Lyon hauing slipp'd his chaine As in a feuer makes King Edward quake vvhich knew too well ere he was oaught againe Deere was the blood must serue his thirst to slake Many the labours had been spent in vaine And he inforc'd a longer course to take Saw further vengeance hanging in the wind That knew the pride and greatnes of his mind 27 The faction working in this lingering iarre How for the Scot free passage might be made To lay the ground of a succesfull warre That hope might breede fresh courage to inuade And whilst our safety standeth ouâ— so farre More dangerous proiects eu'ry where are layd That some in hand home troubles to enâ—re Others in Fraunce doe forraine broyles pâ—ocure 28 By these discentions that were lately sowne Incyting Charles to open Armes againe vvho seazing Guyne pretended as his owne That Edward should vnlawfully detaine Proceeds to make a further title knowne T' our Lands in Pontieu and in Aquitaine vvhen wanted homage hath desolu'd the truce vvaking his wrongs by Isabels abuse 29 This plot concluded that was long in hand vvhich to this issue prosperously had thriâ—'d The Base whereon a mighty frame must stand vvith mickle art yet with more feare contriu'd So strongly builded by this factious band As from the same their safety is deriu'd Till theyr full-rooted and inuetterate hate Getting more strength might deeply penetrate 30 VVhen choise of such to sway this French affaire vvhich as a shapelesse and vnweldy masse Might well imploy the strength of all their care So hard and per'lous â—o be brought to passe vvhich it behooues them quickly to prepare That beeing now so setled as it was Craues a graue spirit whose eminence and power Might like a stiffe gale check this threatning showâ—e 31 This must a Session seriously debate That depth of iudgment crau'd to be discust That so concernes the safety of the state And in a case so plausible and iust As might haue quench'd all sparcks of former hate And might be thought euen pollicy might trust Could enuy maister her distracted will Or apprehend saciety in ill 32 Torleton whose tongue mens eares in chaynes could tie And as a fearefull thunderbolt could pierce In which there more authority did lie Then in the Sybils sage propheticke verse VVhose senâ—ence was so absolute and hie As had the power a iudgment to reuerse On the Queenes part with all his might doth stand To lay this charge on her well-guiding hand 33 VVhat helps her presence to the cause might bring Beeing a wife a sister and a mother And in so great and pertinent a thing To right her sonne her husband and her brother Her gracious helpe to all distributing To take of her what they should hold of other vvhich colour serues t' effect in these extreames That which God knowes King Edward neuer dreamesâ— 34 Torleton is this thy spirituall pretence VVould God thy thoughts were more spirituall Or lesse perswasiue were thy eloquence But ô thy actions are too temporall Opinion lends too great preheminence Thy reasons subtile and sophisticall vvould all were true thy supposition saith Thy arguments lesse force or thou more faith 35 These suddaine broyles that weare begun of late Still kept in motion by their secret sleight By false suggestions so interminate That as a ballast of some solid weight Betwixt these aduerse currents of debate Kept theyr proceeding in a course so streight As lends the Queene an ampler colour still By generall meanes to worke a generall ill 36 Shee which thus fitly found both wind and tyde And sees her leysure serue the howre so neare All her endeuours mutually apply'd vvhilst for her purpose things so fitly weare And this aduantage quickly had espy'd As one whose fortunes taught the worst to feare Seeing the times so variously inclind And eu'ry toy soone altring Edwards mind 37 Her followers such as friendlesse else had stood Sunck and deiected by the Spensers pride vvho bare the brands of treason in their blood vvhich but with blood there was no way to hide vvhose meane was weake whose will was but too good vvhich to effect did but the howre abide And knew all meanes that mischiefe could inuent That any way might further her intent 38 VVhilst Mortimer which now so long hath laine From our iust course by fortune lately crost In Fraunce now strugling how he might regaine That which before he had in England lost All present meanes doth gladly entertaine No iot dismayde in all these tempests tost Nor his great minde can thus be ouerthrowne All men his friends all countries are his owne 39 And Muse transported by thy former zeale Led in our progresse where his fortune lyes To thy fayre ayde I seriously appeale To sing this great man his magnanimous guise The auncient Heroes vnto me reueale vvhose worths may raise our nobler faculties That in my verse transparent nete and cleere His character more