Consisted in the present letting Blood And that his Body in distemprature Was difficult and very hard to Cure Doctor quoth Guy 't is true I know as much I finde my selfe to bee exceeding ill But ther 's a Flower which if I might but touch Would heale me better then my Physickes skill 'T is called by a pretty pleasing name And Felix soundeth somewhat neare the same Quoth the Physition Sir I know it not Nor in the Herball reade of such a Flower Yet in this Castle is it to bee got Said Guy it growes not farre from yonder Tower I le finde it out my selfe Doctor refraine Gallen had ne're the Art to cure my paine Left in his passions to conuerse with moane As in a Window hee did sighing lye In a delightfull Garden all alone The Empresse of his thoughts hee did espy Which to his soule did such reioycing bring Feare was depos'd and Hope was crowned King Now is the time quoth hee faire Fortunes sun Shines fauourable on my gloomy cares Now may I end the griefe that Loue begun And boldly aske good hap how well shee fares Now will I enter yonder pleasant shade To court the worlds admired beautious Mayde Pheltce I come assist me Cupid now Prepare an Arrow ready for my Bowe I neuer went a wooing teach mee how Good action with good speech I may bestow But aboue all thinges gentle Cupid moue her That shee beleeue me when I sweare I Loue her With speed vnto the Garden then hee goes Where one of Phelice Damsels lets him in And in a curious Arbor of repose Findes Citherea with her siluer skin Whom hee salutes with grace and maiesty Beholding her with Loues inchaunting eye Fairest quoth hee of all the workes of Nature Whose equall neuer breath'd this common ayre More wonderfull than Earth can yeeld a creature For euery part belonging vnto faire Immortall creature of Coelestiall frame Eternall honor still attend thy Name I come to thee about the like poore suite That once Leander came to Hero with Hoping to reape thereby more liuely fruit Then Mars attain'd when hee deceiu'd the Smith 'T is onely Loue that I with heart present 'T is onely Loue must giue my soule content Incline sweet Lady to mine humble motion Compassionate the griefe that I endure Regard my life that rests at thy deuotion With pitty take my dying heart in cure O let it not in groaning torments swell And breake in twaine because it loues thee well Great Princes loue thee this I knew before And deedes of Honour for thy Name haue done But neither King nor Prince can loue thee more Then doth poore Guy thy Fathers Stewards Son His Loue to thee is so inestimable To counteruaile it all they are not able Phelice thus interrupts his protestation No more of Loue cease gentle youth quoth shee I haue a minde fram'd of another fashion Virginity shall liue and dye with mee Loue is compos'd of Idlenes and play And leades to vaine delights delights that stray Besides it ill beseemes thee be so bolde Inferiour and vnfit for my Degree And if vnto my Father this were tolde I knowe it would procure reproofe to thee The Prouerbe in this point might make thee wise That Princely Eagles scorne the catching Flyes And with this answer shee departeth thence Leauing poore Guy worse vexed then before For now in deepe dispaire of recompence Hee neuer doth expect Loues comfort more But vnto sorrow sighes and teares doth giue Wishing each day the last hee had to liue Guy in strange passions for his Loue Great torments doth endure Till Phelice sees a vision and Doth yeeld her patient cure Canto 2. VVIth tyred thoughts remaines this wofull wight Distracted in his melancholy minde Pertaking nothing that containes delight All thinges are harsh distastfull out of kinde Phelice denyes him Loue whose sound of breath Is like the Iudge that doomâ—s a man to Death Like to Orestes in his franticke fits Hee tare the golden tresses from his head Or mad Orlando quite depriu'd of wits From whom the vse of sence and reason fled So fares it with this Loue-tormented man Whose raging thoughts into disorder ran Society hee shunnes and keepes alone Accusing Desteny and cursing Beauty Hee hates himselfe and is a friend to none Beyond the limits of all Loue and Duty Venus quoth hee how are thy lawes forgot Thus to afflict him that offends thee not What is the cause I am reiected thus Who interrupts my Loue to Beauties mirrour I 'le drag him hence to roaring Erebus There to bee plunged in Eternall terrour I le to Ioues Court and there with shoutes and cryes Make such a clangor as shall rent the skyes Shall I bee cousen'd as Orpheus was Assist me Theseus to reuenge this wrong Where 's Rhadamant that Iustice cannot passe Euridice is solde euen for a Song Fiends Furies Goblins Hidraes for a fall I am prepar'd to manage with you all I le mount vpon the backe of Pegasus And in bright Phoebus flames my selfe will wrape Then will I tumble windy Eolus To sleepe in Thetis watery Christall lap From thence I le post vnto the torrid Zone To finde which way faire Phelice Loue is gone Iason had lucke to winne the Golden-fleece I like the Skin but for the Hornes I care not Faire Hellen was a waggish wench of Greece Bolde Mars will venture bashfull Venus dare not Trust a faire face Not I let him that list What 's Hercules without a Club in 's fist Thus for a time his sences were depriued Being left by Loue as blinde as Cupids eyes Till reason to perfections state reuiued And extreame passions ceast to tyrannize For in a Vision Phelice did descry The power of Loue and yeelds her heart to Guy By Morpheus possest of quiet sleepe In dead of night when Visions doe appeare The heart tormenter hee that pierceth deepe And maketh Louers by their bargaiues deare Sends from his bowe a shaft with golden head And woundeth Phelice in her Mayden bed Before her hee presents a Martiall wight Clad all in Armour for encounters fit And sayes sweet Virgin Loue this man of might Giue him thy Heart for hee doth merit it For Valour Courage comely shape and Limme The world hath not a Champion like to him Faire Phelice in a Vision Entertaines the Loue of Guy Jnioyning him Aduentures strange His manly force to try Great honour Lady thou shalt gaine hereby T' adorne thy Noble and renowned Birth Hee shall aspire vnto such Maiesty His Name will bee a terrour on the Earth He shall become a Champion vnto Kinges And by the Sword performe admired thinges Bee not ambitious that thou art high borne Be not disdainfull of a meane estate Be not defiled with the brand of scorne Be not too proude that thou art Beauties mate For 't is in vaine to striue against my Bowe If I say Loue it must and shall bee so Fixe not thy thoughts basely on worldly wealth Coyne should not be
this was in a rage And desp'rate humour did incense him so Hee vowed by Heauens nothing should asswage His fury but the Death of the proude foe Prepare thee Fight to breath thy last quoth hee Monster Deuill or whatsoe're thou bee They ioyne together by a dreadfull fight The spinters flye and clattering Armous sounds The dust ascendeth vp and blindes their sight The blood allayes it streaming from their wounds Both their Swords brake they light and on his backe Guy threw the Duke that euen his bones did cracke Duke Ranier would reuenge his Cousen then And for encounter hee prepareth next Quoth Guy I finde y' are wretches and no men That with a blowe or fall so soone be vext But come and welcome I am for you all Wee say in England The weakest must to wall They rush together that the ground did shake While animating Trumpets sound allarme In Raniers shoulder Guy a wound did make Whereby he lost the vse of his right arme Yeelding himselfe as others did before Vnable once to wield his weapon more Then for a while all stood amaz'd at Guy And not a man was forward to proceed Till Louaines Duke his Fortunes went to try Hauing good hope that hee should better speed Well mounted and well arm'd hee faire did sit On a proude Steed that ill indur'd the bit I thinke quoth hee thou some Inchanter art That hast the force of Magicke in thine arme I le teach thee to beleeue e're wee depart Quoth Guy for thou shalt feele that I can charme I le coniure thee euen with an Yron spell My Sword shall send thee vnto Heeuen or Hell With that hee lent him such a cruell stroake That th' other did returne a weake reply With second and a third