Licia, or Poemes of Loue In Honour of the admirable and singular vertues of his Lady, to the imitation of the best Latin Poets, and others. Whereunto is added the Rising to the Crowne of Richard the third [by Giles Fletcher] |
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THE RISING TO THE CROWNE of RICHARD the third. |
 | Licia, or Poemes of Loue |  |
69
THE RISING TO THE CROWNE of RICHARD the third.
UUritten by him selfe.
72
The Stage is set, for Stately matter fitte,
Three partes are past, which Prince-like acted were,
To play the fourth, requires a Kingly witte,
Els shall my muse, their muses not come nere.
Sorrow sit downe, and helpe my muse to sing,
For weepe he may not, that was cal'd a King.
Three partes are past, which Prince-like acted were,
To play the fourth, requires a Kingly witte,
Els shall my muse, their muses not come nere.
Sorrow sit downe, and helpe my muse to sing,
For weepe he may not, that was cal'd a King.
Shores wife, a subject, though a Princesse mate,
Had little cause her fortune to lament.
Her birth was meane, and yet she liv'd with State,
The King was dead before her honour went.
Shores wife might fall, and none can justly wonder,
To see her fall, that useth to lye under.
Had little cause her fortune to lament.
Her birth was meane, and yet she liv'd with State,
The King was dead before her honour went.
Shores wife might fall, and none can justly wonder,
To see her fall, that useth to lye under.
Rosamond was fayre, and farre more fayre then she,
Her fall was great, and but a womans fall.
Tryfles are these, compare them but with me,
My fortunes farre, were higher then they all.
I left this land, possest with Civill strife,
And lost a Crowne, mine honour, and my life.
Her fall was great, and but a womans fall.
Tryfles are these, compare them but with me,
My fortunes farre, were higher then they all.
I left this land, possest with Civill strife,
And lost a Crowne, mine honour, and my life.
70
Elstred I pitie, for she was a Queene,
But for my selfe, to sigh I sorrow want,
Her fall was great, but greater falles have beene,
“Some falles they have, that use the Court to haunt.
A toye did happen, and this Queene dismayd,
But yet I see not why she was afrayd.
But for my selfe, to sigh I sorrow want,
Her fall was great, but greater falles have beene,
“Some falles they have, that use the Court to haunt.
A toye did happen, and this Queene dismayd,
But yet I see not why she was afrayd.
Fortune and I, (for so the match began)
Two games we play'd at tennyse for a Crowne:
I play'd right well, and so the first I wan:
She skorn'd the losse, whereat she straight did frowne.
We play'd againe, and then I caught my fall,
England the Court, and Richard was the ball.
Two games we play'd at tennyse for a Crowne:
I play'd right well, and so the first I wan:
She skorn'd the losse, whereat she straight did frowne.
We play'd againe, and then I caught my fall,
England the Court, and Richard was the ball.
Nor weepe I nowe, as children that have lost,
But smyle to see the Poets of this age:
Like silly boates in shallow rivers tost,
Loosing their paynes, and lacking still their wage.
To write of women, and of womens falles,
Who are too light, for to be fortunes balles.
But smyle to see the Poets of this age:
Like silly boates in shallow rivers tost,
Loosing their paynes, and lacking still their wage.
To write of women, and of womens falles,
Who are too light, for to be fortunes balles.
A King I was, and Richard was my name,
Borne to a Crowne, when first my life began.
My thoughtes ambitious, venterd for the same,
And from my nephewes I the kingdom wan.
Nor doe I thinke that this my honour stayn'd,
A Crowne I sought, and I a kingdome gayn'd.
Borne to a Crowne, when first my life began.
My thoughtes ambitious, venterd for the same,
And from my nephewes I the kingdom wan.
Nor doe I thinke that this my honour stayn'd,
A Crowne I sought, and I a kingdome gayn'd.
71
Tyme-tyrant fate did fitte me for a Crowne,
My fathers fall did teach me to aspire;
He meant by force his brother to put downe,
That so himselfe might hap to rise the higher.
And what he lost by fortune, I have wonne,
A Duke the father, yet a king the sonne.
My fathers fall did teach me to aspire;
He meant by force his brother to put downe,
That so himselfe might hap to rise the higher.
And what he lost by fortune, I have wonne,
A Duke the father, yet a king the sonne.
My father Richard, duke of Yorke was call'd,
Three sonnes he had, all matchlesse at that tyme;
I Richard yongest to them both was thrall'd,
Yet two of us unto the crowne did clyme.
Edward and I this realme as kinges did holde,
But George of Clarence, could not, though he would.
