Empresse for the succession and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 18. yeares and 10. 〈◊〉 1154. Hen 2. sonne of Gef 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 E. of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Empresse 〈◊〉 ated his sonne Hen. in the Crown and gouerment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hu gre t 〈◊〉 and set 〈◊〉 sonnes Henry Richard Geffry Iohn against him 〈◊〉 34. 〈◊〉 7. 〈◊〉 1189. Richard went to the 〈◊〉 warres was 〈◊〉 of Ierusalem 〈◊〉 his brother 〈◊〉 by the help of the King of France 〈◊〉 the crown of England Hee was detained prisoner in Austria redeemed and reigned nine years 9. months 1199. K. Iohn vsurps the right of Arthur sonne to Geffery his elder brother and raignes 17 yeares Hee had warres with his Barons who elected Lewis Sonne to the K. of France 1216. Hen. 3 at 9. yeares of age was Crowned King and raigned 56 yeares 1272. Ed. 1. had the dominion ouer this whole Iland of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 gloriously 34. yeeres 7. Moneths 〈◊〉 307. Edward 2. abused by his Minions debaushed by his owne weaknesse was deposed froÌ„ his gouernment when he had reig ned 19. yeares 6. moneths and was murthered in prison 13. 26. Edw. 3 Edward the black prince who died before his father Richard 2. being but 11. yeares of age was crowned K. of England 1377 Richard the 2. son to the blacke prince The D. of Lancaster intitled K. of Castile in the right of his wife Constance eldest daughter to K. Peter Edmond Langly Earle of Cambridge after created D. of Yorke Thomas of Wood 〈◊〉 after made D. of Glocester Robert Veere Duke of Ireland Ann. Reg. 11. the D. of Gloster with the E E. of Darby AruÌ„del Nottingham Warwicke other L L. hauing forced the K. to put from him all his officers of Court at this ParliameÌ„t caused most of theÌ„ to be executed as 〈◊〉 Beauchamp L. 〈◊〉 of his 〈◊〉 Sir Simon Burley L. Chamberlaine with manyother Also the L. chief Iustice was here executed and all the Iudges condeÌ„ned to death for 〈◊〉 the kings 〈◊〉 against these L L. the 〈◊〉 of the last Parliament m Ann. 10 Ann. Reg. 18. Ann. 20. 〈◊〉 daughter to Charles 6. Valeran E. of S. Paule who had maried the kings halfe sister At the parliament in Anno 11. the I. L. of the league with Gloster being pardoned for their opposing against the kings proceedings were quiet till Anno 21 when vpon report of a new conspiracie they were surprised Mowbray E. Marshal after made Duke of Norfolke 〈◊〉 the charge of dispatching the D. of Gloster at Calice The K. had by 〈◊〉 before pardoned the D. and those two Earles yet was the pardon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quo l credere de se non possit cùm laudatur 〈◊〉 aequa 〈◊〉 Hen. Bollingbroke of Heresord Tho. Mowbray D. of Norfolke Mowbray was banished the very day by the course of the yeere whereon he murthered the D. of Glocester An. Reg. 22. The D. being bavished in 〈◊〉 landed in the beginning of Iulie after 〈◊〉 Rauenspurre in Yorkeshire some say but with 60. men other with 3000 and 8 shippes set forth and furnished by the Duke of Brittaine Ann. Reg. 22. The Genius of England appeares to Bullingbrooke The D. put to death VVilliaÌ„ Scroope E. of 〈◊〉 Treasurer of Eng. with Sir Hen. Greene Sir Iohn Bushy for misgouerning the king and the Realme Th. Arundel Archbish. of Canterburie Bis peccat qui pretextu Religionis peccat Edward D. of Aumerle Sonne to the D. of Yorke Conway Castle in Wales Montague E. of 〈◊〉 This Percie was Earle of Worster brother to the Earle of Northumberland and steward of the Kings house 〈◊〉 D. of Yorke left Gouernour of the ' Realm in the 〈◊〉 of the king hauing leuied a 〈◊〉 Army as if to haue opposed against Bulling brooke brought most of the 〈◊〉 of the kingdome to take his 〈◊〉 The E. of 〈◊〉 sent to the king from Hen. Bulling brooke now D. of Lancaster The Bishop of Carlile Montague Earle of Salisbury This was sir â—eter Leighs â—â—uncitor of â—ime in Cheâ—â—ire that â—ow is nico d' Arâ—is a Gasâ—oin The Earle of â—alsbury his â—peech to K. Richard The Bishop of Carlile Lex Amnestiae The Owle is said to bee Mineruas bird The Archbishop of Cant. takes his text out of the first booke of the Kings cap. 9. Vir dominabitur in populo The Nobilitie accused 〈◊〉 the death 〈◊〉 Thomas of Woodstocke D. of Gloster The Dukes of Surry Excester and Aumarle The Earles of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and other were the parties accused for the death of the D. of Gloster Thom. late Duke of Surry Sir Thom. Blunt This Knight was Sir Pierce of The Exton Primus imperium communicauit posuit Dioclesianus in eo ponendo dixisse fertur Recipe Iupiter imperium quod mihi commodasti The Corps was 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 to LondoÌ„ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 withopen 〈◊〉 in Paules 3 dayes and after a solemne obseque was had to Langley and there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 K. Ric. bruted to be 〈◊〉 after he was 〈◊〉 murthered which 〈◊〉 a conCon 〈◊〉 for the which Sir 〈◊〉 Clarindon supposed to be the base sonne of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was executed with diuers 〈◊〉 Hee 〈◊〉 in his Courte 1000. 〈◊〉 in ordinarie allowance of 〈◊〉 300. 〈◊〉 in his Kitchin aboue 300. Ladies 〈◊〉 and Landerers 〈◊〉 apparell was sumptuous 〈◊〉 so was it generally in his time bee had one Cote of gold and stone valued as 30000. 〈◊〉 One 〈◊〉 with the Fr. King at 〈◊〉 when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isabel was deliuered vnto him cost 300000. markes Hen. 4. 〈◊〉 al letters patents of 〈◊〉 granted by K. 〈◊〉 and K. Ric. Ann. reg 6. When he was first surpris'd in Wales the D. of 〈◊〉 had in 〈◊〉 Castle 100000. 〈◊〉 in coyne and 200000 markes in 〈◊〉 and at his Resignation 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 300000 〈◊〉 beside plate and Iewels A Prince 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sent to forraine Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kings proceedings In this time of Charles 6. 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 warres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 between the Dukes of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 The Truce made with R'c. 2. renewd for 30 yeares but broken the next yeare after vpon their part sending 〈◊〉 de Burbon with forces into 〈◊〉 to the ayde of 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 labors to haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to his sonne Henry Prince of Wales 〈◊〉 Isabel was maried to Charles sonne to 〈◊〉 D. of 〈◊〉 Thom. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 was sent into Gascony with 200. men at Armes and 400. Archers to 〈◊〉 Sir Robert 〈◊〉 Lieutenant there where he 〈◊〉 that Country being 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 vpon their 〈◊〉 for the death of King Ric. whom they especially 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at Burdeux George 〈◊〉 E. of March 〈◊〉 out of Scotland was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 England and 〈◊〉 against his Country Owen Glendour an 〈◊〉 in North-Wales 〈◊〉 with the L. Gray of 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 and being not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 owne 〈◊〉 to recouer them 〈◊〉
