grace his case to ayde,
For thus (permitted for to speake) in dolefull sort he sayd.
King Edward, third of that name, gan the Britayne crowne to weare:
When scarse the number small, of thrise fiue yeares, be had full filde,
A counsellour sage at home, which seedes of Iustice dayly tilde,
And statutes made, and lawes confirmde, the common state to ease,
But chiefly he imployde his care, the Lord of Lordes to please.
Foure times the glittering Sunne, ech signe in heauen wandred had,
The fift time when through Cancers armes, he stealing gan to gad:
A chosen crue of Martiall knightes, king Edward hauing got,
Entented battaile for to wage, agaynst the busie Scot.
The greatest part of all his Realme, with wordes do more increase,
His Princely ire, for that the Scottes, had brake their league, and peace.
Hereto a Taunte full of reproch, against this noble land,
With an old grudge was ioynde, since they on Stanhop were in band.
Moreouer at Northampton, vp the kinges chief Casketts torne,
Wherein they left their bandes of league, the seales tane of beforne.
These causes iust incenst the valiaunt English hartes to fight,
And cleane expelde all faintyng feare, which might their myndes afright.
But yet by speaches fayre, repent if that perchaunce they would:
And eke amend their traitrous myndes, if that which Iustice should,
Attribute due vnto the Crowne of England, they would pay,
To winne the Scottes, the courteous Prince, first frendly did assay.
But they no white at all relent, but more, intende to bring,
Some meanes, whereby to worke the death, of Baliol their king.
Which spying out their treasons false, all perilles to refrayne,
Attaines the English coast by stealth, and so auoydes their trayne.
And setts abroch vnto the king, what fraude they did pretend,
Ungratefull Scottes, their soueraigne leyge, to bring to fatall end.
And then requestes in humble sort, his grace his case to ayde,
For thus (permitted for to speake) in dolefull sort he sayd.
He which made heauen, and earth, and men, and beastes of brutish kinde:
In guidyng thinges most prouident, assuredly did mynde,
That kinges, of kinges should neede the helpe, & should their succour craue,
And he which had receaued, most commoditie, should haue
A gratefull hart, to beare for aye, the giuers actes in mynde.
And sure I thinke it Gods behest, that some are here assignde,
Under some lucklesse Planet borne, in some vnhappy houre,
Which in this world, most griping grief, and sorrow shall deuoure.
And to what end? for that the Lord, most perfit, good, and kinde,
In ample sort, to good men giues good giftes, with willing minde.
And will his like haue for to ayde, men plunged in distresse,
But what auayles by circumstance, my minde for to expresse?
Wherfore in brief, vnto the cause it selfe, ile me addresse,
Of late a kingdome I possest, my fathers onely heire.
And did that stifneckt people well, with rayne restricted beare,
I liu'de deuoyde of feare, in pleasaunt peace, and rulde my lande,
When sodainely a tumulte made, of rebels false a hande:
Me vnwares besiegeth round, suspecting nought at all,
And hauing chosen captaines fit, besets my pallace wall.
What should I doe, vnhappy wight, such daungers prest at hand?
And at that pinch, when not a frend was by my side to stand?
Helpe from the Gods, with voyce submisse, and lowly minde I craude,
God heard my plaint, and in my hart, this was forthwith ingrau'de:
To flie the watch, by scaping through a window in the night.
From whence, I here am come (O king) vnto thy land by flight.
And vnder this, that nation vile, their vile offence haue closde,
That I, not in their Peers, nor in their people, trust reposde:
But to to much, your grace esteemde, and Britaines lou'de to neare,
My natiue country now I want, my wife, and children deare.
A poore, and needy wretch, here wander in a forraine land,
Nothing but hope remaines, a sorie comfort still at hand:
Unto distressed wightes, which neuer sure their mindes forsakes,
Till gasping breath begonne: my broken hart which somewhat makes:
For to reuiue, and will in time, more frendly Fortune bring.
Some pitie take, I pray, vpon my trauailes past O king.
But if you will vouchsafe to take, the tutele of my state:
While I am here tormented with the scourge, of bitter fate:
And me into your fauour high, by good lucke, shall receaue,
You Balial shall his state ychangde, of thousand thrals bereaue:
And eke your Fame throughout the world, shall blased be therfore.
This is the summe of my request, then this, I aske no more.
In guidyng thinges most prouident, assuredly did mynde,
That kinges, of kinges should neede the helpe, & should their succour craue,
And he which had receaued, most commoditie, should haue
A gratefull hart, to beare for aye, the giuers actes in mynde.
And sure I thinke it Gods behest, that some are here assignde,
Which in this world, most griping grief, and sorrow shall deuoure.
And to what end? for that the Lord, most perfit, good, and kinde,
In ample sort, to good men giues good giftes, with willing minde.
And will his like haue for to ayde, men plunged in distresse,
But what auayles by circumstance, my minde for to expresse?
Wherfore in brief, vnto the cause it selfe, ile me addresse,
Of late a kingdome I possest, my fathers onely heire.
And did that stifneckt people well, with rayne restricted beare,
I liu'de deuoyde of feare, in pleasaunt peace, and rulde my lande,
When sodainely a tumulte made, of rebels false a hande:
Me vnwares besiegeth round, suspecting nought at all,
And hauing chosen captaines fit, besets my pallace wall.
What should I doe, vnhappy wight, such daungers prest at hand?
And at that pinch, when not a frend was by my side to stand?
Helpe from the Gods, with voyce submisse, and lowly minde I craude,
God heard my plaint, and in my hart, this was forthwith ingrau'de:
To flie the watch, by scaping through a window in the night.
From whence, I here am come (O king) vnto thy land by flight.
And vnder this, that nation vile, their vile offence haue closde,
That I, not in their Peers, nor in their people, trust reposde:
But to to much, your grace esteemde, and Britaines lou'de to neare,
My natiue country now I want, my wife, and children deare.
A poore, and needy wretch, here wander in a forraine land,
Nothing but hope remaines, a sorie comfort still at hand:
Unto distressed wightes, which neuer sure their mindes forsakes,
Till gasping breath begonne: my broken hart which somewhat makes:
For to reuiue, and will in time, more frendly Fortune bring.
Some pitie take, I pray, vpon my trauailes past O king.
But if you will vouchsafe to take, the tutele of my state:
While I am here tormented with the scourge, of bitter fate:
And me into your fauour high, by good lucke, shall receaue,
You Balial shall his state ychangde, of thousand thrals bereaue:
And eke your Fame throughout the world, shall blased be therfore.
This is the summe of my request, then this, I aske no more.
He hauing ended his discourse, forthwith to make reply,
King Edward him addrest, of Britaine land the glory hye.
All thinges within this wauering world, to fickle chaunce, are thrall,
The turrettes mounted huge in hight, sustaine the greater fall.
He that is nothing mou'de at all, with beggars state most base,
Nor yet is daunted, with the lookes, of frowning Fortunes face.
But with a minde vnmoued beares, all losse no whit apalde,
He ought by right, a prudent man, and stout in deede, be calde.
A vertue patience is, which other witnes doth surmount,
Therfore this aduerse lucke despise, and therof make no count.
For God himselfe, hath limittes put, vnto thy cares no dout,
Which at his pleasure, he will end, when times are turnde about.
Expect a while, till ripe corne eares, Autumnus heat shall bring,
And greene grasse, by the blasing beames, of Phœbe aloft shall spring.
That for the barbed courser braue, the earth may prouend yeld.
Meane time, against this nation false, to fight, fit for the field,
I armour strong will get, and souldiours stout, through all my land,
I will collect, and what thinges els, for warres in steede may stand.
The fautors shall be quite destroyed, which that vile cause sustaine,
And ouer that vnbrideled nation fierce, ile make thee raigne.
If God shall graunt, and set will in thy fathers seat againe:
Thus said the English puissant Prince, the Court with murmour cract,
On euery side, resounding shrill, a foule, and filthy fact:
Ech one cries, for cankred nation proud, their lawfull king,
Of royall-scepter to bereaue, and worke his bale to bring.
Few dayes expired weare, and stealing time not farre had start,
When doughtie knightes, and souldiours braue, the king from euery part,
Selected had, and Captaines stout had chosen stoare at hand,
The troupes of horsemen set in ray, and many a mightie band.
Of footemen (floct in heapes before) being all disposed: (the masse,
Of coyned gold, for so great wars, and siluer, taken was,
Out of the chestes, wherein all goodes confiscate hourded are,
And to be borne, on carres was layd, no dout most gratfull ware)
Forthwith the warlike Princes both, the Britaine first in sight,
And after him the Scot, before the towne that Barwicke hight,
With walles aloofe erected, strong yfenct, their tentes they place,
Which bordreth neare the fragrant fieldes, where Twede doth run his race.
A fortresse Barwicke is, with ample walles succincted round,
Cut out from craggie rocke, and bulwarkt vp with baulkie bound.
That from the dreadfull dint of sword, it can hit souldiours shield,
And will not to the bouncing blowes, of warlike ingine yeld.
Fast vnto which conioynde of hollowed rockes, vnwyeldye, lyes
A turret, mounted vp aloft, vnto the Starrie skyes.
And farre, and wide, beholdes the champion fieldes of Flora bright,
With sundry sortes of armour full, and valiant knightes yfright.
And many a fort, fit for defence, the walles on ech side garde,
That dreadfull force, of forraine foes, from Barwicke quite is barde.
Twede saues that side, which Southwinde shrill, with moistie winges doth weat,
And on that part, the salt sea flouds, with bellowing, bouncing beate:
Which Titan from Aurora fled, with fierie face beholdes,
The Northside hath a castell fayre, which it gainst foes imboldes.
With natiue people, which the wooddy mountaines ioynt thereby,
Inhabite, and the Scottish realme, which wholy there doth lye.
Yet all these fenced fortresses, could safetie not afourde,
Nor Princes tower the dwellers shroude, from dinte of direfull swourd.
For after that the English campe, the fayre broad fieldes throughout,
Was spred, and compast had the walles, with hollow trench about:
With hugy heapes of molde vp cast, the Scottes all trembling closde,
Their iron gates, and walles, with spanges, and boltes of steele composde:
The common sort doe fortifie, and propp with huge {rockes}.
On th'other side, with heue, and sheue, all thrunging thicke, on flockes,
The English army, gay in glittering coates, indeuour fast,
Some fierie flashing brandes amayne, to toppes of garretts cast,
Some tende the double, leaffed doores, with barres of steele to teare,
But Vulcans frying flames to quench, the Scottes doe water beare,
Ech fountaine fayre drawne dry, in euery street, the towne throughout.
And more of fiery force, the present perill, lesse to dout:
The entrie of ech gate, with heapes of rubble thicke they throng,
All passage barring quite, and water scalding hott, among
The Britaynes, hewing out a way with blouddy blade, they fling.
Nor vnreuenged thus scapes the Scot, for some the whurling sting,
Some others downe the pearcing shaft, to gastly shadowes ding.
Not light of day, the towne besiegde, not darke, and duskie night,
Could rest permit, their irefull myndes so glowing hot to sight,
Desire of deepe reuenge, had made, and kindled more, and more.
In a close darkesome night, they fayne the walles to scale therfore:
The dubbling dromme resoundes, and ladders, ladders, ech one calde,
Which makes the Scotts to shreike, so trēbling feare their mindes appalde,
Now there be seekes an entraunce through the wall, an other here:
In coates of lyncloth clad, through darksome shades, milke white appeare,
The valiant race of Brute no slombring sleepe, their eyes to touch,
The towne besiegde permits, hope on both partes, and feare is such.
Meane time in siege full thirtie dayes, expired were, and past,
When cruell dearth, and famine fell, doth pinch the Scottes at last,
Closde fast within their walles, and needefull fcode ech where doth want,
A little bread, was sold for gold, it was so rare, and scant.
Their fish was spent, they had no flesh, nor other victualls,
A little eger wine was left. Forthwith together calls,
His mattes, the Chieftaine of the tower, and thus he speakes in brief.
Which of you all is ignorant, that here we want relief?
We can by no meanes flie from hence, nor from our charges swarue,
And tis a dreadfull kinde of death, through hunger pale to starue:
Chiefly for men of body sound, and full of solid strength:
Of his accord the apple ripe, doth fall from tree at length.
But hardly he by force, vnripe, is pluckt from of his plant.
What vse haue men of ioyntes, and limbes, if gratefull foode do want:
What frute hath life, both head, and handes, shall languish, and decay,
If fostring good they lacke. Therfore now (mates) what doe you say?
Will you that on conditions, the Citie yelded bee?
Which by the Britaynes stout subdued, ere long time you shall see,
With griefly dynt, of blouddy blade, her men and children kilde?
Or will you that we all doe pine, and be by famine spilde?
The Captaine thus his whole intent explande, his speaches endes.
When straight, with hurly burly noyce, a diuers sentence rendes,
The fickle common sort. But all in fine, doe thus agree.
A streamer white as driuen snow, wide ope in sight to see:
Out of a turret top, they hang, a signe of peace to bee.
And more right humbly pray to haue, some parle with the king,
Or with some noble man, to him their message for to bring.
From out the kinges pauilion straight, on to the walles was sent,
To know their mynde, and to returne their purposed intent.
When lowly, thus a souldiour sage, begins to frame his speach.
The troupe of men besieged here, most humbly doth beseech,
Such frendly fauour to be showne, that through the mercy great,
Of Edward peerlesse Prince, a few dayes truce they may intreat.
And promise plightes, the fort to yeld, and towne, as to him thrall,
If on that side, where Northarne puffes, doe batter Barwicke wall:
In darcke night shade, sent from the peeres, and primates of the land,
Into the Citie doe not scape of armed men a band,
With succour, and prouision frought, within full eight dayes space:
And that vnto the Britaines they, by iust right will giue place,
And eke deliuer vp the tower, vnto the Princes grace.
Their plighted promise to confirme, the king would pledges haue,
To whom (which truce made for a time) in number twelue they gaue.
But long the sleightes, and subtill guiles, of that vile nation slye,
May not be hid, in whose hart rootes, and bowels, lumpes do lye,
Of fraude ingraft, by natures skill, that needes not artes deuise.
For scarse Syr Phœbe with blasing beames to, the world had compast thrise:
When carefully the English campe, doe keepe their watch, and warde,
And other some supply the roomes, which others earst did garde.
The fourth day comes, when Southwind blastes, along with whistling slide,
And in the Westerne Ocean floudes, Sol gan his front to hide.
The night drawes on, and shadowes quite the earth, with darknes blind.
In quiet rest, all men, and foules, and beastes of sauage kinde,
Wear softly layd, and weried corps, refresht with slombring sleepe.
The watch, the Nothside of the towne, takes onely care to keepe.
Lest on that part the wylie Scot, by stealth should entraunce get,
Bycause it was as couenaunt, twixt both the nations set,
That on that side their hoped aide, to come, they would in take,
Or of the tower besiegde, forthwith the Britaines owners make.
But here behold, in glomy shadowy night, a fearefull foe,
Dacett, the chiefest Scottish Peere, three miles in compasse thoe,
Had trast beside the English campe, and ouer Twede had past,
Into our borders, all on horse, with army hying fast.
And though the bridge, of hard rocke framde, was ransackt, and vp torne,
Cleane to the walles, that ouer hit, no passers might be borne.
Yet hardy Dacett through the streames, attainde the warlike tower,
Some of his men in chanel whelmde, for fishes to deuouer.
Straight wayes a clamour loude, from Barwicke rought the starry skies,
And gladsome newes of present aide, through euery street forth flies:
Which shortly after turned was, to dolefull plaintes, and cries.
For of deceipt and trecherie, they all with shame conuicted,
Forthwith which iustly they deseru'de, with penaunce weare afflicted.
Fame of this thing so speedely, with flickering fethers fled,
That tydinges to the king was brought, as he lay in his bed.
Day light appeares, when fayre in sight was to a Iybet trust,
One of the pledges, whom forthwith succeede an other must.
By straite commaundement from the Prince, who had decreed, ech day,
Them two, and two, to hang, till all weare dead, and made away.
Then, then, at length that nation faithlesse rued, their tratterous mindes,
When he farre of, of faithfull frend, the breathlesse body findes:
Hye tottring in the ayre, tost to, and froe, with whurling windes.
He by infamous death, complaines stocke diffamde to bee,
Whiles in prospect of all, his sonne is tied to fatall tree.
The wretched mothers onely hope, and solace in distresse,
The women eke with hayres vnfold their dolours doe expresse,
And howlinges loude doe make, and naked brestes with bouncing beat,
But for bicause that hunger dire, and scarsitie of meat,
A deadly plague, through all the towne, doth headlong range about,
And foode from hungrie iawes of men, by little plucketh out,
Deuouring victualls all? those dolefull sorrowes were the lesse.
But here behold an other guile their famine to redresse.
That to the English campe vnwares, of men a selie bande,
Might range abrode, and victualls bring from out the Scottish land,
And other ayde procure, eight dayes truce more they pray the king.
But he their fraude foreseing, smiles, yet grauntes to them that thing.
True glory he, and high renowne, not golden booties sought,
For well he did perceaue by chraft, the matter to be wrought.
The Tenttes in peace doe rest, and Barwicke souldiours careles snort,
And weried limbes through tossing toyles, with pleasaunt sleepe comfort.
For meate was none, whereby their hungrie stomakes fill they might.
And now through midst of heauen hye sir Phœbe had tane his flight,
And ouerranne the hugie shoulders broode of Leo fierce,
All headlong prone descending downe, where Vesper first doth perce,
The duskie cloudes. An army great, in glittering harnish dight,
When from the mountaynes toppes in rankes, appeares wide ope in sight.
As sheepe in brode fieldes floct, goe greene grasse nibbing here, and there:
Or as on pleasaunt hills, where young lambes skipp with sporting chere,
The number is confusde: so thicke on troupes they bleating goe:
The Ramme amongest the milke white ewes, himselfe doth loftie showe,
Excelling both in courage haue, and strength of body great,
And fenced with his hooked hornes, reuengement fell doth threat:
None otherwise the Scottish armed bandes, on tops of hills,
From farre do shew themselues, and fieldes with thousandes thick vp fills.
Whence downe in good aray they march, into a valley plaine,
And euery one within his bandes, his footesteps doth containe.
Ech standard bearer doth his streaming banners broade display,
And taller by the heades the valiaunt Captaines leade the way.
Twede at that time her bankes with swelling floudes had ouerflowne,
By reason of the salt sea spring. That way to flit was none,
Left for the English armed bandes, that hope was quite bereft.
Wherfore the bragging Scotte, to humane forre which onely cleft,
The mighty power, of high Iehoue, respecting nought at all,
Presumptuouslie with swelling hart, himselfe doth victor call.
And vauntes that Britaynes all at once, shall sloop to dim of launce,
And shall of sharpe two edged blade, abide the greisly glaunce.
Thus they before the battaile fought, the triumph blasde, and spred,
Puft vp with hope, and natiue pride, which full their fancies fed.
Moreouer hope of rescues neare, the towne besieged had,
When farre on pilming plaines, the Scottish armyes thick to gad,
They had espied, and euery one his natiue armour knew,
And eke their nobles standardes all, when first they them did vew,
The Frasiers brethren twaine, and chiefest of the martiall rout,
The forefront of the battaile led, with Gwalter Stuard stout.
Then Greham, Cardoil, Parkeys, Gordon, Gramat next and Bride:
And Gilbert Douglas fierce, and Morreys Abbhyn by side.
All dect in pretious purple coates, the common souldiours beare,
The pearcing launce, and some in hand do wielde the sturdie speare,
All clad in stealed Iackes, with glittering helmettes gorgeous gay,
Whose gastlie threatning lookes, their inward anger did bewray.
These Peeres the second army guides and last, whose force exceedes
In martiall actes, and to the first, are not vnlike in deedes,
First Moyses, Morys then, and Valam, with that mighty Peere
Gordein, and Alen Stuard, then whom Sotherland doth cheere
With honour due, and Ruffy shyning all in armour bright.
Then comely Alexander Brus then Ceton, doughtie knight,
Last Lyndesey, Gros, and many more, whose fame and glory hye,
Through all Europa costes so vast, to their renowne doth flie.
All sprong of royall bloud, from auncient flockes descending all,
But of the common sort whose names to minde I cannot call
Full sixtye thousand fighting men did stand in battaile ray:
On th'other part the offspring stout of Brute did not delay,
But ready makes their swourdes, and drierie dartes, with pointed endes,
Their sinowye bowes, and trustie strings, the shaft which whurling sendes.
Their filed steele heades strong, the sturdy stemme which stedie beares,
With plumes of fethers deckt, which crested hellmett loftie reares.
Most godly to behold, thus standes ech bande, which Tytans rayes,
Doe more set out, ech order placde: the king thus boldly sayes.
Ye Britaynes comne of aunciedt race, I doe reioyse so see
Your manly lookes, which plaine foreshewes, your hartes from terrour free,
All trembling feare of death expeld. So doth it men beseeme,
And such as worthy me their king, and Captaine, I doe deeme,
That Prince which garded is, with doughtie laddes, in battaile woode,
And tendes by force of blouddy Mars, to striue in quarell good
He shall more boldly enterprise, in fight his foe, to quell,
And mates for strength, and valure good, I thinke of you so well
As of his warlike Macedons great Alexander thought,
When he against the Persians, and king Darius fought,
The Monarch proude of Asia all. Our cause most good and sure
Now who doth dout, For what a Princes fame can more procure:
Or greater honour wynne, then to restore a banisht king:
And him vnto his fathers seat, and regall scepter bring?
What open iniuries of late, this people false haue showne:
I neede not now to ripp agayne, they all to you are knowne.
Ile teach them if I liue, Gods honour due not impayer,
Nor sacred Iustice to infringe, nor Prince from royall chayer,
His right by birth, by force to plucke. How long wilt thou O Lorde
Behold and suffer to remaine these sinnes, so much abhorde?
Be thou from starrie region hye, reuenger of this wrong,
Let vigour from aboue discende, vs suppliant soules among,
And bashfull feare, let feeble make, our foes which vs withstand.
Dout nothing valiant hartes, Gods puissant might will be at hand.
Let euery one forth girde the trembling speare, with courage stout,
Why stay I now, of good euent, I tookens feele no dout.
Wherfore goe to your ensignes spred, and banners in the ayre
With boldned hartes assault your foes, yplungd in deepe dispayre.
Thus hauing sayd, Prince Edward mightie Peere doth make an end.
When straight the English campe with clamour loude the skies doth rend
Redoubling still amaine, ours, ours, the victorie is, hye Ioue,
His holy sprite doth breath on vs, and sendes helpe from aboue.
Meane time the army large, is fenced strong on euery wing,
With bowes, and arrowes good, which swiftlie Iirke from clanging string,
The threefold mayled coate of proufe, with squared head could pearce,
And now with blast of sounding trompe, the warning gin, forth fierce
With eger mindes, the onset first, the valiaunt Britaynes giues,
The shiuering shaftes doe dymme the ayre, so thicke ech other driues.
And as glommy shower, with haylestones {mixt}, descending fast,
The light with dimmīish darknes hydes, which sodainely agast
All trembling makes mens myndes, and pleasaunt fieldes to leaue compells,
Ech mortall wight, and to returne for succour where he dwells:
None otherwise the shaftes thicke shore, doe close the cleare day light,
Whilst Britayne bold the bended bow, doth pull with manly might.
The salt sweat drops through labring hard, distilling downe his cheekes,
Whilst pearcing arrow through the ayre, by force his passage seekes.
Both armyes bustling meete and man, to man stickes, in that {st}ounde,
Not so with gastly Cyclops strokes, mount Ætna did resounde:
Nor Vulcan fiery God, in dungeon deepe, such noyce did make:
Whilst that his monstrous mates by turnes, the massie sledge did shake,
With twhick, twhack, thūpe thump, boūcing fast, as thūderinglike did roare,
With clattering classing loude, of swourdes, the trampled Barwicke shoare,
And all the mountayne Halindane. Some take into their brayne,
The whurling shaft, and strugling knocke the earth, in deepe disdayne.
He fighting farre aloof, is fiercely through the shoulders pusht,
He dyes on poynt of mawrish pike, his thigh most greislie crusht.
The most part yeld their faintyng breath destroyed with gastly wound,
Euen through the bulke, their brest plates torne, where natures skill hath bound.
Unto the trembling lunges, the liuer full of liuely heat,
The battayle yet hanges doutfull, none hath gotten vantage great.
But after the assault more hott, and vehement gan to waxe,
The noble Prince Plantagenet his foes with pursute backes.
The gorye bloud, the flesh ygasht, with drierie dint of swourde,
Spins through amayne, as fluent floudes doe scoure the gurtie foorde.
Or as the blustring Southwind blacke, the fieldes doth moyst with showres,
In winter season cold, from duskie cloudes, which forth he powres.
Who can declare the slaughters fell and labours of that day?
Who can with floudes of trickling teares, the sorrowes iustly way?
Of slaughtered bodies who the number great, and names can tell?
How many thousandes eke the swourde in Plutoes pitt made dwell?
What grones were heard, what sobbing sighes euen from the hart rootes brought?
Whilst out of dying corps, ye flying ghostes their passage sought?
O ruthfull shape of thinges, with breathles bodies couered is
The earth, on plumpes which lye, and honour of sepulture misse.
And as the greedy woulfe which rauine hunger forth imboldes,
When he by shoouing long hath brust a way hath brust a way into the foldes,
The seelie sheepe vp teares, eke rauening hott bloud streames out suckes,
And halfe deuoured carkasses oerhippes, and more downe pluckes,
Which are aliue, proceeding fast with blouddy iawes to spoyle:
None otherwise the Brytaine sterne, with trampling feete doth soyle,
His sloughtred foes, and hott pursues the quicke in fight to foyle.
Downe dinging some with speares, and poles, to Lethe riuers brinkes
Who so dare once resist. The Scott this seyng backwardes shrinkes
And shiuering seekes to turne his backe, and saue himselfe by flight:
Agayne the progenie of Brute strikes loftie skies with shright:
Still following fast in chase, the starting foe to quell by might.