his Helmet broake Hold hold quoth he I le rather yeeld then dye Fight for a Woman Hee that list for mee I thinke the Deuill cannot deale with thee Then Guy came foorth with courage to the Prince And deales with him as Hercules would doe Like force hee neuer felt before nor since Such hard extreames hee ne're was put vnto Iust where himselfe had layde the Earle in swound There downe comes he both horse man to ground Duke Otton seeing this was in a rage And desp'rate humour did incense him so Hee vowed by Heauens nothing should asswage His fury but the Death of the proude foe Prepare thee Fight to breath thy last quoth hee Monster Deuill or whatsoe're thou bee They ioyne together by a dreadfull fight The spinters flye and clattering Armous sounds The dust ascendeth vp and blindes their sight The blood allayes it streaming from their wounds Both their Swords brake they light and on his backe Guy threw the Duke that euen his bones did cracke Duke Ranier would reuenge his Cousen then And for encounter hee prepareth next Quoth Guy I finde y' are wretches and no men That with a blowe or fall so soone be vext But come and welcome I am for you all Wee say in England The weakest must to wall They rush together that the ground did shake While animating Trumpets sound allarme In Raniers shoulder Guy a wound did make Whereby he lost the vse of his right arme Yeelding himselfe as others did before Vnable once to wield his weapon more Then for a while all stood amaz'd at Guy And not a man was forward to proceed Till Louaines Duke his Fortunes went to try Hauing good hope that hee should better speed Well mounted and well arm'd hee faire did sit On a proude Steed that ill indur'd the bit I thinke quoth hee thou some Inchanter art That hast the force of Magicke in thine arme I le teach thee to beleeue e're wee depart Quoth Guy for thou shalt feele that I can charme I le coniure thee euen with an Yron spell My Sword shall send thee vnto Heauen or Hell With that hee lent him such a cruell stroake That th' other did returne a weake reply With second and a third his Helmet broake Hold hold quoth he I le rather yeeld then dye Fight for a Woman Hee that list for mee I thinke the Deuill cannot deale with thee Then not a man that would encounter more They all were terrified and stood in feare And in a rage amongst themselues they swore What shall a Stranger all the Honour beare Of this great Day what cursed fortune 's this That all the glory of the Field is his Amongst themselues his happinesse they curst In enuyes heate not knowing what to doe They could haue kild him but that no man durst Put his owne life in hazard thereunto If wishes might haue done it hee had dyde But fight with him not any could abide The Emperour for Guy a Knight did send Asking his Name and Birth-place which hee tolde Then said his Maiesty I much commend Thy haughty Courage resolutely bolde Braue English-man that art thy Countryes pride In Europe liues not such a man beside I doe admire thy worth thy Valour 's great To speake thy praise my tongue will not suffice Ascend to Honours iust deserued seate That art a second Hector in mine eyes This Day thy worthy hand hath showne mee more Then in my Life I euer sawe before Come and receiue thy due desert from mee My Daughters Loue is free at thy dispose The Gray-hounds Steed and Faulcon take to thee Thy worthines doth merit more then those Holde heer 's a Iewell weare it for my sake Which I a witnes of my Loue doe make Guy thank'd his Highnes for his gracious fauour And vow'd him seruice while his life did last Then to the Princesse with a milde behauiour A reuerent humble modest looke hee cast Saying faire Lady Fortune is my friend That doth such Beauty to my Lot extend Madame accept your loyall English Knight To doe true seruice when you please commaund it Who while hee hath a drop of Blood will fight In your behalfe against who dare withstand it To bee your Husband is degree too hye 'T is grace sufficient call me seruant Guy In England doth my marriage Loue remaine To whome I must and will be true for euer About whose face Nature hath tooke such paine I durst haue sworne flesh could haue match'd it neuer But now I finde that curiously haue ey'd her There is a Phenix in the world beside her And that 's your selfe I dare the world deny it But which is fairest eyes cannot decide No humane Iudgement in the world can try it Who hath most beauty Blaunch or my faire bride I dare be bolde to call you beautyes twinnes And Venus black-amoore to both your skinnes Oh Phelice heere 's thy picture in this Princesse Me thinkes tho' art present in her lonely looke Thou that of my soules faculties art Mistris Recorded in Times brasen-leaued booke To thee if I proue false or be misled Ioues fearefull vengeance light vpon my head Quoth Blaunch thy constancy and sighed deepe Is highly to be praised thou dost well He that
By this Report the onely Linguist liuing Had beene with Phelice for to make her glad Such fame and glory to her Louer giuing As neuer greater any Worthy â—ad Tels all the deedes of wonder he hath done From the first action that his hand begun Phelice impatient of his wished sight Speeds towards Lincolne like light Salmacis Where ioyfully she entertaines her Knight With Iunoes kinde imbrace and Venus kisse Guy with requitall makes his gladnes knowne And in his armes he now inioyes his owne Forgetfull Loue and too too slowe quoth she I fear'd thou didst not minde thy dearest friend What seeke a Dragon ere thou looke for me And hazard life before thou come or send To know if I remaine in happy state Some jealous woman would suppose 't were hate But sure I doe not though I speake my heart And wish I had bin first thou saw'st on shore Guy welcome to thy Phelice now thou art Thou neuer shalt goe forth a Fighting more No thou hast fought too much thy lookes bewray Sterne countenance hath stolne thy smiles away But Loue will learne thee loue to change thy face And frame it as at first when I did chuse it Thou hast almost forgotten to imbrace I like that well it seemes thou did'st not vse it In Forraigne parts abroad where thou hast bin But that lost lesson thou must new begin I will quoth he deere Loue and ply my Booke And kisse my Lesson on thy Corall lip Tell me but onely when I am mistooke In reading rashly if I ouer-skip Or be too negligent in taking paine Why turne me backe to conne my geere againe But Lady one exception I will make What line soeuer you doe put me to The Horne-booke of all other I le forsake For willingly I would not haue to doe With that Crosse-rowe crosse vnto many when Women doe teach it vnto Married men Kinde Sir quoth she content I le neuer chuse it It fits two sorts a Curtezan a Childe Once as the latter simply I did vse it But for the other rather be beguilde Then to deceiue the second Horn-booke's naught Teach it not me and it shall ne're be taught Guy smil'd and said come let vs Warwicke see Of all the world the place that I loue best Because it had the bringing vp of thee And there first with thy Beauty I was blest I loue the Castle and the Garden ground Where e'rst thy Venus-face alone I found Let 's hasten on to heare this Sacred voyce I Guy take Phelice to my wedded wife And thou repeate I likewise am thy choyse Till Death depart vs euen so long as Life And then the next will bee God giue vs Ioy And send thy Fathers Heyre agallant Boy The Marriage is Solemnized But after Forty dayes Guy Pennance vowes and Pilgrim like From England goes his wayes Canto 10. THe happy Day that Louers long expect Is now attayn'd to giue desire rest And all the honours Hymen can effect He franke bestowes to grace the wedding Feast For Athelstone and his renowned Queene At this great Nuptiall in their pompe were seene The Nobles rich and costly in Attire With worthy Knights and Gentlemen beside Ladyes of Honour as their Loues require Attend vpon the beautious faire fac'd Bride There wanted nothing wit of man could finde To please the eye or to content the minde Maskes midnight-Reuels Tilt and Turnament Acting of ancient Stories stately showes Banquets might giue great Iupiter content Where cuppes of Nector plentious ouer-flowes Aboundant all thinges with a plentious hand As if a King himselfe should feast a Land