any longer growe 88 Which turning Chaunce t' a long vngraced side Brings backe their almost quayled hopes againe And thrust them on to vse the present Tide And Flowe of this occasion to regaine Th'inthralled Monarch and to vndecide The late concluded Act they held for vaine And mooues their Armies new refresht with spoyle For more confusion and for more turmoyle 89 Victoriously proceeding vnwithstood Till at S. Albones VVarwicke forc't a stand Where-as to make his owne vndooing good The King is brought against himselfe to band His Powre 〈◊〉 Crowne is set against his Blood Forc't on the side not of himselfe to stand Diuided King in what a case thou art To haue thy hand thus bent against thy hart 90 And here this famous fatall place againe Is made the stage of blood againe these streets 〈◊〉 with slaughter cov'red with the slaine Witness what desp'rat wrath with rancor meets But Fortune now is in an other vaine Another side her turning fauour greets The King heere lately lost is now heere won Still sure t' vndoe the side that he was on 91 VVarwicke with other Genius then his owne Had heere to doe which made him see the face Of sad misfortune in the selfe same Towne Where prosp'rous winning lately gaue him grace And Marg'ret heere this Martiall Amazon Was with the spirit of herselfe in place Whose labors Fortune euen to pittie stir And being a woman could but giue it her 92 The reputation and incouragement Of 〈◊〉 glory wakened them to this And this seemes now the full accomplishment Of all their trauell all their combrances For what can more disturbe this Gouernment When Yorke extinct VVarwick conquered is Directing Salsburie left without a head What rests there now that all 's not finished 93 Thus for the sicke preseruing Nature striues Against corruption and the loathsome Graue When out of Deaths colde hands she backe repriues Th'almost confounded spirits she faine would saue And them cheeres vp illightens and reuiues Making faint Sickenesse words of health to haue With lookes of life as if the worst were past When strait comes dissolution and his last 94 So fares it with this late reuiued Queene Whose Victories thus fortunately wonne Haue but as onely lightning motions beene Before the ruine that ensu'd thereon For now another springing powre is seene Whereto as to the new arysing Sunne All turne their faces leauing those lowe rayes Of setting Fortune which no Climer waighes 95 Now is yong March more than a Duke of Yorke For youth loue grace and courage make him more All which for Fortunes fauour now do worke Who graceth freshest Actors euermore Making the first attempt the chiefest worke Of any mans designes that striues therefore The after-seasons are not so well blest For those first spirits make their first actions best 96 Now as the Libyan Lion when with paine The wearie Hunter hath pursu'd his prey From Rockes to Brakes from Thickets to the Plaine And at the point thereon his hands to lay Hard-by his hopes his eye vpon his gaine Out-rushing from his denne rapts all away So comes yong March their endes to disappoint Who now were growne so neere vnto the point 97 The loue of these important southerne parts Of Essex Surry Middlesex and Kent The Queene had wholly lost as they whose hearts Grew ill affected to her gouernment Vpon th'vnciuile and presumptuous parts Play'd by the Northerne troupes growne insolent Whom though she could not gouerne otherwise Yet th' ill that's wrought for her vpon her lies 98 So wretched is this execrable Warre This ciuile Sworde wherein though all wee see Be foul and all things miferable are Yet most distresse-full is the 〈◊〉 Which is not onely th'extream ruiner Of others but her owne calamity Where who obtains what he would cannot do Their powre hath part who holpe him thereunto 99 The Citty whose good-will they most desire Yet thereunto durst not commit their state Sends them not those prouisions they require Which seem'd restrained by the peoples hate Yet Marches help farre off and neere this fire To winne them time 〈◊〉 them to mediate A reconcilement which well entertain'd Was fairely now growen-on and neerely gain'd 100 When with a thousand tongs swift-wing'd Fame coms And tells of Marches gallant Victories Who what withstands subdues all ouercomes Making his way through fiercest enemies As hauing now to cast in greater Summes The Reckning of his hopes that mainly rise His fathers death giues more life vnto wrath And vexed valour greater courage hath 101 And now as for his last his lab'ring worth Works on the coast which on faire Seuerne lyes Whereto his Father passing to the North Sent him to leuie other fresh supplies But hearing now what Wakefield had brought forth Imploring ayde against these iniuries Obtains from Gloster Worster Shrewsburie Important powres to worke his remedie 102 Which he against Pembrooke and Ormond bends Whom Margaret now vpon her victory With all speed possible from VVakefield sends With hope to haue surpris'd him suddenly Wherin though she all meanes all wit extends To th' vtmost reach of wary policie Yet nothing her avayles no plots succeed T' avert those mischiefes which the heauens decreed 103 For neere the Crosse ally'd vnto his name He 〈◊〉 those mighty forces of his foes And with a spirit or day'nd for deeds of fame Their eager-fighting Army ouer-throwes Making all cleer behind from whence he came Bearing-downe wholly what before him rose Like to an all-confounding Torrent seemes And was made more by VVarwicks mighty streames 104 With th'inundation of which Greatnesse he Hauing no bounds of powre to keepe him backe Marcht to the Citie at whose entrance free No signes of ioy nor no applaudings lacke Whose neere approach when this sad Queene did see T' auoyde these rocks of her neere threatning wrack With her griev'd troupes North-ward she hence departs And leaues to Youth and Fortune these South-parts 105 Glory with admiration entring now Opened that easie doore to his intent As that there needes not long time to allow The Right he had vnto the Gouernement Nor Henries iniuries to disauow Against his oath and th' Act of Parlement For heere the speediest way he takes t' accord Difference in law that pleades it with the Sword 106 Gath'red to see his mustred Companies Stoode all the flocking troopes of London streets When Faulconbridge with gentle feeling tries How strong the pulse of their affection beates And reckning vp the grieuous miseries And desolation which the Country threats Askt them whom they would haue to be their King To leade those troopes and State in forme to bring 107 Whereto with such an vniuersall showt The Earle of March the multitude replyes As the rebounding Eccho streight through-out From Towre to Towre reuerberated flyes To th' eares of those great Lords who sate about The consultation for this enterprise Whose care is sav'd which most they stood vpon For what they counsell how too
THE CIVILE WARES betweene the Howses of Lancaster and Yorke corrected and continued by Samuel Daniel one of the Groomes of hir Maiesties most honorable Priuie Chamber Aetas prima canat veneres postrema tumultus PRINTED AT LONDON by Simon Watersonne 1609 TO THE RIGHT NOBLE Lady the Lady Marie Countesse Dowager of Pembrooke MADAME THis Poem of our last Ciuile Warres of England whereof the many Editions shewe what kinde of intertainement it hath had with the world I haue now againe sent-forth with the addition of two bookes the one 〈◊〉 the course of the Historie the other making-vp 〈◊〉 part which for haste was left vnfurnisht in the former 〈◊〉 And hauing nothing else to doo with my 〈◊〉 but to worke whil'st I haue it I held it my part to 〈◊〉 the best I could this Prouince Nature hath 〈◊〉 to my Charge and which I desire to leaue after my death in the best forme I may seeing I can erect no other pillars to sustaine my memorie but my lines nor 〈◊〉 pay my debts and the recknings of my gratitude to their honour who haue donne me good and furthered 〈◊〉 Worke. And whereas this Argument was long since vndertaken in a time which was not so well secur'd of the future as God be blessed now it is with a purpose to shewe the deformities of 〈◊〉 Dissension and the miserable euents of Rebellions Conspiracies and bloudy Reuengements which followed as in a circle vpon that breach of the due course of Succession by the Vsurpation of Hen. 4 and thereby to make the blessings of Peace and the happinesse of an established Gouernment in a direct Line the better to appeare I trust I shall doo a gratefull worke to my Countrie to continue the same vnto the glorious 〈◊〉 of Hen. 7 from whence is descended our present Happinesse In which Worke I haue carefully followed that truth which is 〈◊〉 in the Historie without adding to or subtracting from the general receiu'd opinion of things as we finde them in our common Annalles holding it an impietie to violate that publike Testimonie we haue without more euident proofe or to introduce fictions of 〈◊〉 owne imagination in things of this nature Famae rerum standum est Though I knowe in these publike actions there are euer popular bruites and opinions which run according to the time the biass of mens affections and it is the part of an Historian to recite them not to rule thē especially otherwise then the circumstances may induce according to that modest saying Nec affirmare sustineo de quibus dubito nec subducere quae accepi I haue onely vsed that poeticall licence of framing speaches to the persons of men according to their occasions as C. Salustius and T. Liuius though Writers in Prose yet in that kinde Poets haue with diuers other antient and modern Writers done before me Wherin though they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à 〈◊〉 that was not properly theirs yet seeing they 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 a proportion with the nature of men and the course of affayres they passe as the partes of the Actor not the Writer and are 〈◊〉 ' d with great approbation And although many of these Images are drawne with the pencil of mine conceiuing yet I knowe they are according to the portraiture of Nature and carrie a resemblance to the life of Action and their complexions whom they represent For I see Ambition Faction and Affections speake euer one Language we are like colours though in seuerall fashions feed and are fed with the same nutriments and only vary but in time Man is a creature of the same dimension he was and how great and eminent 〈◊〉 hee bee his measure and height is easie to be taken And all these great actions are openly presented on the Stage of the World where there are euer Spectators who will iudge and censare how men personate those parts which they are set to perform and so enter them in the Records of Memorie And if I haue erred somewhat in the draught of the young Q. Isabel wife to Ric. 2. in not suting her passions to her yeares I must craue fauour of my credulous Readers and hope the young Ladies of England who peraduenture will thinke themselues of age sufficient at 14 yeares to haue a feeling of their owne estates will excuse me in that point For the rest setting-aside those ornaments proper to this kinde of Writing I haue faithfully obserued the Historie Wherein such as loue this Harmony of words may finde that a Subiect of the greatest grauitie will be aptly exprest howsoeuer others seeing in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but as a language 〈◊〉 Lightnes and 〈◊〉 For 〈◊〉 owne part I am not so far in 〈◊〉 with this forme of Writing nor haue I sworne Fealtie onely to Ryme but that I 〈◊〉 serue in any other state of Inuention with what weapon of 〈◊〉 I will and so it may make good my 〈◊〉 I care not For I see Iudgement and Discretion with what soeuer is worthy carry their owne Ornaments and are grac't with their owne beauties be they 〈◊〉 in what fashion they will And because I finde the common tongue of the world is Prose I purpose in that kinde to write the Historie of England from the Conquest being incouraged thereunto by many noble worthy Spirits Although 〈◊〉 I must not neglect to prosecute the other part of this Worke 〈◊〉 being thus reuiued by your Goodnes to whome and to whose Noble Family I hold my selfe euer bound and will labour to 〈◊〉 you all she honor and seruice I can SAM DANYEL ⧠TO THE HIGH and most Illustrious Prince CHARLES His Excellence SIR PResents to gods were offered by the hands of graces and why not those of great Princes by those of the Muses To you therefore Great Prince of Honor and Honor of Princes J ioyntly present Poesie and Musicke in the one the seruice of my defunct Brother in the other the duty of my selfe liuing in both the douotion of two Brothers your Highnes humble seruants Your Excellence then who is of such recommendable fame with all Nations for the curiosity of your rare Spirit to vnderstand and ability of Knowledge to iudge of all things I humbly inuite leauing the Songs of his Muse who liuing so sweetly chanted the glory of your High Name Sacred is the fame of Poets Sacred the name of Princes To which Humbly bowes and vowes Himselfe euer your Highnesse Seruant Iohn Daniel THE FIRST BOOKE THE ARGVMENT What times fore-goe Richard the seconds Raigne The fatall causes of this ciuile VVarre His Vncles pride his greedy Minions gaine Glosters reuolt and death deliuered are Herford accus'd exil'd call'd-back againe Pretendes t' amend what others Rule did marre The King from Ireland hastes but did no good VVhil'st strange prodigious signes fore-token blood 1 I Sing the ciuill Warres tumultuous Broyles And bloody factions of a mightie Land Whose people hautie proud with forraine