And floct in troupes, as often as the aduerse enemies crue,
Starke mad in mynde, begins agayne the battaile to renewe:
So oft vnto the conquerours might it waxing feeble bendes.
At length the glummy shadowye night, the blouddy battaile endes.
Then sounding trumpet shrill, retires the weried Britaines fast,
By Princes hest, and from the field, aloud, Retrait, doth blast.
The enemy quayled thus, free, vncontrolde, reioyse at will,
The souldiour might, and take of rest, and quiet sleepe his fill.
It glads them for to thinke of bitter toyles, and turmoiles past,
And then God Bacchus froothing boules, and Ceres giftes they tast,
To animate their hartes, no eye for pure ioy winkes that night,
But shewing his exploites, and hard adventures in the fight,
Ech one vnto his mate, of daungers past takes then delight.
Meane space (for nothing can be found more swift then fleeting time.)
The morne is come, and Titan cleare begins aloft to clime,
And with his beames the fayre broode fieldes doth set wide ope in sight.
Then myndefull of the succour sent, and power from God almight,
The godly Prince on bended knees, commaundes his campe throughout,
That euery soule with reuerence, and prayer most deuout,
Should serue the Lord, and on his name high solempne prayse bestow.
The mightie God, which for our sakes, the enemy brought full low,
That in the starrie firmament, thrise holy raignes for aye,
The Lord of Sabaoth eke, which condigne honour beares away,
Most worthelie be celebrate, and feared, without end,
In ages all, all nations eke, let to his Godhead bend.
Of thundring Ioue the most redoubted might, who can abide?
Who can his force withstand, which roaring floudes with beck doth guide?
And earth rough ragd with baulkes, and ayrie region running round,
His glory great therfore with solemne tunes let Britaynes sound.
All victory comes from him, and from hye heauen to men discendes.
These thinges thus done, his tentes be leaues, and course directly bendes,
Renowned Prince, vnto the place, wherein the field was fought.
And there he learnes of such as were tane captiue, to him brought,
The names of those redoubted Peeres, that there had gott their bale,
Wich some resemblaunce had in face, of former lookes, though pale
Through want of bloud they were, that scarce you might their countnance try.
But when vntoucht he did the race of warlike Brute espy,
And lackt but onely thirtene wightes of all his mighty trayne,
(Those which were hurt were shortly healde by medicines helpe agayne)
Extolling both his armes aloft to glittering starrie skie,
He thus exclaimes amaine, and to the Lord of hostes doth cry.
O Lord thrise mightie in thy deedes, how much doe I thee owe,
What fauour great vpon this realme of myne doest thou bestowe?
Meane time one of his Captaines had the whole brood field survued,
And Carkasses with clottes of dirt bedaubd, which would haue rued
Ones hart to haue beheld, their mestiue lookes with teares imbrued.
And findes full xx. thousand Scottes and fiue to be by flight
Safe home returnde, so that destroyed by Brytaines fell in fight
Of all the Scottish army huge, thirtie fiue thousand weare.
Which sloughtred number to augment, which noblest bloud did beare
Of all their realme, fiue hundred Peeres were sent to limbo lake.
Plantagenet these thinges thus knowne, returne doth speedie make
Unto his tentes, whom by the way a Legate meetes in hast
Declaring how the Barwicke Lordes would yeld themselues at last
And leaue their goodly towne, which strong stone walles do surely garde,
If by the mercy of his grace their liues might all be sparde:
And that with bagge, and baggage, they might freely thence depart.
The godly Prince the late shed bloud, lamenting at his hart
Their liues with good will grauntes, but goodes, & substaunce, doth denay,
Which on my souldiours must (quoth he) bestowde be, for their pray.
Prouookementes, to incense their mindes, aduentures hard to preue.
What doth not mortall men to do leane pined hunger moue?
What doth not aduerse fate, conculking backward folke constraine?
Neede is a direfull dart. To saue their liues they therfore faine
Conclude, and onely with their clothes their natiue towne forsake.
Forthwith Prince Edward of the tower by right doth seison take.
And Barwicke giues vnto his men with all her substaunce free.
Whose not inricht goodes to possesse of which no owners bee?
Though thousand treublous thoughtes turmoild, the king, now here, now there,
And restlesse rage, of clogging cares, his mynd did peece meale teare:
Yet chiefly Baliol he respecte, wherfore with helping hand,
He sets him in his Graundsiers seat, and Princelie throne to stand.
Inricht with heapes of coyne, and garded strong with warriours stout.
And after garrisons were placde ech where, the towne throughout:
Tyme styding warnes the kyng, the South partes of his realme to see,
To London therfore hying fast, in short time comne is hee.
Which fayre broode streates addornes, and sorth with solempne triumph rides,
Unto his royall pallace braue, whose comming there abides,
The Cytizens, his safe retourne applauding, and his feere,
The Princesse Phillip, with her sonne, which lookt with smiling cheare.
His noble prayse and high renowne through euery streate doth range,
And glory past the vncoth coostes of Affrike people strange.
The swift report of this new warre, beyond the bankes flue out,
Of Ganges liquid floudes, the mirrour of our world no dout.
The king vnweryed sturres, and circuite makes throughout the land,
Survewing townes, and fortes, and in what case ech thing doth stand.
But chieflie at Newcastell he doth loue to make his stay,
Which from the Scottish borders farre, is distant not away.
Here whilst he lawes confirmde, and for offenders stablisht paynes,
King Baliol comes, and after him a troupe of nobles traines,
His homage for to doe, as customde was in eldar age,
And eke to shew his frendlie hart, which should at no time gage,
Wherfore admitted for to come before the Senate sage:
On bended knee, as in degree inferiour, he submitts
Himselfe, King Edward on his throne, with regall scepter sitts,
And biddes with chearefull voyce, him prostrate to be tane from ground,
Commending highlie this his fact, that though in duetie bound,
Yet vncompelde, he honour giues, and ayde by promise plightes
If that his traitrous subiectes should against him bend their mightes.
Of common weales affaires, and of God Mauors noble art,
Much talke was spent, he biddes him haue a haut vnconquered hart,
And not to beare in minde, his former thralls, and irkesome fate,
But courage stout to haue, concordant to his present state.
To Saintes celestiall yelding prayse, and to the powers diuine:
He more submisse doth humble thankes referre, and thus in fine
In sondrie sortes of talke, and sporting mirth a day they spende,
And then another, till away Plantagenet did wende,
And Baliol king to Edenbrowe his progresse straight did bende.
The Moone increasing oft, had now repayrde her glittering gleames,
When Edward with swift slyding hull deuides the surging streames,
Requested by the Flaunders Earle on causes of great weight
For to consult, to bothes behoofe, in time redounde which might.
Whom kindred neare, and eke his spouse, to Britaine monarch knit,
And hauing had on their affaires such talke as they thought fitt,
They strike a league, and heauenly bodies bright, to recorde call,
Which neuer during terme of life, be abrogated shall.
The Peeres of Flaunders on their othes, this league a vowe to keepe.
This done the king to England backe the salt sea floudes doth sweepe.
These newes the Frenchman galles, and fills his minde with doutfull dred,
When through the streetes of Paris, pompous towne, this fame had spred,
And rumour running fast, vncertaine who it first should reare,
And did likewise the irefull hart through burning choler teare.
Of Valoys king of Galls, wherfore his Lordes to counsell tane,
By dreadfull Mars it was decreed to worke the Britaines bane.
Small matter finding out, and that vniust, to build vpon,
But th'English Rector fraude preuentes, with vertue pure anon,
For he to blouddy warres the Frenchman summons, as right heyre
Unto the crowne, and armes of Fraunce with th'English mixt doth beare.
For that his vncle Charles did to ioyes supernall passe,
No issue left behinde, whose sister true, and coheire was
The comely Lady Isabell, out from whose loynes did spring,
(She comne of auncient lyne her selfe,) the mightie English king.
Who with these causes iust of ire prouookt, in bagges doth fold,
A masse of siluer pure, and hugie heapes of glittering gold.
And ready gettes ech thing, for present warres which he thinkes meete.
But first he goes the Flanders Earle his faithfull frend to greet,
And to consult beyond the seas. A mightie army gardes
His maiestie, which hollow hull from flashing surges wardes,
And now in midst of weltring waues, the nauy fleetes apace,
Which with his boystrous blastes the Northwinde cold along doth chase,
His lustie laddes to topp, with whistle shrill the carefull guide
Commmaundes, where standing one, of Shippes a nauy huge descryde,
And askt, how many: aunswere makes, on wooddie mountaines hye,
So many as are tender okes esprong. Then of what countrie:
Of Fraunce (quoth he). Forthwith the king biddes ech man to addresse,
Him selfe to fight, and armour strong to set in readinesse.
And that no man should turne the sterne, and course intended leaue,
On payne of losse of that deare ioynt, to which the shoulders cleaue.
Don Phæbus now, with glimering rayes, the hye heauen costes deuides,
And loftie in his chariot bright, the windes quite calmed, rides.
Stout Valoys his vp sturres, the broilyng battaile to begin,
Shipp, fast to shipp conioynes, the clasping grapple, hellish ginne.
On both sides fiercer growes the fight, bloud, bloud, pursues full fast,
He headlong tumblyng downe, in gulfie channell quicke is cast,
A pleasaunt bait for frisking fish, he gasht with goory knife,
Into the surging salt sea floudes is throwne deuoyde of life,
And so one man with double corture, hath his fatall end.
Moreouer huge vnwieldie stones, the English souldiours sende,
Downe frō their hollow topps, which Celtanes brainepans battring rende,
And bodies brusing teare, and hatches sprinke with braynes, and bloud:
The sharpe side swourd th'assualt likewise doth more fierce, & woode.
The French defend themselues with poles, and stoutly breake the blowes,
Both nauyes fierce amayne, with sanguine streames of red bloud flowes.
But th'English eger presse their foes with much more force to sting.
Alas what stony riuer rough from stickle Alpes whose spring,
With winter showers augmented is, with greater force doth fall,
Into the broode seas gaping gulfe? no semblance now at all
Of greenish colour cleare, dame Thetis wallowing waues retaine
But purple hue do beare. So deepe woundes poure bloudstreames amaine:
As liquid water droppes, through broken pipes, and conduites straine,
Besprinkling all the grounde. No man by flight lookes life to gaine,
Nor ouglye shape of death, doth any strike in staggring stound:
And now eight long houres fled, Syr Titans lamp had compast round,
The ayrie region vast, and bending beake to deepes downe stelt,
Then midst of sommer was, in Cancers house Don Phœbus dwelt.
The skirmish hotter growes, and more, and more, doth anger swell,
Haut courage kindleth ech mans mynde. The gastly bickering fell
Not night as blacke as pich, nor direfull darknes stintes and stopps.
This barke salt water leakes, and surges high through chinkes in hopps,
Her ribbes by force out torne. There might you see huge bulkes half burnde,
Their men on scriking, drowne, we drowne, into the channell turnde.
{Their age} yet restles rampes, and Britaines force with hardier might,
As though euen then they entred had into that fatall fight.
So feruent waxt their moodes, as though some sad vnlucky starre,
Did threat destruction dire to fall, on th'one part of from farre.
But th'aspect of God Mars agaynst the Gaules more cruell was,
The timber bourdes, and beames, do not them shrine from death alas,
Which those behinde, in darke night shade, themselues thought for to hide,
And now almost deathes drierie dart the enemies all had stryde,
For thirtie thousand in that fight their swift ghostes did conuay
To Limbo low: end of the night, and dawning of the day,
Was finall end of warres also. The famous conquest light
On Edward mightie Peere, the aduerse nauy most in fight
Tane either captiue, or destroyde, few saude themselues by flight.
To thundring Ioue, Plantagenet the chief laude doth betake,
And biddes ech man to him prostrate, his humble duetie make,
And honour iust ascribe. Thinges finisht thus, backe home againe
King Edward him addrest, of Britaine land the glory hye.
All thinges within this wauering world, to fickle chaunce, are thrall,
The turrettes mounted huge in hight, sustaine the greater fall.
He that is nothing mou'de at all, with beggars state most base,
But with a minde vnmoued beares, all losse no whit apalde,
He ought by right, a prudent man, and stout in deede, be calde.
A vertue patience is, which other witnes doth surmount,
Therfore this aduerse lucke despise, and therof make no count.
For God himselfe, hath limittes put, vnto thy cares no dout,
Which at his pleasure, he will end, when times are turnde about.
Expect a while, till ripe corne eares, Autumnus heat shall bring,
And greene grasse, by the blasing beames, of Phœbe aloft shall spring.
That for the barbed courser braue, the earth may prouend yeld.
Meane time, against this nation false, to fight, fit for the field,
I armour strong will get, and souldiours stout, through all my land,
I will collect, and what thinges els, for warres in steede may stand.
The fautors shall be quite destroyed, which that vile cause sustaine,
And ouer that vnbrideled nation fierce, ile make thee raigne.
If God shall graunt, and set will in thy fathers seat againe:
Thus said the English puissant Prince, the Court with murmour cract,
On euery side, resounding shrill, a foule, and filthy fact:
Ech one cries, for cankred nation proud, their lawfull king,
Of royall-scepter to bereaue, and worke his bale to bring.
Few dayes expired weare, and stealing time not farre had start,
When doughtie knightes, and souldiours braue, the king from euery part,
Selected had, and Captaines stout had chosen stoare at hand,
The troupes of horsemen set in ray, and many a mightie band.
Of footemen (floct in heapes before) being all disposed: (the masse,
Of coyned gold, for so great wars, and siluer, taken was,
Out of the chestes, wherein all goodes confiscate hourded are,
And to be borne, on carres was layd, no dout most gratfull ware)
Forthwith the warlike Princes both, the Britaine first in sight,
And after him the Scot, before the towne that Barwicke hight,
With walles aloofe erected, strong yfenct, their tentes they place,
Which bordreth neare the fragrant fieldes, where Twede doth run his race.
A fortresse Barwicke is, with ample walles succincted round,
Cut out from craggie rocke, and bulwarkt vp with baulkie bound.
That from the dreadfull dint of sword, it can hit souldiours shield,
And will not to the bouncing blowes, of warlike ingine yeld.
Fast vnto which conioynde of hollowed rockes, vnwyeldye, lyes
A turret, mounted vp aloft, vnto the Starrie skyes.
And farre, and wide, beholdes the champion fieldes of Flora bright,
With sundry sortes of armour full, and valiant knightes yfright.
That dreadfull force, of forraine foes, from Barwicke quite is barde.
Twede saues that side, which Southwinde shrill, with moistie winges doth weat,
And on that part, the salt sea flouds, with bellowing, bouncing beate:
Which Titan from Aurora fled, with fierie face beholdes,
The Northside hath a castell fayre, which it gainst foes imboldes.
With natiue people, which the wooddy mountaines ioynt thereby,
Inhabite, and the Scottish realme, which wholy there doth lye.
Yet all these fenced fortresses, could safetie not afourde,
Nor Princes tower the dwellers shroude, from dinte of direfull swourd.
For after that the English campe, the fayre broad fieldes throughout,
Was spred, and compast had the walles, with hollow trench about:
With hugy heapes of molde vp cast, the Scottes all trembling closde,
Their iron gates, and walles, with spanges, and boltes of steele composde:
The common sort doe fortifie, and propp with huge {rockes}.
On th'other side, with heue, and sheue, all thrunging thicke, on flockes,
The English army, gay in glittering coates, indeuour fast,
Some fierie flashing brandes amayne, to toppes of garretts cast,
Some tende the double, leaffed doores, with barres of steele to teare,
But Vulcans frying flames to quench, the Scottes doe water beare,
Ech fountaine fayre drawne dry, in euery street, the towne throughout.
And more of fiery force, the present perill, lesse to dout:
The entrie of ech gate, with heapes of rubble thicke they throng,
All passage barring quite, and water scalding hott, among
The Britaynes, hewing out a way with blouddy blade, they fling.
Nor vnreuenged thus scapes the Scot, for some the whurling sting,
Some others downe the pearcing shaft, to gastly shadowes ding.
Not light of day, the towne besiegde, not darke, and duskie night,
Could rest permit, their irefull myndes so glowing hot to sight,
Desire of deepe reuenge, had made, and kindled more, and more.
In a close darkesome night, they fayne the walles to scale therfore:
The dubbling dromme resoundes, and ladders, ladders, ech one calde,
Which makes the Scotts to shreike, so trēbling feare their mindes appalde,
Now there be seekes an entraunce through the wall, an other here:
In coates of lyncloth clad, through darksome shades, milke white appeare,
The valiant race of Brute no slombring sleepe, their eyes to touch,
The towne besiegde permits, hope on both partes, and feare is such.
Meane time in siege full thirtie dayes, expired were, and past,
When cruell dearth, and famine fell, doth pinch the Scottes at last,
Closde fast within their walles, and needefull fcode ech where doth want,
Their fish was spent, they had no flesh, nor other victualls,
A little eger wine was left. Forthwith together calls,
His mattes, the Chieftaine of the tower, and thus he speakes in brief.
Which of you all is ignorant, that here we want relief?
We can by no meanes flie from hence, nor from our charges swarue,
And tis a dreadfull kinde of death, through hunger pale to starue:
Chiefly for men of body sound, and full of solid strength:
Of his accord the apple ripe, doth fall from tree at length.
But hardly he by force, vnripe, is pluckt from of his plant.
What vse haue men of ioyntes, and limbes, if gratefull foode do want:
What frute hath life, both head, and handes, shall languish, and decay,
If fostring good they lacke. Therfore now (mates) what doe you say?
Will you that on conditions, the Citie yelded bee?
Which by the Britaynes stout subdued, ere long time you shall see,
With griefly dynt, of blouddy blade, her men and children kilde?
Or will you that we all doe pine, and be by famine spilde?
The Captaine thus his whole intent explande, his speaches endes.
When straight, with hurly burly noyce, a diuers sentence rendes,
The fickle common sort. But all in fine, doe thus agree.
A streamer white as driuen snow, wide ope in sight to see:
Out of a turret top, they hang, a signe of peace to bee.
And more right humbly pray to haue, some parle with the king,
Or with some noble man, to him their message for to bring.
From out the kinges pauilion straight, on to the walles was sent,
To know their mynde, and to returne their purposed intent.
When lowly, thus a souldiour sage, begins to frame his speach.
The troupe of men besieged here, most humbly doth beseech,
Such frendly fauour to be showne, that through the mercy great,
Of Edward peerlesse Prince, a few dayes truce they may intreat.
And promise plightes, the fort to yeld, and towne, as to him thrall,
If on that side, where Northarne puffes, doe batter Barwicke wall:
In darcke night shade, sent from the peeres, and primates of the land,
Into the Citie doe not scape of armed men a band,
With succour, and prouision frought, within full eight dayes space:
And that vnto the Britaines they, by iust right will giue place,
And eke deliuer vp the tower, vnto the Princes grace.
Their plighted promise to confirme, the king would pledges haue,
To whom (which truce made for a time) in number twelue they gaue.
But long the sleightes, and subtill guiles, of that vile nation slye,
Of fraude ingraft, by natures skill, that needes not artes deuise.
For scarse Syr Phœbe with blasing beames to, the world had compast thrise:
When carefully the English campe, doe keepe their watch, and warde,
And other some supply the roomes, which others earst did garde.
The fourth day comes, when Southwind blastes, along with whistling slide,
And in the Westerne Ocean floudes, Sol gan his front to hide.
The night drawes on, and shadowes quite the earth, with darknes blind.
In quiet rest, all men, and foules, and beastes of sauage kinde,
Wear softly layd, and weried corps, refresht with slombring sleepe.
The watch, the Nothside of the towne, takes onely care to keepe.
Lest on that part the wylie Scot, by stealth should entraunce get,
Bycause it was as couenaunt, twixt both the nations set,
That on that side their hoped aide, to come, they would in take,
Or of the tower besiegde, forthwith the Britaines owners make.
But here behold, in glomy shadowy night, a fearefull foe,
Dacett, the chiefest Scottish Peere, three miles in compasse thoe,
Had trast beside the English campe, and ouer Twede had past,
Into our borders, all on horse, with army hying fast.
And though the bridge, of hard rocke framde, was ransackt, and vp torne,
Cleane to the walles, that ouer hit, no passers might be borne.
Yet hardy Dacett through the streames, attainde the warlike tower,
Some of his men in chanel whelmde, for fishes to deuouer.
Straight wayes a clamour loude, from Barwicke rought the starry skies,
And gladsome newes of present aide, through euery street forth flies:
Which shortly after turned was, to dolefull plaintes, and cries.
For of deceipt and trecherie, they all with shame conuicted,
Forthwith which iustly they deseru'de, with penaunce weare afflicted.
Fame of this thing so speedely, with flickering fethers fled,
That tydinges to the king was brought, as he lay in his bed.
Day light appeares, when fayre in sight was to a Iybet trust,
One of the pledges, whom forthwith succeede an other must.
By straite commaundement from the Prince, who had decreed, ech day,
Them two, and two, to hang, till all weare dead, and made away.
Then, then, at length that nation faithlesse rued, their tratterous mindes,
When he farre of, of faithfull frend, the breathlesse body findes:
Hye tottring in the ayre, tost to, and froe, with whurling windes.
He by infamous death, complaines stocke diffamde to bee,
Whiles in prospect of all, his sonne is tied to fatall tree.
The wretched mothers onely hope, and solace in distresse,
And howlinges loude doe make, and naked brestes with bouncing beat,
But for bicause that hunger dire, and scarsitie of meat,
A deadly plague, through all the towne, doth headlong range about,
And foode from hungrie iawes of men, by little plucketh out,
Deuouring victualls all? those dolefull sorrowes were the lesse.
But here behold an other guile their famine to redresse.
That to the English campe vnwares, of men a selie bande,
Might range abrode, and victualls bring from out the Scottish land,
And other ayde procure, eight dayes truce more they pray the king.
But he their fraude foreseing, smiles, yet grauntes to them that thing.
True glory he, and high renowne, not golden booties sought,
For well he did perceaue by chraft, the matter to be wrought.
The Tenttes in peace doe rest, and Barwicke souldiours careles snort,
And weried limbes through tossing toyles, with pleasaunt sleepe comfort.
For meate was none, whereby their hungrie stomakes fill they might.
And now through midst of heauen hye sir Phœbe had tane his flight,
And ouerranne the hugie shoulders broode of Leo fierce,
All headlong prone descending downe, where Vesper first doth perce,
The duskie cloudes. An army great, in glittering harnish dight,
When from the mountaynes toppes in rankes, appeares wide ope in sight.
As sheepe in brode fieldes floct, goe greene grasse nibbing here, and there:
Or as on pleasaunt hills, where young lambes skipp with sporting chere,
The number is confusde: so thicke on troupes they bleating goe:
The Ramme amongest the milke white ewes, himselfe doth loftie showe,
Excelling both in courage haue, and strength of body great,
And fenced with his hooked hornes, reuengement fell doth threat:
None otherwise the Scottish armed bandes, on tops of hills,
From farre do shew themselues, and fieldes with thousandes thick vp fills.
Whence downe in good aray they march, into a valley plaine,
And euery one within his bandes, his footesteps doth containe.
Ech standard bearer doth his streaming banners broade display,
And taller by the heades the valiaunt Captaines leade the way.
Twede at that time her bankes with swelling floudes had ouerflowne,
By reason of the salt sea spring. That way to flit was none,
Left for the English armed bandes, that hope was quite bereft.
Wherfore the bragging Scotte, to humane forre which onely cleft,
The mighty power, of high Iehoue, respecting nought at all,
Presumptuouslie with swelling hart, himselfe doth victor call.
And vauntes that Britaynes all at once, shall sloop to dim of launce,
Thus they before the battaile fought, the triumph blasde, and spred,
Puft vp with hope, and natiue pride, which full their fancies fed.
Moreouer hope of rescues neare, the towne besieged had,
When farre on pilming plaines, the Scottish armyes thick to gad,
They had espied, and euery one his natiue armour knew,
And eke their nobles standardes all, when first they them did vew,
The Frasiers brethren twaine, and chiefest of the martiall rout,
The forefront of the battaile led, with Gwalter Stuard stout.
Then Greham, Cardoil, Parkeys, Gordon, Gramat next and Bride:
And Gilbert Douglas fierce, and Morreys Abbhyn by side.
All dect in pretious purple coates, the common souldiours beare,
The pearcing launce, and some in hand do wielde the sturdie speare,
All clad in stealed Iackes, with glittering helmettes gorgeous gay,
Whose gastlie threatning lookes, their inward anger did bewray.
These Peeres the second army guides and last, whose force exceedes
In martiall actes, and to the first, are not vnlike in deedes,
First Moyses, Morys then, and Valam, with that mighty Peere
Gordein, and Alen Stuard, then whom Sotherland doth cheere
With honour due, and Ruffy shyning all in armour bright.
Then comely Alexander Brus then Ceton, doughtie knight,
Last Lyndesey, Gros, and many more, whose fame and glory hye,
Through all Europa costes so vast, to their renowne doth flie.
All sprong of royall bloud, from auncient flockes descending all,
But of the common sort whose names to minde I cannot call
Full sixtye thousand fighting men did stand in battaile ray:
On th'other part the offspring stout of Brute did not delay,
But ready makes their swourdes, and drierie dartes, with pointed endes,
Their sinowye bowes, and trustie strings, the shaft which whurling sendes.
Their filed steele heades strong, the sturdy stemme which stedie beares,
With plumes of fethers deckt, which crested hellmett loftie reares.
Most godly to behold, thus standes ech bande, which Tytans rayes,
Doe more set out, ech order placde: the king thus boldly sayes.
Ye Britaynes comne of aunciedt race, I doe reioyse so see
Your manly lookes, which plaine foreshewes, your hartes from terrour free,
All trembling feare of death expeld. So doth it men beseeme,
And such as worthy me their king, and Captaine, I doe deeme,
That Prince which garded is, with doughtie laddes, in battaile woode,
And tendes by force of blouddy Mars, to striue in quarell good
He shall more boldly enterprise, in fight his foe, to quell,
As of his warlike Macedons great Alexander thought,
When he against the Persians, and king Darius fought,
The Monarch proude of Asia all. Our cause most good and sure
Now who doth dout, For what a Princes fame can more procure:
Or greater honour wynne, then to restore a banisht king:
And him vnto his fathers seat, and regall scepter bring?