Whil'st we hold but the shadow of our owne Pleas'd with vaine shewes and dallied with delight They as huge vnproportion'd mountaines growne Betweene our land and vs shadowing our light Bereaue the rest of ioy and vs of loue And keepe downe all to keepe themselues aboue 20 Which wounds with griefe poore vnrespected zeale When grace holdes no proportion in the parts When distribution in the Common-weale Of charge and honour due to good desarts Is stopt when others greedie hands must deale The benefite that Maiestie imparts What good we meant comes gleaned home but light Whilst we are robd of prayse they of their right 21 Thus he complained when lo from Lancaster The new intit'led Duke with order sent Arriv'd Northumberland as to conferre And make relation of the Dukes intent And offred there if that he would referre The controuersie vnto Parlement And punish those that had abus'd the State As causers of this vniuersall hate 22 And also see that Iustice might be had On those the Duke of Glosters death procur'd and such remov'd from Councell as were bad His cosin Henry would he there assur'd On humble knees before his Grace be glad To aske him pardon to be well secur'd and haue his right and grace resto'rd againe The which was all he labour'd to obtaine 23 And therefore doth an enterparle exhort Perswades him leaue that vnbeseeming place and with a princely hardinesse resort Vnto his people that attend his Grace They meant his publique good and not his hurt and would most ioyfull be to see his face He layes his soule to pledge and takes his Oath The ost of Christ an ostage for his troth 24 This proffer with such protestations made Vnto a King that so neere danger stood Was a sufficient motiue to perswade When no way else could shew a face so good Th'vnhonourable meanes of safety bade Danger accept what Maiesty withstood When better choyses are not to be had We needes must take the seeming bost of bad 25 Yet standes he'in doubt a while what way to take Conferring with that small remaining troope Fortune had left which neuer would forsake Their poore distressed Lord nor neuer stoope To any hopes the stronger part could make Good Carlile Ferby and Sir Stephen Scroope With that most worthy Montague were all That were content with Maiesty to fall 26 Time spare and make not sacrilegious theft Vpon so memorable constancie Let not succeeding Ages be bereft Of such examples of integritie Nor thou magnanimous Leigh must not be left in darknesse for thy rare fidelitie To saue thy faith content to lose thy head That 〈◊〉 head of good men honoured 27 Nor will my Conscience I should iniury Thy memorie most trusty Ienico For b'ing not ours though wish that 〈◊〉 Claym'd not for hers the faith we reuerence so That England might haue this small companie Onely to her alone hauing no moe But le' ts diuide this good betwixt vs both Take she thy birth and we will haue thy troth 28 Graue Montague whom long experience taught In either fortune thus aduis'd his King Deare Sou'raigne know the matter that is sought Is onely now your Maiesty to bring From out of this poore safetie you haue got Into theyr hands that else hold euery thing For now but onely you they want of all and wanting you they nothing theirs can call 29 Here haue you craggie Rocks to take your part That neuer will betray their faith to you These trusty Mountaines here will neuer start But stand t' vpbraid their shame that are vntrue Here may you fence your safetie with small art against the pride of that confused Crew If men will not these verie Cliffes will fight and be sufficient to defend your right 30 Then keepe you here and here shall you behold Within short space the slyding faith of those That cannot long their resolution hold Repent the course their idle rashnesse chose For that same mercenarie faith they sold With least occasions discontented growes And insolent those voluntarie bands Presuming how by them he chiefly stands 31 And how can he those mightie troupes sustaine Long time where now he is or any where Besides what discipline can he retaine Whereas he dares not keepe them vnder feare For feare to haue them to reuolt againe So that it selfe when Greatnesse cannot beare With her owne waight must needes confus'dly fall Without the helpe of other force at all 32 And hither to approche hee will not dare Where deserts rockes and hilles no succours giue Where desolation and no comforts are Where few can do no good many not liue Besides we haue the Ocean to prepare Someother place if this should not relieue So shall you tire his force consume his strength And weary all his followers out at length 33 Doe but referre to time and to small time And infinite occasions you shall finde To quaile the Rebell euen in the prime Of all his hopes beyond all thought of minde For many with the conscience of the crime In colder blood will curse what they design'd And bad successe vpbrayding their ill fact Drawes them whom others draw from such an act 34 For if the least imagin'd ouerture But of conceiv'd reuolt men once 〈◊〉 Straight shrinke the weake the great will not indure Th' impatient run the discontented flie The friend his friends example doth procure And all to gither haste them presently Some to their home some hide others that stay To reconcile themselues the rest betray 35 What hope haue you that euer Bullingbrooke Will liue a Subiect that hath tri'd his fate Or what good reconcilement can you looke Where he must alwayes feare and you must hate And neuer thinke that he this quarrell tooke To reobtaine thereby his priuate state T' was greater hopes that hereto did him call And he will thrust for all or else lose all 36 Nor trust this suttle Agent nor his oth You knowe his faith you tri'd it before hand His fault is death and now to lose his troth To saue his life he will not greatly stand Nor trust your kinsmans proffer since you both Shew blood in Princes is no stedfast band What though he hath no title he hath might That makes a title where there is no right 37 Thus he when that good Bishop thus replies Out of a minde that quiet did affect My Lord I must confesse as your caselies You haue great cause your Subiects to suspect And counterplot against their subtelties Who all good care and honestie neglect And feare the worst what insolence may do Or armed fury may incense them to 38 But yet my Lord feare may aswell transport Your care beyond the truth of what is meant As otherwise neglect may fall too short In not examining of their intent But let vs weigh the thing which they exhort T is Peace Submission and a Parlement Which how expedient 't is for either part T were good we iudg'd with an
