Cautions would be useless and to little purpose The pruning of the Branches would improve the Fruit little where the Tree was tainted in the root with so foul a Canker Too well he knew how difficult a thing it was to invert the course of Nature especially being confirm'd by continuance of practice and made habituary by custom yet he leaves no means unattempted being confident that Wedlock or the sad weight of a Crown would in the sense of Honour call him in time off to thoughts more innocent and noble Tenderness of Fatherly affection abus'd somewhat his belief and made him give his disorderly actions the best construction which suggests their progression to flow from heat of Youth want of Experience and the wickedness of those that fed him with so base impressions which with all those sweet and milde intreaties that spring from the heart of an essential love he strives to reclaim intermixing withal as great a paternal severity as might properly sute the condition of a judicious Father and the dignity of the Heir apparent of so great and glorious a Kingdom And to make him more apt and fit to receive and follow his instructions he takes from him those tainted humours of his Leprosie that seduced the easiness of his nature and mis-led his unripe knowledge too green to master such sweet and bewitching temptations Gaveston his Ganymede a man as base in Birth as in Condition he commandeth to perpetual Exile This Syren as some write came out of Gascoign but the Author whom I most credit and follow speaks him an Italian not guilty of any drop of Noble blood neither could he from the height of his Hereditary hope challenge more than a bare ability to live yet his thoughts were above measure ambitious and aspiring and his confidence far greater than became his Birthright Nature in his outward parts had curiously exprest her workmanship giving him in shape and Beauty so perfect an excellence that the most curious eye could not discover any manifest errour unless it were in his Sex alone since he had too much for a man and Perfection enough to have equal'd the fairest Female splendour that breath'd within the Confines of this Kingdom Though in the abilities of the Brain he were short of a deep and solid Knowledge yet he had Understanding enough to manage his ways to their best advantage having a smooth Tongue an humble Look and a winning Behaviour which he could at all times fashion and vary according to the condition of time and circumstance for the most advantage The youthful Prince having fixed his wandring eye upon this pleasing Object and finding his amorous Glances entertained with so gentle and well-becoming a modesty begins dearly to cherish the growing Affections of this new Forraign Acquaintance who applies himself wholly to win him to a deeper Engagement A short passage of time had so cemented their hearts that they seem'd to beat with one and the self-same motion so that the one seem'd without the other like a Body without a Soul or a Shadow without a Substance Gaveston the more to assure so gracious a Master strives to fit his humour leaving his Honour to his own protection seconding his wanton disposition with all those bewitching Vanities of licentious and unbridled Youth which in short time by the frequencie of practice begets such a confidence that they fall from that reserved secrecy which should shadow actions so unworthy professing freely a debaucht and dissolute kind of behaviour to the shame and sorrow of the grieved King and Kingdom This hastened on the Sentence of his Banishment that thought himself then most secure in the assurance of the Princes favour The melancholy apparitions of their parting gave the world a firm belief that this inchanting Mountebank had in the Cabinet of his Masters heart too dear a room and being The King knowing such impressions are easily won but hardly lost strives to take him off by degrees and labours to make him wave the memory of that dotage which with a divining Spirit he foresaw in time would be his ruine But death overtakes him before he could bring this so good a Work to full perfection The time was come that exacts the Tribute of Nature commanding him to resigne both his Estate and Kingdom When he felt those cold fore-running Harbingers of his nearly-approaching End he thus intreats his Son and Lords whose watry eyes ingirt his glorious Death-bed Edward the time draws near that callsâ— me to my Grave you to enjoy this Kingdom If you prove good with happiness 't is yours and you will so preserve it if otherwise my Pains and Glory will be your Dishonour To be a King it is the gift of Nature and Fortune makes him so that is by Conquest but Royal Goodness is the gift of Heaven that blesseth Crowns with an Immortal Glory Believe not vainly that so great a Calling is given to man to warrant his disorder It is a Blessing yet a weighty Burthen which if abused breaks his back that bears it Your former Errours now continued are no more yours they are the Kings which will betray the Kingdom The Soveraigns Vice begets the Subjects Errour who practise good or ill by his Example Can you in Justice punish them for that whereof your self are guilty But you perhaps may think your self exempt that are above the Law Alas mistake not there are Injunctions higher far than are your own will crave a Reckoning To be belov'd secures a sweet Obedience but fear betrays the heart of true Subjection and makes your People yours but by Compulsion Majestick thoughts like Elemental fire should tend still upwards when they sink lower than their Sphere they win Contempt and Hatred Advance and cherish those of ancient Bloud and Greatness Vpstarts are rais'd with Envy kept with Danger You must preserve a well-respected distance as far from Pride as from too loose a Baseness Master your Passions with a noble temper such Triumphs makes the Victor conquer others See here the Ruines of a dying Scepter that once was as you are a youthful Blossom I had not liv'd to see this snowy Winter but that I weau'd my heart from vain Temptations my Judgment not my Eye did steer my Compass which gave my Youth this Age that ends in Glory I will not say you too too long have wander'd though my sad heart hath droopt to see your Errour The time now fitly calls you home embrace it for this advantage lost is after hopeless Your First-fruit must make good your Worth if that miscarry you wound your Subjects Hopes and your own Glory Those wanton Pleasures of wild Youth unmaster'd may no more touch the verge of your affections The Royal Actions must be grave and steady since lesser Lights are fed by their Example so great a Glory must be pure transparent that hand to hand encounters Time and Envy Cast off your former Consorts if they sway you such an unnoble
plot a private mischief The King they knew was crafty close and cunning and thought not fit to trust too far to Rumour This makes them stand upon their guard and keep Assemblies pleading for warrant the self-same ground of rising But when their Spies in Court had given them knowledge that all was sure they need not fear their danger and that they dayly heard the Northern clamour that ecchoed loudly with the Scotish motions they draw their Forces to the King 's who thus united in person leads them to this hopeful Conquest But forehand-reckonings ever most miscarry he had those hands but not those hearts which fought his Fathers fortune Scarce had he past and left the English Borders but he beholds an Army ready to affront him not of dejected Souls or Bodies fainting but Men resolv'd to win or dye with Honour Their valiant Leader heartens on their Courage and bids them fight for Life Estate and Freedome all which were here at stake which this day gains or makes hereafter hopeless Edward that expected rather submission or some honest Terms of agreement finding a Check given by a Pawn unlook'd for plays the best of his game and hopes to win it He contemns their condition and number slighting their Power and in the memory of his Father's Conquests thinks his own certain But the success of Battles runs not in a Bloud neither is gained by Confidence but Discretion and Valour No one thing hurts more in a matter of Arms than Presumption a Coward that expects no mercy is desperate by compulsion and the most contemptible Enemy proves most dangerous when he is too much undervalu'd You may see it here instanc'd where a rabble multitude of despised Blue-caps encounter rout and break the Flower of England Eastriveline doth yet witness the fatal memory of this so great Disaster There fell brave Clare the Earl of Gloucester the valiant Clifford and stout Mawle with above Fifty Knights and Barons This bloudy day which had spilt so great a shower of Noble bloud and cropt the bravest Blossoms of the Kingdom sends the King back to Barwick with a few straggling Horse whose well-breath'd speed out-run the pursuing danger So near a Neighbourhood to so victorious an Enemy is deemed indiscretion where the Prize was believ'd so richly worth the Venture This sends away the melancholy King jaded in his hopes and dull with his misfortune If we may judge by the Event the Condition of this man was truely miserable all things at home under his Government were out of rule and order and nothing successful that he undertook by forraign Employment but where the Ground is false the Building cannot stand He planted the foundation of his Monarchy on Sycophants and Favorites whose disorderly Proceedings dryed up all that sap that should have fostered up the springing Goodness of the Kingdome and made him a meer stranger to those Abilities that are proper to Rule and Government Kings ought to be their own Surveyors and not to pass over the whole care of their Affairs by Letter of Atturney to another mans Protection such inconsiderate actions beget a world of mischief when there are more Kings than one in one and the self-same Kingdom it eclipseth his Glory and derogates from his Greatness making the Subject groan under the unjust Tyranny of an insolent oppression No man with such propriety can manage the griefs and differences of the Subject as the King who by the Laws of God Men and Nature hath an interest in their Heart and a share in their Affections When they are guided by a second hand or heard by a Relator Money or Favour corrupts the Integrity and over-rules the course of Justice followed at the heels with Complaint and Murmur the Mother of Discontent and Mischief The unexpected return of the General of this ill-succeeding Enterprize filled the Kingdom with a well-deserved Sorrow and is welcom'd with a News as strange though not so full of danger Poydras a famous Impostor a Tanners Son and born at Exeter pretends himself with a new strain of Lip-cousenage to be the Heir of Edward the First by a false Nurse chang'd in his Cradle for the King now reigning All Novelties take in the itching ears of the Vulgar and win either belief or admiration This Tale as weak in truth as probability was fortunate in neither only it exalts this imaginary King to his Instalment on Northampton-Gallows where he ends the hour of his melancholy Government with as strange a Relation which suggests That for two years space a Spirit in the likeness of a Cat had attended him as the chief Groom of his Chamber from whom in many secret Conferences he had received the truth and information of this Mystery with assurance it would bring him to the Crown of England It was as great a fault in the Master to believe as for the Servant to abuse yet the desire of the one to change his Tanfat for a Kingdom was not much out of square nor the Lying of the other since he continued but his trade which he had practis'd from the beginning It is a foul offence and oversight in them that have not Devils of their own to hunt abroad and seek where they may gain them by purchase If it be a mystery of State to know things by Prediction of such vertuous Ministers methinks they were much better kept as this Tanner kept his rather as an houshold-Servant than a Retainer which may in time bring them to a like Preferment Such Agents may seem Lambs but in the end they will be found as savage as Tygers and as false as the Camelions Till now our wanton King had never felt the true touch of a just grief but mens misfortunes alter their impressions he inwardly and heartily laments his own dishonour yet strives to hide and conceal his Sorrow lest those about him might be quite dejected It was a bitter Corrosive to think how oft his Royal Father had displaid his victorious Colours which knew not how to fight unless to conquer How often had he over-run this Neighbour-Nation and made them take such Laws as he imposed How many times had he overthrown their greatest Armies and made them sue they might become his Subjects The memory of this doth vex his Spirits and makes him vow Revenge and utter Ruine He calls to Council all his Lords and Leaders and lays before them antient Glory of the Kingdom the late Misfortune and his proper Errours and lastly his desire to right his Honour They glad to hear the King in the sense of so general a disgrace touch'd with so noble a strain do spur it on before it cool'd or the Scots should grow too proud of their new Glory The former Loss had toucht so near the quick that there is now a more wary Resolution Dispatches are sent out for a more exact and full provision a mature Consideration is thought necessary before it come to action York
guide him whose honest freedom might have made him go through-stitch with more reputation He esteems it a gross oversight and too deep a disparagement to have any creature of his own thought wiser than himself he had rather his Greatness than hazard such a blemish should lie open to the malice of time and fortune This made him chuse his Servants as his Master chose him of a smooth fawning temper such as might cry ayme and approve his actions but not dispute them Hence flew a world of wilde disorder the sacred Rules of Justice were subverted the Laws integrity abused the Judge corrupted or inforc'd and all the Types of Honour due to Vertue Valour Goodness were like the Pedlers pack made Ware for Chapmen Neither was it conceiv'd enough thus to advance him beyond proportion or his birth and merit but he must carry all without disputing No one may stand in his way but tastes his power Old Quarrels are ript up to make his spleen more extant The grave Bishop of Chester a man reverend for years and eminent for his Profession and Dignity is committed and could be neither indifferently heard or released upon the meer supposition that he had been the cause of his first Banishment These insolencies carried with so great a height and exprest with so malicious a liberty were accompanied with all the remonstrances of a justly-grieved Kingdom The ancient Nobility that disdain'd such an equal accuse the injustice of the time that makes him their Superiour The grave Senators are griev'd to see the places due to their worths possess'd by those unworthy and unable The angry Souldier that with his blood had purchas'd his experience beholds with sorrow Buffoons preferr'd while he like the ruines of some goodly Building is left to the wide world without use or reparation The Commons in a more intemperate fashion make known their griefs and exclaim against so many great and foul Oppressions The new-made Earl both saw and knew the general discontent and hatred yet seeks not how to cure or stop this mischief his proud heart would not stoop or sink his greatness which might perhaps have qualified the fury with an ill-advised confidence out-dares the worst of his approaching danger and is not squeamish to let the Kingdom know it The slumbring Barons startled with the murmur that ecchoed nought but fear and quick confusion at length awake and change their drowsie temper condemning their long patience that was so far unfit their Bloud and Greatness Lincoln Warwick and Pembrooke whose noble hearts disdain'd to suffer basely resolve to cure the State or make the Quarrel fatal This Mushrome must be cropt or Arms must right the Kingdom Yet before they will attempt by force they 'll feel their Soveraign's pulses who drown'd in sensual pleasure dreams not of their practice This Resolution leads them to the Court where with some sute they gain admittance where to the King brave Lincoln thus discours'd their Grievance See here my Liege your faithful though dejected servants that have too long cry'd ayme to our Afflictions we know you in your self are good though now seduced the height is such we fear a coming Ruine Let it not taint your ear to hear our sorrow which is not ours alone but all the Kingdoms that groan and languish under this sad burden One man alone occasions all this mischief 't is one mans pride and vice that crusheth thousands we hope you will not boulster such a foul disorder and for one poor worthless piece betray a Kingdom The Heavens forbid so great and fond injustice You are your own yet we believe you ours if so we may what you forget remember Kings that are born so should preserve their Greatness which Goodness makes not all their other Titles Your noble Father dying bound our Honours yet we subscribed a breach at your intreaty You promis'd then a fair and grave proceeding but what succeeds the worst of base Oppression So long as we had hope our tongues were silent we sate and sighed out our peculiar Sufferings But when we see so fond and lewd progression that seems to threaten You and all your Subjects you cannot blame us if we seek to right it Would your unpartial eye survey the present State of this late glorious Kingdom you there shall see the Face of Shame and Sorrow No place is free both Court and Country languish all men complain but none finde help or comfort Will you for him not worth your meanest favour consent the Ruine of so brave a Nation Alas Sir if you would we may not bear it our Arms that guard your Life shall keep your Honour 'T is not unjust if you your self enforce it the time admits no respite For God's sake Sir resolve us since you must part with him or us then chuse you whether The King amazed with this strange Petition believes it backt with some more secret practice He knew their Griefs were just yet loath to right them He hop'd this Tempest would o'reblow he might advise his Answer But when he saw them fixt to know his pleasure he then believes it was in vain to struggle He knew their strength that had combin'd to seek it and saw he was too weak for contradiction This made him yield he should be once more banisht Though his wretchless improvidence had laid him open to this advantage yet he was still Master of his antient King-craft which made him smoothly seem to pass it over as if he well approv'd this Sequestration which he resolves to alter as he pleased when he had made the party sure might back his actions till then he slubbers o're his private Passion The Lords whose innocent aims had no end but Reformation depart content yet wait upon the issue A second time this Monster is sent packing and leaves the Kingdom free from his Infection Ireland is made the Cage must mewe this Haggard whither he goes as if to Execution With a sad heart he leaves his great Protector vowing revenge if he may live to act it This weak Statesman here gives a sure testimony of the poverty of his Brain that in the time of his Prosperity and Height had not made sure one forreign Friend to whom he might have had a welcome access in time of his expulsion But he had handled matters so that he was alike hateful here and abroad insomuch that he believes this barbarous Climate his surest refuge But he being gone all things seem'd well reconciled the State was quiet and mens hopes were suitable to their desires which seem'd to promise a quick and speedy Reformation But the vanity of this belief vanisht away like a shadow and the intermission was little less intemperate than the former agitation This wilie Serpent continues so his forreign Correspondence that the King was little better'd by his absence which made it evident that Death alone would end his practis'd mischief Their Bodies were divided but their Affections meet with
