vshers of the Mortimers intollarable aspiring conetousnesse and destruction and which was most insupportable there were for all most 20 yeers space the plagues and desolation of the King and kingdomes After great coutentions were betwixt the 2 Realmes of England and Scotland a peace was concluded and Dauid-le Bruce the young Prince of Scotland was married to Iane King Edward the 3 sister K. Edward maried with the Lady Philip daughter to the Earle of Henault at Yorke with whom she liu'd 42 yeers She sounded Queens Colledge in Oxford She was mother to that mirrour of manhood and stâ—â—â—â— of Chiuâ—â— it Edward surnamed the black Prince There was a dreadfull batell sought at Hallidon hill in which were slaine 8 Earles 80 Knights and Baroness and 35000 Common soldiers on the Scots side the losses on the English side through the parciality of Writers were not set downe About the 12 yeers of this Kings reigne a quarter of Wheate was sold for 28 an Oxe 6 d a Geose 2d a fat Sheepe 6 d fixe Pidgeons and a fat Pigge for 2 d. The King claimed the Crowne of France and with 200 ships sought with 300 French ships and flew 33000 of the French This King first instituted the Honorable Order of the Garter at Windsor there being alwaies 26 in number The King sought the battell of Cressie in France wherein was slain the King of Bohemia with 10 Princes 80 Knights Baroness and 1200 Knights with 330000 Common Soldiers The King made 4 inroades into Scotland with great armies and was still victorious Anno 1338 the arms of France were quartered wth the armes of England the King prepared a great armie against France and on the Sea neere Sluce in Flanders he vanquished 400 French ships with the losse of 30000 of their men Then was France taken or halfe a yeere the wars againe renewing King Edward besieged Callice and â—ocke it An. 1347 Dauid King of Scotland was taken prisoner by one Iohn Copland an Esquire of the North. At the battell of Potiers Edward the black Prince of Wales had a glorious victory for there hee â—ocke King Iohn of France with his Sonne Phillip the Dolphin prisoners There were slaine of the French 52 Neblemen 1700 Knights and Esquires and 600 Common men 100 Ensignes and many men of note taken prisoners Dauid King of Scots was set at liberty hauing bin a prisoner 11 yeers paying 100000 marks stâ—â—â—ing Iohn K. of France after 4 yeeres imprisonment set free paying 1000000 â— for his ransome Finally neuer was English King more triumphant and fortunate in war in the fruition of a vertuous Queen 7 sons and daughters a glorious and lang reign of 50 yeeres buried at Sheene Anno Domini 1378. RICHARD THE IJ KING OF ENGLAND And FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND c. A Sunshine Morne precedes a showry day A Calme at Sea ofttimes foreruns a storme All is not gold that seemes so glistring gay Foule Vice is fairest features Canker-worme So I that was of blood descent and forme The perfect image of a Royall Stock Vnseason'd young aduice did me deforme Split all my hopes against despaires blacke rock My Regall name and power was made a mock My Subiects madly in rebellion rose Mischiefe on mischiefe all in troopes did flock Oppos'd depos'd expos'd inclos'd in woes With wauering fortunes troublously I raing'd Slaine by soule mur ther peace and rest I gain'd Anno Dom. 1377 June 21 Sunday Richard the second borne as Burdeux the â—â—â—â—â— nate Grandebilde and son of the two 〈…〉 and Paragons of Armes and all Noble vertues Edward the third and his euer-famous sonne Edward the â—â—â—â—â— Prince was crowned at Westminster by the 〈…〉 mond Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury the Kâ—â—â— being but 11 yeeres old The glory of the English Nâ—â—â— was in a continual Eclips the most part of this Kâ—â—gâ—â—â— his youth with all the frailties incident vnâ—â—â—â— with â—â—â—â— gouernours both of his Kingdome and person 〈…〉 main Ruines of the King almost the Realm The 〈…〉 of his fortunes after his Coronation was that 50 French ships landed at Rye in Suffex who burnt and spoyled the Towne and diuers other parts of the kingdome and â—â—â— Alexander Ramsey a valiant Scottish Gentlemen with but 40 men withhim tooke the Castle of Barwicke which the Earle of NorthuÌ„berland man from him â—â—â—â— with a great number The French did so far preuaile â—â—â—â—â— they came to Granesend and burnt and rifled it Tâ—â—â— Comment arose in rebellion in diuers places as Kent â—â—â—â— sex Surrie Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge the Kâ—â—â—â— men being 50000 came to London where the â—â—â—â— cammitted many outrages vnder the cemmanâ—â— of â—â—â—â—â— solent rebels Wat Tyler and Iack Sraw who â—â—â—â—â— mated to that mischief by one Iohn Ball anâ—â—â—â—â—â— priest but Tyler was killed by the famous Sir William Walworth Lord Maior of London the rebele dispeâ—â—â—â— Iack Staw and Ball the Priest extented the Comâ—â—â—â— pardoned and all at peace for a short time These Bascalls had beheaded Sinon Tibald Archbishop of Canterburyâ—â— and Sir Robert Hales Lord Treasurer of England â—â—â— burnt and spoylea the Sahoy the like they had â—â—â— Lanibeth destroying all the Rowles and Record of â—â—â—â—â— Chancerie Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster the King vnckle was accused for Treason by a Carmilite Fryer â—â—â—â— the Fryer was cruelly murdered and the Duke suspiciâ—â—â—â— cleared Barwick was wonne againe by the Scots â—â—â—â— againe recouered by the Earle of Northumberland The French prepare a great Nauy and Army purpa â—â—â—â— inuade England King Richard raiseth a â—â—â—â—â— intending to conquer Scotland all which desigâ—â—â—â—â— neither good or profitable euents 1386 mischiefe and â—â— serie hauing sate long abroad began to batch the â—â—â—â—â— insulting on the one side and the people rebellious â—â—â— other did Bandy the regall power in to hazard The Scott enter England vnder the command of the valiant Sir William Dowglasse and are met and â—â—â—â— tred by the Right Noble Lord Henry Hotspurre Dowglasle was staine and Hotspur taking Ireland rebel'd the King went thither in person and lest England the whilest he bring forced to surrender himselfe but Crowâ—â—â— and kingdome to his kinsman Henry Bullingbrooke Son to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster 1400. HENRY THE IV KING OF ENGLAND And FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND c. FRom right wrong-doing Richard I did wrest His Crowne mis-guided but on me mis-plac'd Vnciuill Ciuill warres my Realme molest And English men did England spoyle and wast The Sire the Son the Son the Father chas'd Vndutifull vnkind vnnaturall Both Yorke and Lancaster were rais'd and rac'd As Conquest did to either Faction fall But still I grip'd the Scepter and the Ball And what by wrong I won by might I wore For Prince of Wales I did my Son install But as my Martiall Fame grew more and more By fatall Fate my vitall threed was cut And all my Greatnesse in a graue was put Anno Dom. 1399 September 19 Munday Crownes misplaced on vnrightfull heads are commonly lined with
was e're thy siyt King Edwards raigne Yet long before his time I was in value As read in good true written Stories shall you My stamp when Rome did keept the world in awe Was foure swift Steedes that did a Chariot draw Which figur'd that I to and fro should runne An endlesse Iourney that would ne'r be done I am made endlesse round which doth portend Till the world end my Iourney ne'r shall end And men may plainely in my roundnesse see An Emblem of the world rotundity Round is the Globe round is the Hemisphere Rond runs the Moon and Sun each month and yeere Round ran the Empire from th' Assiran Kings Round vnto Persian Greece and Rome it flings Round to great Britame it is come I know Whence hem'd round with the Sea it cannot goe But the maine cause that makes it stay and stand Is where 't is guarded by th' Almighties hand Round from the North to East to South and West All Arts haue still runne round t is manifest The Iewes th' Egyptians Caldies Persians Deuis'd Arts and were Astrologians And true experience doth approue it thus Their knowledge is runne round from them to vs. The age of man goes round a child at first And like a child returnes vnto his dust His body and his limbs his eyes his head All in round formes are made and fashioned The roots the fruits the flowers and the Trees All in a round conformity agrees Our drinking healths run round with nimble quicknes Vntill at last too many healths brings sickenes When store of money to mens hands doe come They say they haue receiu'd a good round summe And when a man doth take a Knaue vp soundly 'T is said he told him of his faults most roundly The Hang-man hangs a Traytor or a Thiefe And is about his businesse round and briefe Round are the dishes where we put our meate Our Cups wherein we drinke are round compleat Round is our Butter round our Cheeses are RouÌ„d are the cloaths which on our backs we weare Beasts fowles and fish that euery where abound Are for the most part euery where made round Round are all wedding Rings implying will Mens cares runne round like horses in a mill Thus hauing plainely shew'd why and wherefore I am made round now to my taske once more About my circle I a Posie haue The Title God vnto the King first gaue The circle that encompasseth my face Declares my Soueraignes Title by Gods grace Vpon my other side is * In English I haue put or placed God my helper POSVI DEVM Whereto is added ADIVTOREM MEVM The which last Poesie Annagrammatiz'd Wisdome admit me power true compriz'd Wisdome at first vpon me did bestowe Such power that for a Shillinh I should goe When Wisdome gaue me power I was then A seruant not a Master vnto men Now Power * Anaagram of the Latine Motto of Posui plac'd into English words Wisdome admit me Power makes me wisedome force perforce Improper like the Cart before the Horse For in this Age so many friends I finde My power 's before and Wisedome comes behinde He that for me and for my kin can rake Hi's wife although a Coxcombe for my sake He that wants me shall be esteem'd an Asse Although he be as wise as e're man was * The Annagram turn'd backward Wisedome comes behind money For there 's such league one in Triplicity Sworne firme betwixt the Deuill the world andâ— That those who to the one true seruants be Are captiue bondslaues vnto aâ—l the three Great sway vpon the earth to vs is giuen Por well we know we ne'r shall come in heau'n And all that in vs take delight and mirth Their onely heau'n is here vpon the earth And couetous they are not in this case Because they couet for no better place So much for that now to my shape againe You see my face is beardlesse smooth and plaine Because my Soueraigne * King Edw. was crowned at nine yeeres of age and dyed before he was sixteene was a child 't is knowne When as he did put on the English Crowne But had my stamp beene bearded as with haire Long before this it had beene worne out bare For why with me the vnthrists euery day With my face downwards do at shoue-boord * Edw. shillings for the most part at vsed at shooue boord play That had I had a beard you may suppose Th 'had worne it off as they haue done my nose Yet doth my bare face sometimes now and than Make a young beardlesse Boy outface a man For any Boy and I doe both agree To outface any man that doth want me A crosse * vpon the crosse of a Twelue-pence I beare vpon my other side A glorious figure of true Christian pride And with that crosse I any man can crosse From wrong to iniury from harme to losse And in me is such working powerfulnesse That those that haue me can both crosse and * Heere I meane generally of money and not simply of our Twelue-pence blesse The English and French Armes the Lyons flowres Shew es France a subiect once to Englands pow'rs And when my Master did respire his breath His sisters Mary and Elizabeth Ordain'd new Twelue-pences with me to ioyne But altred not my badge vpon my Coyne Except a little which King Philip did Which Queene Elizabeth did soone forbid But since the comming of my Soueraigne Iames The badge vpon my * K. Edw. Q. Mary Q. Elizabeth and king Iames all their shillings of equall weight and value and therâ—fore my twelue-pence hath vpon his backe the Royall Aâ—â— here expressed in verse back more worth proclaimes And to mixe state with truth truth with delight Vpon the Armes I carrie thus I write Vpon the Kings Armes THree Lyons Passant borne by former Kings Subdues the Harp quarters the * Ireland flowres of * The Flower de â—â—â— of France France Fourth Lyon Rampant equall honour brings Though hauing power to war doth peace aduance * Lyon of Scotland vnited in great Iames this Royall stile â—â—ng of great Britaine France and Irelands Ile â— Thus Readers hauing printed for your reading â—y birth my rising my estate and breeding â—y Badge my face my Crosse my Annagram â—ow mighty in my great command I am â—ow will tell some trauels I haue had â—â—me as I remember I 'le recite â—â—ould I name all 't were almost infinite â—Ne ask'd the * Diogenes Cinnicke wise Athenian â— The cause why siluer look'd so pale and wan â—o in reply was quicke and answer'd straite â—â— because so many for it lay in waite â—nd did men thinke in what diuersity â—f fashions men for me in waite doe lye â—hey would agree together in a tale â—hat I had reason to looke wan and pale â—haue of Treason bin made Instrument â—â— betray Kingdomes and to circumuent â—â— vndermine and to subuert the states â—f