liuely may appeere 40 Such one he was of him we boldly say In whose rich soule all soueraigne powers did sute In whom in peace th' elements all lay So mix'd as none could soueraignty impute As all did gouerne yet all did obey His liuely temper was so absolute That t'seemd when heauen his modell first began In him it showd perfection in a man 41 So throughly season'd and so rightly set As in the leuell of cleere iudgements eye Time neuer tuch'd him with deforming fret Nor had the power to warpe him once awry vvhose stedfast course no crosse could euer let His eleuation was so heauenly hie Those giddy tempests that the base world proue Sate vnder where he planet like did moue 42 vvhich this faire Queene that had a knowing spirit And saw the beauties resting in his mind One that had throughly look'd into his merit Aboue the value of the vulgar kind That rightly did his Grandâ—ires deedes inherit vvhen now the ages in theyr course declin'd vvhen the old world beeing weake began to â—ow To th' effeminate basenes that it rests at now 43 vvhat waies he wealth or what his VVigmore left Let needlesse heapes things momentary stand He counts not his that can be rap'd by theft Man is the sole Lord both of sea and land And still is rich of these that is not reft vvho of all creatures hath an vpright hand And by the starres is onely taught to know That as they progresse heauen he earth should doe 44 VVherefore wise Nature forc'd this face of ground And through the deeps shew'd him the secreâ— way That in the floods her iudgments might be found vvhere she for safety did her treasure lay vvhose store that he might absolutly sound Shee gaue him courage for her onely kay That he alone of all her creatures free Her glory and her wondrous works should see 45 Let wretched worldlings sweat for mud and earth vvhose groueling bosoms licke the recreant stones And pesants carke for plenty and for dearth Fame neuer lookes vpon these prostrate drones Man is allotted at
euer heap'd That famous Bedford to his glory kept Be giuen backe to Rayner all in post And by this meanes rich Normandy be lost Those which haue comen as Mistresses of ours Haue into England brought their goodly dowers vvhich to our Coffers yeerely tribute brings The life of subiects and the strength of Kings The meanes whereby faire England euer might Raise power in Fraunce to back our auncient right But she brings ruine heere to make aboad And cancels all our lawfull claime abroade And shee must recapitulate my shame And giue a thousand by-words to my name And call me Beldam Gib VVitch Night-mare Trot vvith all despight that may a woman spot O that I were a VVitch but for her sake I fayth her Queeneship little rest should take I would scratch that face that may not feele the ayre And knit whole ropes of vvitch-knots in her hayre O I would hag her nightly in her bed And on her breast sit like a lumpe of led And like a Fayerie pinch that daintie skin Her wanton blood is now so cockerd in Or take me some such knowne familiar shape As she my vengeance neuer should escape vvere I a garment none should neede the more To sprinkle me with Nessus poysned gore It were enough if she once put me on To teare both flesh and sinewes from the bone vvere I a flower that might her smell delight Though I were not the poysning Aconite I would send such a fume into her brow Should make her mad as mad as I am now They say the Druides once liu'd in this I le This fatall Man the place of my exile vvhose powerfull charmes such dreadfull wonders wrought vvhich in the gothish Island tongue were taught O that theyr spels to me they had resign'd vvherewith they raisd and calm'd both sea and wind And made the Moone pause in her palid spheare vvhilst her grim Dragons drew them through the ayre Theyr hellish power to kill the plow mans seede Or to forespeake the flocks as they did feede To nurse a damned spirit with humaine blood To carry them through earth ayre fire and flood Had I this skill that time hath almost lost How like a Goblin I would haunt her ghost O pardon pardon my misgouern'd tongue A womans strength cannot endure my wrong Did not the heauens her comming in withstand As though affrighted when she came to land The earth did quake her comming to abide The goodly Thames did twice keepe backe her tyde Paules shooke with tempests and that mounting spire vvith lightning sent from heauen was set on fire Our stately buildings to the ground were blowne Her pride by these prodigious signes were showne More fearefull visions on the English earth Than euer were at any death or birth Ah Humfrey Humfrey if I should not speake My breast would split my very hart would breake I that was wont so many to commaund vvorse now then with a clapdish in my hand A simple mantle couering me withall A very leaper of Cares hospitall That from my