for private Passion He is your Sovereign you must so obey him unless the Cause be just enforc'd your moving If he himself do swerve or raise combustion the Kingdoms good must give your Arms their warrant short time will let you know your own condition however do not trust the sleepy Lion I knew his ways and could as well forestal them but now I must resigne it to your wisdom Of this be sure remember my Prediction if he relapse and make a new Vice-gerent which shall leap o're your heads and you endure it The King You or the Kingdom must perish My wearied Soul would fain embrace his freedom and now my Spirits yield to Death and Nature Commend me to my noble Friends and Fellows and say Old Lincoln liv'd and died their Servant Lancaster whose noble heart was before-hand season'd receives willingly these grave Instructions and like a good Steward locks them up in the closet of his heart till time call'd upon him to give them life and action and yet he suffers not this goodly Tree to fall before assured He vows observance and as truely keeps it but erring in the time it wrought his Downfal Beginning Evils are easily supprest which grown to strength if cleans'd are cur'd with danger Twigs may be broken younger Plants removed but if once they grow Trees their Fall is fatal Things standing thus and all mens minds in suspence what would be the issue between the enraged King and jealous Lords the indifferent friends of either Party that fear'd this unkinde Division would shake the Peace and Tranquillity of the Kingdom propounded divers Overtures of reconcilement which are neither readily accepted nor absolutely refused The Kings Meditations were more fixed on Revenge than Conference yet seeing into the Quality of the time and into the suspected Affections of the Kingdom is won at length to admit of a Treaty The Barons truely rellishing the Tickle-terms they stood on which were pinn'd to the mutability of popular Faction were not estranged from the thoughts of Peace though they would not seek it Intercession and importunacy of the Mediators brings it at length to the upshot where there was such an inveterate spleen and so great an antipathy in Wills it is not thought fit to hazard this great Work on a private discussion where Recapitulations of old Wrongs or the apprehension of new Indignities might shake the Foundation The High Court of Parliament the gravest Senate of the Kingdom that had an over-ruling Power to limit the King and command the Subject is deemed the most Honourable place of this Enterview where a business of so great weight would be gravely discours'd which might assure the end and make it more authentical Whereupon it is immediately call'd and in short space assembled at London where after many interchangeable Expostulations diversly handled by the pregnant Wits and nimble Tongues of either Party a settled Agreement is concluded and many excellent Laws are enacted which both the King and Peers are sworn to maintain and keep inviolate By these discreet means the violence of this great Fire is rak'd up in the Embers which in after-times breaks out with greater rage and fury whatsoever the hidden Resolutions were the Kingdom now seem'd in a fair way to settle Peace and Quiet But a new and unexpected Accident varies this Conceit before it was cold and calls them from private Actions to maintain the Honour and Revenue of the Kingdom Edward the First that brave and valiant Monarch had thrice with his victorious Arms run through the Bowels of Scotland and brought that stubborn Nation that deny'd him Fealty and Homage into an absolute Subjection Their last precedent King Robert le Bruce had tryed the height of his fortune and with a fruitless opposition won no more than the loss of his Kingdom and his own Expulsion The Conqueror finding himself quitted of this Obstacle takes upon him the Regiment of this Kingdom with a double string to his Bow the one of antient Title the other of Conquest The Nobility of Scotland and all the inferiour Ministers of State seeing the great Effusion of Bloud spent in this Quarrel which continued seemed to threaten a general devastation of their Country submit themselves to the English Government and are all solemnly sworn to obey it Edward thus in possession confirms it by seizing the property of all the Royal Jurisdiction into his own hand removing such Officers as were not agreeable to his will and liking and giving many goodly Estates and Dignities to divers of his faithful Servants that had valiantly behaved themselves in this Service The Form of Government by him established was peaceably obey'd and continued during his Life neither was it questioned in the beginning Government of his unhappy Successor But the wary Scots more naturally addicted to a Phoenix of their own Nation seeing into the present dissentions and disorders of the Kingdom thought it now a fit time to revolt to their old Master who like a crafty Fox harbours himself under the French Kings protection the antient receptacle and Patron for that Nation No sooner is he advertised that the gate was open and unguarded and that his well-affected Subjects wished his return but back he comes and is received with a full applause and welcome All Oaths Obligements and Courtesies of the English are quite cancell'd and forgotten and this long-lost Lion is again re-invested in the Royal Dignity As-soon as he had moor'd himself in a domestique assurance he then like a provident Watchman begins to raise a strength that might oppose all forreign Invasion which he foresaw would thunder from the Borders This Martial Preparation flyes swiftly to the King and Council of England where it appears like a great Body upon a pair of Stilts more in bulk than the proportion of the strength that bare it The Pillars of the State which wisely foresaw how great an inconvenience it would be to suffer such a Member to be dissever'd that in the contestation with France would make the War a Mattachine or Song of three parts perswade their Sovereign it was not proper for his Greatness to suffer such an unworthy subversion of his Fathers Constitutions and to loose the advantage of so fair a part of his Revenue Edward that had outslept his native glory had yet a just compunction of this dishonour which seem'd to rob him of a portion of his Inheritance purchased at too dear a value He lays by his private rancour and settles himself to suppress this sudden and unlookt-for Commotion waking from that sensual Dream which had given him so large a cause of Sorrow Scarcely would he give his intentions such an intermission as might attend the levy of his Army which he had summoned to be ready with all speed and expedition The jealous Lords startled with this Alarum conceiting it but some trick of State to catch them napping they suspect these Forces under pretence of publick action might be prepared to
Law their Swords their Justice He had no guilt of Treason or Rebellion his greatest fault was this his Soveraign lov'd him and shall I spare those that for my sake wrought his ruine No blood must have blood their own Law be their Tryal let justice take her course I le not oppose it The deeds of Charity must so be acted that he that gives be not abus'd by giving Who saves a Viper that attempts to sting him if after stung deserves nor help nor pity What could they more have done than they have acted unless to kill the King they so much hated and shall I pardon these sought my destruction and make them fit to act a new Rebellion If it be virtue 't is a poor discretion No I will make them sure that their example may others teach the just reward of Treason Dead men do neither bark nor bite the Living Instantly he flings away and to the general grief of the whole Army signeth a dispatch for present execution without so much as the exception of any one particular of all the great ones whom this last conflict had thrown at his mercy Lancaster is beheaded at Pontefret and two and twenty others of noble blood and great eminency in other places of the Kingdom so that there was scarce a City of any note but was guilty of this bloody Massacre So many excellent lives so ingloriously lost had been able to have commanded a victorious Army while it had triumpht in some forrain conquest Thomas of Lancaster a man good and virtuous though unfortunate kept faithfully the death-bed promise he made his father Lincoln but erring in the time and manner he tasted his prediction The King that was before so apparently guilty of many puny vices by this act loseth all their memory and dyes himself in grain with the true colour of a cruel Tyrant The reaking blood of so many brave subjects so untimely spilt had a quick and bitter reckoning to the final destruction of him and all the Actors In the operations of so great a weight though the colour of justice seem a Warranty yet mercy should have preceded rigour since they were not all alike guilty In point of extremity it is more safe and Honorable to do less than we may rather than all we may the one makes known our goodness the other the cruelty of our nature which with a loathed fear thrusts a zealous and true love out of possession in the hearts of those that behold and observe our actions Had these Lords been of a disposition equally cruel Spencer had not liv'd to triumph in their misery nor they to taste his malice for it is clear when they had him at their mercy that they sought not blood but reformation and assuredly in this their last act which was rather defensive than otherwaies their intentions towards the Crown were innocent In all respects saving the levy of their Arms which was done onely to support it with more Honour as things fell out afterwards it had been happy for the King if he had lost this Battel and they had prevailed for winning it was the beginning of all his ensuing misery of which the fundamental cause as appeareth in the sequel originally sprung that this bridle being taken away he fell to those dissolute actions and injurious kind of oppression that his Government became hateful and his Name odious which wrought in time the general revolt of the whole Kingdom Fear and the suspition of the following danger kept both him and his familiars in a better temper for though they were fully as vicious yet they were less confident and more reserved which this barricado taken off finds neither bound nor limit Certainly in the Regiment of a Kingdom it is a discreet and wise consideration in Court and Councel to maintain a divided faction yea and interchangeably so to countenance them that the one may be still a fit Counterpoise to the other The King by this means shall be served with more sincerity and diligence and informed with more truth and plainness Where one particular man or faction is alone exalted and onely trusted his words be they never so erronious finde seldom contradiction and his unjust actions pass unquestion'd all men under him seeking to rise by him sing the same tune the Flock ever bleats after the voice of the Bell-weather which stands with a politick wisdome since in opposition they purchase but disgrace and ruine By these means the Royal ear is abused and the Minions acts are more daring and insolent who cares ever more how to conceal cleanly than to be sparing in doing the actions of injustice by this the judgment of the King is impaired the Honour of the Crown abused the Common-wealth suffers daily more and more which by degrees aliens and estrangeth the heart of the subject The greater the heighth is the stronger is the working to preserve it which for the most part is attended with those same State-actions of impiety and injustice hence spring murmur and hatred exasperated by a continuing Oppression which ends for the most part in a desperate conclusion Though the fury of this victorious King had so fully acted his Tragedy yet the Mortimers were spared but it was rather out of forgetfulness than pity whose deaths had been more available than all those which in so great haste had tasted his fury Some think that the Queens intercession got the respite of their execution mainly followed by Spencer who in that act irreconciliably lost her favour by the subsequent effect it seems probable enough but howsoever it was wrought it appears he was reserved to be one of the fatal executioners of the divine justice which taught his persecutor that same antient Roman Law of Talionis and gave his unfortunate Master so sad a cause of a just Repentance The Kingdom after these bloody Hurly-burlies and strong Convulsions begins now to be a little setled onely it was fill'd with grief and expectation where these aims would end that ran on with such violence The principal Pillars of the common good being taken away and those that remain'd being frighted and disheartned gave such a liberty to the now great Officers that the whole interest of the State was believed little better than the fruits of an absolute Conquest All men suffer basely yet no man dares oppose or question't The King secur'd approves his Spencers actions and makes the Regal Power the Servants warrant Hence springs the insolency of unjust oppressions and those unlawful ways to drain the subject which leave no means might fill the Royal Coffers The grieved Kingdom languisht with these burdens the great Ones suffer basely courting his vices which like a tree oregrown of immense greatness shadow'd their growth and did suppress their merit They fawn upon the time and view each other as Ships salute at Sea whose Voyage differs they were become strangers to themselves and to their fellows which stop the passage to so
a little colder till he had better sounded her intentions which by his Spies he could not so discover but that she seem'd as pure and clear as Crystal Yet Edward would not give consent she should be a gadding time past away she labours hard but fruitless till at length she found she was abused Guien must be rather lost than she should wander Her heart so strongly fix'd upon this Journey was torn as much with anger as with sorrow Reason at length o'recame her Sexes weakness and bids her rather cure than vent her Passion The opportunity thus snatch'd from her hopes she seems well pleased and glad to stay at home no inward motion seem'd to appear that might beget suspicion Spencer that was as cunning as a Serpent findes here a female Wit that went beyond him one that with his own Weapons wounds his Wisdome and taught him not to trust a Womans Lip-salve when that he knew her breast was fill'd with rancour When the nap of this Project was fallen off and Spencer with the King were seeking for some other bush to stop this gap her judgment was so fortunate as to pretend a Journey of Devotion to St Thomas of Canterbury which by her jealous Overseers being a Work of Piety is wholly unsuspected All things prepared by a faithful Messenger she gives her beloved Servant Mortimer knowledge of the time and her intention Then with the Prince her Son and Comfort that must be made the Stale of this great action she fearless ventures on this holy Journey The King was well content that she should be absent and pray to whom she would within the Kingdom Her jealous eyes so watchful had enforc'd him to take by stealth what now he gets in freedom Spencer is not displeased but well contented that wisht she would remain an absent Pilgrim A short time bringing her to the Shrine of her pretensions she makes as short a stay but hasteth forward Mortimer inform'd the Plot was now in action puts on his practice for a present tryal Some say that with a Sleeping-drink he charm'd his Keepers I rather think it Drink that made them sleepy Whatever 't was by this he stole his Freedom and slylie scapes away unseen untaken At the Sea-side he findes his Royal Mistriss and the young Prince prepar'd to go a Ship-board the Earl of Cane and Bishop of Hereford ready to attend them and he now comes to make the Consort perfect All things succeeding thus fortunately they loose no time but embarque and weigh their Anchor Winchelsey had the honour of their last farewel that did provide them shipping Their Sails hoist up the Heavens they finde propitious the blustering winds were quiet and Neptune bears them without a rugged brow of angry billows a pleasing fore-right Gale as kept of purpose fills up their Sails and brings them safe to Bulloigne Thus did our Pilgrims scape the pride and malice of him which little dream'd of this Adventure his Craft and Care that taught him all those lessons of Cunning Greatness here fell apparent short of all Discretion to be thus over-reach'd by one weak Woman For her Escape it skill'd not nor could hurt him it was the rising Son with cause he feared which who would have trusted with a Mother justly mov'd by their disorder Where now were all his Spies his fawning Agents that fed his ear with every little motion that did but crack within the Kingdom Now it Thunder'd they were asleep as was their Minion-Master else he would sure have seen and soon prevented so lame a Project that pac'd afoot so long a walk so softly But when the glorious power of Heaven is pleased to punish Man for his transgression he takes away the sense and proper power by which he should foresee and stop his danger This news flies swiftly to the King who entertains it with a sad heart as justly it deserved The Spencers with the Crue of their dependants are nettl'd with a tale that starts their greatness they think the Plot was surely laid that took so rightly and in the makers Wit condemn their Judgment that led them by the hand to what they acted Mortimer whom Spencer deadly hated was well ally'd and strong in Friends and Kindred he had a Cause in hand would win assistance when that a Queen and an heir apparent back'd it But now 't was past prevention 't is a vertue to make the best of that we cannot fly from Edward whose yielding heart at first misgave him grows sadly dull and seems to read his Fortune his melancholy thoughts have no impressions but such as were engrav'd within his conscience To take him off Spencer contemns the danger extenuating their best hopes which were but fixed upon the French a nation light and inconstant whom Money would take off if Force should fail him he tells him he had cause to smile not mourn that was so freed of such a Chamber-mischief that was more to be fear'd at home than with her Brother Lastly he prays him to be like himself a Monarch that well might bend and yet not yield to Fortune 't was now high time to order so his business that there might be no farther fear of danger Baldock the Chancellour sets to a helping hand to revive his Spirits which seemed so much dejected and briefly thus discours'd his better judgment Sir If you now should droop or shew a faintness when your occasions do expect your Valour your subjects will believe you know more danger than they or see or fear which must be followed with a dull coldness over the whole Kingdom which what it may enforce you may consider 'T is easie to o'recome a weak resistance which yielding fears the stroke before 't is coming but nobler hearts are ever most triumphant when they are round beset with greatest perils Alas what can the Queen a wandring Woman compass that hath nor Arms nor Means nor Men nor Money Think you her Brother will so back her passion as to expose himself to such a hazard France knows our Arms too well too much to tempt them or come within our distance in our dwellings admit he should what can he do to England which hath a wooden wall will wet his courage Lewis that had made him a sure Party within the Kingdom long before he landed when civil tumults had embroil'd our Forces found here so sharp and hotly curst a welcome as left your Predecessor soon his first possession he came in his own right and yet forsook it can you then fear they 'll venture for another or hazard War that look for no advantage Put case they do have you your Forces ready you need not fear the French or any other but you must then by your own sprightful carriage give life and courage to the Valiant Souldier that fights your Quarrel and his proper Honour like to a careful Steward still provided to give the new-come Guest a handsome Welcome And if I erre