run Vnto that course they seeth ' effects relate Whil'st still too short they come or cast too far And make these great men wiser then they ar 100 But by degrees he ventures now on blood And sacrifiz'd vnto the peoples loue The death of those that chiefe in enuie stood As th' Officers who first these dangers proue The Treasurer and those whom they thought good Bushy and Greene by death he must remoue These were the men the people thought did cause Those great exactions and abus'd the lawes 101 This done his cause was preacht with learned skill By Arundel th' Archbishop who there show'd A Pardon sent from Rome to all that will Take part with him and quit the faith they ow'd To Richard as a Prince vnfit and ill On whom the Crowne was fatally bestow'd And easie-yeelding zeale was quickly caught With what the mouth of grauity had taught 102 O that this power from euerlasting giuen The great alliance made twixt God and vs Th' intelligence that earth doth hold with heauen Sacred Religion ô that thou must thus Be made to smooth our wayes vniust vneuen Brought from aboue earth-quarrels to discusse Must men beguile our soules to winne our wils And make our Zeale the furtherer of ils 103 But the ambitious to 〈◊〉 their might Dispense with heauen and what Religion would The armed will finde right or els make right If this 〈◊〉 wrought not yet an other should And this and other now do all incite To strength the faction that the Duke doth hold Who easily obtained what he sought His vertues and his loue so greatly wrought 104 The King still busied in this Irish warre Which by his valour there did well succeed Had newes how here his Lords reuolted are And how the Duke of Herford doth proceede In these affaires he feares are growne too farre Hastes his returne from thence with greatest speed But was by tempests windes and seas debarr'd As if they likewise had against him warr'd 105 But at the length though late in Wales he lands Where thoroughly inform'd of Henries force And well aduertis'd how his owne case stands Which to his griefe he sees tends to the worse He leauest ' Aumarle at Milford all those bandes He brought from Ireland taking thence his course To Conway all disguis'd with fourteene more To th' Earle of Salisburie thither sent before 106 Thinking the Earle had rays'd some Armie there Whom there he findes for saken all alone The forces in those parts which leuied were Were closely shrunke away disperst and gone The king had stayd too long and they in feare Resolued euerie man to shift for one At this amas'd such fortune he laments Foresees his fall whereto each thing consents 107 In this disturb'd tumultuous broken State Whil'st yet th' euent stood doubtfull what should bee Whilst nought but headlong running to debate And glittering troupes and arm or men might see Furie and feare compassion wrath and hate Confus'd through all the land no corner free The strong all mad to strife to ruine bent The weaker waild the aged they lament 108 And blame their many yeeres that liue so long To see the horrour of these miseries Why had not we said they di'd with the strong In forraine fieldes in honourable wise In iust exployts and noble without wrong And by the valiant hand of enemies And not thus now reserued in our age To home-confusion and disordered rage 109 Vnto the Temples flocke the weake deuout Sad wayling Women there to vow and pray For husbands brothers or their sonnes gone out To blood-shed whom nor teares nor loue could stay Here graue religious Fathers which much doubt The sad euents these broyles procure them may As Prophets warne exclaime disswade these crimes By the examples fresh of other times 110 And ô what do you now prepare said they Another Conquest by these fatall wayes What must your owne hands make your selues a pray To desolation which these tumults rayse What Dane what Norman shall prepare his way To triumph on the spoyle of your decayes That which nor Fraunce nor all the world could do In vnion shall your discord bring you to 111 Conspire against vs neighbour nations all That enuie at the height whereto w' are growne Coniure the barbarous North and let them call Strange furie from farre distant shores vnknowne And let them altogether on vs fall So to diuert the ruine of our owne That we forgetting what doth so incense May turne the hand of malice to defence 112 Calme these tempestuous spirits O mighty Lord This threatning storme that ouer-hangs the Land Make them consider ere they ' vnsheath the sword How vaine is th' earth this point whereon they stand And with what sad calamities is stor'd The best of that for which th' Ambitious band Labor the ende of labor strife of strife Terror in death and horrour after life 113 Thus they in zeale whose humbled thoughts were good Whil'st in this wide-spread volume of the skies The booke of Prouidence disclosed stood Warnings of wrath foregoing miseries In lines of fire and characters of blood There feare full formes in dreadfull flames arise Amazing Comets threatning Monarchs might And new-seene Starres vnknowne vnto the night 114 Red 〈◊〉 Dragons in the ayre do flye And burning Meteors pointed-streaming lightes Bright Starres in midst of day appeare in skie Prodigious monsters ghastly fearefull sights Strange Ghostes and apparitions terrifie The wofull mother her owne birth affrightes Seeing a wrong deformed infant borne Grieues in her paines deceiv'd in shame doth mourne 115 The earth as if afeard of blood and wounds Trembles in terrour of these falling 〈◊〉 The hollow concaues giue out groning sounds And sighing murmures to lament our woes The Ocean all at discord with his boundes Reiterates his strange vntimely flowes Nature all out of course to checke our course Neglects her worke to worke in vs remorse 116 So great a wracke vnto it selfe doth lo Disorder'd proud mortalitie prepare That this whole frame doth euen labour so Her ruine vnto frailty to declare And trauailes to fore-signifie the wo That weake improuidence could not beware For heauen and earth and ayre and seas and all Taught men to see but not to shun their fall 117 Is man so deare vnto the heauens that they Respect the wayes of earth the workes of sinne Doth this great All this Vniuer sall weigh The vaine designes that weakenesse doth begin Or doth our feare father of zeale giue way Vnto this errour ignorance liues in And deeme our faults the cause that moue these powres That haue their cause from other cause then ours 118 But these beginnings had this impious Warre Th'vngodly blood-shed that did so defile The beautie of thy fields and euen did marre The flowre of thy chiefe pride thou fairest Ile These were the causes that incenst so farre The ciuill wounding hand inrag'd with spoyle That now the liuing with afflicted eye Looke backe with
Whil'st we hold but the shadow of our owne Pleas'd with vaine shewes and dallied with delight They as huge vnproportion'd mountaines growne Betweene our land and vs shadowing our light Bereaue the rest of ioy and vs of loue And keepe downe all to keepe themselues aboue 20 Which wounds with griefe poore vnrespected zeale When grace holdes no proportion in the parts When distribution in the Common-weale Of charge and honour due to good desarts Is stopt when others greedie hands must deale The benefite that Maiestie imparts What good we meant comes gleaned home but light Whilst we are robd of prayse they of their right 21 Thus he complained when lo from Lancaster The new intit'led Duke with order sent Arriv'd Northumberland as to conferre And make relation of the Dukes intent And offred there if that he would referre The controuersie vnto Parlement And punish those that had abus'd the State As causers of this vniuersall hate 22 And also see that Iustice might be had On those the Duke of Glosters death procur'd and such remov'd from Councell as were bad His cosin Henry would he there assur'd On humble knees before his Grace be glad To aske him pardon to be well secur'd and haue his right and grace resto'rd againe The which was all he labour'd to obtaine 23 And therefore doth an enterparle exhort Perswades him leaue that vnbeseeming place and with a princely hardinesse resort Vnto his people that attend his Grace They meant his publique good and not his hurt and would most ioyfull be to see his face He layes his soule to pledge and takes his Oath The ost of Christ an ostage for his troth 24 This proffer with such protestations made Vnto a King that so neere danger stood Was a sufficient motiue to perswade When no way else could shew a face so good Th'vnhonourable meanes of safety bade Danger accept what Maiesty withstood When better choyses are not to be had We needes must take the seeming bost of bad 25 Yet standes he'in doubt a while what way to take Conferring with that small remaining troope Fortune had left which neuer would forsake Their poore distressed Lord nor neuer stoope To any hopes the stronger part could make Good Carlile Ferby and Sir Stephen Scroope With that most worthy Montague were all That were content with Maiesty to fall 26 Time spare and make not sacrilegious theft Vpon so memorable constancie Let not succeeding Ages be bereft Of such examples of integritie Nor thou magnanimous Leigh must not be left in darknesse for thy rare fidelitie To saue thy faith content to lose thy head That 〈◊〉 head of good men honoured 27 Nor will my Conscience I should iniury Thy memorie most trusty Ienico For b'ing not ours though wish that 〈◊〉 Claym'd not for hers the faith we reuerence so That England might haue this small companie Onely to her alone hauing no moe But le' ts diuide this good betwixt vs both Take she thy birth and we will haue thy troth 28 Graue Montague whom long experience taught In either fortune thus aduis'd his King Deare Sou'raigne know the matter that is sought Is onely now your Maiesty to bring From out of this poore safetie you haue got Into theyr hands that else hold euery thing For now but onely you they want of all and wanting you they nothing theirs can call 29 Here haue you craggie Rocks to take your part That neuer will betray their faith to you These trusty Mountaines here will neuer start But stand t' vpbraid their shame that are vntrue Here may you fence your safetie with small art against the pride of that confused Crew If men will not these verie Cliffes will fight and be sufficient to defend your right 30 Then keepe you here and here shall you behold Within short space the slyding faith of those That cannot long their resolution hold Repent the course their idle rashnesse chose For that same mercenarie faith they sold With least occasions discontented growes And insolent those voluntarie bands Presuming how by them he chiefly stands 31 And how can he those mightie troupes sustaine Long time where now he is or any where Besides what discipline can he retaine Whereas he dares not keepe them vnder feare For feare to haue them to reuolt againe So that it selfe when Greatnesse cannot beare With her owne waight must needes confus'dly fall Without the helpe of other force at all 32 And hither to approche hee will not dare Where deserts rockes and hilles no succours giue Where desolation and no comforts are Where few can do no good many not liue Besides we haue the Ocean to prepare Someother place if this should not relieue So shall you tire his force consume his strength And weary all his followers out at length 33 Doe but referre to time and to small time And infinite occasions you shall finde To quaile the Rebell euen in the prime Of all his hopes beyond all thought of minde For many with the conscience of the crime In colder blood will curse what they design'd And bad successe vpbrayding their ill fact Drawes them whom others draw from such an act 34 For if the least imagin'd ouerture But of conceiv'd reuolt men once 〈◊〉 Straight shrinke the weake the great will not indure Th' impatient run the discontented flie The friend his friends example doth procure And all to gither haste them presently Some to their home some hide others that stay To reconcile themselues the rest betray 35 What hope haue you that euer Bullingbrooke Will liue a Subiect that hath tri'd his fate Or what good reconcilement can you looke Where he must alwayes feare and you must hate And neuer thinke that he this quarrell tooke To reobtaine thereby his priuate state T' was greater hopes that hereto did him call And he will thrust for all or else lose all 36 Nor trust this suttle Agent nor his oth You knowe his faith you tri'd it before hand His fault is death and now to lose his troth To saue his life he will not greatly stand Nor trust your kinsmans proffer since you both Shew blood in Princes is no stedfast band What though he hath no title he hath might That makes a title where there is no right 37 Thus he when that good Bishop thus replies Out of a minde that quiet did affect My Lord I must confesse as your caselies You haue great cause your Subiects to suspect And counterplot against their subtelties Who all good care and honestie neglect And feare the worst what insolence may do Or armed fury may incense them to 38 But yet my Lord feare may aswell transport Your care beyond the truth of what is meant As otherwise neglect may fall too short In not examining of their intent But let vs weigh the thing which they exhort T is Peace Submission and a Parlement Which how expedient 't is for either part T were good we iudg'd with an