and on the shore Reacht yet vnto the centre of the Land Searcht all those humors that were bred before Shakes the whole frame whereon the State did stand Affection pittie fortune feare being more Farre off and absent then they are at hand Pittie becomes a traytor with th' opprest And many haue beene rays'd by being supprest 49 For they had left although themselues were gone Opinion and their memorie behinde Which so preuayles that nought could here be done But straight was knowne as soone as once design'd Court Councell-chamber Closet all were won To be reuealers of the Princes minde So false is Faction and so smooth a lyer As that it neuer had a side entire 50 Whereby th'exil'd had leasure to preuent And circumuent what-euer was deuiz'd Which made that Faulconbridge to Sandwich bent That Fortresse and the Gouernour surpriz'd Who presently from thence to Calais sent Had his vnguiltie blood there sacrifiz'd And Faulconbridge returning backe relates Th' affection here and zeale of all estates 51 Drawne with which newes and with a spirit that dar'd T' attempt on any likelihood of support They take th' aduantage of so great regard Their landing here secur'd them in such sort By Faulconbridge the fatall bridge prepar'd To be the way of blood and to transport Returning furie to make greater wounds Then euer England saw within her bounds 52 And but with fifteene hundred men do land Vpon a Land with many millions stor'd So much did high-presuming Courage stand On th' ayde home-disobedience would afford Nor were their hopes deceiv'd for such a hand Had Innouation ready for the sword As ere they neere vnto the Cittie drew Their powre beyond all former greatnesse grew 53 Muse what may we imagine was the Cause That Furie workes thus vniuersally What humor what affection is it drawes Sides of such powre to this Nobilitie Was it their Conscience to redresse the Lawes Or malice to a wrong-plac't Sov'raintie That caus'd them more then wealth or life desire Destruction ruine bloud-shed sword and fire 54 Or was the Powre of Lords thus inter-plac't Betwixt the height of Princes and the State Th' occasion that the people so imbrac't Their actions and attend on this Debate Or had their Greatnesse with their Worth imbas't The Touch of Royaltie to so lowe rate As their opinion could such tumults moue Then Powre and Virtue you contagious proue 55 And Perianders leuell'd Eares of Corne Shew what is fittest for the publique Rest And that the hyest Minions which adorne A Common-weale and doo become it best Are Zeale and Iustice Law and Customes borne Of hye descent that neuer do infest The Land with false suggestions claymes affrights To make men lose their owne for others rights 56 But now against this disproportion bends The feeble King all his best industrie And from abrode Skales Louell Kendall sends To hold the Cittie in fidelitie The Cittie which before for others ends Was wrought to leaue the part of Royaltie Where though the Kings commaund was of no powre Yet worke these Lords so that they tooke the Towre 57 And from thence labour to bring-in againe The out-let will of disobediencie Send terror threates intreaties but in vaine VVarwicke and March are with all iollitie And grace receiv'd The Citties loue did gaine The best part of a Crowne for whose defence And intertaining still stayes Salsburie Whil'st March and VVarwicke other fortunes try 58 Conducting their fresh troupes against their King Who leaues a woman to supply his steed And neere Northhampton both imbattailing Made now the very heart of England bleed Where what strange resolutions both sides bring And with what deadly rancour they proceed Witnesse the blood there shed and fowlly shed That cannot but with sighes be registred 59 There Buckingham Talbot and Egremont Bewmont and Lucy parts of Lancaster Parts most important and of chiefe account In this vnhappy day extinguisht are There the Lord Grey whose fayth did not amount Vnto the trust committed to his care Betrayes his King borne to be strangely tost And late againe attain'd againe is lost 60 Againe is lost this out-side of a King Ordain'd for others vses not his owne Who to the part that had him could but bring A feeble body onely and a Crowne But yet was held to be the dearest thing Both sides did labor-for so much to crowne Their Cause with the apparency of might From whom and by whom they must make their Right 61 When he himselfe as if he nought esteem'd The highest Crowne on earth continues one Weake to the world which his Religion deem'd Like to the breath of man vaine and soone gone 〈◊〉 the stout Queene by speedy flight redeem'd The safety of her selfe and of her Sonne And with her Sommerset to Durham fled Her powres supprest her heart vnuanquished 62 So much for absent Yorke is acted here Attending English hopes on th' Irish coast Which when vnlookt-for they related were Ambition still on horse-backe comes in poast And seemes with greater glory to appeare As made the more by be'ing so long time lost And to the Parlement with state is led Which his associates had fore-summoned 63 And com'n into the Chamber of the Peeres He sets himselfe downe in the chayre of State Where such an vnexpected face appeares Of an amazed Court that gazing sate With a dumbe silence seeming that it feares The thing it went about t'effectuate As if the Place the Cause the Conscience giue Barres to the words their forced courso should haue 64 T is strāge those times which brought such hāds for blood Had not bred tongues to make good any side And that no prostituted conscience stood Any iniustice to haue iustifid As men of the forelone hope onely good In desperatest acts to be imploy'd And that none in th' assembly there was found That would t'ambitious descant giue a ground 65 That euen himselfe forc't of necessitie Must be the Orator of his owne Cause For hauing viewd them all and could espie None proff'ring once to speake all in a pause On this friend lookes with an inuiting eye And then on that as if he woo'd applause Holding the cloth of State still in his hand The signe which he would haue them vnderstand 66 But se'ing none moue with an imperiall port Gath'ring his spirits he ryses from his seat Doth with such powre of wordes his Cause support As seemes all others Causes to defeat And sure who workes his Greatnesse in that sort Must haue more powres then those that are borne great Such Reuolutions are not wrought but when Those spirits doe worke which must be more then men 67 He argues first his Right so long with-held By th'vsurpation of the Lancasters The Right of a direct Line alwayes held The sacred course of Blood our Ancestors Our Lawes our reuerent Customes haue vp-held With holy hands Whence when disorder crres What horrors what confusion do we see Vntill it be reduc't