not 't is not much improper you let the Kingdom know the Queens departure how far it swerves from duty love or reason Dangers that be far off may be prevented with time advice and with a better leasure yet 't is discretion to catch the foretop of a growing evil look to your Ports your Navie well provided no forraign Force can wrong your Peace or Quiet For those within-door that may breed suspition the ways are easie to secure their moving Yet all this is too little if you stagger or with a drowzie coldness seem disheartned 't is life and action gives your People metal For Gods sake then great Sir leave off this Passion which wrongs your Greatness and doth maze your servants that see no cause but meerly your Opinion This Speech thus ended the King forceth himself against his disposition and cloaths his cheeks with smiles his brow with gladness with a more freedom he discourseth plainly the present state of his entangled business a Declaration is sent out to all the Kingdom that taints the Honour of the Queen but more his Judgement The Ports are all stopt up that none should follow a Medicine much too late a help improper to shut the Stable-door the Steed being stoln but 't is the nature of a bought Experience to come a day too late the Market ended The Navie is sent out to guard the Frontier and Watch and Ward is kept throughout the Kingdom These and many other grave Instructions are recommended to the Spencers wisdom whom it concern'd as deeply as their welfare they think not fit to trust the Care to others but do become themselves the Supervisors which for a time of force enforc'd their absence in which short intermiss the King relapseth to his former errour which gave him many sad and deep impressions he thinks the breach of Wedlock a foul trespass but to contemn her he so much had wronged deserv'd as much as they could lay upon him But he was guilty in a higher nature he had upheld his Parasites to brave her with too too fond a base presumptuous daring he fear'd his cruel actions stain'd with bloud would chalenge a quick and sad requital equal vengeance he saw the Subjects full of grief and passion apt and desirous to embrace Rebellion and few or none declar'd themselves to aid him unless 't were such as stirr'd by meer compulsion or private interest of their own safety Such dull conceits did so ingross his fancie that he almost despair'd of his own fortune His Minions now return'd from their employment had much ado to level these deep reckonings which lay so heavie on his guilty Conscience yet at the length he gain'd his wonted temper and acteth o'er afresh his former Errours The customary habit of transgression is like a Corn that doth infest his owner though it be par'd and cut yet it reneweth unless the Core be rooted out that feeds his tumour The guilty Conscience feels some inward motions which flashing lightly shave the hair of Mischief the scalp being naked yet the roots remaining they soon grow up again and hide their baldness the operations of the soul of true Repentance grubs up the very depth of such vile Monsters and leaves alone the scars of their abuses The French King having notice of his Sister's arrival entertains it with a wondrous plausible and seeming shew of gladness After she had well refresh'd her self and her little Son as yet a stranger to the riding of so long a journey upon a wooden horse with an Honorable attendance befitting more her Estate Birth and Dignity than the present miserable condition she was in she is waited on to Paris all the great ones and Bravery of that Kingdom are sent to give her welcome and to bring her to the King's presence When she beheld the Sanctuary of her hopes her dearest Refuge she falls upon her knee and with a sweetly-becoming modestie she thus begins her Story Her Royal Brother unwilling to suffer such an Idolatry from her that had a Father Brother Husband so great and glorious takes her up in his arms when thus she speaks her sorrow Behold in me dear Sir your most unhappie Sister the true picture of a dejected Greatness that bears the grief of a despised Wedlock which makes me flie to you for help and succour I have with a sufferance beyond the belief of my Sex outrun a world of tryals time lessens not but addes to my afflictions my burthen is grown greater than my patience yet 't is not I alone unjustly suffer my tears speak those of a distressed Kingdom which long time glorious now is almost ruin'd My blushing cheek may give a silent knowledge I too much love and honour the cause of my afflictions to express it Yet this in modestie I may discover my Royal Husband is too much abused his will his ear his heart is too too open to those which make his errours their advantage the hope of his return is lost he still must wander while such bewitching Syrens are his leaders But why do I include them as a number 't is onely one the rest are but his creatures How many of his brave and nobler Subjects have sold their lives to purchase him his Freedom All expectation fails domestick Quarrels have ta'en away their lives that strove to help it unless you please your Arms shall disinchant him he still must be abused his Kingdom grieved I had not else thus stoln to crave your favour Made to your hand you have a way is glorious to let the world behold and know your vertue Fortune presents you with a just occasion to crown your Glory with an equal Goodness would you dispute it can there be a motive more weighty than to succour these poor Ruines which else must lose their portions being Birth-right See here and view but with a just compassion two Royal Plants depress'd and like to wither both Branches of the Flower-de-luce the Root you sprang from which but in you have neither hope nor comfort Would your impartial wisdom but consider how good a work it is to help distresses a wronged Sister cannot be forsaken and an Heir of such a Crown be left unpitied In such an act of Goodness and of Justice both heaven and earth will witness your true Valour and your poor Handmaid joy in such a Brother Let it not breed suspicion that I seek you with such a weak forsaken poor attendance I was enforc'd to steal away at randome and durst not by my number be distrusted by those with Argus eyes observ'd my actions Though I am here and those behinde that love me besides the Justice of my Cause the strongest motive I bring the hearts of a distressed Kingdom that if you set me right will fight my Quarrel their Truth needs no suspect you have for Warrant their Queen and Mistris with their King that must be Then gracious Sir extend your Royal vertue I challenge by that
Justice Though in a sinking Greatness all things conspire to work a fatal ruine yet in our Story this is the first president of this nature or where a King fell with so little Honour and so great an Infidelity that found neither Sword or Tongue to plead his quarrel But what could be expected when for his own private Vanities and Passion he had been a continual lover and a better of unjust actions and had consented to the Oppression of the whole Kingdom and the untimely Death of so many Noble Subjects It is certainly no less honourable than just that the Majesty of a King have that same full and free use of his Affections without Envy or Hatred which every private man hath in his oeconomick Government Yet as his Calling is the greatest such must his Care be to square them out by those same sacred Rules of Equity and Justice if they once transcend or exceed falling upon an extremity of Dotage or Indulgence it then occasions those Errours that are the certain Predictions of an ensuing Trouble which many times proves fatal and dangerous Let the Favourite taste the King's Bounty not devour it let him enjoy his ear but not ingross it let him participate his love but not enchant it In the eye of the Commonwealth if he must be a Moat let him not be a Monster And lastly if he must practise on the Subject let it be with moderation and not with rapine If in either of these there be an excess which makes the King a Monarchy to his Will and the Kingdom a prey to his Passion and the world take notice it be done by the Royal Indulgencie it begets not more hatred than multiplicity of errour which draw with them dangerous Convulsions if not a desperate ruine to that State where it hath his allowance and practice As there ought to be a limitation in the Affection of the one so ought there to be a like Curiosity in the quality of the other Persons of meaner condition and birth exalted above proportion as it taxeth the Kings Judgment impaireth both his Safety and Honour Neither is it proper that the principal Strengths and Dignities should be committed to the care and fidelity of one man onely such unworthy and unequal distribution wins a discontent from the more capable in ability and blood and carries with it a kinde of necessary impulsion still to continue his greatness else having the keys of the Kingdom in his hand he may at all times open the gates to a domestick Danger or a forreign Mischief The number of Servants is the Masters honour their truth and faculties his glory and safety which being severally employ'd and countenanced make it at one and the self-same time perspicuous in many and being indifferently heard do both in advice and action give a more secure discreet and safe form of proceeding Kings in their deliberations should be served with a Council of State and a Council of particular Interest and Honour the one to survey the Policy the other the Goodness of all matters in question both composed out of Integrity not Corruption these delivering truely their Opinions and Judgments it is more easie for him to reconcile and elect But when one man alone supplies both these places in private and publick all the rest follow the voice of the Drone though it be against their own Conscience and Judgment The Royal Glory should be pure and yet transparent suffering not the least eclipse or shadow which appears visibly defective when it is wholly led by a single advice never so grave and weighty let the projection if it be entertained have the teste of a Council but let the act and glory be solely the Kings which addes to the belief of his ability and more assures his greatness If the heart of Majesty be given over to the sensuality of Pleasure or betray'd by his proper Weakness or the cunning of him he trusteth yet let him not neglect the necessary affairs of a Kingdom or pass them over by Bills of Exchange to the providence of another In such an act he loseth the Prerogative of an absolute King and is but so at second-hand and by direction It is the Practique not the Theorique of State that wins and assures the Subject If the ability of that be confined or doubtful it estrangeth the will of Obedience and gives a belief of liberty to the actions of Disorder and Injustice Such an Errour is not more prejudicial in the Imbecillity than in the Example Royal Vanities finde a ready imitation so that it becomes a hazard that a careless King makes a dissolute Kingdom Mans nature is propensive to the worser part which it embraceth with more facility and willingness when it wins the advantage of the time and is led by so eminent a president From this consideration natural Weakness or temporary Imperfection should be always masked and never appear in publick since the Court State and Kingdom practise generally by his Example As in Affection so in Passion there are many things equally considerable I must confess and do believe that King worthy of an Angelical Title that could master these rebellious Monsters which rob him of his Peace and Happiness But this in a true perfection is to Flesh and Blood most impossible yet both in Divinity and Moral Wisdome t is the most excellent Master-piece of this our peregrination so to dispose them that they wait upon the Operations of the Soul rather as obedient Servants than loose and uncontrouled Vagabonds Where the Royal Passions are rebellious and masterless having so unlimited a Power his Will becomes the Law his hand the executioner of actions unjust and disorderly which end sometimes in Blood commonly in Oppression and evermore in a confused perturbation of the Kingdome The Warranty of the Law wrought to his temper not that it is so but that he must have it so justifies him not though he make a Legal Proceeding the justification of his Tyranny since the Innocency of the Subject seldome findes protection where the fury of a King resolves his ruine The rigour of humane Constitutions are to the Delinquent weighty enough let them not be wrested or inverted which makes the King equally guilty and the actor of his own Passions rather than those of Justice or Integrity He should on earth order his proceedings in imitation after the Divine Nature which evermore inclines more to Mercy than Justice Lives cannot being taken away be redeemed there ought then to be a tender consideration how they be taken lest the Injustice of the act challenge a Vengeance of the same nature As the quality of the act so is the condition of the agent considerable in point of Judicature wherein there may be sometimes those dependencies that it may be more honourable and advantageous to pardon or delay execution than to advance and hasten it howsoever it is the more excellent and innocent way to fall short of the better hand and
that had the guidance of his affairs and not to his own natural Disposition they tax the impropriety of the time when the Kingdom was under the Government of a Child and a Woman and spare no point that might advance compassion for the one or procure a dislike of the other Neither are they content with a verbal incitation but fall to matter of fact that others might move by their example They make one of their number named Donhead their Captain a good stout bold and factious Fellow one that was daring enough but knew better what belong'd to Church-Ornaments than the handsome carriage of a Conspiracy that was to be managed by Armes and not by the liberty of the Tongue whose liberality claps him by the heels where he not long after dyes before he had so much as muster'd his Covent This gathering Cloud thus dispers'd without a shower the Queen and Mortimer to take off the people from harping farther upon this string send forth divers plausible Proclamations intimating a strict charge for the reformation of divers petty Grievances and withal are divulged sundry probabilities of Forreign dangers from France and Scotland which were presently understood to be but mere fictions in respect at the same instant she frees herself of her forreign Aid which in such an occasion might have as well served to defend the Kingdome as to invade it They made it is true an earnest suit to be gone having well feather'd their nests but if the fear had been such as was bruited I think the Queen both might and would have retain'd them It may be their addiction to Arms was weary of so long a Vacation or they were desirous to shew themselves at home with honour whence they had parted with so poor an expectation and peradventure she was unwilling they should be witness of that unnatural Tragedy which she saw then broyling in Mortimer's breast though not resolved on which must have wounded her reputation in that Climate where she had won so great a belief of her Wisdome Vertue and Goodness Liberally and nobly she requites every man according to his Merit and Condition but to Sir John of Heynault whose Heroick Spirit gave the first life to this action and to the Oracle of her recovery and all those of the better sort she presents many rich Jewels and Annuities of yearly Revenue according to the quality of the time in being They hold themselves Royally requited and taking a solemn leave are honourably accompanied to Dover where they take their Farwel of the Kingdom with a much merrier eye than when they first beheld it Whoso shall wisely consider the desperate attempt of this little handful of Adventurers and their fortunate issue may justly esteem it one of the most memorable Passages of our time since it was merely guided by pity and compassion without pay without provision to attempt an act not more dangerous than hopeless yet they gave it perfection without so much as the loss of any one man and returned home glorious in honour rich in purchase not gained by pillage robbery or unjust rapine the hope and revenue of a War but by the just reward due to their Valour and Vertue The cause of so fair a progression and so successful an end may have divers probabilities likely enough to ground our judgment As the sincerity of the Intention the goodness of the Work and many other which may be alledged but the most essential may be drawn from this they were though but a small one yet an entire body composed of such as knew what appertain'd to Arms and Breeding Men that were vertuously inclin'd and aw'd with the true sense of Religion in the Wars of late years become a mere stranger where no Victory is esteem'd dishonourable no Purchase unlawful Certainly our Wars and our Plantations nearly resemble being both used as a Broom to sweep the Kingdome rather than an enterprize to adorn it which makes the event so unfortunate in War which alone falls properly within the compass of this Treatie it being the greatest and most weighty work that either gives honour or safety to a Kingdom They should be begun with Justice and managed as well with Wisdome as Valour their beginning should be with a choice care which makes the ending fortunate The number of bodies is not the Strength their fury not the Bulwork it is the Piety and true Valour of an Army which gives them Heart and Victory which how it can be expected out of Ruffians and Goal-birds that are the scum of the Commonwealth I leave to your consideration I commend his Curiosity that would not buy a piece of Plate stoln from Orphans though he might have had it at an under-value lawfully enough but more his reason which would not commix it with his own for fear lest it might occasion a punishment upon his which were innocent and not toucht with a Guilt that might in Justice challenge Vengeance But in the Military Practice it is believed so a man have shape and limbs 't is no matter though he have murder'd his own Father or committed Incest with his Mother it is his metal not his conditions gives him admittance Hence spring Treachery that forsakes his Colours Treason that betrays the Captain and at the best those actions of Bloud and Murder that cry rather for Vengeance than promise Victory A General it is true that hath his Army made to his hand cannot distinguish their conditions the first act is the errour of those entrusted yet if he in the knowledge continue and not punish the practice of so barbarous actions though it be against an enemy it must wound his Honour and endanger his Safety liable to the accompt of those transgressions which are acted by those that are under his charge without a just punishment It is an Observation remarkable that a Press coming into the Country there is a great deal of shift made in every Town and Village to lay hold of all the most notorious debauch'd Rascals to fill up the number these clear the Coast and are believed fit Champions to fight for their Sovereigns Honour and the Kingdoms Safety and the rather because in want of Pay the ruine of an Army they are best able to live by their Trade But what follows They are either led to the Slaughter or by the Divine Justice prove the ruine of the Enterprise or returning practise private Villanies with more confidence or publick Mutinies under pretence of want of Wages But I will leave them to a reformation and proceed to the Tragedy of this unfortunate King who is now taken from the Earl of Lancaster and delivered over by Indenture to Sir Morrice Berkley and Sir John Matravas They lead him back to the Cage of his first Imprisonment carrying him closely and with a reserved Secrecy lest his Friends in the knowledge of his Remove might attempt his Freedome And to make his Discovery more difficult
and custody to be himself dissolute licentious and ill-affected but when he falls into a second errour making more delinquents Kings where one is too much he brings all into disorder and makes his Kingdome rather a Stage of Oppression than the Theater of Justice which opens the ready way to an ensuing Misery The heart of the Subject as it is obliged so it is continued by the Majesty and Goodness of the King if either prove prostitute it unties the links of Affection those lost the breach of Duty succeeds which hunts after nothing but Change and Innovation The bridle of the Laws is too weak a restriction especially when it is infring'd by him that is most bound to protect it Neither can the King in Justice blame or punish the breach when he himself goes the way of subversion of those Precepts which should preserve his Peace and Obedience It is so singular and so weighty a Consideration that a Burthen should never be imposed upon the Subject by extent of the Prerogative that may beget a just Grievance besides the grief in payment the novelty of the act incites to a tumultuous opposition Where there is neither Law to warrant nor fit president to induce the Injustice of the demand such actions begin in Complaint which unredressed fall into an extremity which draws with it a desperate hazard If the tye of Duty and Allegeance preserve the Obedience to the Crown inviolate let him beware that is the Prime Instrument or Seducer for he must be persecuted with implacable hatred which ends not until he be made a Sacrifice to expiate and quench the fury or the endangering of his Master by his unjust Protection It is no less proper for the Majesty and Goodness of a King in case of a general Complaint to leave those great Cedars to the trial of the Law and their own purgation this makes known the integrity and equality of his Justice which should not be extended to the grubbing up of Brambles and Shrubs while monstrous Enormities of a greater height and danger scape unlopped The accumulation of his Favour though it be a property of his own Power yet ought it in some measure to be satisfactory as well in the present worth of him elected as in his future progression else in the continuance he windes himself into the danger of participating his hatred as well as protection of his Errour The eye of the Subject waits curiously upon their Sovereigns actions which if they seem to degenerate from his Wisdome and Greatness and preferring a private Inconvenience before the redress of a publick Grievance it by degrees varies the integrity of the heart and begets a liberty of Speech which fall often on the actions of Revolt and Tumult Neither is it proper if there must be a Dotage in the Royal Affections that the object of their weakness should sway and manage the Affairs of State such an Intermixture begets Confusion and Disorder accompanied with Envy Hatred and a world of Errours If the King be never so innocent yet in this course he cannot avoid the actions of Injustice Experience tells the right use of a Favourite A good Cause in the integrity of time warrants it self and needs no supporter But Imperfection Fraud Dishonesty and Weakness in true Worth fly to his protection that by his strength they may prevail which in Equity and Justice are meerly corrupt and counterfeit Money Friends or Favour engageth him and he his Master hence proceed all manner of Oppression and Disorder Let the Spring-head be never so pure and unpolluted yet such a Diver makes it foul and muddy A smooth Tongue finding a favourable hearing sets a fair gloss upon the blackest Overture Love and a seeming Goodness leads where all seems currant which hatches daily broods of grief and mischief Thus doth the Kingdom suffer so misguided Had this unhappy subject of this Story not been thus abused had he been worser far he had subsisted but when for his inglorious Minions Gaveston and Spencer who successively enjoy'd him he made the Kingdome a prey to their Insolence he found both Heaven and Earth conspir'd his ruine So great a Fall these latter times produce not a King in a potent Kingdome of his own deposed by a handful of Strangers who principally occasioned it without so much as any Kinsman Friend or Subject that either with his Tongue or Sword declar'd himself in his Quarrel But you may object He fell by Infidelity and Treason as have many other that went before and followed him 'T is true but yet withal observe here was no second Pretendents but those of his own a Wife and a Son which were the greatest Traytors had he not indeed been a Traytor to himself they could not all have wronged him But my weary Pen doth now desire a respite wherefore leaving the perfection of this to those better Abilities that are worthy to give it a more full expression I rest until some more fortunate Subject invite a new Relation AN Alphabetical TABLE A. RObert of Artois his Character Page 105 His speech 106 Arundel Hanged 130 B. Barons the Kings Speech to them 5 They swear not to recall Gaveston 7 Are slighted by the King 18 Perswade him to Marry Ibid. Take up Arms 29 Seize Gaveston and Behead him 30 They are incensed 53 Take Arms again 55 Their Message to the King 56 Appear with a Guard 58 King writes to them 66 Their Answer Ibid. They rise 69 Are beaten and fly to Pontfract 70 Are pursued and repair to Councel 71 Speech in favour of them Ibid. Bristol City desires a Treaty with the Queen 124 Is yielded to her 125 Barwick betrayed to the Scots 42 Besieged by the King 45 Deserted by him 47 Sir Barth Baldesmere's Castle seized 68 Baldock's Speech 93 Is committed to Newgate 143 C. Carlisle Earl Executed 84 Cliffords Speech 54 Killed 71 Councel labour to divert the King from re-calling Gaveston 13 They consent to re-call him 15 Cautious Speech for Gaveston 10 Chester Bishop Imprisoned 21 D. Sir Josline Denvil infests the North 43 A great Dearth 45 E. Exeter forsakes the Queen 108 F. French King breaks Peace with England 85 Receives the Queen of England 97 Threatens the King 98 Shews the Queen the Popes Sentence 103 Perswades her to Peace 104 G. Gaveston Banished 4 His Character Ibid. Re called home again 12 He returns 17 And is Married 19 Created Earl of Cornwal Ibid. Chief Minister of State 20 Imprisons the Bishop of Chester 21 Is Banisht a second time 23 Re called again 25 Is Banisht a third time 27 Returns again 29 Is seized by the Barons and Beheaded 30 H. Sir Andrew Harcklay repulses the Barons 71 Hereford killed Ibid. Earl of Heynault welcomes the Queen 110 Reproves his Brother 111 His Brothers Answer 112 Rewarded and departs the Kingdom 145 K. King Edward I. his care in educating his Son 2 He Banishes Gaveston 4 He dies 5 King Edward II. his Birth and Character