meanes he saues his Mine which otherwise would be destroyed with the Sea besides he doth make euery weeke ninety or a hundred Tunnes of salt which doth serue most part of Scotland some he sends into England and very much into Germany all which shewes the painfull industry with Gods blessings to such worthy endeauours I must with many thankes remember his courtesie to me and lastly how he sent his man to guide mee tenne miles on the way to Sterling where by the way I saw the outside of a saire and stately house called Allaway belonging to the Earle of Marr which by reason that his Honor was not there I past by and went to Sterling where I was entertained and lodged at one Master Iohn Archibalds where all my want was that I wanted roome to containe halfe the good cheere that I might haue had there hee had me into the Castle which in few words I doe compare to Windsor for situation much more then Windsor in strength and somewhat lesse in greatnesse yet I dare affirme that his Maiesty hath not such another hall to any house that he hath neither in England or Scotland except Westminster Hall which is now no dwelling Hall for a Prince being long since metamorphosed into a house for the Law and the profits This goodly Hall was built by King Iames the fourth that marryed King Henry the eights sister and after was slaine at Flodden field but it surpasses all the Halls for dwelling houses that euer I saw for length breadth height and strength of building the Castle is built vpon a rocke very lofty and much beyond Edenborough Castle in state and magnificence and not much inferiour to it in strength the roomes of it are lofty with carued workes on the seelings the doores of each roome being so high that a man may ride vpright on horsebacke into any chamber or lodging There is also a goodly faire Chappell with Cellers Stables and all other necessary Offices all very stately befitting the Maiesty of a King From Sterling I rode to Saint Iohnston a fine Towne it is but it is much decayed by reason of the want of his Maiesties yeerely comming to lodge there There I lodged one night at an Inne the goodman of the house his name being Petricke Pettcarne where my entertainement was with good cheere good lodging all too good to a bad weary guest Mine Host told me that the Earle of Marr and Sir William Murray of Abercarny were gone to the great hunting to the Brca of Marr but if I made haste I might perhaps finde them at a Towne called Breekin or Breechin two and thirty miles from Saint Iohn stone whereupon I tooke a guide to Breekin the next day but before I came my Lord was gone from thence foure dayes Then I tooke another guide which brought me such strange wayes ouer mountaines and rockes that I thinke my horse neuer went the like and I am sure I neuer saw any wayes the might fellow them I did go through a Countrey called Glaneske where passing by the side of a hill so steepe as the ridge of a house where the way was rocky and not aboue a yard broad in some places so fearefull and horrid it was to looke down into the bottome for if either horse or man had slipt he had fallen without recouery a good mile downe-right but I thanke God at night I came to â— lodging in the Lard of Eggels Land where I lay at an Irish house the folkes not being able to speake scarce any English but I sup'd and went to bed where I had not laine long but I was enforced to rise I was so stung with Irish Musketaes a creature that hath sixe leg and liues like a monster altogether vpon man flesh they doe inhabite and breed most in flâ—â—tish houses and this house was none of the cleanest the beast is much like a louse in England both in shape and nature in a word they were to me the A. and the Z. the Prologue and the Epilogue the first and the last that had in all my trauels from Endenborough and had not this High-land Irish house helped â—â— at a pinch I should haue sworne that all Sealand had not beene so kind as to haue bestowed a Louse vpon me but with a shift that I had I shifted off my Canibals and was neuer mâ—â— troubled with them The next day I trauelled ouer an exceeding high mountaine called mount Skeene where I found the valley very warme before I went to it but when I came to the top of it my teâ—â— beganne to dance in my head with cold like Virginals iacks and withall a most familiar mist embraced me round that I could not see thrice my length any way withall it yeeldest so friendly a deaw that it did moysten thorow all my clothes Where the old Proueriâ—â— of a Scottish Miste was verified in wetting me to the skinne Vp and downe I thinke this hiâ—â— is sixe miles the way so vneuen stony and full of bogges quagmires and long heath that a dogge with three legs will out-runnes horse with foure for doe what we could wee were foure houres before we could passe it Thus with extreme trauell ascending and descending mounting and alighting I came at night to the place where I would be in the â—â—ea of Maâ— which is a large County all composed of such mountaines that Shooters â—hill Gads hill Highgate hill Hampsted hill â—Birdlip hill or Maluernes hills are but Mole-hills in comparison or like a Liuer or a Giâ—â—â—â—â—ard vnder a Capons wing in respect of the altitude of their tops or perpendicularitie of their bottomes There I saw Mount Benawne with a furrd'd mist vpon his snowie head in stead of a nightcap for you must vnderstand that the oldest man aliue neuer saw but the snow was on the top of diuers of those hills both in Summer as well as in Winter There did I finde the truely Noble and Right Honourable Lords Iohn Erskin Earle of Marr Iames Stuarl Earle of Murray George Gordon Earle of Engye sonne and heire to the Marâ—uesse of Huntley Iames Erskin Earle of Bughan and Iohn Lord Erskin sonne and here to the Earle of Marr and their Countesses with my much honoured and my best assured and approued friend Sir William Murray Knight of Abercarny and hundred of others Knights Esquires and their followers all and euery man in generall in one habit as if 〈…〉 had beene there and made Lawes of Equality For once in the yeere which is the whole moneth of August and sometimes part of September many of the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdome for their pleasure doe come into these high-land Countries to hunt where they doe conforme themselues to the habite of the High-land-men who for the most part speake nothing but Irish and in former time were those people which were called the Red-shankes Their habite is shooes with but one sole apiece stockings which they call short hose made of
a warme stuffe of diuers colours which they call Tartane as for breeches many of them nor their forefathers neuer wore any but a ierkin of the same stuffe that their hose is of their garters being hands or wreathes of hay or straw with a plead about their shoulders which is a mantle of diuers colours much finer and lighter stuffe then their hose with blue flat caps on their heads a handkerchiefe knit with two knots about their necke and thus are they attyred Now their weapons are long bowes and forked arrowes Swords and Targets Harquebusses Muskets Durks and Loquhabor-Axes With these Armes I found many of them armed for the hunting As for their attire any man of what degree soeuer that comes amongst them must not disdaine to weare it for if they doe then they will disdaine to hunt or willingly to bring in their Dogges but if men be kind vnto them and be in their habit then are they conquered with kindnesse and the sport will be plentifull This was the reason that I found so many Noblemen and Gentlemen in those shapes But to proceed to the hunting My good Lord of Marr hauing put me into that shape I rode with him from his house where I saw the ruines of an old Castle called the Castle of Kindroghit It was built by King Malcolm Canmore for a hunting house who raigned in Scotland when Edward the Confessor Harold and Norman William raigned in England I speake of it because it was the last house that I saw in those parts for I was the space of twelue dayes after before I saw either House Corne-field or habitation for any creature but Deere wilde Horses Wolues and such like creatures which made mee doubt that I should neuer haue seene a house againe Thus the first day wee traueld eight miles where there were small cottages built on purpose to lodge in which they call Lonquhards I thanke my good Lord Erskin hee commanded that I should alwayes bee lodged in his lodging the Kitchin being alwayes on the side of a banke many Kettles and Pots boyling and many spits turning and winding with great variety of cheere as Venison bak't sodden rost and stu'de Beefe Mutton Goates Kid Hares fresh Salmon Pidgeons Hens Capons Chickins Partridge Moorecoots Heathcocks Caperkellies and Termagants good Ale Sacke White and Claret Tent or Allegant with most potent Aquavitae All these and more then these we had continually in superfluous aboundance caught by Faulconers Fowlers Fishers and brought by my Lords Tenants and Purueyers to victuall our Campe which consisteth of fourteen or fifteene hundred men and horses the manner of the hunting is this Fiue or sixe hundred men doe rise early in the morning and they doe disperse themselues diuers wayes and seuen eight or tenne miles compasse they doe bring or chase in the Deere in many heards two three or foure hundred in a heard to such or such a place as the Noblemen shall appoint them then when day is come the Lords and Gentlemen of their Companies doe ride or goe to the said places sometimes wading vp to the middles through bournes and riuers and then they being come to the place doe lye downe on the ground till those foresaid Scouts which are called the Tinckhell doe bring downe the Deere But as the Prouerbe sayes of a bad Cooke so these Tinckhell men doe like their owne fingers for besides their bowes and arrowes which they carry with them wee can heare now and then a Harquebusse or a Musket goe off which they doe seldome discharge in vaine Then after we had stayed there three houres or thereabouts we might perceiue the Deere appeare on the hills round about vs their heads making a shew like a wood which being followed close by the Tinkhell are chased downe into the valley where we lay then all the valley on each side being way-laid with a hundred couple of strong Irish Grey-hounds they are let loose as occasion serues vpon the heard of Deere that with Dogges Gunnes Arrowes Durkes and Daggers in the space of two houres fourescore fat Deere were slaine which after are disposed of some one way and some another twenty and thirty miles and more then enough left for vs to make merry withall at our Rendez-vous I liked the sport so well that I made these two Sonnets following VVHy should I waste Inuention to endite Ouidian fictions or Olympiam games â—â— My misty Muse enlightned with more light To a more noble pitch her ayme the frames I must relate to my great Master IAMES The Calydonian annuall peacefull warre How noble mindes doe eternize their fames By martiall meeting in the Brea of Marr How thousand gallant Spirits came neere and farre With Swords Targets Arrowes Bowes Guns That all the Troope to men of iudgement are The God of Warres great neuer conquered Sonnes The Sport is Manly yet none bleed but Beasts And last the Victor on the vanquisht feasts IF Sport like this can on the Mountaines be Where Phebus flames can neuer melt the Snow Then let who lift delight in Vales below Skie-kissing Mountaines pleasure are for me What brauer obiect can mans eye-sight see Then Noble Worshipfull and worthy Wights As if they were prepard for sundry fights Yet all in sweet society agree Through heather mosse moÌ„gst frogs bogs fogs 'Mongst craggy cliffes thunder battered hills Hares Hinds Bucks Roes are chas'd by Men dogs Where two houres hunting fourscore fat Deere kills Low land your Sports are low as is your Seate The High-land Games Minds are high and great Being come to our lodgings there was such Baking Boyling Roasting and Stewing aâ— if Cooke Russian had beene there to haue sealded the Deuill in his feathers and after suppâ—â— a fire of Firre-wood as high as an indifferent May-pole for I assure you that the Earle of Marr will giue any man that is his friend for thankes as many Firre trees that are as good as any shippes masts in England as are worth if they were in any place neere the Thames or any other portable riuer the best Earledome in England or Scotland either For I dare affirme hee hath as many growing there as would serue for masts from this time to the end of the world for all the shippes Carackes Hoyes Galleyes Boates Drumlers Barkes and Water-crafts that are now or can be in the world these fourty yeeres This sounds like a lye to an vnbeleeuer but I and many thousands doe knowe that I speake within the compasse of truth for indeede the â—ore is the pitty they doe grow so farre from â—y passage of water and withall in such rockie Mountaines that no way to conuey them is â—â—ssible to bee passable either with Boate â—â—dorse or Cart. Thus hauing spent certaine dayes in hunâ—â—ing in the Brea of Marr wee went to the next County called Bagenoch belonging to the Earle of Engie where hauing such sport and entertainement as we formerly had after foure or â—â—â—â— dayes pastime we