spoyles Vpon themselues turn-backe their conquering hand Whil'st Kin their Kin Brother the Brother foyles Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band Bowes against Bowes the Crowne against the Crowne Whil'st all pretending right all right 's throwne downe 2 What furie ô what madnes held thee so Deare England too too prodigall of blood To waste so much and warre without a foe Whilst Fraunce to see thy spoyles at pleasure stood How much might'st thou haue purchast with lesse woe T' haue done thee honour and thy people good Thine might haue beene what-euer lies betweene The Alps 〈◊〉 vs the Pyrenei and Rhene 3 Yet now what reason haue we to complaine Since hereby came the calme we did inioy The blisse of thee Eliza happie gaine For all our losse when-as no other way The Heauens could finde but to vnite againe The 〈◊〉 sev'red Families that they Might bring foorth thee that in thy peace might growe That glorie which few Times could euer showe 4 Come sacred Virtue I no Muse but thee 〈◊〉 in this great labour I intend Doo thou inspire my thoughts infuse in mee A power to bring the same to happie end Rayse vp a worke for later times to see That may thy glorie and my paynes commend Make me these tumults rightly to rehearse And giue peace to my life life to my verse 5 And thou Charles 〈◊〉 who didst once afford Rest for my fortunes on thy quiet shore And cheer'dst mee on these measures to record In grauer tones then I had vs'd before Beholde my gratitude makes good my word Ingag'd to thee although thou be no more That I who 〈◊〉 haue liv'd by thee Doo giue thee now a roome to liue with me 6 And MEMORIE preserv'resse of things done Come thou vnfold the woundes the wracke the waste Reueale to me now all the strife be gunne Twixt Lancaster and Yorke in ages past How causes counsels and euents did runne So long as these vnhappie times did last 〈◊〉 with fictions fantasies I versifie the troth not Poetize 7 And to the ende wee may with better ease Discerne the true discourse vouchsafe to showe What were the times foregoing neere to these That these we may with better profit knowe Tell how the world sell into this disease And how so great distemperature did growe So shall we see by what degrees it came How things at full do soone wex out of frame 8 Ten Kings had from the Norman Conqueror raign'd With intermixt and variable fate When England to her greatest height attain'd Of powre dominion glorie wealth and State After it had with much a doo sustain'd The violence of Princes with debate For titles and the often mutinies Of Nobles for their ancient liberties 9 For first the Norman conquering all by might By might was forc't to keepe what he had got Mixing our Customes and the forme of Right With foraine Constitutions he had brought Maistering the mightie humbling the poorer wight By all seuerest meanes that could be wrought And making the succession doubtfull rent This new-got State and left it turbulent 10 VVilliam his sonne tracing his fathers wayes The great men spent in peace or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fight Vpon depressed weaknes 〈◊〉 preyes And makes his force maintaine his doubtfull right His elder brothers clayme vexing his dayes His actions and 〈◊〉 still incite And giuing Beastes what did to Men pertaine Tooke for a Beast himselfe in th' end was slaine 11 His brother Henrie next commands the State Who Roberts title better to reiect Seekes to repacifie the peoples hate And with faire shewes rather then in effect Allayes those grieuances that heauie sate Reformes the lawes which soone hee did neglect And reft of 〈◊〉 for whom he did prepare Leaues crowne and strife to Maude his daughters care 12 Whom Stephen his nephew falsifying his Oath Preuents assay les the Realme obtaines the Crowne Such tumults ray sing as torment them both Whil'st both held nothing certainely their owne Th' afflicted State diuided in their troth And partiall faith most miserable growne Endures the while till peace and Stephens death Gaue some calme leasure to recouer breath 13 When Henrie sonne to Maude the Empresse raignes And England into forme and greatnes brought Addes Ireland to this Scepter and obtaines Large Prouinces in Fraunce much treasure gote And from exactions here at home abstaynes And had not his 〈◊〉 children sought 〈◊〉 his age with tumults he had beene The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that this State had seene 14 Him Richard followes in the gouernment Who much the glory of our Armes increast And all his fathers mighty 〈◊〉 spent In that deuoutfull 〈◊〉 of the East Whereto whiles he 〈◊〉 forces wholly bent 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 opprest A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a fatall King Cut-off his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glory in the spring 15 Which wicked brother contrary to course False Iohn vsurpes his Nephew Arthurs right Gets to the Crowne by craft by wrong by force Rules it with lust oppression rigour might Murders the lawfull heire without remorse Wherefore procuring all the worlds despight A Tyrant loath'd a homicide conuented Poysoned he dyes disgrac't and vnlamented 16 Henrie his sonne is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though young And Lewes of France elected first beguil'd After the mighty had debated long Doubtfull to choose a straunger or a child With him the 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 growne strong Warre for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so long exil'd He graunts the 〈◊〉 that pretended ease Yet kept his owne and did his State appease 17 Edward his 〈◊〉 a Martiall 〈◊〉 succeedes Iust prudent graue religious 〈◊〉 Whose happy ordered Raigne most fertile breedes Plenty of mighty spirits to strength his State And worthy mindes to manage worthy deedes Th' experience of those times ingenerate For euer great imployment for the great Quickens the blood and honour doth beget 18 And had 〈◊〉 his mis-led lasciuious Sonne Edward the second intermitted so The course of glory happily begunne Which brought him and his fauorites to woe That happy current without stop had runne Vnto the full of his sonne Edwards flowe But who hath often seene in such a State Father and Sonne like good like fortunate 19 But now this great Succeeder all repaires And reinduc't that discontinued good He builds vp strength greatnes for his heires Out of the virtues that adornd his blood He makes his Subiects Lords of more then theirs And sets their bounds farre wider then they stood His powre and fortune had 〈◊〉 wrought Could but the State haue kept what he had got 20 And had his heire surviu'd him in due course What limits England hadst thou found what barre What world could haue resisted so great force O more then men two thunderbolts of warre Why did not Time your ioyned worth diuorce T' haue made your seueral glories greater farre Too prodigall was Nature thus to doe To spend in one Age what should serue for two 21 But now the Scepter in this glorious State
