A styrring humor generally possest Those peace-spylt tymes weary of beeing well The weake with wrongs the happy tyr'd with rest And many mad for what they could not tell The world euen great with change thought it vvent wrong To stay beyond the bearing tyme so long 110 And therefore now these Lords consedered Being much increasd in number and in spight So shap'd theyr course that drawing to a head Began to grow to be offeare full might Th' abused world so hastie gathered Some for reuenge some for wealth some for delight That Yorke from small-beginning troups soone drawes A world of men to venture in hys cause 111 Lyke as proude Seuerne from a priuate head With humble streames at first doth gently glyde Tyll other Riuers haue contrybuted The springing riches of theyr store beside Wherewith at length high swelling shee doth spread Her broad discended waters layd so wide That comming to the Sea shee seemes from far Not to haue trybute brought but rather war 112 Euen so is Yorke now growne and now is bent T' incounter with the best and for the best Whose neere approch the King hastes to preuent Seeking t' haue had his power far of supprest Fearing the Citty least some insolent And mutinous should harten on the rest To take his part But h 'is so forward set That at S. Albones both the Annies met 113 Whether theyr hast far fewer hands dyd bring Then els theyr better leysure would haue done And yet too many for so foule a thing Sith who dyd best hath but dishonor won For whilst some offer peace sent from the King VVarwicks too forward hand hath war begun A war that doth the face of war deforme Which still is foule but soulest wanting forme 114 Neuer dyd valiant Leaders so well knowne For braue performed actions done before Blemish the reputation of renowne In any weake effected seruice more To bring such powres into so straight a Towne As to some Citty-tumulr or vprore Which slaughter and no battaile might be thought Where that side vsd theyr swords this theyr throat 115 But thys on VVarwicks wrath must needs be layd And vpon Sommersets desire t' obtayne The day with peace for which he longer stayd Then wisdom would or then was for his gayne Whose force in narrow streets once ouer layd Neuer recouerd head but there came slayne Both he and all the Leaders els besides The King himselfe alone a prisoner bides 116 A prisoner though not to the outward eye For that he must seeme grac'd with his lost day All things be'ing done for his commoditie Against such men as dyd the state betray For with such apt deceiuing clemencie And seeming-order Yorke dyd so allay That touch of wrong as made him make great stealth In weaker minds with shew of Common wealth 117 Long-lookt-for powre thus got into his hand The former face of Court now altered All the supreamest charges of commaund Were to his ayders straight contributed Himselfe is made Protector of the land A tytle found which onely couered All-working powre vnder another style Which yet the greatest part doth act the whyle 118 The King held onely but an empty name Left with his lyfe where of the proofe was such As sharpest pryde could not transpers the same Nor once all-seeking Fortune durst to tuch Impietie had not inlarged shame As yet so wide as to attempt so much Mischiefe was not full ripe for such a deede Left for th' vnbounded horrors that succeed The end of the fift Booke MVSOPHILVS CONTAINING a generall defence of learning SAMVEL DANIEL AT LONDON Printed by P. S. for Simon Waterson 1599. To the right worthie and iudicious fauourer of vertue maister Fulke Greuill I Do not here vpon this hum'rous Stage Bring my transformed verse apparailed With others passions or with others rage With loues with wounds with factions furnished But here present thee onelie modelled In this poore frame the forme of mine owne heart Here to reuiue my selfe my Muse is lead With motions of her owne t' act her owne part Striuing to make her now contemned arte As faire t' her selfe as possiblie she can Least seeming of no force of no desart She might repent the course that she began And with these times of dissolution fall From goodnes vertue glorie fame and all MVSOPHILVS CONTAINING A generall defence of all learning PHILOCOSMVS Fond man Musophilus that thus dost spend In an vngainefull arte thy deerest daies Tyring thy wits and toiling to no end But to attaine that idle smoake of praise Now when this busie world cannot attend Th' vntimely musicke of neglected layes Other delights then these other desires This wiser profit-seeking age requires Musophilus Friend Philocosmus Iconfesse indeed I loue this sacred arte thou sett'st so light And though it neuer stand my life in steed It is inough it giues my selfe delight The whiles my vnafflicted minde doth feed On no vnholy thoughts for benefit Be it that my vnseasonable song Come out of time that fault is in the time And I must not do vertue so much wrong As loue her ought the worse for others crime And yet I find some blessed spirits among That cherish me and like and grace my rime Againe that I do more in soule esteeme Then al the gain of dust the world doth craue And if I may attaine but to redeeme My name from dissolution and the graue I shall haue done enough and better deeme T' haue liu'd to be then to haue dyde to haue Short-breath'd mortalitie would yet extend That span of life so far forth as it may And rob her fate seeke to beguile her end Of some few lingring daies of after staie That all this little All might not descend Into the darke a vniuersall pray And giue our labors yet this poore delight That whē our daies do end they are not done And though we die we shall not perish quite But liue two liues where other haue but one Philocosmus Sillie desires of selfe-abusing man Striuing to gaine th' inheritance of ayre That hauing done the vttermost he can Leaues yet perhaps but beggerie to his heir Al that great purchase of the breath he wan Feeds not his race or makes his house more faire And what art thou the better thus to leaue A multitude of words to small effect Which other times may scorn and so deceiue Thy promis'd name of what thou dost expect Besides some viperous Creticke may bereaue Th' opinion of thy worth for some defect And get more reputation of his wit By but controlling of some word or sence Then thou shalt honor for contriuing it With all thy trauell care and diligence Being learning now enough to contradict And censure others with bold insolence Besides so many so confusedlie sing Whose diuers discords haue the musick mar'd And in contempt that mysterie doth bring That he must sing alowd that will be heard And the receiu'd opinion of the thing For some vnhallowed strings that vildly iar'd Hath so
doth deliberate And finding how the certaine right did stand With full consent this man did ordinate The heyre apparent to the crowne and land Then iudge if this the king might nerely touch Although his might were smal his right being much 91 With these the Percyes them confederate And as three heades they league in one intent And instituting a Triumuirate Do part the land in triple gouerment Deuiding thus among themselues the state The Percyes should rule all the North from Trent And Glendowr Wales the Earle of March should bee Lord of the South from Trent and thus they gree 92 Then those two helpes which still such actors find Pretence of common good the kings disgrace Doth fit their course and draw the vulgar mind To further them and aide them in this cafe The king they accusd for cruell and vnkind That did the state and crowne and all deface A periurde man that held all faith in skorne Whose trusted othes had others made for sworne 93 Besides the odious detestable act Of that late murdered king they aggrauate Making it his that so had will'd the fact That he the doers did remunerate And then such taxes daily doth exact That were against the orders of the state And with all these or worse they him assaild Who late of others with the like preuaild 94 Thus doth contentious proud mortality Afflict each other and it selfe torment And thus o thou mind-tortring misery Restles ambition borne in discontent Turn st and retossest with iniquity The vnconstant courses frailty did inuent And fowlst faire order and defilst the earth Fostring vp warre father of bloud and dearth 95 Great seemd the cause and greatly to did ad The peoples loue thereto these crimes rehearst That manie gathered to the troupes they had And many more do flocke from costs disperst But when the king had heard these newes so bad Th'vnlookt for dangerous toyle more nearly perst For bēt t'wards Wales t' appease those tumults there H 'is for'st diuert his course and them forbeare 96 Not to giue time vnto th' increasing rage And gathering fury forth he hastes with speed Left more delay or giuing longer age To th' euill growne it might the cure exceed All his best men at armes and leaders sage All he prepard he could and all did need For to a mighty worke thou goest ô king To such a field that power to power shall bring 97 There shall young Hotespur with a fury lead Meete with thy forward sonne as fierce as he There warlike Worster long experienced In