state a presence held in awe Glad heere to kennell in a pad of straw And like an Owle by night to goe abrode Roosted all day within an Iuy tod Amongst the sea cliffes in the dampie caues In charnell houses or among the graues Saw'st thou those eyes in whose sweet cheerfull looke Duke Humfrey once such ioy and pleasure tooke Sorrow hath so dispoyl'd me of all grace Thou couldst not say this was my Elnors face Like a foule Gorgon whose disheuel'd hayre vvith euery blast flies glaring in the ayre Some standing vp like hornes vpon my head Euen like those women that in Coos are bred My lanke breasts hang like bladders left vnblowne My skinne with lothsome Iaundize ouer-growne So pin'd away that if thou long'st to see Ruins true picture onely looke on mee Sometime in thinking of what I haue had Euen in a suddaine extasie am mad Then like a Bedlam forth thy Elnor runs Like one of Bacchus raging frantick Nuns Or like a Tartar when in strange disguise Prepar'd vnto a dismall sacrifice That Prelate Beâ—ford a foule ill befall him Prelate said I nay deuill I should call him Ah God forgiue me if I thinke amisse His very name me thinks my poyson is Ah that vile Iudas our professed foe My curse pursue him where so ere he goe That to my iudgement when I did appeare Layd to my charge those things which neuer were I should pertake with Bullenbrookes intents The hallowing of his magique instruments That I procured Southwell to assist vvhich was by order consecrate a Priest That it was I should couer all they did That but for him had to this day beene hid Ah that vile bastard that himselfe dare vaunt To be the sonne of thy braue Grandsire Gaunt vvhom he but fatherd of meere charitie To rid his mother of that infamie vvho if report of Elder times be true Vnto this day his father neuer knew He that by murthers blacke and odious crime To Henries throne attempted once to clime Hauing procur'd by hope of golden gaine A fatall hand his soueraigne to haue slaine vvho to his chamber closely he conuaid And for that purpose fitly there had layd Vpon whose sword that famous Prince had died If by a dogge he had not beene discried But now the Queene her Minion Poole and he As it please them so now must all things be England's no place for any one beside All is too little to maintaine their pride Henry alas thou but a Kings name art For of thy selfe thou art the lesser part And I pray God I doe not liue the day To see thy ruine and thy Realmes decay And yet as sure as Humfrey seemes to stand He be preseru'd from that vile Traytors hand From Glosters seate I would thou wert estrang'd Or would to God that Dukedoms name were chang'd For it portends no goodnes vnto vs Ah Humfrey Humfrey it is ominous Yet rather then thy hap so hard should be I would thou wert heere banished with me Humfrey adue farewell true noble Lord My wish is all thy Elnor can afford Notes of the Chronicle Historie I sought that dreadfull Sorceresse of Eye ELinor Cobham was accused by some that sought to withstand and mislik'd her marriage with Duke Humfrey that shee practised to giue him Philters and such poysoning potions to make him loue her as she was slandered by Cardinall Beuford to haue liued as the Dukes Lemmon against the which Cardinall she exelaimeth in this Epistle in the verse before Though enuious Beuford slaundered me before Noting the extreame hate he euer bore her Nor Elnor brought thee forraine Armies in To fetch her backe as did thy Iacomin This was the chiefe and onely thing that euer tuched the reputation of this good Duke that dotingly he marred Iacomin or as some call her Iaquet daughter and heire to William Bauier Duke of Holland married before and lawfull wife to Iohn Duke of Brabant then liuing which after as it
seeke safety in a forraine Coast Your wiues and children pittied you before But when your owne blood your owne swords imbrue vvho pitties them which once did pitty you 19 The neighbouring groues dispoyled of their trees For boates and tymber to assay this flood vvhere men are labouring as the Summer bees Some hollowing truncks some bynding heapes of wood Some on their breasts some working on their knees To winne the banck whereon the Barrons stood vvhich o're this current they by strength must tew To shed that blood that many ages rew 20 Some sharpen swords some on their Murrians set The Greaues and pouldrons others riuet fast The Archers now their bearded arrowes whet vvhilst euery where the clamerous Drums are bra'st Some taking view where surest ground to get And euery one aduantage doth fore-cast In ranks and fyles each plaine and medow swarmes As though the Land were clad in angry Armes 21 The Crests and honours of the English name Against their owne opposed rudely stand As angry with th'atchieuements whence they came That to theyr vertues gaue that generous brand O you