Soone after all these thinges were consummate Earle Rohand Phelice worthy Father dyes And to his Sonne bequeathes the whole estate Of Earledomes Lordships all his Land is Guyes Who is created Earle of Warwicke then In Honours rancke with Englands Noble-men But in the glory of this high applaud Enioying all that did partake delight When euery tongue his Fame and Fortunes laude Himselfe conuerts his sun-shine dayes to night Bethinking what the world may iust be thought And deeming all but vaine that he had sought Oft would hee sit and meditate alone In looking backe what steps his youth had trod Then to himselfe with sighes and grieuous grone Cry pardon me thou iust incensed God I haue done nothing for to purchase Grace But spent my time about a Womans face For Beauty bloody through the world I ran In pride of heart preferring Phelice feature For Beauty I haue ended many a man Hating all other for one mortall Creature For Beauty I haue pawn'd my vtmost power But for my sinnes not spent one weeping hower My Nunquam sera I will now begin And vowe to spend the remnant of my dayes In contrite Pennance for my former sinne That God may pardon all the erring wayes Which flesh and blood vainely deceiued by Vnto the world I will goe learne to dye Let me be censur'd euen as mortals please I le please my God in all things may be done Ambitious pride hath beene my youths disease I le teach age meeknes ere my Glasse bee runne And change my choyse wealth beauty world farwel To purchase Heauen I would passe thorow Hell Phelice perceiues his melancholy state And comming to him doth most mildely woo My Lord quoth shee why are you chang'd of late As I share ioy let mee beare sorrow too If I in ought haue mou'd you to offence I will with teares performe due recompence No my deare Loue quoth Guy no cause in thee T is with my selfe I discontented striue By light of Grace my Natures faults I see That am as dead although I seeme aliue Phelice my sinnes my countlesse sinnes appeare Crying Repent thy guilty Conscience cleere I must deale with thee as Bauarus delt A Prince of Rome with Sygunda his Wife Who from a deepe impression hee felt Vow'd Chastity perpetuall all his life Entreating thee euen as thou lou'st my soule To pardon me not vrging my controule Hast thou not heard what Ethelfrida did A Christian woman sometime Englands Queene Is Edelthrudis acte of Chaste life hid A Princesse likewise rare and matchlesse seene The first with Childe no more of lust would taste The second caus'd two Husbands both liue chaste And canst not thou the Phoenix of a Realme By immitation winne immortall praise Leauing thy vertues an admired Theme To the succeeding Age of Yron dayes I know thou canst thy greater part 's Diuine Where most is Carnall 't will to flesh incline Thou didst procure although I doe excuse it My pride by Conquests to attaine thy Loue God gaue mee Valour I did vaine abuse it My heart and thoughts aspired farre aboue The Crownes and Scepters of most potent Kings I held their Diadems inferiour thinges But now I gather in a totall somme Such follies and condemne them all to dye A man of other fashion I le become Some better Trauailes for my soule to try Not as before in Armour on my Steed But in a
To the Honourable Ladyes of ENGLAND LAdyes in Elder times your sexe did neede Knight-hoods true valour to defend your rights Of admirable actions wee doe reede Haue beene atchiu'd in cruell bloody Fights Fell vgly Serpents were destroy'd and slaine Strange mōsters mangled Gyants hew'd in twaine But who deseru'd more in such enterprise Then worthy English bred where wee are borne Such as did ease and idlenes despise For Armour more then Silke by them was worne These were the Champions that for Ladyes good Would bleede as long as they had drops of blood Such was Sir Guy whose story heere wee tell Valours renowned honourable man He lou'd your kinde in heart exceeding well How can you chuse but loue his legend than Bestow the Reading of it if you please Gainst melancholy that same dull disease S. ROVVLANDS The Argument GVy of Warwicke Sonne to Earle Rohands Steward in blooming youth of Natures spring fell in Loue with the Earles faire Daughter Phelice whose disdaining of him in that hee was but a meane Gentleman and not by Birth answerable to her Honourable estate did afflict his cormented minde with most distressed passions till in a vision Cupid presents her with the Picture of Mars inioyning her to loue Guy as the admired Champion of Christendome Vpon this shee yeeldeth affection on condition of Aduentures which to atchiue hee departs into France and shortly returnes with Trophes of victory and prizes of Honour But Phelice not satisfied therewith he leaues England againe performing in forraine Countryes wonderfull acts then returning marries his Loue whom after Forty dayes hee leaues departing on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land effecting in that Iourney many strange things Then supposed to bee Dead comes backe disguised and out-worne to memory and Fights a combate for King Athelstone killing Colbrond the Gyant of Denmarke freeing thereby the Kingdome from inuasion After that liues obscurely in a Caue and comes for Almes to his owne Castle not reuealing himselfe till the houre of his Death and then hee sent his Lady a Ring by which token shee knewe her Husband and came most wofully to close vp his eyes dying her selfe shortly after him for very griefe and extreame sorowe The Famous History of Guy Earle of VVARWICKE In Natures greene vnmellowed yeares Cupid tormenteth Guy Inthrals his heart to Phelice Loue By obiect of the eye Canto 1. WHen dreadfull Mars in Armour eu'ry Day Lou'd stately Iuno and Bellona best Before hee knew the Court where Venus lay For then hee tooke himselfe to ease and rest When all his thoughts vnto the proofe were steeld And all his actions manag'd for the Field A Knight of his a worthy Englishman That went like him clad in an Yron Coate In Warwicke with the worlds applaude began To bee a man of admirable note Such was the Valour hee ascended by That Pagans trembled at the Name of Guy This man compos'd of courage full of spright Of hard aduentures and of great designes To fight with Gyants tooke a chiefe delight Or search some Caue that Monster vndermines Meete with a Bore to make a bloody fray Or Combate with a Dragon by the day Yet e're hee entertain'd his Loue to armes He grew deuoted to the Queene of Loue Attempting Beauties fort with fierce allarmes The victory of such a prize to proue As elder times before could ne're inioy A sweeter face then lost olde Priam Troy Faire Phelice equall match to Cupids Mother A curious Creature and the Kingdomes pride All spacious Brittaine had not such another For glorious Beauty and good partes beside Twixt her and Vulcans wife no ods were knowne But Venus had a mole and shee had none For most directly shee had Venus haire The same high fore-head and attractiue eye Her cheekes of Roses mixt with Lillies faire The very lippes of perfect Corall dye Iuory teeth a dainty rising Chin A soft touch-pleasing smooth and silken skin With all perfections make a pearelesse Creature From head to foote shee had them eu'ry one Mirrour shee was of comelinesse and feature An English Phenix supreme faire alone Whom gazing people censures thus would grace Beauty liues no where but in Phelice face In Phelice face this obiect of Guyes sight Were lookes of Loue and glaunces of disdaine From thence sometimes his eyes attracts delight From thence anon his heart deriueth paine One while sweet smiles doe giue encouragement Another time sterne lookes worke discontent Thus on Loues Seas tost by the stormes of terrour Twixt present calme and sodaine furious blast Resoluing Loue yet finding loue in errour In freedome chayn'd in liberty bound fast Hee sighes that Fortune doth so strangely deale To giue a wound that Beauty will not heale That Beauty will not heale quoth he fond man Thou wrongst thy selfe and thy faire Goddesse too By lookes to know a Womans heart who can And looke on her is onely all I doe I le take another course more resolute To speake to write my honest meanings suite But if I should doeso what hope haue I That shee will heare my wordes or reade my Lines Shee is Earle Rohands