forraine armes shall come t' incounter thee There Dowglas to thy Stafford shall make head There Vernon for thy valiant Blunt shal be There shalt thou find a doubtfull bloudy day Though sicknesse keepe Northumberland away 98 Who yet reseru'd though after quit for this Another tempest on thy head to raise As if still wrong reuenging Nemesis Did meane t' afflict all thy continuall dayes And yet this field he happely might misse For thy great good and therefore well he staies What might his force haue done being ioynd thereto When that already gaue so much to do 99 The swift approch and vnexspected speed The king had made vpon this new-raisd force In th'vnconfirmed troupes much feare did breed Vntimely hindring their intended course The ioyning with the Welsh they had decreed Was hereby stopt which made their part the worse Northumberland with forces from the North Expected to be there was not set forth 100 And yet vndaunted Hotspur seeing the king So nere approch'd leauing the worke in hand With forward speed his forces marshalling Sets forth his farther comming to withstand And with a cheerfull voice incouraging By his great spirit his well imboldned band Bringes a strong host of firme resolued might And plac'd his troupes before the king in sight 101 This day saith he ô faithfull valiaunt frendes What euer it doth giue shall glorie giue This day with honor frees our state or endes Our misery with fame that still shall liue And do but thinke how well this day he spendes That spendes his bloud his countrey to relieue Our holie cause our freedome and our right Sufficient are to moue good mindes to fight 102 Besides th' assured hope of victory That wee may euen promise on our side Against this weake-constrained companie Whom force feare not will and loue doth guide Against a prince whose soule impiety The heauens do hate the earth cannot abide Our number being no lesse our courage more What need we doubt if we but worke therefore 103 This said and thus resolu'd euen bent to charge Vpon the king who well their order viewd And carefull noted all the forme at large Of their proceeding and their multitude And deeming better if he could discharge The day with safetie and some peace conclude Great proffers sendes of pardon and of grace If they would yeeld and quietnes imbrace 104 But this refusd the king with wrath incensd Rage against fury doth with speed prepare And ô faith he though I could haue dispensd With this daies bloud which I haue sought to spare That greater glory might haue recompensd The forward worth of these that so much dare That we might honor had by th' ouerthrown That th' wounds we make might not haue bin our own 105 Yet since that other mens iniquity Calles on the sword of wrath against my will And that themselues exact this cruelty And I constrained am this bloud to spill Then on my maisters on couragiously True-harted subiects against traitors ill And spare not them who seeke to spoile vs all Whose fowle confused end soone see you shall 106 Straight moues with equall motion equall rage The like incensed armies vnto blood One to defend another side to wage Foule ciuill war both vowes their quarrell good Ah too much heare to bloud doth now inrage Both who the deed prouokes and who withstood That valor here is vice here manhood sin The forward st hands doth ô least honor win 107 But now begin these fury-mouing soundes The notes of wrath that musicke brought from hell The ratling drums which trumpets voice cōfounds The cryes th' incouragements the shouting shrell That all about the beaten ayre reboundes Thundring confused murmurs horrible To rob all sence except the sence to fight Well handes may worke the mind hath lost his sight 108 O war begot in pride and luxury The child of wrath and of dissention Horrible good mischiefe necessarie The fowle reformer of confusion Vniust-iust scourge of our iniquitie Cruell recurer of corruption O that these sin-sicke states in need should stand To be let bloud with such a boystrous hand 109 And ô how well thou hadst bene spar'd this day Had not wrong counsaild Percy bene peruers Whose yong vndanger'd hand now rash makes way Vpon the sharpest fronts of the most fierce Where now an equall fury thrusts to stay And rebeat-backe that force and his disperse Then these assaile then those chace backe
heat So they dissolu'd with hope and home they get 11 Leauing their Captaine to discharge alone The shott of blood consumed in theyr heat Too small a sacrifice for mischiefes done Was one mans breath which thousands dyd defeat Vnrighteous Death why art thou but all one Vnto the small offender and the great Why art thou not more then thou art to those That thousands spoyle and thousands liues doe lose 12 Thys fury passing with so quick an end Disclosd not those that on th' aduantage lay Who seeing the course to such disorder tend With-drew theyr foote asham'd to take that way Or els preuented whilst they dyd attend Some mightier force or for occasion stay But what they meant ill fortune must not tell Mischiefe be'ing oft made good by speeding well 13 Put by from thys the Duke of Yorke dissignes Another course to bring his hopes about And with those frends affinity combines In surest bonds his thoughts he poureth out And closely feeles and closely vndermines The fayth of whom he had both hope and doubt Meaning in more apparant open course To try his right his fortune and his force 14 Loue and aliance had most firmly ioynd Vnto his part that mighty family The fayre discended stock of Neuiles kind Great by theyr many issued progeny But greater by theyr worth that cleerely shind And gaue faire light to theyr nobilitie A mightie partie for a mighty cause By theyr vnited amitie hee drawes 15 For as the spreading members of proud Po That thousand-branched Po whose limmes embrace Thy fertile and delicious body so Sweet Lombardie and beautifies thy face Such seemd this powreful stock frō whence did grow So many great discents spreading theyr race That euery corner of the Land became Enricht with some great Heroes of that name 16 But greatest in renowne doth VVarwick sit That great King-maker VVarwick so far growne In grace with Fortune that he gouerns it And Monarchs makes and made againe puts downe What reuolutions his first mouing wit Heere brought about are more then too well known That fatall kindle-fire of those hote dayes Whose worth I may whose worke I cannot prayse 17 With him with Richard Earle of Salisbury Courtny and Brooke his most assured frends Hee intimates his minde and openly The present bad proceedings discommends Laments the state the peoples misery And that which such a pittyer seldom mends Oppression that sharpe two edged sword That others wounds and wounds likewise his Lord. 18 My Lord sayth he how things are carryed heere In thys corrupted state you plainly see What burden our abused shoulders beare Charg'd with the weight of imbecillitie And in what base account all we appeare That stand without their grace that all must be And who they be and how their course succeeds Our shame reports and time bewrayes theyr deeds 19 Aniou and Maine O maine that foule appeares Eternall scarre of our dismembred Land And Guien's lost that did three hundred yeeres Remaine subiected vnder our commaund From whence me thinks there sounds vnto our eares The voyce of those deere ghosts whose liuing hand Got it with sweat and kept it with theyr blood To doe vs thankles vs theyr of-spring good 20 And seeme to cry O how can you behold Their hatefull feet vpon our graues should tread Your Fathers graues who gloriously dyd hold That which your shame hath left recouered Redeeme our Tombes O spirits too too cold Pull backe these Towres our Armes haue honored These Towres are yours these Forts we built for you These walls doe beare our names and are your due 21 Thus well they may obrayd our rechlesnes Whilst we as if at league with infamie Ryot away for nought whole Prouinces Giue vp as nothing worth all Normandy Traffique strong holds sell Fortresses So long that nought is left but misery Poore Callice and these water-walls about That basely pownds vs in from breaking out 22 And which is worse I feare we shall in th' end Throwne from the glory of inuading war Be forst our propper limmits to defend Where euer men are not the same they are Where hope of conquest doth theyr spyrits extend Beyond the vsuall powres of valor far For more is he that ventureth for more Then who fights but for what he had before 22 Put to your hands therefore to reskew nowe Th'indangered state dere Lords from thys disgrace And let vs in our honor labour how To brings thys scorned Land in better case No doubt but God our action will allow That knowes my right and how they rule the place Whose weakenes calls vp our vnwillingnesse As opening euen the doore to our redresse 24 Though I protest it is not for a Crowne My soule is moou'd yet if it be my right I haue no reason to refuse myne owne But onely these indignities to right And what if God whose iudgements are vnknowne Hath me ordaynd the man that by my might My Country shall be blest if so it be By helping me you rayse your selues with me 