vnworthy of your auncient fame Against your selues to lift your conquering hand Since forraine swords your height could not abate By your owne power your selues to ruinate 22 Vppon his surcoate valient Neuell bore A siluer saltoyre grac'd on martiall red A Ladyes sleeue hie-spirited Hastings wore Ferrer his Taberd with rich verry spred vvell knowne in many a warlike match before A Rauen sat on Corbets warlike head Cou'ring his Helmet Culpepper inrayld On mayden Armes a bloody bend engrayld 23 The noble Percy in this furious day vvith a bright Cressant in his guid-home came In his fayre Cornet Verdooâ— doth display A Geuly fret priz'd in this mortall game That had beene task'd in many a doubtful fray His Launces pennons stayned with the same The angry horse chaf'd with the stubborne bit The ruinous earth with rage horror smit 24 I could the summe of Staffords arming show vvhat cullours Courtney Rosse VVarren hold Each sundry blazon I could let you know And all the glorious circumstance haue told vvhat all the Ensignes standing in a row But wailing Muse ah me thou art controld vvhen in remembrance of this horred deed My pen for inck euen drops of blood doth sheede 25 Th' imperiall standard in this place is pitch'd vvith all the hatchments of the English crowne Great Lancaster with all his power enrich'd Sets the same Leopards in his Colours downe O if with furie you be not bewitch'd Haue but remembrance on your selfe you frowne A little note or difference is in all How can the same stand when the same doth fall 26 Behold the Eagles Lyons Talbots Beares The badges of your famous ancestries And shall they now by their inglorious heires Stand thus opposd against their famelies More honoured marks no Christian nation weares Reliques vnworthy of their progenies Those beasts you beare doe in their kindes agree O that then beasts more sauage man should be 27 But whilst the King no course concluded yit In his directions variably doth houer See how misfortunes still her time can fit Such as were sent the Country to discouer As vp and downe from place to place they flit Had found a foord to land their forces ouer Ill-newes hath wings and with the wind doth goe Comforts a Cripple and comes â—uer flow 28 VVhen Edward fearing Lancasters supplies Proud Richmond Surry and â—reat Penbrooke sent On whose successe his chiefest hope relies Vnder whose conduct halfe his Army went The neerest way conducted by the Spies And he himselfe and Edmond Earle of Kent Vpon the hill in sight of â—â—â—ton lay vvatehing to take aduantage of the day 29 Stay Surry stay thou mai'st too soone be gone Pause till this rage be somewhat ouer-past VVhy runn'st thou thus to thy destruction Richmond and Penbrooke whether doe you hast You labour still to bring more horror on Neuer seeke sorrow for it comes too fast vvhy doe you striue to passe this fatall flood To fetch new wounds and shed your natiue blood 30 Great Lancaster sheath vp thy angry sword On Edwards Armes whose edge thou should'st not whet Thy naturall kinsman and thy soueraigne Lord Are you not one both true Plantaginet Call but to mind thy once-engaged word Canst thou thy oath to Longshancks thus forget Consider well before all other things Our vowes be kept we make to Gods and Kings 31 The winds are â—ush'd no little breath doth blow vvhich seemes so still as though it listning stood vvith trampling crouds the very earth doth bow And through the smoke the sunne appeares like blood vvhat with the shout and with the dreadfull show The heards and flocks runne bellowing to the wood vvhen drums and trumpets giue the fearefull sound As they would shake the cloudes vnto the ground 32 The Earles then charging with their power of horse Taking a signall when they should begin Beeing in view of the imperiall force vvhich at the time assay'd the bridge to win That now the Barrons change th' intended course T' auoyde the danger they were lately in VVhich on the suddaine had they not fore-cast Of their black day this howre hâ—d beene the last 33 VVhen from the hill the Kings maine power comes downe vvhich had Aquarius to their valiant guide Braue Lancaster and Herford from the towne Now issue forth vpon the other side Peere against Peere the crowne against the crowne The one assailes the other munifi'd Englands red Crosse vpon both sides doth flie Saint George the King S. George the Barrons cry 34 Like as an exhalation hote and dry Amongst the ayre-bred moisty vapors throwne Spetteth his lightning forth outragiously Rending the grosse cloudes with the thunderstone vvhose fiery splinters through the thin ayre flie That with the terror heauen and earth doth grone vvith the like clamor and confused woe To the dread shocke these desperate Armies goe 35 Now might you see the famous English Bowes So fortunate in times we did subdue Shoote