The Portraiture of Edward the Second KING of ENGLAND Lord of Ireland Having Raig 19. Yeares and 7. Months was Murdered at BARKLEY-CASTLE at 43. Yeares of Age. THE HISTORY OF The LIFE REIGN and DEATH OF EDWARD II. King of England AND LORD of IRELAND WITH The Rise and Fall of 〈◊〉 great Favourites GAVESTON and the SPENCERS Written by E. F. in the year 1627. And Printed verbatim from the Original Qui nescit Dissimulare nequit vivere perire melius LONDON Printed by J. C. for Charles Harper at the Flower-de-luce in Fleet-street Samuel Crouch at the Princes Arms in Popes-head-Alley in Cornhil and Thomas Fox at the Angel in Westminster-hall 1680. THE PUBLISHER To the READER READER THou hast here presented to thy View the Life and Death of Edward the Second one of the most Unfortunate Princes that ever swayed the English Scepter What it was that made him so is left to thee to judge when thou hast read his Story But certainly the Falsness of his Queen and the Flattery of those Court-Parasites Gaveston and the Spencers did contribute not a little thereto As for the Gentleman that wrote this History his own following Preface to the Reader will give some short Account as also of the Work it self together with the Designe and Time of its writing which was above Fifty years since And this we think we may say and perswade our selves that upon the perusal thou wilt be of the same opinion that he was every every way qualified for an Historian And ' bating a few obsolete words which shew the Antiquity of the Work we are apt to believe those days produced very few who were able to express their Conceptions in so Masculine a Stile We might easily enlarge in our Commendations of this Excellent History but it needs not and therefore we leave it to thee to read and judge The AUTHOR's PREFACE To the READER TO out-run those weary hours of a deep and sad Passion my melancholy Pen fell accidentally on this Historical Relation which speaks a King our own though one of the most Vnfortunate and shews the Pride and Fall of his Inglorious Minions I have not herein followed the dull Character of our Historians nor amplified more than they infer by Circumstance I strive to please the Truth not Time nor fear I Censure since at the worst 't was but one Month mis-spended which cannot promise ought in right Perfection If so you hap to view it tax not my Errours I my self confess them 20. Feb. 1627. E. F. THE RAIGN and DEATH OF Edward the Second EDWARD the Second eldest Son of Edward the First and Elenor the vertuous Sister of the Castilian King was born at Carnarvan and in the most resplendant pride of his age immediately after the decease of his noble Father crowned King of England The principal Leaders of the Rebellious Welshmen Fluellen and Meredith being taken and executed the Combustions of the Cambro-Britains were quieted and settled in an uniform Obedience The Scots by the resignation of Baliol the execution of Wallis and the expulsion of Bruce their pretended King were reduced to their first Monarchy and brought to an absolute subjection at such time as he took upon him the Regiment of this then glorious Kingdom If we may credit the most antient Historians that speak of the Princes and Passages of those times this Royal Branch was of an Aspect fair and lovely carrying in his outward appearance many promising Predictions of a singular expectation But the judgment not the eye must have the preheminence in point of Calculation and Censure The smoothest waters are for the most part most deep and dangerous and the goodliest Blossoms nipt by an unkindly Frost wither or produce their fruit sowre or unwholsome which may properly imply That the visible Calendar is not the true Character of inward Perfection evidently proved in the Life Raign and Death of this unfortunate Monarch His Story speaks the Morning fair the Noon-tide eclipsed and the sad Evening of his Life more memorable by his untimely Death and Ruine He could not have been so unworthy a Son of so noble a Father nor so inglorious a Father of so excellent a Son if either Vertue or Vice had been hereditary Our Chronicles as they parallel not him in his licentious Errours so do they rarely equal the Wisdom and Valour of the one that went before and the other that immediately succeeded him Neither was this degenerate Corruption in him transcendent from the womb that bare him since all Writers agree his Mother to be one of the most pious and illustrious pieces of Female-goodness that is registred in those memorable Stories of all our Royal Wedlocks But the divine Ordinances are inscrutable and not to be questioned it may else seem justly worthy admiration how so crooked a Plant should spring from a Tree so great and glorious His younger years discovered a softly sweet and milde temper pliable enough to the impressions of Vertue when he came to write Man he was believ'd over-liberally wanton but not extreamly vicious The Royal honour of his Birth-right was scarcely invested in his person when Time the Touchstone of Truth shews him to the world a meer Imposture in Conversation light in Condition wayward in Will violent and in Passion furious and irreconciliable Edward his valiant and prudent Father had by the glory of his victorious Arms and the excellency of his Wisdom and Providence laid him the sure foundation of a happy Monarchy making it his last and greatest care to continue it so in his succession This caus'd him to employ his best understanding and labour for the enabling of his Son that he might be powerful fit and worthy to perfect this great Work and preserve it And from this Consideration he leads him to the Scotch Wars to teach him the right use of Arms which are to be managed as well by discretion as valour and the advantage of time and opportunity which lead humane Actions by the hand to their perfection Here he likewise instructs him with those more excellent Rules of Knowledge and Discipline that he might exactly know what it was and how to obey before he came to command Lastly he unlocks the Closet of his heart and lays before him those same Arcana Imperii and secret mysteries of State which are onely proper to the Royal Operations and lie not in the road of Vulgar knowledge yet letting him withal know that all these were too weak to support the burthen of a Crown if there be not a correspondent worth in him that wears it With these grave Principles the prudent Father opening the way soon perceives he had a remaining task of a much harder temper with an unwilling eye he beholds in his Son many sad remonstrances which intimate rather a natural vicious inclination than the corruption of time or want of ability to command it Unless these might be taken off and cleansed he imagines all his other
own Contentment One rough Majestick glaunce will charm their anger Admit great Edward did command Obedience he then was King your Sovereign and your Father he now is dead and you enjoy his Power will you yet still obey and serve his shadow His Vigour dull'd with Age could not give Laws to suit your Youth and Spirit nor is it proper that the Regal Power be made a stranger to his own Contentment or be debarr'd from inward Peace and Quiet Did you but truely know what 't is to be a Monarch you 'ld be so to your self as well as others What do you fear or what is it restrains you A seeming Danger more in shew than substance Wise men that finde their aims confin'd to hazard secure the worst before they give them action You have a Kingdoms Power to back a Will to guide it Can private fear suggest to shake it Alas they cannot if your self were constant Who dares oppose if you command Obedience I deny not if you be faint or stagger you may be crost and curb'd by that advantage that gives their moving-heart shew of Justice You understand your self and feel your Passions if they be such as will not brook denial why do you dally or delay to right them The more you paise your doubts the more they double and make things worse than they or are or can be appearing like your self these clouds will vanish and then you 'll see and know your proper errour Will you vouchsafe my trust I 'll fetch him hither whose absence gives you such a sad distraction You may the while secure his entertainment with such a strength may warrant your proceedings 'T were madness to ask leave to act Transgressions where Pardon may be had when they are acted If you do seek consent from your great Barons they 'll dare deny which is nor fault nor Treason and in that act you foil your hopes and action which gives their opposition shew of Justice But 't is in vain to plead the grounds of Reason since 't is your Will must give the resolution If that be fixt there needs no more disputing but such as best may bring it to perfection When this smooth Physician had prescribed so fit a Balsamum for so foul a Wound the King seems infinitely pleased in his relation he had hit his desires in the Master-vein and struck his former Jealousie between wind and water so that it sunk in the instant his love-sick Heart became more free and frolick which sudden mutation begat as great a wonder The Operations of the Fancy transport sometimes our Imagination to believe an actual possession of those things we most desire and hope for which gives such a life to the dejected Spirits of the Body that in the instant they seem cloathed in a new Habit. Such was the condition of this wanton King that in this bare overture conceits the fruition of his beloved Damon and apprehends this Golden Dream to be an essential part of his fantastique Happiness He heaps a world of promises and thanks on the Relator letting him know he waits but a fitting opportunity to give this project life and action It is a politique part of Court-wisdome to insinuate and lay hold of all the befitting opportunities that may claw the Prince's humour that is naturally vain-glorious or vicious there is not a more ready and certain way of advancement if it do shake hands with Modesty and appear with an undaunted impudent boldness He that will be a Courtier and contains himself within the modest temperance of pure Honesty and not intrude himself before he be called may like a Sea-mark serve to teach other men to steer their Course while he himself sticks fast unmoved unpitied All the Abilities of Nature Art Education are useless if they be tyed to the links of Honesty which hath little or no society in the Rules of State or Pleasure which as they are unlimited walk in the by-way from all that is good or vertuous If this Butterfly had truly laid before his unhappy Master what it had been to break the Injunctions of a dying Father to falsifie such Vows and Oaths so solemnly sworn and to irritate the greatest Peers of the Kingdom with so unworthy an action which had been the Duty of a Servant of his Masters Honour truely careful he had felt the Reward of such plain dealing either with Scorn Contempt or Passion whose flattering falsehood wins him special Grace and Favour and gains the title of an able Agent Some few days pass which seem'd o're long before the King exacts a second tryal In the interim to take away all jealousie he enters into the business of the Kingdom and with a seeming serious care surveys each passage and not so much as sighs or names his Gavaston doubting if in his way he were discovered there might be some cross-work might blast his project He knew how easie 't was if once suspected to take away the Cause might breed a difference What could so poor a stranger do that might protect him against or publick Force or private Mischief either of which he knew would be attempted before the Lords would suffer his reprisal When all was whisht and quiet and all mens eyes were fixed upon the present he calls his trusty Roger to his private presence and after some Instructions throws him his Purse and bids him haste he knew his Errand The wily Servant knows his Masters meaning and leaves the Court pretending just occasion proud of imployment posting on his Journey The King having thus far gone must now go onward he knew that long it could not be concealed such actions cannot rest in sleepy silence which made him think it fit to be the first Reporter This makes him send and call his Council who soon are ready and attend his Summons where he makes known the fury of his Passions and tells the way that he had taken to ease them So strange an act begets as great a wonder they unà voce labour to divert him and humbly plead his Fathers last Injunction to which their Faiths were tyed by deep Engagement They urge the Law that could not be dispens'd with without a publick breach of his prescription They speak the Vows and Oaths they all had taken which in consenting would make them false and perjur'd This working nothing they entreat him he would a while adjourn his resolution time might happily finde out a way might give him content and yet might save their Honours His jealous fear suspects this modest answer a temporizing must increase his sorrow while they so warned might work a sure prevention Being thus at plunge he strives to make it sure and win his Will or loose his Jurisdiction Though he were naturally of a suspicious and timerous Nature yet seeing now the interest of his Power at stake on the success of this Overture he lays aside his effeminate disposition and with angry Brow and stern Majesty doth thus discourse
Horseback and being not well assured of his reception in the Kingdom being a banish'd man by so Juridical a Sentence he esteems it too weak an Adventure to expose himself to the hazard of the Road-way where he might with ease be intercepted This leads him to disguise himself and seek a secret passage which he as readily findes all things concurring to improve his happiness if he had had judgment and temper enough to have given it a right use Every minute he esteems ill lost till he might again be re-enfoulded in the sweet and dear embraces of his Royal Master Time that out-runs proud Fate brings him at last to the end of his desires where the interview was accompanied with as many mutual expressions as might flow from the tongues eyes and hearts of long-divided Lovers This pair thus again re-united the Court puts on a general face of Gladness while wiser heads with cause suspect the issue They esteem it full of danger to have one man alone so fully possess the Kings Affections who if he be not truely good and deep enough to advise soundly must often be the cause of Error and Disorder This strange piece had neither Nobility of Birth Ability of Brain or any Moral Goodness whereby they might justly hope he would be a stay to the unbridled youth of their Sovereign A precedent experience during the Government of their dead Master had given them a perfect knowledg that he was more properly a fit instrument for a Brothel than to be the Steersman of the Royal actions yet there was now no prevention they must hope the best and attend the issue Edward having thus regained his beloved Favourite could not shadow or dissemble his Affection but makes it eminent by the neglects of the State-affairs and the forgetfulness of the civil and ordinary Respect due to his great Barons They wait contemn'd and cannot gain the threshold while this new Upstart's courted in the Royal Chamber This kinde of usage won a sudden murmur which calls them off to close and private Meetings there they discourse their Griefs and means to right them they sift each way might break this fond inchantment or lessen this great light obscured their lustre When they had canvast all the Stratagems of State and private workings they deem'd it the most innocent and fair way to win the King to marry the interest of a Wife was thought the most hopeful inducement to reclaim these loose affections that were prostituted without or sense or honour she might become a fit counterpoise to qualifie the Pride of such a swelling greatness The major part soon jump in this opinion the rest are quickly won that fear'd the sequel On this they all together present themselves and their request and shew the reasons but touch not the true ground why they desired it After some pawse the King approves their motion yet bids them well consider it was the greatest Action of his life which as it principally concern'd his particular Contentment so did equally reflect on the general Interest of the whole Kingdom If they could find him out such a Wedlock as might adde Strength and Honour to the Crown and be withal suitable to his liking he would readily embrace it and value it as a blessing So fair a beginning encourageth them to move for Isabel the French Kings Daughter one of the goodliest and fairest Ladies of that time The King readily inclines to have it treated on which an honourable Embassage is sent to make the motion They are nobly receiv'd and willingly heard that bare this Message and the Conditions easily reconciled to a full Agreement This brings them home with a like noble Company fully authorized to receive the Kings consent and approbation This Conclusion thus made sends our new Lover into France to fetch his Mistriss where he is received like himself feasted and married with a great deal of Joy and Pleasure The Solemnity ended and a Farewel taken he hastens homewards returning seised of a Jewel which not being rightly valued wrought his ruine Infinite was the joy of the Kingdom evident in those many goodly expressions of her Welcome The excellency of so rare a Beauty could not so surprize the heart of this Royal Bridegroom but that he was still troubled with the pangs of his old Infirmity It was in the first Praeludium of his Nuptials a very disputable Question whether the Interest of the Wife or Favourite were most predominant in his Affections but a short time discovers that Gaveston had the sole possession of his Heart and Power to keep it To level their conditions and make the terms betwixt them more even he tyes this fair bullock in a yoke of the same nature marrying him to a lovely branch of the house of Gloucester whose noble heart struggled infinitely yet durst not contradict the Kings Injustice He holds his blood disparag'd by so base commixtion To take away that doubt the new-married man is advanced to the Earldom of Cornwal and hath in his Gift the goodly Castle and Lordship of Wallingford so that now in Title he had no just exception and for conditions it must be thought enough his Master loved him To shew himself thankful and to seem worthy of such gracious favour Gaveston applies himself wholly to the Kings humour feeding it with the variety of his proper appetite without so much as question or contradiction Not a word fell from his Sovereign's tongue but he applauds it as an Oracle and makes it as a Law to guide his actions This kinde of juggling behaviour had so glewed him to his Master that their Affections nay their very Intentions seem'd to go hand in hand insomuch that the Injustice of the one never found rub in the consent of the other If the King maintain'd the party the servant was ever fortunate his voice was ever concurrent and sung the same Tune to a Crochet The discourse being in the commendation of Arms the eccho stiles it an Heroick Vertue if Peace it was an Heavenly Blessing unlawful Pleasures a noble Recreation and Actions most unjust a Royal Goodness These parasitical Gloses so betray'd the itching ear that heard them that no Honour or Preferment is conceited great and good enough for the Relator A short time invests in his person or disposure all the principal Offices and Dignities of the Kingdom the Command of War and all Military Provisions were committed solely to his care and custody all Treaties forraign and domestick had by his direction success or ruine nothing is concluded touching the Government or Royal Prerogative but by his consent and approbation In the view of these strange passages the King appear'd so little himself that the Subjects thought him a Royal Shadow without a Real Substance This Pageant too weak a Jade for so weighty a burden had not a brain in it self able enough to manage such great Actions neither would he entertain those of ability to