25 In those whom zeale and amitie had bred A fore-impression of the right he had These styrring words so much encouraged That with desire of innouation mad They seem'd to runne before not to be led And to his fire doe quicker fuell ad For where such humors are prepard before The opening them makes them abound the more 26 Then counsell take they fitting theyr desire For nought that fits not theyr desire is wayghd The Duke is straight aduised to retyre Into the bounds of Wales to leauy ayde Which vnder smooth pretence he doth require T' amoue such persons as the state betrayd And to redresse th' oppression of the land The charme which weakenes seldom doth withstand 27 Ten thousand straight caught with this bait of breth Are towards greater lookt-for forces led Whose power the King by all meanes trauaileth In theyr arising to haue ruined But theyr preuenting head so compasseth That all ambushments warilie are fled Refusing ought to hazard by the way Keeping his greatnes for a greater day 28 And to the Citty straight directs his course The Citty seate of Kings and Kings cheefe grace Where finding of his entertainment worse By far then he expected in that place Much disappoynted drawes from thence his force And towards better trust marches a pace And downe in Kent fatall for discontents Nere to thy banks fayre Thames doth pitch his Tents 29 And there intrencht plants his Artillery Artillery th' infernall instrument New brought from hell to scourge mortality With hideous roring and astonishment Engin of horror fram'd to terrific And teare the earth and strongest Towers to rent Torment of Thunder made to mock the skyes As more of power in our calamities 30 O if the fire subtile Promethius brought Stolne out of heauen did so afflict mankind That euer since plagu'd wyth a curious thought Of styrring search could neuer quiet find What hath he done who now by stealth hath got Lightning and Thunder both in wondrous kind
to any course obeies For euerie Prince seeing his daunger neere By anie meanes his quiet peace assaies And still the greatest wronges that euer were Haue then bin wrought when kings were put in fear 55 And long it was not ere he apprehendes The Duke who close to Calice was conuei'd And th' Earles of Arundell and Warwike sendes Both in close prisons strongly to be laid And soone the Duke his life vnquiet endes Strangled in secret ere it was bewraide And Arundell was put to publike death But Warwike by great meanes he banisheth 56 And for his person he procures a guard A thousand Archers daily to attend Which now vpon the act he had prepard As th' argument his actions to defend But yet the world had now conceiu'd so hard That all this nought auaild him in the end In vaine with terror is he fortified That is not guarded with firme loue beside 57 Now storme his vnckles albeit in vaine For that no remedy they could deuise They might their sorrowes inwardly complaine But outwardly they needs must temporise The king was great and they should nothing gaine T' attempt reuenge or offer once to rise This league with Fraunce had made him now so strong That they must needs as yet indure this wrong 58 For like a Lion that escapes his bounds Hauing bin long restraind his vse to straie Raunges the restles woods staies on no ground Riottes with bloudshed wantons on his praie Seckes not for need but in his pride to wound Glorying to see his strength and what he may So this vnbridled king freed of his feares In libertie himselfe thus wildly beares 59 For standing on himselfe he sees his might Out of the compasse of respectiue awe And now beginnes to violate all right While no restraining feare at hand he saw Now he exactes of all wasts in delight Riots in pleasure and neglects the law He thinkes his crowne is licensd to do ill That lesse should list that may do what it will 60 Thus b'ing transported in this sensuall course No frend to warne no counsell to withstand He still proceedeth on from bad to worse Sooth'd in all actions that he tooke in hand By such as all impiety did nurse Commending euer what he did commaund Vnhappy kings that neuer may be taught To know themselues or to discerne their fault 61 And whilst all sylent grieue at what is donne The Duke of Herford then of courage bold And worthily great Iohn of Gaunts first sonne Vtters the passion which he could not hold In sad discourse vpon this course begun Which he to Mowbray Duke of Norfolke told To th' end he being great about the king Might doe some good by better counselling 62 The faithles Duke that presentlie takes hold Of such aduantage to insinuate Hastes to the king peruerting what was told And what came of good minde he makes it hate The king that might not now be so controld Or censur'd in his course much frets thereat Sendes for the Duke who doth such wordes deny And craues the combate of his enemy 63 Which straight was granted and the daie assign'd When both in order of the field appeare To right each other as th' euent should find And now both euen at point of combate were When lo the king changd sodenly his mind Casts downe his warder and so staies them there As better now aduisd what waie to take Which might for his assured safety make 64 For now considering as it likely might The victorie should hap on Herfords side A man most valiant and of noble sprite Belou'd of all and euer worthy tride How much he might be grac'd in publique sight By such an act as might aduance his pride And so become more popular by this Which he feares too much he already is 65 And therefore he resolues to banish both Though th' one in chiefest fauour with him stood A man he dearely lou'd and might be loth To leaue him that had done him so much good Yet hauing cause to do as now he doth To mitigate the enuie of his bloud Thought best to loose a friend to rid a foe And such a one as now he doubted so 66 And therefore to perpetuall exile hee Mowbray condemnes Herford but for ten yeares Thinking for that the wrong of this decree Compard with greater rigour lesse appeares It might of all the better liked be But yet such murmuring of the fact he heares That he is faine foure of the ten forgiue And iudg'd him sixe yeares in exile to liue 67 At whose departure hence out of the land O how the open multitude reueale The wondrous loue they bare him vnderhand Which now in this hote passion of their zeale They plainely shewde that all might vnderstand How deare he was vnto the common weale They feard not to exclaime against the king As one that sought all good mens ruining 68 Vnto the shore with teares with sighes with mone They him conduct cursing the bounds that staie Their willing feete that would haue further gone Had not the fearefull Ocean stopt their way Why Neptune hast thou made vs stand alone Deuided from the world for this say they Hemd in to be a spoile to tyranny Leauing affliction hence no way to flie 69 Are we lockt vp poore soules here t' abide Within the watery prison of thy waues As in a fold where subiect to the pride And lust of rulers we remaine as slaues Here in the reach of might where none can hide From th' eie of wrath but onely in their graues Happy confiners you of other landes That shift your soile and oft scape tyrants hands 70 Ah must we leaue him here that here were fit We should retaine the pillar of our state Whose vertues well deserue to gouerne it And not this wanton young effeminate Why should not he in regall honour sit That best knowes how a realme to ordinate Yet one daie ô we hope thou shalt bring backe Deare Bullingbrooke the iustice that we lacke 71 Thus muttred lo the malecontented sort That loue kings best before they haue them still And neuer can the present state comport But would as oft change as they change their will For this good Duke had wonne them in this sort By suckring them and pittying of their ill That they supposed straight it was one thing To be both a good man and a good king 72 When as the grauer sort that saw the course And knew that Princes maie not be controlde Likt wel to suffer this for feare of worse Since many great one kingdome cannot hold For now they saw intestine strife of force The apt-deuided state intangle would If he should stay whom they would make their head By whom the vulgar body might be lead 73 They saw likewise that Princes oft are faine To buy their quiet with the price of wrong And better t were that now a few complaine Then all should morne aswell the weake as strong Seeing how little Realmes by change doe