their sharpe arrowes in the face of those vvhich many a time victoriously them drew Shunning theyr ayme as troubled in the loose The winged weapons mourning as they flew Cleaue to the string now impotent and slack As to the Archers they would â—aine turne back 36 Behold the remnant of Troves auncient stock Laying on blowes as Smiths on Anuils strike Grapling together in this feareâ—ull shocke VVhere as the like incountreth with the like As firme and ruthlesse as th' obdurate Rock Deadly opposed at the push of pyke Still as the wings or battels brought together VVhen fortune yet giues vanâ—age vnto neither 37 From battered Casks with euery enuious blow The scattered plumes flie loosly heere and there vvhich in the ayre doth seeme as drifts of snow vvhich eu'ry light breath on his wings doth beare As they had â—ence and feeling of our woe And thus affrighted with the present â—eare Now back now forward such strange windings make As though vncertaine
he desolutly climes Hauing thus brought his purpose to an end vvith a seuâ—re eye now more strictly looke Into the course that his ambition tooke 28 All fence the tree that serueth for a shade vvhose large growne body doth repulse the wind Vntill his wastfull branches doe inuade The straighter plants and them in prison bind And as a tyrant to the weaker made vvhen like a foule deuourer of his kind Vnto his roote all put their hands to hew vvhose roomth but hinders other that would grow 29 Thus at his ease whilst he securely sate And to his will these things assured were vvith a well-gouern'd and contented fate Neuer so much freed from suspicious feare vvell fortifi'd and in so good estate As not admits of danger to be neare But still we see before a suddaine shower The sunne shines hot'st and hath the greatest power 30 VVithin the Castell hath the Queene deuis'd A chamber with choyce rarities so frought As in the same she had imparadiz'd Almost what man by industrie hath sought VVhere with the curious Pensill was compriz'd vvhat could with colours by the Art be wrought In the most sure place of the Castell there vvhich she had nam'd the Tower of Mortimer 31 An orball forme with pillers small compos'd VVhich to the top like Paralels doe beare Arching the compasse where they were inclos'd Fashioning the faire Roofe like the Hemisphere In whose partitions by the lines dispos'd All the cleere Northerne Asterismes were In their corporeall shapes with starres inchased As by th' old Poets they in heauen were placed 32 About which lodgings towards the vpper face Ran a fine bordure circularly led As equall twixt the hi'st poynt and the base That as a Zone the waste ingerdled That lends the sight a breathing or a space Twixt things neere view and those farre ouer-head Vnder the which the Painters curious skill In liuely formes the goodly roome did fill 33 Heere Phoebus clipping Hyacintbus stood vvhose liues last drops his snowy breast imbrew The ones teares mixed with the others blood That shoul't be blood or teares no sight could view So mix'd together in a little flood Yet heere and there they seu'rally withdrew The pretty VVoodnimphs chasing him with Balme To bring the sweet boy from this deadly qualme 34 VVith the Gods Lire his Quiuer and his bow His golden Mantle cast vpon the ground T' expresse whose griefe Art euen her best did show The sledge so shadowed still seem'd to rebound To counterfet the vigor of the blow As still to giue new anguish to the wound The purple flower sprung from the blood that runne That openeth since and closeth with the sunne 35 By which the Heyfor Io Ioues fayre rape Gazing her new tane figure in a Brooke The water shadow'd to obserue the shape In the same forme that she on it doth looke So cunningly to cloude the wanton scape That gazing eyes the portrature mistooke By prospectiue deuisd beholding now This way a Maiden that way't seem'd a Cow 36 Swift Mercury like to a Shepheards boy Sporting with Hebe by a Fountaine brim vvith many a sweet glance many an amerous toy He sprinckling drops at her and she at him vvherein the Painter so explan'd their ioy As though his skill the perfect life could lym Vpon whose browes the water hung so cleere As through the drops the faire skin might appeare 37 And Ciffy Cyntbus with a thousand byrds vvhose freckled plumes adorne his bushy crowne Vnder whose shadow graze the stragling heards Out of whose top the fresh Springs trembling downe Dropping like fine pearle through his shaggy beards vvith mosse and climing Iuy ouer-growne The Rocke so liuely done in eu'ry part As nature could be paterned by Art 38 The naked Nimphs some vp and downe descending Small scattering flowers at one another flung vvith nimble tumes their limber bodies bending Cropping the blooming branches lately sprung Vpon the bryers theyr coloured Mantels rending vvhich on