door give not his inconstant thoughts time to vary but command their Antagonist off to a third Banishment He deprived of heart and strength is enforced to obey having not so much liberty as to take a solemn Farewel Now is he sent for Flanders the Jurisdiction of the Kings Dominions are esteem'd no fit Sanctuary to protect so loose a Liver They leave him to prey and practice on the Dutch whose Caps steel'd with Liquour had reeling Craft enough to make him quiet This passage bred a supposition that he was now for ever lost the King made shew as he were well contented and men were glad to see this storm appeased that seem'd to threaten an intestine ruine This Happiness was but imaginary but it is made perfect by one more real Windsor presents the King an Heir apparent which happy News flies swiftly through the Kingdom which gives it welcome with a brave expression The Royal Father did not taste this Blessing with such a sense of Joy as it deserved Whether 't was his misgiving Spirit or the absence of his lost Jewel he sadly silent sighs out the relation such a deserving Joy could not win so much as a smile from his melancholy Brow grown old with trouble The appearance of his inward agitation was such that the greatest enemies of his Dotage were the most compassionate of his Sufferings Such a masculine Affection and rapture was in those times without president where Love went in the natural strain fully as firm yet far less violent If the circumstances of this passionate Humour so predominant in this unfortunate King be maturely considered we shall finde them as far short of possibility as reason which have made many believe that they had a supernatural operation and working enforc'd by Art or Witchcraft But let their beginning be what it will never was man more immoderately transported which took from him in this little time of his third absence the benefit of his Understanding and Spirits so fully that he seems rather distracted than inamour'd more properly without Reason than ability to command it In the circumference of his Brain he cannot finde a way to lead him out of this Labyrinth but that which depended more of Power than Wisdome Bridle his Affections he could not which were but bare embryons without possession alter them he cannot where his eye meets not with a subject powerful enough to engage him what then rests to settle this civil discord but restitution which he attempts in spight of opposition Gaveston comes back the King avows and bids them stir that durst He would protect him Princes that falsifie their Faiths more by proper inclination than a necessary impulsion grow not more hateful to forreign Nations than fearful and suspected to their own Subjects If they be tainted with a known Guilt and justifie it 't is a shrewd presumption of a sick State where the Head is so diseased A habit of doing ill and a daring Impudence to maintain it makes all things in a Politique Wisdome lawful This Position in the end cosens the professor and leaves him in the field open to shame and infamy And it stands with reason for if Vertue be the Road-way to Perfection the corruption of a false Heart must certainly be the path to an unpitied ruine The enraged Barons seeing great Cornwal return are sensible of their dishonour and think it too great a wrong to be dispens'd with yet they will have the fruit of their revenge through-ripe before they taste it He appears no Changeling but still pursues the strains of his presumption The actions of Injustice seldom lessen Progression is believ'd a moral Vertue He that hath a Will to do ill and doth it cannot look back but on the Crown of mischief This makes him not disguise his conceptions but shew them fully having withal this excellent Vertue that would be never reconciled where he once hated The Lords observing his behaviour think time ill lost in so weighty a business they draw their forces together before the King could have a time to prevent or his abuser to shun it The gathering together of so many threatning Clouds presag'd the Storm was a coming Gaveston labours to provide a shelter but 't was too late the time was lost that should assure the danger All that he could effect by his own strength or the Royal Authority he calls to his assistance but such was the general distaste of the Kingdom he could not gain a strength might seem a party The Court he knew would be a weak Protection against their Arms whose Tongues had twice expell'd him This made him leave it and with such Provision as so short a time could tender commit himself to Scarborough-Castle This Piece was strong and pretty well provided but prov'd too weak against so just a Quarrel His noble Enemies being inform'd where they should finde him follow the track and soon begirt this Fortress He seeks a Treaty they despise Conditions knowing he none would keep that all had broken All hope thus lost he falls into their power from whom he had no cause could hope for mercy The Butterflies companions of his Sun-shine that were his fortunes friends not his forsake his Winter and basely leave him in his greatest troubles The tide of Greatness gain'd him many Servants they were but hangers on and meer Retainers like Rats that left the house when it was falling The Spring adorn'd him with a world of Blossoms which dropt away when first they felt this Tempest Forsaken thus this Cedar is surpriz'd and brought to know the end of such ambition The Prey thus tane short work concludes his story left that a Countermand might come to stop their Verdict Gaverseed is made the fatal place that sacrific'd his life to quench their fury Thus fell the first glorious Minion of Edward the Second which appearing for a time like a Blazing-star fill'd the world with admiration and gave the English cause to blame his fortune that liv'd and died nor lov'd excus'd or pitied In the wanton Smiles of his lovely Mistriss he remembers not that she was blinde a â—iglet and a Changeling nor did he make himself in time a Refuge might be his Safeguard If she had prov'd unconstant constant such a Providence had made the End as fair as the Beginning But these same towering Summer-birds fear not the Winter till they feel it and then benumb'd they do confess their Errour Height of Promotion breeds Self-love Self-love Opinion which undervalues all that are beneath it Hence it proceeds that few men truely honest can hold firm Correspondence with so great a Minion his ends go not their ways but with Cross-capers which cares not how so these attain perfection Servants that are confin'd to truth and goodness may be in shew but not in trust their Agents He that will act what Pride and Lust imposeth is a fit Page to serve so loose a Master Hence it proceeds that still
is made the Cabinet for this grave Council there the King soon appears attended by all the bravest and ablest Spirits of the Kingdom The act of the first conference tends to the security of Berwick the street-door of the North and principal Key of the borders This care with a full provision is committed to the Fidelity and Valour of Sir Peter Spalden who undertakes the charge being plentifully furnisht and promiseth defence against the united Power of Scotland This unfortunate King was as unhappy in Councel as in Action A short time shews this unworthy Knight to the world false and perfidious Robert le Bruce that had this Strength as a mote in his eye conceived it by force almost impregnable this made him seek to undermine it by corruption and aloof off to taste the palate of this new Governour The Hook was no sooner baited but the Trout falls a nibbling ready Money and a specious promise of an expectant Preferment makes this Conspiracy perfect which at one blow sells the Town with all its warlike Provisions and the treacherous Keeper's Reputation and Honour The Pope who with a pious and a truely compassionate eye beheld the misery of this Dissention and the unnatural effusion of so much Christian Bloud seeks to reform it and to this effect sends over two of his Cardinals to mediate a Peace and to compose if it might be the differences in question They being arrived in England come down into the North to the King by whom they are with great Ceremony according to the fashion of those Religious Times received and welcomed They discourse to him the occasion of their Employment and encline him with many excellent and vertuous motives to embrace a Peace with Scotland The greenness of the Disgrace and the late Wound yet bleeding new kept him in a long demurrer Yet the holy and milde prosecution of these holy Fathers won him at length to their Mediation with a proviso that he were not too far prejudiced in Interest and Honour With this Answer they take their leave and prosecute their Journey for Scotland but with an example full of barbarous Inhumanity they are in the way surpriz'd and robbed Infinitely is the King incens'd with this audacious act which threw so foul a stain upon the whole Nation which causeth a strict inquisition for the discovery of these Malefactors which are soon known and taken Middleton and Selby both Knights expiate the offence with their shameful Execution The persons of Embassadours amongst the most savage Nations are free from rapine but being cloathed in the habit of Religion and such a Greatness and going in a work so good and glorious certainly it was an act deserv'd so severe a punishment Immediately at the heels of this follows another Example less infamous but far more full of danger Sir Josline Denvile having wasted his estate and not able to lessen the height of his former expences gets into his society a Regiment of Ruffians terming themselves Out-laws with these he infests the North with many outragious Riots insomuch that no man that had any thing to loose could be secure in his own house from Murder Theft and Rapine A little time had brought this little Army rowling like a Snow-ball to the number of 200 all the diseased flux of the corrupted humours of those parts flye to this Imposthume An Attempt so impudent and daring flyes swiftly to the Kings knowledg Report that seldom lessens makes the danger far greater than it deserv'd The Royal ear conceits it little better than a flat Rebellion whose apprehension felt it self guilty of matter enough to work on This made an instant levy and as ready a dispatch for the suppression of the flame while it but burnt the suburbs Experience soon returns the Fear is found greater than the Cause the principal Heads and Props of this Commotion are surprized and fall under the severity of that Law whose protection they in this enterprize had absolutely disclaimed Those that more narrowly examin'd the depth of this Convention believ'd it but a masque for a designe more perillous The intemperate and indiscreet Government had alien'd the hearts of this People there was a general face of Discontent over the whole Kingdome the Ulcers fester'd dayly more and more the Scotish disaster is ascribed to the Regal weakness and all things seem'd to tend to quick confusion If this unadvised and ill-grounded disorder had tasted the general inclination in a more innocent and justifiable way it was constantly believed the King had sooner felt the publick Revolt of the whole Kingdom But this work was reserved till a farther time and the operation of those that had the opportunity of effecting it with more power and a fairer pretence of Justice It is a very dangerous thing when the Head is ill and all the Members suffer by his infirmity Kings are but men and Man is prone to Errour yet if they manage their distempers with Wisdome or Discretion so that they lye not open to publick view and censure they may be counted faults but not predictions but when the heart is gangren'd and the world perceives it it is the fatal mark of that infection which doth betoken ruine and destruction The Cardinals are now come back the hopes of Peace are desperate the Scots are on the Sunny-side of the hedge and will have no Conditions but such as may not be with Honour granted Edward inflam'd will have no farther Treaty this makes them take their leave and hasten homeward Their Losses liberally are requited and many goodly Gifts bestow'd at parting Being come to Rome they inform his Holiness of the success of their journey who takes ill the contumacy of the perfidious Scots and excommunicates both that King and Kingdom But this thunderbolt wrought a small effect where Honesty had so little an acquaintance Religion must needs be a great stranger The loss of Barwick and the disgrace of his first Overthrow calls the King to adventure a Revenge which he thinks he had too long adjourned He makes it a disputable question whether he should besiege Barwick or invade Scotland but the consideration thereof is referr'd till the moving of the Army which is advanc'd with all speed possible Men Arms and Money with all such other Provisions as were as well fit to continue the War as begin it are suddenly ready in full proportion The Army attends nothing but the King's Person or some more lucky General to lead it In the knowledg he looseth no time but appears in the Head of his Troops and leads them on making an armed hedge about Barwick before his enemies had full knowledg of his moving The Council of War thought it not expedient to leave such a thorn in the heel of so glorious an Army The Scots thought it too great a hazard to attempt the breach of so strong a body so excellently intrencht and guarded the memory of former
so strong a Battery Yet the more to justifie their Arms which in the best construction seem'd to smatch of Rebellion they send unto the King a fair and humble Message the Tenor whereof lets him know that Their intentions were fair and honest and that the Arms thus levied were to defend his Honour and not offend his Person The Sufferings of the Kingdom were so deep and weighty that all was like to run to present ruine unless he would be pleas'd to cure this Feaver In all humility they desire he would sequester from his presence and their usurpt authority those Instruments which acted this disorder and that their doings might receive a test by a fair Tryal To this if he give way they would attend him with all the expressions of a Loyal Duty but if his heart were hardned for denial they then intreat his pardon that would not be Spectators of the general mischief which drew too swiftly on by this Distemper The King receiving so peremptory a Message thinks this fair gloss a kind of By-your-leave in spight of your teeth He saw readily how the Game went and was loath to strike the Hive for fear the Swarm should sting him Dearly he doted on his Minion yet conceiv'd it fitter he should a little suffer than they both should ruine which probably might soon ensue if they prevailed He had no power provided to withstand them nor was he sure that time would make it stronger the Lords were well belov'd their quarrel pleasing while he had nothing but the name of King might hope assistance Now he condemns bitterly his improvidence that had not secur'd his work before he acts it Spencer that saw himself thus quite forestalled and his great foresight in a manner useless since those whom he had made were but a handful and those of the poorer sort of weaker spirits that stow themselves in tempests under Hatches knew 't was too late to think of opposition and therefore perswades his irresolute Master to subscribe to the present necessity yet so that these angry Hornets might not be their own Carvers He knew or at least believ'd his faults were not yet Capital yet could not tell what construction might be given if those which were his enemies were admitted to be his sole Judges and therefore made rather choice to be at the mercy of a Parliament than at their disposing He was not without hope to be able to make an able party in this Assembly where at worst he knew he should be sentenc'd rather by spleen than fury This resolution by the King approved an answer is return'd to the Lords That his Majesty having examin'd the contents of their Petition found therein a fair pretext of Justice and reason and that if their allegations were such as were by them pretended himself would with as much willingness as they could desire joyn in the act of Reformation But for as much as private Passion maskt it self sometimes under the vail of publike grievance and particular ends had the pretext of general Reformation he thought it expedient to make this rather a Parliamentary work than the act of his Prerogative or their inforcement which was more for their proper Honours and the good of the whole Kingdom which resolution if they thought fit to entertain he wisht them to lay down their Arms which were the marks rather of an intended violence than a real desire of Justice that done in the knowledg of their approbation he would speedily cause his Summons to be sent out for the calling together of this great Assembly The reception of this answer was not displeasing to the Barons who desir'd those might be the Judges that had equally smarted with the stripes of this affliction yet they conceiv'd it not wisdom to disband their Forces on a bare supposition which could not be yet continued without too much charge and too great jealousie To reconcile this they divide themselves every one retaining to himself a guard sufficient to assure his Person and so dispose the rest that they might be ready on the least Item Things standing thus the Writs and Proclamations for Election are sent out in which there was as much time won as might be taken without suspition Now is there stiff labouring on all sides though not visibly yet with underhand working to cause a major part in this Election which the Lords wisely foreseeing as the main spring that must keep all the wheels in their right motion had beforehand so provided for that the engines of the adverse Party serv'd rather to fright than make a breach in the rule and truth of this Election The subjects sensible of the disorders of the Kingdom and seeing into the advantage which promis'd a liberty of Reformation make choice of such as for their wisdome and integrity deserv'd it rejecting such as fought it by corruption or might be in reason suspected This made the undertakers fall short and wide of the Bow-hand The day of appearance being come the jealous Lords would not rely so much on the King 's good Nature but that they come up like themselves bravely attended with several Crews of lusty Yeomen that knew no other way to win their Landlords favour but with Fidelity and Valour These for distinction and that they might be known all Birds of a feather are suited in Cassocks with a white guard athwart which gave this the name of the Parliament of white Bends Spencer seeing the Retinue of his Adversaries makes himself a Rampire of all his Servants Friends and Kindred The jealous Citizens that sometime look beyond their Shop-board seeing such a confluence from all parts of the Kingdom and so ill-inclin'd had a kinde of shivering phantasie lest while these strong Workmen fell a hammering the Corporation might become the Anvil The Mayor to prevent the worst doubleth the Guards and plants a strong Watch to keep the Gates and Suburbs Now according to the usual Custome the Speaker is presented and the King himself doth thus discourse his pleasure which they attend e're they begun this Session My Lords and you the Commons of the Nether-House I have at this time call'd you hither to crave your aid advice and best assistance I am inform'd my Subjects are abus'd and that the Kingdoms welfare dayly suffers such actions I maintain not nor will suffer Sift out the depth of this and finde the Authors which found I 'll punish as your selves think fitting A Kingdomes weight depresseth so his Owner that many faults may scape his eye unquestion'd your Body is the Perspicil that shews him what errours be and how he may prevent them which leads both King and Subject to a settled quiet Be not too curious in your inquisition which wastes but time and feeds diseased Passion nor may you make those faults that are not which savours more of Envy than of Justice Actions of State you may not touch but nicely they walk not in the Road of vulgar