yeeres after the cities of York Rochester and Bathe were burnt Hee reigned 18. yeeres 10 moneths and was buried at Feuersham Henry the second An Dom. 1154. THis King vnto the Empresse Maud was Heyre And lawfully obtain'd the Regall Chayre He was couragious and yet most vnchaste Which Vice his other Vertues all defac'd He lou'd faire Rosamond the worlds faire Rosâ— For which his wife and children turn'd his foes He made his sonne Copartner in his Crowne Who rais'd strong warres to put his Father downe Faire Rosamond at Woodstock by the Queene Was poyson'd in reuengefull iealous spleene In toyle and trouble with his Sonnes and Peereâ— The King raign'd almost fiue and thirty yeeres Hee neere his death did curse his day of birth Hee curst his Sonnes and sadly leâ—t the earth Hee at Founteuerard in his Tombe was laid And his Son Richard next the Scepter swaâ—d Henry the 2. In the 12. yeer of this King an earthquâ—â—â— in Norfolk Suffolk and Eiye that made â—â—â—â—â—â— shaking the sleeples and ouerthrew men that stood on this feete Nicholas Breakespeare an English man was â—â—ope of Rome and was named Adrian the fourth hee gaue â—â—â— Lord-shippe of Ireland to King Henry Richard Cordelion An. Dom. 1189. THis braue victorious Lyon-hearted Prince The foes of Christ in â—â—â—y did conuince Whilst at Ierusalem he wan Renowne His Brother Iohn at home vsurp'd his Crowne And as he home return'd his owne to gaine By Austria's Duke the King was Prisoner â—ane His ransome was an hundred thousand pound Which paid in England he againe was crown'd Yet after nine full yeeres and 9. months raigne Hee with a Shot was kild in Aquitâ—ne His buriall at Founteuerard was thought meet At his dead Fathers second Henries feet Richard the 1. he conquered the kingdome of Cypresse and he tooke from the Infidels the Cities of Acon Ioppa and deliuered them to Christians In his 2. yeere the â—â—s of the renowned King Arthur were found at Glastenbury King Richards bowels were buried at Chalne Castle in Aquitane his heart at Roane and his body at Founteuerard King Iohn An. Dom. 1199. IOhn Earle of Morton tooke the regall Seate His state his toyle his pompe his cares all great The French the Welsh the Scotsh all prou'd his foes The Pope King Iohn did from his Crowne depose His Lords rebel'd from France the Dolphin came And Wasted England much with sword and flame And after seuenteene yeeres were full expir'd King Iohn being poysoned to his graue retir'd King Iohn In the 8. yeere many men Women and cattell â— slainâ— with thunder and many houses burnt and the â—â—â—â— was beaten downe with haile as bigge as goose egges Some say the King was poyson'd by a monke and others â—rite that he died of a surfeit at Newark but his life was full of troubles and after his death he was by base villaines â—â—â—d and lâ—â—t naked without any thing to couer the corpes hee was buried at Worcester Henry the third An. Dom. 1216. Wars bloody wars the French in England made Strong holds Towns Towres Castles they inuade â—â—t afterwards it was K. Henries chance By force perforce to force them backe to France Great discord 'twixt the King and Barons were â—nd factions did the Realme in pieces teare A world of mischiefes did this Land abide And fifty sixe yeeres raign'd the King and dy'd Henry the 3. This King was born at Winchester crowned at Glocester buried at Westminster In the 17. of his reigne on the 8. of Aprill 1233. there were 5 Sonnes in the firmament and the naturall Sun was as red as blood Edward Long-â—hanks An. Dom. 1271. THis was a hardy wise Victorious King The Welshmen he did to subiection bring He Scotland wan and brought from thence by fate Their Crowne their Scepter Chaire and Cloth of state That Kingdome with oppression sore he brusde Much tyranny and bloodshed there he vsde When thirty fiue yeeres he the Crowne had kept At Westminster he with his Father slept Edward the 1. In the 13. yeere his sonne Edward was borne at Carnaruan who was the first sonne of any King of England that was Prince of Wales Edward of Carnaruan An. Dom. 1307. THe hard mis-haps that did this King attend The wretched life and lamentable end Which he endur'd the like hath ne'r bin seene Depos'd and poyson'd by his cruell Queene Which when the poyson had no force to kill Another way she wrought her wicked will Into his Fundament a red hot Spit Was thrust which made his Royall heart to split In his 8. yeere such a death that dogges and horses were good food many ate their owne children and old prisoners tore such as were newly committed in pieces and deuoured them halfe liuing The King reigned 19. yeeres 6. moneths Edward the third An. Dom. 1326. IN Peace and warre this King was right good He did reuenge his murdred Fathers blood Hee and the blacke Prince his most valiant Sonne The Field at Cressle and at Poytiers wonne At first and last in his victorious raigne Of French and Scots were six score thousand slaine And more his glory further to aduance He tooke the Kings of Scotland and of France The noble order of the Garter he At Windsor instituted caus'd to be When fifty yeeres this Land had him obaid At Westminster he in his tombe was laid In his 12. yeere he quartered the Armes of England and France as they are at this day Henry Pichard Vintuer in his Moralâ—y feasted at once Edward King of England Dauid King of Scotland Iohn King of France the King of Cypres the Prince of Wales the Dolphin of France with many other great Personages of Honour and Worship Richard the second An. Dom. 1377. YOng King rash coâ—sell lawes right neglected The good put downe the bad in State erected The Court with knaues flat'rers here did swarm The Kingdome like a Farme was let to Farme The Commons tost in Armies Routes and throngs And by soule treason would redresse soule wrongs In this Kings raigne began the Ciuill warre Vnnaturally 'twixt Yorke and Lancaster Oppression on oppression breedes Confusion Bad Prologue bad Proceeding bad Conclusion King Richard twenty two yeeres raign'd misse-led Deposed and at Poâ—â—râ—s knock'd ith'head This King was Grandchild to Edward the 3. and sonne to the black Prince he was borne at Burdeux in France and was but 11. yeeres old when he was crowned so that all his miserable Calamity may be imputed to him not hauing or not regarding good counsell Henry the fourth An. Dom. 1399. THe Crown wrong got froÌ„ the wrong'doing king More griefe then ioy did to King Henry bring France England Scotland Wales arose in Armes And menac'd Henry with most fierce Alarmes Hot Percy Dowglas Mortimer Glendowre At Shrewsbury the King orethrew their power He fourteene yeeres did raigne and then did dye At Canterbury buried he doth lye Henry the 4. Hee began his reigne the 29. of September 1399. and the 14.
of February following king Richard the 2. being in prison at Poâ—â—fret-Castle â—â—â— murdered The raigne of King Henry was accâ—â—â—â—â— warre and trouble Henry the fift An. Dom. 1412. THis was a King Renowned neere and farre A Mars of men a Thunderbolt of warre At Agencourt the French were ouerthrowne And Henry heyre proclaim'd vnto that Crowne In nine yeeres raigne this valiant Prince wan more Then all the Kings did after or before Intomb'd at Westminster his Carkas lyes His soule did like his Acts ascend the skies Henry the 5. In his 3. yeere hee past the sea with 1000. saile of Ships and Veâ—â—els into France His tombe or â—â—â—â— was couered with siluer but this yrâ—n age â—â—th â—â—â—â—â—â— Henry the sixt An. Dom. 1422. THis Infant Prince scarce being nine moneths old The Realmes of France and England he did hold But he vncapable through want of yeeres Was ouer-gouern'd by mis-gouern'd Peeres Now Yorke and Lancaster with bloudy wars Both wound this kingdome with deep deadly scars Whilst this good King by Yorks oppos'd depos'd Expos'd to dangers is captiu'd inclos'd His Queene exilde his sonne and many friends Fled murdred slaughtred lastly Fate contends To crowne him once againe who then at last Was murdred thirty nine yeeres being past King Edward the sixt being 10. yeers old was crowned King of France in Paris but with the strife betwixt the Nobility and the Commons in England the most part of France was lost againe which was neuer recouered â—â—â—â—â— Edward the fourth An. Dom. 1460. EDward the 4. the house of Yorks great heire By bloudy wars attain'd the Regall Chaire The poore King Henry into Scotland fled And foure yeeres there was royally cloath'd and fed Still good successe with him was in the wane â—â—e by King Edwardâ—â— power at last was tane Yet yet before the tenth yeere of his reigne Hence Edward fled and Henry crown'd againe By Warwicks meanes sixe moneths he held the same Till Edâ—ward backe in armes to England came And fighting stoutly made this kingdome yeeld And slew great Warwicks Earle at Barnot field Thus Ciuill wars on wars and broyles on broyles And England against England spils and spoyles Now Yorke then Lancaster then Yorke againe â—uels Lancaster thus ioy griefe pleasure paine â—â—oth like inconstant waters â—bbe and flow Ones rising is the others ouerthrow King Edward twenty two yeeres rul'd this Land And lies at Windsor where his Tombe doth stand Edward the 4. In the first yeere on Palme-sunday 1460. there was a battell fought betwixt King Edward and King Henry neere Todcaster wherein were sâ—aine of English-men on both sides 53000 700 and 11. persons The bloudy victory fell to King Edward In the 10. yeere of his reigne he was forced to forsake this Land whereby King Henry was restored againe to the Crowne But shortly after Edward returned and Henry was murthered Edward the fifth An. Dom. 1483. HIgh birth blood state and innocent in yeeres Eclips'd and murdred by insulting Peeres This King was neuer crown'd short was his raigne For to be short hee in short space was slaine Edward the 5. Within 3. moneths after the death of his father hee and his brother Richard Duke of Yorke were depriued both of their liues and he of the Crowne by their tyrannous Unkle Richard Duke of Gloster Richard the third An. Dom. 1483. BY Treason mischiefe murder and debate Vsurping Richard wonne the royall state Vnnaturally the children of his brother The King and Duke of Yorke he caus'd to smother For Sir Iames Tirrell Dighton and Blacke â—ill Did in the Tower these harmlesse Princes kill Buckinghams Duke did raise King Richard high And for reward he lost his head thereby A fellow to this King I scarce can finde His shape deform'd and crooked like his minde Most cruell tyrannous inconstant stout Couragious hardy t' abide all dangers out Yet when his sinnes were mellow ripe and full Th' Almighties iustice then his plumes did pull By bloudy meanes he did the kingdome gaine And lost it so at Bosworth being slaine This Richard was neuer a good subiect but when he had got the Crowne be striued by all meanes to be a good King for in his Short reigne of two yeeres two moneths he made very profitable Lawes which are yet in force by which it may be perceiued how willing he was to redeeme his mis-spent time Henry the seuenth An. Dom. 1485. VVHen Ciuill wars full fourescore yeers more Had made this kingdome welter in her Gore When eightie of the royall blood were kild That Yorke and Lancasters crosse faction held Then God in mercy looking on this Land Brought in this Prince with a triumphant band The onely Heire of the Lancastrian line Who graciously consented to combine To ease poore England of a world of mone And make the red Rose and the white but one By Marriage with Elizabeth the faire Fourth Edwards daughter and Yorks onely heire But Margret Burgunds dutches storm'd frown'd That th' heire of Lancaster in state was crown'd A counterfeit one Lambert she suborn'd Being with Princely ornaments adorn'd To claime the State in name of Clarence sonne Who in the Tower before to death was done Wars'gainst the French King Henry did maintaine And Edward braue Lord Wooduile there was slaine Northumberlands great Earle for the Kings right Was slaine by Northerne rebels in sharpe fight The King besiedged Boloigne but a Peace The French king fought and so the siedge did cease Still Burgunds Dutchesse with inueterate hate Did seeke to ruine Henries Royall state She caus'd one Perkin Warbacke to put on The name of Richard Edwards murdred sonne Which Richard was the youngest of the twaine Of Edwards sonnes that in the Tower was slaine The King at last these traitors did confound And Perkin for a counterfeit was found Sir William Stanley once the Kings best friend At Tower hill on a Scaffold had his end On Blacke Heath Cornish rebels were o'rthrowne A Shoomaker did claime King Henries Crowne The Earle of Warwicke lost his haplesse head And Lady Katherine did Prince Arthur wed But ere sixe moneths were fully gone and past In Ludlow Castle Arthur breath'd his last King Henry built his Chappell from the ground At Westminster whose like can scarce be found Faire Margret eldest daughter to our King King Iames the fourth of Scotland home did bring Where those two Princes with great pompe and cheare In State at Edenborough married were But as all Mortall things are transitory So to an end came Henries earthly glory Twenty three yeeres and 8. months here he swaid And then at Westminster in 's Tombe was laid He all his Life had variable share Of Peace Warre Ioy Griefe Royaltie and Care In his I. yeere in 7. weekes space there dyed in London 2. Maiors and 6. Aldermen besides many hundred others of a strange sweating sicknesse 1485. Anno Reg. 12. at Saint Needâ— in Beafordshire there fell hail-stones 18. inches about King Iames the 4. of Scotland married Margret