What open iniuries of late, this people false haue showne:
I neede not now to ripp agayne, they all to you are knowne.
Ile teach them if I liue, Gods honour due not impayer,
Nor sacred Iustice to infringe, nor Prince from royall chayer,
His right by birth, by force to plucke. How long wilt thou O Lorde
Behold and suffer to remaine these sinnes, so much abhorde?
Be thou from starrie region hye, reuenger of this wrong,
Let vigour from aboue discende, vs suppliant soules among,
And bashfull feare, let feeble make, our foes which vs withstand.
Dout nothing valiant hartes, Gods puissant might will be at hand.
Let euery one forth girde the trembling speare, with courage stout,
Why stay I now, of good euent, I tookens feele no dout.
Wherfore goe to your ensignes spred, and banners in the ayre
With boldned hartes assault your foes, yplungd in deepe dispayre.
Thus hauing sayd, Prince Edward mightie Peere doth make an end.
When straight the English campe with clamour loude the skies doth rend
Redoubling still amaine, ours, ours, the victorie is, hye Ioue,
His holy sprite doth breath on vs, and sendes helpe from aboue.
Meane time the army large, is fenced strong on euery wing,
With bowes, and arrowes good, which swiftlie Iirke from clanging string,
The threefold mayled coate of proufe, with squared head could pearce,
And now with blast of sounding trompe, the warning gin, forth fierce
With eger mindes, the onset first, the valiaunt Britaynes giues,
The shiuering shaftes doe dymme the ayre, so thicke ech other driues.
And as glommy shower, with haylestones {mixt}, descending fast,
The light with dimmīish darknes hydes, which sodainely agast
All trembling makes mens myndes, and pleasaunt fieldes to leaue compells,
Ech mortall wight, and to returne for succour where he dwells:
None otherwise the shaftes thicke shore, doe close the cleare day light,
Whilst Britayne bold the bended bow, doth pull with manly might.
The salt sweat drops through labring hard, distilling downe his cheekes,
Whilst pearcing arrow through the ayre, by force his passage seekes.
Both armyes bustling meete and man, to man stickes, in that {st}ounde,
Vulcane as Poetes fayne had his smithey in mount Lemnos in Cicilie where he with his mates wrought. A great scath by the Eng. Archers done to the Scotts.
Nor Vulcan fiery God, in dungeon deepe, such noyce did make:
Whilst that his monstrous mates by turnes, the massie sledge did shake,
With twhick, twhack, thūpe thump, boūcing fast, as thūderinglike did roare,
With clattering classing loude, of swourdes, the trampled Barwicke shoare,
And all the mountayne Halindane. Some take into their brayne,
The whurling shaft, and strugling knocke the earth, in deepe disdayne.
He fighting farre aloof, is fiercely through the shoulders pusht,
He dyes on poynt of mawrish pike, his thigh most greislie crusht.
The most part yeld their faintyng breath destroyed with gastly wound,
Euen through the bulke, their brest plates torne, where natures skill hath bound.
Unto the trembling lunges, the liuer full of liuely heat,
The battayle yet hanges doutfull, none hath gotten vantage great.
But after the assault more hott, and vehement gan to waxe,
The noble Prince Plantagenet his foes with pursute backes.
The gorye bloud, the flesh ygasht, with drierie dint of swourde,
Spins through amayne, as fluent floudes doe scoure the gurtie foorde.
Or as the blustring Southwind blacke, the fieldes doth moyst with showres,
In winter season cold, from duskie cloudes, which forth he powres.
Who can declare the slaughters fell and labours of that day?
Who can with floudes of trickling teares, the sorrowes iustly way?
Of slaughtered bodies who the number great, and names can tell?
How many thousandes eke the swourde in Plutoes pitt made dwell?
What grones were heard, what sobbing sighes euen from the hart rootes brought?
Whilst out of dying corps, ye flying ghostes their passage sought?
O ruthfull shape of thinges, with breathles bodies couered is
The earth, on plumpes which lye, and honour of sepulture misse.
And as the greedy woulfe which rauine hunger forth imboldes,
When he by shoouing long hath brust a way hath brust a way into the foldes,
The seelie sheepe vp teares, eke rauening hott bloud streames out suckes,
And halfe deuoured carkasses oerhippes, and more downe pluckes,
Which are aliue, proceeding fast with blouddy iawes to spoyle:
None otherwise the Brytaine sterne, with trampling feete doth soyle,
His sloughtred foes, and hott pursues the quicke in fight to foyle.
Downe dinging some with speares, and poles, to Lethe riuers brinkes
Who so dare once resist. The Scott this seyng backwardes shrinkes
And shiuering seekes to turne his backe, and saue himselfe by flight:
Agayne the progenie of Brute strikes loftie skies with shright:
Still following fast in chase, the starting foe to quell by might.
And floct in troupes, as often as the aduerse enemies crue,
So oft vnto the conquerours might it waxing feeble bendes.
At length the glummy shadowye night, the blouddy battaile endes.
Then sounding trumpet shrill, retires the weried Britaines fast,
By Princes hest, and from the field, aloud, Retrait, doth blast.
The enemy quayled thus, free, vncontrolde, reioyse at will,
The souldiour might, and take of rest, and quiet sleepe his fill.
It glads them for to thinke of bitter toyles, and turmoiles past,
And then God Bacchus froothing boules, and Ceres giftes they tast,
To animate their hartes, no eye for pure ioy winkes that night,
But shewing his exploites, and hard adventures in the fight,
Ech one vnto his mate, of daungers past takes then delight.
Meane space (for nothing can be found more swift then fleeting time.)
The morne is come, and Titan cleare begins aloft to clime,
And with his beames the fayre broode fieldes doth set wide ope in sight.
Then myndefull of the succour sent, and power from God almight,
The godly Prince on bended knees, commaundes his campe throughout,
That euery soule with reuerence, and prayer most deuout,
Should serue the Lord, and on his name high solempne prayse bestow.
The mightie God, which for our sakes, the enemy brought full low,
That in the starrie firmament, thrise holy raignes for aye,
The Lord of Sabaoth eke, which condigne honour beares away,
Most worthelie be celebrate, and feared, without end,
In ages all, all nations eke, let to his Godhead bend.
Of thundring Ioue the most redoubted might, who can abide?
Who can his force withstand, which roaring floudes with beck doth guide?
And earth rough ragd with baulkes, and ayrie region running round,
His glory great therfore with solemne tunes let Britaynes sound.
All victory comes from him, and from hye heauen to men discendes.
These thinges thus done, his tentes be leaues, and course directly bendes,
Renowned Prince, vnto the place, wherein the field was fought.
And there he learnes of such as were tane captiue, to him brought,
The names of those redoubted Peeres, that there had gott their bale,
Wich some resemblaunce had in face, of former lookes, though pale
Through want of bloud they were, that scarce you might their countnance try.
But when vntoucht he did the race of warlike Brute espy,
And lackt but onely thirtene wightes of all his mighty trayne,
(Those which were hurt were shortly healde by medicines helpe agayne)
Extolling both his armes aloft to glittering starrie skie,
He thus exclaimes amaine, and to the Lord of hostes doth cry.
What fauour great vpon this realme of myne doest thou bestowe?
Meane time one of his Captaines had the whole brood field survued,
And Carkasses with clottes of dirt bedaubd, which would haue rued
Ones hart to haue beheld, their mestiue lookes with teares imbrued.
And findes full xx. thousand Scottes and fiue to be by flight
Safe home returnde, so that destroyed by Brytaines fell in fight
Of all the Scottish army huge, thirtie fiue thousand weare.
Which sloughtred number to augment, which noblest bloud did beare
Of all their realme, fiue hundred Peeres were sent to limbo lake.
Plantagenet these thinges thus knowne, returne doth speedie make
Unto his tentes, whom by the way a Legate meetes in hast
Declaring how the Barwicke Lordes would yeld themselues at last
And leaue their goodly towne, which strong stone walles do surely garde,
If by the mercy of his grace their liues might all be sparde:
And that with bagge, and baggage, they might freely thence depart.
The godly Prince the late shed bloud, lamenting at his hart
Their liues with good will grauntes, but goodes, & substaunce, doth denay,
Which on my souldiours must (quoth he) bestowde be, for their pray.
Prouookementes, to incense their mindes, aduentures hard to preue.
What doth not mortall men to do leane pined hunger moue?
What doth not aduerse fate, conculking backward folke constraine?
Neede is a direfull dart. To saue their liues they therfore faine
Conclude, and onely with their clothes their natiue towne forsake.
Forthwith Prince Edward of the tower by right doth seison take.
And Barwicke giues vnto his men with all her substaunce free.
Whose not inricht goodes to possesse of which no owners bee?
Though thousand treublous thoughtes turmoild, the king, now here, now there,
And restlesse rage, of clogging cares, his mynd did peece meale teare:
Yet chiefly Baliol he respecte, wherfore with helping hand,
He sets him in his Graundsiers seat, and Princelie throne to stand.
Inricht with heapes of coyne, and garded strong with warriours stout.
And after garrisons were placde ech where, the towne throughout:
Tyme styding warnes the kyng, the South partes of his realme to see,
To London therfore hying fast, in short time comne is hee.
Which fayre broode streates addornes, and sorth with solempne triumph rides,
Unto his royall pallace braue, whose comming there abides,
The Cytizens, his safe retourne applauding, and his feere,
The Princesse Phillip, with her sonne, which lookt with smiling cheare.
His noble prayse and high renowne through euery streate doth range,
The swift report of this new warre, beyond the bankes flue out,
Of Ganges liquid floudes, the mirrour of our world no dout.
The king vnweryed sturres, and circuite makes throughout the land,
Survewing townes, and fortes, and in what case ech thing doth stand.
But chieflie at Newcastell he doth loue to make his stay,
Which from the Scottish borders farre, is distant not away.
Here whilst he lawes confirmde, and for offenders stablisht paynes,
King Baliol comes, and after him a troupe of nobles traines,
His homage for to doe, as customde was in eldar age,
And eke to shew his frendlie hart, which should at no time gage,
Wherfore admitted for to come before the Senate sage:
On bended knee, as in degree inferiour, he submitts
Himselfe, King Edward on his throne, with regall scepter sitts,
And biddes with chearefull voyce, him prostrate to be tane from ground,
Commending highlie this his fact, that though in duetie bound,
Yet vncompelde, he honour giues, and ayde by promise plightes
If that his traitrous subiectes should against him bend their mightes.
Of common weales affaires, and of God Mauors noble art,
Much talke was spent, he biddes him haue a haut vnconquered hart,
And not to beare in minde, his former thralls, and irkesome fate,
But courage stout to haue, concordant to his present state.
To Saintes celestiall yelding prayse, and to the powers diuine:
He more submisse doth humble thankes referre, and thus in fine
In sondrie sortes of talke, and sporting mirth a day they spende,
And then another, till away Plantagenet did wende,
And Baliol king to Edenbrowe his progresse straight did bende.
The Moone increasing oft, had now repayrde her glittering gleames,
When Edward with swift slyding hull deuides the surging streames,
Requested by the Flaunders Earle on causes of great weight
For to consult, to bothes behoofe, in time redounde which might.
Whom kindred neare, and eke his spouse, to Britaine monarch knit,
And hauing had on their affaires such talke as they thought fitt,
They strike a league, and heauenly bodies bright, to recorde call,
Which neuer during terme of life, be abrogated shall.
The Peeres of Flaunders on their othes, this league a vowe to keepe.
This done the king to England backe the salt sea floudes doth sweepe.
These newes the Frenchman galles, and fills his minde with doutfull dred,
When through the streetes of Paris, pompous towne, this fame had spred,
And rumour running fast, vncertaine who it first should reare,
Of Valoys king of Galls, wherfore his Lordes to counsell tane,
By dreadfull Mars it was decreed to worke the Britaines bane.
Small matter finding out, and that vniust, to build vpon,
But th'English Rector fraude preuentes, with vertue pure anon,
For he to blouddy warres the Frenchman summons, as right heyre
Unto the crowne, and armes of Fraunce with th'English mixt doth beare.
For that his vncle Charles did to ioyes supernall passe,
No issue left behinde, whose sister true, and coheire was
The comely Lady Isabell, out from whose loynes did spring,
(She comne of auncient lyne her selfe,) the mightie English king.
Who with these causes iust of ire prouookt, in bagges doth fold,
A masse of siluer pure, and hugie heapes of glittering gold.
And ready gettes ech thing, for present warres which he thinkes meete.
But first he goes the Flanders Earle his faithfull frend to greet,
And to consult beyond the seas. A mightie army gardes
His maiestie, which hollow hull from flashing surges wardes,
And now in midst of weltring waues, the nauy fleetes apace,
Which with his boystrous blastes the Northwinde cold along doth chase,
His lustie laddes to topp, with whistle shrill the carefull guide
Commmaundes, where standing one, of Shippes a nauy huge descryde,
And askt, how many: aunswere makes, on wooddie mountaines hye,
So many as are tender okes esprong. Then of what countrie:
Of Fraunce (quoth he). Forthwith the king biddes ech man to addresse,
Him selfe to fight, and armour strong to set in readinesse.
And that no man should turne the sterne, and course intended leaue,
On payne of losse of that deare ioynt, to which the shoulders cleaue.
Don Phæbus now, with glimering rayes, the hye heauen costes deuides,
And loftie in his chariot bright, the windes quite calmed, rides.
Stout Valoys his vp sturres, the broilyng battaile to begin,
Shipp, fast to shipp conioynes, the clasping grapple, hellish ginne.
On both sides fiercer growes the fight, bloud, bloud, pursues full fast,
He headlong tumblyng downe, in gulfie channell quicke is cast,
A pleasaunt bait for frisking fish, he gasht with goory knife,
Into the surging salt sea floudes is throwne deuoyde of life,
And so one man with double corture, hath his fatall end.
Moreouer huge vnwieldie stones, the English souldiours sende,
Downe frō their hollow topps, which Celtanes brainepans battring rende,
And bodies brusing teare, and hatches sprinke with braynes, and bloud:
The sharpe side swourd th'assualt likewise doth more fierce, & woode.
Both nauyes fierce amayne, with sanguine streames of red bloud flowes.
But th'English eger presse their foes with much more force to sting.
Alas what stony riuer rough from stickle Alpes whose spring,
With winter showers augmented is, with greater force doth fall,
Into the broode seas gaping gulfe? no semblance now at all
Of greenish colour cleare, dame Thetis wallowing waues retaine
But purple hue do beare. So deepe woundes poure bloudstreames amaine:
As liquid water droppes, through broken pipes, and conduites straine,
Besprinkling all the grounde. No man by flight lookes life to gaine,
Nor ouglye shape of death, doth any strike in staggring stound:
And now eight long houres fled, Syr Titans lamp had compast round,
The ayrie region vast, and bending beake to deepes downe stelt,
Then midst of sommer was, in Cancers house Don Phœbus dwelt.
The skirmish hotter growes, and more, and more, doth anger swell,
Haut courage kindleth ech mans mynde. The gastly bickering fell
Not night as blacke as pich, nor direfull darknes stintes and stopps.
This barke salt water leakes, and surges high through chinkes in hopps,
Her ribbes by force out torne. There might you see huge bulkes half burnde,
Their men on scriking, drowne, we drowne, into the channell turnde.
{Their age} yet restles rampes, and Britaines force with hardier might,
As though euen then they entred had into that fatall fight.
So feruent waxt their moodes, as though some sad vnlucky starre,
Did threat destruction dire to fall, on th'one part of from farre.
But th'aspect of God Mars agaynst the Gaules more cruell was,
The timber bourdes, and beames, do not them shrine from death alas,
Which those behinde, in darke night shade, themselues thought for to hide,
And now almost deathes drierie dart the enemies all had stryde,
For thirtie thousand in that fight their swift ghostes did conuay
To Limbo low: end of the night, and dawning of the day,
Was finall end of warres also. The famous conquest light
On Edward mightie Peere, the aduerse nauy most in fight
Tane either captiue, or destroyde, few saude themselues by flight.
To thundring Ioue, Plantagenet the chief laude doth betake,
And biddes ech man to him prostrate, his humble duetie make,
And honour iust ascribe. Thinges finisht thus, backe home againe
Prince Edward hies & through the flouds, with brasen keele doth traine
Who landes at London tower, which mighty Thāmes with waters cleare
Soft slidyng, passeth by. Then Windsor noble castell neare
He goes to see, and royall banquetts makes, with costlie cheare,
To be preparde, for foure dayes space, and there to him doth call
The English primates chief, with their espoused Ladies all.
Ech peere in his degree deuout to sacred temple hies,
The Priest his rites performes, and tributes laude to Ioue in skies,
God seru'de, downe sits ech one, at Tables large, with naprie spred,
In parlours richlie hong, with Aras wrought with silken thred.
Where fountaine waters bright, were brought to wash, of custome old,
Then Ceres daintie dishes come, and massie boules of gold,
With Bacchus filde, which auncient shapes of Britaine kinges did hold,
By skilfull art ingraude. The king, and Queene, in loftie seates
Both ioyntlie sit. And lower downe, the nobles at their meates
In seemely sort are placde. Whose pretious clokes on shoulders hinge.
Three hundred Seruitours eke, successiuely arow did bring
Forth daintie cates, chargde to attend, and cupps with wine to fill.
Who landes at London tower, which mighty Thāmes with waters cleare
Soft slidyng, passeth by. Then Windsor noble castell neare
He goes to see, and royall banquetts makes, with costlie cheare,
The English primates chief, with their espoused Ladies all.
Ech peere in his degree deuout to sacred temple hies,
The Priest his rites performes, and tributes laude to Ioue in skies,
God seru'de, downe sits ech one, at Tables large, with naprie spred,
In parlours richlie hong, with Aras wrought with silken thred.
Where fountaine waters bright, were brought to wash, of custome old,
Then Ceres daintie dishes come, and massie boules of gold,
With Bacchus filde, which auncient shapes of Britaine kinges did hold,
By skilfull art ingraude. The king, and Queene, in loftie seates
Both ioyntlie sit. And lower downe, the nobles at their meates
In seemely sort are placde. Whose pretious clokes on shoulders hinge.
Three hundred Seruitours eke, successiuely arow did bring
Forth daintie cates, chargde to attend, and cupps with wine to fill.
When euery state sufficed was, and satisfied at will:
The tables voyded were, and from the siluer Ewers still
Sweet smelling streames agayne to wash. Then takes the king in hand
A mightie gobblett full of wine, which on the bourde did stand,
And drinkes Carouse to all his guestes, they pledge him in like sort.
Thus passing time, with sondry iestes, and meekle pleasant sport,
This king this motion makes. Letts now my Lordes some maistries trie,
Which may be gratefull shewes, to all my people standing by,
Quoth he, what aunswere make ye Sirs? They willing, yea, reply.
Straight trappers golden, golden bitts, and sadles guilt with gold,
Prouided are, and ech man horsd on trampling courser bold.
The king in armour bright ingrauen, on foming steede is sett,
And now ech knight, a bunchie speare, of ashe in hand doth gett,
The stoure begins, and rushing swift, with peise they presse, to skies
The splinters shiuering small, and fragmentes broaken, ratling flies.
But he in midst of foreheard, which with sturdie troncheon strake
His foe, and course redoubling swift, his stafe most often brake:
He bore the palme away, and of those iustes the honour wanne.
And now the hye heauens light, the night with shades had oueranne,
The Turney endes, the Prince, and Peeres, to banquet home them hast,
Which Gods thēselues you would haue sayd, might haue vouchsaude to tast.
At foure dayes end, the king for all contendours prises fitts,
And garters, studded thicke with pearle, about their leggs he knitts,
With pretious gemmes, ybrought from Easterne regions farre permixt,
The Carbuncle which glittering rayes out yeldes, among infixt.
Moreouer chaines of fined gold, from vtmost Indies brought,
With glittering Iasper stones beset, to ech, most costlie wrought
A double leaffed tablet fayre, of gold, depending downe.
And of this order knightes of noble stocke, and high renowne,
In number xx. foure, he made, whose feates in warre should gaine
Eternall fame, and bids this rite their progenie to retaine.
A noble deede no dout, which retchles time, with restles winges,
Shall not deuour, nor tract of yeares, committ to Lethe springes.
The tables voyded were, and from the siluer Ewers still
Sweet smelling streames agayne to wash. Then takes the king in hand
A mightie gobblett full of wine, which on the bourde did stand,
And drinkes Carouse to all his guestes, they pledge him in like sort.
Thus passing time, with sondry iestes, and meekle pleasant sport,
This king this motion makes. Letts now my Lordes some maistries trie,
Which may be gratefull shewes, to all my people standing by,
Quoth he, what aunswere make ye Sirs? They willing, yea, reply.
Straight trappers golden, golden bitts, and sadles guilt with gold,
Prouided are, and ech man horsd on trampling courser bold.
The king in armour bright ingrauen, on foming steede is sett,
And now ech knight, a bunchie speare, of ashe in hand doth gett,
The stoure begins, and rushing swift, with peise they presse, to skies
The splinters shiuering small, and fragmentes broaken, ratling flies.
But he in midst of foreheard, which with sturdie troncheon strake
His foe, and course redoubling swift, his stafe most often brake:
He bore the palme away, and of those iustes the honour wanne.
And now the hye heauens light, the night with shades had oueranne,
The Turney endes, the Prince, and Peeres, to banquet home them hast,
Which Gods thēselues you would haue sayd, might haue vouchsaude to tast.
At foure dayes end, the king for all contendours prises fitts,
And garters, studded thicke with pearle, about their leggs he knitts,
With pretious gemmes, ybrought from Easterne regions farre permixt,
The Carbuncle which glittering rayes out yeldes, among infixt.
Moreouer chaines of fined gold, from vtmost Indies brought,
A double leaffed tablet fayre, of gold, depending downe.
And of this order knightes of noble stocke, and high renowne,
In number xx. foure, he made, whose feates in warre should gaine
Eternall fame, and bids this rite their progenie to retaine.
A noble deede no dout, which retchles time, with restles winges,
Shall not deuour, nor tract of yeares, committ to Lethe springes.
Meane time the French king stinteth not, iniuriouslie to spite
The Britayne nation stout, and eke to warres them to incite.
The English Monarch discontent hereat, and mou'de in mynde,
Forthwith his mates to be in warres, foure noble Earles assignde,
And wastes with fiery flames, and dint of swourd, both townes, and towers,
Along the Westerne coastes of Fraunce, downe fortes, by force he scoures,
With eight score shippes of warre strong fenst, the enemy to sustaine.
At length returnes not hauing lost his least, and simplest swaine.
Declaring straight vnto his Lordes, what requisite he thought,
First how, and what reprochfull factes, against vs haue bene wrought
By the vnfaithfull Frankes, then how his vncle Charles voyde
Of issue died, whose Crowne by right he ought to haue inioyde,
Hereon a counsell generall was calde, throughout the land.
In which these pointes aboue the rest were borne the king in hand
First that by taskes, and subsidies, great store of gold in come,
And that ech subiect was amerste, to pay a greater somme,
By Parliament decree. More that much golden vessell large
Should coyned be, of these new warres for to defrait the charge:
And though that burdens more then meet, on manyes neckes were layde,
Yet without grudging to the king, ech man his mercement payde.
All other thinges establisht were for common weales behoue.
And herewithall the Senate endes, and Counsailours home remoue.
The Britayne nation stout, and eke to warres them to incite.
The English Monarch discontent hereat, and mou'de in mynde,
Forthwith his mates to be in warres, foure noble Earles assignde,
And wastes with fiery flames, and dint of swourd, both townes, and towers,
Along the Westerne coastes of Fraunce, downe fortes, by force he scoures,
With eight score shippes of warre strong fenst, the enemy to sustaine.
At length returnes not hauing lost his least, and simplest swaine.
Declaring straight vnto his Lordes, what requisite he thought,
First how, and what reprochfull factes, against vs haue bene wrought
By the vnfaithfull Frankes, then how his vncle Charles voyde
Of issue died, whose Crowne by right he ought to haue inioyde,
Hereon a counsell generall was calde, throughout the land.
In which these pointes aboue the rest were borne the king in hand
First that by taskes, and subsidies, great store of gold in come,
And that ech subiect was amerste, to pay a greater somme,
By Parliament decree. More that much golden vessell large
Should coyned be, of these new warres for to defrait the charge:
And though that burdens more then meet, on manyes neckes were layde,
Yet without grudging to the king, ech man his mercement payde.
All other thinges establisht were for common weales behoue.
And herewithall the Senate endes, and Counsailours home remoue.
Staight armour is preparde, by strait commaundement from the king,
The valiant Britayne youth, in sturdie steele coates glittering spring
Great plumpes of horsemen stout, & cluttering troupes of footemen thrungde,
And now with good lucke on, through mounting surges swift they plundge,
The frendly Northarne gales, their hoisted sayles driue forth amaine,
Till Normandie at last a fertile soyle of fruite, and graine,
The Britayne fleet in harbour safe from Æol did containe.
Their wery corps here well refresht, their tentes they farther moue,
And houses rifeling spoyle, their formers owners quite out droue.
Come hourded vp in store in broade barne bayes, by country swaine
And otes the warlike praunser fatts, the straw left to remaine.
For needefull vse. Vulcanus brandes the roofes downe ratling teare.
Yong children reft of home, their wofull mothers wandring beare:
Their fathers lately sent by fawchon dint to shadowes dombe.
These but preambles are to greater warres in time to come.
And in what place through raunging wide, in broode fieldes cause of stay
Is offred there the army huge, doe pitch their tentes that day,
At length they came to Caen. Of craggie rocke, a bridge whose side
Doth garde, through passage strait, which weltring streames rough vnder slide.
Th'assaut begins, & more, and more, the fierce fight kindleth wrath,
The Chieftaine of the towne, with souldiours stopps the strait bridge path.
To barre the enemy out. The French downe groueling headlong throwes
The whirling shaft, vntill at length they came to handy blowes.