heyre and borne too hye To condiscend vnto my poore designes Though Ia Gentleman by Birth am knowne Earledomes I want and Lordships I haue none Oh! Women are ambitious out of measure They mount aloft vpon the winges of Pride And often match more for this worldly Treasure Then any louing cause on earth beside Which makes some wish rather there were no Golde Then Loue for it should base bee bought and solde If such she bee as not be such be rare What will my wordes or sighes or teares preuaile I enter then a Laborinth of care And striue against both winde and tyde to Sayle A restlesse Stone with Scisiphus I roule And heape continuall torments on my soule Then I attempt to flye with waxen winges Where Phoebus Chariot burnes in brightest flame And shall bee censur'd that in Childish thinges As Loue I haue begot eternall shame Reiected and dispisde in base esteeme To th' enuious world I shall no better seeme But cease Loues coward banish thoughts of feare Bee resolute and good accesse attend thee Phelice of force a louing heart must beare If he that shootes loues Darts of golde befriend And by no reason hee can be thy Foe Because thou lou'st his Mothers picture so I am resolu'd goe on to Phelice Bower And from as true a heart as Flesh can yeeld Intreat her heare me in a blessed houre And with kinde pitty all my sorrowes shield To looke vpon me with remorse of minde That holdes my life as her Loue is inclinde This said to Warwicke Castle hee repaires Where the rich Iewell of his heart remained Earle Rohand bids him welcome and prepares With Hunting sports to haue him entertained But thereunto vnwilling eare hee lends And sodaine Sicknesse for excuse pretends The Earle much grieued at this alteration Sent his Physition for to doe him good Who tolde Guy that his onely preseruation
Guy takes Earles Terryes Fathers part And kills the Duke his Foe Destroyes a cruell sauage Bore Preuenting dangers so Canto 8. NOw Titans Horses with his fiery Carre Had brought the Day to darknes in the West And Vesper that same siluer shining Starre Which doth adorne the sky at Euening best Appear'd as bright as Cynthia in her Sphaere To welcome sable Nights approaching neare When Terry Guy and Osile wanting guide Didst stray about the vnfrequented Wood Hearing the saluage noyse on eu'ry side Of Beasts that thirsted after humane blood As Bores and Beares and Lyons and the like Which to their hearts did some amazement strike On euery side they cast a heedfull eye Still doubting on the sodaine some surprize At length two Armed men they did espy That also listen to those fearefull cryes Each had his sword in hand being ready drawne Knowing that place did yeeld no Dogs would fawne Comming more neare Sir Heraud was the one The other euen as dearely Terryes friend Who with imbracements made their gladnes knowne And then the Earle demaunded to what end His louing Cousen pass'd the Defert so My Lord quoth he to bring thee newes of woe Thy noble Father is besleged now In this strong Castle by Duke Ottons power Who hath protested by a solemne vow About his eares he will pull downe the Tower In a reuenge that thou his Loue hast got He sweares thy Fathers life escapeth not His Loue quoth Terry preethee Osile speake Acquaint this Worthy man with thy soules thought Haue I procur'd thee any Faith to breake Or bin the instigater vnto ought That is vniust in righteous Heauens sight Neuer quoth Osile thou hast bin vpright That wretched man would force my Loue away In clayming that I ne're intend to giue I will bee thine vntill my dying day Thou shalt inioy me all the howers I liue And when I alter this determination Let Gods and men holde mee in detestation Well spoke said Guy Lady be constant euer And Honours blemish then thou needst not doubt Keepe Loues foundation firme alter it neuer It is for Loue I raunge the world about And doe expose my Life to mortall danger In this exiled state an vnknowne Stranger But Terry wherefore are thy lookes so sad That hast thy Loue in person to imbrace As farre as England mine is to be had And many yeares I haue not seene her face It were enough to bring my hopes to end But that my Patience is a trusty friend My Lord said Terry know you not my griefe And heard this Messenger relate the cause Oh my distressed Father wants reliefe I were a rebell vnto Natures lawes Not to condole with him in his extreame Making his troubles my true sorrowes Theame If that be all quoth hee thou art too blame There is no cause to spend a sigh thereon I le terrifie Duke Otton with my Name Let him but heare I come and he 'le be gon Something betweene vs may not be forgot He felt my Sword in France but lik't it not Since that against my life a plot hee layde By villaines that surpriz'd me in a Wood But treachery with vengeance was repayd Who euer knew a Traytors end proue good Accursed haps attend them euermore In brasen Bull Perillus first did rore I will goe with thee to defend thy Father For the oppressed I haue vow'd to right And reason moues me to it so much rather Mine owne abuses therewith to requite This oportunity wee le not omit In that occasion falleth out so fit Let 's hasten on with speed vnto the place Preuenting mischiefe ere too farre it runne Take holde of Time before he turne his face Good proueth best when it is soonest done Goe like Eneas with a filiall ioy To fetch thine olde Anchises out of Troy Couragious Knight quoth Terry thy bolde hart Cannot be daunted I perceiue with feare Compos'd of Mars his element thou art Of powerfull limbes to mannage sword and speare My melancholy thou hast banish'd hence And with strong hope arm'd me in recompence Now all in poste they speede themselues away And in short time vnto the Castle come Whereas Duke Otton with his forces lay Relying on his Soldiers ample somme But when the Captaines of Guyes comming knew They fled by night and neuer bad adew This was discouragement to all the rest To see their Leaders thus giue ground and flye Yet did the Duke most resolute protest If each man in the Castle were a Guy He would not leaue it basely and retire Though life be deare yet honours place is hyer Terry said Guy we must not tedious bee Experience often hath my tutor bin And taught that when aduantage I doe see To fasten on occasion and begin The enemie by feare himselfe subdues Adde force to that and victorie ensues We will not make our Prison of this place As long as there is Field-roome to be got T is my desire to meete the Dukes good grace And combate him because he loues me not If that you will not leaue this house of stone I le leaue you all and goe my selfe alone And with those wordes Heraud and he depart Which when the Castle-soldiers did perceiue They gaue a showte our Generall thou art Thy Honourable steps we will not leaue Wee are resolued to attend thee still Let Fortune vse vs euen as Fortune will And thus most Valiant they doe march along Giuing the onset fearelesse to their Foe Making those multitudes that seem'd so strong Retire themselues with slaughtered ouerthrow But when the Duke perceiu'd his Soldiers flye Perish quoth he base villaines heere I le dye Where is this English-man that haunts my Ghost And thus pursueth me from place to place I challenge him to come and leaue the Host And meete with resolution face to face Let equall enuy make this equall match All controuersies wee will soone dispatch Agreed quoth Guy proude Foe I yeeld consent Repent thy wrongs and make thy Conscience cleare For thou hast liu'd to see thy honour spent Which worthy men of all thinges holde most deare The noble minded censure him with shame That liues to see the Death of his good name Then toward each other they did mainely make And brake their Launces very violent Which being done their Swords in hand they take Fighting vntill great store of blood was spent For Enuy did the Duke's keene weapon whet And on Guyes sword Reuenge an edge did set At length through losse of blood the Duke fell downe And said Now fond felicity farewell I am betray'd by Fortunes angry frowne And this experience to the world doe tell There 's nothing constant that the earth containes Death deales with Monarchs as with simple Swaines Bewitching Vanities seducing blinde vs Greatnes hath great accounts thereon depending As Death doth leaue vs so shall Iudgement finde vs There is no peace vnto a happy ending My Dying houre yeelds more repentant Grace Then in my Life I euer could imbrace Th' immortall soule