Three sonnes he had, all matchlesse at that tyme;
I Richard yongest to them both was thrall'd,
Yet two of us unto the crowne did clyme.
Edward and I this realme as kinges did holde,
But George of Clarence, could not, though he would.
Sad Muse set downe in tearmes not heard before.
My sable fortune, and my mournfull tale:
Say what thou canst, and wish thou could say more,
My blisse was great, but greater was my bale.
I rose with speed, and so did fall as fast,
Great was my glorie but it would not last,
My sable fortune, and my mournfull tale:
Say what thou canst, and wish thou could say more,
My blisse was great, but greater was my bale.
I rose with speed, and so did fall as fast,
Great was my glorie but it would not last,
My brother George did plot for to be king,
Sparkes of ambition did possesse us all:
His thoughtes were wise, but did no profite bring,
I fear'd his rising, and did make him fall.
My reaching braine, did dout what might ensew,
I scorn'd his lyfe, and so he found it trew.
Sparkes of ambition did possesse us all:
His thoughtes were wise, but did no profite bring,
I fear'd his rising, and did make him fall.
My reaching braine, did dout what might ensew,
I scorn'd his lyfe, and so he found it trew.
72
My brother George, men say, was slaine by me,
A brothers part, to give his brother wine,
And for a crowne I would his butcher be,
(For crownes with blood the brighter they will shine)
To gaine a kingdome still it me behoov'd:
That all my lettes full soundlie were remoov'd.
A brothers part, to give his brother wine,
And for a crowne I would his butcher be,
(For crownes with blood the brighter they will shine)
To gaine a kingdome still it me behoov'd:
That all my lettes full soundlie were remoov'd.
Henrie the sixt depriued of his crowne,
Fame doeth report I put him to the death,
Thus fortune smyl'd, though after she did frowne,
A daggers stab men say, did stop his breath.
I carelesse was both how, and who were slaine,
So that thereby a kingdome I could gaine.
Fame doeth report I put him to the death,
Thus fortune smyl'd, though after she did frowne,
A daggers stab men say, did stop his breath.
I carelesse was both how, and who were slaine,
So that thereby a kingdome I could gaine.
Clusters of grapes full rypened with the heat,
Nor smaller timber builded up on height,
Fall not so fast as persons that are great:
Loosing their honours, bruised with their weight.
But fewer means, the faster I did rise,
And to be king, I fortune did dispise.
Nor smaller timber builded up on height,
Fall not so fast as persons that are great:
Loosing their honours, bruised with their weight.
But fewer means, the faster I did rise,
And to be king, I fortune did dispise.
My thoughts ambitious spread, began to flie,
And I a Crowne did followe with full wing,
My hope was small, but yet I meant to trie,
I had no right, yet long'd to be a king.
Feare or suspect amaz'd me not at all,
If I were crost, the worst was but to fall.
And I a Crowne did followe with full wing,
My hope was small, but yet I meant to trie,
I had no right, yet long'd to be a king.
Feare or suspect amaz'd me not at all,
If I were crost, the worst was but to fall.
73
The Lyon fearce dispoyled of his praie,
Runnes not with speed so fast as did my thought:
My doubtfull minde, forbad me long to stay:
For why a kingdome was the thing I sought.
Now was the tyme when this was to be done,
Or blame my thoughts, because they it begun.
Runnes not with speed so fast as did my thought:
My doubtfull minde, forbad me long to stay:
For why a kingdome was the thing I sought.
Now was the tyme when this was to be done,
Or blame my thoughts, because they it begun.
My brother dy'd, and left two Sonnes behind,
Both under age, unfitte to guyde the land,
This right fell out according to my minde.
For now these two were ruled with my hand.
Englands great Lord the subjects did me call.
And I was made protectour over all.
Both under age, unfitte to guyde the land,
This right fell out according to my minde.
For now these two were ruled with my hand.
Englands great Lord the subjects did me call.
And I was made protectour over all.
But as the Wolfe defends the harmelesse sheepe,
Whose bloodie mouth can hardlie bee content,
Vntill he spoile what he was set to keepe,
And sillie beast be all to peeces rent.
So still a crowne did hammer in my head,
Full of mistrust, till both these two were dead.
Whose bloodie mouth can hardlie bee content,
Vntill he spoile what he was set to keepe,
And sillie beast be all to peeces rent.
So still a crowne did hammer in my head,
Full of mistrust, till both these two were dead.
The elder sonne with speed to London came,
And walles forsooke where he had liv'd before:
London the place of greatest strength and fame,
The Ilands treasure and the English store.
For him Lord Rivers was appoynted guyde,
The Kings owne uncle by the mothers fide.