haue no need I knowe you knowe how much the thing doth touch The maine of all your states your blood your seed Yet since the same concernes my life as much As his whose hand is chiefest in this deed And that my foote must go as farre as his I thinke my tongue may speake what needfull is 39 The thing we enterprize I knowe doth beare Great possibilitie of good effect For-that so many men of might there are That venture here this action to direct Which meaner wightes of trust and credite bare Not so respected could not looke t' effect For none without great hopes will follow such Whose powre and honor doth not promise much 40 Besides this new and doubtfull gouernment The wauering faith of people vaine and light The secret hopes of many discontent The naturall affection to the right Our lawfull Sov'raignes life in prison pent Whom men begin to pittie now not spight Our well layd plot and all I must confesse With our iust cause doth promise good successe 41 But this is yet the outward fayrest side Of our desseigne within rests more of feare More dread of sad euent yet vndescri'd Then my most worthy Lords I would there were But yet I speake not this as to diuide Your thoughts from th' act or to dismay your cheere Onely to adde vnto your forward will A moderate feare to cast the worst of ill 42 Danger before and in and after th' act You needes must graunt is great and to be waigh'd Before least while we do the deede protract It be by any of our selues bewraid For many being priuie to the fact How hard it is to keepe it vnbetraid When the betrayer shal haue life and grace And rid himselfe of danger and disgrace 43 For though some few continue resolute Yet many shrink which at the first would dare And be the formost men to execute If th' act and motion at one instant were But intermission suffers men dispute What dangers are and cast with farther care Cold doubt cauils with honor scorneth fame And in the end feare waighes downe faith with shame 44 Then in the act what perils shall we finde If either place or time or other course Cause vs to alter th' order now assign'd Or that then we expect things happen worse If either error or afainting minde An indiscreet amazement or remorse In any at that instant should be found How much it might the act and all confound 45 After the deede the dangers are no lesse Lest that our forwardnes not seconded By our owne followers and accomplices Being kept backe or slowe or hindered The hastie multitude rush-on t' oppresse Confused weakenes there vnsuccored Or ray se another head of that same race T' auenge his death and prosecute the case 46 All this my Lords must be considered The best and worst of that which may succeede That valourmixt with feare boldnesse with dread May march more circumspect with better heed And To preuent these mischiefs mentioned Is by our faith our secrecie and speed For euen already is the worke begun And we rest all vndone till all be done 47 And though I could haue wisht another course In open fielde t' haue hazarded my blood Yet some are heere whose loue is of that force To draw my life whom zeale hath not withstood But like you not of your desseigne the worse If the successe be good your course is good And ending well our honor then begins No hand of strife is pure but that which wins 48 This sayd a sad still silence held their mindes Vpon the feareful proiect of their woe But that not long ere forward furie findes Incouraging perswasions on to goe We must sayd they we wil our honour bindes Our safety bids our fayth must haue it so We know the worst can come 't is thought vpon We cannot shift being in we must goe on 49 And on in deed they went but ô not farre A fatal stop trauerst their headlong course Their drift comes knowne and they discouered are For some of many will be false of force Aumarle became the man that all did marre Whether through indiscretion chance or worse He makes his peace with offring others blood And shewes the King how all the matter stood 50 Then lo dismayde confusion all possest Th' afflicted troupe hearing their plot descride Then runnes amaz'd distresse with sad vnrest To this to that to slie to stand to hide Distracted terror knew not what was best On what determination to abide At last 〈◊〉 would yet stand to the Sword To trie what friendes would doe or fate asfoord 51 Then this then that mans ayde they craue implore Poste here for helpe seeke there their followers Coniure their friendes they had labour for more Sollicite all reputed fauourers Who Richards cause seem'd to affect before And in his name write pray sende messengers To try what faith was 〈◊〉 if by this art Any would 〈◊〉 to take Afflictions part 52 And some were found and some againe draw backe Vncertaine power could not it selfe retaine Intreate they may authoritie they lacke And here and there they march but all in vaine With desp'rate course like those that see their wracke Euen on the Rockes of death and yet they straine That death may not them idly finde t' attend Their certaine last but worke to meet their end 53 And long they stand not ere the chiefe surpriz'd Conclude with their deare blood their tragedie And all the rest disperst run some disguis'd To vnknowne coastes some to the shores do flye Some to the woods or whither feare aduis'd But running from all to destruction hie The breach once made vpon a battered state Downe goes distresse no shelter shroudes their fate 54 And now what horror in their soules doth growe What sorrowes with their friendes and neere allies What mourning in their ruin'd houses now How many childrens plaints and mothers cryes How many wofull Widowes left to bow To sad disgrace what perisht families What heires of hie rich hopes their thoughts must frame To base-downe-looking pouertie and shame 55 This slaughter and calamitie fore-goes Thy eminent destruction wofull King This is the bloody Comet of thy woes That doth fore-tell thy present ruyning Here was thy ende decreed when these men rose And euen with theirs this act thy death did bring Or hastened at the least vpon this ground Yet if not this another had beene found 56 Kings Lords of times and of occasions may Take their aduantage when and how they list For now the Realme he thought in this dismay T' 〈◊〉 like mischiefes neither would resist Norfeele the wound at all since by this way All future disturbations would desist The roote cut off from whence these tumults rose He should haue rest the Common-wealth repose 57 He knew this time and yet he would not seeme Too quicke to wrath as if affecting blood But yet complaines so farre that men might deeme He would 't were done and that he thought it
did all his courage bend Against those foure which now before him were Doubting not who behind him doth attend And plyes his hands vndaunted vnaffeard And with good heart and life for life he stird 77 And whiles he this and that and each mans blowe Doth eye defend and shift being layd-to 〈◊〉 Backward he beares for more aduantage now Thinking the wall would safegard him the more When lo with impious hand ô wicked thou That shamefull durst not come to strike before Behind him gav'st that lamentable wound Which layd that wretched Prince flat on the ground 78 Now proditorious wretch what hast thou done To make this barbarous base assassinate Vpon the person of a Prince and one Fore-spent with sorrow and all desolate What great aduancement hast thou hereby wonne By being the instrument to perpetrate So foule a deed where is thy grace in Corte For such a seruice acted in this sort 79 First he for whom thou dost this villanie Though pleas'd there with will not auouch thy fact But let the weight of thine owne infamie Fall on thee vnsupported and vnbackt Then all men else will loath thy treacherie And thou thy selfe abhorre thy proper act So th' Wolfe in hope the Lyons grace to win Betraying other beastes lost his owne 〈◊〉 80 But now as this sweet Prince distended lay And him nor Life nor Death their owne could call For Life remouing 〈◊〉 not all away And Death though entring had not seis'd on all That short-tym'd motion had a little stay The mouer ceasing though it were but small As th' Organ-sound a time suruiues the stop Before it doth the dying note giue vp 81 When lo there streames a spring of bloud so fast From those deepe woundes as all imbru'd the face Of that accursed caytiue as he past After the deed effected through the place And therewithall those dying eyes did cast Such an vpbrayding looke on his disgrace Seeming to checke so cowardly a part As left th' impression euen in his hart 82 And this one King most neere in bloud ally'd Is made th' oblation for the others peace Which peace yet was not hereby ratifi'd So as it could all future feares release For though the other did forth with prouide To haue the rumour run of his decease By drawing the corps to London where it was Layd three dayes to be seene with open face 83 Yet so great was this execrable deed As men would searce therein belieue their eyes Much lesse their eares and many sought to feed The easie creditours of nouelties By voycing him aliue how hee was freed By strange escape out of his miseries And many did conspire now to relieue Him dead who had forsaken him aliue 84 And many suffred for his Cause when now He had 〈◊〉 many 〈◊〉 for him againe When they perceiv'd th' exchange did not allow Their hopes so much as they did looke to gaine By traffiquing of kings and all saw how Their full 〈◊〉 were in the wane They had a King was more then him before But yet a king where they were nought the more 85 And sure this murthred Prince though weake he was He was not ill not yet so weake 〈◊〉 that He shew'd much Martiall 〈◊〉 in his place Aduentring of this person for the State And might amongst our better Princes passe Had not the flatterie rapine and debate Of factious Lords and greedie Officers 〈◊〉 his actions and abus'd his yeares 86 Nor is it so much Princes weakenesses As the corruption of their Ministers Wherby the Common-wealth receiues distress For they attending their particulars Make imperfections their aduantages To be themselues both Kings and Councellors And sure this Common-wealth can neuer take Hurt by weake kings but such as we doo make 87 Besides he was which people much respect In Princes and which pleases vulgarly Of goodly personage and of sweete aspect Of milde accesse and liberalitie And feastes and shewes and triumphs did affect As the delights of youth and iollitie But here the great profusion and expence Of his reuenues bred him much offence 88 And gaue aduantage vnto enmitie This grieuous accusation to prefer That he consum'd the common Treasurie Whereof he being the simple vsager But for the State not in proprietie Did alien at his pleasure and transfer The same this minions and to whome hee list By which the Common-wealth was to subsist 89 Whereby sayd they the poore concussed State Shall euer be exacted for supplyes Which