foundation vnto Loue Corrupted hearts it drawes away by stealth These money-matches cannot happy proue For as the goods of Fortune doth decay So loue which they beget consumes away I know how Plutoes golden Treasure swayes By deuillsh and accursed false illusion I know how Womens humours now a dayes Run after riches to their owne Confusion I see the Peassant of most abiect life With Golde enough can buy a dainty Wife But Phelice if thou knew'st asmuch as I How base the Gods esteeme of such abuses When Beauty selles and Riches comes to buy Which are not made for one anothers vses Thou wouldest scorne that Maydens should be solde As Cattell are for Siluer and for Golde Loue must bee simple harmeltsse pure and plaine And take originall from true affection It must reciprocall returne againe Or else it doth discouer imperfection Loues inward thoughts concurre with outward deeds Such as from loyalty and truth proceeds Thy louer comes not for aduancement to thee In that thy Father is a worthy Earle It is not Dowry that can cause him woo thee Had'st thou th' Arabian Golde or Indian Pearle But as great Iupiter to Leda came For a sweet Face His purpose is the same Therefore kinde Virgin vse him kindly well Make much of Guy imbrace him for thine owne Affoord him Loue-roome in thy Heart to dwell Let him no longer liue in pensiue moane But the next time thou doest behold his face Giue him encouragement with kinde imbrace And with that worde imbrace hee shot and hit The very center of her tender heart Feeling the wound she starts awake with it Being taught thereby to pitty Louers smart For Cupid drew his Arrow to the head Because hee would be sure shee should be sped With that shee fetch'd a sigh a grieuous one And from her eyes a shower of teares did fall Where is quoth shee the gentle Loue-god gone Whose power I finde is powerfull vnto all Oh call him backe my fault I doe confesse I haue in Loue beene too too pittilesse Sweet Boy solicite for mee to thy Mother And at her Alters I will sacrifice From this day foorth I will adore no other No Goddesse shall bee gracious in mine eyes But shee that hath imperious rule and might To leade obdurate hearts to kinde delight Compassion now hath worthy conquest made Of that strong fort which did resistance make One shaft had bin sufficient to perswade A league for Life a truce till Death doe take Guy more then Life doth Phelice Loue prefer Phelice affects Guy deare as hee doth her But vnto him her loue is yet vnknowne Though his be made apparant long before Hee vnderstands not that shee is his owne Hee feeles no salue apply'd vnto his sore Till forc'd by passions and constrain'd laments A second suite hee boldly thus presents Phelice I was arraigned long agoe And now I looke for Iudgement at thy hand I haue beene Prisoner in a Iayle of woe So long that speedy sentence I demaund Oh speake vnto mee either Life or Death For I am tyred with my vitall breath If kindnesse dwell in that faire shape of thine Expresse it with I Loue if none there bee Then say I cannot vnto Loue incline And so thou mak'st a quicke dispatch with mee Censure me sodaine either smile or frowne I will not liue thus for this Kingdomes Crowne Phelice reply'd 't is not at my dispose To fashion Loue without my friends consent What would you wish me to bee one of those That are to Parents disobedient Shall fond affection ouer-rule the will And doe you good to bee accounted ill You know my Fathers greatnes in the Land And if he should as there 's no other like The loue of one too mean for me withstand How could we beare the stroke disgrace would strike Nothing but death could make my sorrow sweete And shame would wrap me in a winding-sheete Doubt not of Father in this case quoth he For Warwicks Earle that honourable man Shall see such deedes of valour done by me To haue dislike he neither will nor can Inioyne me what aduentures thou think'st good That wounds and scars may let my body blood Why then quoth shee Guy make thy valour shine Through-out the world as glorious as the Sunne My heart my soule my life my loue is thine When deedes of honour by thy hand are done Make thy selfe famous by a martiall life And then take Phelice for thy lawfull wife I aske no more said he to gaine thy Loue I shall esteeme it bought at easie rate Oh that I were at worke my taske to proue With Hercules or some such churlish mate Phelice farewell this kisse thou giuest mee Shall make a number kisse the ground for thee From England Guy to France doth goe Where deedes of Annes are done And thence returnes Tryumphantly With all the Prizes wonne Canto 3. INlarg'd from sorowes thraldome by Hopes bayle Guy armes his thoughts with Honours enterprize Imbarkes himselfe and into France doth sayle Leauing faire England where his comfort lyes Hee seekes for enemies hee longs for foes And now desires to bee a dealing blowes In Normandy arriu'd hee vnderstands That there was Warlike busines to bee doue For valiant Knightes of diuers Christian Lands The race of Valour did intend to runne A great aduenture was propounded there Which newes was musique to his greedy eare The Prize that drew them all vnto that place Was Daughter to the Almane Emperour Faire Blaunch with such a wondrous heauenly face It had attractiue Beauty full of power In her such graces did vnite together The Worthyes of the world came posting thither Who wonne the Damsell it was thus decreed By manly Courage and victorious might Should haue her mounted on a milke-white Steed Two Gray-hounds and a Faulcon all as white This was his Lot that could attaine the Day To beare the Honour and the Mayde away Our English Knight prepares him for the Field Where Kinges were present Princes did repaire Where Dukes and Earles a great assembly held About the Face that was so wondrous faire Though onely one must speed and hundreds misse Yet each man there imagin's Blaunch is his The spacious Field where they assembled were Hardly affoorded roome for Armed crowdes The golden glittering Armour that was there Did dart the Sun-beames backe vnto the Clowdes The pamper'd Horses proudly stampt the ground To heare the clangor of the Trumpets sound A Germaine Prince of an vndaunted sprite A first and very fierce Encounter gaue Vnto an Earle whose Valour did requite With blow for blow as resolutely braue Till by a stroake the Earle receiu'd on 's head Hee was vn-horst falling to ground for dead Then Guy came foorth with courage to the Prince And deales with him as Hercules would doe Like force hee neuer felt before nor since Such hard extreames hee ne're was put vnto Iust where himselfe had layde the Earle in swound There downe comes he both horse man to ground Duke Otton seeing
Loues-promise will not faithfull keepe In horrour and in torments let him dwell But I suppose thy vowes are yet to make And so what thy sword won thy heart may take What I auouch is truth the heauens knowes My protestations are aboue the skyes Madam the Sunne declines day ancient growes I le take my leaue of you in humble wise My body is vnto repose inclinde Although no rest be in my troubled minde My troubled minde 's in Warwicke Castle now Although my Body bee in Normandy Heere I make others bend there doe I bow And lowly as the humble ground doe lye Euen at Loues feete I cast my selfe to ground Though victory my temples heere hath Crown'd I cannot stay I must to England backe My minde mis-giues mee Phelice is not well Like my sad thoughts my Armour shall bee blacke I le suite mee in a mournfull Yron shell For where the minde meetes with suspitious cares Distrust is euer dealing doubtfull shares Yet I haue much good Fortune on my side That knowe the meanes how to attaine my blisse For Phelice Loue is to conditions tyed And I doe trust shee is mine owne by this By this shee may but if she more require There 's nothing in the world I will deny'er With hasty iourney hee is homeward bound Leauing the vulgar to their Nine dayes wonder Arriuing safely on the English ground Posting to her suppos'd too long a sunder Whome with more ioy his chearfull lookes behold Then can by