10 And Richard who lookt fortune in the backe Sees headlong-lightnes running from the right Amazed stands to note how great a wracke Of faith his riots causd what mortall spight The beare him who did law and iustice lacke Sees how concealed hate breakes out in sight And feare-depressed enuy pent before When fit occasion thus vnlockt the dore 11 Like when some mastiue whelpe disposd to plaie A whole confused heard of beastes doth chace Which with one vile consent run all awaie If any hardier then the rest in place But turne the head that idle feare to stay Backe straight the daunted chaser turnes his face And all the rest with bold example led As fastrun on him as before they fled 12 So with this bold opposer rushes on This many-headed monster Multitude And he who late was feard is set vpon And by his owne Actaeon-like pursude His owne that had all loue and awe forgone Whom breath and shadowes only did delude And newer hopes which promises perswade Though rare performed promises so made 13 Which seeing this thus to himselfe complaines O why do you fond false deceiued so Run headlong to that change that nothing gaines But gaine of sorrow onlie change of wo Which is all one if he be like that raignes Why will you buy with bloud what you forgoo T is nought but shewes that ignorance esteemes The thing possest is not the thing it seemes 14 And when the sinnes of Bullingbrooke shall be As great as mine and you vnanswered In these your hopes then may you wish for me Your lawfull Sour'aigne from whose faith you fled And grieued in your soules the error see That shining promises had shadowed As th humorous sicke remouing finde no ease When changed Chambers change not the disease 15 Then shall you finde this name of liberty The watchword of rebellion euer vsd The idle eccho of vncertainty That euermore the simple hath abusd But new-turnd seruitude and mise rie And euen the same and worse before refusd Th' aspirer once attaind vnto the top Cuts off those meanes by which himselfe got vp 16 And with a harder hand and streighter raine Doth curbe that loosenes he did finde before Doubting th' occasion like might serue againe His owne example makes him feare the more Then ô iniurious land what dost thou gaine To aggrauate thine owne affictions store Since thou must needs obay to gouernement And no rule euer yet could all content 17 O if my youth hath offred vp to lust Licentious fruits of indiscreet desires When idle heate of vainer yeares did thrust That fury on yet now when it retires To calmer state ô why should you distrust To reape that good whereto mine age aspires The youth of Princes haue no bounds for sinne Vnlesse themselues do make them bounds within 18 Who sees not that sees ought wo worth the while The easie way that greatnesse hath to fall Enuirond with deceit hem'd in with guile Sooth'd vp in flattery fawned on of all Within his owne liuing as in exile Heares but with others eares or not at all Euen made a pray onely vnto a few Who locke vp grace that would to others shew 19 And who as let in lease doe farme the crowne And ioy the vse of Maiestie and might Whilst we hold but the shadow of our owne Pleasd but with shewes and dalied with delight They as huge vnproportion'd mountaines growne Betweene our land and vs shadowing our light Bereaue the rest of ioy and vs of loue And keepe downe all to keepe themselues aboue 20 Which woūds with griefe poore vnrespected zeale When grace holdes no proportion in the partes When distribution in the common weale Of charge and honour due to good desarts Is stopt when others greedy hands must deale The benefit that Maiestic imparts What good we ment comes gleaned home but light Whilst we are robd of praise they of their right 21 O hence I see and to my griefe I see Th' vnreconcileable disunion Is growne betweene m' aggraued realme and mee And by their fault whose faith I trusted on My easie nature tractable and free Soone drawne to what my councel would haue done Is thus betraid by them and my neglect Easiest deceiud where least I did suspect 22 Thus he complaind when lo from Lancaster The new intituled Duke with order sent Ariu'd Northumberland as to conferre And make relation of the Dukes intent And offred there if that he would referre The controuersie vnto Parlament And punish those that had abusd the state As causers of this vniuersall hate 23 And also see that iustice might be had On those the Duke of Glosters death procur'd And such remoud from councell as were bad His cosin Henrie would he there assur'd On humble knees before his grace be glad To aske him pardon to be well secur'd And haue his right and grace restor'd againe The which was all he laboured t' obtaine 24 And therefore he a Parley doth exhort Perswades him leaue that vnbeseeming place And with a Princely hardines resort Vnto his people that attend his grace They ment the publique good and not his hurt And would most ioifull be to see his face He Iaies his soule to pledge and takes his oth The ost of Christ an ostage for his troth 25 This profer with such protestations made Vnto a king that so nere daunger stood Was a sufficient motiue to perswade When no way els could shew a face of good Th vnhonourable meanes of safety bade Danger accept what Maiestie withstood When better choices are not to be had We needs must take the seeming best of bad 26 Yet stands h' in doubt a while what way to take And doth confer with that small staying troope That fortune left which neuer would forsake Their poore distressed Lord nor euer stoope To any hopes the stronger part could make Good Carlile Ferby and sir Stephen Scroope With that most worthy Montague were al That were content with Maiestie to fall 27 O Time commit not sacrilegious theft Vppon the holy faith of these good men Let not succeeding ages be bereft Of such examples worthy of our Pen Nor thou magnanim'ous Leigh shalt not be left In darkenes for thy constant honour then That then to saue thy faith wouldst loose thy head That reuerent head that all men pittied 28 Nor conscience would that I should iniury O Ienico thy memory so cleere For being not ours though wish that Gascony Claimd not for hers the faith we hold so deere So England should haue this small companie Wholy her owne and shee no partner heere But le ts deuide this good betwixt vs both Take shee thy birth and we will haue thy troth 29 Graue Montague whom long experience taught In either fortune this aduisd his king Deare Sou'raigne know the matter that is sought Is onely now your Maiestie to bring From out of this poore safety you haue got Into their hands that else hold euery thing Nothing but onely you
states of the redeemed Earth Might thee admire and glorise thy birth 127 Thence might thy valor haue brought in despight Eternall Tropheis to Elizas name And laid downe at her sacred feete the right Of all thy deedes and glory of the same All that which by her powre and by thy might Thou hadst attaind to her immortall fame Had made thee wondred here admir'd a farre The Mercury of peace the Mars of warre 128 And thou my Lord the glorie of my muse Pure-spirited Mountiâ—â— th' ornament of men Hadst had a large and mighty field to vse Thy holie giftes and learned counsels then Whole landes and Prouinces should not excuse Thy trusty faith nor yet sufficient beene For those great vertues to haue ordered And in a calme obedience gouerned 129 Nor had I then at solitary brooke Sate framing bloudy accents of these times Nor told of woundes that grieued eies might looke Vpon the horror of their fathers crimes But rather a more glorious subiect tooke To register in euerlasting rimes The sacred glories of ELIZABETH T' haue kept the wonder of her worth from death 136 And like wise builded for your great designes O you two worthies bewties of our state Immortall tombes of vnconsuming lines To keepe your holic deedes inuiolate You in whose actions yet the image shines Of ancient honor neere worne out of date You that haue vertue into fashion brought In these neglected times respected nought 131 But whither am I carried with the thought Of what might haue beene had not this beene so O sacred Fury how was I thus brought To speake of glory that must tell of wo These acted mischiefes cannot be vnwrought Though men be pleasd to wish it were not so And therefore leaue sad Muse th' imagin'd good For we must now returne againe to bloud THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE Henry the fourth the Crowne established The Lords that did to Glosters death consent Degraded doe rebell are vanquished King Richard vnto Promfret Castle sent Is murthered there The Percies making head Against the king receiue the punishment And in the end a tedious troublous raigne A grieuous death concludes with care and paine I Tow risen is that head by which did spring The birth of two strong heads two crownes two rights That monstrous shape that afterward did bring Deform'd confusion to distracted wights Now is attain'd that dearely purchased thing What fild the world with lamentable sights And now attain'd all care is how to frame Meanes to establish and to hold the same 2 Striuing at first to build a strong conceit Of his weake cause in apt-abused mindes He deckes his deed with colours of deceit And ornaments of right which now he findes Succession conquest and election straight Suggested are and prou'd in all three kindes More then inough he findes that findes his might Hath force ' to make all that he will haue right 3 All these he hath when one good would suffize The worlds applause and liking to procure But who his owne cause makes doth still deuise To make too much to haue it more then sure Feare casts too deepe and euer is too wise The doubtfull can no vsuall plots indure These selfe-accusing titles all he had Seeking to make one good of maine bad 4 Like foolish he that