the Rocks grew heere and there among Some combe their hayre some making garlands by As with delight might satisfie the eye 39 There comes proude Phaeâ—on tuÌ„bling through the cloudes Cast by his Palfrayes that their raines had broke And setting fire vppon the welked shrowds Now through the heauen runne madding from the yoke The elements together thrust in croudes Both Land and Sea hid in a reeking smoke Drawne with such life as some did much desire To warme themselues some frighted with the fire 40 The riuer Po that him receauing burn'd His seauen sisters standing in degrees Trees into women seeming to be turn'd As the Gods turn'd the women into trees Both which at once so mutually that mourn'd Drops from their boughes or teares fell from theyr eyes The fire seem'd to be water water flame Such excellence in showing of the same 41 And to this lodging did the light inuent That it should first a latterall â—ourse reflect Through a short roome into the window sent vvhence it should come expressiuely direct Holding iust distance to the lyneament And should the beames proport ' onably proiect And beeing there by condensated and graue To eu'ry figure a sure colour gaue 42 In part of which vnder a golden Vine vvhose broad-leau'd branches cou'ring ouer all Stoode a rich bed spred with this wanton twine Doubling themselues in their lasciuious fall vvhose rip'ned clusters seeming to decline vvhere as among the naked Cupids spraule Some at the sundry coloured birds doe shute Some swaruing vp to plucke the purple fruite 43 On which a Tissue counterpoint was cast Arachnes web the same did not surpasse vvherein the story of his fortunes past In liuely pictures neatly handled was How he escap'd the Tower in France how grac'd vvith stones embroyd'red of a wondrous masse About the border in a curious fret Emblems Empresas Hiroglifiques set 44 This flattering calme congeales that thickned shower vvhich the full cloudes of poysnous enuy fed vvhose desolution waits th' unhappy hower To let the fury on his hatefull head vvhich now was of that violence and power As his delights yet not imagined VVhen men suppose in safety most to stand Then greatest dangers are the neer'st at hand 45 Yet finding the necessity is such To execute what he doth vndertake And that his crowne it did so neerely touch If they too soone his sleeping power awake Th' attempt was great the danger was asmuch Must secretly prouide some course to take By which he might th' enterprise effect And most offend where he might least suspect 46 A deepe blacke Caue low in the earth is found vvhose duskie entrance like pale Morpheus Cell vvith strange Meanders windeth vnder ground vvhere sooty darknes euer-more doth dwell That with such dread and horror doth abound As might be deem'd an entrance into hell vvhich Architects to serue the Castell made vvhen as the Dane this Iland did inuade 47 Now on along this cranckling path doth keepe Then by a Rocke turnes vp another way Now rising vp now falling towards
branches spring From wrinkled furrowes of times ruining Euen as the hungry vvihter-starued earth vvhen she by nature labours towards her birth Still as the day vpon the darke world creepes One blossome forth after another peepes Till the smal flower whose roote is now vnbound Gets from the frostie prison of the ground Spreading the leaues vnto the powerfull noone Deck'd in fresh colours smiles vpon the sunne Neuer vnquiet care lodg'd in that brest vvhere but one thought of Rosamond did rest Nor thirst nor trauaile which on warre attend Ere brought the long day to desired end Nor yet did pale Feare or leane Famine liue vvhere hope of thee did any comfort giue Ah what iniustice then is this of thee That thus the guiltlesse doost condemne for me vvhen onely she by meanes of my offence Redeemes thy purenes and thy innocence vvhen to our wills perforce obey they must That iust in them what ere in vs vniust Of what we doe not them account we make The fault craues pardon for th' offenders sake And what to worke a Princes will may merrit Hath deep'st impression in the gentlest spirit If 't be my name that doth thee so offend No more my selfe shall be mine owne names friend And if 't be that which thou doost onely hate That name in my name lastly hath his date Say t is accurst and fatall and dispraise it If written blot it if engrauen raze it Say that of all names t is a name of woe Once a Kings name but now it is not so And when all this is done I know t will grieue thee And therefore sweet why should I now belieue thee Nor should'st thou thinke those eyes with enuie lower vvhich passing by thee gaze vp to thy tower But rather praise thine owne which be so cleere vvhich from the Turret like two starres appeare Aboue the sunne doth shine beneath thine eye Mocking the heauen to make another skye The little streame