accusation was th' occasion that His succeslour by order 〈◊〉 Many his Patents and did reuocate And reaslume his liberalities And yet for all these wastes these gifts and feasts He was not found a Bankrupt in his chests 90 But they who tooke to Syndicque in this sorte The Actions of a Monarch knew those things Wherein the accoumpts were likely to fall short Betweene the State of Kingdomes and their Kings Which president of pestilent import Had not the heauens blest thy indeuourings Against thee Henry had beene likewise brought Th' example made of thy example wrought 91 For though this bountie and this liberalness A glorious vertue be it better fits Great men then kings who giuing in excesse Giue not their owne but others benefits Which calles-vp manies hopes but pleasures lesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more loue then it begets For Iustice is their Virtue that alone Makes them sit sure and glorifies the Throne The ende of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Henrie his excuses publishes For Richards death and truce doth intertaine With France The Scots 〈◊〉 for wrongs address Themselues to warre and are appeas'd againe The Welsh rebell The Percies practises To part the State are stopt in battell slaine Continuall troubles still afflict this King Till Death an end doth to his trauailes bring 1 THe bounds once ouer-gone that hold men in They neuer stay but on from bad to worse Wrongs do not leaue off there where they begin But still beget new mischiefes in their course Now Henrie thou 〈◊〉 added to thy 〈◊〉 Of vsurpation and intruding force A greater crime which makes that gone before T' appeare more then it did and noted more 2 For now thou artinforc't t' apologise With forraine States for two enormious things Wherein thou dost appeare to scandalise The publike Right and common Cause of Kings Which though with all the skill thou canst deuise Thou ouerlay'st with fayrest colourings Yet th' vnder-worke transparent shewes too plaine Where open acts accuse th' excuse is vaine 3 And these defences are but complements To dallie with confining Potentates Who busied in their proper gouernments Do seldome tend th' affaires of other States Their wisedome which to present powre consents Liue-dogges before dead Lyons estimates And no man more respects these publike wrongs Then so much as t' his priuate state belongs 4 Yet most it seem'd the French King to import As sharer in his daughters iniurie Though bloud in Princes links not in such
the people to abuse And giue their Cause and them the 〈◊〉 force The king for tyranny they doo accuse By whom the State was growne from bad to worse A periur'd man who held all faith in scorne Whose trusted Oathes had others 〈◊〉 forsworne 25 And there withal the execrable act On their late murthered King they aggrauate How he imploy'd the dooers of the fact Whom afterwards hee did remunerate And dayly such taxations did exact As were against the Order of the State Presuming those great summes hee did impose About his priuate vses to dispose 26 And how he was inuironed with such As had possest him and in slanderous sort Accus'd them so as they durst not approche To cleare themselues of such vniust report And thereupon they 〈◊〉 disauouch To yeld him more obedience or support And as t' a 〈◊〉 Duke of Lancaster Their Cartell of Defiance they preferre 27 Protesting these obiections to make good With sword in hand and to confirme and seale Their vndertaking with their dearest bloud As Procurators for the Common-weale And that vpon their Consciences it stood And did import their dutie and their zeale Vnto the State as Peeres to seeredrest Those miseries wherewith it was opprest 28 Great seem'd their Cause and greatly too did adde The peoples loue thereto these crymes impos'd That many gathered to the troupes they had And many sent them aide though vndisclos'd So that the King with all maine speed was glad Both by his remonstrances well compos'd And with his sword his best defence prouide To right himselfe and to correct their pride 29 Divulging first a fayre Apologie Of his cleere heart touching the foule report Of that assassinate which vtterly He doth 〈◊〉 protesting in no sort Tagree thereto in will or priuitie And how he had beene vsed to extort The State could witnesse best by whose consent Was granted what he had in Parlement 30 Which neuer was but onely one supply Infoure yeares troublous and expensiue Raigne And 〈◊〉 vpon extreame necessitie The safetie of the publicke to maintaine And that the Percies best could testifie How most that mony issued was againe To whom the same was rendred to the end To warre the Scot and Borders to defend 31 And that the rest was to the same effect For which it was obtaynd in like 〈◊〉 And where-as they did slanderously obiect How that they durst not hazard to present In person their defences in respect He was incenst by some maleuolent It was most false for he knew no defence They were to make till now they made offence 32 And how far he had been from cruelty Both VVales and Scotland could him witnes beare Where those effects of his great clemencie Insparing bloud do to his cost appeare Much more his subiects finde his lenitie Whose loue he seekes to haue and not their feare But thus said he they euer do pretend To haue receiv'd a wrong who wrong intend 33 Not to giue time vnto th' increasing rage And gathering furie foorth hee marcht with speed Least more delay or giuing longer age To th' euill growne it might the cure exceed All his bestmen at Armes and Leaders sage All he prepar'd hee could and all did need For to a mighty worke thou goest ô King That equall spirits and equall powres shal bring 34 There shall young Hotspur with a fury led Ingrapple with thy sonne as fierce as hee There Martiall VVorster long experienced In forraine armes shall come t' incounter thee There Dowglas to thy Stafford shall make head There Vernon for thy valiant Blunt shall be There shalt thou finde a doubtfull bloudy day Though sickenesse keep Northumberland away 35 Who yet reserv'd though after quit for this Another tempest on thy head to rayse As if still wrong-reuenging Nemesis Meant to afflict all thy continuing 〈◊〉 And here this field hee happely doth misse For thy great good and therefore well hee stayes What might his force haue done being brought thereto When that already gaue so much to doo 36 The swift approche and vnexpected speed The King had made vpon this new-rays'd force In th' vnconfirmed troupes much feare did breed Vntimely hind'ring their intended course Theioyning with the Welsh they had decreed Was hereby dasht which made their Cause the worse Northumberland with forces from the North Expected to be there was not set forth 37 And yet vndaunted Hotspur seeing the King So neere arriv'd leauing the worke in hand With forward speed his forces marshalling Sets forth his farther comming to withstand And with a cheerefull voyce incouraging His well experienc't and aduentrous Band Brings on his Army eger vnto fight And plac't the same before the King in sight 38 This day saith he my valiant trusty friendes What-euer it doth giue shal glory giue This day with honor frees our State or endes Our misery with fame that still shal liue And doo but thinke how well the same he spends Who spends his blood his Country to relieue What haue we hands and shall we seruile bee Why were swordes made but to preserue men free 39 Besides th' assured hope of victorie Which we may even fore-promise on our side Against this weake constrayned company Whom force and feare not will and loue doth guide Against a Prince whose foulimpiety The heauens doo hate the earth cannot abide Our number being no lesse our courage more No doubt we haue it if wee worke therefore 40 This sayd and thus resolv'd euen bent to charge Vpon the King who well their order view'd And wary noted all the course at large Of their proceeding and their multitude And deeming better if he could discharge The day with safetie and some peace conclude Great proffers sendes of pardon and of grace If they would yeeld and quietnesse imbrace 41 Which though his feares might driue him to propose To time his businesle for some other ende Yet sure hee could not meane t' haue peace with those Who did in that supreame degree offend Nor were they such as would bee wonne with showes Or breath of oathes or vowes could apprehend So that in honor th'offers he doth make Were not for him to 〈◊〉 nor them to take 42 And yet this much his courses doo approue He was not bloudy in his Naturall And yeeld he did to more then might behoue His dignitie to haue dispenst withall And vnto VVorster hee himselfe did moue A reconcilement to be made of all But VVorster know'ing it could not be secur'd His Nephews on-set yet for all procur'd 43 Which seeing the King with greater wrathin censt Rage against furie doth with speede prepare And though sayd he I could haue wel dispenst With this dayes bloud which I haue sought to spare That greater glory might haue recompenst The forward worth of these that so much dare That we might good haue had by th'ouerthrowne And th'wounds we make might not haue beene our owne 44 Yet since that other mens iniquitie Calles-on the sword of wrath
against my will And that themselues exact this crueltie And I constrayned am this bloud to spill Then on braue followers on courageously True-harted subiects against traytors ill And spare not them who seeke to spoyle vs all Whose foul confused end soone see you shal 45 Forth-with began these fury-mouing sounds The notes of wrath the musicke brought from Hell The 〈◊〉 Drums which trumpets voyce confounds The cryes th'incouragements the shouting shrill That all about the beaten ayre rebounds Confused thundring-murmurs horrible To robbe all sense except the sense to fight Well hands may worke the minde hath lost his sight 46 O warre begot in pride and luxurie The child of malice and reuengeful hate Thou impious good and good impietie That art the foul refiner of a State Vniust-iust scourge of mens iniquitie Sharpe-easer of corruptions desperate Is there no meanes but that a sin-sicke Land Must be let bloud with such a boy sterous hand 47 How well mightst thou haue here beene spar'd this day Had not wrong-counsaild Percy beene peruerse Whose forward hand inur'd to woundes makes way Vpon the sharpest fronts of the most fierce Where now an equall furie thrusts to stay And backe-repell that force and his disperse Then these aslaile then those re-chase againe Till stayd with new-made hils of bodies slaine 48 There lo that new-appearing glorious starre Wonder of Armes the terror of the field Young Henrie laboring where the stoutest are And euen the stoutest 〈◊〉 backe to yeeld There is that hand boldned to bloud and warre That must the sword in wondtous actions wield Though better he had learnd with others bloud A lesle expence to vs to him more good 49 Yet here had he not speedy succour lent To his indangered father neere opprest That day had seene the full accomplishment Of all his trauailes and his finall rest For Mars-like Dowglas all his forces bent T' incounter and to grapple with the best As if disdayning any other thing To doo that day but to subdue a King 50 And three with fierie courage he assailes Three all as kings adornd in royall wise And each successiue after other quailes Still wondring whence so many Kings should rise And doubting lest his hand or eye-sight fayles In these confounded on a fourth hee flyes And him vnhorses too whom had hee sped He then all Kings in him had vanquished 51 For Henrie had diuided as it were The person of himselfe into foure parts To be 〈◊〉 knowne yet known euery where The more to animate his peoples harts Who cheered by his presence would not spare To execute their best and worthyest parts By which two special things effected are His safetie and his subiects better care 52 And neuer worthy Prince a day did quit With greater hazard and with more renowne Then thou didst mightie Henry in this fight Which onely made thee owner of thine owne Thou neuer proov'dst the Tenure of thy right How thou didst hold thy easie-gotten Crown Till now and now thou shew'st thy selfe Chiefe Lord By that especial right of kings the Sword 53 And deare it cost and much good bloud is shed To 〈◊〉 thee a 〈◊〉 victorie Great Stafford thy high Constable lyes dead With Shorly 〈◊〉 Gawsell Caluerly And many more whose braue deathes witnessed Their noble valour and fidelitie And many more had left their dearest bloud Behind that day had Hot spur longer stood 54 But he as Dowglas with his furie ledde Rushing into the thickest woods of speares And brakes of swordes