eldest daughter to Henry the 7. from whom our graciâ—â—â— soueraigne is â—ineally descended Henry the eight An. Dom. 1509. FRom both the Lines and both the Ioynes did spring Of York Lancaster this mighty King Katherine that was his brothers wife of late He tooke to wife and crown'd her Queene in state Empson and Dudley lost their heads at Tower For racking the poore Commons by their power Warres dreadfull wars arose 'twixt vs and French Lord Edward Howard drowned by mis-chance At Brest he was high Admirall in fight Cast ouerboord dy'd like a valiant Knight In England Suffolks Duke did lose his head The King to Turwin did an army lead Turney he wonne with his victorious blade King Iames of Scotland England did inuade But Surries Earleâ— the Scotsh King ouercame Who lost life there but wonne immortall fame Now Cardinall Wolsey in the Kings high Grace Was rais'd to honours from great place to place Lordship on Lordship laid vpon his backe Vntill the burthen was the bearers wracke The Duke of Buckingham his head did lose And Laâ—ber stoutly did the Pope oppose â—â—finde ignorance that long had look'd awry Began to see Truth with a clearer eye And then the King inspir'd with seruent Zeale Reformed both the Church and Common weale â—â—â—â—â— with his power Omnipotent Did make this King his gracious Instrument â—â—T'vnmaske his Truth from Antichristian fables And purge this wofull Land from Babels bables This king at Boloigne was victorious â—â— peace and warre Magnifique Glorious â—â— his rage bounty he did oft expresse His Liberality to bee excesse â—â—â— Reuels Iusts and Turnies he spent more Then fiue of his Fore-fathers did before His Auarice was all for Noble fame Amongst the Worthies to inrole his Name A valiant Champion for the Faiths defence Was the great Title of this mightie Prince â—â—â—â— wiues he had 3 Kates 2. Aunes one Iane Two were diuorc'd two at the blocke were slaine One sonne and two faire daughters he did leaue Who each from other did the Crowne receiue The first was Edward Mary next whose death Left State and Realme to Queene Elizabeth He thirty eight yeeres kept this Royall Roome At windsor hee 's enter'd without a Tombe Lâ—â—th Edenbourgh and diuers other parts of Scotland were spoyled by Sir Iohn Dudley Lord Viscount â—sle Lord high Admirall of England with a Navy of 200 tall Ships Anno 1544. King Henry went to Boloigne hee â—â—â—â— France the 13. of Iuly and into Boloigne the 25. of September in which yeere were taken 300. French â—hips for prices Edward the sixt An. Dom. 1546. HAd this Kings reigne bin long as it was good Religion in a peaceable state had stood What might haue his age bin when his blest youth â—o valiantly aduanc'd Gods sacred truth At nine yeeres age the Crowne on him hee tooke And ere sixteene he Crowne and life for sooke Too good for earth th' Almighty tooke his spirit And Westminster his Carkas doth inherit In his 5. yeere a strange Earth-quake did much harmâ— in diuers places of Surry and a sweating sicknesse generally ouer England that dispatched those that were in good health in 12. houres or 24. at the most In one weeke there dyed of it in London 806. the most of them being men of best strength Queene Mary An. Dom. 1553. AFter a while this Queene had worne the Crown Idolatry was rais'd and Truth put downe The Masse the Images the Beades and Altars By tyrannie by fire and sword and Halters Th'vngodly bloudy Antichristian sway Men were force perforce forced to obey Now burning Bonner London Bishop he Was from the Maâ—sâ—al-sea againe â—â— free Iohn Dudley great Duke of Northumberland And Sir Iohn Gates dyed by the Headsmans hand With them Sir Thomas Palmer likewise dy'd Hoping for heau'n through â—â—â—â—â— Crucified In Latine Seruice must be sung and said Because men should not know for what they praâ—'d The Emp'rors sonne great Philip King of Spaine A marriage with Queene Mary did obtaine Against which match Sir Thomas Wyat rose With powers of Kent the Spaniards to oppose But Wyat was or'throwne his armie fled And on the Tower hill after lost his head Lord Gray the Duke of Suffolke also dy'd An Axe his Corps did from his head diuide A little after the Lord Thomas Gray The Dukes owne brother went that headlesse way A Millers sonne assum'd King Edwardâ— name And falsely in that name the Crowne did claime But he was tane and iustly whip'd and tortur'd And claiming it once more was hang'd quarterd King Philip won Saint Quintins with great cost But after to our shame was Callice lost Callice was lost which threescore yeeres and ten Had beene a Garrison for Englishmen Thus by Gods mercy Englands Queene did dye And England gain'd much ease and rest thereby Fiue yeeres and 4. months was her bloudy reigne And all her glory doth one graue containe Though of her selfe this Queene was well inclin'd Bad-minded counsell altred much her minde She married Philip King of Spaine on Saint Iames his day 1554. at Winchester Callice was won by Edward the 3. in the 21. of his reigne 1347. and it was lost the I. of Ianuary 1557. after the English-men had possest it 210. yeeres August 7. 1558. a tempest neere Nottingham beat downe 2. Townes and Churches and cast the Bels to the further side of the Church-yard threw whole sheetes of Lead 400. foot into the fields where they were crumpled together like burns parchment the streame and mud of the Riuer of Trent was blowne a-land a quarter of a mile a childe blowne out of a mans hand 100. foot and kild there fell hayle 15. Inches about Queene Elizabeth An. Dom. 1558. A Debora a Iudith a Susanna A Virgin a Virago a Diana Couragious Zealous Learned Wise and Chasle With heauenly earthly gifts adorn'd and grac'd Victorious glorious bountious gracious good And one whose vertues dignifi'd her bloud That Muses Graces Armes and liberall Arts Amongst all Queens proclaim'd her Queen of hearts She did repurifie this Land once more From the infection of the Romish whore Now Abbies Abbots Fri'rs Monks Nuns Stews Masses and Masse-priests that mens soules abuse Were all cast downe Lamps Tapers Relikes Beads And Superstitions that mans soule misse-leads All Popish pardons Buls Consessions With Crossings Cristening bels Saints Intercessions The Altars Idols Images downe cast All Pilgrimage and Superstitious Fast Th'acknowledging the Pope for supreme head The holy water and the god of bread The mumbling Mattins and the pickpurse Masse These bables this good Queene did turne to grasse She caus'd Gods seruice to be said and sung In our owne vnderstanding English tongue In Scotland and in France fierce warres she held The Irish she subdu'd when they rebeld The Netherlands her name doe still admire And Spaine her like againe doth not desire When forty foure yeers reigne was past and gone She chang'd her earthly for a heauenly Throne At Greenwich she was borne at Richmond dy'd At
was kil'd by a Deere his son K. William Rusus kil'd for a Deer Henry his grandchilde strucke into the iawes with a bough and hanged so till he was found dead Neuerthlesse he built many Abbies Priories Garisons Houses and Caslles amongst the which the Towre of London was one He died at Roane 1087 September 9. he was not onely robd and risted of all his goods and Kingly ornaments and riches but barbarously stripped and left naked on the floore not hauing any one to attend his carcasse but for saken of all Such is the frailty and misery of earthly greatnesse Lastly he had much adoe to get a graue which in the end with great difficulty was purchased for him at Cane in Normandy WILLIAM THE IJ Surnamed RVFVS KING OF ENGLAND And DVKE OF NORMANDY VVHat my triumphant Father wan I held I pill'd poll'd this Kingdom more then he Great Tributes from my people I compeld No place in Church or Common-wealth was freee But alwaies those that would giue most to me Obtain'd their purpose being wrong or right The Clergy I enforced to agree To sell Church-plate and Chalices out-right Vntill at last by the Almighties might My Kingly power and force was forcelesse made My glorious pompe that seem'd t'eclips mens sight Did vanish by a glance by chance and fade For hunting in new-forrest voyd of feare A Subiect flew me shooting at Decre Anno 1087. September 26. being Sunday William the second surnamed Rufus by â—â— son of his ruddy or red colour was crowned at Westminster by Lanfrank Archbishop of Canâ—â—terbury his elder brother Robert being Duke â—â— Normandy who likewise claimed the Crowne â—â— he was pacified with the mediation of the friends â—â— William and the promise of 3000 markes a yeere â— Robert departed this Land after is had beene â—â— wasted with their contentions Then after little breathing time the Welsh arose in Armes and Malcolme King of Scots Inuaded England burning and spolying as farre as Chester â—â— soone as the peace was made betwixt the King William and Malcolme the two brothers William and Robert sell at oddes again and again are appeased After that Malcolme King of Scoâ—â—â— made an inroad into England againe whom Roâ—bert Moubray Earle of Northumberland lyâ—â— in ambush suddenly slew in which action Edwâ—â— King Malcolms sonne likewise was slaine Afâ—â— which the third time the 2 brothers Robert â—â— William sell againe at variance and after â—â— trouble are againe reconciled Then Duke Robertâ—â— goeth to Ierusalem and conquers it In the yeere 1099. the Schisme began there beeing 2 Popes â— at Rome the other at Auigniou in France The K. William was as valiant a prince as the warâ— yeelded and a great opposer of the indirect coursâ—â— the see of Rome Many fearefull things happened in his reigne as earthquakes dreadfull lightning and Apparitions Blazing Commets in strangeâ— gures Inundations Deluges to the destruction is people and much land ouerwhelmed with theâ—neuer to be recouered amongst the which â—â— Goodwins lands were drowned and are now câ—â—â— Goodwin sands At Finchamsted in Barkinâ— there was a Well of blood which flowed 15 dayes When this King had reigned neere 13 years he was vnfortunately slaine by a French Knight S t Water Tirrell and brought to Winchester in a Câ—liers cart and there buried Anno 1100 Angâ—â—â— HENRY THE FIRST Surnamed BEAVCLARKE KING OF ENGLAND And DVKE OF NORMANDY MY Father and my Brother Kings both gone With acclamations Royall I was crown'd Had hauing gain'd the Scepter and the Throne I with the name of Beauclarke was renown'd The English Lawes long lost I did refound False waights and measures I corrected true The power of Wales in fight I did confound And Normandy my valour did subdue Yet I vnmindfull whence these glories grew My eldest Brother Robert did surprise Detain'd him and vsurp'd his Royall due And most vnnat ' rally pluckt out his eyes Kings liue like Gods but yet like men they dye All must pay Natures due and to did I. Anno 1100. August I Wednesday Henry the I a Prince of incomparable wisdom learning for which indowments he was surnamed Beauclark he mollified the seuentty of his Father and brother lawes he cashierd and punished all flatrers parasites froÌ„ his Court but his elder brother Robert Duke of Normandy hearing of the death of his brother Rufus makes haste from is Conquest and Kingdome of Ierusalem if hee had pleased and comming into England landed at Portsmouth claiming the Crowne but by aduice of the Nobles on either part it was agreed that King Henry should pay vnto Duke Robert 3000 markes yeerely but by the instigation of some discontented persons the two brothers disagree againe and in the fift yeere of King Henry Duke Robert landed in England again then there was a â—ayned peace made between them which in the 7 yeere of this king was broken and in the 8 yeere King Henry tooke his brother Duke Robert and caused his eyes to be put out Thus iust the same day forty yeers that the Duke of Normandy conquered England that very day did this Henry the first King of England conquer Normandy Henry the fourth Emperour of Germany marryed Maude the Daughter of king Henry This King was the first thai ordained the High court of Parliament In the yeare 1020. Prince William the sonne of king Henry of the age of 17 crossing the Seas from France towards England with his wife the Duke of Anious daughter and his sister Maud the Lady Lucy a Neece of the Kings the Earle of Chester with diuers other Noblemen Ladies and others to the number of 160 were all most miserably drown'd not any of them saued but a poor Butcher The king hauing no children left but his daughter Maude the Empresse The Emperor her Husband beeing dead she came into England to whom the king her father caused his Nobles to sweare allegeance as to his lawfull heire after his decease which Empresse after was married to Ieffrie Plantagenet Earle of Aniou The King after many troubles with the French Welsh Scots and Englsih with forraigne and Ciuill warres vnfortunate and vntimely losse of children and friends after 35 yeeres reigns he dyed at Saint Dennis in Normandy whose corpes were brought into England and buried at Reding 1135. STEPHEN KING OF ENGLAND AND DVKE OF NORMANDY BY wrested Titles and vsurping claime Through storms tempests of tumultuous wars The Crowne my fairest marke and foulest ayme I wonne and wore beleaguerd round with iars The English Scots and Normans all prepares Their powers exposing to oppose my powers Whilst this land ladeo and o'rwhelm'd with cares Fndures whilst war wo want and death deuoures But as yeers months weeks days decline by houres Houres into minutes minutes into nought My painfull pompe decai'd like fading flowers And vnto nought was my Ambition brought Thus is the state of transitory things Ther 's nothing can be permanent with Kings Anno 1135. December 26. Munday On Saint Stephens