feares and saine would stop An inundation working on apace Runs to the breach heapes mighty matter vp Throwes indigested burthens on the place Loades with huge waights the outside and the top But leaues the inner parts in feeble case Thinking for that the outward forme seemes strong T is sure inough and may continue long 5 But when the vnder working waues come on Searching the secrets of vnsenced waies The full maine Ocean following hard vpon Beares downe that idle frame skorning such staies Prostrates that frustrate paines as if not done And proudly on his silly labors plaies Whilst he perceiues his error and doth finde His ill proceeding contrary to kind 6 So fares it with our indirect diffeignes And wrong-contriued labors at the last Whilst working time or Iustice vndermines The feeble ground-worke craft thought laid so fast Then when out-breaking vengeance vncombines The ill-ioynd plots so fairely ouercast Turnes vp those strong pretended heapes of showes And all these weake illusions ouerthrowes 7 But wel he thought his powre made al seem plain And now t' his coronation he proceedes Which in most sumptuous fort to intertaine The gazing vulgar whom this error feedes Is furnisht with a stately-glorious traine Wherein the former kings he far exceeds And all t' amuse the world and turne the thought Of what and how t was done to what is wrought 8 And that he might on many props repose He strengths his owne and who his part did take New officers new counsellours he chose His eldest sonne the Prince of Wales doth make His second Lord high Steward and to those Had hazarded their fortunes for his sake He giues them charge as merites their desart Seeking all meanes t' oppresse the aduerse part 9 All Counsellers vnto the former king All th' officers and iudges of the state He to disgrace or els to death did bring Lead by his owne or by the peoples hate Who euermore by nature mallicing Their might whom not their vertues but their fate Exalted hath who when kings do what 's naught Because t is in their powre t is thought their faut 10 And plac'd for these such as were popular Belou'd of him and in the peoples grace Learned graue Shirley he makes Chauncellor One of great spirit worthy his worthy race And Clifford he ordaines Lord Treasuror A man whose vertues well deseru'd that place Others to other roomes whom people hold So much more lou'd how much they loathd the old 17 Then against those he strictly doth proceed Who chiefe of Glosters death were guilty thought Not so much for the hatred of that deed But vnder this pretext the meanes he sought To ruine such whose might did much exceed His powre to wrong nor els could wel be wrought Law Iustice bloud the zeale vnto the dead Were on his side and his drist shadowed 12 Here maine of the greatest of the land Accusd were of the act strong proofes brought out Which strongly were refell'd the Lords all stand To cleere their cause most resolutely stoute The king perceiuing what he tooke in hand Was not with safety to be brought about Desistes to vrge their death in anie wise Respecting number strength friends and allies 13 Nor was it time now in his tender raigne And infant-young-beginning gouernment To striue with bloud when lenity must gaine The mighty wight and please the discontent New kings do feare when old courts farther straine Establisht states to all things will consent He must dispence with his will and their crime And seeke t' oppresse and weare them out with time 14 Yet not to seeme but to haue something done In what he could not as he would effect To satisfie the
people that begun Reuenge of wrong and iustice to expect He causd be put to execution One that to doe this murther was elect A base meane man whom few or none would misse Who first did serue their turne and now serues his 15 And to abase the too high state of those That were accusd and lessen their degrees Aumarle Surry Exceter must lose The names of Dukes their titles dignities And what soeuer honour with it goes The Earles their titles and their Signories And all they gote in th' end of Richards raigne Since Glosters death they mustrestore againe 16 By this as if by Ostracisme t' abate That great presumptiue wealth whereon they stand For first hereby impou'rishing their state He kils the meanes they might haue to withstand Then equals them with other whom they hate Who by their spoiles are raisd to hie command That weake and enuied if they should conspire They wracke themselues and he hath his desire 17 And by this grace which yet must be a grace As both they and the world are made belieue He doth himselfe secure and them defuce Thinking not rigor that which life doth giue But what an error was it in this case To wrong so many and to let them liue But errors are no errors but by fate For oft th' euent make soule faults fortunate 18 The parlament which now is held decreed What euer pleasd the king but to propound Confirm'd the crowne to him and to his feed And by their oth their due obedience bound And ô b' it sinne t' examine how this deed How iust t is done and on how fure a ground Whether that Court maie change due course or no Or ought the realme against the realme can do 19 Here was agreed to make all more secure That Richard should remaine for euermore Close-prisoner least the realme might chāce indure Some new reuolt or any fresh vprone And that if any should such broile procure By him or for him he should die therefore So that a talke of tumult and a breath Would serue him as his passing-bell to death 20 Yet reuerent Carlile thou didst there oppose Thy holy voice to saue thy Princes bloud And freely check'st this iudgement and his foes When all were bad yet thou dar'st to be good Be it inrold that time may neuer lose The memory how firme thy vertues stood When powre disgrace nor death could ought diuart Thy glorious tongue thus to reueale thy hart 21 Graue reuerent Lords since that this sacred place Our Auentine Retire our holy hill This place soule of our state the Realmes best grace Doth priuiledge me speake what reason will O let me speake my conscience in this case Least sin of silence shew my hart was ill And let these walles witnes if you will not I do discharge my soule of this soule blot 22 Neuer shall this poore breath of mine consent That he that two and twenty yeeres hath raignd As lawfull Lord and king by iust discent Should here be iudged vnheard and vnaraignd By subiects two Iudges incompetent To iudge their king vnlawfully detaind And vn-brought forth to plead his guiltles cause Barring th' annointed libertie of lawes 23 Haue you not done inough blush to thinke Lay on your harts those hands those hands too rash Know that this staine that 's made doth farther sinke Into your soules then all your blouds can wash Leaue with the mischiefe done and doe not linke Sin vnto sin for heauen and earth will dash This ill accomplisht worke ere it be long For weake he builds that sences wrong with wrong 24 Stopt there was his too vehemēt speech with speed And he sent close to warde from where he stood His zeale vntimely deem'd too much t' exceed The measure of his wit and did no good They resolute for all this doe proceed Vnto that iudgement could not be withstood The king had all he crau'd or could compell And all was done we will not say how well 25 Now Muserelate a wofull accident And tell the bloudshed of these mighty Peeres Who lately reconcild rest discontent Grieu'd with disgrace remaining in their feares How euerseeming outwardly content Yet th' inward touch that wounded honor beares Rosts closely rankling and can find no ease Till death of one side cure this great disease 26 Meanes how to feele and learne each others hart By th' Abbot now of Westminster is found Who secretly disliking Henries part Inuites these Lords and those he ment to sound Feasts them with cost and drawes them on with art And darke and doubtful questions doth propound Then plainer speakes and yet vncertaine speakes Then wishes wel then off abruptly breakes 27 My Lord faith he I feare we shall not finde This long-desired king such as was thought But yet he may doe well God turne his minde T is yet new daies but ill bodes new and nought Some yet speed well though all men of my kind Haue cause to doubt his speech is not forgot That Princes had too little we too much God giue him grace but t is ill trusting such 28 This open-close apparent-darke discourse Drew on much speech and euery man replies And euery man ads heat and wordes inforce And vrge out words for when one man espies Anothers minde like his then ill breedes worse And out breakes all in th' end what closest lies For when men well haue fed th' bloud being warme Then are they most improuident of harme 29 Bewray they did their in ward boyling spight Each stirring other to reuenge their cause One saies he neuer should indure the sight Of that forsworne that wrongs both land and lawes Another vowes the same of his minde right A third t' a point more nere the matter drawes Sweares if they would he would attempt the thing To chaste th' vsurper and replace their king 30 Thus one by one kindling each others fire Till all inflam'd they all in one agree All resolute to prosecute their ire Seeking their owne and Countries cause to free And haue his first that their bloud did conspire For no way else they said but this could be Their wrong-detained honor to redeeme Which true-bred bloud shoulde more then life esteeme 31 And let not this our new-made faithles Lord Saith Surry thinke that we are lest so bare Though bare inough but we will find a sword To kill him with when hee shall not beware For he that is with life and will but stoor'd Hath for reuenge inough and needs not care For time will fit and furnish all the rest Let him but euen attend and doe his best 32 Then of the manner how t' effect the thing Consulted was and in the end agreed That at a maske and common reuelling Which should b' ordaind they should performe the deed For that would be least doubted of the king And fittest for their safety to proceed The night their number and the suddaine act Would dash all order and protect their fact 33 Besides they might vnder the