Pen or Lines of Incke bee tolde In France all Knights of Christendome To winne a Princesse meete Guy Conquers all and winnes the Prize Then doth his Goddesse greete With the rewards of Victory Guy doth his Loue present But Phelice is not satisfied Him forth againe shee sent Canto 2. IN the supposed Hauen of repose Hope casteth Anchor for his Barke to ride With kinde salute vnto his Loue hee goes Who giues imbracements and all thinges beside Befits affection all such complements As Loue can looke for gracious shee presents Faire soe quoth Guy I come to challenge thee For there 's no men that I can meete will fight I haue beene where a crew of Cowards bee Not one that dare maintaine a Ladyes right Good proper fellowes of their tongue and tall That let me winne a Princesse from them all Phelice this Sword has won an Emperours Daughter As sweet a wench as liues in Europes space At price of blowes and bloody wounds I bought her Well worth my bargaine but thy better face Hath made mee leaue her to some other Lot For I protest by Heauens I loue her not This stately Steed this Faulcon and these Hounds I tooke as in full payment of the rest For I will keepe my Loue within the bounds That doe enclose the compasse of my brest My Constancy to thee is all my care Leauing all other Women as they are But sweet heart tell mee shall I haue thee now Wilt thou consent the Priest shall doe his part Art thou resolued still to keepe thy vow Is none but I halfe with thee in thy Heart Canst thou forsake the world change Mayden life And helpe thy faithfull Louer to a Wife Quoth Phelice worthy Knight my ioyes are great To vnderstand thy honourable deedes It seemes some were in such a bloody sweate Their Valour Fame and reputation bleedes I giue thee humble thankes that for my sake Such hard aduentures did'st vouchsafe to take To winne a Princesse was a precious prize But sure mee thinkes if I had beene Sir Guy Shee should haue found more fauour in mine eyes Then take a Horse and turne a Lady by What is a Horse a Faulcon and a Hound More worthfull then a Lady so renown'd Perhaps you 'le say 't is done for Loue of mee I doe imagine nay beleeue it so And though I jest I will doe more for thee Then thou or any but my selfe doth know I le neuer marry while Lifes Glasse doth runne But onely thee Thee or I le dye a Nunne But giue me leaue to speake my minde deare Loue Let me locke vp my secrets in thy brest I had a Vision did affliction moue Cupid came to mee in my quiet rest And did commaund me in his Mothers name To Loue thee thus perswading to the same An armed man iust as I see thee now Hee set before me speaking to me thus Phelice bee gentle-hearted yeelding bow Doe not oppose against the power of vs. But all thy Loue thy loyalty and truth Bestow it freely on this matchlesse Youth Throughout the world his Fame shall be admired And mighty men shall tremble at his wrath To end Kinges quarrels hee shall be required His worthines shall tread no common path But actions to bee fear'd he shall effect Matters of moment thinges of great respect This in effect hee did to mee relate And I haue beene obedient to his will Now if I would I knowe not how to hate Of perfect kindnes I am taught the skill Beleeue mee Guy for if it were not so This secret of my heart thou shouldst not know But now my Loue before thou must possesse Thy constant Phelice in her Marriage bed Thou must doe deedes of greater worthinesse Then winning of a Lady with her Steed I le euer Loue thee though thou ne're doe more But will not graunt the vse of Loue before Not graunt mee vse of Loue quoth he faire friend Why then of force I must abroad againe I will content thee or I le make an end One way or other slay or else bee slaine E're I returne againe into this Realme Thou shalt confesse I haue fulfild thy Dreame Assist me Heauens as I meane vpright For I protest by all the powers Deuine No vniust quarrell shall procure mee fight To wrong the wronged I will ne're incline But stand for those that by oppression fall Is Honours venture bee it life and all Come my Bellona doe thou gird my Sword Imbrace my Armour in thy Yuory armes And such kinde kisses as thou canst afford Bestow vpon me in the stead of Charmes I thinke vpon Vlisses louing Wife How thou art now to imitate her life Farewell my Phelice health and happinesse Attend thee euer to thy hearts desire And I beseech God graunt thee like successe As I resolue my Loue to thee entire At my returne when Mars his busines ends My comfort is Hymen will make amends And so vnto Earle Rohand hee repaires And tels him hee is come to take his leaue Hee must seeke out where Honour dealeth shares To purchase that which worthy men receiue At home sayes hee my honourable Lord I finde that Valour nothing will afford Therefore I le search abroad what 's to bee done From Countrey vnto Kingdome I le resort By Natures course my glasse hath much to runne I well may spare some yeares for fighting sport Of Idlenes there 's nothing comes but euill I hate a Coward as I hate the Deuill Guy quoth the Earle thou mak'st me grieue
ready bid thy friends adew And say thy prayers vnto thy Pagan Gods For I doe meane to vse thee like a Iew Because with Christians thou doest liue at ods Looke that thy head be set on sure and fast Or mortall man I le proue thee but a blast Then did they lend each other lusty knockes That sparkes of fire from their Helmets flye The partiall multitude about them flockes Expecting all the end and Death of Guy For Coldran whom he fought withall was strong And had beene Champion to the Pagans long At length Guy lent him such a speeding blow That downe comes Coldran his strength to ground Pagan quoth he is my Sword sharpe or no With which euen now so blunt a fault you found Rise quicke for if thy legs thou canst not feele Off goes thy head as true as this is Steele Forthwith he made him shorter by the Head And that vnto the Emperour he sent The Infidels grewe all astonished For they in Coldran were so confident They durst haue venter'd goods and life and limbe On any Combate that was fought by him Then Heraud to giue Guy some breathing space Challeng'd a Pagan called Elmadant And dar'd him and defi'd him to his face For valiant Heraud did not Courage want The Pagan somewhat hot with fury fild Did combate being quickly cool'd and kild Presently Guy vnto another comes Call'd Morgadour and soundly with his blade Layes on him and his sences so benummes He tumbles head-long like a tyred Iade The Pagans seeing their Champions thus goe downe Forsooke the Field retyring to the Towne Where a most bloody Tyrant bare the sway Who hearing what had hapned full of Ire Went armed to the Tent whereas Guy lay And did a Combate at his hands require Villaine quoth he whom like a Dog I scorne I le make thee curse the time when thou wast borne Know runagate I come to fetch thy Head For to a Lady I haue promis'd it My Curres shall with thy English flesh be fed They must deuoure thy body eu'ry bit Come I haue vow'd by Mahomet thou dy'st Thou canst not scape by trusting in thy Christ. And hast thou giuen away my Head quoth he Vnto a Lady 't is a braue intent An honest man will his wordes master be And neuer promise more then he hath meant Come on thy wayes and take it quickly off Or else the Lady will suppose you scoffe With proud disdaine together then they rush Laying it on as fast as both could driue But Eskeldart Guyes sword did so becrush That for his Head he durst no longer striue But on the sodaine for to saue his owne Put 's spurres to Horse and in all post is gone Guy then returnes to Heraud and declares What a bolde fellow came to fetch his Head Who smiling at it merrily prepares To tell of his Aduentures how he sped VVith a false Coward called Adelart That wounded him with an inuenom'd Dart. And being hurt most dangerously so Was intercepted ere hee could retire By Estellard a proude insulting Foe Compos'd of Cruelty and deuillish Ire But quoth Sir Heraud e're our fray was done I made them wish it ne're had beene begun For Adellart I wounded in the side And Estellard I curtail'd by the knees Then left them lying Death to be their guide Vnto the Iayle where wormes doe clayme their fees So when those two were seene to fall downe dead All th' other Pagans