Sword and Flame â—â—d almost all that Kingdome ouer-run â—â—ll where I fought triumphantly I won â—hrough Blood and Death my glory I obtain'd â—â— in the end when all my Acts were done â—â— Sepulcher was all the game I gain'd For though great Kings contend for earthly sway Death binds them to the peace and parts the fray An. Dom. 1272. Nouember Wednesday Edward the first was 35 yeares old when he beganne to reigne but at the death of his Father he was in warres in the Holy Lâ—â—d against the Saracens So that he returned not home till the next yeere a â—time hee was crowned the 14 day of December in the second yeere of his reigne the â—â—â—â—minsâ—ty of â—â—â— Coroâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—â— performed by Robert Kâ—lwarby Arâ—â—â—â—â—â— of Canterbury at Westminster Thus King brought Wales wholy vnto subsection to the crowne of England he effect â—â—â—â— peace be caused all coâ—â—â—â—tred Iudges and Officers of Note to be must exemplertly pâ—â—nâ—â—ea with sines â—â— priâ—â—men and bantshment A Nauy of 60 English sâ—â—ps ouâ—â—â—ams and tooke 800 ships of France An. 1293. Sir William Wallace A Noble vaâ—â—â—ant Scoâ— aâ—d warrâ— vpon King Edward and in the seruice of his Countrey did much â—â—â—â—â—â— to England The King caâ—â—â— this Sonne Edward being an inâ—â—rt to be the first Prince of Wales that was of toâ— English blood Since when all the Kings of Englands elaest Sonnes are by right Princes of Wales 284 Iewes were executed for â—â—â—ptes of the Kings coyne An 1280. King Edward caused Bayâ—trds Castle to be buils in London now the mansion house of the Right Honourable Earle of Pembâ—â—â—â— In the 15 yeers of this kings reigne Wheate was sold for 3 d the Bâ—sheâ— and the next yeere being 1288 it was sold for 18 d the Bushâ—â— which in those dâ—â—ies was accouÌ„ted a great price but after as long as The King liued the price came to 5â— the Bashell King Edwards Armiâ—â—â—ew 70000 of the Scots in one day as the â—â—ttâ—k of Fauâ—â—rke Sir William Wallace was betrayed taken and brought out of Scotland and executed in Smithfield has head being set on London Bridge and his quarters sent into Scotland yes be is by â—â—â—â—â— men had in Honorable remembrance The warres â—â—â— so set in this Kings reigne betwixt him and the Scots that as â—enerall times there were more then 130000 men slaine on both parts yet amongst all our English Kings that past before him Edward was not inferiour today he was religious valiant victorious wise affable of a comely Maâ—estmall Aspect and proportion he had two wiues the first was Eleanor daughter to Ferdinand the third King of Castile the second was Margaret daughter to Philip surnamed Hardy King of France by them hee had 4 Sonnes and 10 Daughters bee reigned neere 35 yeeres and was burried at Westminster 1307. July 7. EDWARD THE II KING OF ENGLAND LORD OF IRELAND DVKE OF AQVITAINE c. SOone after was my fathers corps inter'd Whilst Fate and Fortune did on me attend And to the Royall Throne I was prefer'd With Aâ—e Ceaser euery knee did bend But all these fickle ioyes did fading end Peirce Gaueston to thee my loue combind My friendship to thee scarce left me a friend But made my Queene Peeres People all vnkind I tortur'd both in body and in mind Was vanquisht by the Scots at Bannocki Rourne And I enfor'cd b flight some safety find Yet taken by my Wife at my returne A red-hot Spit my Bowels through did gore Such misery no slaue endured more Anno Dom. 1307 Iuly 8. Edward the second surnamed Carnaruan â—… cause he was born at Carnaruan Castle is Wales was crowned at Westminster by the hands of William Bishop of Winchester deputy for Robert Archbishop of Canterbury then absent in exile â—â— 24 of February next following He was much â—â—â—â—cted to follow the aduice and counsell of light â—â—â—â— which caused the Nobility to rebel against him â—â—â— at the first he ouercame them and tooke Thomas Earle of Lancaster a Peers of the blood their chief Leader fate in iudgment himself on him at Pomfret where the Earle had iudgment giuen against him to be drawne for is Treason for his murder spoyle burning robberies to be hangd and for his shamefull flying away to be beheaded but because â—â—â— was of the Kings kindred he was only beheaded â—â—â— the last such of the Barons as had escap'd â—â—â— the Mortimers with the helpe of the Queene â—â—â— the yong Prince then come out of France newly tooke the King and imprisoned him neuer â—â—â— kingdome in more â—â—sery then this Kings â—â—â— for his immoderate loue to Peirce Gauâ—â—â—â— a meane Gentleman of France was the cause of the Kings and has owne destruction with the â—â—â— calamity of the â—â—â—â—â— kingdom This Gaueston â—â—â— banished hence by the Kings father was in â—â—â— times exil'd but at his third â—â—â—rne Guy â—â—â— Watwick took him in Warwick Castle â—â—â— his head to be snore off which so inraged the â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—ing King that bee vowed reuenge vpon all â—â—â— Lords others who were the causers of Gauestâ— death in the meane space Robert Bruce King Scots gaue King Edward a mighty ouerâ—â—â— place cal'd Bannocksbourne where the English â—â—â— their confederates Hollanders Brabanders â—â—â— landers Flemings Picards Gascognes â—â—â— mans Poloiners wer in number ooooo â—â—â— foot yet were discomfited with the losse of 5000 â—â—â— the King in great danger to be taken famine foul and pestilence at once afflicted England so that â—â—â— ple did eat one another halfe-aliue and the â—â—â— scarce able to bury the deed The King prepares for reuenge against his Lords for Gaueston â—â—â— Hugh Dispencer from meane estate to be â—â—â— Chamberlaine The King caused 2â— of his â—â—â— suffer death diuers â—â—â—â—â—â— He makes a second â—â—â— against Scotland â—â—â—â— againe with great â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â— This was the miserable â—â—â— this King who was deposed the Spencers â—â—â— Edward reign'd 19 years 7 months and 17 days EDWARD THE IIJ KING OF ENGLAND And FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND IN Peace and War my Stars auspicious stood False Fortune stedfast held her wauering wheele I did reuenge my Fathers butcher'd blood I forced France my furious force to feele I warr'd on Scotland with triumphing Steele Afflicting them with slaughtering Sword and Fire That Kingdome then diuided needs must reele Betwixt the Bruces and the Balliols ire Thus daily still my glory mounted higher With black Prince Edward my victorious Sonne Vnto the top of honour wee alpire By manly Princely worthy actions done But all my Triumphs fortunes strength and force Age brought to death death turn'd to a Coarse Anno 1327 Ianuary 25 Saturday Edward the 3 being borne at Windsor being 15 yeers old was crowned by Walter Reignolds Arcbishop of Canterbury â— in his 2 yeere Edward his Father was murthred The Court in those daies was seldome without a vipeÌ„ for as Gaueston was the foreruÌ„ner of the Spencers in ambition rapine pride and confusion So the Spencers were the
sword or Royall Scepter being a most vnfortunate Prince in all his worldly attempts the Peers in England bandied factions against each other the Duke of York claimed the Crowne the coÌ„mons of Kent vnder the leading of their captiain lack Cade being in number 50000 came to London the Rebels murdered the Bishop of Sali bury and beheaded the Lord Say at the standard in Cheape the King was taken prisoner by the Duke of Yorke at the bartell of Saint Albans the French with 15000 men landed at Sandwich spoyled the Towne fierd it stew the Maior with all in authority there and likewise hauing burnt and pillaged many other places in Deâ—onâ—â—â—â—shire and the West they departed Queene Margaret the wife to King Henry the 6 met the Duke of Yorke with an Army neere Wakefield where the victory fell to the Queen the Duke being slaine with his son the Earle of Rutland and many others Thus for the space of 60 yeeres the three Kings Henries the 4,5 and 6 kept the Crowne in the Lancastrian line the house of Yorke got the soueraignty King Henry hauing reign'd 38 yeers â— months 4 daies he was ouercome by King Edward at a place called Mortimers Crosse neere Ludlow more of this vnfortunate Prince shall be spoken in the reigne of the next King Edward EDWARD THE IIIJ KING OF ENGLAND And FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND c. I Yorkes great heire by fell domesticke Warre Inthroaned was vn-King'd and re-inthroan'd Subiecting quite the house of Lancaster Whilst wofull England ouer-burthen'd groan'd Old Sonlesse Sires and Childlesse Mothers moan'd These bloody broyles had lasted three score yeares And till the time we were in peace attoan'd It walked fourescore of the Royale Peeres But age and time all earthly things out-weares Through terrours horrors mischiefe and debate By trult by treason by hopes doubts and feares I got I kept I left and Lost the State Thus as disposing heauens doe smile or frowne So Cares or Comforts wait vpon a Crowne Edward the fourth was Earle of March some and heire to Richard Duke of Yorke sonne to Richard Earl of Cambridge sâ—nto Edmund of langley â—â—â— of York 4 sento Edward the 3 King of England This King Edward the fourth Was borne at Roane is Normandy and in the yeere 1461 the 29 of Iune heeâ—â— crowned at Westminister by the hands of Thomas Bourgchier Arcbishop of Canterbury Henry the fixt hauing a great power in the Norâ—â— was â—â—â— and encountred by King Edward neere Towton on Palmssunday where betâ—â—â—xt the two Kings was fought aâ—â—â—â— battell which continued ten houers in which cruell conflict the English ground dranke the sangkired â—â—â—â— of â—â—â— 37000 of her naturall englishmen after â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â— as Hexam by the Lord Montracute King Henry was again put to fight with great lesse be was afterwardâ—â—â— disquid'd â—â—â—â—â—isoned â—â— the Towre of London Edward new supposed all was well his minde was on mâ—â—rujâ— wherefore he sent Richard Neuill The great King â—â— ker Exâ—le of Warwich into France so treate forth Lady Bona sister to the French Quene but with meane space King Edward prouâ—ed himselfe man home and was married to the Lady Elizabeth Gray â—â—â— match was so deslatefull to Warwick that hee â—â—â—â—â—â— fals aff from King Edward after which he took the King Prisoner but he escaping againe fled beyend the Saw The Earle of Warwick tooke King Henry out of the Tâ—â—nt and caused him againe to be crowned King Edward landed agains in England at Bornet sâ—ld tra 〈…〉 London his Army was met by the Earles of Warwick and Oxford King Henry being them againe â—â—â—â—â—â—â— sâ—â—er where was fought a fierce battell where Edward was Vector the Earle of Warwicke with â—â—â—â— Nâ—â—â—â— men were slaintâ— and comment on eath sides 10000 King Henry was againe committed to the Tonre Edward Prince of Wales the son of Henry the first wasâ—â—â— the battel of Tewxbury murdred by Richard â—â—â— of Gloecether Soon after the bastard Lord â—â—â— vaised an Army of 17000 men against King Edward but the bastard was soons supprest and the most â—â—â—â—â— King Edward the fixt freed from his longâ—â—â— being murdred by the bloody hands of Richard â—â—â— of Glocester The King bâ—â—ing through must â—â—â— â—â—â— peacs â—â—â— himselfe â—â—â—â—â—â— Iane Shore his Combine â—â—â— pleasures were mixed with greife for his â—â—â— George Duke of Clarence who was â—â—â— of Malmsey the Towre of London 1475. â—â—â— of Scotland threatned was against England Richard Duke of Glocester was some against the Scots â—â—â—â—â—â— king Edward â—â—â— haning â—â—â— Aprill 9 1483 â—â—â— at Windsor EDWARD THE V KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND IF birth if beauty innocence and youth Could make a Tyrant feele one sparke of grace My crooked Vncle had beene mou'd to ruth Beholding of my pitty-pleading face But what auailes to spring from roy all Race What suerty is in beauty strength or wit What is command might eminence and place When Treason lurkes where Maiesty doth sit My haplesse selfe had true false proofe of it Nipt in my bud and blasted in my bloome Deprâ—'d of life by murther most vnfit And for three Kingdoms could not haue one tombe Thus Treason all my glory ouer-topt And â—â—â— the Fruit could spring the Tree was lop't Edward the fifth borne in the Sanctuary at Westminster Sonne of King Edward the fourth beganne his short reigne ouer the Realâ—â—â— of England at the age of â—3 yeeres but â—â—y the cunning dealing of Richard ' Duke of Gloucester his vnnaturall Vnckle he was neuer crowned â—â—â— young King with his younger brother Richard Duke of Yorke was at London with his mother and in the guidance of his Vnckle by the mothers side named Sir Anthony Wooduill Lord Riuers but by the â—â—â— and crafty dealing of the Duke of Glouster all the Queene kindred were remoued from the King and the Lord Riuers sent from Northampton to Pomfret with others whence they were imprisoned and beheaded The protector Richard hauing the King in his keeping and power his onely â—ynâ—â— was next how to get into his hands â—â—â— person of Richard Duke of Yorke the Kings brother whom the Queene their mother kept close in the Sanctuarie at Westminster which Prince was gotten from the said Sanctuary by the â—â— till plots and perswation of the Lord protector and the Duke of Buckingham The poore innocent Lambs being as it were put into the greedy Iawes of the Wolfe their rauenous Vnckle for safegard and protection and at the first approach of Richard Duke of York into his Vnckles presence he was entertained in all seeming reuerence with a Iudas kisse by his Vnckle The Duke of Buckingham was promised by the Protector for his trusty seruices to him in heloâ—â—â— him to the person of this Prince and for his future seruices to ayde him in his vnlawsfull attaining the Crowne of England that Gloucesters Sonne should be married to Buckinghams daughter and netball that Buckingham should haue the Earledome of Hertford with many other