Then slayne with gastly wounde the Celtane spurling kickes the ground.
One Earle captiue tane: an other eke no lesse renownd,
Through Tancaruilla, of which place he title beares, and name.
The remnaunt armour cast aside, all captiue thralls became,
The king the walles downe beates, and fort consumes with fierie flame.
This towne thus sackt, proceedes with wings, on both sides strongly armde,
with bows, which would wt pearcing stēme, ye Frēchmās pride haue charmde:
The army, and with sloughter dire, and sword, all thinges decayes,
Much like a noysome pestilence, which when he roming strayes,
Creepes in by stealth, and mortall men with deadly venome slayes.
Or as rough roaring Easterne pufes when through their caues they rush,
Downe woodes, & mighty trees, with boystrous blastes they threatning push.
And okes vp mounted huge in hight, their rootes torne, battring crush,
On th'other part an army great, with faynt hart halfe afright,
King Valoys gathered had, into the next fieldes broode in sight
Yet durst he not incounter with our bandes, in open warres,
Or battaile ioyne, and so ontright, disside, and end the iarres.
But rought with feare, in wooddy mountaines wandring farre vs froe,
He watcheth what we doe, and whether we intend to goe.
With wary mynde, respecting well his owne estate, and realme,
And more commaundes his campe, the bridges all to ouerwhelme,
That by that meanes the enemies force they might barre of, and stay
Their iourneys eke. But when to valiant Britaynes ech hard way
He easie saw, and that no stopp could hinder their intent.
With all his troupe of armed men he straight to Paris went.
And gardes the Citie walles, which shiuering feare had shakt before,
Commanding peecemeale downe, the Sequane bridges to be tore.
Now safe the Frenchmen thinke themselues with gurtie riuer deepe
Incompast rounde, howbeit they watch, and ward, doe dayly keepe.
Suspecting both the fierce assault of mighty Brutus race,
As also least the light fire flames their fayre towne should deface.
Their iourney hasting fast the English campe is comne at hand
But after downe the Bridges broke the king did vnderstand:
Ech place of entrance eke with great endeuouring fenced sure:
He fretts displeasde in mynde, and thoughtes turmoiling, more his fure
Augments, till he at last vpon this small sentence stayes.
To builde the bridge agayne, and loftie arches vp to rayse,
Ouer those floudes, which by the walles of auncient Paris glide,
Which lesse then two dayes space doth finish quite, that fayre and wide,
Ech souldiour passage hath. In battaile ray, and now they stand,
Beyond the riuer bankes prouooking Frenchmen hand, to hand,
For to incounter fayre in martiall fieldes. But when agayne
No equall offer made of sight they see, in great disdaine
The Britaynes moue their tentes, and passing forth from place to place
No towne vnburned leaue, that Phaetons flames agayne to trace
That land throughout, of that way one had lookt, he would haue thought.
Untill at length the army stout, the broad playne fieldes had rought,
Neare Cressy woodes, & there their tentes downe pitcht, to make some stay.
The valiant Britayne youth, in sturdie steele coates glittering spring
Great plumpes of horsemen stout, & cluttering troupes of footemen thrungde,
And now with good lucke on, through mounting surges swift they plundge,
The frendly Northarne gales, their hoisted sayles driue forth amaine,
Till Normandie at last a fertile soyle of fruite, and graine,
The Britayne fleet in harbour safe from Æol did containe.
Their wery corps here well refresht, their tentes they farther moue,
And houses rifeling spoyle, their formers owners quite out droue.
Come hourded vp in store in broade barne bayes, by country swaine
And otes the warlike praunser fatts, the straw left to remaine.
Yong children reft of home, their wofull mothers wandring beare:
Their fathers lately sent by fawchon dint to shadowes dombe.
These but preambles are to greater warres in time to come.
And in what place through raunging wide, in broode fieldes cause of stay
Is offred there the army huge, doe pitch their tentes that day,
At length they came to Caen. Of craggie rocke, a bridge whose side
Doth garde, through passage strait, which weltring streames rough vnder slide.
Th'assaut begins, & more, and more, the fierce fight kindleth wrath,
The Chieftaine of the towne, with souldiours stopps the strait bridge path.
To barre the enemy out. The French downe groueling headlong throwes
The whirling shaft, vntill at length they came to handy blowes.
Then slayne with gastly wounde the Celtane spurling kickes the ground.
One Earle captiue tane: an other eke no lesse renownd,
Through Tancaruilla, of which place he title beares, and name.
The remnaunt armour cast aside, all captiue thralls became,
The king the walles downe beates, and fort consumes with fierie flame.
This towne thus sackt, proceedes with wings, on both sides strongly armde,
with bows, which would wt pearcing stēme, ye Frēchmās pride haue charmde:
The army, and with sloughter dire, and sword, all thinges decayes,
Much like a noysome pestilence, which when he roming strayes,
Creepes in by stealth, and mortall men with deadly venome slayes.
Or as rough roaring Easterne pufes when through their caues they rush,
Downe woodes, & mighty trees, with boystrous blastes they threatning push.
And okes vp mounted huge in hight, their rootes torne, battring crush,
On th'other part an army great, with faynt hart halfe afright,
King Valoys gathered had, into the next fieldes broode in sight
Yet durst he not incounter with our bandes, in open warres,
Or battaile ioyne, and so ontright, disside, and end the iarres.
But rought with feare, in wooddy mountaines wandring farre vs froe,
He watcheth what we doe, and whether we intend to goe.
With wary mynde, respecting well his owne estate, and realme,
And more commaundes his campe, the bridges all to ouerwhelme,
That by that meanes the enemies force they might barre of, and stay
Their iourneys eke. But when to valiant Britaynes ech hard way
He easie saw, and that no stopp could hinder their intent.
With all his troupe of armed men he straight to Paris went.
And gardes the Citie walles, which shiuering feare had shakt before,
Commanding peecemeale downe, the Sequane bridges to be tore.
Now safe the Frenchmen thinke themselues with gurtie riuer deepe
Suspecting both the fierce assault of mighty Brutus race,
As also least the light fire flames their fayre towne should deface.
Their iourney hasting fast the English campe is comne at hand
But after downe the Bridges broke the king did vnderstand:
Ech place of entrance eke with great endeuouring fenced sure:
He fretts displeasde in mynde, and thoughtes turmoiling, more his fure
Augments, till he at last vpon this small sentence stayes.
To builde the bridge agayne, and loftie arches vp to rayse,
Ouer those floudes, which by the walles of auncient Paris glide,
Which lesse then two dayes space doth finish quite, that fayre and wide,
Ech souldiour passage hath. In battaile ray, and now they stand,
Beyond the riuer bankes prouooking Frenchmen hand, to hand,
For to incounter fayre in martiall fieldes. But when agayne
No equall offer made of sight they see, in great disdaine
The Britaynes moue their tentes, and passing forth from place to place
No towne vnburned leaue, that Phaetons flames agayne to trace
That land throughout, of that way one had lookt, he would haue thought.
Untill at length the army stout, the broad playne fieldes had rought,
Neare Cressy woodes, & there their tentes downe pitcht, to make some stay.
A valley fayre there lyes, with springing medowes fresh and gay,
Through midst of which a brooke with siluery streames cuts forth his way
One side of which a hill, with fertile soyle for tillage fitt,
Besetts, to Paris wardes, which rustick swaine with plough doth slitt,
In ioyfull time of peace. On th'other side adiacent lye
Some pleasaunt hillockes eke, but chiefly stickle mountaines hye,
Whose topps do Cresseis groues of oke trees thicke besett, containe,
And darksome dennes, where brousie beastes of sauage kinde remaine.
Within this vale the English campe, of former toyles of shooke
Their werinesse, with dulcet sleepe, and gratefull viandes tooke.
When sodainly a spie from mountaines topps in post hast runnes,
And warning giues, that Valoys king of Galls in armour comes,
With thousand thousandes garded thicke. A sound the trompet shrill
Giues forth, and with Tantara thrise, ech souldiours eares doth fill.
The valiant English hartes, armes, armes, redoubling loude out cald
Through midst of which a brooke with siluery streames cuts forth his way
One side of which a hill, with fertile soyle for tillage fitt,
Besetts, to Paris wardes, which rustick swaine with plough doth slitt,
In ioyfull time of peace. On th'other side adiacent lye
Some pleasaunt hillockes eke, but chiefly stickle mountaines hye,
Whose topps do Cresseis groues of oke trees thicke besett, containe,
And darksome dennes, where brousie beastes of sauage kinde remaine.
Within this vale the English campe, of former toyles of shooke
Their werinesse, with dulcet sleepe, and gratefull viandes tooke.
When sodainly a spie from mountaines topps in post hast runnes,
And warning giues, that Valoys king of Galls in armour comes,
With thousand thousandes garded thicke. A sound the trompet shrill
Giues forth, and with Tantara thrise, ech souldiours eares doth fill.
The valiant English hartes, armes, armes, redoubling loude out cald
Forthwith king Edward adds. Take tooles in hand no white apalde,
Ye ladds of martiall Brutus bloud, high thundring Ioue this day,
Hath hard my voyce, and hath betooke into your handes a pray.
The king himselfe not onely comne, with this huge hoost I heere,
But eke throughout the Realme of Fraunce of auncient stockech Peere.
Wherefore so oft a Nation tamde by force, in blouddie fight,
Shall victors dread? of siely Doues shall Lions feare the sight?
Now God forbid, and turne that lot to better lucke I pray.
If that among the heardes, a fearefull captaine lead the way,
The followers neuer will be fierce in fight, but backward sway.
And you I vouch with faint, and fearefull men, shall warre this day.
They come with spoyles, and booties rich, the Britaine home to lade,
You all with robes of silke, and glittering gold, shall rich be made,
You precious ringes shall weare, and purses make with argent strout:
If that yon will stand to't, like valiant lads, and fight it out.
And sley with gastly gaping wound the Frenchmens trembling rout.
Thus sayd: the hoast in customed sort is set, and ordred right,
The winges stout archers garde, with whirling shaft, and armour light.
His sonne and heyre, the beardles Prince, the king in forefront plast,
Which had not yet of eighteene yeares, the tract out fully trast:
Nor on his cheekes the soft and tender lockes, you might discerne,
By reason of his youth the weightie workes of Mars to learne:
The maine battaile, he himselfe in glittering armour brodered takes,
And backward to retyre the army all, more neere he makes
To Cresseis baulky boothes, all backe assaultes thereby to voyde.
And more that by that meanes, the ennemies campe should be annoyde,
By marching vp against the hill, and disaduantage by
The vnegall soyle, in the assault. But when the Galles did spie
The Britaine backe to draw, more rash, then wise, forth fast they hie,
And spurde their coursers fierce, supposing Britaines for to flie.
The trompets sound, both armies shout, the noyse hie heauen doth pearce,
The English ranckes receaue their enemies troupes, assayling fearce,
With yew bowes bended stife, which flickring flights forth whistling sends
The warriour praunser hurt with stripe, his rider flinging {t}rendes
Out of his sadle, and with hard horne hoofe his maister kickes,
An other horse, within whose paunch, a long stemne staggering stickes,
His countrimen downe driues, and raies disturbing, backward runnes,
Outragious, springing fast, and stables seekes from which he comes.
Then other after others raunge, their sitters all outwrencht,
And here, and there, crose coursing fease, nor hedge, nor dike deepe trench,
Can stop their furious swinge, but bye pathes scattered seuerall trace,
The goorie blacke bloud drops, the ground besprinkling in the race.
And now the footmen forth are comne, and fierce with weapons fell
The battaile doe, restaure, the English stripe, with stripe repell.
The cheiftaines of the Frenchmen s{t}recht along, with gaping wound
Digd in, by dint of drierie blade, lie struggling on the ground.
He first, which cruell horderers on bankes of Albis floud
Acknowledgd for their Prince, then noble Lorein fierce, and wood,
Then of Dalanson Duke, then Harcourt Earle, and many more,
Who from their auncient pedegree, their worthie titles bore:
Or els from castels fayre, or warlike countries, drew their name.
A number of the common sort, then also had their bane.
The king with gastly gleiue, like thunderbolt driues forth away,
So doth the Prince his sonne, whose Britaine virtue bright that day
Did shew it selfe, and of what force it was, and puissaunce good.
In which were thirty thousand slaine, and fieldes moyst made with bloud.
Which when aloofe from hie hill top king Valois did behold,
Forthwith backsliding fast, through swift course borne of horses bold,
His countrie he attainde. A foule reproch to Fraunce no dout,
And blot most blacke to him, for at his heeles a greater rout,
He slying after drew, then Britaines were which causde him flee,
Ye ladds of martiall Brutus bloud, high thundring Ioue this day,
Hath hard my voyce, and hath betooke into your handes a pray.
The king himselfe not onely comne, with this huge hoost I heere,
But eke throughout the Realme of Fraunce of auncient stockech Peere.
Shall victors dread? of siely Doues shall Lions feare the sight?
Now God forbid, and turne that lot to better lucke I pray.
If that among the heardes, a fearefull captaine lead the way,
The followers neuer will be fierce in fight, but backward sway.
And you I vouch with faint, and fearefull men, shall warre this day.
They come with spoyles, and booties rich, the Britaine home to lade,
You all with robes of silke, and glittering gold, shall rich be made,
You precious ringes shall weare, and purses make with argent strout:
If that yon will stand to't, like valiant lads, and fight it out.
And sley with gastly gaping wound the Frenchmens trembling rout.
Thus sayd: the hoast in customed sort is set, and ordred right,
The winges stout archers garde, with whirling shaft, and armour light.
His sonne and heyre, the beardles Prince, the king in forefront plast,
Which had not yet of eighteene yeares, the tract out fully trast:
Nor on his cheekes the soft and tender lockes, you might discerne,
By reason of his youth the weightie workes of Mars to learne:
The maine battaile, he himselfe in glittering armour brodered takes,
And backward to retyre the army all, more neere he makes
To Cresseis baulky boothes, all backe assaultes thereby to voyde.
And more that by that meanes, the ennemies campe should be annoyde,
By marching vp against the hill, and disaduantage by
The vnegall soyle, in the assault. But when the Galles did spie
The Britaine backe to draw, more rash, then wise, forth fast they hie,
And spurde their coursers fierce, supposing Britaines for to flie.
The trompets sound, both armies shout, the noyse hie heauen doth pearce,
The English ranckes receaue their enemies troupes, assayling fearce,
With yew bowes bended stife, which flickring flights forth whistling sends
The warriour praunser hurt with stripe, his rider flinging {t}rendes
Out of his sadle, and with hard horne hoofe his maister kickes,
An other horse, within whose paunch, a long stemne staggering stickes,
His countrimen downe driues, and raies disturbing, backward runnes,
Outragious, springing fast, and stables seekes from which he comes.
Then other after others raunge, their sitters all outwrencht,
And here, and there, crose coursing fease, nor hedge, nor dike deepe trench,
Can stop their furious swinge, but bye pathes scattered seuerall trace,
The goorie blacke bloud drops, the ground besprinkling in the race.
And now the footmen forth are comne, and fierce with weapons fell
The battaile doe, restaure, the English stripe, with stripe repell.
The cheiftaines of the Frenchmen s{t}recht along, with gaping wound
He first, which cruell horderers on bankes of Albis floud
Acknowledgd for their Prince, then noble Lorein fierce, and wood,
Then of Dalanson Duke, then Harcourt Earle, and many more,
Who from their auncient pedegree, their worthie titles bore:
Or els from castels fayre, or warlike countries, drew their name.
A number of the common sort, then also had their bane.
The king with gastly gleiue, like thunderbolt driues forth away,
So doth the Prince his sonne, whose Britaine virtue bright that day
Did shew it selfe, and of what force it was, and puissaunce good.
In which were thirty thousand slaine, and fieldes moyst made with bloud.
Which when aloofe from hie hill top king Valois did behold,
Forthwith backsliding fast, through swift course borne of horses bold,
His countrie he attainde. A foule reproch to Fraunce no dout,
And blot most blacke to him, for at his heeles a greater rout,
He slying after drew, then Britaines were which causde him flee,
So much it is, at first assault, of courage fierce to bee,
In blouddy martiall fieldes. The campe throughout, then ioyes at will
Ech hart, and musickes sweet consent, ech eare with tunes doth fill.
Of Frenchmen thus the pillage sweet, and precious gold possest,
Our men vnto their tentes, in shadowy euening them addrest.
In blouddy martiall fieldes. The campe throughout, then ioyes at will
Ech hart, and musickes sweet consent, ech eare with tunes doth fill.
Of Frenchmen thus the pillage sweet, and precious gold possest,
Our men vnto their tentes, in shadowy euening them addrest.
Next morne as soone as glittering globe of Phœbe vpstart, the Frankes
Together floct, and once againe in order set their rankes,
With armes to trie, if that perhaps Mars chaunce would wauering bee.
Which, first the king intreated hard by earnest suite, that he
Would giue them leaue, in open field, once more with Galles to fight.
These three Earles stout, of Warwike first, a haunt, and egar knight,
Then Huntington, and after him Northamptons chiefe renowne,
All vnawares, in skirmish hot, the Frenchmen batter downe.
Together floct, and once againe in order set their rankes,
With armes to trie, if that perhaps Mars chaunce would wauering bee.
Which, first the king intreated hard by earnest suite, that he
Would giue them leaue, in open field, once more with Galles to fight.
These three Earles stout, of Warwike first, a haunt, and egar knight,
Then Huntington, and after him Northamptons chiefe renowne,
All vnawares, in skirmish hot, the Frenchmen batter downe.
Then lawfully king Edward might the large fieldes raunge at will,
Resistance none is made, against his bandes, but all is still.
The Frenchmen dare no more, the brunt of Britaines force abyde,
Nor them against, in open campes, their quarrell to disside.
Resistance none is made, against his bandes, but all is still.
The Frenchmen dare no more, the brunt of Britaines force abyde,
Nor them against, in open campes, their quarrell to disside.
Three dayes here spent, the king his tentes remoues, & backward goes,
To Caleys shoares and towne with trench, and bulwarke round doth close.
When wonne by fraud, and fauning flatterings smooth of Valois king,
The Scottish scepter bearer vades our coastes, and downe doth fling,
All thinges to frying flames. The prudent Queene her husband lacke,
For to suppresse these false periurde irruptions, doth not slacke
But bandes of armed souldiours vp collectes, nor need she had
To warne the husbandmen to come to ayde, for thicke they gad
In troupes vnwarnd, complainyng slow away the houres to slide,
Before that heynous fact they haue reuengde. In lucklesse tyde
The Scotts their puissance wholy had now drawne to Durrham fieldes,
When as the Britayne wroth, most dreadfull warres against them weildes,
And fierce assayles his foe, which sacred truce had falslie brake.
Of name obscure, the common sort, on clusters downe are strake,
And goarie swordes their wicked ghostes, the corps makes to forsake.
Hereat tooke small delight both Dukes, and Earles, of Scottish bandes,
Of which some gasping lye for breath, some captiue yeld their handes:
With manicles to be bounde, agayne to be redeemd with gold,
As custome is of warre. But Dauid king of Scotts in hold,
Is surely kept, and paying penaunce iust, for sworne truce rapt,
First brought to London Citie fayre, into the Tower was clapt.
Few trusting to the flying feete of trampling palfray light,
Their natiue soyle attaine, (a witnesse sure how foes in fight
Their army had destroyde.) And tell the dolefull sloughters great.
Fame of this thing with flickering winges, through skies aloft doth beat,
To coostes beyond the seas, expressing all thinges to the king.
Then Calleis sandes along with showting noyce resounding ring,
And Britaines fill the fieldes with clamour loude, and cries vpreard.
This Rumor heard, with mestiue grief king Valoys hart rootes tearde
Who enuyes sadde in mynde, at Britaynes good successe, so oft
So many fieldes by great lucke wonne, and spoyles from th'enemy brought.
For all this geare, the king his siege at Caleis doth not rayse,
Th'inhabitant takes no rest at all, but vext is sondry wayes,
With greedy famine fell, the deadliest enemie, now opprest,
Now pearst with Britaynes dart, which whistling comes oer hye walls crest.
Death dire on ech side threates, not winters cold benumming snow,
Not broyling Autumnes scortching heat, the king fro th'walls could draw.
The eleuenth month now is comne, and long the siege doth seeme to bee,
Wherfore the Frenchmen pardon craude, and peace: doe offer free
Themselues to yeld, if that their liues (poore wretches) might be sparde,
For recompence, which yet they aske in steed of great reward,
The brasen gates are doopt, out troupes of Frenchmen flocke amaine.
The Citie with her firme stone walls the Britayne doth retaine.
Which garrisonde throughout: The puissant Edward out of hand,
Cutts oer the narrowes seas, returning home to natiue land.
And in a callmy night is safe arriude at London tower,
Whom, then from shippbord comne, the Citizens with great honour
Doe magnifie, with bonefiers eke their wondrous ioyes exprest,
And tables frought, ech street throughout, with cates most costly drest.
Like mirth in euery towne, through all this realme, you might haue found,
The bore pipe hoold, his factes with sondry notes doth shrill resounde.
And to his prayse, the common sort, with Sonets doe abounde.
But here behold, forgetting God, a iust reuenge for sinnes,
The carelesse Britaynes to inuade, a noysome plague begins.
A greeuous scourge, but yet more light, then dint of driery blade,
Yong infantes merie now, and whole, with wich begin to vade,
Tane with this straunge disease, and in their mothers armes do die,
Their ghostes with greeuous panges, and torments dire, out gaspt, forth slie.
Some after that their liuely vaynes the venome ranke hath filde:
And is at length into the hart, the bloud corrupted stilde:
Their heauy eyes vplifting, full of drowsie deadly sleepe,
Their vitall breath out blowes. In vayne then drugges sweet life to keepe,
Phisition faithfull bringes. Impatient somme of hatefull plague,
Out of their bedds doe rise, and nakd, distract of reason vage.
And whilst they thinke for to auoyde the dart of drierie death:
Alacke for woe, they fall in midst of course, for want of breath.
And loth their flittyng spirite, and ayre life giuing, they forsake,
Twelue months this deadly pestilence, ragde still, and did not slake.
Ech page in all the land, and village, being by hit annoyde:
That fiue score thousand persons were consumde, and quite destroyde.
So they which neither forraine force, nor enemies swourd could slay,
At home were kilde by ruthfull plague, whose corps rott wastes away.
Meane time king Valoys dyes, and is in sumptuous tombe inrold,
His sonne and heyre succeedes, & realme of Fraunce, and crowne doth hold.
Whose name hight Iohn, a valiant Prince, of hart and courage bold.
He eke excelling all in youthfull corps, of puissance stout,
And hoping from his country coastes the Britaines to barre out:
A mighty power of armed men collectes, and blouddy warres
Forthwith he moues, expert himselfe of bickering warfare iarres.
The Iunior Edward Prince, which vnder his dominion helde
All Gascoiny, and to obey the bordering townes compelde:
Towardes the west, whence floud Iberus streames, Sols fierie face
Beholdes, here soiournde then, leiftenaut in his fathers place.
Who being told that Iohn with armed troupes of footemen fast
Approching came, an army stout, in fayre large fieldes he placde:
He Chieftaine, dight in armour bright, which sparkling beames out cast.
To Caleys shoares and towne with trench, and bulwarke round doth close.
When wonne by fraud, and fauning flatterings smooth of Valois king,
The Scottish scepter bearer vades our coastes, and downe doth fling,
All thinges to frying flames. The prudent Queene her husband lacke,
For to suppresse these false periurde irruptions, doth not slacke
But bandes of armed souldiours vp collectes, nor need she had
In troupes vnwarnd, complainyng slow away the houres to slide,
Before that heynous fact they haue reuengde. In lucklesse tyde
The Scotts their puissance wholy had now drawne to Durrham fieldes,
When as the Britayne wroth, most dreadfull warres against them weildes,
And fierce assayles his foe, which sacred truce had falslie brake.
Of name obscure, the common sort, on clusters downe are strake,
And goarie swordes their wicked ghostes, the corps makes to forsake.
Hereat tooke small delight both Dukes, and Earles, of Scottish bandes,
Of which some gasping lye for breath, some captiue yeld their handes:
With manicles to be bounde, agayne to be redeemd with gold,
As custome is of warre. But Dauid king of Scotts in hold,
Is surely kept, and paying penaunce iust, for sworne truce rapt,
First brought to London Citie fayre, into the Tower was clapt.
Few trusting to the flying feete of trampling palfray light,
Their natiue soyle attaine, (a witnesse sure how foes in fight
Their army had destroyde.) And tell the dolefull sloughters great.
Fame of this thing with flickering winges, through skies aloft doth beat,
To coostes beyond the seas, expressing all thinges to the king.
Then Calleis sandes along with showting noyce resounding ring,
And Britaines fill the fieldes with clamour loude, and cries vpreard.
This Rumor heard, with mestiue grief king Valoys hart rootes tearde
Who enuyes sadde in mynde, at Britaynes good successe, so oft
So many fieldes by great lucke wonne, and spoyles from th'enemy brought.
For all this geare, the king his siege at Caleis doth not rayse,
Th'inhabitant takes no rest at all, but vext is sondry wayes,
With greedy famine fell, the deadliest enemie, now opprest,
Now pearst with Britaynes dart, which whistling comes oer hye walls crest.
Death dire on ech side threates, not winters cold benumming snow,
Not broyling Autumnes scortching heat, the king fro th'walls could draw.
The eleuenth month now is comne, and long the siege doth seeme to bee,
Wherfore the Frenchmen pardon craude, and peace: doe offer free
Themselues to yeld, if that their liues (poore wretches) might be sparde,
For recompence, which yet they aske in steed of great reward,
The brasen gates are doopt, out troupes of Frenchmen flocke amaine.
The Citie with her firme stone walls the Britayne doth retaine.
Which garrisonde throughout: The puissant Edward out of hand,
Cutts oer the narrowes seas, returning home to natiue land.
And in a callmy night is safe arriude at London tower,
Whom, then from shippbord comne, the Citizens with great honour
And tables frought, ech street throughout, with cates most costly drest.