And walles forsooke where he had liv'd before:
London the place of greatest strength and fame,
The Ilands treasure and the English store.
For him Lord Rivers was appoynted guyde,
The Kings owne uncle by the mothers fide.
74
Rivers was vvyse, but him I could not brooke,
I well foresawe what harme there might ensew:
This to prevent with speed I counsell tooke,
And as I thought, so did I finde it trewe.
For if that Rivers should obtaine his minde,
my hearts desire, then hardlie could I finde.
I well foresawe what harme there might ensew:
This to prevent with speed I counsell tooke,
And as I thought, so did I finde it trewe.
For if that Rivers should obtaine his minde,
my hearts desire, then hardlie could I finde.
Rivers and Graie of treason I accus'd,
And tolde the Prince, what both they did intend:
My tale was false, and I the king abus'd:
Thus both their lives unjustlie did I end.
The King was yong, the greater was their griefe,
And needs my words, did urge him to beleefe.
And tolde the Prince, what both they did intend:
My tale was false, and I the king abus'd:
Thus both their lives unjustlie did I end.
The King was yong, the greater was their griefe,
And needs my words, did urge him to beleefe.
Not long this past, but hasting to the Queene,
A post wast sent to showe what did befall;
And who the actors of this fact had bene:
That Lord protector was the cause of all.
The Queen amaz'd, did woonder at this newes,
And skarse did think it, yet she could not choose.
A post wast sent to showe what did befall;
And who the actors of this fact had bene:
That Lord protector was the cause of all.
The Queen amaz'd, did woonder at this newes,
And skarse did think it, yet she could not choose.
Possest with feare, foure daughters and her sonne,
She thence convayd into a sacred place:
Supposing true, the harme but now begun;
And that I thought to murther all her race.
She Yorks Archbishop did entreat for aide,
Who in the Abbay not farre distant laide.
She thence convayd into a sacred place:
Supposing true, the harme but now begun;
And that I thought to murther all her race.
She Yorks Archbishop did entreat for aide,
Who in the Abbay not farre distant laide.
75
The Bishop came, and mourning found the Queene,
Who did lament the fortune of her sonne:
The realmes distresse, the lyke before not seene.
Her owne misfortune, and the state undone.
Thus sigh'd the Queene, and wisht her state were lesse,
And prayde that heavens would give the king successe.
Who did lament the fortune of her sonne:
The realmes distresse, the lyke before not seene.
Her owne misfortune, and the state undone.
Thus sigh'd the Queene, and wisht her state were lesse,
And prayde that heavens would give the king successe.
My Lord (she said) my thoughts presage some ill,
And mournfull sorrowe seazeth on my heart:
This suddaine newes with griefe my soule doth fill,
And I for feare doe quake in everie part.
In this, distresse we cannot hope to live,
Except this sacred place some safetie give.
And mournfull sorrowe seazeth on my heart:
This suddaine newes with griefe my soule doth fill,
And I for feare doe quake in everie part.
In this, distresse we cannot hope to live,
Except this sacred place some safetie give.
He then reply'd: dread Soveraigne, doe not faint,
A causelesse feare in wisdome do withstand:
Yeeld not to soone, with griefe to make complaint,
When no such cause approaching is at hand.
“For feeble minds through weaknes coyne new feares,
“When stronger hearts true griefe more wisely bears.
A causelesse feare in wisdome do withstand:
Yeeld not to soone, with griefe to make complaint,
When no such cause approaching is at hand.
“For feeble minds through weaknes coyne new feares,
“When stronger hearts true griefe more wisely bears.
And if they crowne, some other, not your sonne,
A thing unlyke (yet feare what may befall)
Then shall the same, unto this child be done,
Whom brothers right by dew a king shall call:
But tyrants force, will hardly be so bold:
During the tyme, the other is in hold.
A thing unlyke (yet feare what may befall)
Then shall the same, unto this child be done,
Whom brothers right by dew a king shall call:
But tyrants force, will hardly be so bold:
During the tyme, the other is in hold.
76
Then more advis'd, he told her what he thought,
She and her sonne some causes had to feare,
And Englands seale he therefore with him brought,
Which by his place he customd was to beare.
Thus he resolv'd to leave the Seale behind,
Till wiser thoughts straight altered had his mind.
She and her sonne some causes had to feare,
And Englands seale he therefore with him brought,
Which by his place he customd was to beare.
Thus he resolv'd to leave the Seale behind,
Till wiser thoughts straight altered had his mind.
The Bishop home returned in all haste,
And sadly sate, suspecting what might fall.