golden promises which were neuer performed but with the taking of Buckinghams head at shaâ—â—â—â—â— after specified Now mischiefe beganne to 〈…〉 the Queene was accused of sorcery by the Potector Hastings Lord Chamberlaine was beheaded suddenly without either crime or â—â—â— in the Towre Poore Iane Shore was also taken and carried to the Towre her goods to the vallue of 3000 maâ— kes were seazedon and confiscate to the vse of the Protector She was a woman hauing many good parts and howsoeuer by the command of King Edward the fourth and her owne fraâ—â—â— shee fell into â—â—â— with the King â—â—â— she was euer inclined and did much good and cannot be taxed in Histories for doing any man hurt The King and his brother were both standred with bastard Duke of Gloucester was proclaimed King which â—â—â— much modelly he refused though hee meant with all his â—â—â—â—â— to take it Anno 1483. RICHARD THE IIJ KING OF ENGLAND And FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND c. AMbition's like vnto quenchlesse thirst Ambition Angels threw from Heauen to Hell Ambition that infernall Hag accurst Ambitiously made me aspire rebell Ambition that damned Necromanticke Spell Made me clime proud with shame to tumble down By bloody murther I did all expell Whose right or might debard me from the Crown My smiles my gifts my fauours or my frowne Were fain'd corrupt vile flattry death and spite By cruell Tyranny I gat renowne Till Heau'n iust Iudge me iustly did require By blood I won by blood I lost the throne Detested liu'd dy'd lou'd bewail'd of none Anno 1483 June 22. Richard Duke of Glocester the 3 some of Richard Duke of Yorke the 3 Duke of Glocester and third of that name King of England Is tyranny and vsurpation griped the Scepter of the kingdome after hee he had proclaimed his Nephewes Bastardy his brother the deceased King Edward the fourths scandall and accused his own mother of adultry making his way to the Regality by the murther of his two innocent Nephewes which murther was committed by the bands of Sir Iames Tirrell Knight and one Myles Forrest and Iohn Dighton which villains murthered then in their bed and buried them beneath a paire of staires vnder an heape of stones in the Towne and in that ledging which in memory of that blanke deed is first named the bloody Towre their bodies were taken â— and againe buried obscurely no man knoweswhere By these means hauing gotten the Goale God â—â—â—â—red his reigne to be his perpetuall sormens â—â—â—â—â— without and continuall horrory within the murtherers had part of their payment in this world for Myles Foâ—rest â—otted aboue ground peece meale in S t Martins Str Iames Tirrell was executed for treason on the Towre-hill Dighton liu'd a hatted miscreant both of God and man the Duke of Buckingham though innocent of dthe murther yet hee suppresse the young Princes and raised the Tyrant and his end was the losse of his head at Salisbury Shortly after the Diuine iustice began to fall heauy vpon King Richard many of the Nobility and Gentrie for sooke him and fled into Britaine in France to Henry Earle of Richmond who was the onely heyre to the English crowne of the Line of the house of Lancaster king Richard in the dangers would haue procured a most wicked safety by marrâ—ing the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter is his deceased brother King Edward the fourth the only inheritix of the house of York lawfull heyre to the Crowne but Gods prouidence and the Ladies vertue with stood that incestuous match shortly after Henry of Richmond arriued at Milford hauen in Wales where his Army encreasing met Richard at Redmere field neere Posworth seuen miles from Leicester where Richard vahautly fighting was slaine 1485 August 23 and was buried at Leycester HENRY THE VIJ KING OF ENGLAND And FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND â—Was the man by Gods high grace assign'd â—That for this restlesse Kingdome purchas'd rest â—ork and Lancaster in one combin'd â—â— sundred had each other long opprest â—â— strength and policy th' Almighty blest â—â— good successe from first vnto the last â—â— high â—houab turned to the best â— orld of perills which my youth o're past â—â— white and red Rose I conioyned fast â—sacred Marriages coniugall band â—â—ytors tam'd and treason stood agast â—â— strong guarded by my Makers hand â—nglory and magnificence I raign'd And fame loue and a tombe was all I gain'd Anno Dom. 1485 August 22 Monday Henry of that name the seuenth King of England was Earle of Richmond borne in Pembroke-Castle in Wales sonne of Edmund of Hadham Earle of Richmond Sonne of Owen Theodore and Queene Katherin the French King daughter late wife to King Henry the sist was crowned at Westminster the 30 day of October by the bands of Thomas Bourghchier Archbishop of Conterbury this Prince was wise valsant and fortunate Through many perals hazards he had past his life and attained the Royalty of Englands throne and with much prudence and muâ—â—â—ble fortitude be gouerned this Land Maugre many dangerous attempts and treacherom conspâ—acses plottâ—â— against hun and his designes had such ausptcsous euents thus still hee was victoriâ—â—â— ouer surreâ—gne cuall and 〈…〉 troubles One Lambest Simnei a Bakers sonne claimed the crowns countersetting inâ—â—â—else to be Edward Earle of Warwicke sonne of George Duke of Clarence Some write that â—â—e assumed to bee one of king Edward the fourthes sonne which was murthered in the Toure howsoeuer Hambert gat into Ireland and in Christ Church in Dublin was crowned King of England and Ireland hee with an Armie landed at Fowdrey in Lancashire but King Henry met him and at the battell of Stoke he took him prisoner pardon'd him his life and gaue him a turn-spits place in his kitchen and after maue him one of his saulkners Lambert was net long supprest but another of his stamp supphes his roome of a rebellious imposture Peter or Perkin Warbecke the sonne of a Iew borne in Torney claimed the Crowne by the counterfest stile of Richard Second sonne to King Edward the fourth Perkin gat into England and after into Scotland where â—â—â— preuailed that he was married to the Lady Katherin Gordon the Earle of Huntleys daughters K. Iames the fourths kinsnman the rebels in Kent were ouen thwone and their Captante the Lord Audley taken and beheaded Perkin came out of Scotland and moues the â—â—â— men to ayae him King Henry net ouercame and â—â—â— and pardon ' him another counterfest a shoemakers son named Ralph Milford â—â—â— the Crowne and purchast'd a balter Perkin Warback Sica from the King and againe was taken and executed as Tyburnc King Henry gaue his daughter the Lady Margaret in â—â—â— to Iames â—â—e fourth King of Scotland Arthur Prince of Wales the eldest Sonne of Henry Married with the Lady Katherin daughter to the King of Spaine but the Prince dyed â—â—â— after The King gathered a â—â—â— masse of money to the general grieuance of the subiects he had three font Arthur Henry
Sir Iohn Wats Clothworker Lord Maior gaue to Christ Church Hospitall ten pound â—â— to the Hospitall of S. Thomas in Southwarkeâ—tic pound King Ioses our most gracious Soueraigne was made a Irec â— of the Worshipfull Company of Clothworkers Sir Iohn â—â—â— being then Lord Maior who seasted his Marestie Sir Wisâ—â— Knight being then Master of the Company at which â— the King gaue a Guist of two brace of Buckes to the said Company yearely for euer to bee spent at their feast in their â—â—â—â— Richard Faringdon Clothworker and Aldermangaue to the seuerall Hospitals in London and the Suburbs 66. pound 13. shillings 4d Sir William Stone Clothworker gaue to the â—â—rall Prisons in London 50 pound Lady Barbara Stone wife to the forenamed Sir William Stone gaue to the Hospitall of Christ church one hundred pounds Lady Spencer wife to Sir Iohn Spencer clothworker gaue to the seuerall Hospitals 20. pound William Lambe Esquire free of the Company Clothworkers and one of the Gentlemen of the Chappell to King Henry the 8. built a Free Grammer Schoole at Sutton Valence in Kens where he was borne allowing yearely for euer to the Master of the said Schoole twenty pound and to the Vsher ten pound Also he built sixe Alemet-houses there with Gardens and Orchards and ten pound yearely to each of them foreuer Besides he gaue to the Free Schoole at Maidstone in Kent ten pound yearely for euer which he appointed to bee bestowed onely vpon â—â— children who were destitute of friends and â—courlesse Also hee bestowed three hundred pound for the vse of decayed Clothiers in the countie â—â—â—â— of Suffolke and in the Townes of Bridgâ—â—â—le and Ludlow Moreouer hee built two conduits in London one at Holbourne Bridge and the other on the Hill towards New Gate â—oth of which cost 1500 pounds at which time â—â—gaue 120. new Pailes to so many poore woâ—â— to beare Water withall Moreouer hee gaue thirty pound a yeare to his Company for euer and 4. pounds yearely to a Minister for 4. Sermons and 301. yearely for euer to be bestowed on twelue poore men and twelue poore women each of them to haue a Freeze Gowne one Lockerom shirt or smocke one paire of winter shooes which guist is yearely distributed on the first of October he also gaue to the poore of Saint Giles Parish without Cripplegate fifteene pound To the poore of the Company of Stationers hee gaue sixe pounds thirteene shillings 4d yearely for euer to be bestowed euery Friday in the Parish of S. Faiths on twelue poore people twelue pence in bread and twelue pence in money He gaue to Christs Hospitall Sixe pounds yearely for euer and 100. pound in readie money present Hee gaue to S. Thomas Hospitall 4. pounds yearely for euer and to poore Maides marriage hee gaue 20. pounds besides Newgate Ludgate the two Comptors in London the Marshalsea the Kings Bench and the White Lyon had all most louing tasts of his Charitable liberalitie and in conclusion he gaue 108. Gownes to poore aged people at his Funerall This was a Lambe whose like was neuer any Whose loue and pitty fed and cloth'd so many And'sis no doubt but these good deeds of his Did helpe to lift his soule to endlesse Blisse Master Iohn Berriman of Byshops Tannton in the Countie of Deuonshire Clothier and free Draper of London gaue to the Hospitall of Christ Church 100. pounds to S Bartholomews 5 pounds to S. Thomas Hospitall 6. pounds to Bridewell 40. shillings and to the Hospitall of Bethlehem 50. pounds Peter Blundell Clothier gaue to Christ-Church Hospitall 500. pounds to Saint Bartholomewes Hospitall 250. pounds to Saint Thomas Hospitall 250. pounds to Bridewell 8. pounds yearely for euer to the Reparation of the Church at Tiuerton where he was borne fiftie pounds towards the mending of High-wayes one hundred pounds to the twelue Companies in London to euery of them one hundred and fiftie pound to poore Maides marriages in Tiuerton foure hundred pound to the poore at Exeter hee gaue nine hundred pound to build a Grammar-schoole at Tiuerten 2400.l and after layd out by his Executors one thousand pound to the Schoole-master fiftie pounds yearely for euer to the Vsher 13. pound 6. shillings 8. pence yearely to the Clarke 40. shillings yearely to place foure poore boyes yearely Apprentises twenty pounds per annum to keepe 3. Schollers at Oxford and three at Cambridge 2000. pound Robert Chilcot seruant to the aforesaid M r. Blundell gaue to Christs Hospitall 100. pound towards a meauer Schoole to haue Children taught to be fit for his Masters GraÌ„mer schoole he gaue 400. pound to maintaine it he gaue 90. pound allowing the Scholemaster yearely 20. l. the Clarke 3. pound and toward Reparations 40. shillings per annum to fifteene poore men he gaue sixteene pounds 10. shillings a yeare for euer to 15. poote labouring men 15. pound to 15. poore people weekely sixe pence each for euer to mend the Church at Tiuerton 19. pound ten shillings to mend High wayes ten pounds and to other charitable vles more then is mentioned Thus hath it pleased God that these men whose trades and liuings were deriued from the poore Sheepes backe haue not onely growne to great wealth and places of honour but haue bin also great Instruments of the Almightles mercy in relieuing the needie and impotent members of Christ should I reckon vp the particulars of profits that arise from this Beast to Graziers Butchers Skinners Glouers Felmongers Leather sellers Feltmongers Taylors and an infinite number of other Trades and Functions who could not liue or else liue very hardly without this Commoditie I say should I write of these things in particular my worke would neuer bee done in generall Wooll hath beene formerly in such esteeme in England that in Parliament holden the 36. of Edward the 3 the King had his Subiects payd him in Wooll and before that in the eleuenth yeare of his Raigne it was forbidden to be transported out of this Kingdome and then did strangers come ouer hither from diuers parts beyond the Seas who were Fullers Weauers and Clothworkers whom the King entertained and baro all their charges out of his Exchequer at which time the Staples or places of Merchandize for Wools were kept at diuers places of this Land at once as at Newcastle Yorke Lincolne canterbury Norwich Westminster Chichester Winchester Exeter Bristoll and carmarthen by which may bee perceiued what a great commodity Wooll was in those dayes But in the 6. yeare of King Edward the 4. the King sent certaine Sheep out of Cotswold in Glocester shire into Spaine the encrease of which so enriched the Spaniards with our Wooll that euer since it hath beene in the lesse request in England neuerthelesse as it is it is the means of life and maintainance for many hundred thousands Here fokoweth a touch of paultry Scabbed and infectious kinds of Sheepe which I thinke sit to place by themselues in the lagge end of my Booke as