which winning lost his Honour caused his downfal was in the memory of his former unfortunate proceedings sufficiently aw'd and being now given over to the sensuality of his delights entertains quickly the least apprehension of fear if his supervisor did present it so that this part of his work was no great difficulty and the second was not more uneasie The Royal Treasure is profusely spent without Accompt or Honour being but the fountain that served to water the drought of himself his herd of hungry Kindred and the swarm of Flesh-flies that became his creatures The antient Plate is without the art of Arithmetick multiplied into a world of little pieces the Jewels of the Crown do leap beyond the Sea and are ta'n Prisoners till they pay their ransome the Revenue Royal being now grown weary by Proclamation would exchange his Landlord the Prerogative the type of Soveraignty forgets his Patron and cleaves to the fingers of some musty Farmor This want was great in shew but more in substance which made the Surgeon seek to gain a plaister the Poverty of these Institutions answer not the Work-mans expectation for the Remedy began to seem as fearful as the Disease These profuse prodigalities in stead of a counterfeit brought in such a real necessity of such a height that without a speedy supply it must beget a desperate hazard Many several projections are made but they fall wholly short and like Pistols charg'd with Powder make a noise but hit not that they aim at the hope was dead unless the old and right way Parliamental did give it life and spirit Spencer knew well enough that such Assemblies was like a Ringworm on the neck of greatness a Court that in the bulk of high Corruption would breed a Palsie or a Hectick Feaver the subject here he knew would see his inside which single durst not quinch much less encounter He doubts the King would hardly be supply'd unless he were expos'd to try their mercy yet there 's no other means he must adventure This thus resolv'd he leaves it not at random or doth resign his state alone to Fortune but wisely makes the way before he run it With a reserved secrecy he hides the Platform till that his practice might receive perfection He hurries forth strange news of forraign dangers to draw the peoples eyes from private workings he makes a shew as if all things went currant and shadows o're the Royal wants with plenty yet closely wills his friends and those his creatures to get them place betimes in this great Meeting All such as were the Kings entirely these he instructeth with the self-same Counsel and courts all such as he believes are Powerful to advance his ends or else procure him danger and to let all the world know he stood right in his Masters affections he gets his Father himself and Sir Andrew Harclay a Chip of the same Block made Earls of Winchester Bristow and Carlile Baldock a mean man altogether unworthy unless it were for being a disciple of so virtuous a Patron is made Lord Chancellour of England The solemnity of this goodly Creation ended and the Plot now ripe for execution The bruit of a Parliament flies through the Kingdom and is follow'd at the heels with Writs for present Election The time limited for appearance was short which speedily drew this great Body together bleeding with the fresh memory of the loss of so many of his brave and glorious Members All Ceremonies are laid aside or handled briefly so that the time now serves to fall upon the business Their pulses being felt aloof off and their temper tryed there was a full discovery that the major part was sure the rest were heartless Then comes the King's Demand with fair pretences which pleads the greatness of his charge and present uses and shews he had on the strength of his Revenue maintain'd the Scotish Wars without assistance which had exhausted so the Royal Treasure that now He is enforc'd to try his Subjects This motion is soon seconded by such apt Scholars as learnt to get the King's or Spencer's favour others that had a hope to share the booty speak it great reason to assist their Sovereign The Commons justly grieved with their Oppressions would fain have made a head to stop this current but 't was in vain here was too weak a Party and wants a heart to put it to a tryal this swayed the King the sixth peny of the Temporalty and ends this Meeting When the knowledge of this Grant came into the Country it bred a general Murmur and quite estrang'd their loves from their subjection cursing those times that caused so sad a burden Upon the neck of this if we may give credit to those Historians that all agree and publish this relation were many fearful and prodigious Sights which maz'd the people amongst which this one was most remarkable the Sun for six hours space shew'd himself in perfect Blood and sanguin'd over The ensuing times that retain'd it in their Memory and applied it as a Prediction of the sequel believ'd it did foreshew the King's destruction which followed swiftly others conceit it as a Wonder shew'd from Heaven as a sure Token of the just Displeasure for the loss of the Noble Earl of Lancaster and his Adherents whose Blood implored Justice and sharp Vengeance Thus in amazement Man becomes a Prophet The Scots that love not rest delight in prigging and considering the Distractions of the English thought it a fit time to fall to action and with a double blow to vent their malice one strikes upon the Borders which they boldly enter but are repuls'd with little loss or damage the other doth invade their Neighbour Irish where they receive with grief a worser welcome Bruce the Kings Brother General of this Army and all his Troops are killed and broken scarce one was left to carry back the News of this Disaster The King resenting this new provocation and all the former mischiefs they had wrought him resolves once more to tempt his froward Fortune but 't was not his own Valour Spencer mov'd it that had his aim beyond his Master's meaning he knew this was the way to waste that Treasure which else might breed a fearless fulness if it succeeded well the gain and honour would be his share as well as his that won it since his advice had father'd first the action admit it should prove ill he then was guiltless it must be deem'd alone his Soveraign's Fortune whose Destiny was such to be still luckless however yet 't would keep him so in action he might at all times yield the groaning Subjects a short account how he had spent their Money Upon this a Summons is sent out to call together all the Captains and Men of war Provisions are dayly made to wait upon so constantly a resolved Journey The former Misfortune had taught him to undertake this action strong and soundly the black Ox
protractions begins to doubt and fear there was some juggling yet bears it strongly with a noble Patience shewing no Discontent or least Suspicion hoping at worst that here in safety she and her Son might anchor out their troubles The Posts that daily fly 'twixt France and England had liberally inform'd the state of French Occurrents Spencer inform'd the gap was stopt on that side provides to quiet all at home if he could work it he sets upon the discontented Barons that hated him and envied more his Fortunes he courts their favour and imparts Promotions that might betray them more with shew than profit he makes the Gentry proud by giving Titles that feed ambitious mindes but not content them and takes off from the People light Oppressions but keeps afoot the greatest Grievance that kept them down from hope to shake his Greatness All sides do entertain it with a seeming gladness though well they knew it was enforced kindness While each part thus dissembles their intentions the Navie was call'd home a Charge was useless where was no fear might cause a forraign danger the Ports were open'd and the Watch surceased that day and night attended on the Frontier This haste as 't was too sudden wants assurance the rising Son was absent and still lookt for while the declining dipt his cheeks in darkness To ease this care the Queen is strongly tempted by such as seem'd her friends but were his Agents to reconcile her self unto her Husband whom henceforth she might rule as she thought fitting When this fell short she is at least intreated to send back her young Son the Kingdoms comfort which took it ill he should be made a Stranger or in the power of a forraign Nation These sweet enchantments move no whit her yielding that too well knew the Serpent that begat them her Son sent back they had the prey they lookt for and she must lack the prop must keep her upright This Project failing they fall upon a new one The King frames a Letter to his Holiness full of humility and fair obedience yet craving help and bitterly complaining that Isabel his Wife had fled his Kingdom pretending a meer Voyage of Devotion and had stoln away his Son his only comfort attended by a Crue of trayterous Rebels that strove to break the Peace of Christian Princes amongst which one being tane in actual Treason had escap'd his Prison by a lewd Inchantment whom he had cause to fear abus'd his Wedlock Lastly the French King his Alley and Brother received and kept them being often summon'd to desist and leave them The Pack of this complaint so well contrived was not opposed by the French King's Council who could be well content that by commandment their importuning Guests were fairly quitted Necessity would colour actions of unkindness if Houshold-Laws were broke or those of Nature This Letter runs from hence to Paris from thence to Rome by that same practick Agent that in this Interlude had won the Garland he bears a Picklock with him that must open the gates that were fast shut to guard the Conclave his first Arrival finds a fair reception Where Money makes the Mart the Market's easie These goodly gloses guilded o're with shadows must win belief where there was none to answer Had they been just and true the fact was odious and might in Justice challenge reformation it was enough that here it is believed so the Fact was fully proved the Reason smother'd The Cardinals that freely felt the English Bounty perswade the Pope it was both just and pious so great a Misdemeanour should be question'd that gave the Christian word so lewd Example On this flies out a present Admonition to the French King that straight he free his Kingdome of this his Sister-Queen and her Adherents on pain of disobedience Interdiction While this Device was moulding out of England the Queen receives a large but secret Summons that all her friends were ready to attend her with all things fitting on her first arrival more than the plagues of Egypt did oppress them which they nor could nor would endure longer they bid her hasten her return though her provision were not enough their Swords should fight her Quarrel She with a joyful heart receives this offer which like a precious Balm clos'd up the wounds of her sad thoughts made dull with her suspicion More to advance this weighty work declining she tells the King the tenour of this tender His clouded brow the character of Passion discover'd soon the signes of alteration which yet seem'd more of Pitie than of Anger he had but then read his Italian Summons which he plucks forth and casts his drooping Sister bidding her view and wisely there consider what danger he was in by her protection The amazed Queen when she beheld the Sentence in stead of help would rob her of her refuge she falls upon her knee imploring pitie if not to give her Aid to right her Honour which was eclipsed with so foul a Slander A showre of mellow tears as milde as April's thrill down her lovely cheeks made red with anger dearly she begs at least but so much respite until his Holiness might be informed her innocence was such sought no favour but that the Law should give upon full hearing She doth implore him that he would compare her adversaries malice with his cunning who not contented with her deep oppression sought to betray at once her Hope and Honour wrought with such art and such a close conveyance that here her Judgement had outrun her Tryal He nothing sorry for so fair a warrant that took him off from charge and future hazard and yet withal would cover such Unkindness seems to lament the cause and his condition that of necessity must yeeld obedience he could not for her sake at one blow hazard the danger of himself and his whole Kingdom Not to forsake her wholly he perswades her to entertain a Peace the King her Husband should yeeld to her Conditions he 'll effect it that had a power to force it in his denyal which he would venture if the World gainsaid it Let him quoth he then use you ill or not receive you I 'll make him know I can and will revenge it small time is left you to consider or dispute it advise with speed and let me know your answer The amazed Queen abandoned and forsaken relates at full this far unlookt-for passage unto the Bishop Cane and Mortimer their valiant hearts make good their Mistris sorrows and tell her they would set her right without the French-men bidding her not consent to her returning though it were soder'd up with showers of kindness she well enough did know her Husbands humour which would observe no Vow no Oath no Promise if Spencer once more seiz'd her in his clutches she should be surely mew'd and kept from Gadding Mortimer contains not in this strain his Passion but breaks into the
Sorrow Farewel quoth she farewel thou glorious Climate where I first saw the World and first did hate it thou gavest me Birth and yet denyest me Being and Royal Kinred but no Friends were real Would I had never sought thy Help or Succour I might have still believ'd thee kinde not cruel but thou to me art like a graceless mother that suckles not but basely sells her children Alas what have I done or how offended thou shouldst deny my life her native Harbour Was 't not enough for thee in my Distresses to yeeld no Comfort but thou must Expel me and which was worse Betray me to my Ruine The poorest soul that claims in thee a dwelling is far more happie than thy Royal Issue but time will come thou wilt repent this Errour if thou remember this my just Prediction my Off-spring will revenge a Mothers Quarrel a Mothers Quarrel just and fit for Vengeance Then shalt thou seek and sue yet finde more favour from him thy Foe than I could win a Sister With this she weeping ends and paceth forward the Wheel of Fortune turning Grief grown greater few real Friends attend it false forsake it Infidelity the Plague of Greatness is commonly at full when Hope doth lessen and strives to make the Tide of Sorrow greater Stapleton Bishop of Exeter who till now had faithfully follow'd the Queens party and made himself a sharer of her action with an unnoble president doth now forsake her seeing the French hopes vanish'd and those remaining hopeless examining the grounds of her adventure almost as short in hope as in assurance he slily steals away to his old Master which wins him Grace but lost his Life and Honour Some think him from the first not sound or real but a meer stalking-horse for Spencer's Cunning but this hath no congruity with Reason The Queens departure unknown and unsuspected in which he was a prime and private Actor had he at first been false had been prevented at least the Prince's which had marr'd the project Neither can I believe so mean or basely of that same Reverend Honour of his Calling that it would be a Conduit-pipe to feed the stomack of such a tainted foul polluted Cistern By this Treachery the resolutions of the Queen are fully discover'd the Landskip of her Travels soon survey'd begets a more ontempt than fear of danger The coldness of the French King being understood their flat denial yet contents not Spencer who did expect his bargain for his Money Had he had but the Prince they had dealt fairly while he was being in their proper power But they to justifie themselves profess it freely the Queen had gone beyond them with their Cunning They thought she had been homeward bound as she divulged Thus Womens Wit sometimes can cozen Statesmen Now are the German Natures sifted and their Motions who fight but ill for words and worse for nothing Their Constitutions dull and slow were fitter to guard a Fort than to invade a Kingdom The Queen was bare of Money void of Credit which might beget them Valour her assistance These were conceptions pleas'd our Minions fancy Time that at length outstrips the longest journey hath brought our English Pilgrims into Henault The Earl a man was truely good and noble resolv'd so Royal Guests deserv'd as brave a Welcome esteeming it a Vertue fit his greatness to be the Patron of Majestick Ruines He had a Brother youthful strong and valiant one that lov'd Arms and made them his profession this man observ'd the Queen and sees her sorrow which deeply sunk and mov'd a swift Compassion when he beheld a Misery so great and glorious a structure of such worth so fair and lovely forsaken unfrequented and unfurnisht by the curst hand of an unworthy Landlord he vows within himself to help repair it He tells her he pitied her Misfortune his heart as well as eye did bear him witness He promis'd her his Service and Assistance which he would both engage in this her quarrel and seems right glad of such a fair occasion to shew his Valour in so brave a Quarrel So fair a Morning made the Evening hopeful By those sweet looks of her distressed Beauty and the best language of so rich a Pleader she doth confirm his well-disposed Affection whose willing offer seem'd more than Courtship The gallant Henaulder engag'd makes preparation to set upon this glorious Work this great Employment Pity that strains the Nerves of vertuous Passions moves faster far when that which gives it motion doth relish Beauty Justice Goodness The Tongue that harshly pleads his own compassion is for the most part entertain'd with like respondence when humble Sweetness cloath'd in truth and plainness invites the ear to hear the heart to pity Who by a crooked fortune is forced to try and to implore the help of Strangers must file his words to such a winning Smoothness that they betray not him that hears or speaks them yet must they not be varnisht o're with Falshood or painted with the terms of Art or Rhetorick this bait may catch some Gudgeons but hardly him that hath a solid Judgment 'T is more improper where we sue for favour to russle boysterously or grumbling murmur some unsavoury Prayers which seems to threaten rather a kinde of force than hope of pity So begging Souldiers fright a Country-Farmer The Earl being a man well broken in the affairs of State having a knowledge of this his Brothers resolution thinks it tasted more of Heat than sound Discretion he condemns his haste and blames his promise and sending for him with a grave yet mild discourse doth thus present the danger To undertake a War is far more weighty than hand to hand to fight a single Combat the one needs many strengths the other skill and valour Who thinks with his own arm to gain a Conquest may sell his Life and yet not purchase Honour I pity as you do this Royal Lady and would assist her too if I were able but to attempt where is no hope to vanquish makes Foes of Friends and Friends far more unhappy France has refus'd a strong and warlike Nation that King a Brother wisely waves the quarrel he knows the English Strength and so digests it that he 'll not undertake a War so hopeless Think you your self more prudent strong or able than is the Power and Strength of France united Or can you dream the English may be conquered by a few forward Youths that long for action Do not mistake the work of your Adventure which is too sad and great for greater Princes I do commend your forward Valour noble Pity it shewes a vertuous Zeal and Will to Goodness but measure well the act ere you begin it your Valour else must have a lame Repentance Where is the Sinew of the War that must maintain it Nor she nor you have Arms or Means or Money and sure Words will not conquer such a Kingdom Yet if
of landing Though the Circumstances duely consider'd the bulk of this Enterprize was in it self contemptible enough yet to improve their own diligence they extenuate and lessen it in their advertisement they send away a forerunning Post to anticipate the doubt and forestal the danger But now all provisions are ready and attend the moving of these hopeful Adventurers The Queen with a lively look the Presager of her future fortune takes a solemn leave of her kinde Host with many hearty thanks which must stand for payment till she had recover'd the ability to free the reckoning which after she as truely performed by matching the King her Son to a Daughter of the House of Heinault At Dordrecht the Prince and She with their Retinue are led a shipboard whence they depart and steer their Course for Dongport-haven which was the place resolv'd on for their Landing that part being held the fittest and the readiest to give them succour The Heaven that favour'd their designe was more propitious and from their present Fear procures their Safety Spencer being largely inform'd of their intentions had made a sound provision to give them a hotter welcome than they could withstand or look for had their directions held as they had meant them Scarce had they run the Mornings-Watch the Skies grew cloudy a fullen darkness spread all o're the Welkin the blustering Winds break loose with hollow roaring and angry Neptune makes his Level Mountains The warry Element had no Green-sickness but curled banks of snow that sparkle fury These Callenders at once assail the Vessel whose Lading was the Hope and Glory of a Kingdom the wooden House doth like a Mew triumphing bestride the angry Billow and as a Horse well-mannag'd doth â—eat his Corvet bravely without the hazard of his careful Rider The Queen that knew no Flouds no Tempests but those which sprung from Sighs and Tears of Passion grows deeply frighted and amaz'd with danger The little Prince that ne're had felt such motions as made him deadly sick without disorder takes it unkindly and with sick tears laments the hansel of his first profession to be a Souldier All are confus'd the Mariners dejected do speak their tears in language seem'd to conjure Three days together tost and tumbled they float it out in hope without assurance in all which time the poor distressed Vessel durst neither wear a Band or bear a Bonnet The violence at length being somewhat swaged and the bright Sun appearing smiling sweetly they finde themselves in view of Land but where they knew not nor thought it fit by landing to discover While thus irresolute they rest debating a second doubt enforc'd their resolution their Victual was too short to feed their number till they could tack about for some new Harbour a fault without excuse in such employments this made them venture forth at Harwich to try their fortune Unshipping of their Men their Arms their Luggage was long in action and with much disorder three days are spent in this while they are forced to make the naked Sands their strength and bulwark This made great Spencer's errour most apparent the least resistance here or shew or larum had sent them back to Sea or else surpriz'd them a little strength at Sea had stopt their passage or made them lawful prize by such a purchase But After-wits can help precedent Errours if they may