still laying at the Head The life of th' Army whiles he nothing 〈◊〉 Or spares his owne comes all inuironed With multitude of powre that ouer-beares His manly worth who yeeldes not in his fall But fighting dyes and dying kils withall 55 What Arke what trophey what magnifence Of glory Hot-spurre hadst thou purchas 't here Could but thy Cause as fayre as thy pretence Be made vnto thy Country to appeare Had it 〈◊〉 her protection and defence Not thy 〈◊〉 made thee sell so deare Thy selfe this day shee must haue here made good An euerlasting Statue for thy bloud 56 Which thus misspent thy Army presently As if they could not stand when thou wert downe Disperst in rout betooke them all to flie And Dowglas faint with wounds ouer-throwne Was taken who yet wonne the enemie Which tooke him by his noble valour showne In that dayes mighty worke and was preserv'd With all the grace and honor he deserv'd 57 VVorc'ster who had escap't vnhappily His death in battel on a Scaffold dyes The next day after in the company Of other chiefest of that enterprise And so the tempest of this mutinie Became allay'd and those greatieoperdies Blowne-ouer in this sort the Coasts well cleer'd But for one threatning cloud that yet appear'd 58 Northumber land recouered still out-stands The principall of this great family And faction hauing Berwike in his hands With other holdes strong by confed'racie With Scotland mighty by his owne command And likely now his vtmost powre to trie T' auenge him on the ruine of his Bloud And ioyne with Wales which yet vndanted stood 59 Which mov'd the king who had too much indur'd In this dayes worke to hazard new againe By all the aptest meanes could be procur'd To lay to draw him in by any traine And write he did and vow'd and him assur'd Vpon his princely word to intertaine With former grace if hee would but submit And come to yeeld th' obedience that was fit 60 The Earle be'ing now by this defeat dismay'd And fearing his confederates would fayle With Fortune and betray rather then ayde Those who are downe being for their owne auayle Relying on his Sov'raignes oath obay'd Which with his tender griefs did much 〈◊〉 And in hee came and had no detryment But for a shew some short imprisonment 61 The Parlement that afterward insu'd Restor'd him t' all his dignities and landes And now none but the Welsh seem'd to seclude The king from hauing wholly in his hands All peace within and them he had pursu'd Whiles this braue army with these ready bands Were yet on foot could he but haue got pay To hold them and his charge of war defray 62 But that hee could not gaine though all the wayes That might be wrought he labours to procure Meanes to effect the same But those delayes And long protraction which he must indure By way of Parlement so much betrayes The opportunitie that might secure His vndertaking as the occasion lost Draue both the State and him to greater cost 63 For now the Rebell thus forborne growes strong Both in his reputation and successe For 〈◊〉 with his powre held out so long Many aduenture with more 〈◊〉 To yeeld him ayd and to support his wrong And forraine Princes in his businesse Whom hee sollicites now wil lend their hand To hould him vp seeing himselfe can stand 64 And thus he prospers whiles the King here spent Much time to leuie treasure to
example of faire vertuous acts Then by the shew of foul vngodly facts 7 Would God our times had had some sacred wight Whose words as happy as our swords had bin To haue prepar'd for vs Tropheis aright Of vnde caying frames t' haue rested in Triumphant Arks of perdurable might O holy lines that such aduantage win Vpon the Sieth of Time in spight of yeares How blessed they who gaine what neuer weares 8 For what is it to do if what we do Shall perish neere as soone as it is donne What is that glory wee attaine vnto With all our toyle if lost as soone as wonne A small requitall for so great adoo Is this poore present breath a smoake soone gone Or these dumb stones erected for our sake Which formless heapes few stormy changes make 9 Tell great ELIZA since her dayes are grac't With those bright ornaments to vs deni'd That sherepaire what darknesse hath defac't And get our ruyn'd deedes reedifi'd She in whose all-directing eye is plac't A powre the highest powers of wit to guide Shee may command the worke and ouer-see The holy frame that might eternall bee 10 For would Shee be content that Time should make A 〈◊〉 prey vpon her glorious Raigne That Darkenesse and the Night should ouertake So cleare a Brightnesse shining without staine Ah! no She fosters some no doubt that wake For her eternitie with pleasing paine And if shee for her selfe prepare this good Let her not so neglect those of her Blood 11 This that great Monarch Henrie seem'd to craue When weighing what a holy motiue here Vertue propos'd and fit for him to haue Whom all times ought of dutie hold most deare I sigh't and wisht that some would take t'ingraue With curious hand so proud a worke to reare To grace the present and to blesse times past That might for euer to our glorie last 12 So should our well-taught times haue learn'd alike How faire shin'd Virtue and how foul Vice stood When now my selfe am driuen to mislike Those deedes of worth I dare not vow for good I cannot mone who lose nor prayse who seeke By mightie Actions here t' aduance their Blood I must say Who wrought most least honor had How euer good the Cause the deedes were bad 13 And onely tell the worst of euerie Raigne And not the intermedled good report I leaue what glorie Virtue did attaine At th'euer-memorable Agincort I leaue to tell what wit what power did gaine Th'assieged Roan Caen Dreux or in what sort How Maiestie with terror did aduance Her conquering foote on all subdued Fraunce 14 All this I passe and that magnanimous King Mirror of vertue miracle of worth Whose mighty Actions with wise managing Forc't prouder boasting Climes to serue the North. The best of all the best the earth can bring Scarce equals him in what his Raigne brought foorth Being of a minde as forward to aspire As fit to gouerne what he did desire 15 His comely body was a goodly seate Where Virtue dwelt most faire as lodg'd most pure A body strong where vse of strength did get A stronger state to do and to endure His life he makes th' example to beget Like spirit in those he did to good inure And gaue to 〈◊〉 such life and liuelihood As if hee Greatnes sought but to do good 16 Hee as the Chiefe and all-directing head Did with his subiects as his members liue And them to goodnesse forced not but led Winning not much to haue but much to giue Deeming the powre of his his powr did spread As borne to blesse the world and not to grieue Adorn'd with others spoyles not subiects store No King exacting lesse none winning more 17 Hee after that corrupted faith had bred An ill inur'd obedience for Command And languishing luxutiousnes had spred Weyward vnaptnesse ouer all the Land Those long vnordred 〈◊〉 so marshalled Vnder such formall discipline to stand That euen his soule seem'd onely to direct So great a body such exployts t' effect 18 He brings abrode distracted Discontent Disperst ill humors into actions hie And to vnite them all in one consent Plac't the faire marke of glorie in their eye That Malice had no leasure to dissent Nor Enuie time to practise treacherie The present actions do diuert the thought Of madnesse past while mindes were so well wrought 19 Here now were Pride Oppression Vsurie The canker-eating mischiefes of the State Call'd foorth to prey vpon the enemie Whil'st the home-burth'ned better lightned sate Exactors did not with a greedy eye Examine states or priuate riches rate The silent Courts warr'd not with busie words Nor wrested law gaue the contentious swords 20 Now nothing 〈◊〉 th'attentiue 〈◊〉 But stratagems 〈◊〉 surprises fightes How to giue lawes to them that conquered were How to articulate with yeelding wightes The weake with mercie and the proud with feare How to retaine to giue deserts their rights Were now the Artes and nothing else was thought But how to win and maintaine what was got 21 Nor here were any priuately possest Or held alone imprisoned Maiestie Proudly debarring entraunce 〈◊〉 the rest As if the prey were theirs by victorie Here no detractor woundes who merits best Nor shameless brow cheeres-on impietie Vertue who all her toyle with zeale had spent Not here all vnrewarded sighing went 22 But here the equally-respecting eye Of Powre looking alike on like deserts Blessing the good made others good thereby More mightie by the multitude of hearts The fielde of glorie vnto all doth lie Open alike honour to all imparts So that the onely fashion in request Was to be good or good-like as the rest 23 So much ô thou Example dost effect Being farre a better Maister then Command That how to do by doing dost direct And teachest others action by thy hand Who followes not the course that kings elect When Princes worke who then wil idle stand And when that dooing good is onely thought Worthy reward who will be bad for nought 24 And had not th' Earle of Cambridge with vaine speed Vntimely practiz'd for an others right With hope to aduance those of his proper seed On whome the Rule seem'd destined to light The Land had seene none of her owne to bleed During this Raigne nor no aggreeued sight None the least blacknesse inter clouded had So faire a day nor any eye lookt sad 25 But now when Fraunce perceiued from afarre The gathering tempest growing-on from hence Ready to fall threatning their State to marre They labour all meanes to prouide defence And practising how to preuent this warre And shut-out such calamities from thence Do foster here some discord lately growne To hold Ambition busied with her owne 26 Finding those humors which they saw were fit Soone to be wrought and easie to befed Swolne full with enuie that the Crowne should sit There where it did as if established And whom it toucht in Blood to grieue at it They with such hopes and helps
Wakening-vp sleeping Right that lay as dead To 〈◊〉 how his race was 〈◊〉 46 His fathers end in him no feare could moue T' attempt the like against the like of might Where long possession now of feare and loue Seem'd to prescribe euen an innated Right So that To proue his state was to disproue Time law consent oath and allegeance quight And no way but the way of blood there was Through which with all confusion hee must passe 47 And how much better for him had it beene T' indure a wrong with peace then with such toyle T' obtaine a bloody Right since Right is sinne That is ill sought and purchased with spoyle But this so wretched state are Kingdomes in Where one mans Cause shall all the rest imbroyle And oft t' aduance a Tyran to a Crowne Men runt ' vndoo the State that is their owne 48 And yet that opportunitie which led Him to attempt seeme 〈◊〉 him t' excuse A seeble spirited King that gouerned Who ill could guide the Scepter he did vse His enemies that his worth maliced Who both the Land and him did much abuse The peoples loue and his apparant Right May seeme sufficient motiues to incite 49 Besides the now ripe wrath deferd till now Of that sure and vnsayling Iusticer That neuers suffers wrong so long to growe And to incorporate with right so farre As it might come to seeme the same in showe T' incourage those that 〈◊〉 minded are By such successe but that at last he will Confound the branch whose root was planted ill 50 Else might the impious say with grudging spight Doth God permit the Great to riot free And blesse the mightie though they do vnright As if he did vnto their wrongs agree And onely plague the weake and wretched wight For smallest faults euen in the high'st degree When he but vsing them for others scourge Likewise of them at lēgth the world doth purge 51 But could not yet for blood-shed satisfie The now well-ruling of th'ill-gotten Crowne Must euen the good receiue the penaltie Of former sinnes that neuer were their owne And must a iust Kings blood with miserie Pay for a bad vniustly ouerthrowne Well then wee see Right in his course must goe And men t' escape from blood must keepe it so 52 And sure this King that now the Crowne possest Henrie the sixt was one whose life was free From that command of vice whereto the rest Of most these mightie Soueraignes subiects bee And numbred might haue beene among the best Of other men if not of that degree A right good man but yet an euill King Vnfit for what hee had in managing 53 Of humble spirite of nature continent No thought t' increase he had scarce keep his owne For pard'ning apter then for punishment He chokes his powre to haue his bountie knowne Farre from