Carists faith did dye together Then Hengist with the Saxons hither came Who many kild with sword and furious flame Besides eleuen hundred Monkes were kild At Bangor Abby all their blouds were spild And when the Saxons race to end was run The Dines came in and all the Kingdome won Before whose Swords did many thousands fall Which on the name of IESVS CHRIST did call Then William Conquerour with a multitude Vnto the Normanâ— voâ—ke this Land subdude The Pope then caus'd all Priests to leaue their wiues To leade soule Sodomiticke single liues Then afterward in second Hearies raigâ—e Was sawcy Sir Saint Thomas Becket slaine A Popish Saint and Martyr made because He dy'd a Traytor to his Soueraignes Lawes King Henry and King Richard dead and gone Their brother Iohn by right ascends the Tâ—â—rone Whom all his life the Pope of Rome did vexe And with oppressions all the Realme perplexe With Candle Booke and Bell he curst and blest And Bals and Legates did the King molest Vntill such time he on his knees fell downe And to the Pope surrendred vp his Crowne At last because he durst the Pope withstand He dyed imposned by a â—â—yers hand When thus by treason they had kild King Iohn Then the third Henrie Englands Crowne put on Then England bought the Râ—mesh doctrine deare It cost her threescore thousand markes a yeare For Agnus Deses Pardons Peter pance For which the Pope had all this coine from hence King Henry dyed then Edward tooke the sway His Sonne and Grandchild England did obay The first of them call'd Long-shanks conquests won Lost by Carnaruan his vnhappy Son Who by his Queene was in a Dungâ—on cast Till being murthered sadly breath'd his last Edward the third a braue victorious King Did Frenchmens pride into subiection bring Kickard the second next to raigne began Who lost more than his Royall Grandsire wan Then gan Iohn Wicklisse boldly to begin To preach gainst Antichrist that man of sin Who many troubles stoutly did abide Yet spight the Pope he naturally dy'de And being dead from out is graue was turn'd And had his Martyr'd bones to ashes burn'd Which ashes they did cast into a Brooke Because he had the Romish Faith for sooke Yet whilst the second Richard here suruiu'd No Martyrs were by fire of lite depriu'd Henry the fourth was in the Throne inuested In whose Reigne many were too much molested And Wiâ—â—â—â— Sautre first his life â—â—â—â—â—â— Through flames of fire who now in heauen doth liue The next Iohn Baâ—â—by in the fuâ—â—â—â— flame And William Tharpe both was immortail fame Then the fifth Henrie a victoriâ—â—â— Prince The Realme of France did â—â— quar and â—â—â— The good Lord Cebâ—â— then O â—â—â—â—â—â— By Popish Priests an Hereticke procâ—aim'd Washang'd and burn'd by the vnit â—tull doome Of Sathans Seruants sleues to Hell and Râ—â—e And leauing some vnnam'd Iohn ' Bâ—owneâ— quâ—re Iohn Beuâ—â—ly a Preacher dyed in â—â—â— B sid s a number from the Leâ—â—rds Towre Rackes tortures halters and the flame deuoure Ioba Huâ— a glorious Martyr of the Lord. Was in Eoheâ—â—â— burned or Gods word And renâ—rend Icrome did to Constance come From Pragae and stoutly suffered Martyrdome In Smith-sield one Iohn Claydon suffered death And with him Richard Turming lost his breath At this time sixeteâ—ne godly folkes in Kent The Antichristian vassals dâ—d torment Then death cut off the fifth King Henries Raigne The Crowne the sixth King Henrie did obrame And William Taylor a true zealous Priest Did passe through fire vnto his Sauiour Christ. Good Richard Houedon with him William White Each vnto God through fire did yeeld his sprite Dâ—ke Humphrey though no Martyr kil'd in 's bed And Richard Wych a Priest was burned dead Then Saint like good King Henry was depos'd By the fourth Edward in the tower inclos'd Then Edward flâ—d and Henry once againe By Warwickes power the Kingdome did obtaine Thds did the various slate of humane things Make Kings of Capriues and of Captiues Kings Vntill at last King Edward turning backe Brought Henries royalty to finall wracke In whose Raigne Iohn Goâ—se as the story saith Was the first Martyr burned for Christs faith King Henry in the Tower was ab'd to death And Edward yeelded vp his hie and breath His Sonne young Edward of that name the sift Whom the third Richard from his life did lift VVho by foule murthers â—loud and tyranny Vsurpt the Throne of Englands Monarchy Till valiant Henry of that name the seuen Kild him and made vncuâ—n England euen Then first Ioane Beughâ—on and a man call'd Babramâ— By faith through fire went to old Father Abram An Old man was in Smithfield burnt because He did resist against the Roman Lawes One Ierom hang'd and burned on the Gallowes In Florence with two otâ—er of his fâ—llowes And William Tiliesworth Thomas Bernard and Iames Morton cause they did the Pope withstand Burn'd all and Father Rogers and old Reine Did dye by fire a better life to gaine One Thomas Nouice and one Thomas Chase Dy'd constant Martyrs by the Heauenly Grace A woman and a man call'd Laurence Guest By Deah gain'd euerlasting life and rest Besides a number past mans reckoning vp For IESVS sake dranke of afflictions cup. Some carried faggots through a world of mocks Some rack'd some pinde some fettered in the stocks Some naked stript and scourged with a lash For their reiecting of their Romish trash Some branded in the cheeke did alwayes beare The marke and badge of their Redeemer deare Thus the insulting tyrannizing Pope With cursings tortures fire and sword and rope Did force the Soules and Consciences of men To run dispairing to damnations Den And those who valiantly his power withstood Did seale their resolution with their bloud Before his triple treble trouble Crowne In adoration Emperours must fall downe Were they as high as any Caesar borne To kisse his feet they must not hold it scorne Henry the sixth the Emperour did fall downe Whom with his Feet Pope Celestine did Crowne Henry the fourth his Empresse and his young Son All three to Rome did barefoot goe and run And three dayes so these three did all attend His holinesse a godlesse eare to lend Which afterward was granted on condition That he should giue his Crowne vp in submission Pandulphus the Popes Legate with a frowne Did make King Iohn of England yeeld his Crowne King Henry of that as me the second he Kneel'd downe and kist the Romish Legats knee The Emperour when Pope Adrian was to ride Did hold his stirrop on the neere wrong side For which his Holinesse in angry sort Disdainfully did checke the Emperour for 't When as the Pope doth ride in Cope of gold Kings like to foot-men must his bridle hold In pompe he must bee borne vpon mens shoulders With glorious shew amazing the beholders Whilst Kings and Princes must before him goe To vsher him in this vaine-glorious show This being true as no man can deny Those that will
not be blinde may plainely spy That their insulting proud commanding Priest Is â—bsolute and onely Antichrist H'exalts himselfe ' boue all that 's called God Vpon the Emperours necke he proudly trod Hee is th'abomination void of grace That mounts himselfe into the holy place He makes the Princes of the Earth drinke vp And quaffe the poyson of his cursed Cup. Who being drunken with the drâ—gs of sinne They haue his sworne and forsworne vassals beene Bewitched with his foule Inchanting charmes Gainst one another they haue rose in armes By forreine and domesticke bloudie broyles Whilst he hath fild his his coffers with their spoyles His double dealing too plaine appeares In setting Christian Princes by the eares Whilst he into his anatitious hands Hath feiz'd their persons moueables and lands And as the Christian Kings themselues made weake The Turke into their Kingdomes gan to breake And thus the Turke and Pope joynd with the deuill Haue beene the authors of all Christian euill FINIS THE BOOKE OF MARTYRS The Second Part. DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE PHILLIP EARLE OF MONTGOMERIE c. MY Lord the liues and deaths of Saints and Kings This little Booke vnto your Greatnesse sings Protection and acceptance if you giue It shall as shall Your selfe for ever liue IOHN TAYLOR VVHen the 7 Henry in his graue was laid And the eight Henry Englands Scepter sway'd Romes bloudy persecution raged more In England than in ten Kings raignes before And therefore Reader in this little Booke For euery Martyrs name thou must not looke But men of chiefest note respect and same That dyed in England onely these I name And first the Papists tyranny beganne In murthering Richard Hun a zealous man For being kept in prison by their power They closly hang'd him in the Lollards Tower And then they all in generall decreed Reporting Hun himselfe had done the deed Ann sixteene dayes iust after this was don They burn'd the foresaid corps of Richard Hun. Then to the number of full thirty fiue The surious flames did all of life depriue In seuerall places of this wofull land Because they did the Pope of Rome withstand At which time Thomas Bilney did begin To preach and teach against Antichristian sinne Where in Saint Georges Church in Ipswich Towne The Papists from the Pulpit pluckt him downe And as in dolefull prison he did lie He put his finger in the flames to try He prou'd aud God did giue him strenght to beare His death to liue with his Redeemer deare The next of note was one Iohn Frith a man Of learning great a Martyrs same he wan Then learned Luther and graue Zwinglius With Caluin Beza Occolampadius All glorious gracious reuerend lamps of light Were instruments to cleare blear'd Englands sight In Flanders William Tindall for Gods Word Was Sacrific'd to glorifie the Lord. Iohn Lambert valiantly his death did take And burn'd in Smithfield for his Sauiour sake About this time that Honourable man Lord Cromwels life and timelesse death began Hee like an Earthquake made the Abbies fall The Fryeries the Nunneries and all This famous Noble worthy Essex Earle This Iemme this Iewell this most orient pearle Was for his truth from all he had discarded And with his heads losse all his faith rewarded The next of worthy note by fire that dide Was good Anne Askew who did strong abide Rackes tortures and the cruell raging flame To magnifie her high Creators name Then gan the Kings eyes to be opended quite Inlightened by the euerlasting light He banisht Superstitious idle sables And packt the Papists hence with all their bables Then Bonner Gardner Brethren both in euill Factors and Actors bloudhounds for the Deuill Their burning fame to infamy soone saded They Godlesse gracelesse were disgracst degraded The King thus hauing this good worke begun He dyed and left the Kingdome to his Sonne Then raign'd young Edward that sweet Princely childe By whom all Popery was cleane exilde But he too good to liue mongst wicked men Th' Almighty tooke him hence to Heauen agen No sooner Edward was laid in his Tombe But England was the slaughter-house of Rome Gardner and Bonner were from prison turn'd And whom they pleas'd were eyther sau'd or burn'd Queene Mary imitating Iezabell Aduanc'd againe the Ministers of Hell Then tyranny began to tyrannize Tortures and torments then they did deuise Then Master Rogers with a saith most feruent Was burn'd and dy'd in Smith field Gods true Seruant Next vnto him did Laurence Sanders dye By fire for Iesus sake at Couentry He did embrace and kindly kisse the stake To gaine Heau'ns glory did the world for sake Good Byshop Hooper was at Gloster burn'd Cause he against the Romish Doctrine spurn'd And Doctor Taylor a true zealous man At Hadly burn'd eternall glory wan Then Byshop Ferrar next his life did spend In fire to gaine the life shall neuer end Next William Fowler first did loose his hand Then burn'd because the Pope he did withstand In Essex Thomas Hawkes with faith victorious Did dye by fire to gaine a life most glorious Master Ioha Bradford for his Sauiours sake In Smithsield burn'd a godly end did make Two reuerend Byshops Father Latimer And Ridley each of them a heauenly starre Liu'd in Gods foare and in his fauour dy'd At Oxford burn'd and now are glorisi'd Iohâ— Philpâ—t gladly did the fire embrace And died and liues in his Redeemers grace Then that graue Father and religious man Arch-Bishop of Cranmars troubles hot began His Pompe his state his glory and his pride Was to know Iesus and him crucifide He liu'd a godly Preacher of Gods Word And dy'd a glorious Martyr of the Lord. Iohn Carcles in close Prison carefully Did change his cares for ioyes eternally But this small volum cannot well containe One quarter of the Saints in England flaine In Henries Raigne and Maries cruell Queene Eight thousand people there hath slaughtered beene Some by the Sword some Hang'd some burnt in fire Some staru'd to death in Prison all expire Twelue thousand and seuen hundred more beside Much perseâ—uting trouble did abide Some wrackt som whipt som tortur'd som in stocks Some doing penance with a world of mockes Some with an yron in the faces burn'd Some out of all their goods to beggry rurn'd Some barefoot bearing faggots on their shoulders Weâ—e made a wondring stocke to the beholders All this and more much more they did endure Because they would not yeeld to liue impure But now to speake the law lesse â—ause wherefore And why these people troubled were so sore Because they would not make their plaints mones To senseles I mages dead stockes and slones Because they said the Sacramentall bread Is not the Lord which shall iudge quick and dead Because they not beleeu'd a Purgatory And held the Popes decrees an idle story Because they would not creepe vnto the crosse And change Gods sacred Word for humane drosse Because they held the Masse an Idoll soule At once which