But then my comming made them all agast,
And for the Bishop I did straightway call.
I knew his deede, and blam'd him to his face,
And for the Seale, another had his place.
And sadly sate, suspecting what might fall.
But then my comming made them all agast,
And for the Bishop I did straightway call.
I knew his deede, and blam'd him to his face,
And for the Seale, another had his place.
Thus tyrant hate possest me for a Crowne,
My minde the Anvill of a thousand harmes.
I rais'd my friendes, my foes I cast them downe.
This made the subjectes flocke to me in swarmes.
My will was strong, I made it for a Lawe,
For basest mindes are ruled best by awe.
My minde the Anvill of a thousand harmes.
I rais'd my friendes, my foes I cast them downe.
This made the subjectes flocke to me in swarmes.
My will was strong, I made it for a Lawe,
For basest mindes are ruled best by awe.
I cal'd the Counsell, and did straight perswade,
From mothers side to fetch the other Sonne.
My drift was further then they well could wade;
I gave them reasons why it must be donne.
The King a play-mate wanted for his yeeres,
And could not well be fitted with his Peeres.
From mothers side to fetch the other Sonne.
My drift was further then they well could wade;
I gave them reasons why it must be donne.
The King a play-mate wanted for his yeeres,
And could not well be fitted with his Peeres.
77
The Cardnall went on message to the Queene,
And us'd perswasions for her other chyld,
He plainely sayd, her feare had causelesse bene,
Nor neede she dout by me to be beguyld,
I was Protector chosen by consent,
With counsell grave all treason to prevent.
And us'd perswasions for her other chyld,
He plainely sayd, her feare had causelesse bene,
Nor neede she dout by me to be beguyld,
I was Protector chosen by consent,
With counsell grave all treason to prevent.
And I protest (quoth Cardnall) on my life,
(For so indeede the Cardnall did suppose,)
Your Sonne with safetie shall cut off this strife,
And you, nor place, nor land, nor Sonne shall loose.
Dread soveraigne graunt, and let your Sonne be free.
If he have harme, then set the fault on me.
(For so indeede the Cardnall did suppose,)
Your Sonne with safetie shall cut off this strife,
And you, nor place, nor land, nor Sonne shall loose.
Dread soveraigne graunt, and let your Sonne be free.
If he have harme, then set the fault on me.
The Queene was mov'd, and quaking did reply,
A mothers love doeth breede a mothers feare,
And loth I am those mischiefes for to try,
With doutfull hazard of a thing so deare.
I dout (my Lord) the neerest of his blood,
In true intent scarce wisheth any good.
A mothers love doeth breede a mothers feare,
And loth I am those mischiefes for to try,
With doutfull hazard of a thing so deare.
I dout (my Lord) the neerest of his blood,
In true intent scarce wisheth any good.
The lawes doe make my Sonne his mothers ward,
Religion bids I should not slacke my care,
And nature bindes mine owne for to regard,
These and his health (my Lord) good reasons are,
To make my feare, no smaller then it is,
Whylst feare perswades what harme may come of this.
Religion bids I should not slacke my care,
And nature bindes mine owne for to regard,
These and his health (my Lord) good reasons are,
To make my feare, no smaller then it is,
Whylst feare perswades what harme may come of this.
74
Yet take my sonne, and with my sonne take all;
Come kisse me (sonne) thy mothers last fare-well;
Thy yeeres (sweete boy) suspect not what may fall;
Nor can my tongue for teares thy fortune tell.
But hardly crownes their kindred will discerne,
As you (sweete child) I feare yer long shall learne.
Come kisse me (sonne) thy mothers last fare-well;
Thy yeeres (sweete boy) suspect not what may fall;
Nor can my tongue for teares thy fortune tell.
But hardly crownes their kindred will discerne,
As you (sweete child) I feare yer long shall learne.
God blesse thee (sonne) and I my sonne thee blesse,
Thy mothers comfort, and thy brothers life.
Nay weepe not (sonne) God send thee good successe,
And safe defend thee from that tyrants knife.
(Cardnal) farewell, be carefull of my sonne,
For once I vow'd, this never to have done.
Thy mothers comfort, and thy brothers life.
Nay weepe not (sonne) God send thee good successe,
And safe defend thee from that tyrants knife.
(Cardnal) farewell, be carefull of my sonne,
For once I vow'd, this never to have done.
I and the counsell in Starre-chamber weare,
To whome the Cardnall did in haste resort;
Who brought the child, which ended all my feare,
The mothers care he briefely did report.
I kist the child, and tooke it in my arme,
Thus none did thinke I meant it any harme.