they of so fatall a degree That they cannot discend from that and liue Vnlesse they still be kings can they not bee Nor maie they their authority surviue Will not my yeelded crowne redeeme my breath Still am I fear'd is there no way but death 72 Scarce this word death had sorrow vttered But in rusht one and tels him how a knight Is come from court his name deliuered What newes with him said he that traiterous wight What more remoues must we be farther lead Are we not sent inough yet out of sight Or hath this place not strength sufficient To guard vs in or haue they worse intent 73 By this the bloudy troope were at the dore When as a sodaine and a strange dismay Inforst them straine who should go in before One offers and in offring makes a stay Another forward sets and doth no more A third the like and none durst make the way So much the horror of so vile a deed In vilest mindes hinders them to proceed 74 At length as to some great assault the knight Cheeres vp his fainting men all that he can And valiantly their courage doth incite And all against one weake vnarmed man A great exployt worthy a man of might Much honour wretch therein thy valor wan Ah poore weake prince yet men that presence feare Which once they knew autoritie did beare 75 Then on thrustes one and he would formost be To shead anothers bloud but lost his owne For entring in as soone as he did see The face of maiestie to him well knowne Like Marius soldier at Minternum hee Stood still amazd his courage ouerthrowne The king seeing this startes vp from where he fate Out from his trembling hand his weapon gate 76 Thus euen his foes that came to bring him death Bring him a weapon that before had none That yet he might not idly loose his breath But diereuengd in action not alone And this good chaunce that this much fauoureth He slackes not for he presently speedes one And Lion-like vpon the rest he flies And here falles one and there another lies 77 And vp and downe he trauerses his ground Now wardes a felling blow now strikes againe Then nimbly shiftes a thrust then lendes a wound Now backe he giues then rushes on amaine His quicke and readie hand doth so confound These shamefull beastes that foure of them dies slain And all had perisht happily and well But for one act that ô I greiue to tell 78 This coward knight seeing with shame and feare His men thus slaine and doubting his owne end Leapes vp into a chaire that lo was there The whiles the king did all his courage bend Against those foure that now before him were Doubting not who behind him doth attend And plies his handes vndaunted vnaffeard And with good hart and life for life he stird 79 And whiles he this and that and each mans blow Doth eye desend and shift being laid to sore Backward he beates for more aduantage now Thinking the wall would safegard him the more When lo with impious hand o wicked thou That shamefull durst not come to strike before Behind him gau'st that wofull deadly wound That laid that most sweet Prince flat on the ground 08 Monster of men ô what hast thou here done Vnto an ouerpressed innocent Lab'ring against so many he but one And one poore soule with care with sorrow spent O could thy eies indure to looke vpon Thy hands disgrace or didst thou then relent But what thou didst I will not here deuine Nor straine my thoughts to enter into thine 81 But leue thee wretch vnto blacke infamie To darke eternall horror and disgrace The hatefull skorne to all posterity The out-cast of the world last of thy race Of whose curst seed nature did then deny To bring forth more her faire workes to deface And as asham'd to haue produc'd that past She staies her hand and makes this worst her last 82 There lies that comely body all imbrude With that pure bloud mixt with that fowle he shed O that those sacred streames with such vile rude Vnhallowed matter should be mingled O why was grossenes with such grace indude To be with that sweet mixture honoured Or seru'd it but as some vile graue ordaind Where an imbalmed corpes should be containd 83 Those faire distended limmes all trembling lay Whom yet nor life nor death their owne could call For life remou'd had not rid all away And death though entring seas'd not yet on all That short-tim'd motion that soone finish shall The mouer ceasing yet a while doth stay As th' organ sound a time suruiues the stop Before it doth the dying note giue vp 84 So holdes those organs of that goodly frame The weake remaines of life a little space But ah full soone cold death poffest the same Set are those sun-like eles bloudlesse that face And all that comely whole a lump became All that fair forme which death could scarce disgrace Lies perisht thus and thus vntimely fate Hath finisht his most miserable state 85 And thus one king most nere in bloud allide is made th' oblation for the others peace Now onely one both name and all beside Intirely hath plurality doth cease He that remaines remaines vnterrifide With others right this day doth all release And henceforth he is absolutely king No crownes but one this deed confirmes the thing 86 And yet new Hydraes lo new heades appeare T' afflict that peace reputed then so sure And gaue him much to do and much to feare And long and daungerous tumults did procure And those euen of his chiefest followers were Of whom he might presume him most secure Who whether not so grac'd or so preferd As they expected these new factions stird 87 The Percyes were the men men of great might Strong in alliance and in courage strong That thus conspire vnder pretence to right The crooked courses they had suffered long Whether their conscience vrgd them or despight Or that they saw the part they tooke was wrong Or that ambition hereto did them call Or others enuide grace or rather all 88 What cause soeuer were strong was their plot Their parties great meanes good th' occasion fit Their practise close their faith suspected not Their states far off and they of wary wit Who with large promises draw in the Scot To ayde their cause he likes and yeeldes to it Not for the Ioue of them or for their good But glad hereby of meanes to shed our bloud 89 Then ioyne they with the Welsh who fitly traind And all in armes vnder a mightie head Great Glendowr who long warr'd and much attaind Sharp conflicts made and many vanquished With whom was Edmond Earle of March retaind Being first his prisoner now confedered A man the king much fear'd and well he might Least he should looke whether his Crown stood right 90 For Richard for the quiet of the state Before he tooke those Irish warres in hand About succession
commaund of vice whereto the rest Of many mighty foueraignes subiectés be And numbred might haue beene among the best Of other men if not of that degree A right good man but yet an euill king Vnfit for what he had in managing 55 Mild meeke of spirit by nature patient No thought t' increase or scarse to keepe his owne Apter for pardoning then for punishment Seeking his bounty not his powre t' haue knowne Far from reuenge soone won soone made content As fitter for a cloyster then a crowne Whose holy minde so much addicted is On th' world to come that he neglecteth this 56 With such a weake good feeble godly king Hath Richard Duke of Yorke his cause to trie Who by th' experience of long managing The warres of Fraunce with supreame dignitie And by his owne great worth with furthering The common good against the enemie Had wrought that zeale and loue attend his might And made his spirit equall vnto his right 57 For now the Duke of Bedford beeing dead He is ordaind the Regent to succeed In Fraunce for fiue yeares where he trauailed Whith ready hand and with as carefull heed To seeke to turne backe fortune that now fled And hold vp falling power in time of need And gote and lost and reattaines againe That which againe was lost for all his paine 58 His time expird he should for fiue yeares more Haue had his charge prolong'd but Sommerset That still had enuide his commaund before That place and honor for himselfe did get Which ans that matter to th' alreadie store Of kindled hate which such a fire doth set Vnto the touch of that confounding flame As