with amazement fled Why then quoth Guy all 's quiet I perceiue These miscreants like vnto Foxes flye But gentle Heraud ere wee take our leaue One Combate more I am resolu'd to try The Generall of this accursed route Shall bee the man I meane to single out They tearme him mighty Souldan friend I long To make a proofe if hee deserue the Name I am in doubt they doe him mighty wrong If might be wanting to auouch the same Titles of worth become base Cowards ill I le try what 's in him hap what euer will Nay Heraud leaue me preethee doe forbeare I will be speedy tarry in this Wood Goe to yon grassie banke repose thee there And with this Balsome stay those drops of blood Ere Phoebus in the Occident decline Death shall conclude the Souldans life or mine Said Heraud since thou wilt not let me goe But doest appoint this bed of Earth to beare me Till thou returne I will conuerse with woe And will not suffer any Bird sing neare me With longing eyes and carefull list'ning eares I le spend thy absent time in pray'rs and teares Guy poasts with speed and doth the Souldan finde And thus hee speakes Art thou the man of might Surnamed so by Tongues and peoples winde Heere is a Christian come to dare thee Fight Both Mahomet and thee I doe defie And heer 's a Sword I will maintaine it by The Souldan with a staring looke replyes Thou Christian Slaue I le chastice thee with Steele Thou art an odious Creature in mine eyes And thy presumption shall my Fury feele With that at Guy he ranne with all his force Their Launces brake and each forsooke his Horse Then by the Sword the Victor must preuaile Which manly force makes deadly wounds withall Cutting through Armour mangling shirts of Male That at the last downe did the Souldan fall Sending blasphemous Curses to the Sky And casting handfuls of his blood at Guy Who presently tooke Horse and then retir'd To Heraud whom he found in slumber layde Rise friend quoth he the time is now expir'd An end with mighty Souldan I haue made VVith that he rose with joy and loues imbrace And forth they trauaile to another place Guy takes a Princely Lyons part And doth a Dragon kill Then frees faire Osile from mishaps That else had fared ill Canto 7. PAssing the Deserts now where shady Trees Embrac'd each other in their green-leau'd armes VVhere Lady Ecchoes dwelling best agrees And little Birds sing fearelesse of their harmes They chanc'd to find a pleasant siluer Spring VVhich water to them was a welcome thing His Lady sends him forth againe Whose will hee doth obay And manfully a Dragon kils To part a cruell Fray There with the Christall streams they coole their heat And slake the thirst they had endured long There did they make the hearbes and roots their meat To satisfie for Natures hungry wrong But on the so daine at the noyse they wonder A Lyon roar'd as if great Loue did Thunder Heraud quoth Guy to Horse let 's bee prepar'd And leaue our Dinner till another day Heere is a sound I neuer was so scar'd I le seeke it out it comes from yonder way Some Monster or some Deuill makes this noyse For on my life it is no humane voyce So forth he rides and vnderneath a Hill He findes a Dragon with a Lyon met Braue sport said he I pra'y fight out your fill And then vpon the strongest I will set Which of the twaine that first aside doth start I am a friend that
will maintaine his part The Dragon windes his crooked knotted tayle About the Lyons legs to cast him so The Lyon fastens on his rugged scale And nimbly doth auoyde that ouerthrow Then toooth and nayle they crewell teare and bite Maintaining long a fierce and bloody fight At last the Lyon faintly turnes aside And lookes about as if hee would be gone Nay then quoth Guy Dragon haue at your hide Defend your Deuils face I le lay it on With that couragiously to worke he goes And deales the Dragon very manly blowes The vgly Beast with flaggie winges display'd Comes at him mainely with most dreadfull pawes Whose very lookes might make a man affray'd So terrible seemed his deuouring jawes Wide gaping grisly like the mouth of Hell More horrible then Pen or Tongue can tell His blazing eyes did burne like liuing fire And forth his smoaking gorge came sulpher smoke Aloft his speckled brest hee lifted hyer Then Guy could reach at length of weapons stroke Thus in most irefull moode himselfe he bore And gaue a cry as Seas are wont to rore With that his mortall sting he stretched out Exceeding farre the sharpest point of Steele Then turnes and windes his scaly tayle about The Horses legs more nimbly then an Eele With that Guy hewes vpon him with his blade And three mens strength to euery stroke he layde One fatall blowe he gaue him in the side From whence did issue streames of swarty blood The Sword had made a passage large and wide That deepe into the Monsters gore Guy stood Then with a second wound he ouertooke him Which made the Dragon turne to haue forsooke him Nay then quoth he thou hast not long to liue I see thou faintest at the point to fall Then such a stroake of death he did him giue That downe comes Dragon crying out withall So horrible the sound did more affright The Conqueror then all the dreadfull fight Away hee rides and lets that Hell-hound lye But looking backe espies behinde his Horse The Lyon comming after very nye Which makes him light to manage manly force But when the Beast beheld his weapon drawne He came to him and like a Dog did fawne Like to that gratefull Lyon which did free Androdus life for pulling out a Thorne When for offence he should by Lawes decree Within the Theater by Beasts be torne The Lyon came and lick'd him very kinde Bearing as seem'd an olde good turne in minde Euen so this gentle creature deales with him For that same benefit which hee had done Although by Nature cruell sterne and grim Yet like a Spaniell by his Horse did runne Continuing many dayes with great desire Till extreame hunger forc'd him to retire Now towards the Sea Guy doth his Iourney take Imbarques for France but by contrary winde Arriues in Almaine where the Nobles make Great Tryumph for him and with ioyfull minde The Emperour reioyceth he is come And bids him welcome into Christendome There he is entertain'd with Turnament With Kingly banquets Princely reuelling And multitudes to giue their eyes content Attend him with their throngs still wondering At all his worthy acts Report hath spred Wherewith their eares most strangely hath bin fed From thence he trauailes toward his louing friend The Duke of Louaine whom he long'd to see But ere he came vnto his Iournyes end A wronged Lady hee did worthy free Which violently was from her Loue bereft And he at point of Death sore wounded left Thus it befell Terry a valiant Earle With his deare Loue surnam'd Osile the faire His precious Iemme inestimable pearle Into a Forrest went to take the ayre Whereas a plot was layde to take his life And make his beautious Loue anothers wife Vpon the sodaine sixteene Villaines came Vnto the Earle and did him grieuous wound Sirra quoth one thou hast a wench wee clayme She must with vs lye thou there on the ground And the next passenger that thou doest see Intreat him make a Graue to bury thee Guy finding Terry thus hearing his plaint Doth comfort him in kindest sort hee can Who with the losse of blood doth weakely faint With face of deadly colour pale and wan Courage quoth he I le fetch thy Loue againe Or say that Guy is but a Coward swaine When Terry heard that name he did reuiue For vnto him Guyes worthy deedes were knowne And lifting vp himselfe from ground did striue For to embrace him in deepe passions groane Thanks gracious heauens qd he with soule and heart For sending thee to take my wronged part Which is the way quoth he those Villaines went That pathe said wofull Terry by yon Oke Haue after them this deed they shall repent As I am Christian Knight and as he spoke He heard a shrike which was the Ladyes cry So by that sound he did them soone descry Comming vnto them wretched slaues quoth he What doe you purpose with this Lady heere In large her presently and set her free You haue done wronges that will be rated deere Her Husband wounded shee vsde violent Will cost you liues a peece incontinent With that they laugh'd said what foole 's this same Or rather mad-man in his desp'rate minde