where it should bee 68 And how it prospers with this wretched Land Witnesse the vniuersall miserie Wherein as if accurst the Realme doth stand Depriu'd of State wealth honor dignitie The Church and Commons vnderneath the hand Of violence extortion robberie No face of order no respect of Lawes And thus complaynes of what himselfe is cause 69 Accusing others insolence that they Exhausted the Reuenues of the Crowne So that the King was forc't onely to prey Vpon his Subiects poore and wretched growne And that they now sought Ireland to betray And Calais to the French which hee had knowne By th' intercepted notes of their owne hand Who were the onely Traytors of the Land 70 And yet procur'd th'Attaynders most vniust Of others guiltlesse and vnspotted blood Who euermore had labour'd in their trust And faithfull seruice for their Countries good And who with extreame violence were thrust Quite out of all spoyl'd of their liuelihood Expos'd to all the miseries of life Which they indur'd to put-off blood and strife 71 But since sayth he their malice hath no ende But t' end vs all and to vndo the Land For which the hatefull French gladly attend And at this instant haue their swords in hand And that the God of heauen doth seeme to bend Vnto our Cause whereto the best men stand And that this blood of mine so long time sought Reserued seemes for something to be wrought 72 It rests within your iudgements to vp-right Or else to ruine vtterly the Land For this be sure I must pursue my Right Whil'st I haue breath or I and mine can stand Thinke whether this poore State being in this plight Stands not in need of some vp-raysing hand Or whether 't is not time we should haue rest And this confusion and our wounds redrest 73 This said he turnes aside and out hee goes Leaues them to counsell what was to be done Where though the most part gath'red were of those Who with no opposition sure would run Yet some more temp'rate offred to propose That which was fit to bee considered on Who though they knew his clayme was faire in sight Yet thought it now lackt the right face of Right 74 Since for the space of three score yeeres the Crowne Had beene in act possest in three descents Confirm'd by all the Nobles of renowne The peoples suffrages Oathes Parlements So many Actes of State both of our owne And of all other foraine Gouernments That Wrong by order may grow Right by this Sith Right th'obseruer but of Order is 75 And then considring first how Bullingbrooke Landing in Yorkeshire but with three score men By the consent of all the Kingdome tooke The Crowne vpon him held for lawfull then His Vncle Yorke and all the Peeres betooke Themselues to him as to their Soueraigne when King Richards wrongs and his propinquitie Did seeme to make no distance in their 〈◊〉 76 Nor was without example in those dayes Wherein as in all Ages States do take The side of publique Peace to counterpayse The waight of wrong which time may rightfull make No elderhood Rufus and 〈◊〉 stayes The imperiall Crowne of England t' vndertake And Iohn before his nephew Arthur 〈◊〉 Whom though depriv'd Henry his sonne succeedes 77 Edward the third made Sov'raigne of the State Vpon his fathers depriuation was All which though seeming wrongs yet fairely sate In their succeeders and for right did passe And if they could so worke t'accommodate And calme the Peeres and please the Populasse They wisht the Crowne might where it stood remaine Succeeding inconuenience to restraine 78 Thus th' auncient Fathers of the Law aduise Graue Baron Thorpe and learned Fortescue Who though they could not fashion otherwise Those strong-bent humors which auersiue grew Yet seem'd to qualifie th'extreamities And some respect more to their Sov'raine drew That during life it was by all agreed He should be King and Yorke should him succeed 79 Which presently enacted was beside Proclaym'd through-out with all solemnities And inter mutually there ratifi'd With protestations vowes and oathes likewise Built-vp with all the strength of forme t' abide What-euer oppositions could aryse And might haue seem'd sure and authenticall Had all this bodie of the State beene all 80 But Trent thou keptst a part Thames had not all The North diuided honor with the South And like powre held like Greatnes seuerall Where other Right spake with another mouth Another Heire another Prince they call Whom naturall succession follow doth The branch of Kings the true sonne of the Crowne To whom no father can but leaue his owne 81 The King as husband to the Crowne doth by The wiues infe offement hold and onely here Inioyes the same for life by Curtesie Without powre to dispose it other-where After his death but as th' authoritie Order and custome of Succession beare And therefore Henries Act cannot vndo The right of him whom it belongs vnto 82 And this vnnaturall intrusion here Of that attainted Blood out of all course Effected with confusion and with feare Must be reduc't to other tearmes of force These insolencies Iustice cannot beare The sword whereto they onely had recourse Must cut this knot so intricately ty'd Whose vaine contriued ends are plaine descry'd 83 Thus they giue-out and out the sword in hand Is drawne for blood to iustifie the same And by a side with many a Worthie mand Great Sommerset Excester Buckingham With Clifford Courtney and Northumberland Lords of as mightie courage as of name Which all against Yorkes forced courses bend Who hauing done yet had not made an end 84 But to another worke is forc't to go The last turmoyle lab'ring Ambition had Where Pride and Ouer-weening led him so For fortunes past as made the 〈◊〉 sad For whether safer counsell would or no His yet vnfurnisht troupes he desp'rat led From Sandall Castle vnto VVakefield Greene Against far mightier forces of the Queene 85 Where round inclos'd by Ambushments fore-lay'd Hard-working for his life but all in vaine With number and confusion ouer-lay'd Himselfe and valiant Salsbury are slaine With whome the most and dearest blood decay'd Of his couragious and aduenturous traine So short a life had those long hopes of his Borne not to weare the Crowne he wrought for thus 86 But in the ryse of his out-springing lust Now in the last of hope receiv'd this fall Now that his working powres so far had thrust That his desires had but this step to all When so neere home he seem'd past all distrust This vnexspected wracke doth him befall This successor th'inheritor fore-goes The play-game made of Fortune and his foes 87 Whos 's young sonne Rutland made the sacrifice For others sinnes ere he knew how to sinne Brought only but to see this exercise Of blood and wounds endes ere he did beginne Whose teares whose mone whose lamentable cryes Could neither mercie nor compassion winne The branch of such a tree though tender now Was not thought fit should
