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
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
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
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
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
what 's to be done To free the present danger wee are in My Lord quoth Guy there 's freedome to be wonne Euen by a course my selfe will first begin Let 's issue forth vpon them presently Our courages will make the Cowards flye I le giue consent to any thing thou wilt Thy proiect willingly I doe approue Let limbe be lost let Life and blood be spilt All followes thee that comes to me in Loue. Open the Gates le ts beate them from our walles Hee lyes no lower then the ground that falles Then sodainly the Citty they forsake And on the Almaines resolutely set Where such a bloody slaughter they did make That many thousand liues payde Death his debt Of thirty Thousand that in Siedge there lay Scarce thirty Hundred that escap'd away The Emperour at this was much agrieu'd And with new Forces gaue a new assault Knowing the Citty could not be relieu'd And then their strength would weaken by default So comes vpon them with a fresh supply Thinking at length to famish them thereby Guy and the Duke vpon the walles appeare And tels him he shall neuer winne their Towne For they can spare his Soldiers much good cheare Throwing them Victuals in aboundance downe Intreating them if they want more then that To speake they shall haue store to make them fat But now quoth Guy your bodyes are well fed How doe you feele your stomacks to goe fight I am afraid you are not rightly bred But dunghils that will sooner crowe then bite For still when Cowards doe begin a fray Looke ere it end to see them runne away And so your selues haue lately done wee see Your tongs were heard but hands ther 's no man feeles Most hote to brabble and contend you bee But wondrous quicke and nimble at your heeles We did suspect when you came heere to forage We should haue bin encumbred with your courage But 't is not so alas y' are not the men Vnlesse perhaps asleepe you should vs catch For waking wee le encounter one to ten And neuer wish to haue a better match Haue at you once againe sit fast wee come March on my hearts sound Trumpets strike vp Drum Vpon the sodaine with the Foe they bee Fighting as men that laugh'd pale Death to scorne Resolued now they would their Citty free Or neuer liue to see the next day morne Much blood was shed great store of Liues it cost And on the Almaines side the Field was lost The Duke and Guy pursues their foes in chase Who like so many Hares away doe flye Wishing that they had wings to mend their pace So sweet is life to them that feare to dye But Fortune in an angry doome decreed Their glory honour fame and life should bleed The victors to the Citty then retired With Trophes of tryumphant glory wonne And all that heard the Action much admired The great Exploit so resolutely done But vnto Guy the Duke all thankes did yeeld For thou quoth he art Caesar of our Field My Lord quoth Guy I ioy not halfe so much That we haue wrought a freedome by the Sword As I should glory if my hap were such Twixt you and th'Emperour to make accord Giue me but leaue I will endeauour it And put good-will to a blunt Soldiers wit The Duke consents with thankes and doth intreat Him take a guard of Soldiers forth the Towne Danger that seemes but little may proue great I would not haue thee wrong'd for Raniers Crowne Goe Honourable man what thou shalt doe I le set my hand my Heart my Life thereto Guy goes vnto the Emperour speakes thus High Maiesty all health vnto thy Grace And Peace to thee if thou say Peace to vs And Loue to thee if Loue thou wilt imbrace As we are Christians let vs warre no more But fight 'gainst such as will not God adore We sue not to thee in a seruile manner As dreading any power or force thou hast For Victory doth now display his Banner And warre yeelds vs a sweet and pleasing tast No cause doth moue it but a Conscience cause To bring the Heathens to religious Lawes Speake Raynier and resolue what wilt thou doe VVith Soldiers breuity my message ends Giue me an answer euen as briefe thereto Shall we be Christian foes or Christian friends Shall we among our selues that Name deuide Or challenge those that haue the same denide Braue English-man hadst thou spoke thus before Thousands quoth he had liu'd which now are slaine Earth should haue wanted of that slaughtered