Like mirth in euery towne, through all this realme, you might haue found,
The bore pipe hoold, his factes with sondry notes doth shrill resounde.
And to his prayse, the common sort, with Sonets doe abounde.
But here behold, forgetting God, a iust reuenge for sinnes,
The carelesse Britaynes to inuade, a noysome plague begins.
A greeuous scourge, but yet more light, then dint of driery blade,
Yong infantes merie now, and whole, with wich begin to vade,
Tane with this straunge disease, and in their mothers armes do die,
Their ghostes with greeuous panges, and torments dire, out gaspt, forth slie.
Some after that their liuely vaynes the venome ranke hath filde:
And is at length into the hart, the bloud corrupted stilde:
Their heauy eyes vplifting, full of drowsie deadly sleepe,
Their vitall breath out blowes. In vayne then drugges sweet life to keepe,
Phisition faithfull bringes. Impatient somme of hatefull plague,
Out of their bedds doe rise, and nakd, distract of reason vage.
And whilst they thinke for to auoyde the dart of drierie death:
Alacke for woe, they fall in midst of course, for want of breath.
And loth their flittyng spirite, and ayre life giuing, they forsake,
Twelue months this deadly pestilence, ragde still, and did not slake.
Ech page in all the land, and village, being by hit annoyde:
That fiue score thousand persons were consumde, and quite destroyde.
So they which neither forraine force, nor enemies swourd could slay,
At home were kilde by ruthfull plague, whose corps rott wastes away.
Meane time king Valoys dyes, and is in sumptuous tombe inrold,
His sonne and heyre succeedes, & realme of Fraunce, and crowne doth hold.
Whose name hight Iohn, a valiant Prince, of hart and courage bold.
He eke excelling all in youthfull corps, of puissance stout,
And hoping from his country coastes the Britaines to barre out:
A mighty power of armed men collectes, and blouddy warres
Forthwith he moues, expert himselfe of bickering warfare iarres.
The Iunior Edward Prince, which vnder his dominion helde
All Gascoiny, and to obey the bordering townes compelde:
Towardes the west, whence floud Iberus streames, Sols fierie face
Beholdes, here soiournde then, leiftenaut in his fathers place.
Who being told that Iohn with armed troupes of footemen fast
Approching came, an army stout, in fayre large fieldes he placde:
He Chieftaine, dight in armour bright, which sparkling beames out cast.
Behold a place there is, with threefold wall incompast round,
Th'inhabitantes it Poytiers call, neare which withouten bound
An open plaine there lyes, in which no tree with shadowy limbe,
Nor braky bush doth grow, a place most fit for skirmage grim:
Here both the armyes meet, on ground out blacke bloud gushing powres,
The horsemen topsie tayle are turnde, death conquered Frankes deuours
The rayes are broke, and remnant yet aliue the battaile shunnes,
Through swift pursute the victor pantes, and starting lightly runnes,
His footestepps thick, thick fetching fast, as in a champion plaine,
When as the watchfull grayhound hath a wattkin spied, full faine
He springeth on, his pray to get, he life for to maintaine.
The greyhound gaping wide, with greedy iawes, threats still to catch,
The hare herselfe from byting chapps, away doth scudding snatch:
So is in hope of pray, the Britayne swift, and dreading bane,
The Frenchmen flie, but in the flight most are subdued and tane.
The king himselfe into the tentes was captiue brought, and chose
More rather for to yeld, then life by dint of swourd to lose.
Forthwith in slidyng hull, through flashing floudes to Britaine shore
He was conueyed, where prisoner like, the seruile yoke he bore:
To teach him of the Britaine king, his Lord, to obey the lore.
Now noble Prince Plantagenet two kinges did captiue hold,
And gentle prison many Peers of both landes did infold,
Of auncient stockes esprong, which Britaines tooke in blouddy fight.
But clemencie of Edward king resplendent shinde so bright:
Such vertue rooted in his brest and mercy did remaine
That on conditions, and for raunsome, he dimist agayne,
Ech one vnto his country soyle, and kinsfolkes linkt in loue.
Those kinges high, glory followeth fast, which battaile so do moue,
So to contend in dreadfull warres, immortall prayse atchiues.
Good shepheardes vse to sheere their sheepe, and not to skinne with kniues.
He noble Monarch sparde the suppliant, downe the proude supprest,
Thrise happy sure, if Atrapos fell Goddesse, had not wrest
To vnripe death, his noble sonnes, Prince Edwardes fatall thredd,
But hauing first begott a tender babe, in wedlocke bedd,
Which Richard had to name, whom as his heyre he left behind:
And whom his Grandsir dying to beare the regall mace assignde,
According as this nations lawes, and auncient rites did binde.
An open plaine there lyes, in which no tree with shadowy limbe,
Nor braky bush doth grow, a place most fit for skirmage grim:
Here both the armyes meet, on ground out blacke bloud gushing powres,
The horsemen topsie tayle are turnde, death conquered Frankes deuours
The rayes are broke, and remnant yet aliue the battaile shunnes,
Through swift pursute the victor pantes, and starting lightly runnes,
His footestepps thick, thick fetching fast, as in a champion plaine,
When as the watchfull grayhound hath a wattkin spied, full faine
He springeth on, his pray to get, he life for to maintaine.
The greyhound gaping wide, with greedy iawes, threats still to catch,
The hare herselfe from byting chapps, away doth scudding snatch:
So is in hope of pray, the Britayne swift, and dreading bane,
The Frenchmen flie, but in the flight most are subdued and tane.
The king himselfe into the tentes was captiue brought, and chose
More rather for to yeld, then life by dint of swourd to lose.
Forthwith in slidyng hull, through flashing floudes to Britaine shore
He was conueyed, where prisoner like, the seruile yoke he bore:
To teach him of the Britaine king, his Lord, to obey the lore.
Now noble Prince Plantagenet two kinges did captiue hold,
And gentle prison many Peers of both landes did infold,
Of auncient stockes esprong, which Britaines tooke in blouddy fight.
But clemencie of Edward king resplendent shinde so bright:
Such vertue rooted in his brest and mercy did remaine
That on conditions, and for raunsome, he dimist agayne,
Ech one vnto his country soyle, and kinsfolkes linkt in loue.
Those kinges high, glory followeth fast, which battaile so do moue,
So to contend in dreadfull warres, immortall prayse atchiues.
Good shepheardes vse to sheere their sheepe, and not to skinne with kniues.
He noble Monarch sparde the suppliant, downe the proude supprest,
Thrise happy sure, if Atrapos fell Goddesse, had not wrest
To vnripe death, his noble sonnes, Prince Edwardes fatall thredd,
But hauing first begott a tender babe, in wedlocke bedd,
Which Richard had to name, whom as his heyre he left behind:
And whom his Grandsir dying to beare the regall mace assignde,
According as this nations lawes, and auncient rites did binde.
The child the slender age of eleuen winters did not passe,
When that with Princely diadeame, his head adorned was.
But when he neare to mans estate through riper yeares was start:
No man can well declare, how far from Graunsirs hawtie hart,
And maners eke he swaru'de, in mynde vnlike how he became,
Contrarily disposde, to mighty Sier, and noble dame.
But antike vertue still, in breastes of Britaine Peers was shrinde,
And manlie courage bold which in the auncient primates shinde,
By natures force ingraft that in God Mars aduentures hard,
The ospring worthy of such Syers, with them might be comparte:
And freely durst to tollerate, what tossing toyles you would.
The nobles (seyng thus the feates, of mighty Mars waxe could
For that the king secure and pleasant peace, sought to vphold)
And fearing sloughtfull Idlenesse, her poyson should instill
Corrupting them, and more least from Bellonaes warlike skill,
Long discontinuaunce should degenerate the Britaines hartes:
Incensing them to filthy lust, soft sleepe, and sluggish partes:
(The king therof aduertizde first), a solempne Iustes they make,
The counterfaited worke of Mars. The quiuering speare to shake,
At Tilt, and Torney eke, th'appoint for foure and xx. dayes,
Which number iust of Britaine Peers, as challengers forthwayes
To externe nations Legats send, such tydinges for to blase.
That Britaynes iustes triumphantlike will keepe for one monthes space.
Ioint to the Citie lyes a field, from Smithes deriu'de the name,
Th'outside of London walls, an ample place fit for the same,
Here shall the race be pight, and certaine limitts measured out,
Let hyther make repayre, of noble bloud ech champion stout,
All nations shall haue safe conduct. And they which shall doe best,
And to the ground most doughtie knightes, out of their seates shall wrest,
Or sturdy state shall oftnest crack, they massie heapes of gold,
Shall for their seruice haue, and precious rewardes rich shall hold:
King Richard them bestowing, of manly fortitude the hier.
This publisht thus abroad, to many Cities far, and nyer.
On this side, and beyond the Alpes: as manlier courage hold,
Possest ech forraine hart, by worthy lynage high extold:
He horse, and armour getts, and swift through salt sea surges springes,
From Fraunce comes th'Earle of S. Paule, his heire & with him bringes.
To whom a frutefull land of fish, Bataue the Duchie yeldes.
And many more of noble byrth, out of Italia fieldes.
From sondry regions of the world, likewise agaynst that day,
Full many a Peere of royall bloud, at London made his stay,
The king of England from the tower, which mighty Cæsar built
Proceedes, whom foure and xx. doughtie knightes in harnish guilt
Doe after traine, along proud pompous London streated brode;
In number euen (which mounted braue on milke white palfrayes rode)
Them ioyntly after trace, their portlike Ladies, richly drest
With golden neckbandes bright, imbosd with stones, their corps inuestd
With golden roobes of needle worke, with shapes of hartes of gold,
In wrought, whose neckes eke golden crownes most curious did infold.
The Britaine king these liueries would haue his landes to bee.
The forriners with precious gemmes ydect, with gallant glee,
Of no lesse costly workmanship, did sumptuous garmentes weare,
And goodly to be seen, on trampling steedes, did armour beare,
Of Iron sweltes, and gold, yforgd: most gratefull sightes to see
To common people much amasde. To Smithfield comne they bee
At last. Then Circle wise in rankes, the Tiltyard fayre about
They all suruewing traste, both Challengers, and challengd rout.
The bard horse mounts an end, and with his heeles the ayre doth beat,
Carreyring forth, and back, with studded raines yfurnisht neat.
The hollow brasse trompe shrill, with Taratantara skies doth threat,
The Torneyars iustling meet, with might, and maine, and labours great,
They tire themselues, now salt sweat dropps downe still, from top, to toe,
And panting puffinges following fast, out of their mouthes doe goe.
The point of ratling speare, the thinne ayre, small dishiuered teares,
The troncheon burst beforne, to ground the enemy stombling beares.
The lookers on reioyse, and clapping handes a shout vp reares.
Now glommy night approching neare, one dayes contention endes.
On morrow to renew the warlike sport, ech champion wendes,
When courage equall to their auncestours, through doughtie deedes
They plainely shew. True glory sure from hard exploites proceedes.
The third day comnes, of sondry peoples flocke the assembly large
Doe wonder at the Captaines mighty actes, how they did charge
With peise, the trembling stafe, and lustie armes aloft did lift,
And eke with what fierce courage was indued the courser swift.
With clashing loude of armour, skies through bouncing bobs resound,
Ech day for the contendours, knightes, his proper pleasures found,
And now full foure and twentie dayes, in Torneying were expirde:
And time the Britaine king to weyghtier causes fast requirde.
Wherfore the straungers he for manly prowesse much extolde,
Rewarding them with massie chaynes, of pure, and fined gold,
And looded home with other giftes, to natiue soyle doth send.
That bagges with heapes of coyne stuft vp, their masters downe did bend.
But th'English challenge makers Fame requird for their reward,
To be commended for their factes, they onely did regard:
And ech vnto his proper home the Iustes thus finisht hies,
When that with Princely diadeame, his head adorned was.
But when he neare to mans estate through riper yeares was start:
No man can well declare, how far from Graunsirs hawtie hart,
Contrarily disposde, to mighty Sier, and noble dame.
But antike vertue still, in breastes of Britaine Peers was shrinde,
And manlie courage bold which in the auncient primates shinde,
By natures force ingraft that in God Mars aduentures hard,
The ospring worthy of such Syers, with them might be comparte:
And freely durst to tollerate, what tossing toyles you would.
The nobles (seyng thus the feates, of mighty Mars waxe could
For that the king secure and pleasant peace, sought to vphold)
And fearing sloughtfull Idlenesse, her poyson should instill
Corrupting them, and more least from Bellonaes warlike skill,
Long discontinuaunce should degenerate the Britaines hartes:
Incensing them to filthy lust, soft sleepe, and sluggish partes:
(The king therof aduertizde first), a solempne Iustes they make,
The counterfaited worke of Mars. The quiuering speare to shake,
At Tilt, and Torney eke, th'appoint for foure and xx. dayes,
Which number iust of Britaine Peers, as challengers forthwayes
To externe nations Legats send, such tydinges for to blase.
That Britaynes iustes triumphantlike will keepe for one monthes space.
Ioint to the Citie lyes a field, from Smithes deriu'de the name,
Th'outside of London walls, an ample place fit for the same,
Here shall the race be pight, and certaine limitts measured out,
Let hyther make repayre, of noble bloud ech champion stout,
All nations shall haue safe conduct. And they which shall doe best,
And to the ground most doughtie knightes, out of their seates shall wrest,
Or sturdy state shall oftnest crack, they massie heapes of gold,
Shall for their seruice haue, and precious rewardes rich shall hold:
King Richard them bestowing, of manly fortitude the hier.
This publisht thus abroad, to many Cities far, and nyer.
On this side, and beyond the Alpes: as manlier courage hold,
Possest ech forraine hart, by worthy lynage high extold:
He horse, and armour getts, and swift through salt sea surges springes,
From Fraunce comes th'Earle of S. Paule, his heire & with him bringes.
To whom a frutefull land of fish, Bataue the Duchie yeldes.
And many more of noble byrth, out of Italia fieldes.
From sondry regions of the world, likewise agaynst that day,
Full many a Peere of royall bloud, at London made his stay,
The king of England from the tower, which mighty Cæsar built
Proceedes, whom foure and xx. doughtie knightes in harnish guilt
Doe after traine, along proud pompous London streated brode;
Them ioyntly after trace, their portlike Ladies, richly drest
With golden neckbandes bright, imbosd with stones, their corps inuestd
With golden roobes of needle worke, with shapes of hartes of gold,
In wrought, whose neckes eke golden crownes most curious did infold.
The Britaine king these liueries would haue his landes to bee.
The forriners with precious gemmes ydect, with gallant glee,
Of no lesse costly workmanship, did sumptuous garmentes weare,
And goodly to be seen, on trampling steedes, did armour beare,
Of Iron sweltes, and gold, yforgd: most gratefull sightes to see
To common people much amasde. To Smithfield comne they bee
At last. Then Circle wise in rankes, the Tiltyard fayre about
They all suruewing traste, both Challengers, and challengd rout.
The bard horse mounts an end, and with his heeles the ayre doth beat,
Carreyring forth, and back, with studded raines yfurnisht neat.
The hollow brasse trompe shrill, with Taratantara skies doth threat,
The Torneyars iustling meet, with might, and maine, and labours great,
They tire themselues, now salt sweat dropps downe still, from top, to toe,
And panting puffinges following fast, out of their mouthes doe goe.
The point of ratling speare, the thinne ayre, small dishiuered teares,
The troncheon burst beforne, to ground the enemy stombling beares.
The lookers on reioyse, and clapping handes a shout vp reares.
Now glommy night approching neare, one dayes contention endes.
On morrow to renew the warlike sport, ech champion wendes,
When courage equall to their auncestours, through doughtie deedes
They plainely shew. True glory sure from hard exploites proceedes.
The third day comnes, of sondry peoples flocke the assembly large
Doe wonder at the Captaines mighty actes, how they did charge
With peise, the trembling stafe, and lustie armes aloft did lift,
And eke with what fierce courage was indued the courser swift.
With clashing loude of armour, skies through bouncing bobs resound,
Ech day for the contendours, knightes, his proper pleasures found,
And now full foure and twentie dayes, in Torneying were expirde:
And time the Britaine king to weyghtier causes fast requirde.
Wherfore the straungers he for manly prowesse much extolde,
Rewarding them with massie chaynes, of pure, and fined gold,
And looded home with other giftes, to natiue soyle doth send.
That bagges with heapes of coyne stuft vp, their masters downe did bend.
But th'English challenge makers Fame requird for their reward,
To be commended for their factes, they onely did regard:
When to the king his nephew thus, with wordes expresse, applyes
The noble Duke of Lancaster ybred, in Gaunt that towne.
Deare nephew to thy vncle, of Grandsyers stocke the chiefe renowne,
Thou knowest I thinke that if an iniurie committed bee,
Gainst linage of Plantagenetts, of what impaciencie,
Of mind they are, forthwith by dint of swourd, requyring right,
Such courage was ingraft in our forefathers great of might.
T'imitate myne auncestours, why should it yrke my minde?
Renowned Prince, within your realme caulme peace long time hath shinde,
No foe deceipt pretendes, nor bickering dares your force to trie,
Whilst vncle to your maiestie, and princes ofspring, I,
Behold my spouse in wedlocke bandes conioynd, of Hispanig land
Her fathers onely heir, by force the Spaniard to withstand.
And barre from kingdomes rich, which, publike lawes her giues as due.
Wherefore of souldiours stout (by your commission large) a crue,
Let me collect, this warfare long, to vndertake with me,
And of my spouses right, by wars to seeke recouerie,
And Iustice rites inuiolate, by dreadfull Mars maintaine.
His vnkle speaking thus, with friendly speach the king againe
Receaues, at lengh this aunswere makes, amydst his noble traine.
I can not sure but much commend thy stomack haut, and bolde,
In no respect behind in courage, our forefathers olde.
Goe with good luck vnto the land which floud Iberus streames
Doe famous make, and what as dower vnto thy wyfe pertaines,
By custome due, which Nations all haue erst allowed for right,
If that the Spaniard will not yeeld, that stoutly win in fight.
True heyres to be defrauded, both Gods lawes, and mans deny,
Almighty Ioue to ayde the right, will succour send from hie.
Herewith he him dimisde. The Duke with mighty nauie straight,
Strong armed for those combrous wars, with hardy souldiours fraightd,
The sounding salt sea sweepes, with vertuous spouse, and daughters twain.
His cause distrusting straight, of peace conditions offreth faine
The Spanish guide, which being tane, forthwith eyght carres with coyne
Full loaded to the Duke he sendes, moreouer doth enioyne
Himselfe, ten thousand poundes, of yearely tribute for to pay,
In Bayon Castell fayre, which then did Britayne Prince obey.
But th'English Duke for recompence, vnto the Hispaigne king
In mariage linkes his daughter, which first from his loynes did spring.
That so the happie concorde of this late confirmed peace,
Might through a firmer kinde of league, establisht, more increase.
The Lusitanian Prince (for so thereon they did agree)
The second daughter tooke to wife, with solempne pompe, and glee.
These matters thus performde, by power of God th'almighty guide,
To antike seates agayne, through Ocean vast, they backward slide,
And he withall his traine, are landed safe on Britayne shore.
Few dayes expirde, the Princes leaue by suite obtainde before:
A bragging Scottish Earle hight Marley enters English coastes,
On frothing palfrey borne, and challenge making boldly boastes,
To London comne, within the listes, to iust with pointed speare:
With whosoeuer durst contend, the Prince was present there,
And thousands of the common sort, in {c}lumpes thick thrungd that tyde.
Lord Moubray valiant Peere these Scottish bragges could not abide,
But goodly to behold, in armour close, his steede he takes,
And downe with force the Scot out of his saddle shogging shakes,
And horse with mighty push, of steeled troncheon throwes to ground.
Wherewith the lookers on, with shouts applauding, loude resound.
He all astoynisht lyes, two ribbes in sonder craced quite,
Whom set vpright, his feeble feete could not support one white.
Wherfore from thence he was to lodging neare adioyning borne,
Where shortly, through the grief augmented more, distract, and torne,
He yeldes his breath, by force of armes, so he which honour sought,
In armes doth honour lose, and challengd combatt dearely bought.
Next Darel Scottish Peere Lord Courtney Britaine vsd prouoke,
And loftie lookt for prayse, but of like Fortune felt the stroke:
In force inferiour far. The third companion in the race,
Whilst theat he iustling ranne, of valure small, and listes did trace,
Fiue boystrous blowes downe driues, and conquered Cocburne it did shame
For to haue striu'd, no glory got, retourning whence he came.
But the contendours chief, Lord Haubers mighty limbd, and next
Haut stomackt Courtney stout, whose venging right hand sore had vext,
And backe repeld the foriners, which challengd Britaines bold:
Through foolish pride puft vp: with condigne honour were extold.
These Torneys finisht thus, and things at home set in a stay,
King Richard to the sauage Kernes imbarkt did take his way
And them by warres resisting fierce, with little bloudshed, downe
He brought the Britaine yoke to hold. Then shortly from the crowne,
And pretious Princely diademe, himselfe he did depose:
And Henry Duke of Lancaster to hold the scepter chose.
The noble Duke of Lancaster ybred, in Gaunt that towne.
Deare nephew to thy vncle, of Grandsyers stocke the chiefe renowne,
Thou knowest I thinke that if an iniurie committed bee,
Gainst linage of Plantagenetts, of what impaciencie,
Of mind they are, forthwith by dint of swourd, requyring right,
Such courage was ingraft in our forefathers great of might.
T'imitate myne auncestours, why should it yrke my minde?
Renowned Prince, within your realme caulme peace long time hath shinde,
No foe deceipt pretendes, nor bickering dares your force to trie,
Whilst vncle to your maiestie, and princes ofspring, I,
Behold my spouse in wedlocke bandes conioynd, of Hispanig land
Her fathers onely heir, by force the Spaniard to withstand.
And barre from kingdomes rich, which, publike lawes her giues as due.
Wherefore of souldiours stout (by your commission large) a crue,
Let me collect, this warfare long, to vndertake with me,
And of my spouses right, by wars to seeke recouerie,
And Iustice rites inuiolate, by dreadfull Mars maintaine.
His vnkle speaking thus, with friendly speach the king againe
Receaues, at lengh this aunswere makes, amydst his noble traine.
I can not sure but much commend thy stomack haut, and bolde,
In no respect behind in courage, our forefathers olde.
Goe with good luck vnto the land which floud Iberus streames
Doe famous make, and what as dower vnto thy wyfe pertaines,
By custome due, which Nations all haue erst allowed for right,
If that the Spaniard will not yeeld, that stoutly win in fight.
True heyres to be defrauded, both Gods lawes, and mans deny,
Almighty Ioue to ayde the right, will succour send from hie.
Herewith he him dimisde. The Duke with mighty nauie straight,
Strong armed for those combrous wars, with hardy souldiours fraightd,
The sounding salt sea sweepes, with vertuous spouse, and daughters twain.
His cause distrusting straight, of peace conditions offreth faine
The Spanish guide, which being tane, forthwith eyght carres with coyne
Full loaded to the Duke he sendes, moreouer doth enioyne
Himselfe, ten thousand poundes, of yearely tribute for to pay,
In Bayon Castell fayre, which then did Britayne Prince obey.
But th'English Duke for recompence, vnto the Hispaigne king
In mariage linkes his daughter, which first from his loynes did spring.
That so the happie concorde of this late confirmed peace,
The Lusitanian Prince (for so thereon they did agree)
The second daughter tooke to wife, with solempne pompe, and glee.
These matters thus performde, by power of God th'almighty guide,
To antike seates agayne, through Ocean vast, they backward slide,
And he withall his traine, are landed safe on Britayne shore.
Few dayes expirde, the Princes leaue by suite obtainde before:
A bragging Scottish Earle hight Marley enters English coastes,
On frothing palfrey borne, and challenge making boldly boastes,
To London comne, within the listes, to iust with pointed speare:
With whosoeuer durst contend, the Prince was present there,
And thousands of the common sort, in {c}lumpes thick thrungd that tyde.
An insolent challenge of three Scotts, [illeg.] the Englishmen. The Scotts ouerthrowne in the Torney.
But goodly to behold, in armour close, his steede he takes,
And downe with force the Scot out of his saddle shogging shakes,
And horse with mighty push, of steeled troncheon throwes to ground.
Wherewith the lookers on, with shouts applauding, loude resound.
He all astoynisht lyes, two ribbes in sonder craced quite,
Whom set vpright, his feeble feete could not support one white.
Wherfore from thence he was to lodging neare adioyning borne,
Where shortly, through the grief augmented more, distract, and torne,
He yeldes his breath, by force of armes, so he which honour sought,
In armes doth honour lose, and challengd combatt dearely bought.
Next Darel Scottish Peere Lord Courtney Britaine vsd prouoke,
And loftie lookt for prayse, but of like Fortune felt the stroke:
In force inferiour far. The third companion in the race,
Whilst theat he iustling ranne, of valure small, and listes did trace,
Fiue boystrous blowes downe driues, and conquered Cocburne it did shame
For to haue striu'd, no glory got, retourning whence he came.
But the contendours chief, Lord Haubers mighty limbd, and next
Haut stomackt Courtney stout, whose venging right hand sore had vext,
And backe repeld the foriners, which challengd Britaines bold:
Through foolish pride puft vp: with condigne honour were extold.
These Torneys finisht thus, and things at home set in a stay,
King Richard to the sauage Kernes imbarkt did take his way
And them by warres resisting fierce, with little bloudshed, downe
He brought the Britaine yoke to hold. Then shortly from the crowne,
And pretious Princely diademe, himselfe he did depose:
And Henry Duke of Lancaster to hold the scepter chose.
Now Henry fourth of that name king the Britayne state did guide
Whose stout, and puissant valure then sufficiently was tried,
When for his Ladies dower, his father Spanyardes made to stoupe,
When Sier, and sonne, and after them, of men a warlike troupe,
From Callice sandes proceedyng forth, did enter Gascoine soyle,
And foes by drierie dint of blade, and reaking fiers did foyle.
The meekle vertue of the man, and stocke so much renownd,
Throughout the world the Britaynes foes, through feare put in a stound.
