Selected quad for the lemma: kingdom_n
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A07484
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The legend of Humphrey Duke of Glocester. By Chr: Middleton
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Middleton, Christopher, 1560?-1628.
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1600
(1600)
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STC 17868; ESTC S120082
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18,980
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48
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THE LEGEND OF HVMPHREY DVKE OF GLOCESTER By Chr Middleton LONDON Printed by E. A. for Nicholas Ling and are to be solde at his shop at the west doore of S. Paules Church 1600. TO THE RIGHT VVOORshipfull Sir Iaruis Clifton Knight SIR the ancient ememy to learning ignorance hath left off his old liuerye russet Ierkins leather hose to deceiue the world like Esops Asse in a Lions skin thrusts in him selfe sometimes like a Gentleman sometime like a souldiour sometimes like a Lawyer and like Catterpillers at the springe bites off blossomes of Trees and corruptes the buddes of flowers And although the young fruites of my labours grewe not by the banks of Hellicon nor were euer watred at Aganippies welles yet simple as they are loath I was a greate while to turne them abroad into the world without armour against this enemy and almost in dispaire I was by a Gentleman your Woorships wel-willer and my very good freind perswaded to shrowde these simple lynes vnder your shadow who being your selfe dayly conuersant in the histories of ancient times are alwayes willing ready to countenance support the poore remnants of depressed learning that are left for our times would like the seauen folde shield of Aiax retort such dartes to them that throw them whereupon I am bolde to presume vpon your Wor. fauour for my defence which I doubt not but to find and when more leasure giues liberty to my penne I will indeuour painfully to requite this curtesie which so impudently I now craue Your Wo in all duty to command Chr. Middleton Ad Christopherum Middletonum Hexastichon Illustri Humphredi genio tua musa parentās Vera refert generosa canit memoranda reuoluit Virtuti et laudi statuam dans dat simul ips◠Non opus est vestrae musae tum carmine nostro Nec opis est nostroe radijs inuoluere Phoebum Quid satis ornatam mus am phalerare iuuabit Rob Allott To his friend Master Chr. M. his Booke LIke as a man on some aduenture bound His honest friendes their kindnes to expresse T' incourage him of whome the maine is own'd Some venture more and some aduenture lesse That if the voyage happily be good They his good fortune freely may pertake If otherwise it perrish in the flood Yet like good freinds theirs perish'd for his sake On thy returne I put this little forth My chaunce with thine indifferently to proue Which though I knowe not fitting with thy worth Accept it yet since it proceedes from loue And if thy fortune prosper I may see I haue some share though most returne to thee Mich Drayton To the Author c. OFT haue I seene in some seign'd Historie Of loftie Knights or lowly shepheards writ Whereas Inuention runnes at libertie Arte iudgement reading spirit show'n and wit Yet in a Legend like Duke Humphreys knowne Where wittes inuiron'd in with veritie Sildome haue seen more art or iudgment showne More reading spirit wit and Poetrie But Orpheus with his harpe melodicall In Canzonets and heauens azure frame For heau'ns historie most hermonicall In Spheres sweet musicke sings yet of thy name Thē heu'ns him I wrong thei 'l giue thee merit For iudgement wit for reading art spirit Another of the same To Duke Humphreyes attendants YEE dayly wayters on Duke Humphreys table And hourly walkers by D. Humphreys shrine If that for meager famine yee be able Right to peruse a wel-pend wittye line Wait walk no more on 's table by his shrine But with D. Humphreys Legēd Gentles dine Iohn Weeuer The Legend of Humphrey Duke of Glocester 1 YE powers Diuine directors of our wits Send some small current from those siluer springs By whose faire banks the heauen-borne muses sits And to the bubling streames sweet Ditties singes Following whose course my meanor Muse may see How she shall write this famous History 2 Doe not direct her in those muddy streames Where now swims many wits whose worth affoords Sinfull foule subiects detestable theames Set foorth in worse and more detested words Whose sound euen sinfull men refuse to heare As obiectes farre vnfit for any eare 3 But in a better vaine direct my verse Obscure not her intent with such a blot Since she indeuours truely to rehearse A story of times past now neere forgot Grace her with words then of no meaner worth Then was the man whose story she sets foorth 4 So shall his name by your assistance rays'd From darke obliuion shew it selfe againe As one deseruing better to be prays'd Then some whose liues recorded now remaine For meaner vertues mightily renown'd Whilst his great workes in ruyne are nye drown'd 5 What time this land disquieted with broyles Wearied with wars and spent for want of rest Sawe her adioyning neighbours free fromth'spoyles Wherewith her selfe her selfe had disposest Of peace and plenty which men most desire And in their steeds brought famine sword and fire 6 Labouring now to restore her great decayes Like to a sea-beate Barke new com'd to shoare Seekes for a quiet harbour where they may Mend and repayre what they had lost before So fares it with this land that thus distrest Was almost left vn-peopled vnpossest 7 But that the fortunes of a blessed King Embalm'd and cur'd the woundes it had fustain'd As when the sonne accompaning the spring Brings life to the dead earth in which remain'd No hope of summer for in killing frost Were all her powers decayd her vertues lost 8 Henry the first-borne to his countryes good After he had relieu'd this ruin'd state Fighting against the French that had withstood The right his Auncestors had wone of late Cropt in his chiefest time dyes this faire King Preuenting th'haruest of so sweet a spring 9 And in his Kingdome now growne great againe Almost too mighty for to be controwlde By a young King that did retayne the name Of his dead Father yet scarse twelue months olde Too heauy was God knowes for such a hand The Scepter that did sway this head-strong land 10 But yet supported by his vncles care Humfrey Glosters Duke for so they call him To ryper yeares sprung vp our kingdomes heyre Protected from all harmes that might befall him During his nonage by the carefull heed Of watchfull Gloster borne for this good deed 11 Whose holy life good workes and vertuous deedes I leaue as subiects fit for greater wits For greater are the vertues that proceedes From Kings then meaner men and better fits A loftier stile whose wit and iudgement ripe Then an vnlearned Shepheards oaten Pipe 12 O were my penne but able to set downe Great Glosters vertues as indeed they were How would the world bewitch'd with his renowne In immitation striue for to come neere His worthy deedes whereof who were possest Themselues might iustly thinke were haply blest 13 Looke as the starres when as the worlds great light Rowses him from his mleancholie bed Drawing the duskie Curtaines of the night Wherein the