To whome the Cardnall did in haste resort;
Who brought the child, which ended all my feare,
The mothers care he briefely did report.
I kist the child, and tooke it in my arme,
Thus none did thinke I meant it any harme.
Then as the Wolfe halfe famisht for his pray,
Or hungrie Lyon that a lambe hath got;
My thirsty minde, I ment his blood should stay,
And yet the wisest not perceive my plot.
To' the Towre in haste I sent him to his brother,
And there with speed, I both at once did smother.
Or hungrie Lyon that a lambe hath got;
My thirsty minde, I ment his blood should stay,
And yet the wisest not perceive my plot.
To' the Towre in haste I sent him to his brother,
And there with speed, I both at once did smother.
79
Nowe two there was, but living in my way,
Buckingham and Hastings both to crosse my mind,
The one was headed straight without delay,
The other, favours did unto me bind.
To match our children, I did him perswade,
And Earle of Herford he him selfe be made.
Buckingham and Hastings both to crosse my mind,
The one was headed straight without delay,
The other, favours did unto me bind.
To match our children, I did him perswade,
And Earle of Herford he him selfe be made.
Nowe as the Sea before a storme doeth swell,
Or fumes arise before we see the flame:
So whispering Brute began my drifts to tell,
And all Imparted unto babbling fame.
I dem'd it danger, speech for to despice,
For after this I knew a storme would rise.
Or fumes arise before we see the flame:
So whispering Brute began my drifts to tell,
And all Imparted unto babbling fame.
I dem'd it danger, speech for to despice,
For after this I knew a storme would rise.
Londons Lord Major, I used for my turne,
And caus'd him speake what treason had bene done,
I by these meanes the peoples hearts did turne,
And made them eye me as the rising Sunne.
Thus whilest I ment the Iland to bring under,
The peoples heads on newes I set to wonder.
And caus'd him speake what treason had bene done,
I by these meanes the peoples hearts did turne,
And made them eye me as the rising Sunne.
Thus whilest I ment the Iland to bring under,
The peoples heads on newes I set to wonder.
Then at the crosse I caus'd a Doctor preach,
To tell the subjectes what I wisht them know;
The man was cunning, and had skill to teach,
Out of my braine I made his Sermon flow.
Thus every where I did such notice give,
As all did crie, Heavens let King Richard live.
To tell the subjectes what I wisht them know;
The man was cunning, and had skill to teach,
Out of my braine I made his Sermon flow.
Thus every where I did such notice give,
As all did crie, Heavens let King Richard live.
80
So did I live, and called was a king,
Friendes swarm'd as fast, as Bees vnto the hive,
“Thus basest means the highest fortunes bring
The crowne obtaind, did cause my thoughts revive.
I scorn'd my friends, and those did most despyse.
That vvere the means, by vvhich I did aryse.
Friendes swarm'd as fast, as Bees vnto the hive,
“Thus basest means the highest fortunes bring
The crowne obtaind, did cause my thoughts revive.
I scorn'd my friends, and those did most despyse.
That vvere the means, by vvhich I did aryse.
Blood and revenge did hammer in my head,
Vnquiet thoughts did gallop in my braine:
I had no rest till all my friends vvere dead,
Whose helpe I usde the kingdome to obtaine.
My dearest friend, I thought not safe to trust,
Nor skarse my selfe, but that perforce I must.
Vnquiet thoughts did gallop in my braine:
I had no rest till all my friends vvere dead,
Whose helpe I usde the kingdome to obtaine.
My dearest friend, I thought not safe to trust,
Nor skarse my selfe, but that perforce I must.
Nor speake I novv, as if I did repent,
Vnlesse for this a crovvne I bought so cheap.
For meaner things men vvittes and lives have spent,
Which blood have sovvne, and crovvns could never reap
Live Richard long, the honour of thy name,
And scorne all such, as doe thy fortune blame.
Vnlesse for this a crovvne I bought so cheap.
For meaner things men vvittes and lives have spent,
Which blood have sovvne, and crovvns could never reap
Live Richard long, the honour of thy name,
And scorne all such, as doe thy fortune blame.
Thus have I told, hovv I a crovvne did vvin,
Which novv torments me, that I cannot sleep
Where I doe end, my sorrovv did begin,
Because I got vvhich long I could not keep.
My verse is harsh, yet (reader) doe not frovvne,
I vvore no garland but a golden Crovvne.
Which novv torments me, that I cannot sleep
Where I doe end, my sorrovv did begin,
Because I got vvhich long I could not keep.
My verse is harsh, yet (reader) doe not frovvne,
I vvore no garland but a golden Crovvne.
FINIS.
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