doe is done 108 And nothing now but to confirme him king Remaines which must not long remaine to do The present heate doth strait dispatch the thing With all those solemne rites that long thereto So that what Yorke with all his trauay ling Force and intrusion could not get vnto Is now thus freely layd vpon his sonne Who must make faire what 〈◊〉 was begunne 109 Whos 's end attayn'd had it here made an end Of foule destruction and had stay'd the bloud Which Towton Exham Tewksbury did spend With desp'rate hands and deeper wounds with stood And that none other Crowne brought to contend With that of his had made his seeme lesse good How had this long-afflicted Land been blest Our sighes had ended and my Muse had rest 110 Which now but little past halfe her long way Stands trembling at the horrors that succeed Weary with these embroylements faine would stay Her 〈◊〉 course vnwilling to proceed And faine to see that glorious holy-day Of Vnion which this discord reagreed Knowes not as yet what to resolue vpon Whether to leaue-off here or else go-on The end of the seauenth Booke THE EIGHTTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Edward Powre against King Henry led And hath at Towton-field the victory From whence King Henry into Scotland fled Where he attempts his States recouery Steales into England is discouered Brought Prisoner to the Towre disgracefully And Edward whiles great Warwick doth assay A Match in France marries the Lady Grey 1 ON yet sad Verse though those bright 〈◊〉 from whence Thou hadst thy light are set for euermore And that these times do not like grace dispense To our indeuours as those did before Yet on since She whose beames do reincense This sacred fire seemes as reseru'd in store To raise this Worke and here to haue my last Who had the first of all my labours past 2 On with her blessed fauour and relate With what new bloud-shed this new chosen Lord Made his first entry to th' afflicted State Past his first Act of publique with the sword Ingor'd his new-worne Crowne and how he gat Possession of affliction and restor'd His Right vnto a Royall miserie Maintained with as bloudy dignitie 3 Shew how our great Pharsalian Field was fought At Towton in the North the greatest day Of ruine that 〈◊〉 euer brought Vnto this Kingdom where two Crownes did sway The worke of slaughter two Kings Causes wrought Destruction to our People by the waie Of their affections and their loyalties As if one for these ills could not suffise 4 Where Lancaster and that couragious side That noble constant Part came furnished With such a Powre as might haue terrifi'd And ouer-run the earth had they been led The way of glory where they might haue tri'd For th' Empire of all Europe as those did The Macedonian led into the East Their number being double at the least 5 And where braue Yorke comes as compleatly mand With courage valour and with equall might Prepar'd to trie with a resolued hand The metall of his Crown and of his Right Attended with his fatall fier-brand Of Warre Warwicke that blazing starre of fight The Comet of destruction that portends Confusion and distresse what way he tends 6 What rage what madness England do we see That this braue people in such multitude Run to confound themselues and all to be Thus mad for Lords and for meere Seruitude What might haue been if Roman-like and free These gallant Spirits had nobler ends pursu'd And strayn'd to points of glory and renowme For good of the Republique and their owne 7 But here no Cato with a Senate stood For Common-wealth nor here were any sought T'emancipate the State for publique good But onely headlong for their faction wrought Here euery man runs-on to spend his bloud To get but what he had already got For whether Pompey or a Caesar wonne Their state was euer sure to be all one 8 And first before these fatall Armies met Had forward Warwicke lay'd the passage free At Ferry Brigges where the Lord Clifford set With an aduentrous gallant companie To guard that streight Yorkes farther march to let Began the Scene to this great Tragedie Made the first entrance on the Stage of blood Which now set wide for wounds all open stood 9 When Edward to exhort his men began With words where to both spirit and Maiestie His pers'nage gave for-that he was a man Besides a King whose Crowne sate gracefully Com'n is the day sayd he wherin who can Obtaine the best is Best this day must try Who hath the wrong and whence our ills haue beene And t is our swords must make vs honest men 10 For though our Cause by God and men allow'd Hath in it honor right and honestie Yet all as nothing is to be avow'd Vnless withall we haue the victorie For Iustice is we see a virtue proud And leanes to powre and leaues weake miserie And therefore seeing the case we now stand in We must resolue either to dy or winne 11 So that if any here doth finde his heart To fayle him for this noble worke or stands Irresolute this day let him depart And leaue his Armes behind for worthier hands I knowe e now will stay to doo their part Here to redeeme themselues 〈◊〉 children landes And haue the glory that thereby shall rise To free their Country from these miseries 12 But here what needed wordes to blowe the fire In flame already and inkindled so As when it was proclaym'd they might retire Who found vnwillingnes to vnder-goe That ventrous worke they all did so conspire To stand out Fortune that not one would goe To beare away a hand from bloud not one Defraud the Field of th' euill might be done 13 Where VVarwicke too producing in their sight An argument whereby he did conclude There was no hope of 〈◊〉 but by fight Doth sacrifize his horse to Fortitude And thereby did the least conceipt of flight Or any succour by escape exclude Se'ing in the streight of a necessitie The meanes to win is t' haue no meanes to flye 14 It was vpon the twi-light of that day That peacefull day when the Religious beare The Oliue-branches as they go to pray And we in lieu the blooming Palmes vse here When both the Armies ready in array Forth ' early sacrifize of blood appeare Prepar'd formischiefe ere they had full light To see to doo it and to doo it right 15 Th' aduantage of the time and of the winde Which both with Yorke seeme as retayn'd in pay Braue Faulconbridge takes hold-on and assign'd The Archers their flight-shafes to shoote away Which th' aduerse side with sleet and dimnesse blinde Mistaken in the distance of the way Answere with their sheafe-arrowes that came short Of their intended ayme and did no hurt 16 But gath'red by th'on-marching Enemy Returned were like clowdes of steele which powre Destruction downe and did new-night the sky As if the Day had fayl'd