He yet a very youth through these aduentures hard did passe,
That glory whole by due desart, on him bestowed was,
Of ech exploit, were it atchiu'de at home, or forraine coast.
Besides his flowing wealth, this king himselfe might happy boast
Through noble progenie, to whom his vertuous Lady fayre,
Foure sonnes of wandrous towardnes had borne, of which the heyre
Of comely stature tall, when manly yeares he neare had rought,
Full many a ventrous enterprise with courage bold he wrought.
Of equall yeares, and maners eke, companions to him sought.
Yet nothyng he vniustly did, nor straide from vertues line,
Belou'd of all. within whose youthfull visage then did shine,
The very image of those deedes, which comne to riper age,
He should absolue. Now twise seuen yeares his Syer by counsell sage
The Brittish auntient land had rulde, with loue and laude of all.
Till waxing crookt through age, him finall end of life did call,
Incroching fast, and sicknes dire procurd his fatall fall.
Whose stout, and puissant valure then sufficiently was tried,
When for his Ladies dower, his father Spanyardes made to stoupe,
When Sier, and sonne, and after them, of men a warlike troupe,
From Callice sandes proceedyng forth, did enter Gascoine soyle,
And foes by drierie dint of blade, and reaking fiers did foyle.
The meekle vertue of the man, and stocke so much renownd,
Throughout the world the Britaynes foes, through feare put in a stound.
He yet a very youth through these aduentures hard did passe,
That glory whole by due desart, on him bestowed was,
Of ech exploit, were it atchiu'de at home, or forraine coast.
Besides his flowing wealth, this king himselfe might happy boast
Through noble progenie, to whom his vertuous Lady fayre,
Foure sonnes of wandrous towardnes had borne, of which the heyre
Of comely stature tall, when manly yeares he neare had rought,
Full many a ventrous enterprise with courage bold he wrought.
Of equall yeares, and maners eke, companions to him sought.
Yet nothyng he vniustly did, nor straide from vertues line,
Belou'd of all. within whose youthfull visage then did shine,
The very image of those deedes, which comne to riper age,
He should absolue. Now twise seuen yeares his Syer by counsell sage
The Brittish auntient land had rulde, with loue and laude of all.
Till waxing crookt through age, him finall end of life did call,
Incroching fast, and sicknes dire procurd his fatall fall.
Forthwith his fathers royall crowne, the heyre apparant takes,
To whom the Britayne Peers on bended knees their homage makes,
With sckipping harts, for glad, their countenaunce eke expressing ioyes,
But he among his mates, somewhat addict to wanton toyes
Before, forthwith (his father dead) became both stayed, and graue,
And from the Court his leude licentious panions old he draue.
More for such fawning hangbies, he priscribde a penaltie,
If once they should appeare in place, whereas the Court did lye.
Thus changde in all his actions, he doth as a Prince beseemde,
For counsaylours vsing such as sage, and of great wit, he deemde.
And seldome ceast from taking care, what best might stand in steed,
For common wealthes auayle much shepheard like, which taking heede
Unto his foldes, long winters nightes, with painefull watchinges wastes,
And whilst what was his right, reuoluing deepe in thought he castes,
And what vnto his auncestours perceiude in elder age,
He calls to mynde how king of Galls, incenst with furious rage
Had sondry wayes indamaged, and hurt the Britayne kinge,
Wherfore a counsaile straight he calls, and causes good doth bringe,
Which might prouoke the valiant Brutes those wars to take in hand,
Unto which point agree, all peers, and primates of the land,
That backe againe, by dreadfull wars, the kinges right should be sought.
To whom the Britayne Peers on bended knees their homage makes,
With sckipping harts, for glad, their countenaunce eke expressing ioyes,
But he among his mates, somewhat addict to wanton toyes
Before, forthwith (his father dead) became both stayed, and graue,
And from the Court his leude licentious panions old he draue.
More for such fawning hangbies, he priscribde a penaltie,
If once they should appeare in place, whereas the Court did lye.
Thus changde in all his actions, he doth as a Prince beseemde,
For counsaylours vsing such as sage, and of great wit, he deemde.
And seldome ceast from taking care, what best might stand in steed,
For common wealthes auayle much shepheard like, which taking heede
Unto his foldes, long winters nightes, with painefull watchinges wastes,
And whilst what was his right, reuoluing deepe in thought he castes,
And what vnto his auncestours perceiude in elder age,
He calls to mynde how king of Galls, incenst with furious rage
Wherfore a counsaile straight he calls, and causes good doth bringe,
Which might prouoke the valiant Brutes those wars to take in hand,
Unto which point agree, all peers, and primates of the land,
That backe againe, by dreadfull wars, the kinges right should be sought.
Forthwith for to requyre his owne, away by Frenchmen rought
The king doth legates send of polisht witt, and councell rare,
Unto the king of Fraunce, from him, this message to declare.
The most renowned Britayne guide king Henry, much doth muse
What this vniustice moneth you and rigour for to vse
That you the plighted league haue torne. Why others proper right,
Doe you with clasping clumbes by force out wrest, and wrieth by might
What moues you thus despitefully against the English land?
Them absent cruelly to pill, but when they be at hand,
If brandes of dreadfull Mars they stirre, (I needes must speake the troth)
Your cause is foundred still, and forct your iustice yeeld, though loth.
Wherfore to Britaines theirs restore, away vniustly tane,
Or dint of swourd, and fierie force, expect to breed your bane.
And that which we out of your handes may not by fayre meanes wring,
Unconquered Mars shall wrest. Such hope doth feed our noble king,
That Ioue of heynous wickednesse be iust reuenger will,
Who bids vs this to say, and princelike threats this to fulfill,
Unlesse, your minde to better chaungd, you ware, repent in time:
The chaunce of Mars is mutable, not one way doth incline.
When these wordes vttered had th'imbassadour from Henry sent,
Forthwith hot choler burning blacke the Frenchmans hartstringes rent
The pallace vast, which hurly burly noyce, confusde doth ring,
And disagreeing angers rage, their mindes doth glowing sting.
The king all wroth at last, did ope his mouth in great disdaine,
A labour hard to get, but kingdomes got, for to maintaine
Is virtue great. If he deserue high fame, and worthy prayse
Which through vnfriendly Mars (perchaunce vniust) doth goe his wayes
As victor chief, subduing landes, to beare his seruile yoke:
Ist not vnto the conquered, if courage they reuoke?
A greater glory, of their legs, the fettring boltes to shake?
And neckes from yooke to pluck, and force, by force, recuile to make?
Some howre, to some more happie chaunce, then other doth portend,
And ficle Fate will not remaine to one firme to the end.
The Frenchman now doth rule, tofore the Britaine bare the sway,
We florisht haue in time, and haue beene Troians doe you say.
Ten yeeres wars first expirde, by Greekes the Troians were subdued.
Fraunce after many Sommers, hath her antike force renued.
And me her captaine now againe begins to looke aloft,
Her iniuries reuenging bold, and setting foes at nought.
Yong boyes do terrifie with threats, with bugges, make Girles auaunt,
No vaine colluding shadowes, can the manly courage daunt,
Nor boasting brags, nor florisht blade, with threatning crakes forth showne.
What that your king to manly yeeres, is nothing neere yet growne,
Inexpert quite of dolefull wars. Let it suffice, that he
For his disport doe tosse the ball, at home, and shunning flee
The glittering rankes, of mighty Mars: let riper age those guide,
Therfore this aunsweer take, and thus declare it was replied:
That Frenchmen will their countrie coastes, and natiue cities shryne,
With armes, in spite of all their foes, that thereat do repine.
The Legates aunswered thus, to natiue soyle in hast they hie,
And wourd by wourd declare, the manner of the Frankes replie.
The scofe the king not taking well, all other thinges derides.
Meane time his royall nauie huge, at Hampton he prouides,
And forth through wandring salt sea floudes, with friendly gales he slides
For Ioue almight, the Southwindes coucht in caues did close containe,
That both the King, and captaines stout, with all their warlike traine,
Unlooked for, on th'ennimies shore their ankers fastned faine,
And ships forsaking, far and wide did all thinges wracke and wast,
And houses brued with bloud, and roofes with reaking flames down cast
Now puissant Henry in his tentes, one night away had past:
When Phœbus rising, cloudes consumde, and brought againe the day,
And with his radiant light, ech place in broad sight, did bewray.
Which way that mighty floud which flowing forth from Roan doth fall
Into the sea, and with his rage, the rocky shoores doth ball:
And with his sprinkling maketh moyst the bordring campes annext,
Neare to the tentes, whereas his mouth, with gaping iawes wide strecht,
Within the compasse of sixe howres, still salt sea floudes doth sup:
And out againe, gainst customde time, doth belking perbrake vp:
Two warlike townes, with mighty walles, ycompast round, they spied,
On this banke one, that other built vpon the farther side.
Forthwith the king commaundes them both with bandes besiegd to bee,
Against them both the whirling crosbow shot to be let flee,
And walls with ingine forgd of yron hard, to batter downe,
This vnaccustomde kinde of torment fell, put in a stounde,
The Celtaines closd within their walles, boyes, mothers, aged siers,
Halfe dead through trembling feare, this instant perill dire desires
For to eschue, but to eschue the meanes they cannot spie.
The English arrowes swift like hayle, through thinne ayre showring flie.
Both far a part, and neare at hand, they bickering fiercely trie.
Meane time that nothing should the kinges pretended purpose let,
Or Britaine nauy lying safe at rode, in daunger set:
A fleet of warlike shipps he sends, to Neptunes kingdomes wide,
Which should twixt both the coastes, and both the shores, all scouring ride.
And then his hoast commaundes, their scaling ladders ready wrought,
And ingines great of warre vnto the walls neare to be brought:
As soone as dame Auroraes light, shall drowne nights darksome shade,
When this was bruted in the tentes, and euery band had made
Themselues in readinesse, swift flying Fame with flickering winges,
This new report into the towne which men call Harflu bringes
That on to morrow next, by mighty force of Britaines fell
Both walls, and houses fayre, those slaughtred which in them did dwell,
Shall groueling ransackt be, to late to spare it will be than.
Forthwith a shiuering feare, through Frenchmens bones distilling ranne,
Th'inhabitantes of former state for to dispayre began.
What should they doe, thus in such straites of sondry thraldomes pent:
Before their eyes lay present death, their king no succour sent,
For safety to expect, so fast inclosde, within their wall
It were in vayne, wherfore hereto they condiscended all.
To trie what clemencie remainde, in hart of Britaine king.
If that by vowes they might perchaunce, his minde to mercy bring,
And that at least their vitall bloud he would vouchsafe forbeare.
Forthwith twelue of the noblest states, and Princes chosen were:
With which the Chieftaine of the tower: all, through the portes forth past,
With heades vncouered bare, & countenaunce downeward mournefull cast,
And trembling pace likewise, wan palenes in their visage lay,
Ech one (a signe of wailing) was inuest, in mourning ray,
At length vnto the warlike tentes, of puissant Henry brought:
They in these wordes, both for themselues, and theirs, his grace besought
All prostrate on the ground, when thus began a primate graue.
Against your Maiestie (O king) if that we trespast haue,
Our plighted faith vnto our liege, and natiue country land,
Whilst we against you closde our portes, and did by force withstand,
Was cause therof, a loyall troth vnto the Prince, for aye
Deserued prayse may vendicate, which neuer shall decay.
Who makes a dout for Countrys wealth all deathes for to endure?
Howbeit our deathes vnto our land, small safetie can procure.
If we resistaunce make, all vnreueng'd we shall be slayne,
And troth we must confesse, our goodes, and substaunce, will remaine
To Henry king of Brutes, both towne and gorgeous turretts, gay,
If ought offended were tofore, that pardon we thee pray,
And if no succour from our Prince be sent, for our redresse,
Within eight dayes, then entrance make, and freely do possesse,
Hold and enioy, our towne, with luckie chaunce, this let vs craue
To spare our liues, such mercy sure becomes it kinges to haue:
This vertue rare thine auncestours, did earst renowned make.
What here the Celtane to obtaine demaundes, that let him take,
Replyes our king, and here withall, vnto their proper place
The Frenchmen home he sent, truce was confirm'd for foresayd space.
Eight dayes expired were, no helpe was sent, no natiue ayde,
The promise was requir'd: then howling parentes halfe dismayde,
With sucking babes, then virgine troupes, from antike dwellinges strayde.
The Celtane people all, out of their gates in plumpes thrust thicke,
All sad, of armour stript, most wretched, emptie, poore and sicke.
And habitations new for to prouide, they were constrainde.
Forthwith throughout all Britaine townes, the crier loude proclaimde,
By strait commaundement from the king: that who so Harflu will
Beyond the Seas inhabite, and the fieldes adiacent till
Or practise handy craftes, or follow greedy marchantes trade,
Or turne the earth with crooked sull, or delue, and digg, with spade:
Let him to Harflu hie, where certaine place for his abode.
Upon the asker by the kyng, shall freely be bestowde,
Nor onely he, shall it inioy, but after him his heyre.
Forthwith vnto the salt sea shoores, much people make repayre,
Expecting onely prosperous gales, to cause the hull to glaunce.
And where as nearest passage was vnto the realme of Fraunce:
What presse of people floct, in so short space, it wondrous was.
That for inhabitantes great store, no place did Harflu passe.
Which garded strong with men, the king his tentes gan to remoue.
When as a Scout into his eares, this vncoth tidinges droue,
That through the bridges broken downe, he should no passage gett,
That sixescore thousand warlike Galls, did neare approching lett,
All dight in steelecotes strong, to beare the brunt from naked brest,
And saletts glittering eke, with white plumes staring through the crest,
So huge a troupe of horsemen, as in elder age no wight,
Hath seen before, vnbridled, fierce, oer broad fieldes scoure in sight.
Plantagenet no whit disturbde, with this vast army, gads
Still forward, and vnto his mates, he fearcer courage adds.
His course directing straight, with stomack bold, against his foes.
And for that Vespers shadowes glomme, anon would Sol inclose:
Neere to the wouddy thickets dark, to pitch his tentes he chose.
Then vnto his pauilion straight such Peeres as seemde him best,
He bids repayre, there to consult, vpon the daunger prest.
For scarce three miles th'enemies powre, was distant from the place.
A little now before the night, they comne vnto his grace,
There do decerne by councell wise, what meetest they do thinke.
Amongst the rest (Don Titans beames now couch in Thetis brinke)
The souldiours all commaunded were, sharpe pointed stakes to chuse,
Out of the groues, whereof the king most prudent showes the vse.
That on them, fastened in the ground, the troupes of horsemen fierce,
Might light, in midst of race, which throgh the coursers hoofe would pearce.
This secret guile, that formost rankes, should from the enemies close.
Fraud is a vertue great, in dreadfull warre, to trap our foes.
Meane time, vntimely dusky night, from hie heauens rushing prest,
And mortall men, their wearied limbes, in sweet sleepe laid to rest,
Forgetting troublous cares, that fresh they might to labour rise.
Howbeit with drowsie slombring clogd, few Britaines shut their eyes,
Some stringes vnto their sinowy bowes do fit, some whetstones plied
In sharpening arrow heades, which might through harnesse pearcing slyde.
He to th'almighty king his wife, and children doth commend,
As though in fight the sequent day, should bring his fatall end.
He put his gold away, in hope that on the morrow morne,
He shall the Frenchmans gaine, as customed was of old beforne.
The glittering morning fresh, vnwares the Britaines, clearely shone,
Armes, armes, ye English harts, with cries which rought the heauēly throne,
The valiant captaines call, take armour, armour take, we pray,
Your weapons gripe in hand, to twig your strong bowes forces laye:
And chiefly in the hottest broyle respect to keepe good ray.
These wordes no sooner sayd, but ioynt the bandes in order went,
Expecting foes approch with mynde to blouddy battaile bent.
When sodainly a Scoutwatch spurres to courser setting swift,
Which watching had the night before, to vnderstand their drift
Survewd the enemies campe, cries, cruell Frenchmē, Frenchmen comme
Like as in midst of winter cold, the sounding Southwind glomme,
With showring flawes, & duskish mistes, made thick, doth whirling runne.
Or as Orion clouddie starre, with countenaunce blacke doth fray,
The hugie mountaine tops, being farre aloof, and neare neae with sway
Rough rushing windes flie out, and with their force do make away:
So doth the Celtane army vast, oer broad heathes fayre in sight
The Sunne vpstart, approch, displaying insignes glittering bright.
The earth doth trembling shake, with hollow hoof of trampling steedes,
Through thrunging thicke on heapes, the pilming dust to skies proceedes.
Sturd vp with horsemen plumpes, and bandes of footemen flocking fast,
The king doth legates send of polisht witt, and councell rare,
Unto the king of Fraunce, from him, this message to declare.
The most renowned Britayne guide king Henry, much doth muse
What this vniustice moneth you and rigour for to vse
That you the plighted league haue torne. Why others proper right,
Doe you with clasping clumbes by force out wrest, and wrieth by might
What moues you thus despitefully against the English land?
Them absent cruelly to pill, but when they be at hand,
If brandes of dreadfull Mars they stirre, (I needes must speake the troth)
Your cause is foundred still, and forct your iustice yeeld, though loth.
Wherfore to Britaines theirs restore, away vniustly tane,
Or dint of swourd, and fierie force, expect to breed your bane.
And that which we out of your handes may not by fayre meanes wring,
Unconquered Mars shall wrest. Such hope doth feed our noble king,
That Ioue of heynous wickednesse be iust reuenger will,
Who bids vs this to say, and princelike threats this to fulfill,
Unlesse, your minde to better chaungd, you ware, repent in time:
The chaunce of Mars is mutable, not one way doth incline.
When these wordes vttered had th'imbassadour from Henry sent,
Forthwith hot choler burning blacke the Frenchmans hartstringes rent
The pallace vast, which hurly burly noyce, confusde doth ring,
And disagreeing angers rage, their mindes doth glowing sting.
The king all wroth at last, did ope his mouth in great disdaine,
A labour hard to get, but kingdomes got, for to maintaine
Is virtue great. If he deserue high fame, and worthy prayse
Which through vnfriendly Mars (perchaunce vniust) doth goe his wayes
As victor chief, subduing landes, to beare his seruile yoke:
Ist not vnto the conquered, if courage they reuoke?
A greater glory, of their legs, the fettring boltes to shake?
And neckes from yooke to pluck, and force, by force, recuile to make?
Some howre, to some more happie chaunce, then other doth portend,
And ficle Fate will not remaine to one firme to the end.
The Frenchman now doth rule, tofore the Britaine bare the sway,
We florisht haue in time, and haue beene Troians doe you say.
Fraunce after many Sommers, hath her antike force renued.
And me her captaine now againe begins to looke aloft,
Her iniuries reuenging bold, and setting foes at nought.
Yong boyes do terrifie with threats, with bugges, make Girles auaunt,
No vaine colluding shadowes, can the manly courage daunt,
Nor boasting brags, nor florisht blade, with threatning crakes forth showne.
What that your king to manly yeeres, is nothing neere yet growne,
Inexpert quite of dolefull wars. Let it suffice, that he
For his disport doe tosse the ball, at home, and shunning flee
The glittering rankes, of mighty Mars: let riper age those guide,
Therfore this aunsweer take, and thus declare it was replied:
That Frenchmen will their countrie coastes, and natiue cities shryne,
With armes, in spite of all their foes, that thereat do repine.
The Legates aunswered thus, to natiue soyle in hast they hie,
And wourd by wourd declare, the manner of the Frankes replie.
The scofe the king not taking well, all other thinges derides.
Meane time his royall nauie huge, at Hampton he prouides,
And forth through wandring salt sea floudes, with friendly gales he slides
For Ioue almight, the Southwindes coucht in caues did close containe,
That both the King, and captaines stout, with all their warlike traine,
Unlooked for, on th'ennimies shore their ankers fastned faine,
And ships forsaking, far and wide did all thinges wracke and wast,
And houses brued with bloud, and roofes with reaking flames down cast
Now puissant Henry in his tentes, one night away had past:
When Phœbus rising, cloudes consumde, and brought againe the day,
And with his radiant light, ech place in broad sight, did bewray.
Which way that mighty floud which flowing forth from Roan doth fall
Into the sea, and with his rage, the rocky shoores doth ball:
And with his sprinkling maketh moyst the bordring campes annext,
Neare to the tentes, whereas his mouth, with gaping iawes wide strecht,
Within the compasse of sixe howres, still salt sea floudes doth sup:
And out againe, gainst customde time, doth belking perbrake vp:
Two warlike townes, with mighty walles, ycompast round, they spied,
On this banke one, that other built vpon the farther side.
Forthwith the king commaundes them both with bandes besiegd to bee,
Against them both the whirling crosbow shot to be let flee,
And walls with ingine forgd of yron hard, to batter downe,
This vnaccustomde kinde of torment fell, put in a stounde,
The Celtaines closd within their walles, boyes, mothers, aged siers,
For to eschue, but to eschue the meanes they cannot spie.
The English arrowes swift like hayle, through thinne ayre showring flie.
Both far a part, and neare at hand, they bickering fiercely trie.
Meane time that nothing should the kinges pretended purpose let,
Or Britaine nauy lying safe at rode, in daunger set:
A fleet of warlike shipps he sends, to Neptunes kingdomes wide,
Which should twixt both the coastes, and both the shores, all scouring ride.
And then his hoast commaundes, their scaling ladders ready wrought,
And ingines great of warre vnto the walls neare to be brought:
As soone as dame Auroraes light, shall drowne nights darksome shade,
When this was bruted in the tentes, and euery band had made
Themselues in readinesse, swift flying Fame with flickering winges,
This new report into the towne which men call Harflu bringes
That on to morrow next, by mighty force of Britaines fell
Both walls, and houses fayre, those slaughtred which in them did dwell,
Shall groueling ransackt be, to late to spare it will be than.
Forthwith a shiuering feare, through Frenchmens bones distilling ranne,
Th'inhabitantes of former state for to dispayre began.
What should they doe, thus in such straites of sondry thraldomes pent:
Before their eyes lay present death, their king no succour sent,
For safety to expect, so fast inclosde, within their wall
It were in vayne, wherfore hereto they condiscended all.
To trie what clemencie remainde, in hart of Britaine king.
If that by vowes they might perchaunce, his minde to mercy bring,
And that at least their vitall bloud he would vouchsafe forbeare.
Forthwith twelue of the noblest states, and Princes chosen were:
With which the Chieftaine of the tower: all, through the portes forth past,
With heades vncouered bare, & countenaunce downeward mournefull cast,
And trembling pace likewise, wan palenes in their visage lay,
Ech one (a signe of wailing) was inuest, in mourning ray,
At length vnto the warlike tentes, of puissant Henry brought:
They in these wordes, both for themselues, and theirs, his grace besought
All prostrate on the ground, when thus began a primate graue.
Against your Maiestie (O king) if that we trespast haue,
Our plighted faith vnto our liege, and natiue country land,
Whilst we against you closde our portes, and did by force withstand,
Was cause therof, a loyall troth vnto the Prince, for aye
Deserued prayse may vendicate, which neuer shall decay.
Who makes a dout for Countrys wealth all deathes for to endure?
If we resistaunce make, all vnreueng'd we shall be slayne,
And troth we must confesse, our goodes, and substaunce, will remaine
To Henry king of Brutes, both towne and gorgeous turretts, gay,
If ought offended were tofore, that pardon we thee pray,
And if no succour from our Prince be sent, for our redresse,
Within eight dayes, then entrance make, and freely do possesse,
Hold and enioy, our towne, with luckie chaunce, this let vs craue
To spare our liues, such mercy sure becomes it kinges to haue:
This vertue rare thine auncestours, did earst renowned make.
What here the Celtane to obtaine demaundes, that let him take,
Replyes our king, and here withall, vnto their proper place
The Frenchmen home he sent, truce was confirm'd for foresayd space.
Eight dayes expired were, no helpe was sent, no natiue ayde,
The promise was requir'd: then howling parentes halfe dismayde,
With sucking babes, then virgine troupes, from antike dwellinges strayde.
The Celtane people all, out of their gates in plumpes thrust thicke,
All sad, of armour stript, most wretched, emptie, poore and sicke.
And habitations new for to prouide, they were constrainde.
Forthwith throughout all Britaine townes, the crier loude proclaimde,
By strait commaundement from the king: that who so Harflu will
Beyond the Seas inhabite, and the fieldes adiacent till
Or practise handy craftes, or follow greedy marchantes trade,
Or turne the earth with crooked sull, or delue, and digg, with spade:
Let him to Harflu hie, where certaine place for his abode.
Upon the asker by the kyng, shall freely be bestowde,
Nor onely he, shall it inioy, but after him his heyre.
Forthwith vnto the salt sea shoores, much people make repayre,
Expecting onely prosperous gales, to cause the hull to glaunce.
And where as nearest passage was vnto the realme of Fraunce:
What presse of people floct, in so short space, it wondrous was.
That for inhabitantes great store, no place did Harflu passe.
Which garded strong with men, the king his tentes gan to remoue.
When as a Scout into his eares, this vncoth tidinges droue,
That through the bridges broken downe, he should no passage gett,
That sixescore thousand warlike Galls, did neare approching lett,
All dight in steelecotes strong, to beare the brunt from naked brest,
And saletts glittering eke, with white plumes staring through the crest,
So huge a troupe of horsemen, as in elder age no wight,
Hath seen before, vnbridled, fierce, oer broad fieldes scoure in sight.
Still forward, and vnto his mates, he fearcer courage adds.
His course directing straight, with stomack bold, against his foes.
And for that Vespers shadowes glomme, anon would Sol inclose:
Neere to the wouddy thickets dark, to pitch his tentes he chose.
Then vnto his pauilion straight such Peeres as seemde him best,
He bids repayre, there to consult, vpon the daunger prest.
For scarce three miles th'enemies powre, was distant from the place.
A little now before the night, they comne vnto his grace,
There do decerne by councell wise, what meetest they do thinke.
Amongst the rest (Don Titans beames now couch in Thetis brinke)
The souldiours all commaunded were, sharpe pointed stakes to chuse,
Out of the groues, whereof the king most prudent showes the vse.