be undone and then new acted Yet to excuse this oversight in shew so wretchless 't was his Intelligence not Judgment fail'd him knowing the weakness he esteem'd his vantage in suffering them to land secure and certain He would not blaunch the Deer the Toyl so near which he was confident would give possession of those he had so long pursued and sought for To raise a Guard to wait upon each quarter if it were Wisdome might be no Discretion as his affairs then stood such motions promis'd rather a Guard to bid them welcome than resist them as it would cause a fear so 't was a Summons to such as were resolv'd to back their Party He made that place alone secure where he expected and they themselves resolv'd to make their landing the rest he leaves at random and to Fortune rather than make things worse by more Commotion But now this weather-beaten Troop march'd boldly forward finding as yet few friends but no resistance Whoso had seen their Body might have deemed they had been come to rob some Neighbour-Village rather than bent to bid the King to such a Breakfast St. Hamondes an Abbey of black Monks had the honour to give their long-lost Mistriss the first Welcome Here She receives a fair and free refreshing and yet but a faint hope of present succour without the which she knew her case was desperate The bruit of this strange Novelty was here divulged which like a Thunder-shower or some Land-water that had drown'd the Marshes and o'reflown the Level doth make the Cattle run to seek for succour But when they knew the bent of her intentions not fixt to rifle but reform the Kingdom they come like Pigeons by whole flockâ— to her assistance Soon flew the News unto the grieved Barons whose itching ears attentive long'd to meet it It doubled as it flew and ere it toucht them three hundred Henaults were ten thousand Souldiers They lose no time for fear of some prevention Henry of Lancaster whose Brothers Death and proper grievance inflam'd his heart with Grief his hand for Vengeance with a strong troop of Friends and stout Attendants was the first great one that encreas'd her Party while many other brave and noble Spirits do second him themselves and all their Forces By these Supplies the Queen and her great Strangers are quickly cured and freed from their first Quartane that shak'd their hopes with so much agitation The slumbring King had slept out all the Prologue of this sad Tragedy which he suspects would end in blood and mischief As in his pleasures in this weighty business he had rely'd secure on Spencer's Wisdome but now the hollow murmur of his danger thunder'd so loud that he enforc'd awakes and sees nought but the face of a despairing Sorrow each day brings news of new revolt each hour a Larum that threatned guilty Souls with Blood and Vengeance His startled Council frighted fainting hopeless fall to survey the strength of their pursuers but while they are a registring their Forces they are inform'd the Storm grows strong and greater and like a Ball of Snow increas'd by motion Their proper Weakness and the Ill-affection of those which should defend their Soveraigns quarrel makes action doubtful and the end as hopeless so that no certain way remain'd to stop the current Now is the Errour tax'd and Judgment blamed that neither barr'd the Gates nor stopt the Entry since in the House itself was no assurance Now is the Cruelty that judg'd the Barons dearly repented which was come for vengeance Now is the Tyranny of all
make the Citizens desperate of favour and so more resolute who else being mutable as Weather-cocks might alter on the least occasion Let the consideration be what it will the Fact was inhumane and barbarous that spilt without Desert or Justice the Blood of such a Reverend Prelate who yet had so much happiness as to leave to his Honour in the University of Oxford a remarkable Memorial of his Charity and Goodness But now to seek out the reward of this vertuous Service four of the principal and most eminent Burghers are selected to make known their proceedings and devotion who are graciously received entertain'd and highly thanked for their lawless bloody Fact which was stiled an excellent piece of Justice Though the deed had been countenanced in that it ran with the sway of the time and the Queens humour yet certainly no great cause of commendation appears which is so more properly due to the Hangman which performeth the grave Ceremonies of his Office by Warrant and the actual part on none but such as the Law hath made ready for his Fingers Now is the Queen settling her remove for Bristow where the Prey remain'd her Haggard-fancy long'd for She was unwilling to give them so much advantage though she believ'd it almost impossible as to hazard the raising of an Army or so to enable their Provisions and Defences that it might adjourn the hope of making her Victory perfect She saw she had a great and Royal Army well provided but how long it would hold so she knew not the principal strength and number consisting of the giddy Commons who like Land-stoods rise and fall in an instant they had never yet seen the face of an Enemy nor did rightly understand what it was to bear Arms against the King whom they must here behold a party These considerations hasten her on with more expedition All the way as she went she is entertain'd with joyful Acclamations Her Army still grows greater like a beginning Cloud that doth fore-run a Shower When she was come before this goodly City and saw his strength and the Maiden-Bravery of their opposition which gave her by a hot Salley led by the valiant Arundel a testimony of her Welcome she then thinks that in the Art of War there was somewhat more than meer Imagination and justly fear'd lest the Royal Misery would beget a swift Compassion which was more to be doubted of him in his own Kingdom since she herself had found it in a forreign Country But smiling Fortune now become her Servant scarce gives her time to think she might be hinder'd The Townsmen that knew no Wars but at their Musters seeing themselves begirt the Market hinder'd which was their chiefest and best Revenue begin among themselves to examine the business They saw no likelihood of any to relieve them and daily in danger of some sad surprizal They saw their Lives Wives Children and state at stake for the defence of those that had oppress'd them and wrong'd the Kingdome by their foul Injustice they measur'd the event of an unruly Conquest where many look for Booty all for Pillage This did so cramp their valiant hearts that the Convulsion seeks a present Treaty The Queen seeing a Pusillanimity beyond her hopes and a taint unlook'd for makes the use and hits them on the blind side and answers plainly She will have no Imparleance no discoursing if they desir'd their own Peace and her assured Favour they then must entertain and follow her Conditions which if they but delay'd the next day following they should abide their Chance she would her Fortune This doom as it sounds harshly was deem'd too heavy but no intreaty could prevail she would not alter They yet desire to know what she requir'd and that she grants and thus unfoldeth Your Lives and Goods quoth she shall rest untouched nor shall you taste your selves the least Affliction so you deliver up with speed your Captains and in the time prefixt resign the City A choice so short so sharp so peremptory being related in the staggering City breeds straight a supposition not without reason she had some certain practis'd Plot within them or else some way assured for to force the City They could have been content she had their Captains since it would set them free from fear and danger but to be Actors in so foul a Treason or sacrifice their Guests that came for succour this they conceit too false and poor a baseness No more Imparleance is allow'd or will be heard no second motion the breach in their faint hearts is so well known that nothing is allow'd but present Answer This smart proceeding melts their leaden Valour which at the first had made so brave a flourish and brings Arundel Winchester and the Town to her possession When man 's own proper portion is in question and all he hath at stake be it but doubtful his eye doth more reflect on his own danger than on the Laws of Justice Friendship Honour Charity 't is true begins at home but she 's a Vertue hath no society with Fraud or Falshood neither is the breach of Faith or touch of Treason allow'd within the verge of her rich Precepts I do confess Necessity may drive him to such a bitter choice that one must perish but this should be when things are so near hopeless that there be more than words to give it justice A wise and noble minde adviseth soundly upon the act before it is engaged but being so it rather sleeps with Honour than lives to be the map of his thus tainted Conscience The interest of Friends of Guests of poor oppressed though diversly they touch the Patrons credit yet all agree in this one point of Vertue Not to betray where they have vow'd assistance Had these faint Citizens not given assurance had they not vow'd to keep their Faith 's untainted the other had not trusted nor inclosed themselves within so weak and false a Safeguard But they were most to blame that would so venture their Lives within the power of such a Berry where they might know were none but suckling Rabbets that would suspect each Mouse to be a Ferret Had they but had a guard secur'd their persons they might have awed them or themselves have scaped Part of the prey thus gotten no time is lost to call them to a reckoning Sir Thomas Wage Marshal of the Army draws up a short Information of many large offences which are solemnly read to the attentive Army with a Comment of all the harsh aggravations might make them more odious The confused clamour of the Multitude serves for Judge Jury and Verdict which brings them to a sharp Sentence to be forthwith hang'd and their Bodies to remain upon the Gallows Revenge brooks no delay no leisure Malice Old Spencer feels instantly the rigour of this Judgment The Green before the Castle is made the place of Execution Nature that gave him Life had almost
to suffer the Severity of the Law rather seem defective than an apparent taint in the suffering disposition and goodness The actions of Repentance are registred in the table of our Transgressions where none to the guilty Conscience appears more horrid and fearful than those which by an inconsiderate haste or corruption of the Will have been acted in Blood and Passion So great a height as the Majesty of a King should be cloathed with as sweet a temper neither too precipitate or too slow neither too violent or too remiss but like the beating of a healthy Pulse with a steady and well-advised motion which preserves a just Obedience and Fear in those which are vicious and begets a Love and Admiration in all especially such as so graciously taste his Goodness I have dwelt too long in this digression yet I must though it a little delay the concluding part of this History speak somewhat that is no less proper for him that shall have the happiness to enjoy so fair and large a room in the Royal affections There must be in him a correspondent worth as well of Wisdome and Obedience as of Sincerity and Truth which makes no other use of this so great a blessing but to his Soveraigns Honour and his own credit and not to advantage himself by the oppression of others or improving the particular by the ruine of a Kingdome If the Masters actions be never so pure and innocent yet if out of affection he become the Patron of the Servants misdemeanours and insolencies by protecting or not punishing he makes himself guilty and shares both in the grievance and hatred of the poor distressed Subject The general cry seeing the stream polluted ascribe it to the Fountain-head where is the Spring that may reform and cleanse it By this one particular errour of Protection he that will read the History of our own or those of Forreign Nations shall finde a number of memorable Examples which have produced Deposition of Kings Ruine of Kingdoms the Effusion of Christian Blood and the general Distemper of that part of the world all grounded on this occasion Let him then that out of his Masters Love more than his own Desert hath made himself a fortune be precisely careful that by his disorder he endanger not the stair and prop of his Preferment which he shall make firm and permanent in making Humility and Goodness the Adamant to draw the love both of his equals and inferiours Such a winning Sweetness assures their hearts which in the least contempt or insolence are apt and ready to receive the impressions of Envy and Hatred which if they once take root end not in Speculation but Actions either publickly violent or privately malicious both tending to his ruine and confusion If he stray from this Principle striving to make an imperious height beget fear and the opinion of that fear the rock whereon he builds his Greatness let him then know that the first is the Companion of Trust and Safety the other a Slave that will break loose with opportunity and advantage Neither hath it any touch of Discretion or Society with Wisdome or Moral Policy to glorifie his new-acquired Greatness with unnecessary amplifications either in multiplicity of Attendants vanity of Apparel superfluity of Diet sumptuousness of Structures or any other ridiculous eminency that may demonstrate his Pride or Ambition Wise men deride it Fools applaud it his Equals envy it and his Inferiours hate it All jumping at length in one conclusion that his Fortune is above his Merit and his Pride much greater than his Worth and Judgment But this presuming Impudence ends not here Kings themselves may suffer for a time but in the end they will rather change their Affections than to be dazled and outshin'd in their own Sphere and Element Now is this young King Crowned with a great deal of Triumphant Honour but with a more expectation of what would become of this giddy world which seem'd to run upon wheels by reason of so sudden and so great a revolution The Queen and Mortimer in this his Minority take upon them the whole Sway and Government of the Kingdome The Act wherein they express'd themselves and their new Authority first was the Commitment of Baldock the quondam Lord Chancellor who hath the Great Seal taken from him and was sent to Newgate It may be wonder'd why he was so long spared they had use of his Place though not of his Person and had no Power if they had thrust him out to have brought in another or to have executed it by Commission unless they would admit it as an act of the old King until the new were Crowned This Cage was fit for such a Coysterel but yet his place being so eminent it was believed somewhat unworthy yet succeeding time made it not much out of square when Trisilian Lord Chief Justice was hang'd for interpreting the Law against Law and his own Conscience for the Kings advantage Now the recollected spirits begin to parallel time present with that precedent and to meditate upon that act which had disrobed and put down an anointed King that had so long sway'd the Scepter to whom they had so solemnly sworn Faith and Obedience They finde the State little altered onely things are thought more handsomly carried and the Actors were somewhat more warrantable yet the Multitude according to the vanity of their changeable hearts begin already to be crop-sick wishing for their old Master and ready to attempt any new Innovation such is the mutability of the inconstant Vulgar desirous of new things but never contented despising the time being extolling that of their Forefathers and ready to act any mischief to try by alteration the succedent like Aesops Frogs if they might have their own fancy each Week should give them a new King though it were to their own destruction This occasions many unpleasing Petitions and Suits tender'd to the new King and his Protectors for the releasement of Edward's Imprisonment or at least for more freedom or a more noble usage But these touch too near the quick to beget a sudden answer As things stood they neither grant nor deny either of them carrying with it so dangerous a hazard If he were free they must shake hands with their greatness and a flat denial would have endanger'd a sudden tumult They give good words and promise more than ever they meant to perform yielding many reasons why they could not yet give a definitive resolution this for the present satisfies The black Monks are more importunate and take not this delay for an answer but being still adjourn'd over with protraction they labour to bring that about by Conspiracy which they could not do by Intreaty in their publick Exhortations they inveigh against the severity of the King's usage and invite their Auditory to set to a helping hand to the procurement of his Freedom they extenuate his Faults and transfer them to them
ruine The Warranty of Arms had a fair colour that should be levied to attempt his rescue which had a Royal stamp to raise and make them current If such a Project should be once in action it would be then too late to seek to cross it All men are apt to pity so great a King oppressed and not so much look on what he had been as what he is and being restor'd he might be The Queen whose heart was yet believed innocent of such foul Murther is or at least seems highly discontented She acknowledges his present Sufferings greater than his Offences or might become the King her Lord and Husband and holds this act of too too foul Injustice which stiles her Son a Homicide and her a Monster The crimson Guilt of such a crying action could not escape the cruel hand of Vengeance If it might be concealed from humane Knowledge the All-knowing Power of Heaven would lay it open She thinks it more than an act of Bloud to kill a Husband and a King that sometimes loved her She thinks her Son not of so ill a nature as to slip o're his Fathers Death untouch'd unpunish'd when that he was grown up in power to sift it These motives made her thus return her Answer Let us resolve dear Friend to run all hazards rather than this that is so foul and cruel let us not stain our Souls with Royal Bloud and Murder which seldome scapes unseen but never unpunish'd especially for such a fear as is but casual while we are innocent at worst our danger is but privation of this glorious shadow which Death can take when we believe it surest but if we taint the inward part with such a tincture our proper Guilt will bring continual terrour a fear that never dyes but lives still dying If Edward do get loose what need we fear him that pull'd him down when he was great at highest Why should we then resolve his Death or Murder this Help may serve when we are desperate of other Remedies which yet appears not To act so great a sin without compulsion addes to the deed and makes it far more odious nor can it plead excuse if after question'd that hath no cause but merely Supposition Say that he were a dead man gone and hopeless neither our fears or dangers are more lessen'd we are still subject to the self same hazard and have to boot our proper Guilt to cause it Those that do hate or envy us can fashion other pretexts as fair as this to shake us which we shall better crush while we are guiltless Then think upon some other course as sure more harmless ne're can my heart consent to kill my Husband Mortimer being nettled with this Reply so far wide of the aim which in his bloudy thoughts he had so constantly resolved on thought he would return the Queen as bitter a Pill as she had given him to bite on which makes him thus reply in anger Madam who hath the time to friend and doth neglect it is justly falling scorn'd and sinks unpitied Have you for this endur'd so bitter tryals to be at length a foe to your own safety Did you outrun your Troubles suffering meanly but to return unto your first condition If it be so I must approve your Reasons and say your grounds were like your project hopeful You see your glorious Morning now turn'd cloudy the Kingdom doth repine to see our Greatness yet have no hope but in the King deposed who taken away what fear can justly move us Your youthful Son we 'll rule till he grows older and in that time establish such a Greatness as he shall hardly touch or dare to question To cast a world of doubts is vain and senseless where we enforc'd must either act or perish and to be nice in that hath no election doth waste out time and not prevent the errour If you stick fast in this your tender pity I must in justice then accuse my fortune that gave my heart to such a female Weakness Is there a disproportion in this action to keep the Crown with bloud that was so gotten Is there a more restraint to keep than get by Treason If so I yield and will sit still and ruine Had Edward known or fear'd he had prevented nor you nor I had had the Power to hurt him But he neglected time and now repents it and so must we if we embrace his errour Fear is far less in sense than apparition and makes the shadow greater than the subject which makes a faintness as the Fancy leads it where is small reason to be so affected You urge it cannot be concealed or hidden I not deny but it may be discovered such deeds may yet be so contrived and acted that they prevent all proof if not suspicion But why do I spend time in this perswasion let him get free whom we so much have wronged let him examine our proceedings sift our actions perhaps he will forget forgive be reeonciled and spare your tears left that your mighty Brother should chance grow angry if you lose your Greatness you may if you be pleased abide the tryal Mortimer's resolv'd since you refuse his judgment you neither prize his safety nor his service and therefore he will seek some other refuge before it be too late and too far hopeless With this he flings away in discontentment as if he meant with speed to quit the Kingdom The amazed Queen pursues and overtakes him who seem'd unwilling to prolong the treaty Stay gentle Mortimer quoth she I am a Woman fitter to hear and take advice than give it think not I prize thee in so mean a fashion as to despise thy Safety or thy Council Must Edward dye and is there no prevention Oh wretched state of Greatness frail Condition that is preserv'd by Bloud secur'd by Murder I dare not say I yield or yet deny it Shame stops the one the other Fear forbiddeth only I beg I be not made partaker or privy to the time the means the manner With this she weeps and fain would have recanted but she saw in that course a double danger Mortimer that had now what he lookt for assures her he would undergo the act and hazard which would not have moved if not inforced by those strong motives of their certain danger He requests alone the King might seal a Warrant that he may change anew his former Keepers Sir Morice Barcklaye as it seems had been aloof off treated with but was not pliable or apt to fasten he was both careful of his Charge and Masters Safety this takes him suddenly from his custody Sir Thomas Towurlie supplies his place with his old partner they having received their new Warrant and their Royal Prisoner carry him by sudden and hasty Journeys to Cork-Castle the place that in all the world he most hated Some say that he was foretold by a certain Magician who as it