to keepe his howre Whereat the ranged horse breake-out deny Obedience to the Riders scorne their powre Disrank the troupes set all in disarray To maketh ' Assay lant owner of the day 17 Thus thou peculiar Ingine of our Land Weapon of Conquest Maister of the Field Renowmed Boaw that mad'st this Crowne command The towres of Fraunce and all their powres to yeeld Art made at home to haue th' especiall hand In our dissensions by thy worke vp-held Thou first didst conquer vs then rays'd our skill To vanquish others here our selues to spill 18 And now how com'st thou to be out of date And all neglected leav'st vs and art gone And with thee th' ancient strength the manly state Of valor and of worth that glory wonne Or else stay'st thou till new-priz'd shot abate That neuer shall affect what thou hast don And oneiy but attend'st some blessed Raigne When thou and Virtue shalt be grac't againe 19 But this sharp tempest draue Northumberland Who led the vant-guard of king Henries side With eger heatioine battaile out of hand And this disorder with their swords to hide Where twice siue howres these furious armies stand And Fortunes Ballance weigh'd on neither side Nor either did but equall bloud-shed gayne Till Henries chiefest leaders all were slaine 20 Then lo those spirits which from these heads deriue Their motions gaue off working and in haste Turne all their backs to Death and mainely striue Who from themselues shall run-away most fast The after-slyers on the former driue And they againe by the pursuers chac't Make bridges of their fellowes backs to pass The Brooks and Riuers where-as danger was 21 Witnes O cleare-stream'd Cock within whose banks So many thousand crawling helpless lay With wounds and wearinesle who in their rankes Had valiantly behav'd themselues that daie And might haue had more honour and more thankes By standing to their worke and by their stay But men at once life seeme to loue and loath Running to lose it and to saue it both 22 Vnhappy Henrie from a little Hill Plac't not 〈◊〉 off whence he might view the fight Had all th' intire full prospect of 〈◊〉 ill With all the scattered slaughter in his sight Saw how the victorrag'd and spoil'd at wil And left not off when all was in his might Saw with how great adoo himselfe was wonne And with what store of blood Kings are vndone 23 We are not worth so much nor I nor he As hath beene spent for vs by you this day Deare people said he therefore O agree And leaue off mischiefe and your malice stay Stay Edward stay They must a People bee When we shall not be Kings and it is they Who make vs with their miseries Spare them For whom thou thus dost seeke a Diadem 24 For me I could be pleas'd t' haue nought to doe With Fortune and content my selfe were ill So England might be well and that t' vndoe Me might suffice the sword without more ill And yet perhaps these men that cleaue vnto The parts of Princes with such eger will Haue likewise their owne ends of gaine or hate In these our strifes and nourish this debate 25 Thus stood he drawing lines of his discourse In contemplation when more needfully It did import him to deuise a course How he might shift for his recouery And had beene taken had not some by force Rescu'd and drawne him off more speedilie And brought him vnto Yorke in all maine poste Where he first told his Queen the daie was lost 25 Who as compos'd of that firme temp'rature Which could not bend to base complaynts nor wayle As weakenes doth fore-knowing howt'indure Fayl'd not hersolfe though Fortune did her fayle But rather casts-about how to procure Meanes to reserue her part and to preuaile Of that poore time left her to saue her owne As one though ouer-come not ouer-throwne 26 Now when she had of fatall Lancaster Seene all the pillars crusht and ruined That vnder-set it all that followed her Of those heroicke personages dead Saue onely Sommerset and Excester Who from this last destruction hardly fled And saw all lost and nothing in her might But onely that which must be sav'd by flight 27 Now when there was no North left of their owne To draw vnto no side to gather head No people to be rays'd t'an emptie Crowne Nor yet the ground their owne whereon they tread When yet your faith worthy of all renowne Constant Northumbrians firme continued And though you could not render succors fit Vnto your Sov'raigne you would saue him yet 28 And be as few men in this world are true Vnto affliction and to miserie And would not basely purchace and renew Your peace and safetie by 〈◊〉 But wrought that though the Victor did pursue With greedy care and egre industrie To haue surpriz'd him yet was all in 〈◊〉 Till he recouered Berwicke with his 〈◊〉 29 Where now he was at some more vacancie To vnderstand and see himselfe vndone Which in this sodaine-comming misery He had no leasure to consider-on And now 〈◊〉 he that poore company Attending on himselfe his wife and sonne Sees how that all the State which serv'd his Crowne Was shut within the walls of one small towne 30 〈◊〉 there what a poore distressed thing A King without a people was and whence The glory of that Mightinesse doth spring That ouer-spreds with such a reuerence This vnder-world whence comes this furnishing And all this splendor of Magnificence He sees what chayre so-euer Monarch sate Vpon on Earth the People was the State 31 And yet although he did contayne no more Then what he saw yet saw a peece so small Could not containe him What he was before Made him vncapable of any wall To yeeld him succour now he must haue more Then onely this small Holde or none at all And therefore this se'ing it auayl'd him not Nor could he keepe he renders to the Scot 32 As th' Earnest to confirme and ratifie The league betweene them two newly begun Whereof to make more sure and faster tye He promist too th' alliance of his sonne And all that might secure their amity With willingnesse on either side was done And heere they practise all they can deuise To turne reuenge vpon their Enemyes 33 Thus England didst thou see the mightiest King Thou euer hadst in Power and Maiesty Of State and of Dominions gouerning A most magnificent Nobility With an aduent'rous people flourishing In all the glories of felicitie Chac't from his kingdom forc't to seeke redresse In parts remote distrest and succourlesse 34 Now Bullingbrook these miseries heere showne Doo much vnlode thy sinne make thy ill good For if thou did didst by wrong attaine the Crowne T' was without cryes it cost but little bloud But Yorke by his attempt hath ouer-throwne All the best glorie wherein England stood And did his state by her vndooing winne And was though white without yet red within 35 And thus he hath