That on them, fastened in the ground, the troupes of horsemen fierce,
Might light, in midst of race, which throgh the coursers hoofe would pearce.
This secret guile, that formost rankes, should from the enemies close.
Fraud is a vertue great, in dreadfull warre, to trap our foes.
Meane time, vntimely dusky night, from hie heauens rushing prest,
And mortall men, their wearied limbes, in sweet sleepe laid to rest,
Forgetting troublous cares, that fresh they might to labour rise.
Howbeit with drowsie slombring clogd, few Britaines shut their eyes,
Some stringes vnto their sinowy bowes do fit, some whetstones plied
In sharpening arrow heades, which might through harnesse pearcing slyde.
He to th'almighty king his wife, and children doth commend,
As though in fight the sequent day, should bring his fatall end.
He put his gold away, in hope that on the morrow morne,
He shall the Frenchmans gaine, as customed was of old beforne.
The glittering morning fresh, vnwares the Britaines, clearely shone,
Armes, armes, ye English harts, with cries which rought the heauēly throne,
The valiant captaines call, take armour, armour take, we pray,
Your weapons gripe in hand, to twig your strong bowes forces laye:
And chiefly in the hottest broyle respect to keepe good ray.
These wordes no sooner sayd, but ioynt the bandes in order went,
Expecting foes approch with mynde to blouddy battaile bent.
When sodainly a Scoutwatch spurres to courser setting swift,
Which watching had the night before, to vnderstand their drift
Survewd the enemies campe, cries, cruell Frenchmē, Frenchmen comme
Like as in midst of winter cold, the sounding Southwind glomme,
With showring flawes, & duskish mistes, made thick, doth whirling runne.
The hugie mountaine tops, being farre aloof, and neare neae with sway
Rough rushing windes flie out, and with their force do make away:
So doth the Celtane army vast, oer broad heathes fayre in sight
The Sunne vpstart, approch, displaying insignes glittering bright.
The earth doth trembling shake, with hollow hoof of trampling steedes,
Through thrunging thicke on heapes, the pilming dust to skies proceedes.
Sturd vp with horsemen plumpes, and bandes of footemen flocking fast,
This morning had the king, into a sounder slomber cast,
Then he of custome vsde, so voyde of care sweet rest he takes:
Untill one of his Peers into his bed tent entrance makes,
And him with touching soft, out of his pleasant sleepe awakes.
Declaring how the Celtane hoast, within two miles were comne,
And how into great ieopardie his campe was like to runne:
Wherfore he prayes him shew, what by his Captaines should be done.
The king euen as he was, vnclothd, his liuely corps doth take,
Out of his bed, on bended knees, and thus doth prayer make.
O hye and mightie king, I suppliant fauour do require,
Thou greatest, puissance great, into thy seruantes Lord inspire.
On thee I plant my onely hope, do not thy seruant leaue,
The enemy to his horse, to thee alone, we trusting cleaue.
If I as victor chief this day, the conquest shall obtaine:
Thy Godheads wondrous prayse from age, to age, which shall remaine,
In holy temples, sacred men, and women eke, shall sing.
This prayer finisht thus, the rankes to place, forthwith the king
Commaundes, and quickly clad, his glittering armour fitting fast,
He starteth out, with skippyng pace, and through the rayes he past.
Demaunding of his mates, what cheare, and hope their myndes possest,
With chearefull countenance all do aunswere make, we hope the best.
The Duke of Yorke for honours sake, then downe himselfe inclinde,
And sayes, renowned Prince, a thousandes causes moue my minde,
To testifie my loue, and bounden duetie to your grace,
Next to my country soyle, wherfore graunt that the formost place,
Of all the battaile I, and forefront may conduct as guide,
So shall I by my worthy death eternall fame prouide:
And lesse I be deceaud, deceau'd, by false illusions of my mynde,
I shall by drierie dint of blade, the dastarde enemy grinde.
And euerlasting glory will such noble actes succeede.
He endes his tale. Plantagenet approchyng, him with speede
Takes vp from ground, and frendly doth this courteous aunswere ford.
Since thou my kinsman deare, doost offer of thine owne accord,
Such gratefull service, as no thought imagine may a part,
More gratefull, worthy thankes I yeld, for thy most gratefull hart.
A worke of high nobilitie thou askst I graunt the same,
Thy warlike {maces} vnto thee link {thou} straight to battaile frame
Thy selfe, and dreadfull foes to come, by manly courage tame:
And through thy great exploites in warre, deseru'de laud beare away.
Without delay the Archers stout, are sett in battaile ray,
Of which the greatest part, in sondry winges deuided weare.
The martiall rankes which tronch{eon} pikes, claspt in their hands did beare,
The ensigne of the king, in armour thick did compasse round.
The Earle then which by the name of Suffolke was renownde,
The right wing did conduct, the Warwicke Earle the Earle the left hand rout,
Both armde with souldiours old, which twangd their bowes with courage stout.
A troupe of horsemen light, the pikemen rankes did firmely garde.
The reregarde such as browne bills dare, and axes keene did warde,
Like Giantes strong, with hugie limbes, and campe behinde did close.
Here was the Britaynes power, this kinde of battaile ray they chose.
The army ordred thus, the king demandes, what time a day?
About the time in which our Priestes accustom'd are to pray:
The nobles aunswere make, throughout the townes of Albion hie.
Be of good cheare theare ye Britaynes stout, the king doth straight reply,
For in this houre, the sacred clarkes, do pray for our successe,
Goe to my lads, your valure so by great exploites expresse:
That like to your forefathers old, this day you may depart,
Whose handes in fight, not onely haue the Frenchmen made to start,
But manly lookes haue stoinde, and forst to flee flie with broken hart.
All feare expell, death dreadfull is to moue none of gentle kind,
If to be ouercomne ouercomme by destinies lott we be assignde:
The last gasp of my vitall breath, shall be blowme out this day,
For me as captiue, to redeeme, no man shall tribute pay,
Nor for my raunsome Brittish land, shall any charge defray.
He sayd. Like minde was to them all, the army showting hie
Redoubleth loude the noyce, and promise plightes that all would die
On point of goarie blade, if Fortune victory should denie.
Meane time towardes the Celtanes hoast, began to wend away
The army all, and broad in sight, their banners to display.
Behold of dreadfull Mars the trompet gastly noyce out blue,
Prouokementes dire of blouddy slaughters fell, then to insue.
The armies both bloudthirstie neare, and neare, their footestepps drue,
The chawsing souldiour wroth, with duglie showtes the skies doth rend,
And now they distant weare, as farre as sturdie bow could send
The whistling shaft, with strength puld vp. Shoote, Shoote, the Captaine shreights
Ye Britains stout, your persing stems & slender flickering flights,
Applie your bending bowes, applie, your hated enemies scoure,
Like hailstones thick, when rattling downe doth fail a winter shoure.
The arrowes girt, forth flie, and light of Sunne obscure do make.
In shoulder wounded deepe, with beating pawes, the aier doth rake,
All endlong reerd alooft, the Courier fierce, his master cast,
The Celtaine horsemen galled thus, more sauffer thincke at last
Upon our footemen for to runne, with point of charged speare.
Forthwith our [illeg.] stronglie senst with bowes, to ground to beare:
They fiersly presse with launce, the sight than bloudie waxeth more,
Stabd in with sharpened stakes, euen as the Prince had shewed before,
The horses foundred lie, vpon the ground, their sitters slaine
By drierie blade. And when no shaftes their quiuers did retaine,
The bowmen take their gleiues, and downe their enemies tombling fell,
The King endeuoring, fierce with sword in hand bestures him well,
Ech noble Captaine did the same, and with them all the rout.
The bouncing Helmet knockes, did shrill resound the woudes throughout,
With clattering clashing loud of harnish, ringes the waters cleere:
And morning grones the bordring hils, and hollow hollow valets neere
Of dying soules receiue. The goorie bloud streames so abound:
As doth the earth with standing pooles, when Saturne old is founde,
And Ioue inferiour in degree, Mars, Sol, and Venus neate,
Hermes, and Lune, in Cancers house, Pisces or Scorpion weat,
Iust through the brainpanne with a shaft the Duke of Bar[illeg.] yshot
Comes tumbling of his steed his fainting spirite, and hart bloud hott,
Out through the deadly wound disperst, in thinne ayer vanisht quite.
The noble Duke of Alanson with fatall arrow smitte,
The timber pulleth out, but steelehead leaues in scull remaine.
Dire death insues the deadly wound, wherefore in deepe disdaine
His steed hee falleth fro, and hard earth rending with his teeth,
His aierie ghost out startes, and thinne in starie region fleeth.
Like bane thy Duke O Brabant bringes vnto his fatall end.
These Peeres the first ranke did conduct, the seconds guiders send,
Likewise their dying spirites, to Plutoes kingdomes large to flie
As th'Earle of Nauarre with whome O Sans, thy Byshoppe hie,
Eight Earles more beside, their flickering ghostes did send to skie:
With grieslie wound yslaine. And of those Peeres which Barons hight
Aboue an hundred lost their liues. Of Knightes and Squiers in fight
Fiue times full sixtene score their breaths out gaspt, the common sort
Unto ten thousande soules and more did Stigie barge transportt.
Of Celtans army huge. Three hundred Britaines onely slaine
And in the handes of Henry king the victorie did remaine.
Alack the Duke of Yorke with staggering launce his death wound gott,
Where first agaynst our men, the bickering skirmage waxed hott.
And Suffolke Earle huge heapes of ghostes, first sent to Limbo lake,
Of Frenchmen Peers, his vitall breath, with hart bloud did forsake.
The Captiue Celtane Lordes, were safely kept in trustie hold.
These thinges thus done, his men inricht with th'enemies spoyles, and gold,
The noble Victor with his fleet, hastes backe to Callice shore,
And cutting ore the strait sea gulfe: of auncient kinges of yore,
To royall pallaces he wendes, triumphantlike a trayne,
And after him he drawes. the Maior of pompous London fayne,
With all his troupe of Alderman, in roobes of Ermines clad,
Three miles agaynst his royall grace, for honours sake gan gab,
To testifie their dueties, all the Citizens doe the same.
And to expresse their ioyes, that he the Celtanes pride did tame,
The Clergy eke their sacred temples left, doe solempne sing,
The streetes throughout, deserued laud to the eternall king.
The common sort with noyse, resounding brim, do after trace,
Long prosperous health, beseeching God, to giue vnto his grace.
This solempne pompe, the captiues all, in order sett, insue,
Unto the Victor Prince his Court, where entertainement due,
By Henryes hest, they shewed had. In fleeting barke ybore,
Behold Sygismund taketh land, vpon English shore.
Whom courteously the Britaine Monarch hye, a gratefull hoast
His auncient frend receaues, and welcome bids to Albion coast.
Now loftie horned stagges, now sielie does they hunt in chase,
Now hawking likes them best, and hollow winged gosse haukes race:
Whilst lesser sort of birdes, for dread all shiuering, he infests.
When leysure seru'd, and clogging cares expeld were from their brests:
The Emperour thus begins. Most royall Prince, through fame renownd
Which blasted hath thine actes, throughout the world, with trōpetts sound:
Spare now the conquered Galls, at length from blouddy wars abstaine,
You goorie bloud haue drawne inough, and foes on heapes haue laine:
Why doe you tire your selfe? and subiects weare with endlesse paine?
Your late atchiued victorie in mynde will still remaine.
Let peace be rooted in your hart, loue peace, then which the Lord,
A greatet gift on mortall men, at no time doth afforde.
King Charles doth entreat the same, his Legate it doth pray,
Which present in your royall Court, for that pretence doth stay.
All cause of strife remoue, let loyall league of truce be plight.
King Henry shall of Frenchmen haue, what lawfull is by right.
Behold how tender babes, of Siers bereft, do howlinges make,
And widowes mourning waile, their husbandes sent to Stigie lake.
Consider pondring deepe, vnto the Lord how we are wrought.
Sigismund had king Henry neare, by this persuasion brought
To condiscend: who deepe in thought, now this, now that way strayes,
Uncertaine what to doe, to pittie rare addict alwayes,
And doutlesse the intreatie had, preuailed of his frend,
Had not, (the French Embassadour intreating for to end,
Which earst the the Emperour had proposde) a post from Harflu comne,
Declaring how the Realme of Fraunce, warres to renue begonne.
And how of Englishmen, of late was made a slaughter dire,
Neare bankes of Seine. All burning woode, and furious standes in yre,
Prince Henry, hearing thus the Britayne souldiours to be slayne,
Which few, could not the mighty power, of Celtane king sustaine.
And stopping straight the Legates mouth, intreating still for peace,
He sayes, reuengement shall insue, wherfore your suite surcease.
The Emperour was ashamed, that for that periurde nation bad,
He suppliant, low, with speaches fayre, his frend increated had.
Who ready to depart, with royall giftes in Princely guise
Presented, sacred league of truce, with Britaine king contriues
And country soyle, through surging seas, by prosperous gales attaines.
Then he of custome vsde, so voyde of care sweet rest he takes:
Untill one of his Peers into his bed tent entrance makes,
And him with touching soft, out of his pleasant sleepe awakes.
Declaring how the Celtane hoast, within two miles were comne,
And how into great ieopardie his campe was like to runne:
Wherfore he prayes him shew, what by his Captaines should be done.
The king euen as he was, vnclothd, his liuely corps doth take,
Out of his bed, on bended knees, and thus doth prayer make.
O hye and mightie king, I suppliant fauour do require,
Thou greatest, puissance great, into thy seruantes Lord inspire.
On thee I plant my onely hope, do not thy seruant leaue,
The enemy to his horse, to thee alone, we trusting cleaue.
If I as victor chief this day, the conquest shall obtaine:
Thy Godheads wondrous prayse from age, to age, which shall remaine,
In holy temples, sacred men, and women eke, shall sing.
This prayer finisht thus, the rankes to place, forthwith the king
Commaundes, and quickly clad, his glittering armour fitting fast,
He starteth out, with skippyng pace, and through the rayes he past.
Demaunding of his mates, what cheare, and hope their myndes possest,
With chearefull countenance all do aunswere make, we hope the best.
The Duke of Yorke for honours sake, then downe himselfe inclinde,
And sayes, renowned Prince, a thousandes causes moue my minde,
To testifie my loue, and bounden duetie to your grace,
Next to my country soyle, wherfore graunt that the formost place,
Of all the battaile I, and forefront may conduct as guide,
So shall I by my worthy death eternall fame prouide:
And lesse I be deceaud, deceau'd, by false illusions of my mynde,
I shall by drierie dint of blade, the dastarde enemy grinde.
And euerlasting glory will such noble actes succeede.
He endes his tale. Plantagenet approchyng, him with speede
Takes vp from ground, and frendly doth this courteous aunswere ford.
Such gratefull service, as no thought imagine may a part,
More gratefull, worthy thankes I yeld, for thy most gratefull hart.
A worke of high nobilitie thou askst I graunt the same,
Thy warlike {maces} vnto thee link {thou} straight to battaile frame
Thy selfe, and dreadfull foes to come, by manly courage tame:
And through thy great exploites in warre, deseru'de laud beare away.
Without delay the Archers stout, are sett in battaile ray,
Of which the greatest part, in sondry winges deuided weare.
The martiall rankes which tronch{eon} pikes, claspt in their hands did beare,
The ensigne of the king, in armour thick did compasse round.
The Earle then which by the name of Suffolke was renownde,
The right wing did conduct, the Warwicke Earle the Earle the left hand rout,
Both armde with souldiours old, which twangd their bowes with courage stout.
A troupe of horsemen light, the pikemen rankes did firmely garde.
The reregarde such as browne bills dare, and axes keene did warde,
Like Giantes strong, with hugie limbes, and campe behinde did close.
Here was the Britaynes power, this kinde of battaile ray they chose.
The army ordred thus, the king demandes, what time a day?
About the time in which our Priestes accustom'd are to pray:
The nobles aunswere make, throughout the townes of Albion hie.
Be of good cheare theare ye Britaynes stout, the king doth straight reply,
For in this houre, the sacred clarkes, do pray for our successe,
Goe to my lads, your valure so by great exploites expresse:
That like to your forefathers old, this day you may depart,
Whose handes in fight, not onely haue the Frenchmen made to start,
But manly lookes haue stoinde, and forst to flee flie with broken hart.
All feare expell, death dreadfull is to moue none of gentle kind,
If to be ouercomne ouercomme by destinies lott we be assignde:
The last gasp of my vitall breath, shall be blowme out this day,
For me as captiue, to redeeme, no man shall tribute pay,
Nor for my raunsome Brittish land, shall any charge defray.
He sayd. Like minde was to them all, the army showting hie
Redoubleth loude the noyce, and promise plightes that all would die
On point of goarie blade, if Fortune victory should denie.
Meane time towardes the Celtanes hoast, began to wend away
The army all, and broad in sight, their banners to display.
Behold of dreadfull Mars the trompet gastly noyce out blue,
Prouokementes dire of blouddy slaughters fell, then to insue.
The armies both bloudthirstie neare, and neare, their footestepps drue,
And now they distant weare, as farre as sturdie bow could send
The whistling shaft, with strength puld vp. Shoote, Shoote, the Captaine shreights
Ye Britains stout, your persing stems & slender flickering flights,
Applie your bending bowes, applie, your hated enemies scoure,
Like hailstones thick, when rattling downe doth fail a winter shoure.
The arrowes girt, forth flie, and light of Sunne obscure do make.
In shoulder wounded deepe, with beating pawes, the aier doth rake,
All endlong reerd alooft, the Courier fierce, his master cast,
The Celtaine horsemen galled thus, more sauffer thincke at last
Upon our footemen for to runne, with point of charged speare.
Forthwith our [illeg.] stronglie senst with bowes, to ground to beare:
They fiersly presse with launce, the sight than bloudie waxeth more,
Stabd in with sharpened stakes, euen as the Prince had shewed before,
The horses foundred lie, vpon the ground, their sitters slaine
By drierie blade. And when no shaftes their quiuers did retaine,
The bowmen take their gleiues, and downe their enemies tombling fell,
The King endeuoring, fierce with sword in hand bestures him well,
Ech noble Captaine did the same, and with them all the rout.
The bouncing Helmet knockes, did shrill resound the woudes throughout,
With clattering clashing loud of harnish, ringes the waters cleere:
And morning grones the bordring hils, and hollow hollow valets neere
Of dying soules receiue. The goorie bloud streames so abound:
As doth the earth with standing pooles, when Saturne old is founde,
And Ioue inferiour in degree, Mars, Sol, and Venus neate,
Hermes, and Lune, in Cancers house, Pisces or Scorpion weat,
Iust through the brainpanne with a shaft the Duke of Bar[illeg.] yshot
Comes tumbling of his steed his fainting spirite, and hart bloud hott,
Out through the deadly wound disperst, in thinne ayer vanisht quite.
The noble Duke of Alanson with fatall arrow smitte,
The timber pulleth out, but steelehead leaues in scull remaine.
Dire death insues the deadly wound, wherefore in deepe disdaine
His steed hee falleth fro, and hard earth rending with his teeth,
His aierie ghost out startes, and thinne in starie region fleeth.
Like bane thy Duke O Brabant bringes vnto his fatall end.
These Peeres the first ranke did conduct, the seconds guiders send,
Likewise their dying spirites, to Plutoes kingdomes large to flie
As th'Earle of Nauarre with whome O Sans, thy Byshoppe hie,
Eight Earles more beside, their flickering ghostes did send to skie:
With grieslie wound yslaine. And of those Peeres which Barons hight
Fiue times full sixtene score their breaths out gaspt, the common sort
Unto ten thousande soules and more did Stigie barge transportt.
Of Celtans army huge. Three hundred Britaines onely slaine
And in the handes of Henry king the victorie did remaine.
Alack the Duke of Yorke with staggering launce his death wound gott,
Where first agaynst our men, the bickering skirmage waxed hott.
And Suffolke Earle huge heapes of ghostes, first sent to Limbo lake,
Of Frenchmen Peers, his vitall breath, with hart bloud did forsake.
The Captiue Celtane Lordes, were safely kept in trustie hold.
These thinges thus done, his men inricht with th'enemies spoyles, and gold,
The noble Victor with his fleet, hastes backe to Callice shore,
And cutting ore the strait sea gulfe: of auncient kinges of yore,
To royall pallaces he wendes, triumphantlike a trayne,
And after him he drawes. the Maior of pompous London fayne,
With all his troupe of Alderman, in roobes of Ermines clad,
Three miles agaynst his royall grace, for honours sake gan gab,
To testifie their dueties, all the Citizens doe the same.
And to expresse their ioyes, that he the Celtanes pride did tame,
The Clergy eke their sacred temples left, doe solempne sing,
The streetes throughout, deserued laud to the eternall king.
The common sort with noyse, resounding brim, do after trace,
Long prosperous health, beseeching God, to giue vnto his grace.
This solempne pompe, the captiues all, in order sett, insue,
Unto the Victor Prince his Court, where entertainement due,
By Henryes hest, they shewed had. In fleeting barke ybore,
Sygismondus the Emperour cōmeth unto England to treat a truce betweene kyng Henry and the French kyng.
Whom courteously the Britaine Monarch hye, a gratefull hoast
His auncient frend receaues, and welcome bids to Albion coast.
Now loftie horned stagges, now sielie does they hunt in chase,
Now hawking likes them best, and hollow winged gosse haukes race:
Whilst lesser sort of birdes, for dread all shiuering, he infests.
When leysure seru'd, and clogging cares expeld were from their brests:
The Emperour thus begins. Most royall Prince, through fame renownd
Which blasted hath thine actes, throughout the world, with trōpetts sound:
Spare now the conquered Galls, at length from blouddy wars abstaine,
You goorie bloud haue drawne inough, and foes on heapes haue laine:
Why doe you tire your selfe? and subiects weare with endlesse paine?
Your late atchiued victorie in mynde will still remaine.
Let peace be rooted in your hart, loue peace, then which the Lord,
King Charles doth entreat the same, his Legate it doth pray,
Which present in your royall Court, for that pretence doth stay.
All cause of strife remoue, let loyall league of truce be plight.
King Henry shall of Frenchmen haue, what lawfull is by right.
Behold how tender babes, of Siers bereft, do howlinges make,
And widowes mourning waile, their husbandes sent to Stigie lake.
Consider pondring deepe, vnto the Lord how we are wrought.
Sigismund had king Henry neare, by this persuasion brought
To condiscend: who deepe in thought, now this, now that way strayes,
Uncertaine what to doe, to pittie rare addict alwayes,
And doutlesse the intreatie had, preuailed of his frend,
Had not, (the French Embassadour intreating for to end,
Which earst the the Emperour had proposde) a post from Harflu comne,
Declaring how the Realme of Fraunce, warres to renue begonne.
And how of Englishmen, of late was made a slaughter dire,
Neare bankes of Seine. All burning woode, and furious standes in yre,
Prince Henry, hearing thus the Britayne souldiours to be slayne,
Which few, could not the mighty power, of Celtane king sustaine.
And stopping straight the Legates mouth, intreating still for peace,
He sayes, reuengement shall insue, wherfore your suite surcease.
The Emperour was ashamed, that for that periurde nation bad,
He suppliant, low, with speaches fayre, his frend increated had.
Who ready to depart, with royall giftes in Princely guise
Presented, sacred league of truce, with Britaine king contriues
And country soyle, through surging seas, by prosperous gales attaines.
Forthwith resounding loude, the brasen trōpe his hoarse voyce straines,
The egar youth thrunge thicke on flockes, with hartes incensed mad
And by commaundement from the Prince, ech one in armour clad,
The hollow hull vp fills, and through the rough seas scouring passe,
Till Normandie a fertile land of large corne fieldes, and grasse,
On rockie shores put out, receaues the warlike Britaine traine.
His souldiours here refresht: he Touche at first assaultes amaine.
The Frenchmen hard, endeuoring fierce resist, by dint of sword,
The blouddy onset beating backe, but that small helpe could ford,
For conquerde, they to Brataine victor stout, to yeld were fayne,
And Britaine campe within their walls perforce eke entertaine.
From thence he mou'd his siege to Cane, which he did not subdue,
But with great bloudshed on both partes. But doutlesse vertue true
Cannot be tamde. In first assault, he cleane their power did quell,
Howbeit the bickering, then at Cane at no place was more fell.
He fauoured sacred temples all, and sanctuaries eke he sparde.
Which when the trembling habitantes, by fame broad bruted hard:
Admiring in their mortall foe, such wondrous vertue rare:
And how he did preserue Ioues houses with religious care:
The Normand people doe commit themselues vnto his grace,
And to his campe with victualls in troupes did flocking trace:
Conueying basketts heaped full of bread, to them apace.
Then he with conquering force, Alencon did assaulting get,
Next Argenton, fayre Constance doth without resistance set
Wide ope her gates: But Laudum, and Falesia populous towne,
In vayne expecting natiue ayde, at length were conquered downe.
And vnder the subiection brought, of Britaine monarch weare.
Then Larcha bordering neare on bankes of Seine, which hie doth reare
Her rampier walls with turretts fenced strong, next conquered was.
And many burrowes more beside, whose vulgar names I passe.
Roan last of all remainde, which costly warres, and glittering gold,
Which fined siluer, pretious plate, abondantly doth hold:
The Normand Citie chief which by a hugie mountaine side,
Is situate, neare channels deepe, where mighty Seine doth slide,
Here Rumor spread, that Britaines army vast, was neare at hand,
The husbandmen, and such as neare did eair the bordring land,
Did hether bring their chiefest stuffe, transportyng it in carres,
Presuaded, that so strong a towne could not be wonne by warres.
The Britayne king with trenches deepe, and rampier bulwarke bankes,
The towne inclosing round, both fierce besierge with warlike rankes
Rockes rolling huge, and loftie towers downe throwing, an ingine vast
A ramme, of steele swelts strong yforgd, by martiall skill was plast,
So that with crooked hornes, he might the walls ransacking teare,
Agayne the Normans fierce, from hie walls crest do battaile reare,
And rough rockes tumbling rolde, & wrest'd from far the trembling speare
With hot assault, and courage fierce, on both sides it was fought,
Till Fleeboates armed strong, the king into the riuer brought:
On euery side to stopp, that through Seines gurtie streames, no ayde
Of men of armes, or victuals, should be by ships conuayde:
The towne besiegd to helpe. Then Famine dire, doth raunging stray
Throughout the Citie large, and want of foode doth much dismay
The feebled souldiours poore. wherfore of boyes a combrous flocke,
And sielie women weake, out of their gates they thought to locke,
With point of threatning blade, the English Captaines that denyde.