reuenge soone wonne soone made content As fitter for a Cloyster then a Crowne Whose holy minde so much addicted is On th' world to-come that he neglecteth this 54 With such a weake-good feeble-godly King Hath Richard Duke of Yorke his Cause to trie Who by th' experience of long managing The warres of Fraunce with supreame dignitie And by his owne great worth with furthering The common good against the enemie Had wrought that zeale and loue attend his might And made his spirit equall vnto his Right 55 For now the Duke of Bedford beeing dead He is ordain'd the Regent to succeed In Fraunce for fiue yeeres where he trauayled With ready hand and with as carefull heed To seeke to turne backe Fortune that now fled And hold vp falling power in time of need And got and lost and reattaines againe That which againe was lost for all his paine 56 His time expir'd he should for fiue yeeres more Haue had his charge prolongd but Sommerset That still had enui'd his command before That place and honor for himselfe did get Which ads that matter to th'already store Of kindled hate which such a fire doth set Vnto the touch of a confounding flame As both their bloods could neuer quench the same 57 And now the weakenesse of that feeble Head That doth neglect all care but his soules care So easie meanes of practice ministred Vnto th' ambitious members to prepare Their owne desires to what their humors led That all good actions coldly followed are And sev'rall-tending hopes do wholly bend To other now then to the publique end 58 And to draw-on more speedy miserie The King vnto a fatall match is led With Rayners daughter King of Sicilie Whom with vnlucky starres he married For by the meanes of this affimtie Was lost all that his father conquered Euen as if France had some Erynnis sent T' auenge their wrongs done by the insolent 59 This marriage was the Earle of Suffolkes deed With great rewardes won to effect the same Which made him that hee tooke so little heed Vnto his Countries good or his owne shame It beeing a match could stand vs in no steed For strength for wealth for reputation fame But cunningly contriv'd for others gaine And cost vs more then Aniou Mauns and Maine 60 And yet as if he had accomplished Some mightie benefit vnto the Land He got his trauailes to be registred In Parlement for euermore to stand A witnes to approue all what he did To th' end that if hereafter it were scand Authoritie might yet be on his side As doing nought but what was ratifi'd 61 Imagining th' allowance of that Place Would make that good the which he knew was naught And so would his negotiation grace As none might think it was his priuate fault Wherein though wit dealt wary in this case Yet in the end it selfe it ouer-raught Striuing to hide he opened it the more His after-care shew'd craft had gone before 62 Deare didst thou buy ô King so faire a Wife So rare a spirit so high a minde the-while Whose 〈◊〉 was destruction dowry strise Whose bed was sorrow whose embracing spoyle Whose maintenance cost thee and thine their life And whose best comfort neuer was but toyle What Paris brought this booty of desire To set our mightie Ilium here on fire 63 I grieue I should be forc't to say thus much To blame her whom I yet must wonder at Whos 's so sweete beautie wit and worth were such As though she Fortune lost she glory gat Yet doth my Countries zeale so neerely touch That here my Muse it doth exasperate Although vnwilling that my pen should giue Staine to that sex by whom her fame doth liue 64 For sure those virtues well deserv'd a Crowne And had it not beene ours no doubt she might Haue beene among the Worthies of renowne And now sat faire with fame with glorie bright But comming in the way where sinne was growne So foule and thicke it was her chaunce to light Amidst the grosse infection of those times And so came stain'd with black disgrace-full crimes 65 For some the world must haue
wee see those who abide Graciousin ours are odious in their sight Who would all-maistring Maiestie defeat Of her best grace that is to make men Great 105 But well We see although the King be Head The State will be the Heart This Soueraigntie Is but in place not powre and gouerned By th'equall Scepter of Necessitie And we haue seene more Princes ruined By 〈◊〉 imoderat fauouring priuatly Then by seuerity in generall For best h 'is lik't that is alike to all 106 Thus stormes this Lady all disquieted When-as farre greater tumults now burst out Which close and cunningly were practiced By such as sought great hopes to bring about For vp in Armes in Kent were gathered A mighty insolent rebellious rout Vnder a dangerous Head who to deterr The State the more himselfe nam'd Mortimer 107 The Duke of Yorke that did not idle stand But seekes to worke on all aduantages Had like wise in this course a secret hand And hartned on their chiefest complices To try how here the people of the Land Would if occasion serv'd b'in readiness To aide that Line if one should come in deed To moue his Right and in due course proceed 108 Knowing himselfe to be the onely one That must attempt the thing if any should And therefore le ts the Rebell now run-on With that false Name t' effect the best he could To make a way for him to worke vpon Who but on certaine ground aduenture would For if the Traitor sped the gaine were his If not yet he stands safe and blamelesse is 109 T' attempt ' with others dangers not his owne He counts it wisedome if it could be wrought And t' haue the humour of the people knowne Was now that which was chiefely to be sought For with the best he knew himselfe was growne In such account as made him take no thought Hauing observ'd in those he meant to proue Their wit their wealth their cariage and their loue 110 With whome and with his owne alliances He first begins to open in some wise The Right he had yet with such doubtfulnes As rather sorrow then his drift descries Complayning of his Countries wretchednes In what a miserable case it lies And how much it imports them to prouide For their defence against this womans pride 111 Then with the discontented he doth deale In sounding theirs not vttering his intent As be'ing aduis'd not so much to reueale Whereby they might be made againe content But when they grieued for the Common-weale He doth perswade them to be patient And to indure there was no other course Yet so perswades as makes their malice worse 112 And then with such as with the time did run In most vpright opinion he doth stand As one that neuer crost what they begun But seem'd to like that which they tooke in hand Seeking all causes of offence to shun Prayses the Rule and blames th'vnruly Land Works so with gifts and kindely offices That euen of them he serues his turne no lesse 113 Then as for those who were his followers Being all choyce men for virtues or desearts He so with grace and benefits prefers That he becomes the Monarch of their hearts He gets the learned for his Counsaylers And cherishes all men of rarest parts To whom good done doth an impressiō strike Of ioy and loue in all that are alike 114 And now by meanes of th'intermitted warre Many most valiant men impov'rished Onely by him fed and relieued are Onely respected grac't and honoured Which let him in vnto their hearts so farre As they by him were wholly to be led He onely treads the sure and perfect path To Greatnesse who loue and opinion hath 115 And to haue one some certaine Prouince his As the maine body that must worke the feate Yorkeshire he chose the place wherein he is By title liuings and possessions great No Country hee preferres so much as this Here hath his Bountie her abiding seat Here is his Iustice and relieuing hand Ready to all that in distresse do stand 116 What with his tenants 〈◊〉 followers friends And their alliances and amities All that Shire vniuersally attends His hand held vp to any enterprize And thus farre Virtue with her power extends The rest touching th' euent in Fortune lies With which accomplements so mightie growne Forward he tends with hope t' attaine a Crowne The ende of the fift Booke THE SIXT BOOKE THE ARGVMENT The bad successe of Cades rebellion Yorkes open practise and conspiracie His comming in and his submission Th' effect of Printing and Artillerie Burdeux reuolts craues our protection Talbot defending ours dyes gloriously The French warres end and Yorke begins againe And at S. Albones Sommerset is slaine 1 THE furious traine of that tumultuous rout Whom close sub-ayding power and good successe Had made vnwisely proud and fondly stout Thrust headlong on oppression to 〈◊〉 And now to fulnesse growne boldly giue out That they the publique wrongs meant to redresse Formelesse themselues reforming doc pretend As if Confusion could Disorder mend 2 And on they march with their false-named Head Of base and vulgar birth though noble fayn'd Who 〈◊〉 with vaine desires to London led His rash abused troupes with shadowes train'd When-as the King thereof ascertained Supposing some small power would haue restrain'd Disordred rage sends with a simple crew Sir Humfrey Stafford whom they ouer-threw 3 Which so increast th' opinion of their might That much it gaue to do and much it wrought Confirm'd their rage drew on the vulgar wight Call'd foorth the timorous fresh partakers brought For many though most glad their wrongs to right Yet durst not venture their estates for nought But see'ing the Cause had such aduantage got Occasion makes them stirre that else would not 4 So much he erres that scornes or else neglects The small beginnings of arysing broyles And censures others not his owne defects And with a selfe-conceite himselfe beguiles Thinking small force will compasse great effects And spares at first to buy more costly toyles When true-obseruing prouidence in warre Still makes her foes farte stronger then they are 5 Yet this good fortune all their fortune mard Which fooles by helping euer doth suppresse For wareless insolence whil'st vndebard Of bounding awe runnes on to such excesse That following lust and spoyle and blood so hard Sees not how they procure their owne distresse The better lothing courses so impure Rather will like their wounds then such a cure 6 For whil'st this wilde vnrained multitude Led with an vnfore-seeing greedy mind Of an imagin'd good that did delude Their ignorance in their desires made blind Ransacke the Cittie and with hands imbru'd Run to all out-rage in th' extreamest kind Heaping-vp wrath and horrour more and more They adde fresh guilt to mischiefes done before 7 And yet se'ing all this sorting to no end But to their owne no promis'd ayde t' appeare No such partakers as they did attend Nor such succesles as imagin'd
were Good men resolv'd the present to defend Iustice against them with a brow seuete Themselues feard of themselues tyr'd with excesse Found mischiefe was no fit way to redresse 8 And as they stand in desperat comberment Enuirond round with horror blood and shame Crost of their course despayring of th' euent A pardon that smooth bait for basenesse came Which as a snare to catch the impotent Beeing once pronounc't they straight imbrace the same And as huge snowy Mountaines melt with heat So they dissolv'd with hope and home they get 9 Leauing their Captaine to discharge alone The shot of blood consumed in their heate Too small a sacrifice for mischiefs done Was one mans breath which thousands did defeat Vnrighteous Death why art thou but all one Vnto the small offender and the great Why art thou not more then thou art to those That thousands spoyle and thousands liues do lose 10 This furie passing with so quick an end Disclos'd not those that on th' aduantage lay Who seeing the course to such disorder tend With-drew their foote asham'd to take that way Or else preuented whil'st they did attend Some mightier force or for occasion stay But what they meant ill-fortune must not tell Mischiefe be'ing oft made good by speeding well 11 Put-by from this the Duke of Yorke dessignes Another course to bring his hopes about And with those friends affinitie combines In surest bonds his thoughts he poureth-out And closely feeles and closely vndermines The faith of whom he had both hope and doubt Meaning in more apparant open course To try his right his fortune and his force 12 Loue and alliance had most firmly ioynd Vnto his part that mighty Familie The faire distended stock of Neuiles kind Great by their many issued progenie But greater by their worth that clearely shin'd And gaue faire light to their nobilitie So that each corner of the Land became Enricht with some great Worthy of that name 13 But greatest in renowne doth Warwicke sit That braue King-maker Warwicke