both their blouds could neuer quench the same 59 And now the weaknes of that feeble head That doth neglect all care but his soules care So easie meanes of practise ministred Vnto th' ambitious members to prepare Their owne desires to what their humors lead That all good Actions coldly followed are And seurall-tending hopes do wholy bend To other now then to the publique end 60 And to draw on more speedy misery The king vnto a fatall match is led With Rayners daughter king of Sicilie Whom with vnlucky starres he married For by the meanes of this affinitie Was lost all that his Father conquered Euen as if Fraunce had some Erynnis sent T' auenge their wrongs done by the insolent 61 This marriage was the Duke of Suffolks deed With great rewardes won to effect the same Which made him that he tooke so little heed Vnto his countries good or his owne shame Being a match could stand vs in no steed For strength for wealth for reputation fame But cunningly contriued for their gaine To cost vs more then Aniou Mauns and Maine 62 And yet as if he had accomplished Some mighty benefit vnto the land He gote his trauailes to be registred In Parliment for euermore to stand A witnes to approue all what he did To th' end that if hereafter it were scand Autoritie might yet be on his side As doing nought but what was ratifide 63 Imagining th' allowance of that place Would make that good the which he knew was naught And so would his negotiation grace As none would thinke it was his priuat faut Wherein though wit dealt wary in this case Yet in the end it selfe it ouer raught Striuing to hide he opened it the more His after care shewd craft had gone before 64 Deare didst thou buy ô king so faire a wife So rare a spirit so high a minde the while Whose portion was destruction dowry strife Whose bed was sorrow whose imbracing spoile Whose maintenance cost thee and thine their life And whose best comfort neuer was but toyle What Paris brought this booty of desire To set our mighty Ilium here on fire 65 I grieue that I am forst to say thus much To blame her that I yet must wonder at Whos 's so sweet beauty wit and worth were such As euerlasting admiration gat Yet doth my countries zeale so nerely touch That I am drawne to say I know not what And yet ô that my pen should euer giue Staine to that sex by whom her fame doth liue 66 For sure those vertues well deserud a crowne And had it not beene ours no doubt she might Haue matcht the worthiest that the world hath known And now sate faire with fame with glorie bright But comming in the way where sin was grown So foule and thicke it was her chance to light Amidst that grosse infection of those times And so came staind with blacke disgracefull crimes 67 And some the world must haue on whom to lay The heauie burthen of reproach and blame Against whose deedes th' afflicted may inuay As th' only Authors whence destruction came When yet perhaps t was not in them to stay The current of that streame nor helpe the same But liuing in the eie of Action so Not hindring it are thought to draw on wo. 68 So much vnhappie doth the mightie stand That stand on other then their owne defence When as distruction is so neare at hand That if by weakenes folly negligence They do not comming miserie withstand They shall be thought th'authors of the offence And to call in that which they kept not out And curst as those that brought those plagues about 69 And so remaine for euer registred In that eternall booke of infamie When ô how many other causes lead As well to that as their iniquitie The worst complots oftly close smothered And well ment deedes fall out vnluckily Whilst the aggrieued stand not t'waigh th' intent But euer iudge according to th' euent 70 I say not this t' excuse thy Sinne ô Queene Nor cleare their faults that mightie Actors are I cannot but affirme thy pride hath beene A speciall meanes this commonwealth to marre And that thy way ward will was plainly seene In vaine ambition to presume too farre And that by thee the onely way was wrought The Duke of Gloster to his death was brought 71 A man though seeming in thy thought to sit Betweene the light of thy desires and thee Yet did his taking thence plainly permit Others to looke to that they could not see During his life nor would aduenture it When his remoue quite made that passage free So by his fall thinking to stand alone Hardly could stand at all when he was gone 72 For this Duke as Protector many yeares Had rul'd the land during the kings young age And now the selfe same charge and title beares As if he still were in his pupillage With such disgrace vnto the Queene appeares That all incensd with an ambitious rage She doth conspire to haue him made awaie As who the course of her maine will doth staie 73 Thrust thereinto not onely with her pride But by her fathers counsell and consent That grieu'd likewise that any else beside Should haue the honor of the gouernment And therfore he such deepe aduise applide As forraine
craft and cunning could inuent To circumuent an vnsuspecting wight Before he should discerne of their despight 74 And manie ready hands shee straight doth find To aide her deede of such as could not brooke The length of one mans office in that kind That to himselfe th' affaires all wholly tooke And ruling all had neuer any minde T' impart a part with others that would looke To haue likewise some honor in their hands And grieu'd at such ingrossing of commaunds 75 And had he not had such a greedy loue Of still continuing of his charge too long Enuie had beene vnable to reproue His acted life without shee did him wrong But hauing liu'd so manie yeeres aboue He grieues now to descend to be lesse strong And kils that fame that vertue did beget Chose to be held lesse good then seene lesse great 76 O could the mighty but giue bounds to pride And weigh backe fortune ere shee pull them downe Contented with inough with honors satisfide Not striuing how to make so much their owne As to leaue nothing for the rest beside Who seeme by their high spreading ouergrowne Whilst they themselues remaine in all mens sight The odious marke of hatred and dispight 77 Then should not ô so many tragedies Burthen our knowledge with their bloudy end Nor their disgrac'd confounded families From so hye pride to so low shame descend But planted on that ground where safety lies Their branches should to eternity extend But euer those that ouerlooke so much Must ouersee themselues their state is such 78 Seuere he was and strictly did obserue Due forme of Iustice towardes euery wight Vnmoueable and neuer won to swerue For any cause in what he thought was right Wherein although he did so well deserue In the licentious yet it bread despight So that euen vertue seemes an Actor too To ruine those fortune prepares to vndoo 79 Those thus prouided whom the Queene wel knew Hated his might and glad to inoouate Vnto so great and strong a party grew As easie t' was to ouerthrow his state And onely hope of alteration drew Manie to yeeld that had no cause to hate For euen with goodnes men grow discontent Where states are ripe to fall and vertue spent 80 And taking all the rule into her hand Vnder the shadowe of that feeble king The Duke sh' excludes from office and command And in the reach of enmity doth bring From that respected height where he did stand Whilst malice scarce durst mutter anything When straight the worst of him comes all reueald Which former feare or rigor kept conceald 81 Now is he taxed that he rather sought His priuate profit then the publique good And many things presumptuously had wrought Other then with our lawes and customes stood As one that would into the land haue brought The ciuile forme in cases touching bloud And such poore crimes that shewd their spight was sound But yet bewraide their matter wanted ground 82 Yet seru'd they well the turne and did effect That which is easie wrought in such a case Where what suborned Iustice shall obiect Is to the purpose and must passe with grace And what the wretched bring of no effect Whose hainous faults his matter must deface For where powre hath decreed to find th' oftence The cause is better still then the defence 83 A Parlament at Berry summoned Dispatcht the deed more speedily then well For thither came the Duke without all dread Or ought imagining of what befell Where as the matter is so followed That he conuented is ere he could tell He was in danger or had done offence And presently to prison sent from thence 84 Which quicke and sodaine action gaue no time For men to weigh the iustice of the deed Whilst looking only on the vrged crime Vnto the farther drift they take no heed For these occasions taken in the prime Of courses new that old dislikes succeed Leaue not behind that feeling touch of wrong Sacietie makes passions still lesse strong 85 And yet they seem'd some mutiny to doubt For thus proceeding with a man of might Seeing he was most popular and stout And resolute would stand vpon his right And therefore did they cast this way about To haue him closely murdred out of sight That so his trouble and his death hereby Might come togither and togither dye 86 Reekning it better since