which by thy tower doth glide vvhere oft thou spend'st the wearie euening tide To view thee well his course would gladly stay As loth from thee to part so soone away And with salutes thy selfe would gladly greete And offer vp those small drops at thy feete But finding that the enuious banks restraine it T' excuse it selfe doth in this sort complaine it And therefore this sad bubling murmur keepes And in this sort within the channell weepes And as thou doost into the water looke The fish which see thy shadow in the brooke Forget to feede and all amazed lye So daunted with the lustre of thine eye And that sweet name which thou so much doost wrong In time shall be some famous Poets song And with the very sweetnes of that name Lyons and Tygers men shall learne to tame The carefull mother from her pensiue brest vvith Rosamond shall bring her babe to rest The little birds by mens continuall sonnd Shall learne to speake and prattle Rosamond And when in Aprill they begin to sing vvith Rosamond shall welcome in the spring And she in whom all rarities are found Shall still be sayd to be a Rosamond The little flowers which dropping honied dew vvhich as thou writ'st doe weepe vpon thy shuâ— Not for thy fault sweet Rosamond doe mone But weepe for griefe that thou so soone art gone For if thy foote tuch Hemlock as it goes That Hemlock's made more sweeter then the Rose Of Ioue or Neptune how they did betray Nor speake of I-o or Amimone vvhen she for whom Ioue once became a Bull Compar'd with thee had beene a tawny trull He a white Bull and she a whiter Cow Yet he nor she neere halfe so white as thou Long since thou knowst my care prouided forâ— To lodge thee safe from iealous Ellenor The Labyrinths conueyance guides thee so vvhich onely Vahan thou and I doe know If she doe guard thee with a hundred eyes I haue an hundred subtile Mercuries To watch that Argus which my loue doth keepe Vntill eye after eye fall all to sleepe Those starres looke in by night looke in to see vvondring what star heere on the earth should be As oft the moone amidst the silent night Hath come to ioy vs with her friendly light And by the curtaine help'd mine eye to see vvhat enuious night and darknes hid from mee vvhen I haue wish'd that she might euer stay And other worlds might still enioy the day vvhat should I say vvords teares and sighes be spent And want of time doth further helps preuent My campe resounds with fearefull shocks of war Yet in my breast the worser conflicts are Yet is my signall to the battailes sound The blessed name of beautious Rosamond Accursed be that hart that tongue that breath Should thinke should speake or whisper of thy death For in one smile or lower from thy sweet eye Consists my life my hope my victorie Sweet VVoodstocke where my Rosamond doth rest Blessed in her in whom thy King is blest For though in Fraunce a while my bodie be Sweet Paradice my hart remaines in thee Notes of the Chronicle Historie Am I at home pursued with priuate hate And warre comes raging to my Pallace gate RObert Earle of Leicester who tooke part with young King Henry entred into England with an Armie of 3. thousand Flemmings spoiled the Countries of Norfolke and Suffolke being succoured by manie of the Kings priuate enemies And am I branded with the curse of Rome King Henry the second the first Plantaginet accused for the death of Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterburie slaine in the Cathedrall Church was accursed by Pope Alexander although hee vrg'd sufficient proofe of his innocencie in the same and offered to take vpon him any pennance so he might escape the curse and interdiction of the Realme And by the pride of my rebellious Sonne Rich Normandie with Armies ouer-runne Henry the young King whom King Henry had caused to be crowned in his life as he hoped both for his owne good and the good of his Subiects which indeede turned to his owne sorrowe and the trouble of the whole Realme for he rebelled against him and raising a power by the meanes of Lewes King of Fraunce and William king of Scots who tooke part with him inuaded Normandie Vnkind my children most vnkind my wife Neuer King more infortunate then King Henry in the disobedience of his children first Henry then Geffrey then Richard then Iohn all at one time or other first or last vnnaturally rebelled against him then the iealousie of Ellinor his Queene who suspected his loue to Rosamond which grieuous troubles the deuout of those times attributed to happen vnto him iustly for refusing to take vppon him the gouernment of Ierusalem offered vnto him by the Patriarcke there which country was mightilie afflicted by the Souldane Which onely Vahan thou and I doe know This Vahan was a Knight whom the King exceedingly loued who kept the Pallace at Woodstock much of the Kings iewels treasure to whom the