so farre growne In grace with Fortune that he gouerns it And Monarchs makes and made againe puts downe What reuolutions his first-mouing wit Heere brought about are more then too well knowne The fatall kindle-fire of those hot daies Whose worth I may whose worke I cannot praise 14 With him with Richard Earle of Salisbury Courtny and Brooke and other his deare friends He intimates his minde and openly The present bad proceedings discommends Laments the State the peoples misery And that which such a pitier seldom mends Oppression that sharp two-edged sword That others wounds and wounds likewise his Lord. 15 My Lord saith he how things are caried heere In this corrupted State you plainely see What burthen our abused shoulders beare Charg'd with the waight of imbecillitie And in what base account all we appeare That stand without their grace that all must be And who they be and how their course succeedes Our shame reports and time bewraies their deedes 16 Aniou and Maine the maime that foule appeares Th' eternall scarre of our dismembred Land Guien all lost that did three hundred yeares Remaine subiected vnder our Commaund From whence mee thinks there sounds vnto our eares The voice of those deare ghosts whose liuing hand Got it with sweat and kept it with their blood To doe vs thankless vs their of-spring good 17 And seeme to cry What can you thus behold Their hatefull feete vpon our Graues should tread Your Fathers Graues who gloriously did hold That which your shame hath left recouered Redeeme our Tumbs O spirits too too cold Pull-backe these Towres our Armes haue honored These Towres are yours these Forts we built for you These walles doe beare our names and are your due 18 Thus well they may vpbraid our retchlesnes Whil'st wee as if at league with infamie Ryot away for nought whole Prouinces Giue-vp as nothing worth all Normandie Traffique important Holdes sell Fortresses So long that nought is left but misery Poore Calais and these water-walles about That basely pownd vs in from breaking out 19 And which is worse I feare we shall in th' end Throwne from the glory of inuading Warre Before 't our proper limits to defend Where euer men are not the same they are The hope of conquest doth their spirits extend Beyond the vsuall powres of valour farre For more is he that ventureth for more Then who fights but for what hee had before 20 Put-to your hands therefore to reskew now Th'indangered State deare Lords from this disgrace And let vs in our honour labour how To bring this scorned Land in better case No doubt but God our action will allow That knowes my right and how they rule the place Whose weakeness calls-vp our vnwillingnesse As opening euen the doore to our redresle 21 Though I protest it is not for a Crowne My soule is moov'd yet if it be my right I haue no reason to refuse mine owne But onely these indignities to 〈◊〉 And what if God whose iudgements are vnknowne Hath me ordain'd the man that by my might 〈◊〉 Country shall be blest If so it be By helping me you raise your selues with me 22 Those in whom zeale and amity had bred A fore-impression of the right he had These stirring words so much incouraged That with desire of innouation mad They seem'd to runne-afore not to be led And to his fire doe quicker fuell adde For where such humors are prepar'd before The opening them makes them abound the more 23 Then counsell take they fitting their desire For nought that fits not their desire is waigh'd The Duke is straight aduised to retire Into the bounds of Wales to leauie ayd Which vnder smooth pretence he doth require T'amoue such persons as the State betray'd And to 〈◊〉 th' oppression of the Land The charme which Weakenesse seldome doth with stand 24 Ten thousand straight caught with this bait of breath Are towards greater lookt-for forces led Whose power the King by all meanes trauaileth In their arising to haue ruined But their preuenting Head so compasseth That all ambushments 〈◊〉 are fled Refusing ought to hazard by the way Keeping his Greatnesse for a greater day 25 And to the Citte straight directs his course The Cittie seate of Kings and Kings chiefe grace Where hauing found his entertainement worse By farre then he expected in that place Much disappointed drawes from thence his force And towards better trust marcheth apace And downe in Kent fatall for discontents Neere to thy bankes faire Thames doth pitch his tents 26 And there intrencht plants his Artillerie Artillerie th' infernall instrument New-brought from hell to scourge mortalitie With hideous roaring and astonishment Engine of horrour fram'd to 〈◊〉 And teare the Earth and strongest Towres to rent Torment of Thunder made to mocke the skies As more of power in our calamities 27 If that first fire subtile Prometheus brought Stolne out of heauen did so afflict man-kinde That
harbor of conspiracie Enuies Retreit Rebellions nursery 30 Which fatall place seemes that with either hand Is made t' offend For Fraunce sh'afflicts with th' one And with the other did infest this Land As if ordained to doe good to none But as a Gate to both our ills did stand To let-out plagues on vs and int'her owne A part without vs that small good hath bin But to keepe lesse intire the whole within 31 And there as in their all and best support Is Warwicke got with March and Salsbury When all the Gates of England euery Port And Shore close-shut debarres their 〈◊〉 Lockt out from all and all left in that sort As no meanes seemes can ay de their misery This wound giuen without blowe weakens them more Then all their losse of blood had done before 32 For now againe vpon them frowningly 〈◊〉 Powre with Fortune trampling on their Sates And brands them with the markes of Infamy Rebellions Treasons and Assassinats Attaints their Bloud in all Posteritie Ransacks their Lands spoiles their Confederats And layes so hideous colours on their crimes As would haue terrified more timorous times 33 But heere could doe no good for why this Age Being in a course of motion could not rest Vntill the reuolution of their rage Came to that poynt whereto it was addrest Misfortune crosses ruine could not swage That heate of hope or of reuenge at least The World once set a-worke cannot soone cease Nor euer is the same it is in peace 34 For other motions other int'rests heere The acting spirits vp and awake doe keepe Faith friendship honour is more sure more deere And more it selfe then when it is asleepe Worth will stand-out and doth no shadowes feare 〈◊〉 make impressions far more deepe When Ease 〈◊〉 it will stirre or breake her rest Lyes still beares all content to be opprest 35 Yorke and his side could not while life remain'd Though thus disperst but worke and interdeale Nor any sword at home could keepe restrain'd Th'out-breaking powres of this innated zeale This humor had so large a passage gain'd On th' inward body of the Common-weale That 't was impossible to stop by force This current of affections violent course 36 Yet they at home disorder to keepe forth Did all what powre could doe or wit inuent Plac't in th'auoided roomes men of great worth Young Sommerset with strength to Calais sent Northumberland and 〈◊〉 to the North Whereof They onely had the gouernment Defend all landings barre all 〈◊〉 Striue to redresse the publique grieuances 37 And to this end summon a Parlement Wherein when-as the godly King would not Vnto th' attainder of the Lords consent The Queene in griefe and in her passions hot Breakes out in speech louingly violent And what saith shee my Lord haue vou forgot To rule and be a King Why will you thus Bemilde to them and cruell vnto vs 38 What good haue you procur'd by clemencie But giuen to wilde presumption much more head And now what cure what other remedie Can to our desp'rat wounds be ministred Men are not good but for necessitie Nor orderly are euer borne but bred Sad want and pouertie makes men industrious But Law must make them good and feare obsequious 39 My Lord Hee gouerns well that 's well obayd And temp'rat Rigour euer safely sits For as to him who Cotis did vpbraid And call'd his rigor madnesse raging fits Content thee thou vnskilfull man he said My madnesse keepes my Subiects in their wits So to like course my Lord y' are forc't to fall Or else you must in th' end vndoe vs all 40 Looke but I pray on this deare part of you This branch sprung frō your blood your owne aspect Looke on this Childe and think what shal ensue To this faire hope of ours by 〈◊〉 neglect Though you respect not vs wrong not his due That must his right left you from you expect The right of the renowned Lancasters His fathers fathers and great grand-fathers 41 Then turnes t' her sonne O sonne dost thou not see He is not mov'd nor toucht nor weighes our teares What shall I doe What hope is left for me When he wants will to help thou wantst yeares Could yet these hands of thine but partners bee In these my labours to keep-out our feares How well were I that now alone must toile And turne and tosse and yet vndone the while 42 I knowe if thou could'st helpe thy mother thus Should not beyond her strength endure so much Nor these proud Rebels that would ruine vs Scape with their hainous treasons without touch I knowe thou would'st conceiue how dangerous Mercy were vnto those whose hopes are such And not preserue whom Law hath ouer-throwne Sauing their liuely-hood to lose our owne 43 But sith thou canst not nor I able am Thou must no more expect of me deare Son Nor yet in time to come thy Mother blame If thou by others weakenesse be vndon The world with me must testifie the same That I haue done my best what could be done And haue not fail'd with hazard of my life The duetie of a mother and a wife 44 But well I see which way the world will goe And let it goe and so turnes her about Full with stout griefe and with disdainefull woe Which now her words shut-vp her lookes let-out The cast of her side-bended eye did showe Both sorrow and reproofe se'ing so great doubt And no powre to redresse but stand and vex Imprisoned in the setters of her sex 45 Yet so much wrought these mouing arguments Drawne from that blood where Nature vrg'd her Right As his all-vpward tending zeale relents And downeward to his State 〈◊〉 his sight And so to their Attainders he consents Prouided He on their submission might Out of his Princely powre in his owne name Without a Parlement reuoke the same 46 Whil'st Sommerset with maine endeuour lay To get his giuen but vngot gouernment The stout Calisians bent another way Fiercely repell him frustrate his intent Yet takes he Guines landing at VVhit sandbay Where-as the swordes hee brought would not consent To wound his foes the fight no rancor hath Malice was friends and Warre was without wrath 47 Though hee their hands yet VVarwicke had their hearts To whom both men and shipping they betray'd Whilst Englands though debarred shore imparts To him herother-where intended ay de For the Lord Riuers passing to those parts T' haue fresh supplies vnto the Duke conuay'd At Sandwich with his Sonne accompayned Staying for winde was taken in his bed 48 Whos 's shipping and prouisions VVarwicke takes For Ireland with his Chieftaine to conferre And within thirtie dayes this voyage makes And backe-returnes ere knowne to haue beene there So that the heauens the sea the winde partakes With him as if they of his faction were Or that his spirit and valour were combin'd With destinie t' effect what he design'd 49 Which working though without