his end is ment And must be wrought at once to rid it cleere And put it to the fortune of th' euent Then by long doing to be long in feare When in such courses of high punishment The deed and the attempt like daunger beare And oft things done perhaps doe lesse anoy Then may the doing handled with delay 87 And so they had it straight accomplished For that day after his committing he Is dead brought foorth being found so in his bed Which was by sodaine sicknes said to bee That had vpon his sorrowes gathered As by apparant to kens men might see And thus ô Sicknes thou art oft belide When death hath many waies to come beside 88 Are these the deedes hye forraine wits inuent Is this that wisedome whereof they so boast O then I would it neuer had beene spent Here amongst vs nor brought from out their coast O let their cunning in their limits pent Remaine amongst themselues that like it most And let the North they count of colder bloud Beheld more grosse so it remaine more good 89 Let them haue fairer citties goodlier soiles And sweeter fields for beautie to theeie So long as they haue these vngodly wiles Such detestable vile impietie And let vs want their vines their fruites the whiles So that we want not faith and honestie We care not for those pleasures so we may Haue better harts and stronger hands then they 90 Neptune keepe out from thy imbraced Ile This foule contagion of iniquitie Drowne all corruptions comming to defile Our faire proceedings ordred formally Keepe vs mere English let not craft beguile Honor and Iustice with strang subtiltie Let vs not thinke that that our good can frame Which ruinde hath the Authors of the same 91 But by this impious meanes that worthy man Is brought vnto this lamentable end And now that current with maine fury ran The stop remou'd that did the course defend Vnto the full of mischiefe that began T' a vniuersall ruine to extend That Isthmus failing which the land did keepe From the intire possession of the deepe 92 And now the king alone all open lay No vnderprop of bloud to stay him by None but himselfe standes weakely in the way Twixt Yorke and the affected sou'raignty Gone is that barre that would haue beene the stay T' haue kept him backe from mounting vp so hie But ô in what a state stand these men in That cannot liue without nor with their kin 93 The Queene hath yet by this her full desire And now she with her minion Suffolke raignes Now shee hath all authority intire And all affaires
Yet credit wrath and spight that are awake 50 Preuent great spirit the tempests that begin If lust and thy ambition haue lest waie But to looke out and haue not shut all in To stop thy iudgement from a true suruay Of thy estate and let thy hart within Consider in what danger thou doost lay Thy life and mine to leaue the good thou hast To follow hopes with shadowes ouercast 51 Come come away from wrong from craft frō toile Possesse thine owne with right with truth with peace Breake from these snares thy iudgement vnbeguile Free thine owne torment and my griefe release But whither am I caried all this while Beyond my scope and know not when to cease Words still with my increasing sorrowes grow I know t' haue said too much but not ynow Wherefore no more but only I commend To thee the hart that 's thine and so I end FINIS THE TRAGEDIE OF CLEOPATRA Aetas prima canat ueneres postrema tumultus SAM DANYELL AT LONDON Printed by P. S. for Symon Waterson 1599. To the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Countesse of PEMBROOKE Loe heere the worke the which she did impose Who only doth predominate my Muse The starre of wonder which my labors chose To guide their way in all the course I vse She whose cleere brightnesse doth alone infuse Strength to my thoughts and makes me what I am Call'd vp my spirits from out their low repose To sing of state and tragick notes to frame I who contented with an humble song Made musique to my selfe that pleas'd me best And onely told of DELIA and her wrong And prais'd her eies and plaind mine own vnrest A text from whence my Muse had not degrest Madam had not thy well grac'd Anthony who all alone hauing remained long Requir'd his Cleopatras company Who if she heere doe so appeare in act That for his Queen and Loue he scarce will know her Finding how much she of her selfe hath lackt And mist that glory wherein I should shew her In maiestie debas'd in courage lower Yet lightning thou by thy sweet fauoring eies My darke defects which from her spirit detract He yet may gesse it 's she which will suffise And I hereafter in another kinde More fitting to the nature of my vaine May peraduenture better please thy minde And higher notes in sweeter musique straine Seeing that thou so graciously doost daine To countenance my song and cherish mee I must so worke posterity may finde How much I did contend to honor thee Now when so many pens like Speares are charg'd To chase away this tyrant of the North Grosse Barbarism whose powre grown far inlarg'd Was lately by thy valiant brothers worth First found encountred and prouoked forth Whose onset made the rest audacious Whereby they like wise haue so well discharg'd Vpon that hideous beast incroching thus And now must I with that poore strength I haue Resist so foule a foe in what I may And arme against obliuion and the graue That else in darknesse carries all away And makes of all our honours but a pray So that if by my pen procure I shall But to defend me and my name to saue Then though I die I cannot yet die all But still the better part of me will liue Deckt and adorned with thy sacred name Although thy selfe dost farre more glorie giue Vnto thy selfe then I can by the same Who dost with thine own hand a Bulwark frame Against these monsters enemies of honour Which euer-more shall so defend thy Fame That Time nor they shall neuer pray vpon her Those Hymnes that thou doost consecrate to heauen Which Israels Singer to his God did frame Vnto thy voyce eternitie hath giuen And makes thee decre to him from whence they came In them must rest thy euer reuerent name So long as Syons God remaineth-honoured And till confusion hath all zeale be-reauen And murthered Faith and Temples ruined By this great Ladie thou must then be knowne When Wilton lies low leuell'd with the ground And this is that which thou maist call thine owne Which sacrilegious time can not confound Heere thou suruiu'st thy selfe here thou art found Of late succeeding ages fresh in fame This monument cannot be ouer-throwne Where in eternall Brasse remaines thy Name O that the Ocean did not bound our stile VVithin these strict and narrow limits so But that the melodie of our sweete He Might now be heard to Tyber Arne and Po That they might know how far Thames doth out-go The Musique of declined Italie And listning to our songs another while Might learne of thee their notes to purifie O why may not some after-comming hand Vnlocke these limits open our confines And breake asunder this imprisoning band T inlarge our spirits and publish our deseignes Planting our roses on the Apenines And teach to Rhene to Loyre and Rhodanus Our accents and the wonders of our Land That they might all admire and honour vs. Whereby great Sydney and our Spencer might With those Po-singers being equalled Enchaunt the world with such a sweet delight That their eternall songs for euer read May shew what great Elizas raigne hath bred VVhat Musique in the kingdome of her peace Hath now beene made to her and by her might VVhereby her glorious fame shall neuer cease But if that fortune doth denie vs this Then Neptune locke vp with thy Ocean key This treasure to our selues and let them misse Of so sweet ritches as vnworthie they To taste the great delights that we inioy And let our harmonie so pleasing growne Content our selues whose errour euer is Strange notes to like and disesteeme our owne But whither do my vowes transport me now VVithout the compasse of my course inioind Alas what honour can a voyce so low As this of mine expect hereby to find But Madam this doth animate my mind That fauoured by the worthies of our Land My lines are lik'd the which may make me grow In time to take a greater taske in hand THE ARGVMENT AFter the death of Antonius Cleopatra liuing still in the Monument she had caused to bee built coulde not by anie meanes bee drawne foorth although Octauius Caesar verie earnestlie laboured it and sent Proculcius to vse all diligence to bring her vnto him For that he thought it woulde bee a great Ornament to his tryumphes to get her aliue to Rome But neuer woulde shee put her selfe into the handes of Proculeius although on a time hee founde the meanes by a window that was at the toppe of the Monument to come downe vnto her where hee perswaded her all hee might to yeelde her selfe to Caesars mercie Which shee to bee ridde of him cunninglie seemed to graunt vnto After that Octauius in person went to visite her to whome shee excused her offence laying all the fault vpon the greatnesse and feare shee had of Antonius and withall seemed verie tractable and willing to be disposed of by him VVhereupon Octauius thinking himselfe sure resolu'd presentlie to sende