weaknes may babble of Reformation thougâ— to no end and so I end FINIS The Nipping or Snipping of ABVSES OR The Wooll-gatheÌ„ring ôf VVit A Skeltonicall salutation to those that know how to reade and not merre the sense with hacking or mis-construction THou true vnderstander my inuention doth wander with the quill of a Gander to shield mee from slander to thy good protection I yeeld in subiection my poore imperfection with friendly correction and as thou dost â—â—e or stroake mee or strike mee reproue mee or proue mee or mooue mee â—â— loue mee or quiteme or spight me friend me or mend me or else not offend â—â—â—â— If in ought that is written thy humors are bitten seeme not to espy it and â—one will descry it But if thou doest kick the spurre sure will prick and if thou â—â—â—â—ing the waspe then will sting My verses are made to ride euery Iade but â—â—are forbidden of Iades to be ridden they shall not bee snaffled nor braued â—or baffled wert thou George with thy Naggon that foughtst with Draggon or â—â—re you Great Pompey my verse should bethumpe ye if you like a Iauel against â—â—â— dare cauill I doe not intend it as now to commend it or yet to defend it But â—â— mee I doe send it to like it or mend it and when thou hast end it applaud it â—â— rent it my wits I could bristle for a better Epistle but yet at this time this â—â—â— Rime I send to thy view because it is new So Reader adue I thine if thou mine IOHN TAYLOR To the Castalian Water-writer Splende dignoscar â— Diall set vpon an eminent place â— iâ— clouds doe interuall Apolloes face â—â—â—â— a flgur'd shape whereby we knowe â—â—le of Time which it doth owe â—â— expectations yet wee see â—â—â—ctes by which Times should distinguish'd be â—â—â—alelled punctuall ciphered lines â—â— by a shadow when the faire sunne shines Explaines the houres So if the Sonne of men Thy Glorious Patron deeme to blesse thy pen With his faire light Thy Muse so young so faire So well proportion'd in conceites so rare And Naturall streames and stile and eu'ry part That Nature therein doth exceed all Art Will then as with Enthusiasme inspir'd Print Legends by the world to be admir'd Thine Iames Ratray To my friend by land and by water Iohn Taylor THese leaues kind Iohn are not to wrap vp drams That doe containe thy witty Epigrams Let worser Poems serue for such abuse Whilst thine shall be reseru'd for better vse And let each Critick cauill what he can T is rarely written of a Water-man Thy friend assured Rob Branthwaite To his deare friend Master Iohn Taylor ME thinkes I see the Sculler in his boate With goodly motion glide along faire Thames And with a charming and bewitching noate So sweet delightfull tunes and ditties frames As greatest Lordingâ— and the nicest Dames That with attentiue eare did heare thy layès Of force should yeeld due merit to thy praise Worth to all Watermen straine forth thy voice To proue so pleasing in the worlds proud eye As eyes and eares and hearts may all reioyce To see heare muse vpon the melodie In contemplation of thy harmony Let Thames faire bankes thy worth and praises ring While I thy worth and praise beyond sea sing Tho Gent. To the Water-Poet Iohn Taylor Honest Iohn Taylor though I know 't no grace To thee or me for writing in this place Yet know I that the multitudes of friends Will thee protect from vile malignant mindes The rather cause what euer thou hast snowne Is no one mans inuention but thine owne Malicious minded men will thee dispraise Enuy debases all her selfe to raise Then rest content whilst to thy greater fame Both Art and Nature striue to raise thy name Thine euer as thou knowest R Cudner To my friend Iohn Taylor IF Homers verse in Greeke did merit praise If Naso in the Latine won the Bayes If Maro 'mongst the Romanes did excell If Tasso in the Tuscan tongue wrote well Then Taylor I conclude that thou hast don In English what immortall Baies haue won Thy friend Iohn Taylor To my honest friend Iohn Taylor THy Taylors shears foule vices wings â—â—â—â—â— The scames of impious dealings are vnript So Art-like thou these captious times hast quipt As if in Helicon thy pen were dipt All those who ' gainst thy worth are enuious lipt Thy sharpe Satyrick Muse hath nipt and sâ—ipâ—â— And to conclude thy nuention is not chipt Or stolne or borrowd begd or basely gript Then Taylor thy conceits are truely sowde And Sculler on my word it was well roude Thine to mybest powâ—â— Enoch Lyâ— In Laudem Authoris MOst commonly one Taylor will dispraise Anothers workmanship enuying alwaiâ—s At him that 's better then himselfe reputed Though he himselfe be but a botcher bruted So might it well be said of me my friend Should I not to thy worke some few lines lend Which to make probable this sentence tendeth Who not commends he surely discommendeth In my illiterate censure these thy rimes Deserue applause euen in these worst of times VVhen wit is onely worthy held in those On whom smooth flattery vaine praise bestoâ—es But I not minding with thy worth to flatter Do know thy wit too good to toyle by water Rob. Taylor To my friend IOHN TAYLOR THis worke of thine thou hast compil'd soâ—â—â— It merits better wits thy worth to tell Thine Maximilian Wâ—â— The Authours description of a Poet and Poesie with an Apology in defence of Naturall English Poetry SHall beggers dine into the Acts of Kings Shall Nature speake of supernat ' rall things â—â—â—â— Eagles flights attempted be by Gnats â—â—â—â— mighty Whales be portraied out by Sprats These things I know vnpossible to be â—â—â—d it is as vnpossible for mee That am a begger in these Kingly acts Which from the heau'ns true Poetrie extracts â—â—â— foole by Nature I â—â—â— neuer knew this high-bome mystery â—â—â— worthlesse gnat I know my selfe more weake â—â—â— the Princely Eagle dare to speake â—â—â—y sprat the Ocean seekes so sound â—â— seek this Whale though seeking he be drown'd â—â—â— to proceed a Poets Art I know â—â—â— compact of earthly things below â—â—â— is of any base substantiall mettle That in the worlds rotundity doth settle â—â—â—tis Immortall and it hath proceeding â—rom wheÌ„â—e diuinest soules haue all their breeding â—â— is a blessing â—â—â—u'n hath sent to men â—y men it is diâ—â—lged with their pen And by that propagation it is knowne And ouer all the world disperst and throwne â—â—â— verball elocution so refinde That it to Vertue animates mans minde The blessed Singer of blest Israel â—â— this rare Arte he rarely did excell He sweetly Poetiz'd in heau'nly verses â—â—â— lines which aye eternity rehearses â—â—â— and glorious great esteeme â—â—â— Câ—â—â—â— did a Poet deeme â—â—mired Virgils life doth plainely show â—â—t all the world a Poets worth may know â—â—â— leauing Israels King and Romane Caesar â—â—seeke in England English Poets
treasure Sir Philip Sidâ—â—y histimes Mars and Muse That word and sword so worthily could vse That spight of death his glory lin's â—â—waiâ—â— For Conquelts and for Poesie crown'd with bayes What famous nien liue in this age of ours As if theâ— Sister 's nine had left theâ— bowres With more post hâ—â—â—e then expeditious wings They â—eere haue found the Heliconian springs We of our mighty Monarch IAMES may boast Who in this heau'nly Arte exceeds the most Where men may see the Muses wisdome well When such a glorious house they chose to dwell The Preacher whose instructions doe afford The soules deare food the euerliuing Word If Poets skill be banisht from his braine His preaching sometimes will be but too plaine Twixt Poetry and best diuinity There is such neere and deare affinity As'twere propinquity of brothers blood That without tone the other 's not so good The man that takes in hand braue verse to write And in Diuinitie hath no insight He may perhaps make smooth and Art-like Rimes To please the humours of these idle times But name of Poet hee shall neuer merit Though writing them he waste his very spirit They therefore much mistake that seeme to say How euery one that writes a paltrie play A sottish Sonnet in the praise of loue A song or jigge that fooles to laughter moue In praise or dispraise in defame or fame Deserues the honour of a Poets name I further say and further will maintaine That he that hath true Poesie in his braine Will not profane so high and heau'nly skill To glory or be proud of writing ill But if his Muse doe stoope to such deiection T is but to shew the world her sinnes infection A Poets ire sometimes may be inflam'd To make foule Vices brazen face asham'd And then his Epigrams and Satyres whip Will make base gald vnruly Iades to skip In frost they say 't is good bad blood be nipt And I haue seene Abuses whipt and stript In such rare fashion that the wincing age Hath kick'd and flung with vncontrouled rage Oh worthy Withers I shall loue thee euer And often maist thou doe thy best indeuer That still thy workes and thee may liue together Contending with thy name and neuer wither But further to proceed in my pretence Of nat'rall English Poetries defence For Lawreat Sidney and our gracious Iames Haue plunged been in Arts admired streames And all the learned Poets of our dayes Haue Arts great ayde to winne still liuing Bayes All whom I doe confesse such worthy men That I vnworthy am with inke and pen To carry after them But since my haps Haue been so happy as to get some scraps By Nature giu'n me from the Muses table I 'le put them to the best vse I am able I haue read Tasso Virgill Homer Ouid Iosophus Plutark whence I haue approued And found such obseruations as are fit With plenitude to fraught a barren wit And let a man of any nation be These Authors reading makes his iudgement fee Some rules that may his ignorance refine And such predominance it hath with mine No bladder-blowne ambition puff's my Muse An English Poets writings to excuse Nor that I any rule of art condem Which is Dame Natures ornamentall Iem But these poore lines I wrote my wits best pelse Defending that which can defend it selfe Know them vnnat'ral English Mungril Monster Thy wandring iudgemet doth too much misconster When thou affirm'st thy Natiue Country-man To make true verse no art or knowledge can Cease cease to do this glorious Kingdome wrong To make her speech inferiour to each tongue Shew not thy selfe more brutish then abeast Base is that bird that files her homeborne neast In what strange tongue did Virgils Muse commerce What language wast that Ouid wrote his verse Thou sâ—yst 't was Latin why I say so too In no tongue else they any thing could doo They Naturally did learne it from their mother And must speake Latin that could speake no other The Grecian blinded Bard did much compile And neuer vsde no foreigne far-fetcht stile But as hee was a Greeke his verse was Greeke In other tongues alas he was to seeke Du Bartas heauenly all admired Muse No vnknowne Language euer vs'de to vse But as he was a Frenchman so his lines In natiue French with fame most glorious shines And in the English tongue t is fitly stated By siluer-tongued Siluester translated So well so wisely and so rarely done That he by it immortall same hath wonne Then as great Mars and renowned Nasâ— Braue Homer Petrarke sweet Italian Tasse And numbers more past numbring to be numberd Whose rare inuentions neuer were incumberd With our outlandish chip chop gibrish gabblings To fill mens eares with vnacquâ—iated babbling Why may not then an English man I pray In his owne language write as crst did they Yet must we suit our phrases to their shapes And in their imitations be their Apes Whilst Muses haunt the fruitfull forked hill The world shall reuerence their vnmatched skill And for inuention fiction methood measure From them must Poets seeke to seeke that treasure But yet I think a man may vse that tongue His Country vses and doe them no wrong Then I whose Artlesse studies are but weake Who neuer could nor will but English speake Do heere maintaine if words be rightly plac'd A Poets skill with no tongue more is grac'd It runnes so smooth so sweetly it doth flow From it such heauenly harmony doth grow That it the vnderstanders sences moues With admiration to expresse their loues No musicke vnder heauen is more diuine Then is a well-writ and a well-read line But when a witlesse selfe-conceited Rooke A good inuention dares to ouerlooke How pitteous then mans best of wit is martyr'd In barbrous manner totter'd torne and quarter'dâ— So mingle mangled and so hack't and hewd So scuruily bescuruide and be me wde Then this detracting durty dunghill Drudge Although he vnderstand not yet will iudge Thus famous Poesie must abide the doome Of euery muddy-minded raskall Groome Thus rarest Artists are continuall stung By euery prating stinking lumpe of dung For what cause then should I so much repine When best of writers that ere wrote a line Are subiect to the censure of the worst Who will their follies vent or eise they burst I haue at idle times some Pamphlets writ The fruitlesse issue of a nat'rall wit And cause I am no Scholler some enuy me With soule and false calumnious words belie me With brazen fronts and flinty hard beleefe Affirming or suspecting me a theefe And that my sterrile Muse so dry is milch'd That what I write is borrow'd beg'd or filch'd Because my name is Taylor they suppose My best inuentions all from stealing growes As though there were no difference to be made Betwixt the name of Taylor and the Trade Of all strange weapons I haue least of skill To mannage or to wield a Taylors bill I cannot Item it for silke and facing For