store VVhich in her vastie bowels doe remaine Thou hast preuail'd with me heere warre shall cease And I imbrace thee as a friend of Peace Thy motion tends to Honour honours Knight And thou shalt liue in Fames immortall praise When thou art buryed in eternall night Thy Name shall last the longest length of dayes Thou dost the Worthyes of the world exceed Blest be the Countrey did thy person breed Come goe my Liege quoth Guy vnto the Towne And with Duke Segwin there a League renue Our ends shall be to pull the Pagans downe That vnto CHRIST'S Religion are vntrue My greatest ioy will be to heare it said This is the best dayes worke that e're Guy made Guy with a Thousand chosen men Against the Pagans goes And makes them curse that ere they felt The force of Christians blowes Canto 6. THe power of peace hath vanquish'd stubborn war And mighty Princes worthily conclude The Sword shall rust in sheath before it Iarre To be with blood of Innocents imbrew'd Christians in Name and Action to vnite 'Gainst vnbeleeuing Infidels to fight â—uy with a Thousand men doth take his leaue so hearken further after Martiall newes And doth a true intelligence receiue That barb'rous Pagans Sarazens and Iewes Turkes and the like of Mahomets blinde crew In most confused warre each other slew To them he goes partiall on neither part His Sword did fauour euery side alike They all were odious to him in his heart Which arm'd his hand with vigour for to strike And worke amazement vnto their contending Comming so roughly to their quarrels ending Quoth they amongst themselues what fellow 's this Thae layes about him like a mad-man thus Of certainty more then a man hee is For humane force would feare to fight with vs But if he bee as seemeth by his shape Had he ten thousand liues he could not scape Then did a haughty Pagan step to Guy And said to him If valour in thee rest Let 's haue a little sport 'twixt thee and I Onely to see which of our Swords cut best Thou hast a weapon there is like a Reede Me thinkes it is too blunt to make one bleed Too blunt quoth Guy and in his anger grones Pagan I like thy humour passing well I le whet it ere we part vpon thy bones And then another tale thou wilt me tell If it should faile me now it were a wonder Such Lubbers it hath often hew'd a sunder Bat come art
good Take no more care for drinke before I end thee And then wee le haue carouses of thy blood Heer 's at thee with a butchers downe-right blow To please my fury with thine ouerthrow Infernall false obdurate fiend Guy said That seem'st a lumpe of cruelty from Hell Ingratefull Monster since thou hast denay'd The thing to me wherein I vsde thee well With more reuenge then ere my Sword did make On thy accursed head Reuenge I le take Thy Gyants longitude shall shorter shrinke Except thy Sun-scorcht skin be weapon proofe Farwell my thirst I doe disdaine to drinke Streames keepe your water to your owne behoofe Or let wilde Beasts be welcome thereunto With those pearle drops I will not haue to doe Holde tyrant take a tast of my good will For thus I doe begin my bloody bout You cannot chuse but like the greeting ill It is not that same Club will beare you out And take this payment on thy shaggie crowne A blow that brought him with a vengeance downe Then Guy set foote vpon the Monsters brest And from his shoulders did his Head deuide Which with a yawning mouth did gape vnblest No Dragons jawes were euer seene more wide To open and to shut till life was spent So Guy tooke's Keyes and to the Castle went Where many wofull Captiues hee did finde That had bin tyred with extremities Whom he in ftiendly manner did vnbinde And reason'd with them of their miseries Each tolde a tale with teares and sighes and cryes All weeping to him with complaining eyes There tender Ladyes in darke dungeon lay That were surprized in the desart Wood And had no other dyet euery day Then flesh of humane Creatures for their food Some with their Louers bodyes had bin fed And in their wombes their Husbands buryed Now he bethinkes him of his comming there T' inlarge the wronged bretheren from their woes And as he searcheth doth great clamours heare By which sad sounds direction on he goes Vntill he findes a darksome obscure Gate Arm'd strongly ouer all with Yron plate That he vnlockes and enters where appeares The strangest obiect that hee euer saw Men that with famishment of many yeares Were like Death's picture which the Painters draw Diuers of them were hanged by each thumbe Others head