where it should bee 68 And how it prospers with this wretched Land Witnesse the vniuersall miserie Wherein as if accurst the Realme doth stand Depriu'd of State wealth honor dignitie The Church and Commons vnderneath the hand Of violence extortion robberie No face of order no respect of Lawes And thus complaynes of what himselfe is cause 69 Accusing others insolence that they Exhausted the Reuenues of the Crowne So that the King was forc't onely to prey Vpon his Subiects poore and wretched growne And that they now sought Ireland to betray And Calais to the French which hee had knowne By th' intercepted notes of their owne hand Who were the onely Traytors of the Land 70 And yet procur'd th'Attaynders most vniust Of others guiltlesse and vnspotted blood Who euermore had labour'd in their trust And faithfull seruice for their Countries good And who with extreame violence were thrust Quite out of all spoyl'd of their liuelihood Expos'd to all the miseries of life Which they indur'd to put-off blood and strife 71 But since sayth he their malice hath no ende But t' end vs all and to vndo the Land For which the hatefull French gladly attend And at this instant haue their swords in hand And that the God of heauen doth seeme to bend Vnto our Cause whereto the best men stand And that this blood of mine so long time sought Reserued seemes for something to be wrought 72 It rests within your iudgements to vp-right Or else to ruine vtterly the Land For this be sure I must pursue my Right Whil'st I haue breath or I and mine can stand Thinke whether this poore State being in this plight Stands not in need of some vp-raysing hand Or whether 't is not time we should haue rest And this confusion and our wounds redrest 73 This said he turnes aside and out hee goes Leaues them to counsell what was to be done Where though the most part gath'red were of those Who with no opposition sure would run Yet some more temp'rate offred to propose That which was fit to bee considered on Who though they knew his clayme was faire in sight Yet thought it now lackt the right face of Right 74 Since for the space of three score yeeres the Crowne Had beene in act possest in three descents Confirm'd by all the Nobles of renowne The peoples suffrages Oathes Parlements So many Actes of State both of our owne And of all other foraine Gouernments That Wrong by order may grow Right by this Sith Right th'obseruer but of Order is 75 And then considring first how Bullingbrooke Landing in Yorkeshire but with three score men By the consent of all the Kingdome tooke The Crowne vpon him held for lawfull then His Vncle Yorke and all the Peeres betooke Themselues to him as to their Soueraigne when King Richards wrongs and his propinquitie Did seeme to make no distance in their 〈◊〉 76 Nor was without example in those dayes Wherein as in all Ages States do take The side of publique Peace to counterpayse The waight of wrong which time may rightfull make No elderhood Rufus and 〈◊〉 stayes The imperiall Crowne of England t' vndertake And Iohn before his nephew Arthur 〈◊〉 Whom though depriv'd Henry his sonne succeedes 77 Edward the third made Sov'raigne of the State Vpon his fathers depriuation was All which though seeming wrongs yet fairely sate In their succeeders and for right did passe And if they could so worke t'accommodate And calme the Peeres and please the Populasse They wisht the Crowne might where it stood remaine Succeeding inconuenience to restraine 78 Thus th' auncient Fathers of the Law aduise Graue Baron Thorpe and learned Fortescue Who though they could not fashion otherwise Those strong-bent humors which auersiue grew Yet seem'd to qualifie th'extreamities And some respect more to their Sov'raine drew That during life it was by all agreed He should be King and Yorke should him succeed 79 Which presently enacted was beside Proclaym'd through-out with all solemnities And inter mutually there ratifi'd With protestations vowes and oathes likewise Built-vp with all the strength of forme t' abide What-euer oppositions could aryse And might haue seem'd sure and authenticall Had all this bodie of the State beene all 80 But Trent thou keptst a part Thames had not all The North diuided honor with the South And like powre held like Greatnes seuerall Where other Right spake with another mouth Another Heire another Prince they call Whom naturall succession follow doth The branch of Kings the true sonne of the Crowne To whom no father can but leaue his owne 81 The King as husband to the Crowne doth by The wiues infe offement hold and onely here Inioyes the same for life by Curtesie Without powre to dispose it other-where After his death but as th' authoritie Order and custome of Succession beare And therefore Henries Act cannot vndo The right of him whom it belongs vnto 82 And this vnnaturall intrusion here Of that attainted Blood out of all course Effected with confusion and with feare Must be reduc't to other tearmes of force These insolencies Iustice cannot beare The sword whereto they onely had recourse Must cut this knot so intricately ty'd Whose vaine contriued ends are plaine descry'd 83 Thus they giue-out and out the sword in hand Is drawne for blood to iustifie the same And by a side with many a Worthie mand Great Sommerset Excester Buckingham With Clifford Courtney and Northumberland Lords of as mightie courage as of name Which all against Yorkes forced courses bend Who hauing done yet had not made an end 84 But to another worke is forc't to go The last turmoyle lab'ring Ambition had Where Pride and Ouer-weening led him so For fortunes past as made the 〈◊〉 sad For whether safer counsell would or no His yet vnfurnisht troupes he desp'rat led From Sandall Castle vnto VVakefield Greene Against far mightier forces of the Queene 85 Where round inclos'd by Ambushments fore-lay'd Hard-working for his life but all in vaine With number and confusion ouer-lay'd Himselfe and valiant Salsbury are slaine With whome the most and dearest blood decay'd Of his couragious and aduenturous traine So short a life had those long hopes of his Borne not to weare the Crowne he wrought for thus 86 But in the ryse of his out-springing lust Now in the last of hope receiv'd this fall Now that his working powres so far had thrust That his desires had but this step to all When so neere home he seem'd past all distrust This vnexspected wracke doth him befall This successor th'inheritor fore-goes The play-game made of Fortune and his foes 87 Whos 's young sonne Rutland made the sacrifice For others sinnes ere he knew how to sinne Brought only but to see this exercise Of blood and wounds endes ere he did beginne Whose teares whose mone whose lamentable cryes Could neither mercie nor compassion winne The branch of such a tree though tender now Was not thought fit should
spoyles Vpon themselues turn-backe their conquering hand Whil'st Kin their Kin Brother the Brother foyles Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band Bowes against Bowes the Crowne against the Crowne Whil'st all pretending right all right 's throwne downe 2 What furie ô what madnes held thee so Deare England too too prodigall of blood To waste so much and warre without a foe Whilst Fraunce to see thy spoyles at pleasure stood How much might'st thou haue purchast with lesse woe T' haue done thee honour and thy people good Thine might haue beene what-euer lies betweene The Alps 〈◊〉 vs the Pyrenei and Rhene 3 Yet now what reason haue we to complaine Since hereby came the calme we did inioy The blisse of thee Eliza happie gaine For all our losse when-as no other way The Heauens could finde but to vnite againe The 〈◊〉 sev'red Families that they Might bring foorth thee that in thy peace might growe That glorie which few Times could euer showe 4 Come sacred Virtue I no Muse but thee 〈◊〉 in this great labour I intend Doo thou inspire my thoughts infuse in mee A power to bring the same to happie end Rayse vp a worke for later times to see That may thy glorie and my paynes commend Make me these tumults rightly to rehearse And giue peace to my life life to my verse 5 And thou Charles 〈◊〉 who didst once afford Rest for my fortunes on thy quiet shore And cheer'dst mee on these measures to record In grauer tones then I had vs'd before Beholde my gratitude makes good my word Ingag'd to thee although thou be no more That I who 〈◊〉 haue liv'd by thee Doo giue thee now a roome to liue with me 6 And MEMORIE preserv'resse of things done Come thou vnfold the woundes the wracke the waste Reueale to me now all the strife be gunne Twixt Lancaster and Yorke in ages past How causes counsels and euents did runne So long as these vnhappie times did last 〈◊〉 with fictions fantasies I versifie the troth not Poetize 7 And to the ende wee may with better ease Discerne the true discourse vouchsafe to showe What were the times foregoing neere to these That these we may with better profit knowe Tell how the world sell into this disease And how so great distemperature did growe So shall we see by what degrees it came How things at full do soone wex out of frame 8 Ten Kings had from the Norman Conqueror raign'd With intermixt and variable fate When England to her greatest height attain'd Of powre dominion glorie wealth and State After it had with much a doo sustain'd The violence of Princes with debate For titles and the often mutinies Of Nobles for their ancient liberties 9 For first the Norman conquering all by might By might was forc't to keepe what he had got Mixing our Customes and the forme of Right With foraine Constitutions he had brought Maistering the mightie humbling the poorer wight By all seuerest meanes that could be wrought And making the succession doubtfull rent This new-got State and left it turbulent 10 VVilliam his sonne tracing his fathers wayes The great men spent in peace or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fight Vpon depressed weaknes 〈◊〉 preyes And makes his force maintaine his doubtfull right His elder brothers clayme vexing his dayes His actions and 〈◊〉 still incite And giuing Beastes what did to Men pertaine Tooke for a Beast himselfe in th' end was slaine 11 His brother Henrie next commands the State Who Roberts title better to reiect Seekes to repacifie the peoples hate And with faire shewes rather then in effect Allayes those grieuances that heauie sate Reformes the lawes which soone hee did neglect And reft of 〈◊〉 for whom he did prepare Leaues crowne and strife to Maude his daughters care 12 Whom Stephen his nephew falsifying his Oath Preuents assay les the Realme obtaines the Crowne Such tumults ray sing as torment them both Whil'st both held nothing certainely their owne Th' afflicted State diuided in their troth And partiall faith most miserable growne Endures the while till peace and Stephens death Gaue some calme leasure to recouer breath 13 When Henrie sonne to Maude the Empresse raignes And England into forme and greatnes brought Addes Ireland to this Scepter and obtaines Large Prouinces in Fraunce much treasure gote And from exactions here at home abstaynes And had not his 〈◊〉 children sought 〈◊〉 his age with tumults he had beene The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that this State had seene 14 Him Richard followes in the gouernment Who much the glory of our Armes increast And all his fathers mighty 〈◊〉 spent In that deuoutfull 〈◊〉 of the East Whereto whiles he 〈◊〉 forces wholly bent 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 opprest A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a fatall King Cut-off his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glory in the spring 15 Which wicked brother contrary to course False Iohn vsurpes his Nephew Arthurs right Gets to the Crowne by craft by wrong by force Rules it with lust oppression rigour might Murders the lawfull heire without remorse Wherefore procuring all the worlds despight A Tyrant loath'd a homicide conuented Poysoned he dyes disgrac't and vnlamented 16 Henrie his sonne is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though young And Lewes of France elected first beguil'd After the mighty had debated long Doubtfull to choose a straunger or a child With him the 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 growne strong Warre for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so long exil'd He graunts the 〈◊〉 that pretended ease Yet kept his owne and did his State appease 17 Edward his 〈◊〉 a Martiall 〈◊〉 succeedes Iust prudent graue religious 〈◊〉 Whose happy ordered Raigne most fertile breedes Plenty of mighty spirits to strength his State And worthy mindes to manage worthy deedes Th' experience of those times ingenerate For euer great imployment for the great Quickens the blood and honour doth beget 18 And had 〈◊〉 his mis-led lasciuious Sonne Edward the second intermitted so The course of glory happily begunne Which brought him and his fauorites to woe That happy current without stop had runne Vnto the full of his sonne Edwards flowe But who hath often seene in such a State Father and Sonne like good like fortunate 19 But now this great Succeeder all repaires And reinduc't that discontinued good He builds vp strength greatnes for his heires Out of the virtues that adornd his blood He makes his Subiects Lords of more then theirs And sets their bounds farre wider then they stood His powre and fortune had 〈◊〉 wrought Could but the State haue kept what he had got 20 And had his heire surviu'd him in due course What limits England hadst thou found what barre What world could haue resisted so great force O more then men two thunderbolts of warre Why did not Time your ioyned worth diuorce T' haue made your seueral glories greater farre Too prodigall was Nature thus to doe To spend in one Age what should serue for two 21 But now the Scepter in this glorious State