seems was his Crafts-master that this place was to him both fatal and ominous 'T was ill in him to seek by such ill and unlawful means the knowledge of that which being known did but augment his sorrow Whatsoever the cause was his arrival here makes him deeply heavy sad and melancholy his Keepers to repel this humour and to take him off from all fear and suspicion feed him with new hopes and pleasant discourse improving his former entertainment both in his Diet and Attendance while his misgiving spirit suspects the issue Though he would fain have fashion'd his belief to give them credit yet he had such a dull cloud about his heart it could receive no comfort The fatal Night in which he suffer'd shipwrack he eats a hearty Supper but stays not to disgest it immediately he goes to Bed with sorrow heavy assoon he takes his Rest and sleeps securely not dreaming of his end so near approaching Midnight the Patron of this horrid Murder being newly come this Crew of perjur'd Traitors steal softly to his Chamber finding him in a sweet and quiet Sleep taking away his Life in that advantage The Historians of these Times differ both in the time place and manner of his Death yet all agree that he was foully and inhumanly murther'd yet so that there was no visible or apparent signe which way 't was acted A small tract of time discovers the Actors and shews evidently that it was done by an extremity of Violence they long escape not though Mortimer's greatness for the present time keep them both from question and puishment yet by the Divine Justice they all meet with a miserable and unpitied Death and the Master-work-man himself in a few years after suffered an ignominious Execution The Queen who was guilty but in circumstance and but an accessory to the Intention not the Fact tasted with a bitter time of Repentance what it was but to be quoted in the Margent of such a Story the several relations so variously exprest of their Confessions that were the Actors and Consenters to this deed differ so mainly that it may be better past over in silence than so much as touch'd especially since if it were in that cruel manner as is by the major part agreed on it was one of the most inhumane and barbarous acts that ever fell within the expression of all our English Stories fitter rather to be pass'd over in silence than to be discours'd since it both dishonoureth our Nation and is in the Example so dangerous It seems Mortimer was yet a Novice to Spencer's Art of that same Italian trick of Poysoning which questionless had wrought this work as surely with a less noise and fewer agents It had been happy if such a Villany had never gain'd knowledge or imitation in the World since it came to be entertain'd as a necessary servant of State no man that runs in opposition or stands in the way of Greatness is almost secure in his own house or among his Friends or Servants I would to God we had not fresh in our Memory so many bleeding Examples or that this Diabolical Practice might stop his career with the Mischief it hath already done But so long as the close conveyance is deemed a Politick Vertue and the Instruments by Power and Favour are protected what can be expected but that in short time it must fall under the compass of a Trade or Mystery as fit for private Murtherers as Statesmen But leaving the professors of this execrable practice to their deserts and that guilt which still torments them Thus fell that unfortunate King Edward the Second who by the course of Age and Nature might have out-run many years had not his own Disorder the Infidelity of his Subjects and the Treachery of those that had deprived him of his Kingdome sent him to an untimely Death and Ruine Many Reasons are given probable enough to instance the necessity of his Fall which questionless may be the secondary means but his Doom was register'd by the inscrutable Providence of Heaven which with the self-same Sentence punish'd both him and Richard the Second his great Grandchild who was coequally guilty of the same Errours that both betrayed them and the Peace of their Kingdome Henry the Sixth though he tasted of the same Cup of Deposition yet there was more reason to induce it Henry the Fourth his Grandfather was an Usurper and had unjustly got the Crown by pulling down the House of York and exalting that of Lancaster which in Justice brings it back again to the right Inheritour yet were not those times innocent of those enormities which occasion'd their confusion It is most true that Henry himself was a sweet harmless condition'd Man religious and full of Moral Goodness but he was fitter for a Cloister than a Crown being transported with a Divine Rapture of Contemplation that took him off from the care of all Worldly Affairs while Margaret his Wife Daughter of Reynard that stil'd himself King of Naples and Jerusalem acted her part with a like imitation though she had not a Gaveston a Spencer or a Duke of Ireland yet she had a Suffolk and a Somerset that could teach the same way to the Destruction and Deposition of her Husband These three sympathized in their Royal Inheritance in their Depositions Deaths and Fortunes and these alone since the Conquest of the Normans unless we rank into the number Edward the Fifth which must be with an impropriety since he was by Richard his Tyrannical Uncle murdered before he was Crowned If we example him with them we may it is true conclude his case most miserable that lost the Crown before he enjoy'd it or had the perfection of years to make known his Inclination The event that followed the others especially the two precedent may be fitly a Caution and Admonition to Posterity and teach them what it is to hazard a Kingdome and their own Lives by the continuing of a wilful Errour Certainly we have had other Kings fully as vicious that have out-liv'd their Vices not dying by a violent hand but by the ordinary and easie course of Nature they were more cautelous and flexible and were content in the more moderate use of their own Vices The Condition of this our Edward the subject of this Story was not in it self more hurtful than dangerous to the Peace and Tranquillity of the whole Kingdome If by Heat of Youth Height of Fortune or the Corruptions of Nature the Royal Affections flie loosely and at random yet if it extend no farther than the satisfaction of the private Appetite it may obscure the glory but not supplant the strength and safety of a Scepter But when it is not only vicious in it self but doth patronize it in others not blushing or shrinking in the justification it is a fore-running and presaging Evidence that threatens danger if not destruction It is much in a King that hath so great a Charge deliver'd over to his care
1 Swears not to re-call Gaveston 7 Is troubled at his Oath 8 Falls into Melancholy 9 Sends for Gaveston 12 Acquaints his Councel therewith 13 Their Answer Ibid. His angry Reply Ibid. His Marriage 19 His Son Edward of Windsor born 28 He vows revenge for the Death of Gaveston 32 His Speech to Lancaster 34 Calls a Parliament 36 Goes against the Scots 38 Is defeated 39 Goes against them again 42 Is angry they refuse a Peace 44 Requires two Cardinals and sends them home Ibid. Besieges Barwick 45 Leaves it again 47 Seeks a new Favorite 48 Takes Spencer 49 Barons take Arms against him 55 His Proclamation against Mortimer Ibid. Answers their Message 57 His Speech to the Parliament 58 His Answer to the Merchants Petition against Spencer 65 Opposes the Barons 69 Seizes the two Mortimers Ibid. Beats the Barons 70 Kills Hereford Clifford and Mowbray 71 Takes Lancaster and others Ibid. Is moved for revenge Ibid. His Reply upon it 72 Beheads Lancaster and twenty two more 73 Calls a Parliament 81 Repulses the Scots and invades Scotland 83 Looseth his Treasure 84 Advises with Spencer 86 Will not consent to the Queens going 90 Sad at her departure 92 Complains to the Pope 102 He suspects the City of London 120 Removes to Bristol 121 Gets into the Castle 127 Betakes to a Bark and is seized Ibid. Sent to Berkley Castle 128 Is removed in Disguise 147 His Complaint 148 Is upbraided 149 His Keepers changed 154 He is removed to Corf Castle Ibid. He is Murdered 155 The young King Crowned 142 Kingdomes resentment of the Bishop of Chesters Imprisonment 21 L. Lincolns Speech to the King 22 Death 34 Lancaster surprized 71 Beheaded with twenty two more 73 M. Sir Gilbert de Middleton Executed 43 Mortimer spoils Spencer 55 Is committed to the Tower 89 Is favoured by the Queen 142 Moves the Kings Death 151 His Answer to the Queen 152 He flings away 153 Merchants Petition 65 Mowbray killed 71 Black Monks incite the people 144 Their Captain is clapt by the heels and dies Ibid. N. Navy set out 94 P. Parliament call'd 36 Called again 81 Give the sixth Penny 82 Called by the Queen 130 They resolve to Depose the King 131 The Speaker reads the Sentence 132 Poydras of Exeter pretends himself King 40 Is Hanged at Northampton Ibid. His strange Confession Ibid. Pope sends two Cardinals to Mediate a Peace 42 They go for Scotland and are Robb'd 43 Return 44 Requited and sent home Ibid. He Excommunicates the Scots King and Kingdom Ibid. Admonishes the French King to quit the Queen 103 Prodigious sights Ibid. Ports stopt 94 Q. Queen offers to go for France 88 Favours Mortimer 89 Pretends a journey of Devotion 91 Embarks for France Ibid. Is Tainted 94 Entertain'd in France 95 Her Address 96 Enticed to return 103 Tells the French King of it Ibid. Advises on the same 104 Joyful at Artois Council 106 Her farewell to France 108 Her welcome to Heynault 109 Jealous of Treachery 113 Embarks at Dort 115 Frighted at Sea 116 Lands at Harwich Ibid. Joyns Lancaster 118 Writes to the Mayor of London 121 Is received into the City Ibid. She goes for Bristol 123 Refuses a Treaty and gives Summons 124 Takes that City 125 Batters the Castle 127 Takes the King Ibid. Sends him to Berkley-Castle 128 Her Cruelty 129 Comes to London 130 Calls a Parliament Ibid. Her Speech to Mortimer 151 Her Expostulation 153 She unwillingly consents to the Kings death 154 S. Scots adhere to Bruce 36 Refuse a Peace 44 Excommunicated Ibid. Over-run the borders 45 Opposed Ibid. Beat A. B. York 46 Invade England and Ireland 82 Are repulst and Bruce slain 83 Seize the Kings Treasure 84 Scotland Invaded by the King 83 Bishop Stapleton Beheaded 121 Sir Walter de Selby Executed 43 Sir Peter Spalden made Governour of Barwick 42 Betrays it to the Scots Ibid. Spencer taken into favour 49 His Policy 51 Commons Charge against him 61 Banished 62 His Son a Pyrate 64 They return 67 Move for Revenge 71 His Advice to the King 86 Bribes the French 99 He is taken at Bristol 125 Executed by the Multitude 126 His Son taken 127 Hanged 130 T. Tresilian Hanged 143 Y. A. B. York opposes the Scots 45 Is beaten by them 46 FINIS Cottoni Posthuma Divers Choice Pieces wherein are discussed several Important Questions concerning the Right and Power of the Lords and Commons in Parliament By the Renowned Antiquary Sir Robert Cotton Baronet London Printed by M. C. for C. Harper and are to be Sold in Fleet-street the Exchange and Westminster * April 25. 1284. †July 1307. Edw. 1's care in educating his Son Banishes Gaveston Gaveston's Original and Character Edw. 1's Dying-Speech to the Prince Barons They swear not to recal Gaveston The young King troubled at his Oath Falls into the height of melancholy The Character and danger of Court-Parasites A Courtiers Speech to the King to recal Gaveston The King sends for Gaveston Acquaints his Council therewith who labour to divert him His angry Reply The Council consent to recal Gaveston Gaveston returns The King flights his Barons They perswade him to marry The King marries and marries Gaveston to Margaret Daughter of Gilb. de Clare Earl of Gloucester by his Wife Joan of Acres Daughter to Edw. I. Creates him Earl of Cornwall And makes him chief Minister of State Gaveston imprisons the Bishop of Chester The Kingdom resent it Lincoln's Speech to the King Gaveston banished the second time and sent into Ireland Again recalled Abuses the King and Kingdom Gaveston banished the third time goes into Flanders Edward of Windsor afterwards Edw. the 3. Born 13 Oct. 1312. Gaveston again returns The Barons take up Arms. Seize Gaveston at Scarborough-Castle and behead him The King's Exclamation on the news vowing revenge Henry Laey Earl of Lincoln dies 1310. His dying-Speech to Tho. Earl of Lancaster his Son-in-Law A Parliament called The Scots adhere to Bruce 1313. The King goes in person against the Scots 1314. The King defeated at Banocksbourn near Striveling Poydras of Exeter pretends himself King and the King a Changling His strange Confession The King goes a second time against the Scots Sir Peter Spalden made Governour of Barwick Who betrays it to the Scots 1318. The Pope sends over two Cardinals to mediate a Peace Who are robbed at Derlington Sir Gilbert de Middleton and Sir Walter de Selby executed for the same Sir Josline Denvile with certain Ruffians infest the North. The Cardinals return The Pope Excommunicates the Scotch King and Kingdom King Edw. besieges Barwick A great Dearth which lasted three years The Scotch over-run the Borders The Arch-Bishop of York opposeth them and is beaten at Milton upon Swale The King leaves Barwick King seeks a new Favorite Spencer taken into favour Spencers policy The Barons incensed Clifford's Speech The Barons take Arms. Mortimer spoils Spencer's Possession The Kings Proclamatition thereon The Barons Message to the King The
a higher Inflammation The intervacuum of their absence hath many reciprocal passages which interchangeably flie betwixt them The King receives not a Syllable but straight returns with golden interest Infinitely are they both troubled with their division but far more with the affront of the presuming Barons that had extorted it by force yet with intreaty The King esteem'd this kinde of proceeding too great an indignity to be pocketted yet since it had the pretence of his Safety and the general Good there was not apparent Justice enough to call it to an after-reckoning But alas that needed not for his effeminate weakness had left him naked of that Royal resolution that dares question the least disorderly moving of the greatest Subject He was constant in nothing but his Passions which led him to study more the return of his left-handed Servant than how to make it good effected He lays aside the Majesty of a King and thinks his Power too slender his Sword sleeps like a quiet harmless Beast while his Tongue proves his better Champion He sends for those that had been the principal Agents in the last Sentence and treats with them severally knowing that Hairs are pluckt up one by one that are not mov'd by handfuls encountring them thus single hand to hand what with his hypocritical Entreaties and mildew'd Promises he soon gets from their relenting hearts a several Consent answerable to his desires When by untying the Bundle he had disunited the strength of their Confederacy he then with confidence makes it a general Proposition which takes so that the repeal of Gaveston's banishment pass'd currant without exception The Kings intent and the approbation of the Lords is scarcely known before like an Irish Hubbub that needs nothing but noise to carry it it arriv'd in Ireland Upon the wings of Passion made proud by the hope of Revenge and a second Greatness he flies swiftly back to the Fountain of his first Preferment Once more the breach is foder'd and this True-loves Knot enjoys his first Possession But there wanted yet that deep reach and provident foresight that should have given it assurance The King had neither enabled himself to carry things in their former height by main strength neither had he wrought his disorder'd Affections to a conformity or a more stayed temper His female Mercury lessens not his former Ambition but returns the self-same man onely improved with the desire of revenge which was naked of the means to act it so that it was quickly perceiv'd that the Kingdom must feel another fit of her Convulsion The mutual Corruptions of these two went with an equal improvidence which gave the Lords their advantage and them too late a cause of repentance Immediately on his reception the King falls into a more dangerous Relapse of his former Dotage which so fully ingross'd him that all Discourse and Company seem'd harsh and unpleasant but such as came from the mellow tongue of his Minion who invents many new Enchantments to feed and more engage his frenzie All the dissolute Actions of licentious Youth are acted Cum Privilegio This bred such a Grief and Distemper in the sorrowing heart of the Subject that a general Cloud of Sadness seem'd to shadow the whole Kingdom Those former strict Admonitions were not powerful enough to bridle this Distemper not so much as for a fair in-come the one becomes at the first dash more fond the other more insolent those whom before he onely scorn'd he now affronts with publick hatred letting them know his spleen waits but advantage He fills his Soveraigns ears with new suspition and whets him on to act in bloud and mischief It is a Dispute variously believ'd what Climate hatch'd this Vulture I cannot credit him to be an Italian when I observe the map of his Actions so far different from the disposition and practice of that politick Nation They use not to vent publickly their spleens till they do act them He that will work in State and thrive must be reserved a downright way that hath not strength to warrant it is crusht and breaks with his own weight without discretion Those that are in this trade held their Crafts-masters do speak those fairest whom they mean to ruine and rather trust close work than publick practice Wise men made great disguise their aims with Vizards which see and are not seen while they are plotting Judge not by their smooth looks or words which hath no kindred with the hearts of Machiavilian States-men Who trusts more to his will than wit may act his Passion but this mans malice is within protection Where mischief harbours close and undiscovered it ruines all her Rubs without suspition a Pill or Potion makes him sure that by plain force might have out-liv'd an Army such ends thus wrought if once suspected a neat State-lye can parget o'r with Justice But those antient times were more innocent or this great Favorite more ignorant He went on the plain way of corrupted flesh and bloud seeking to enchant his Master in which he was a perfect Work-man and the contempt of his Competitors in which he was as wilful as fearless but in the managing of his proper greatness there he appears like himself a meer Imposture going on with a full carreer not so much as viewing the ground he went on The Royal Treasure he exhausts in Pride and Riot the Jewels of the Crown are in the Lumbard that same goodly Golden Table and Tressles of so great and rich a value he surreptitiously embezzles and nothing almost left that might either make Money or improve his Glory No man may now have the Kings ear hand or Purse but he 's the Mediator his Creatures are advanc'd his Agents flourish and poorest Grooms become great Men of Worship The King hath nothing but the name while his Vicegerent hath the benefit and execution All that appertains unto the Crown and Royal Dignity are wholly in his Power so that he might justly be thought the Lessee if not the Inheritor of the Prerogative and Revenue The sense of Grief and Duty that had long contested in the Lion-hearts of the Nobility are now reconciled These strange presumptions had banish'd all possibility of a longer sufferance They vow to make this Monster shrink and let his Master know it On this well and strongly attended they wait upon the King and not with mild or fair Intreaties they boldly now make known their Wrongs and call for present Justice Edward with a steady eye beholds their looks where he sees registred the Characters of a just Indignation and the threatning furrows of ensuing danger He stands not to dispute the quarrel lest they should tear the object of their anger from his elbow without all shew of inward motion he tells themselves had power to act what was most fitting to whom he had assign'd the care should keep his Person and assure the Kingdom They beyond their expectation finding the wind in that