For space of certaine moneths, the towne besiegd thus doth abide,
Untill that deepe dispayre began to daunt their fainting mindes,
Than was it yelded vp. The Britaine holdes what pray he findes.
And goodly booties rich, vnto his nature soyle conuayes.
Fame of this Citie fayre subdued broad blasde, and spread, what prayse,
(It hard is to beleue) to Britaine nation stout, remainde
And eke what greeuous panges, of dreadfull feare, the Franke sustainde:
Euen now deuoyde of feare. Wherfore at last the Celtane faine,
Would bandes of peace conclude, and no conditions would disdaine:
That dreadfull Mars remou'de, sweet pleasant peace might take his place.
Unto these troublous euils which thus the Franke did vexing chase,
Might added be the Burgoine Duke, by subtile treason kilde,
And streames of bloud throughout the land by ciuill hatred spilde.
When that they came to parle, the Celtane guide, with all his Peeres
Consenting, Henry Regent make of Fraunce, and ripe of yeares,
They Catherine heyre of Celtane lande him gaue in wedlocke bandes:
Whose ofspring townes of Fraunce should rule, and all king Charles lands.
Hereon the king, and Queene, most solempne othes professing take,
Like vowe the nobles all, throughout the Realme of Fraunce, do make,
And common people eke to him their loyall truthes doe plight.
The Britaine peace doth graunt. Forthwith the Princely Lady bright,
In royall pompe was led, in Hymens linkes vnited fast.
The Britaines many dayes, in feastfull banquetts gladsome past,
With celebration due, which comfort great to spouse did breede:
To Sire, and Dame beside. The parentes happy by such seede,
The vulgar sort proclaime, by which two nations rich in peace
Are linkt, by which vnto them both, a thousandes profites crease.
Plantagenet now lawes establisht firme, in regions twaine,
And such as would not beare the bitt, he did by force restraine.
When mindefull he of Englishmen and willing to his Queene
To shew, what castells strong, and Cities fayre in England beene:
Determines to returne, and both imbarkt in painted prore,
To London gorgeous towne, through frothing salt sea floudes are bore:
The bride with modest countenance cleare, and bridegrome by her side.
Where, she in golden chariott set, throughout the streetes doth ride:
(The ofspring great of kings) and crowned is, in auncient guise,
God saue the king, and Queene, the common sort redoubling cries,
And showtes vplifting loud, with loftie clamour strike the skies.
Few monthes expired were, and common weale in order set,
Doth little farther ayde require. The king doth nothing let,
But to his great affaires (as he was wise) doth fit the time,
If that perchaunce his fathers Law, which then in yeares did clime,
Him absent should desire to see: the coast of Fraunce agayne
He goes vntill, where comne, the Duke of Burgoine sheweth plaine,
How that the Dolphin tumultes made, and reared vprores newe,
Pretending faithles fraude. Against his foe, a warlike crue
The king doth therfore send, his false attemptes for to withstand:
But causes of more weight, he needed than to take in hand,
And not for to respect at all, the Dolphins sielie band.
Which valiant Britaines prest at hand, dares manly nought to done,
But two dayes iourney of aloof, doth warie still them shunne.
This did he at the first, that corne and victualls, might abound,
Throughout his campe, and needefull foode might not be wanting found.
Who hauing all thinges bought at last, the Britaine proffer makes
Of battaile, in an equall soyle, which trembling he forsakes,
In number, and in puissance, not with Brutes to be comparde.
That place moreouer vnto which, the warlike English garde,
Approching drawes, the yong man shunnes, worse then a dogg, or snake,
That he refusing flies, and course contrary swift doth take.
When that the doughtie Britaines campe Northparts of Fraunce attainde,
He thence his power remoud, and with his bandes to Narbone trainde.
And hit inuading doth besiege, which from the Celtanes might,
The Duke of Bedford straight acquites, and Dolphin puts to flight.
The egar youth thrunge thicke on flockes, with hartes incensed mad
And by commaundement from the Prince, ech one in armour clad,
The hollow hull vp fills, and through the rough seas scouring passe,
Till Normandie a fertile land of large corne fieldes, and grasse,
On rockie shores put out, receaues the warlike Britaine traine.
His souldiours here refresht: he Touche at first assaultes amaine.
The Frenchmen hard, endeuoring fierce resist, by dint of sword,
The blouddy onset beating backe, but that small helpe could ford,
For conquerde, they to Brataine victor stout, to yeld were fayne,
And Britaine campe within their walls perforce eke entertaine.
From thence he mou'd his siege to Cane, which he did not subdue,
But with great bloudshed on both partes. But doutlesse vertue true
Cannot be tamde. In first assault, he cleane their power did quell,
He fauoured sacred temples all, and sanctuaries eke he sparde.
Which when the trembling habitantes, by fame broad bruted hard:
Admiring in their mortall foe, such wondrous vertue rare:
And how he did preserue Ioues houses with religious care:
The Normand people doe commit themselues vnto his grace,
And to his campe with victualls in troupes did flocking trace:
Conueying basketts heaped full of bread, to them apace.
Then he with conquering force, Alencon did assaulting get,
Next Argenton, fayre Constance doth without resistance set
Wide ope her gates: But Laudum, and Falesia populous towne,
In vayne expecting natiue ayde, at length were conquered downe.
And vnder the subiection brought, of Britaine monarch weare.
Then Larcha bordering neare on bankes of Seine, which hie doth reare
Her rampier walls with turretts fenced strong, next conquered was.
And many burrowes more beside, whose vulgar names I passe.
Roan last of all remainde, which costly warres, and glittering gold,
Which fined siluer, pretious plate, abondantly doth hold:
The Normand Citie chief which by a hugie mountaine side,
Is situate, neare channels deepe, where mighty Seine doth slide,
Here Rumor spread, that Britaines army vast, was neare at hand,
The husbandmen, and such as neare did eair the bordring land,
Did hether bring their chiefest stuffe, transportyng it in carres,
Presuaded, that so strong a towne could not be wonne by warres.
The Britayne king with trenches deepe, and rampier bulwarke bankes,
The towne inclosing round, both fierce besierge with warlike rankes
Rockes rolling huge, and loftie towers downe throwing, an ingine vast
A ramme, of steele swelts strong yforgd, by martiall skill was plast,
So that with crooked hornes, he might the walls ransacking teare,
Agayne the Normans fierce, from hie walls crest do battaile reare,
And rough rockes tumbling rolde, & wrest'd from far the trembling speare
With hot assault, and courage fierce, on both sides it was fought,
Till Fleeboates armed strong, the king into the riuer brought:
On euery side to stopp, that through Seines gurtie streames, no ayde
Of men of armes, or victuals, should be by ships conuayde:
The towne besiegd to helpe. Then Famine dire, doth raunging stray
Throughout the Citie large, and want of foode doth much dismay
The feebled souldiours poore. wherfore of boyes a combrous flocke,
And sielie women weake, out of their gates they thought to locke,
With point of threatning blade, the English Captaines that denyde.
Untill that deepe dispayre began to daunt their fainting mindes,
Than was it yelded vp. The Britaine holdes what pray he findes.
And goodly booties rich, vnto his nature soyle conuayes.
Fame of this Citie fayre subdued broad blasde, and spread, what prayse,
(It hard is to beleue) to Britaine nation stout, remainde
And eke what greeuous panges, of dreadfull feare, the Franke sustainde:
Euen now deuoyde of feare. Wherfore at last the Celtane faine,
Would bandes of peace conclude, and no conditions would disdaine:
That dreadfull Mars remou'de, sweet pleasant peace might take his place.
Unto these troublous euils which thus the Franke did vexing chase,
Might added be the Burgoine Duke, by subtile treason kilde,
And streames of bloud throughout the land by ciuill hatred spilde.
When that they came to parle, the Celtane guide, with all his Peeres
Consenting, Henry Regent make of Fraunce, and ripe of yeares,
They Catherine heyre of Celtane lande him gaue in wedlocke bandes:
Whose ofspring townes of Fraunce should rule, and all king Charles lands.
Hereon the king, and Queene, most solempne othes professing take,
Like vowe the nobles all, throughout the Realme of Fraunce, do make,
And common people eke to him their loyall truthes doe plight.
The Britaine peace doth graunt. Forthwith the Princely Lady bright,
In royall pompe was led, in Hymens linkes vnited fast.
The Britaines many dayes, in feastfull banquetts gladsome past,
With celebration due, which comfort great to spouse did breede:
To Sire, and Dame beside. The parentes happy by such seede,
The vulgar sort proclaime, by which two nations rich in peace
Are linkt, by which vnto them both, a thousandes profites crease.
Plantagenet now lawes establisht firme, in regions twaine,
And such as would not beare the bitt, he did by force restraine.
When mindefull he of Englishmen and willing to his Queene
To shew, what castells strong, and Cities fayre in England beene:
Determines to returne, and both imbarkt in painted prore,
To London gorgeous towne, through frothing salt sea floudes are bore:
The bride with modest countenance cleare, and bridegrome by her side.
Where, she in golden chariott set, throughout the streetes doth ride:
(The ofspring great of kings) and crowned is, in auncient guise,
God saue the king, and Queene, the common sort redoubling cries,
And showtes vplifting loud, with loftie clamour strike the skies.
Few monthes expired were, and common weale in order set,
Doth little farther ayde require. The king doth nothing let,
If that perchaunce his fathers Law, which then in yeares did clime,
Him absent should desire to see: the coast of Fraunce agayne
He goes vntill, where comne, the Duke of Burgoine sheweth plaine,
How that the Dolphin tumultes made, and reared vprores newe,
Pretending faithles fraude. Against his foe, a warlike crue
The king doth therfore send, his false attemptes for to withstand:
But causes of more weight, he needed than to take in hand,
And not for to respect at all, the Dolphins sielie band.
Which valiant Britaines prest at hand, dares manly nought to done,
But two dayes iourney of aloof, doth warie still them shunne.
This did he at the first, that corne and victualls, might abound,
Throughout his campe, and needefull foode might not be wanting found.
Who hauing all thinges bought at last, the Britaine proffer makes
Of battaile, in an equall soyle, which trembling he forsakes,
In number, and in puissance, not with Brutes to be comparde.
That place moreouer vnto which, the warlike English garde,
Approching drawes, the yong man shunnes, worse then a dogg, or snake,
That he refusing flies, and course contrary swift doth take.
When that the doughtie Britaines campe Northparts of Fraunce attainde,
He thence his power remoud, and with his bandes to Narbone trainde.
And hit inuading doth besiege, which from the Celtanes might,
The Duke of Bedford straight acquites, and Dolphin puts to flight.
Meane time the king with broilyng heat, and toyling labours brake,
Him languishing, effeebled sore, a feuer sharpe doth take,
The heauens intemperate ayre, and scorching dog star sweltring hott.
Was cause, that neare vnto his hart, the deadly poyson gott.
How be it he iourneyed still, with wondrous grief tormented sore,
Till that his hart, and limbes, still faultring, fainting, more and more,
He will perceau'd the struggling panges of ghastly death draw neare.
His brother Humffrey posting comes, and Bedford Duke so deare.
And doe with trickling teares, this sodaine chaunce lamenting rue,
Most dolefull wightes. The king at last, these wordes, with grief out drew.
(With both his handes extended hye to heauen) I much do owe
O God almighty guide, but worthy thankes therfore bestow,
I cannot, that in bloming youth so fresh, I hence depart,
Unto this day, not hauing felt, dame Fortunes bitter dart.
That in this life all my attemptes. with good successe haue gone,
That to thy heauenly power O God referred be alone.
And to his brothers turning, sayes, why thus with mestiue hart,
Doe you this mourning make, and deepe sobs let with grief depart?
I do reioyse my fatall houre, and death to be at hand.
That must with equal minde be borne, which no man can withstand.
By sacred league of brotherhoode, I do beseech you all,
That Henry you my tender sonne, regard, loue, foster shall,
And honour as your king, and specially with heauenly feare,
You will informe his minde, so shall he worthy be, to beare
The scepter of so noble a Realme, and purchase endlesse fame.
My louing spouse which of the race, of mightie Princes came,
Which is aboue all other left, a pensiue wretched dame:
With godly duetie her sustaine, so doth it Brutes beseeme.
And concord, greatest gift of God, that fauour, and esteeme.
The Bedford and the Burgoine Dukes, let them the Frenchmen guide,
And to Duke Humfreys gouernance, let Britaines stout be tide.
This carefully to be fulfilde, I bid, commaund, require.
More Normandie a fertile land, which vnder their empire.
Our auncient graundsiers did in elder age by right retaine,
Which lost, by dint of sword, and conquering arme, I got agayne,
That do you keepe by force, with iust warre that do you defend.
Now death approching neare, did Henry bring to fatall end.
The onely honour of his land, dame vertues shining light,
From age, to age: to come, of stomacke hie, vnconquered might,
Whose gentle hart his loyall frends alone, not onely lou'de,
But enemies did embrace also, of faith, and Iustice prou'de,
Of euerlasting memory, the king now layd in grounde:
The Iunior Henry chearefull babe, with diademe was crownde
At Paris, and about the streetes, as custome was did ride.
But ficle Fortune wauering dame, will not still firme abide.
Which with her turning wheele is alwayes tost, in compas wise.
The Frenchmen here the tender Prince, rebelling, do despise,
A periur'de nation false, and violate their faithes yplight:
In sacred Sinode late beforne. But Bedford Duke by might.
Doth tame their rage, great slaughter made, and Dolphin puts to flight.
The king peace chiefly lou'de, when that to ripe yeares he attainde.
And gastly bickering sckirmages, of dreadfull Mars disdainde.
And neuer busied was, in ciuill hatredes restlesse race,
But voyde of care, with settled minde, did gratefull rest imbrace
To prayer much addict, and oft on God in secret cried.
But wicked people fell, such godly kinges cannot abide,
But loothes them, and detestes with vertue, vice cannot agree:
And glimmering light, darke duskish cloudes eschewing swift do flee.
The gentle disposition, therfore of Britaines guide,
When that the Dolphinne and the rest, of Celtaine peeres had spide:
They blouddie battaile moue, and some by fraud betraying take,
Some townes by conquering might, vnto their force to yeelde they make.
The Britaines hope retired backe, and hearts to faint began,
Since Henry fift of that name kinge, a stout, and valiant man,
Was laide in graue. Hereon a cause insude of greater griefe,
For suddaine strife at home, concerning rule, and title cheife,
Perdition threatning dire, increasing kindled more the iarres,
Him languishing, effeebled sore, a feuer sharpe doth take,
The heauens intemperate ayre, and scorching dog star sweltring hott.
Was cause, that neare vnto his hart, the deadly poyson gott.
How be it he iourneyed still, with wondrous grief tormented sore,
Till that his hart, and limbes, still faultring, fainting, more and more,
He will perceau'd the struggling panges of ghastly death draw neare.
His brother Humffrey posting comes, and Bedford Duke so deare.
And doe with trickling teares, this sodaine chaunce lamenting rue,
Most dolefull wightes. The king at last, these wordes, with grief out drew.
(With both his handes extended hye to heauen) I much do owe
O God almighty guide, but worthy thankes therfore bestow,
I cannot, that in bloming youth so fresh, I hence depart,
Unto this day, not hauing felt, dame Fortunes bitter dart.
That in this life all my attemptes. with good successe haue gone,
That to thy heauenly power O God referred be alone.
And to his brothers turning, sayes, why thus with mestiue hart,
I do reioyse my fatall houre, and death to be at hand.
That must with equal minde be borne, which no man can withstand.
By sacred league of brotherhoode, I do beseech you all,
That Henry you my tender sonne, regard, loue, foster shall,
And honour as your king, and specially with heauenly feare,
You will informe his minde, so shall he worthy be, to beare
The scepter of so noble a Realme, and purchase endlesse fame.
My louing spouse which of the race, of mightie Princes came,
Which is aboue all other left, a pensiue wretched dame:
With godly duetie her sustaine, so doth it Brutes beseeme.
And concord, greatest gift of God, that fauour, and esteeme.
The Bedford and the Burgoine Dukes, let them the Frenchmen guide,
And to Duke Humfreys gouernance, let Britaines stout be tide.
This carefully to be fulfilde, I bid, commaund, require.
More Normandie a fertile land, which vnder their empire.
Our auncient graundsiers did in elder age by right retaine,
Which lost, by dint of sword, and conquering arme, I got agayne,
That do you keepe by force, with iust warre that do you defend.
Now death approching neare, did Henry bring to fatall end.
The onely honour of his land, dame vertues shining light,
From age, to age: to come, of stomacke hie, vnconquered might,
Whose gentle hart his loyall frends alone, not onely lou'de,
But enemies did embrace also, of faith, and Iustice prou'de,
Of euerlasting memory, the king now layd in grounde:
The Iunior Henry chearefull babe, with diademe was crownde
At Paris, and about the streetes, as custome was did ride.
But ficle Fortune wauering dame, will not still firme abide.
Which with her turning wheele is alwayes tost, in compas wise.
The Frenchmen here the tender Prince, rebelling, do despise,
A periur'de nation false, and violate their faithes yplight:
In sacred Sinode late beforne. But Bedford Duke by might.
Doth tame their rage, great slaughter made, and Dolphin puts to flight.
The king peace chiefly lou'de, when that to ripe yeares he attainde.
And gastly bickering sckirmages, of dreadfull Mars disdainde.
And neuer busied was, in ciuill hatredes restlesse race,
But voyde of care, with settled minde, did gratefull rest imbrace
To prayer much addict, and oft on God in secret cried.
But wicked people fell, such godly kinges cannot abide,
But loothes them, and detestes with vertue, vice cannot agree:
The gentle disposition, therfore of Britaines guide,
When that the Dolphinne and the rest, of Celtaine peeres had spide:
They blouddie battaile moue, and some by fraud betraying take,
Some townes by conquering might, vnto their force to yeelde they make.
The Britaines hope retired backe, and hearts to faint began,
Since Henry fift of that name kinge, a stout, and valiant man,
Was laide in graue. Hereon a cause insude of greater griefe,
For suddaine strife at home, concerning rule, and title cheife,
Perdition threatning dire, increasing kindled more the iarres,
Muse silence keepe, or muttring soft, the Britaines ciuill warres
In dolefull verse declare, because that gastly woundes againe,
By touching blede afreshe, and doe renew the former paine.
Old Henry now forgotte, none Normand nation stout regards,
Which barren, and bereft, all destitute, of auncient wardes,
In vain doth death of William monarch haunt, bewailing rue.
Faire citties wresting out by force, from their possessours true,
The Dolphin through the region vast of Fraunce doth roming strake:
Prohibited of none, and townes assaulting first, doth take.
A willing people to subdue it is an easie thing,
And freely offering vp their handes. Howbeit small glorie bring
It came vnto the conquerour, th'out bloudshed landes to winne.
Such hurlie burlie, ciuill broyles, the Britaine land within,
How could they force of forraine foe, oppose them selues, to bend?
The Britaine is the Britaines foe, the hand, the wombe doth rend,
What that the foote, with rechles anger mou'd, the head doth crushe?
And Citizens, do Citizens, in furious rage through pushe,
With drierie blade? his Lord, the slaue, his man, the master slaies.
Fell slaughter beares the swaye, and blouddie Mars wide raunging straies.
Alacke for little breach, the Brother workes his brothers end,
One neighbour, thrustes an other out, no place could safetie lend,
From sauage enemies rage, the holy sanctuarie vailed naught,
Which euer safety heretofore, to wightes distressed brought.
These places were most famous made, through griesly slaughters vast.
Saint Albones, Blore, Northampton, Banbury fields, and Barnet plast
Neer copped hils, Wakefielde, Saint Albones than the second time,
And Northerne Exam, which with Scottishe borders doth confine.
So that the husbandmen, that habite neer those blouddie soiles,
Out wayling to this day, as often as the plough turmoyles.
Those fieldes, where casting furrowes large, of men halfeburied bones,
The share vprooting reares, and brings to light, in steede of stones:
Doe curse, and banne with dolefull playnts, those ciuill battailes fell,
In which an hundred thousand wights, the blooddy blade did quell.
Todcastle eke through battaile strange, a noble name doth gayne,
In which full thirtie thousand men, in dolefull sort were slaine.
The last broyle of this ciuill war, did Teuxburie contayne.
Which townes yet standing, of those warres are testimonies good,
How then that flowing riuers ranne, conuerted into blood,
So many dreadfull foughten fieldes, the faction of two kings,
Did cause, which mightie Ioue at last vnto conclusion brings.
Here Bosworth blooddy warres, and others moe, I will omit,
By which king Henry seuenth eternall fame, which will not flit
From age to age continued still, in memorie attaynd,
Who first but Earle of Richmond, then king Edwards daughter gaynd.
In wedlocke linked fast, and with her Britaine crowne possest.
That did the lawes require, and English Primates chiefe request.
This God th'almightie guide, as authour chiefe, did bring to passe,
And thus at length the rage, of ciuill hatred ended was.
He rayngd vnto his subiects all, a noble prince most deare,
All externe enemies far and neare, his puyssance great did feare.
He worshipt chiefly God, and godlines, and iustice lou'de,
And craftie wicked men, he hating, sharpely still reprou'de.
Full twentie yeeres and three, belou'de of all he ware the crowne,
Of forrayne princes high esteemde, and had in great renowne,
A king of iustice rare, of prudence, manners, courage bolde,
who dying left the dyademe, to Henry stout to holde,
His heyre, with wondrous welth, huge heapes of siluer pure, and golde.
In dolefull verse declare, because that gastly woundes againe,
By touching blede afreshe, and doe renew the former paine.
Old Henry now forgotte, none Normand nation stout regards,
Which barren, and bereft, all destitute, of auncient wardes,
In vain doth death of William monarch haunt, bewailing rue.
Faire citties wresting out by force, from their possessours true,
The Dolphin through the region vast of Fraunce doth roming strake:
Prohibited of none, and townes assaulting first, doth take.
A willing people to subdue it is an easie thing,
And freely offering vp their handes. Howbeit small glorie bring
It came vnto the conquerour, th'out bloudshed landes to winne.
Such hurlie burlie, ciuill broyles, the Britaine land within,
How could they force of forraine foe, oppose them selues, to bend?
The Britaine is the Britaines foe, the hand, the wombe doth rend,
What that the foote, with rechles anger mou'd, the head doth crushe?
And Citizens, do Citizens, in furious rage through pushe,
With drierie blade? his Lord, the slaue, his man, the master slaies.
Fell slaughter beares the swaye, and blouddie Mars wide raunging straies.
Alacke for little breach, the Brother workes his brothers end,
One neighbour, thrustes an other out, no place could safetie lend,
From sauage enemies rage, the holy sanctuarie vailed naught,
Which euer safety heretofore, to wightes distressed brought.
These places were most famous made, through griesly slaughters vast.
At S. Albons was foght the first battaile betweene kyng Henry and the Duke of Yorke.
Blore heath field. 2.
At Northampton was foughten the third battaile where the kyng was taken prisoner in the field.
The fourth famous battaile was at VVakefield where the Queenes power slue the Duke of York with his sonne the Earle of Rutland, and destroyed his hoast.
The fift battaile fought at S. Albons againe, where in the Queene discomfited her enemies and deliuered her husband.
The battaile at Exam fought betweene Eddward the fourth, and the Lord Montague lieuetenaunt of the North to recouer the crowne for kyng Henry the sixt.
The battailes at Banbury, Barnet, Todcastell, and Teuxbury were fought in Edward the fourthes dayes.
Henry Earle of Richmond at Bosworth slue Richard the third, beyng third brother of Edward the fourth, and then maried the Lady Elizabeth daughter to kyng Edward, and obtaineth the crowne, he first ioyned the houses of Lancaster and Yorke beyng long tyme at variaunce.
Neer copped hils, Wakefielde, Saint Albones than the second time,
And Northerne Exam, which with Scottishe borders doth confine.
So that the husbandmen, that habite neer those blouddie soiles,
Out wayling to this day, as often as the plough turmoyles.
Those fieldes, where casting furrowes large, of men halfeburied bones,
Doe curse, and banne with dolefull playnts, those ciuill battailes fell,
In which an hundred thousand wights, the blooddy blade did quell.
Todcastle eke through battaile strange, a noble name doth gayne,
In which full thirtie thousand men, in dolefull sort were slaine.
The last broyle of this ciuill war, did Teuxburie contayne.
Which townes yet standing, of those warres are testimonies good,
How then that flowing riuers ranne, conuerted into blood,
So many dreadfull foughten fieldes, the faction of two kings,
Did cause, which mightie Ioue at last vnto conclusion brings.
Here Bosworth blooddy warres, and others moe, I will omit,
By which king Henry seuenth eternall fame, which will not flit
From age to age continued still, in memorie attaynd,
Who first but Earle of Richmond, then king Edwards daughter gaynd.
In wedlocke linked fast, and with her Britaine crowne possest.
That did the lawes require, and English Primates chiefe request.
This God th'almightie guide, as authour chiefe, did bring to passe,
And thus at length the rage, of ciuill hatred ended was.
He rayngd vnto his subiects all, a noble prince most deare,
All externe enemies far and neare, his puyssance great did feare.
He worshipt chiefly God, and godlines, and iustice lou'de,
And craftie wicked men, he hating, sharpely still reprou'de.
Full twentie yeeres and three, belou'de of all he ware the crowne,
Of forrayne princes high esteemde, and had in great renowne,
A king of iustice rare, of prudence, manners, courage bolde,
who dying left the dyademe, to Henry stout to holde,
His heyre, with wondrous welth, huge heapes of siluer pure, and golde.
The ende of the first Booke.
| The valiant actes And victorious Battailes of the English nation | |