downe-ward by the middle some With diligence hee takes them from the walles Where liberty their thraldome to acquaint Then the perplexed Knight their Father calles And sayes receiue thy Sonnes though poore faint I promist you their liues accept of that But did not warrant you they should be fat The Castle I doe giue thee heer 's the Keyes Where tyranny for many yeares did dwell Procure the gentle tender Ladyes ease For pitty-sake vse wronged Women well Men easily may reuenge the deedes men doe But poore weake Women haue not strength thereto The good olde man euen ouer-ioy'd with this Fell on the ground and would haue kist Guyes feet Father quoth he refraine so base a kisse For Age to honour Youth I holde vnmeete Ambitious pride hath hurt me all it can I goe to mortifie a sinfull man Guy on his Iourney doth proceede With painefull Pilgrim life While Warwick Countesse liues in tears A Chaste and loyall Wife Canto 11. BEhold the man that sought Contentions out Whose recreation was in angry armes And for his Venus raung'd the world about To finde out dreadfull Combats fierce allarmes From former disposition allienate Shun's all occasions may procure debate In his owne wrongs by vow he will not strike Let iniury impose what strife can doe Abuses shall not force him to dislike For he hath now fram'd Nature thereunto And taken Patience by the hand for 's guide To leade his thoughts where meeknes doth abide No worldly ioy can giue his minde content Delights are gone as they had neuer bin His onely care is how hee may Repent His spending youth about the seruing sinne And fashion age to looke like contrite sorrow That little time to come which life doth borrow His lookes were sad complexion pale and wan His dyet of the meanest hard and spare His life he led like a Religious man His habite poore and homely thin and bare His Dignities and Honour were forgot His Warwicke Earledome he regarded not Sometime he would goe search into a Graue And there finde out a rotten dead-mans Scull And with the same a conference would haue Examining each Vanity at full And then himselfe would answer for the Head His owne obiections in the Dead-mans stead If thou hast bin some Monarch where 's thy Crowne Or who in feare of thy sterne lookes doe stand Death hath made conquest of my great renowne My golden Scepter in a fleshly hand Is taken from me by another King And I in dust am made a rotten thing Hast thou bin some great Counsailer of state Whose potent wit did rule a mighty Realme Where is the pollicy thou hadst of late Consum'd and gone euen like an idle dreame I haue not so much wit as will suffice To kill the Wormes thar in my Coffin lyes Perhaps thou wast some beautious Ladyes face For whom right strange aduentures haue bin wrought Euen such as when it was my louing case For my deere kindest Phelice I haue fought Perhaps about this Scull there was a skin Fairer then Hellens was inclosed in And on this scalp so wormy eaten bare Where nothing now but bone we may behold Were Natures ornaments such lockes of Hayre As might induce the eye to deeme them golde And christall Eyne in these two hollow caues And heere such Lips as Loue for kissing craues But where 's the substance of this Beauty spent So louely precious in the sight of men With powerfull Death vnto the dust it went Grew loathsome filthy came to nothing then And what a Picture of it doth remaine To tell the wise all Beauty is but vaine Such memories hee often would preferre Of mortall frailty and the force of Death To teach the Flesh how apt it is to erre And post repentance off till latest breath Thus would he in the worlds contempt reproue All that seduc'd the soule from Heauenly loue Now for a while reuerse your view of woe For one sad subiect to behold another To see new sorrow backe to England goe And to long absent yeares commit the tother Leaue dolefuil Guy to aged griefe and cares And looke on Phelice how his Lady fares Like to a Widdow all in blacke attire She doth expresse her inward dolefull minde A Chamber-prison is her chiefe desire Where she to passions wholy is inclin'd She that of late was pride of English Court With Maiesty no longer will consort But liues a life like one despisde lifes being And euery day vnto the world did dye With iudgements eyes farre into folly seeing And noting well how fast false pleasures flye Leauing for eu'ry taste of vaine Delight A huger heape of Cares then Pen can write Her thoughts ranne after her departed Lord And trauail'd