That meanes by wilfull Death to get a name And haue the world report he hath bin kinde The fellow sure is in some franticke fit And meanes to fight without both feare or wit Like so quoth he the fit that 's on me now You all shall finde to bee a raging one With that he showes them Mars his angry brow And bids the Lady cease her pensiue mone Saying good Madam vnto ioy incline For sodainly these Rascals will be mine Then with a courage admirable bolde At euery blowe some one or other dyes Which when the gentle Lady did beholde Oh pitty worthy Knight she cryes These mortall woundes I can no longer see Be not so bloody in reuenging me Vpon my knees I doe intreate thee stay This is to me a terrifying sight Oh with their liues thou takest mine away If one dye more I fainting yeeld my sprite Thou worthily mine honour hast defended Let the reuenging of my wrongs be ended Lady quoth he I cease at thy request Depart base Rascals all but two be gon But villaines you did binde her for the rest And stroake them with his sword the scabard on That downe to ground they fell making this scuse My Lord we onely kept her to thy vse Then on his steed he lets the Lady ride To seeke her Lord whome she had left distrest And Guy vnto the place became her guide Where comming they did finde him carefull drest For in their absence came a Hermit by Which to his bleeding woundes did salue apply Terry and Osile in their ioyes abound And gracefully to Guy all thankes doe giue Be thou said they in Life and death renown'd Whom we will Honour while we breathing liue Holde heer 's my hand quoth Terry worthy Guy In fight for thee I would bee proude to dye
doth sore possesse And sicknes gripes doe touch about my heart I feele I am not farre from happines But am in hope my foe and I shall part This aduersary which I long haue fed By whome my soule hath bin so much misled To my deare Phelice I will send my Ring Which I did promise for her sake to keepe I may no longer time deferre the thing For feare that Death preuent me with his sleepe I feele his Messenger approach apace And poore weake Nature must of force giue place So call'd a Heardsman as he passed by And said good friend doe me a speciall fauour Euen in a matter that concernes me nye My hope relyes vpon thy kinde behauiour To Warwicke Castle speedily repaire And for the Countesse aske with trusty care Deliuer this Ring to her-owne hand And say the ancient Pilgrim sent the same That lately at her Gate with Scrip did stand To beg an Almes in blessed Iesus Name And if shee aske thee where I doe remaine Direct her hither she 'le requite thy paine Sir quoth the Heardsman I shall be asham'd That ne're dust speake to Lady in my life Nay more and 't please you I may much be blam'd To carry Rings to such a great mans Wife Besides if I should loose it by the way Why what would you and Madam Phelice say Pre-thee said Guy frame not such idle doubt No preiudice can light on thee at all The acte is honest which thou goest about And for it none can thee in question call A curteous eare the Lady will thee lend Vpon my warrant feare you nothing friend With that he goes and mannerly betakes The token to the Countesse which she seeing Most admirable wonder at it makes Ah friend quoth she where is my husbands being Husband said he that newes I doe not bring From an olde Begger I receiu'd the Ring His house was made of neither Wood nor Stone But vnder ground into a hole he went And in my Conscience there he dwels alone And neuer payes his Land-lord quarters rent Ah 't is my Guy she said showe me his Cell And for thy paines I will reward thee well So he directs Warwicks faire Countesse thither Who entring in that melancholly place Her Lord and shee embracing weepe together Vnable to pronounce a word long space Long time they two had not a Tongue to speake Till Guyes discretions sorrowes doore did breake Phelice quoth he now take thy leaue of Guy That sent to see thee ere his sight decay Within thine armes I doe intreat to dye And breath my sprite from thy sweet soule away Thou gau'st me almes at Warwicke Castle late T is blessednes to pitty poore mens state Guy in repentance poorely liues Obscurely in a Caue Reueal'd to Phelice by a Ring When Death had digg'd his Graue Looke not so strange bewayle not so my Deare Ah weepe not Loue I doe not want thy teares I haue shed plenty since my comming heere Of true remorse my Conscience witnes beares Thou weep'st not now because I wept no more But to behold me friendlesse helplesse poore Wife I haue sought the place that all desire Though few endeauour for eternall rest The soule which to that Heauen doth aspire Must leaue the world and worldly thinges detest T is full of Deuils that on soules doe wayte And full of snares in euery place some bayte Ah Phelice I haue spent and then he wept Youth Natures day vpon the Loue of thee And for my God olde rotten Age haue kept The night of Nature Christ forgiue it me Sorrow lyes heauy on my soule for this Sweet Sauiour Iesus pardon my amisse In that I had destroy'd so many men Euen for one Woman to inioy thy Loue Therefore in this most solitary Den I sought my peace with that great God aboue Gainst whome by sinne I haue bin more misled Then there be hayres vpon my hoary head The other day feeling my body ill And all the partes thereof opprest with paine I did compose a Testament and Will To bee the last that euer I ordaine Loe heere it is I le reade it if I can Before I cease to bee a liuing man HIS WILL. EVen in the Name of him whose mighty pow'r Created all in Heauen and Earth contained As one to dye this very instant hower I leaue the world and all therein vnfained My soule I giue to him that gaue it mee Receiue it Jesus as I trust in thee I owe a debt of Life is due to Death And when 't is payde him he can aske no more A very vapour of a little breath Would he had had it many yeares before But heer 's my comfort though he come or stay T is ready for him if hee will to day I owe the world the stocke of wealth it lent When I did enter traffique with the same Lesse would haue giuen Nature more content T is happinesse to want a Rich mans name World leaue mee naked as I did begin I aske but one poore Sheet to wrap me in I doe bequeath more sinnes then I can number My dayly euils in a countlesse summe Euen from my cradle vnto Death's dead slumber Those past these present all that are to come To him that made them loades to burthen mee Sathan receiue them for they came from thee I giue good thoughts and eu'ry vertuous deed That euer grace hath guided me vnto To him from whom all goodnes doth proceed For onely euill Natvre taght me doe I was Conceiued bred and borne in sinne And all my Life most vaine and vile hath bin I giue to Sorrow all my sighes and cryes Fetch'd from the bottome of a bleeding heart I giue Repentance teares and watery eyes The signes vnfained of a true conuert Earth yeeld a Graue or Sea become a Tombe Jesus vnto my soule graunt Heauen-roome Phelice I faint farewell true loyall Wife Assist me with thy prayers thy Husband dyes I trust to meete thee in a better life Where teares shall all be wip'd from weeping eyes Come blessed Spirits come in Jesus Name Receiue my soule to him conuay the same And with these words his quiet sprite departs While mournfull Phelice well-nye dead for woe Her sences all to sorrowes vse conuerts And too aboundant doth her teares bestow Beating her brest till brest and heart be sore Wringing her handes till she could striue no more Then sighing said ah Death my sorrowes cause That hast depriu'd mee of my dearest Lord Since loathsome ayre my vitall spirits drawes This fauour for thy tyrannie afford Doe me a good to recompence thy ill And strike the stroke that all my cares can kill Let me not liue to see to morrowes light But make me thus colde bloodlesse pale and wan As this dead Carcasse doth appeare in fight This true discription of a mortall man Whose deedes of wonder past and gone before Haue left him now at Deaths darke prison doore Kissing his face with a farewell ef teares Shee leaues the body for the Graue to claime And from that place as 〈…〉 â—oule shee beares As euer Woman that the world can name Liuing but Fifteene dayes after his Death And then through extreame sorrow yeelded breath FINIS