The dangers that on mighty Actors fall Since in the foot of your accompts your gaynes Come-short to make euen reck'ning with your paines 95 Inioy now what you wrought-for in this sort If great-mens Endes be to enioy their Endes And knowe the happiest powre the greatest port Is onely that which on it selfe depends Heere haue you State inough to be a Cort Vnto your selfe here where the world attends On you not you on it obserued sole You else-where but a part are heere the whole 96 Th' aduantages of Princes are we see But things conceiu'd imaginarily For euery state of fortune in degree Some image hath of principalitie Which they inioy more naturall and free Then can great Powers chain'd with observancie And with the fetters of respect still ty'd Being easier far to follow then to guide 97 And what are Corts but Camps of misery That doo besiege mens states and still are prest T' assaile prevent complot and fortifie In hope t' attaine in feare to be supprest Where all with shewes and with apparancie Men seeme as if for stratagems addrest Where Fortune as the Woolfe doth still prefer The fowlest of the traine that followes her 98 And where fayre hopes are lay'd as ambushments To intercept your life and to betray Your liberty to such intanglements As you shal neuer-more get cleare away Where both th' ingagement of your owne intents And others recknings and accounts shall lay Such waights vpon you as you shal not part Vnlesse you breake your credit or your heart 99 Besides as exiles euer from your homes You liue perpetuall in disturbancy Contending thrusting shuffling for your roomes Of ease or honor with impatiency Building your fortunes vpon others tombes For other then your owne posterity You see Corts few aduance many vndoo And those they do aduance they ruine too 100 And therefore now my Lord since you are heere Where you may haue your rest with dignitie Worke that you may continue so and cleare Your selfe from out these streights of misery Hold your estate and life as things more deare Then to be throwne at an vncertainty T is time that you and England haue a calme And time the Oliue stood aboue the Palme 101 Thus the good Father with an humble thought Bred in a Cellularie lowe retyre According to his quiet humor sought T'auert him from his turbulent desire When the great Earle began Father I note What you with zeale aduise with loue require And I must thanke you for this care you haue And for those good aduertisements you gaue 102 And truely Father could I but get free Without being rent and hold my dignitie That Sheep-cot which in yonder vale you see Beset with Groues and those sweet Springs hard-by I rather would my Palace wish to bee Then any roofe of proudest Maiestie But that I cannot dooe I haue my part And I must liue in one house with my hart 103 I knowe that I am fixt vnto a Sphere That is ordayn'd to moue It is the place My fate appoints me and the region where I must what-euer happens there imbrace Disturbance trauaile labor hope and feare Are of that Clime ingendred in that place And action best I see becomes the Best The Starres that haue most glorie haue no rest 104 Besides it were a Cowards part to fly Now from my Holde that haue held out so well It being the Station of my life where I Am set to serue and stand as Sentinell And must of force make good the place or dy When Fate and Fortune those great States compell And then we Lords in such case 〈◊〉 are As peace can cut our throats aswell as war 105 And hath her griefes and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And doth with idle rest deforme vs more Then any 〈◊〉 can or sorceresse With basely wasting all the Martiall store Of heat and spirit which graceth Manlinesse And makes vs still false images adore Besides profusion of our faculties In grosse dull glutt'ny vap'rous gourmandise 106 And therefore since I am the man I am I must not giue a foote least I giue all Nor is this Bird within my breast so tame As to be fed at hand and mockt with-all I rather would my state were out of frame Then my renowne should come to get a fall No no th' vngratefull boy shall neuer think That I who him inlarg'd to powre will shrink 107 What is our life without our dignitie Which oft we see comes lesse by liuing long Who euer was there worth the memorie And eminent indeed but still dy'd young As if worth had agreed with destinie That time which rightes them should not doo thē wrong Besides Old-age doth giue by too long space Our soules as many wrinkles as our face 108 And as for my inheritance and state What euer happen I wil so prouide That Law shall with what strength it hath collate The same on mine and those to mine ally'd Although I knowe she serues a present State And can vndoo againe what shee hath ty'd But that we leaue to him who poynts-out heyres And howsoeuer yet the world is theirs 109 Where they must worke it out as borne to run Those Fortunes which as mightie Families As euer they could be before haue donne Nor shall they gaine by mine indignities Who may without my courses be vndonne And who-so makes his State and life his tyes To doo vnworthily is borne a slaue And let him with that brand go to his Graue 110 Here would the reuerent Father haue reply'd That it were far more Magnanimitie T' indure then to resist that we are ty'd As well to beare the inconueniencie And straynes of Kings and States as to abide Vntimely raynes tempests sterilitie And other ills of Nature that befall Which we of force must be content withall 111 But that a speedy messenger was sent To shewe the D. of Clarence was hard-by And thereupon VVarwicke breakes-off and went With all his traine attending formally To intertaine him with fit complement As glad of such an opportunitie To worke vpon for those high purposes He had conceiv'd in discontentednes The ende of the eightth Booke Which 〈◊〉 in the space of 260 〈◊〉 1067. 〈◊〉 1. surnamed the Conqueror 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sonne to Robert the sixt Duke of Normand 〈◊〉 raigned 20. yeares and 8. monthes and lest the Crowne of England to William his third sonne contrary to the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wars with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Robert D. of 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many of the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hee was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the new forrest by Sir Walter 〈◊〉 shooting at a 〈◊〉 when he had 〈◊〉 13. yeares 1100. Hen. 1. the youngest sonne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 35. yeares 4 〈◊〉 whose sonne 〈◊〉 Ric. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 to Maude 〈◊〉 maried to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 and after to Geffrey 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 1135. Stephen son to the 〈◊〉 of Bloys Adela daughter to 〈◊〉 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Maude the